https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-315-Hai-Wu-Liang-s-Ruthlessness-Two-in-One-/12980339/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-316-Starlight-s-Ascension-The-Night-Demon-s-Move-Part-2-/12980352/
Chapter 316: Starlight's Ascension, The Night Demon's Move (Part 1)
Chapter 316: Starlight's Ascension, The Night Demon's Move (Part 1)
Zhou Meier's words left the rest of the group silent.
For a long time, everyone sighed deeply.
A sense of infinite dejection filled the air.
Yes, Zhou Meier was right, but... it was an impossible dream.
They would have to return, swallow their pride, bow and scrape, and struggle to survive.
While the Starlight Commander was destined to stay here, separated by tens of thousands of miles.
...
Upon receiving the news of the Night Demon Sect's annihilation, the Starlight Commander did not exhibit the excitement that everyone had anticipated.
There wasn't even a hint of enthusiasm in his response.
"Oh, the Night Demon Sect is destroyed. That's good."
The Starlight Commander spoke calmly, "At least your families didn't let me down."
"It's normal for them to be eradicated. If they hadn't been, your families would have been truly incompetent. With the path laid out before them, it would have been astonishing if they hadn't taken it."
The Starlight Commander, facing the crowd's astonished gazes, nonchalantly shrugged, "Why are you all staring at me like that? Are you really that shocked? This was an expected outcome, so there's no need to make such a fuss."
Zhao Wu Shang, Zheng Yunqi, and the others looked at the Starlight Commander's indifferent demeanor, feeling internally wounded.
Could the gap between people be so vast?
When we received the news, our eyes nearly popped out of our sockets, but the Starlight Commander...
Didn't seem to care at all?
"Commander, did you... foresee this outcome?" Zheng Yunqi asked.
"No." The Starlight Commander rolled his eyes, "I'm not a deity; how could I have predicted this?"
The crowd hesitated, "Then... what...?"
"All the plans were made, targeting the human heart. The Night Demon Sect's decline or downfall was within expectations. So, it's not a big deal. But even I didn't expect it to happen so quickly."
The Starlight Commander spoke calmly, "I estimated it would take half a month or a month of preparation to push things to this point, but it happened much sooner than anticipated. It's quite surprising."
Very surprising! Zheng Yunqi and the others felt like they were about to vomit blood. When you say it's surprising, could you show some emotion? Your calm delivery of these three words makes it hard for us to believe you're genuinely surprised.
Are you just comforting us?
"But I still want to congratulate you all." The Starlight Commander's ugly face broke into a smile.
"Congratulations, everyone. The black cauldrons on your backs are completely gone. From now on, you're clean and can return to headquarters with your heads held high, without worrying about any grudges. This is my first congratulations."
The crowd straightened up.
"Thank you, Commander, for your life-changing grace!"
They spoke with utmost seriousness, sincerity, and gratitude from the depths of their hearts. They knew that without the Starlight Commander's constant interventions and manipulations, they would have never achieved this level of exoneration.
They might have even faced death, such was the magnitude of the favor they had received.
The Starlight Commander smiled and said, "My second congratulations are for... seeing your own power, each other's power, and the power of unity. The path forward is now clear."
The crowd bowed simultaneously.
Without saying a word, they remained bowed.
Their hearts were filled with indescribable turmoil.
At that moment, they had a clear sense, or perhaps an impulse.
We are willing to bow before this man forever!
The Starlight Commander laughed heartily, "I know you're shocked by the Night Demon Sect's demise, but what's past is past. Even if all sects vanished, it's still the past for those who live on. There's no need to dwell on it."
"Understanding yourself is the most important thing."
The Starlight Commander's tone turned solemn, "Your crises have been resolved, and the benefits that belong to you are now in your hands. Your future is also clear. So, it's time for me to reap some benefits."
"Commander, just give the order, and we will brave fire and water, even at the risk of a thousand deaths!"
The crowd expressed their heartfelt gratitude.
"Hey... You're making it sound so dire. My benefit is my branch office, my Heavenly Escort Bureau!"
The Starlight Commander smiled, "I hope you all will work diligently to develop the branch, recruit more members, and truly strengthen it."
"For the future, it may become a hall, laying a solid foundation."
The Starlight Commander said, "This is my benefit. I hope you will fulfill my wish!"
"We are willing to die for the Commander!"
Zheng Yunqi placed her left hand on her chest, speaking with utmost reverence.
Following her lead, the crowd echoed her words with the same gesture, "We are willing to die for the Commander!"
...
From then on, the enthusiasm of the young demon leaders skyrocketed.
To give a trivial example, they would even jog for distances of several zhang.
Their proactiveness in escort missions was astonishing.
Countless escorts returning from missions were subjected to continuous indoctrination, and in the process, they couldn't help but add their own interpretations and boasts...
The Starlight Commander's image became increasingly radiant.
Throughout the Heavenly Escort Bureau, everyone secretly admired the Starlight Commander as if they were engaged in a covert idolization campaign.
The Starlight Commander's daily routine involved scolding and cursing, his language coarse and his actions rough, but the young demon leaders became increasingly obedient and reverent, their admiration growing.
The crowd almost deified the Starlight Commander with their words.
Even the hideous and loathsome face of the Starlight Commander seemed to become less noticeable as he scowled and sneered.
Several young girls privately chatted, saying that the Commander was so manly...
When they mentioned the Starlight Commander, they would even blush...
Then, a few brave ones, regardless of the Commander's ferocity and brutality, began to approach him.
They couldn't be driven away by beating or scolding, and they even started to act coquettish.
The Starlight Commander was suddenly overwhelmed and became flustered.
After seeing the Commander's embarrassment, the girls began to take it further.
A feeling of 'teasing the Commander' gradually arose.
Each girl felt it was so strange. The Commander actually blushed... His face looked so flustered and it was so attractive...
The Starlight Commander was stunned.
He even became hesitant to approach them.
I was afraid of being eaten by these fairy-like girls...
...
Days passed one by one.
The Heavenly Escort Bureau developed rapidly, like a dry sponge absorbing water, visibly expanding and growing larger. It had already expanded to the point of having five hundred escorts.
The little demon brats, after receiving their orders, ran around like they were on a mission, tirelessly.
As a result, the business volume grew larger day by day.
Every day, escort carriages came and went, a constant stream of activity.
Moreover, expansion had already begun.
The seven or eight large courtyards and thirty to forty residential houses in the surrounding area were all purchased, demolished, and rebuilt. It wasn't until everything was completely reshaped that the Starlight Commander spent not a single penny.
And it was done!
A scene of prosperity emerged.
Other escort agencies became dissatisfied, protested, and showed signs of joining forces to stop the Heavenly Escort Bureau.
Yunqi sent people to visit these agencies: specifically to exchange martial arts skills.
Within a day, the escort heads and chief escorts of other agencies on the White Cloud Continent were all beaten up by the demon brats.
They immediately became obedient.
It didn't matter if there were malicious slanders or trap setups; I'll compensate you for the goods, and then give you three times the value of the goods. Just tell me who instructed you.
If three times isn't enough, then ten times! Under such a powerful financial assault, no one could remain unyielding, especially the merchants.
However, after they spoke, they would immediately face suppression from the Heavenly Escort Bureau.
They would also discover that the money they had just received would mysteriously disappear, without knowing how or why.
Moreover, if they wanted to hire the Heavenly Escort Bureau for escort services, the fees had changed: "We now charge seventy percent of the goods' value."
"If you don't accept, that's fine. Please find another agency."
"How can you treat everyone equally? Other agencies still charge the original price."
"Sue us? Go ahead!"
"Sue us for theft? Go ahead, sue us! Just present the evidence, and we'll go directly to the Guardian Pavilion to surrender."
"Want to leave? Sure, take your time, no need to rush."
The demon brats acted without restraint.
We dare not engage in misconduct, commit crimes, oppress the good, or...
There were many things we dared not do, but when it came to others framing us, we would never show leniency.
We only wanted to clear all obstacles for the Commander! Solve all problems! Anyone who opposed the Heavenly Escort Bureau was opposing the Starlight Commander.
Opposing the Starlight Commander was something we couldn't bear! Our ancestors eight generations back couldn't bear it either!
These little demon brats used all kinds of means.
When dealing with evil people, they were like... natural enemies!
A merchant who opposed the Heavenly Escort Bureau had a son getting married. During the wedding, when the happy grandfather-in-law went up to give a speech, standing on the high platform, but suddenly his pants fell down, and his clothes turned into butterflies and flew away, leaving him completely naked on the platform!
The entire city was in an uproar.
Everyone knew this was a setup, a scheme; but the problem was... such social embarrassment was not something an ordinary person could endure!
It was his son's wedding!
This extremely malicious act, which could even be called evil, made all the merchants submissive and dare not have any other thoughts.
The Heavenly Escort Bureau became increasingly prosperous.
The Chief Escort rarely needed to intervene, as the two Vice Chief Escorts managed all matters efficiently.
Even the Code of Conduct exams were organized voluntarily, and the punishments were more severe than when the Starlight Commander organized them! The reason was: "You not only failed to complete the task and memorize the Code of Conduct, but you also let down the Starlight Commander."
As a result, they were severely disciplined.
Now, forget about other things; at the very least, every escort in the Heavenly Escort Bureau could recite the entire Code of Conduct flawlessly!
No matter how they were questioned or tested, everyone scored a perfect score.
The Code of Conduct exams became useless.
The Starlight Commander came up with another idea and started different exams: professional exams.
As well as martial arts cultivation exams.
Within half a month, those who ranked last with the least improvement would be stripped naked and hung up for a beating.
Everyone would watch as a form of humiliation and punishment.
In the southern part of the courtyard, there were exactly eighteen willow trees that met the requirements.
Each tree had a large branch extending towards the side.
Perfect for hanging someone up, and with a clear view.
So the Starlight Commander decreed that only the last eighteen people would be beaten each time.
But what the Starlight Commander never expected was that... on this day, which seemed so cruel and inhumane to him, it became the day the little demon brats looked forward to the most.
Because... it wasn't them getting the beating, it was so refreshing!
Even these eighteen willow trees were named by the little demon brats: the Eighteen Layers of Hell!
On this day, after the exams, the benches wouldn't be put away.
They would form a neat square formation, eagerly waiting to see others getting beaten.
When the person was hung up, everyone would cheer together.
It was like watching a show.
Then they would strongly request: "Don't beat them together, do it one by one—so we can enjoy it for a longer time!"
Every time this day came around, the little demon brats became incredibly diligent. They cleaned the eighteen layers of hell until they sparkled, then waited anxiously for the upcoming exams.
Even the willow leaves were polished to a glossy shine.
Naturally, everyone wanted to watch the show, but no one wanted to be the one on stage.
Under this pressure, everyone was frantically cultivating, some even taking medicinal supplements to aid their progress. No one wanted to be among the eighteen selected, but at the same time, they secretly hoped that others would quickly make it into this list of eighteen.
And... Hehehe... It would be best if a girl made it onto the list, slurp... taking off her clothes and getting whipped...
Oh my, just thinking about it made him feel like flying.
All the male escort leaders were eagerly anticipating this day.
Even one would be enough.
Among the seventy-two female escort leaders known as the Earthly Slaughter Golden Flowers, each one understood the situation they were in. So, they gritted their teeth and cultivated even harder.
No matter what, they didn't want to be the ones on stage!
Being whipped was one thing, but the key issue was the embarrassment. It was the kind of embarrassment that made one want to die.
Especially if it happened in front of the Starlight Commander, it would be unbearable for the girls! So, each of the girls was determined to cultivate with all their might!
It must be said that this measure was indeed effective!
Everyone's cultivation soared like bamboo shoots after the rain, growing rapidly.
Naturally, the one with the fastest progress was the Starlight Commander, Yin Xiu, the Grand Escort Leader.
...
"Master, I've broken through to the ninth level of the Commander Rank."
Fang Che sent a message to the Seal God Palace, reporting the good news, "And now, the branch has taken shape. Even if I don't manage it, it can operate independently. It's just that there are too many escort leaders... a full five hundred. It's a bit overwhelming, Master."
The Seal God Palace replied, "Keep up the good work. The headquarters' inspection is coming soon."
"I understand, Master. I'll make sure to earn your respect."
Fang Che quickly expressed his loyalty.
During this time, Fang Che had a feeling that the Seal God Palace's attitude was gradually becoming colder.
Fang Che couldn't understand the reason for this change.
What have I done wrong to make the old demon brat so cold towards me? He reviewed everything he had done, but couldn't find the cause.
However, this feeling persisted.
So, during this time, Fang Che became more cautious.
On the other side, the Seal God Palace sent a message, "After the branch is established, what are your plans?"
"I'll follow your instructions, Master."
"If we were to change the Grand Escort Leader, would you be willing?"
Fang Che was stunned.
This question from the Seal God Palace was unusual!
This was a test.
Why would they want to test me? Fang Che's mind raced with tension.
The old demon brat must not know what's going on, and has become suspicious of me. This is certain. If I agree with him, his suspicions might only grow stronger!
What are you trying to achieve by having me agree with everything? Fang Che's thoughts took a few turns, and he finally decided to take a risk.
"Master, why are you asking this?"
"There's no reason. I'm just asking if you're willing or not, and which branch you'd like to go to."
"Master, I'm not willing!"
Fang Che quickly replied, "Master, I've put my heart and soul into this branch, and it's almost exhausted all my efforts. From nothing, I've built it up, bit by bit, and now it's grown so big, but you want me to step down? I can't accept this!"
"Why should I step down? My efforts, if given to someone else to manage, after all this hard work, only for someone else to reap the benefits. I can't accept this, I'm not at ease with it!"
The Night Demon's reply was quite harsh.
And it carried a strong emotion.
But on the Seal God Palace's face, a smile appeared, and he continued sternly, "How dare you! What attitude is this! What do you mean by someone taking your benefits? What benefits do you have? This is all for the One Heart Sect! No matter whose hands it's in, it belongs to the One Heart Sect! Can't you even understand this?"
Fang Che immediately replied, "I can understand the logic, but if you remove me, I can't understand that!"
The Seal God Palace's eyes lit up with a smile, "So this is how you want to be a commander? You're arrogant, defying your superiors. Night Demon, you dare to commit such a rebellious act? Do you still see me as your master, or the sect leader?"
Fang Che stubbornly replied, "If Master asks me to hand it over, I'd rather die than do it! If the sect leader orders me to hand it over, then I'll do it!"
This reply seemed contradictory, but it was true.
The Seal God Palace sighed with satisfaction, a glint of contentment in his eyes.
The Night Demon is indeed a Night Demon.
Such a big temper!
Hmph, no wonder you're my disciple!
(End of Chapter)
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