"What if he doesnât go to poison?"
"Then weâll just have to ask him to die."
"That would be a real shame. The intel at the captain level from the Foolish Underworld, even if itâs fake news, presents plenty of opportunities for leverage, not to mention it might even provide real information."
Li Shiquan was helpless.
"Youâre the one who said the Blood Demon is problematic, and also the one who wants the captain-level intel from the Foolish Underworld. What exactly do you want?"
"Having a problem and wanting intel arenât mutually exclusive. The information, whether true or false, has its utility. Even if the Blood Demon does have issues, keeping the Blood Demon could mislead the opposition, couldnât it?"
"Youâve got a smooth tongue, justifying everything. Letâs wait until our poison is formulated and see how the Blood Demon performs."
"Alright."
The discussion about the Blood Demon was just a minor episode in their conversation. The truly important matters lay ahead.
"Something happened to the Lin Family, their internal arrangements were completely destroyed. If Lord Lan returns, he will surely fly into a rage. Therefore, whether on your side or mine, we must accelerate."
Bai Wanxi furrowed her brow slightly. "Is that why the Green Demon has been acting so high-profile recently?"
"Yes."
"Donât you think, the target is set too obviously? Something happens to the Lin Family, and your side moves immediately, it might raise suspicions."
"No worries, the Li Family is completely under control. As for others, no amount of suspicion will qualify them to doubt the Li Family."
The affairs of the Five Great Families were always solved internally, with no room for outsiders to intervene.
It was this way in ancient times, and it remains so now.
"As for your Bai Family, havenât they brought you into the family yet?" Li Shiquan looked at Bai Wanxi, shaking his head slightly.
"Thereâs no rush, my identity is special, I must wear down the Bai Family slowly, and besides, if successful, it could greatly advance the plan. After all, within the Bai Family, there is that thing."
Li Shiquan was naturally aware of what that "thing" was, and it was precisely because of that "thing" that Bai Wanxi had to wear this human guise. So many years of plotting had advanced to this point, it couldnât be jeopardized by impatience.
"Speaking of the Lin Family incident, itâs evident that thereâs a traitor among our demons. Otherwise, how could the demons lurking within the Lin Family suffer such a thorough defeat?" Bai Wanxi said, frowning.
"Iâve already assigned someone to investigate, there should indeed be a mole, with the Blood Demon being one of my chief suspects. However, since this demon has now risen to the position of captain in the Foolish Underworld, and still has his uses, Iâve refrained from confronting him directly."
"No wonder youâve been paying so much attention to this little Blood Demon, seems you were suspicious from the start. But from my perspective, itâs also quite possible the Green Demon is a mole. Why not lend me the Green Demon for a few days? Iâll return him to your manor intact once Iâve confirmed things." Bai Wanxi suggested slyly, but Li Shiquan saw right through her.
"That is non-negotiable."
As the Green Demon became more active, his pure bloodline was no longer a secret, attracting numerous covetous eyes, with Bai Wanxi being one of them.
However, Li Shiquan had no intention of letting go, he saw a bright future for the Green Demon, even considering grooming him as a successor.
The only headache was the Green Demonâs entanglement with the Blood Demon of questionable identity, making him doubt if the Green Demon might have some issues too.
Could it be... the mole is the Green Demon?
...
The Left Swirl Gang Headquarters.
Beneath the setting sun, all was blood-red.
Blood, blood, blood, blood, blood.
All within sight was blood.
Among the blood, were scattered limbs, the whole headquarters exuded a strong scent of blood.
Fang Yu had arrived too late.
By the time he got there, the commotion had long ended. Brother Qing had already left with his men, leaving behind this devastated Left Swirl Gang headquarters, bereft of life.
Corpse collectors began scavenging the bodies, seeking anything of value.
Others, who had heard the news and came to gawk, pointed and commented on the gruesome scene.
"They were ruthless."
"These are the methods of the Li Family! This is considered mild. I heard that back in the day, when the Li Familyâs status wasnât secure, they were even more brutal, sparing none of their enemiesâ families, not even the dogs, which theyâd slaughter to make dog meat stew."
"People... these were real people... how could they be so merciless, how could they?!"
"The Li Family, they are above us, us ordinary folks sometimes arenât even seen as human in their eyes!"
"Shh! Donât say anything more, donât invite trouble! I still want to live a few more years."
Amidst the scattered sounds, Fang Yu felt as though those voices were far away from him.
He looked at the river of blood in the gang headquarters, at that hellish scene, yet his heart was inexplicably calm.
Because he felt nothing.
Though the scent of blood was overpowering and the scene horrifying, it was just a game. Plus, the Green Demon slaughtered strangers, random passersby, making Fang Yu only think Green Demonâs methods were too brutal. And that was all.
Fang Yu thought he would have more empathy for those who died tragically, but in reality, he didnât.
Fang Yu himself had killed countless in the game, just that his methods were less extreme than Green Demonâs, and the scenes were less ghastly.
But no matter what, the scene of hell before him was hard to associate with the ever-so-gentle Green Demon who had always spoken kindly to him.
If one day, the Green Demon found out I wasnât a demon, how would he treat me?
This thought surfaced in Fang Yuâs mind but was soon suppressed.
For some reason, he kind of wanted to keep his identity a secret from the Green Demon.
His ever-caring big brother Green Demon.
The demon Green Demon who mercilessly slaughtered humans.
Which one of them is the real him?
Or maybe both are the real him.
Perhaps, one day, I will need to face this issue, but... not today.
Leaving the crowd, as the night fell, Fang Yu headed home.
...
The Li Family.
The moon hung high.
Having already bathed and changed, the Green Demon sniffed his skin, still carrying a faint scent of blood.
"Seems like Iâve been killing too many people recently."
The Green Demon glanced at the moonlight and marched out, ready to get some fresh air.
In recent days, with the Lin Familyâs debacle, the Shu Bird Demon was preparing to accelerate the Li Familyâs arrangements.
Despite being a favored subordinate of the Shu Bird Demon, the Green Demon was still under his command and had duties to perform.
Moreover... he also needed to increase his strength!
With the Blood Demonâs rising status, the Green Demon felt his own reputation was gradually unable to overshadow his brotherâs.
In the end, only strength speaks.
The Green Demonâs prowess had always grown rapidly, but it required killing.
And to freely kill in human towns, a legitimate reason was necessary.
So, the Green Demonâs growth was always somewhat restrained. Even with the Shu Bird Demon continually supplying humans and beasts, it was far from enough.
But now, with the opportunity to kill and grow stronger, he naturally unleashed his full might.
"I need more!"
"I need to climb higher! To become stronger! Perhaps even... to surpass the Shu Bird Demon!"
"Only then can I truly protect the Blood Demon!"
As the Green Demon exited the Li Mansion, unbeknownst to him, a group had already started following him.
They were all elite subordinates of the Shu Bird Demon, tasked with ensuring the Green Demonâs safety.
As the plan advanced, the Green Demonâs importance also increased, allowing no room for error.
Thus, in recent days, every time he ventured out, a large entourage would accompany him for protection.
This made finding a private moment to meet the Blood Demon harder, not to mention the Foolish Underworldâs self-imposed lockdown and his own engagements with the Shu Bird Demonâs assignments, making it difficult to find time.
Consequently, the Green Demon hadnât seen the Blood Demon for several days.
The Green Demon glanced sidelong at the entourage following him, intent on finding an opportunity to ditch the guards and covertly meet with the Blood Demon.