Rise of The Demon General

Amon accepted the red crystal and stared at it with fascination.

”The information about the Domain Lords is too sensitive to be kept on a stack of paper. I always get rid of any physical records after acquiring the information and store it in that crystal. You can keep it. I have another copy.”

”How do I access the information?” Amon asked.

”Channel your aether into it, like when you use any other tool, but hold on.”

Yao Ai made several gestures using her fingers. Words of power manifested in the air where her fingers passed. At the end of her gestures, these words of power converged into a tiny dot and entered Amon.

”I have transferred the ownership imprint of the data crystal into you. Now you can access its information.”

Amon did so. He felt his consciousness entering the crystal and found that the inside was similar to what he would call a cyber world. Digital panels with texts floated all around him. From what he perceived, these panels were folders containing information on specific subjects. The texts on the panels were the folders’ titles, indicating the contents inside. He focused his attention on one of the panels titled Hai Di’s alleged close relatives. The panel enlarged and filled the space. A list of names and portraits was shown.

He scrolled the list down and stopped when he saw familiar faces. They were the two women he met in Aetheria, Xin Lie and Li Jing. He focused on Xin Lie, and several rows of text appeared beside her portrait. These texts contained her information, among which was her cultivation level. She was at the Peak Malicious Stage. However, a note stated that this information was from twenty-five years ago, when she returned from a mission in Aetheria.

Among the information was also her alleged relationship with Hai Di. She was suspected of being Hai Di’s daughter, but there was no proof. Hai Di showed a preference for her, but not excessively.

When Amon was about to check Li Jing’s data, he heard Yao Ai’s voice, ”Study the information later. This is not the place for it.”

Amon retracted his consciousness and stored the data crystal in his black space ring.

”I will begin working on a workable plan once I finish studying the information,” Amon told Yao Ai. ”However, I must have complete freedom if I am to put my plan in motion. I might also need occasional support from the faction when needed.”

”How long do you estimate you can bring your plan to fruition?” Yao Ai asked.

”I cannot tell without studying the information inside this data crystal, but I will try my best to limit it to fifty years.”

”You have twenty years. Anything beyond that will not be acceptable.”

”Why is that? Is it because that’s when the purge will take place?”

Yao Ai glared at Amon. She realized Amon had goaded her to reveal the timetable of the upcoming purge.

”You still won’t tell me anything about the purge?”

”I originally planned to, but you are kind of annoying, so no. I won’t tell you.”

Amon shrugged. While he was curious about the purge, it was not truly important to him. He didn’t care what happened to Aetheria.

Yao Ai chuckled. ”Well, you probably have the chance to learn about it two years from now.”

”Why two years from now?”

”Because I will take you to the meeting with this world’s ruler. He is the best person to ask about this subject.”

”Why would you take me to such an important meeting?”

”Didn’t you tell me you need information about my rivals? That data crystal I gave you might contain information about Hai Di and Lang Man, but the best way to learn about someone is by meeting them directly. Those two will attend the meeting. This will be your chance.”

”I see, but why wait two years? I heard the meeting between the Domain Lords and this world’s ruler is done annually.”

”It was, at first. This is what the general public knows, but it has not been so for a very long time. The meeting is now every ten years. The next one is two years from now.”

Amon nodded. ”I will prepare myself for that meeting.”

”That will be all. You are dismissed,” Yao Ai stated.

”One more thing,” Amon said. ”You must remove my status as a fugitive. Otherwise, it will limit my freedom.”

”Don’t worry. I will announce it. Furthermore, I will spread the news that you are my special agent. You can go anywhere you want within this Mercy Domain. Most will also assist you if you ask, so long as your request is within reason.”

”Thank you. That will be helpful,” Amon said. He bowed and excused himself.

Yao Ai watched Amon leave. Her eyes slightly narrowed. Amon sensed that slight killing intent again, but he kept his pace. He didn’t believe Yao Ai would do anything to him, for now. His offer for her to become the sole Domain Lord was too tempting to resist.

When Amon exited the carrion tower, a grunt-level member was waiting for him. He remembered the grunt was one of Lu Kang’s subordinates who followed him after he slew Lu Kang. Though the man was just a grunt, he remembered his name.

”What do you want, Su Lao?” Amon asked.

Su Lao’s face showed surprise. He probably didn’t expect Amon to remember a small player like him. He didn’t know that Amon knew all his subordinates’ names, from the most important to the lowest ones.

Su Lao bowed his head in submission. He answered, ”Sir, we gained news that you have returned. Sir Wi Zhuang requested that you come to his house. He has an important matter to discuss.”

Amon stared at Su Lao, which caused him discomfort. He quickly added, ”Sir... Sir Wi Zhuang said that it is an emergency. You should head over immediately...”

To Su Lao’s relief, Amon replied, ”Very well. Let’s go.”

Amon could arrive at Wi Zhuang’s house faster if he headed there alone, but he adjusted his pace to match Su Lao’s.

”What is it? You seem uneasy,” Amon asked Su Lao.

”Nothing. It’s nothing,” Su Lao said. ”I’m sorry. I’m just a weak cultivator. Sir Amon can go ahead if you wish. No need to wait for me.”

”That’s okay. I’m not in a hurry.”

Su Lao wanted to remind Amon that it was an emergency, but didn’t. He somehow knew that it would be a futile attempt.

They arrived at Wi Zhuang’s house. A couple of Mercy Faction members guarded the house. They were also Amon’s subordinates. They opened the door for Amon. When Su Lao showed that he would wait outside, Amon told him to follow.

He tried to refuse. ”Sir, whatever the issue is, it is too important for a low-level member like me. I am not worthy enough to be involved.”

”Nonsense. I decide whether you are worthy or not. Come!”

Su Lao couldn’t think of another reason to refuse, so he reluctantly followed Amon inside.

Passing the courtyard and the lobby, Amon knew something was off. No servant was around. Instead, more Mercy Faction members loitered around the place. They had one thing in common. They were all ex-followers of Lu Kang who were transferred to serve under him. These members stopped hanging around after they saw Amon. They followed behind him as he proceeded to the main hall.

Before he even entered the main hall, he already knew what to expect. He could smell the blood. A scene of carnage greeted him as he stepped into the main hall. Corpses were stacked on one pile. Most were too mutilated to recognize, but he could identify a few as members of Wi Zhuang’s family, among whom were his children.

Only two members of Wi Zhuang’s family were still alive. One was Wi Zhuang himself, and the other was his sister, Wi Yin. Neither was well. Wi Zhuang was full of bruises and wounds. All his limbs were missing. Wi Yin was sprawled on the floor, naked. From the look of it, she had been violated many times. The brother and sister had empty eyes. Their minds regressed from shock and torture. They didn’t register Amon’s presence.

Around them were Amon’s subordinates, who were also remnants of Lu Kang’s members. Their leader was a man named Guo Chao, who was an Intermediate Fiendish Stage. Several others were at the Beginning Fiendish Stage. That’s how they could overpower Wi Zhuang. The others with lower cultivation probably had trouble gauging Amon’s power, but not these Fiendish Stage cultivators. They displayed wary expressions when Amon entered the hall.

”Supreme Stage...? How do you raise your cultivation so fast?” Guo Chao asked.

The others also become wary after hearing Guo Chao.

Instead of answering, Amon stated, ”Wounding your superior and massacring his family is a serious crime. You will suffer harsh punishment.”

Instead of showing fear, Guo Chao snickered. His hand held a blade that was placed dangerously close to Wi Zhuang’s neck. He said, ”No matter your cultivation level, it is useless if you don’t move. Make sure you don’t. Otherwise, I will split the head of this good friend of yours. So, be obedient and accept your welcome home present.”