A place truly befitting of those in power really is something else.

Wang Linchi couldn't help but marvel. This was what power was all about.

A bustling city, home to nearly a million inhabitants, supported just twelve individuals who led lives of astounding luxury and excess. These twelve were in charge of the Demon Suppressing Sect's branch in Qing State. Just as Wang Linchi had previously guessed, the fat and skinny Demon Suppressing Sorcerers were merely mid-ranking members. Although they too exploited lower-ranking Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, the difference compared to these twelve was vast. At least, that was the case in terms of lifespan.

According to the short, rotund Demon Suppressing Sorcerer, these twelve possessed the ability to control Abyssal Demons regardless of lifespan. The leading Elder could even achieve Fusion with an Abyssal Demon, becoming one entity.

Among these twelve, eleven were Deacons, and one was an Elder, constituting the actual authority of this branch. As for the remaining twenty or so Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, the majority were related to these twelve individuals. For instance, the fat and skinny duo were Disciples of one of the Deacons. Only one or two were not, such as Yang Chenxu. He had no connections, which led to him being exploited until he deserted.

"Master, I don't think anyone in the city will buy these strange items you have. Even if we present them to the Town Demon Magicians, it seems unlikely anyone would want them," the Housekeeper expressed his doubt.

This Housekeeper was a recent hire. The previous one had been killed by the fat and skinny Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, leaving no one alive in the entire Wang Residence. A few people were merely a small sweet treat for the Abyssal Demons, in the eyes of these Demon Suppressing Sorcerers. If Wang Linchi hadn't killed the fat and skinny duo at that time, the entire city would probably be deserted by now.

"These items are the surprise I've prepared. Besides, don't you already know I'm also a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer?" Wang Linchi said, glancing at the new Housekeeper.

The new Housekeeper was taken aback. He indeed did not know that Wang Linchi was a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer.

"I... I truly was blind not to recognize Your Majesty, Master Sorcerer," the new Housekeeper quickly said, regaining his composure.

"That's fine. Shortly, you will follow my instructions and place these items in their designated spots. If anyone tries to stop you, show them this, and they won't dare to hinder you." As Wang Linchi spoke, he produced two waist tokens. These were the personal tokens of the fat and skinny Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, serving as proof of identity.

There was no need to worry about anyone verifying them, as those who might were ordinary people. The Demon Suppressing Sorcerers in this city were all high and mighty. If ordinary people approached them, they were likely to be fed to the Abyssal Demons.

As for why the city's inhabitants didn't flee but remained to serve, it was obviously due to coercion and brainwashing. What other reason could there be? Out of love? That would be too much of a stretch.

"Yes!" The new Housekeeper's spirits revived, feeling as if he was riding on clouds.

"Go then. There will be rewards if you do well," Wang Linchi said, offering a grand promise.

Of course, the group happily took their leave.

Wang Linchi had not come empty-handed. Under the guise of a merchant caravan, he had brought a large batch of gunpowder.

He had experimented with gunpowder here before. It could explode with considerable force. The drawback was that it couldn't inflict much damage on Abyssal Demons, and the Game System didn't recognize it as a tool or equipment, but it still held potential. Therefore, he sold a significant portion of the Zheng Family's assets and, with some modifications, greatly increased the gunpowder's potency. It now packed a punch similar to white phosphorus munitions—particularly effective due to its flammability, being difficult to extinguish, and its toxicity.

He had the modified gunpowder transported here disguised as commodities, then had the merchant caravan set it up. The next step was simple: ignition.

Once the entire city was a sea of fire, he doubted these pampered Demon Suppressing Sorcerers could remain calm.

Confronting them directly or ambushing them one by one? That's too much trouble.

Wang Linchi planned to first eliminate the enemy's home-field advantage, which they had cultivated for who knows how many years. What if they had some trick up their sleeve? He could be defeated.

It's better to be direct.

Besides, while the modified gunpowder couldn't inflict much damage on Abyssal Demons, it could cause significant harm to the Demon Suppressing Sorcerers.

The Demon Suppressing Sorcerers, having used humans as Tribute to Devils, had lost most of their spellcasting abilities. All their Transcendent abilities relied on the Abyssal Demons. Coupled with their debauched lifestyles and the offering of Tribute to Abyssal Demons, their physical constitution was even weaker than that of ordinary people. If they were caught in the fire, relying on their own strength, they would undoubtedly burn to death.

However, there was an exception: the Elder who could achieve Fusion with an Abyssal Demon. Consequently, his body was not frail. It seemed he had already become a Demonized Creature and was further transforming into an Abyssal Demon.

The short, stout Demon Suppressing Sorcerer didn't know the specifics; after all, they weren't on the same level, so how could he understand?

"Kind sir, please spare some money," a beggar pleaded, tugging on Wang Linchi's trouser leg. This surprised Wang Linchi.

A beggar in the city? That can't be right. Wang Linchi studied him closely and noticed something amiss.

"The items you were distributing earlier… I sensed danger from them. You intend to act against the Demon Suppression Alliance, don't you?" the person said in a low voice.

"You are... Yang Chenxu?" Wang Linchi squinted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"It's me. You must be from the Demon Slaying Army. Follow me; it's not safe here with so many prying eyes," the person whispered again, then rose and limped away.

Wang Linchi could confirm that the man was indeed severely injured. His Abyssal Evil Demon had already died. Due to the backlash, he had narrowly escaped death but was left with lingering consequences. All the Demon Suppressing Sorcerers believed he had escaped; no one imagined he was still here, a typical case of being hidden in plain sight. Of course, this was also because the Demon Suppressing Sorcerers didn't particularly care about Yang Chenxu. After all, for someone with insufficient lifespan, where he went was of little concern to them.

He followed the man into an alley. The filth and disarray within starkly contrasted with the cleanliness outside. Here, Wang Linchi saw more beggars and vagrants. Each was emaciated, and many bore injuries. Occasionally, he even saw corpses.

His attire drew considerable attention, but Wang Linchi paid it no mind, quickly following Yang Chenxu to his dwelling: a hidden and well-sealed cellar. The drawback was the poor air circulation, causing a strange odor to linger.

"Your Evil Demon is already dead. How did you sense that there was a problem with my goods?" Wang Linchi asked.

"Only half of it is dead. I betrayed the Demon Suppression Alliance not because of my lifespan, but because I stole the Elder's Demonic Rite of Fusion. Although I didn't fully achieve Fusion with the Heart Mysterious Demon I was nurturing, I gained some of its abilities, like keen intuition and danger perception," Yang Chenxu said, sitting down.

"And then you were discovered, which is why you defected," Wang Linchi surmised.

"More or less. I was discovered while performing the rite. If they had been just a moment slower, I would have succeeded," Yang Chenxu said, unconcerned about revealing secrets.

"Speak. What do you want from me?" Wang Linchi went straight to the point.

If he revealed his identity to find me, he surely needs something.

"As expected of someone from the Demon Slaying Army—truly magnanimous!" Yang Chenxu praised first, then said, "What I want is simple: send me away from here to live in the territory of your Demon Slaying Army."

"Rest assured, The Demonic Rite of Fusion failed. Although I gained some abilities of an Evil Demon, I can no longer offer Tribute to any Evil Demon for the rest of my life."

Hearing this, Wang Linchi nodded. "And what help will you provide in return?"

Wang Linchi wasn't part of the Demon Slaying Army; he didn't even know what it was. Naturally, he wouldn't help for free.

"For many years, the Elder in Qing State has been offering Tribute to the Ten Evil Demon. He now plans to use the entire Qing State as a sacrifice for a rite, intending to borrow the power of the Ten Evil Demon to become a true Evil Demon."

"If you help me leave, I will tell you how to break The Demonic Rite of Fusion and how to reseal the Ten Evil Demon."

"Believe me, I know all the secrets," Yang Chenxu stated.

"Agreed. However, you must first hand over the details of The Demonic Rite of Fusion, along with all the secrets you know," Wang Linchi said, then added, "I will send you out of the city first."

Wang Linchi was interested in The Demonic Rite of Fusion. As for sealing the Ten Evil Demon? He'd rather kill it directly. Sealing it wouldn't complete the mission.

"Alright, it's a deal," Yang Chenxu agreed without hesitation. Things are already this dire; how much worse could they possibly get? To trade this for my life is already a good outcome. I shouldn't be too greedy.

As for whether Wang Linchi was truly from the Demon Slaying Army, Yang Chenxu didn't actually care.

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