With a light, casual remark, HuLü Yan’s words landed like a massive stone thrown into water, instantly creating a tumultuous wave, spreading ripples of astonishment among the crowd.

Everyone watching seemed to snap out of their shock, momentarily stunned into silence. They couldn’t believe their ears.

“What… what did he just say? He’s HuLü Yan from the HuLü family?”

“No, no, that’s not the main point. Shouldn’t the focus be on him saying he wants to become the city lord?”

“But how? We already have a city lord!”

Just as everyone was chattering away, an abrupt, gruff voice interrupted, “Damn it, are you all missing the point? Didn’t you notice he just sucked all the spiritual energy out of that person?!”

With this reminder, the crowd woke up as if from a dream. In an instant, the disbelief painted across their faces intensified, spreading like ivy.

A stunned silence fell over them. Finally, someone took a sharp breath, “What… what is his relationship with Lin Chong?”

The question echoed the curiosity of every onlooker. What connection could there be between HuLü Yan and Lin Chong? And why did HuLü Yan possess the same special powers as the Lin family?

HuLü Yan, however, had no intention of answering. Seeing no one else stepping forward, he raised his hand lightly. As his hand fell, a figure instantly flashed to his side, kneeling and bowing their head low as they called out softly, “Boss.”

The crowd’s gaze shifted from HuLü Yan to this person, and they quickly recognized his identity — someone from Wu Wang Gang.

Though members of Wu Wang Gang were scattered across both the demonic and orthodox realms, they shared a common trait: when not hiding their identity, they wore dark red robes embroidered with scorpion patterns. The more scorpions, the higher their rank.

And the man kneeling in front of HuLü Yan? His robes were completely covered in scorpions. More importantly, he had just addressed HuLü Yan as “Boss…”

The onlookers were bombarded with one revelation after another, their minds reeling from the overwhelming flood of information.

HuLü Yan instructed the man, “Spread my words. If anyone refuses…”

He paused briefly, his voice casual as he threw out four words, “Kill them as needed.”

The man lowered his head even further, seemingly shaken by HuLü Yan’s ruthlessness. After a moment, he responded, “As you command.”

“One more thing,” HuLü Yan’s tone suddenly darkened, “From now on, do not mention Ru Liu’s name. Anyone who does, kill them.”

“As you command.”

“Find everyone who ever wronged Ru Liu. For the minor offenders, kill them on the spot. For the major ones, bring them to me.”

“As you command.”

“Flatten Manchun Garden, and investigate that old hag. Kill anyone connected to her, even slightly.”

“As you command.” The man’s hands trembled slightly as he braced himself on the ground. Though he’d killed many since joining Wu Wang Gang, he’d never engaged in a massacre of this scale. This would be the first…

But he dared not refuse.

HuLü Yan fell silent, and as the man wondered if the orders were done, HuLü Yan turned and walked in a particular direction.

The man’s heart pounded with surprise and curiosity, but he didn’t dare raise his head, only stealing a glance out of the corner of his eye.

HuLü Yan approached Mi Lu, taking his hand and asking softly, “Will this make you angry?”

Mi Lu, caught off guard, was momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, he shook his head, “Asking me doesn’t really matter.”

HuLü Yan’s eyes sparkled with amusement, “Why not?”

Mi Lu looked steadily at him, “Whether I’m angry or not, you’d still do it.”

A soft smile appeared on HuLü Yan’s face as he raised a hand to gently touch Mi Lu’s hair. He then turned back to the man, “Release all the servants and attendants in Manchun Garden.”

“Yes, Boss!”

“Now go.”

With a nod, the man’s figure disappeared in an instant.

HuLü Yan’s gaze returned to the crowd. Their faces were pale, and even the one who had been shouting earlier now resembled a quivering quail, cowering in silence.

HuLü Yan’s gentle smile remained as he asked calmly, “Does anyone else have anything to say to me?”

Everyone shook their heads vigorously.

The scene was quite spectacular.

“Good.” HuLü Yan nodded. “Then I have a question for you.”

At his words, tension filled the crowd once more, terror written on their faces. None dared to flee, only standing stiffly in place.

HuLü Yan simply asked, “Where is the city lord?”

•

Since the death of Demon Lord Lin Chong, the demon realm had fractured into pieces, with cities vying against each other, scheming and competing. The title of city lord had lost its former authority, now more like an item for the taking by whoever had the skill, and easily lost if one couldn’t keep it.

Currently, the city lord of Drunken City was none other than Hao Xuri, the head of its largest sect, Dark Crow Sect. Hao Xuri had only been in power for ten days, having seized the position by ruthlessly eliminating the previous city lord’s supporters when they were exhausted from battle, then executing the former city lord and hanging his body from a high tower as a warning. This was his favorite, signature tactic.

Indeed, after the former city lord’s corpse was displayed, any previous dissenting voices disappeared without a trace.

Hao Xuri, pleased with his position, reclined on the main seat of the city lord’s residence, his plump face creased into a pleased smile as he savored a cup of tea. “The tea here in the city lord’s residence is far better than the tea at our sect; it must be the difference in the place it’s brewed.”

One of his followers chimed in flatteringly, “There is another explanation, Lord City Lord. Times have changed. Not only are you the head of Dark Crow Sect, but you’re now also Drunken City’s city lord. That tea naturally tastes better when in your hands, as it’s the tea the city lord drinks.”

Hao Xuri beamed, his eyes squinting with laughter, “You really know how to talk.”

He waved a hand, “Go, go to the storeroom, and take whatever you like as a reward.”

The follower’s eyes lit up, and he immediately knelt, “Thank you, Lord City Lord!”

No sooner had he risen and stepped outside than he bumped into a servant rushing towards him.

The follower stumbled back and then shoved the servant roughly, “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”

The servant fell to his knees and kowtowed, pleading, “Please, forgive me, Master. I was careless in my haste. I have urgent news for the city lord!”

The follower kicked him again, cursing, “How urgent could it be? If you disturb the city lord, you can kiss your head goodbye!”

The servant, visibly terrified, shrank back, nearly in tears.

“Enough, what’s the fuss over a small matter?” Hao Xuri, in a good mood, raised a hand to let the servant stand and adjusted his cup. “Speak, what’s so urgent?”

The servant’s face was contorted, and he trembled as he stammered, “City Lord… a man outside claims to be HuLü Yan and wants to see you.”

“HuLü Yan?” Hao Xuri’s hand paused mid-air, “Are you talking about the kid the HuLü family took back a few years ago?”

The servant nodded, “Yes, it’s him.”

“The one who destroyed the entire Medical Hall and killed both Qi Wangtian and Lin Ji from the orthodox sects?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“He’s here in the demon realm?” Hao Xuri’s brow furrowed, “But why would he come to see me?”

The follower, who had just returned, leaned close and suggested, “Perhaps he’s heard of Dark Crow Sect’s reputation and knows you’ve recently claimed the position of city lord. Maybe he’s here to pledge his allegiance.”

Hao Xuri sneered, “Wishful thinking. He’s the enemy of the entire orthodox faction, and I don’t even know him. Why would I take the risk of sheltering him?”

With a cold laugh, he waved dismissively, “Throw him out of Drunken City. Make sure the gatekeepers keep a close eye next time. I don’t want random nobodies sneaking in.”

The servant hesitated, “But City Lord…”

“Didn’t you hear the city lord’s order?” the follower barked, “Get moving!”

The servant took a deep breath and blurted out, “He also asked me to remind the city lord… do you remember a woman named Ru Liu?”

Hao Xuri froze.

Years ago, when he’d been among those searching for the “little monster,” he’d found no sign of the boy despite scouring the entire demon realm. Frustrated, he’d focused on Ru Liu instead, but despite his torture, she’d refused to talk. Eventually, when he heard she was trying to escape, he’d had her detained and severely punished. But her frail body couldn’t take the abuse, and she died after just one night.

For a few days, he’d regretted her death, but soon forgot her entirely.

However, aside from the madam of Manchun Garden and a few trusted followers, no one else knew of this. How had HuLü Yan found out?

After exchanging a shocked glance with his follower, Hao Xuri ordered, “Let him in.”

A short time later, Hao Xuri saw the servant lead two people into the hall. The two were dressed in black and white, with a noticeable height difference and contrasting auras.

Hao Xuri’s gaze lingered on the young man in white before shifting to the one in black. In an instant, he paled and shot up from his seat, as if he’d seen a ghost.

His follower was equally stunned, “I-isn’t that the kid?”

Hao Xuri recognized him immediately. Years ago, Ru Liu had kept the child close by, and many had shown interest in buying him, though Ru Liu had refused. The rumors of his unique physique had burned Hao Xuri’s memory of his appearance into his mind. He wouldn’t mistake him for anyone else, not even after ten years.

But how had this boy become HuLü Yan?

Before Hao Xuri could voice his questions, HuLü Yan lashed out with a barbed whip, striking him squarely on the forehead with a sharp crack. The sickening sound of bones shattering echoed through the hall.

Hao Xuri’s follower, drenched in his master’s blood, shouted, “How dare you harm our city lord?!”

Before he could act, a flurry of flying darts forced him to retreat. Another figure silently materialized before HuLü Yan, and in an instant, his silhouette multiplied into twenty identical forms. The follower gasped, “Wu Wang Gang!”

As Hao Xuri lay on the ground, blood streaming from a wound on his head, he wheezed, “They… they’re from Wu Wang Gang?”

Ignoring his question, HuLü Yan flung the whip to one of his subordinates, “Use this. Whip him to death.”

“Yes, Boss.” The man took the whip and stepped toward Hao Xuri.

HuLü Yan glanced at the remaining followers, “The others—kill them all.”

The Wu Wang Gang members sprang into action, eliminating Hao Xuri’s followers in a blink, leaving only one to finish the task.

Hao Xuri lay in a pool of blood, his screams piercing the air as HuLü Yan approached the city lord’s throne, leaving bloody footprints in his wake. He sat down, casting his gaze over his new domain. The vast city lord’s residence was now his, all of it, completely his.

Letting out a dark, ambiguous chuckle, HuLü Yan beckoned to Mi Lu, “Come here.”

Mi Lu stared at him, frozen.

HuLü Yan’s smile faded, his gaze darkening, “Mi Lu.”

At his call, Mi Lu carefully stepped over Hao Xuri’s writhing form and the expanding pool of blood to stand before him.

HuLü Yan looked up at him, took his hand, and asked, “Are you still angry?”

Mi Lu’s face remained calm, showing no trace of emotion as he opened his mouth, hesitated, and eventually swallowed his words.

“No,” Mi Lu shook his head. “I’m not angry.”

Hearing this, HuLü Yan’s smile returned, his sharp, long eyes narrowing like a crescent moon, his face filled with laughter, as though the previous coldness had been an illusion.

“As long as you’re not mad at me.” HuLü Yan let go of Mi Lu’s hand and wrapped his arms around his waist, rubbing his cheek against him like a kitten. “If you were, I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m terrified of you being angry, terrified of you leaving.”

He took a deep breath, seeming to savor a scent only he could detect, something that entranced him deeply.

Mi Lu rested a hand on HuLü Yan’s dark hair, gently stroking it. HuLü Yan leaned into his touch.

As Mi Lu gazed at HuLü Yan’s smooth brow and prominent nose, a question slipped out almost against his will, “What if, someday, I were to leave?”

HuLü Yan’s body froze.

Mi Lu asked, “What would you do?”