The Demonic Path martial world is a realm of Survival of the Strong.
The strong are respected and the weak are devoured. Both sides, strong and weak, accept this as somewhat natural. It differs from the Orthodox Path martial world, which values principles like loyalty and chivalry over mere force.
However, the Survival of the Strong in the Demonic Path martial world, or more precisely the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, had its own advantages.
A world where even the offspring of the strong are culled if weak. In reverse, this meant that with sufficient ability, one could receive respect regardless of their background.
This was exactly why Wi Hong-ryeon, a descendant of the Wi family clan[1] – a martial family from Hunan Province that harassed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult until the very end before being exterminated – could become the leader of the Mad Demon Squad, the worst combat unit in the Inner Palace.
Seo Ryang recalled the documents So Yeonshim had given him.
Wi Hong-ryeon. Age thirty-two. Joined the cult at age nine, showed prominence within five years and was transferred to the Inner Palace. Selected as a Mad Demon Squad member at age twenty for her amazing talent and harsh temperament. Later fought a life-or-death duel with mutual agreement of the previous squad leader. Won after three hundred exchanges, promoted to squad leader at age twenty-eight.
Even just these few simple details showed what kind of harsh person she was. Before martial arts ability, one couldn’t create such a brilliant history without exceptional guts and drive.
An interesting one.
Wi Hong-ryeon looked at Do Wigyeong.
“Sorry. I’ll apologize on his behalf.”
Do Wigyeong waved his hands frantically.
“N-no, not at all!”
“But you seemed to know this fellow?”
“Yes! He occasionally stops by our establishment for meals!”
“Has he come this month?”
Do Wigyeong tilted his head.
“This month…”
Just then, the Squad Vice Leader, Cha Gwang[2], glared at him. Do Wigyeong’s face turned pale again.
Wi Hong-ryeon’s eyes deepened.
Whack!
“Kuk!”
Cha Gwang fell flat like a frog.
“Where do you get the nerve to glare?”
“Kuluk! Sq-Squad Leader! That’s not…”
“Look at this bastard talking back. Right?”
“That’s…”
“Didn’t I order absolute standby in quarters until the dinner gathering? You dare ignore standby orders?”
“P-please listen to my…”
Crack.
Wi Hong-ryeon clenched her fist. From the woman’s fist emanated an overwhelming pressure rivaling that of a Vajra warrior.
“It has been a while since our last beating session, hasn’t it? You’re mistaken if you thought I’d let it slide because it’s dinner night.”
She swung her fist.
Bam bam bam bam!
Cha Gwang’s body jerked with each raining punch.
There were no screams. Though it hurt like hell, Cha Gwang knew he’d get hit more if he squealed.
Wi Hong-ryeon’s pupils gradually turned red.
The way she licked her lips resembled a viper flicking its tongue.
“Some Vice Squad Leader you are. When will you throw away that third-rate scoundrel temperament!”
Crack!
Do Wigyeong’s jaw dropped.
Anyone could tell that was the sound of breaking bones, right? Did she really break his bones? Even though it’s dinner night?
Wi Hong-ryeon snorted.
“Stand up.”
Swoosh!
Cha Gwang sprang up from his spot. Though he wanted to roll around crying that he was dying, he didn’t dare even consider it.
“Think I went too far?”
“No, not at all!”
A reflexive answer.
Watching this fascinating scene, Seo Ryang read sincerity in Cha Gwang’s response.
Of course.
In any organization, disobeying orders warrants immediate execution. Getting off with just a broken arm was more than generous. Rather, it was amazing that Wi Hong-ryeon showed such magnanimity by ending it there.
“I’m ending it here because I don’t want to ruin everyone’s mood. Pull this shit again and I’ll really take your head off next time.”
Cha Gwang’s face turned pale. Until now, Wi Hong-ryeon had never once gone back on her own words.
“I-I’ll keep it in mind!”
Only then did Wi Hong-ryeon’s face soften.
“Bring them in.”
Cha Gwang staggered out the door.
“Get in here, you lot!”
The Mad Demon Squad members poured in simultaneously. Having likely heard the sounds of beating from outside, none dared open their mouths even once while climbing to the second floor.
Wi Hong-ryeon shouted.
“What’s wrong with you bastards? Did someone die? Why are your shoulders drooping on this fine dinner night? Order some drinks first!”
The Mad Demon Squad members were clearly quite simple-natured. At Wi Hong-ryeon’s shout, Purple-Eyebrowed Tower instantly became boisterous.
“Hah, how long has it been?!”
“First time seeing alcohol in half a year…”
“Aaaah! I’m gonna drink till it hits my throat!”
It was truly a seal release.
With all manner of laughter, the second to fourth floors were occupied by Mad Demon Squad members.
Wi Hong-ryeon spoke to Do Wigyeong.
“You received the dinner payment in advance, right? Give them whatever they want. If I’m satisfied, I’ll add about two hundred taels more.”
For an owner, these were words deserving a full bow of gratitude, but Do Wigyeong’s expression remained poor.
Wi Hong-ryeon tilted her head.
“Owner.”
“…”
“Hey! Owner!”
“Huk! Yes?!”
“Why are you spacing out? You need to move quickly.”
On the side, Cha Gwang glared. His eyes said why aren’t you moving according to the Squad Leader’s words.
Just then, cooks emerged from the kitchen carrying food.
Cooks, not servers, carrying food. At this strange situation, Wi Hong-ryeon and Cha Gwang blinked.
Do Wigyeong quickly made eye signals.
“Hurry, hurry and serve it!”
Well… he hadn’t wanted such subservience…
While the two were feeling awkward, the extremely tense cooks headed toward the first floor window. They didn’t spare a single glance at Wi Hong-ryeon and Cha Gwang.
The two’s gazes followed the cooks.
“The dishes… are ready.”
Seo Ryang nodded.
“Just do as usual, why go this far.”
“No!”
“The wine?”
Do Wigyeong quickly approached beside the cooks and pulled out two wine bottles from his chest.
“It’s Five Grain Liquor[3] from Sichuan. Just imported, with an excellent strong fragrance.”
Transporting Five Grain Liquor from Sichuan to here must have been no small feat. Do Wigyeong had brought out even his own hidden treasures.
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“You don’t need to go this far.”
“No! Rather, it’s my honor…”
“Strong-flavored wine won’t match well with plain food.”
“Kuk!”
Do Wigyeong prostrated himself.
“P-please kill me!”
“Huh? No, I just meant… please get up. I’ll accept your sincerity. Please bring some milder wine.”
“Y-yes!”
Do Wigyeong dashed into the kitchen.
Wi Hong-ryeon frowned.
What’s with this guy?
Seeing her expression, Cha Gwang’s face turned red as he approached Seo Ryang with heavy breathing. Though his stride was proud, his dangling broken left arm made him look quite pitiful.
“Hey, you there!”
Seo Ryang glanced at Cha Gwang.
“Me?”
“Who else is here besides you, bastard!”
Instantly, the cooks and servers froze in place.
Wi Hong-ryeon felt the first floor atmosphere turn not just cool but cold.
Seo Ryang smiled.
“Why me?”
“Are you from the Inner Palace?”
“Well… you could say that?”
“Bastard, don’t you know the Mad Demon Squad rented this whole place today?”
“Did you rent this place, or did the owner kick everyone out because he was scared?”
“What!?”
“Did you properly rent this place? Left any official documents?”
“…Look at this guy?”
Seo Ryang snorted.
“You have your dinner gathering, I’ll enjoy myself my way. Is there a problem?”
“This fucking bastard, really!”
Hisssss!
A whitish haze rose from Cha Gwang’s body. His demonic qi surging with anger.
A gleam appeared in Seo Ryang’s eyes.
Quite impressive.
This level was indeed worthy of being called a peak master.
Of course, it wasn’t enough to satisfy Seo Ryang’s eyes. To the eyes of a supreme master who had been counted among the world’s top ten, they all looked the same.
The key was in the spirit.
Though hot-tempered and rash in nature, once in battle he would clearly achieve results beyond his skill level.
And that wouldn’t be unique to Cha Gwang. Most of the Mad Demon Squad would have such tough and harsh qualities.
Cha Gwang growled.
“Since it’s a good day, I’ll let you off once. Get out now!”
Considering the Mad Demon Squad’s notoriety, drawing swords right there wouldn’t have been strange. This could be seen as Cha Gwang showing his own form of magnanimity.
Naturally, it had no effect on Seo Ryang.
“I’m not into fighting either, so I’ll let you off once too.”
“What?!”
“Have your fun however you want among yourselves. Got it?”
“…You son of a bitch!”
Click!
Cha Gwang’s hand reached for his waist. He seemed ready to draw his crude blade[4] at any moment.
That’s when it happened.
“Stand down.”
“Squad Leader?”
“Don’t act rashly, stand down.”
Cha Gwang retreated hesitantly. When none other than the almighty Squad Leader ordered retreat, what else could he do?
Wi Hong-ryeon approached Seo Ryang.
Seo Ryang looked up at her.
Squeeze.
Wi Hong-ryeon’s hand hidden in her sleeve tightened.
Strong?
The eyes of the one looking up at her were like colorless, transparent ice. She couldn’t read what he was thinking at all.
Power… I’m not sure. But he’s definitely not weak.
At first glance he appeared to be in his mid-twenties. And that was just because of his build – looking at his face alone, she’d believe if someone said he was barely twenty.
Definitely not an ordinary status.
Everyone here, from the owner to the cooks, was mindful of this young man. He must be quite something, whatever he was.
Wi Hong-ryeon staring at Seo Ryang. And Seo Ryang looking up at Wi Hong-ryeon.
The corner of Seo Ryang’s mouth smoothly rose.
“My neck hurts. If you have something to say, sit down.”
Wi Hong-ryeon’s eyelids trembled.
Cha Gwang’s mouth opened reflexively.
“This crazy bastard must be dying to die!”
Seo Ryang and Wi Hong-ryeon didn’t even look at him. Cha Gwang’s breathing gradually intensified. Though he still didn’t act rashly before his superior.
Wi Hong-ryeon opened her mouth.
“Who are you?”
“Want to exchange names?”
“You seem to know we’re the Mad Demon Squad.”
“That would be harder not to know. You all look crazy.”
Swoosh.
Killing intent rose from Cha Gwang’s body. He was truly about to explode.
Wi Hong-ryeon’s eyes deepened.
“You didn’t seem reckless enough to pick a fight first, or was I mistaken?”
“This is funny. Weren’t you the ones who picked the fight first?”
“…”
“And I told you – if you have something to say, sit down.”
“Why should I listen to you?”
“Because my neck hurts?”
Wi Hong-ryeon’s pupils gradually turned red as she unconsciously licked her lips.
“You’re making an uninteresting choice.”
Matching that, Seo Ryang’s smile deepened.
“We’ll see who finds it uninteresting?”
Just then, Do Wigyeong emerged from the kitchen and shouted with a pale face.
“Squad Leader!”
Wi Hong-ryeon glanced at him.
Normally he would have immediately lowered his eyes, but now even Do Wigyeong was urgent. He just realized he hadn’t explained who this person was because the atmosphere had been so volatile.
“Y-you can’t do this to him!”
Clang!
Cha Gwang immediately drew his sword and placed it on Do Wigyeong’s shoulder.
“Huk!”
“What did you just say?”
Do Wigyeong gulped.
“…You can’t do this to him.”
Cha Gwang smiled coldly.
“Give me thirty reasons why we can’t. Then I’ll let you live.”
It meant he’d kill him immediately if he spoke nonsense. Do Wigyeong squeezed his eyes shut.
“He’s the Cult’s Third Young Master!”
“…?”
“H-he’s the Cult Leader’s disciple!”
“…!”
Wi Hong-ryeon and Cha Gwang looked at Seo Ryang in shock.
Seo Ryang shrugged.
“Twenty-nine reasons left, owner.”