Chapter 23: The Four Evils

“But this prison break plan was kept strictly confidential—only you senior masters participating, and some of the righteous sect’s top leaders, knew about it. Could there be someone from the Demonic Cult among those high-ranking leaders?”

Wang Lu pondered which among the righteous leadership might be Demonic Cult spies, a deep crease furrowing his brow.

A spy at that level could truly inflict devastating damage on their side.

“What’s the use in dwelling on it now? Once we’re back, there’ll be time enough to investigate who’s the infiltrator. For now, our priority is to save lives,” Senior Liu said, glancing at the soldiers swarming in again, and offered a faint smile.

“Besides, even if they’ve made preparations ahead of time, so what? With our strength, wiping out these demon spawn is only a matter of time.”

He hefted his weapon and charged forward. With a single effortless slash, several heads tumbled to the ground.

Steel armor was no sturdier than paper before his blade.

Wang Lu felt his heart lighten at Senior Liu’s words. Indeed, the righteous path had dispatched ten internal energy masters for this prison break—nearly all their elite force. In contrast, the Demonic Cult had stationed only four elders to guard the inner prison. Against such overwhelming strength, what did it matter if the cult was forewarned?

This battle pitted ten against four; the advantage was clearly theirs.

…

Sixth level of the Demonic Cult’s inner prison.

Creak… creak…

“The third one.”

Li Ju watched as Lian Tao and Du Tianyou entered the cell to explain matters to the dumbstruck righteous master inside. Knowing he had nothing to add, Li Ju simply stood outside.

“This must be the celebrated disciple from the Flying Sword Sect.”

Led by Du Tianyou and Lian Tao, the rescued righteous master hurried out and bowed deeply to Li Ju in gratitude.

“There’s no need for such formality, Senior,” Li Ju said, lightly supporting the man’s arms and lifting him up.

He couldn’t help but wonder what their attitude would be if they ever learned he cultivated the Demonic Cult’s techniques.

Throughout their rescue of righteous masters, the three had agreed to conceal the fact that Li Ju practiced the Hundred Poisons Diamond Body. They told others his physique was due solely to extraordinary talent, to avoid unnecessary suspicion and trouble.

Suddenly, Li Ju’s ears twitched. He turned toward the dark depths of the passageway.

“Li Ju, what’s wrong?” asked Du Tianyou, who, seeing Li Ju’s reaction, quickly picked up a weapon scavenged from the cult’s guards, along with the others, and stood ready.

But their internal energy had not yet recovered; without it, they couldn’t match Li Ju’s heightened senses, comparable to a master at full strength.

“Someone’s coming,” Li Ju said gravely, eyes fixed on the end of the corridor.

A powerful, undisguised aura appeared within his senses—a blatant announcement of its owner’s presence.

This was undoubtedly an inner energy master, and by such strength, not a weak one even among masters.

“I didn’t expect anyone would have the audacity to break into our cult’s prison.”

From the shadows emerged a man with a cold expression, high cheekbones, his hair tied in a braid down his back, dressed in pale blue.

“Du Tianyou, Lian Tao—so we meet again, old acquaintances.”

His gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s, piercing and cold.

“It’s you, Zhuge Huang.”

All the righteous masters present, except for Li Ju, immediately recognized him, their expressions turning grave.

“Senior Du, who is this?” Li Ju asked in a low voice, sensing from the others’ reactions that this was no ordinary foe.

“In the Demonic Cult, below the cult leader are the vice leader and many elders. Among these elders, the four most powerful are called the Four Malefics. Each stands at the pinnacle of internal mastery, their strength unrivaled, their names feared throughout the martial world.”

“And this man is one of the Four Malefics—‘Black Demon Hawk’ Zhuge Huang,” Du Tianyou said heavily.

The Four Malefics’ reputation was such that even at his peak, Du Tianyou’s strength paled in comparison. Now, with their inner energy crippled, facing such a foe filled him with dread.

“The Four Malefics…” Li Ju narrowed his eyes, sizing up Zhuge Huang.

This was his first time facing a true master of internal energy—one renowned as a Malefic. Even he felt a measure of apprehension.

“Why bother trying to escape, you crippled wretches with no inner power? Do you think that, just because you’re the future cult leader’s grindstones, I won’t dare kill you?”

Zhuge Huang’s predatory gaze swept over the group. Many shrank back involuntarily. But when his eyes fell on Li Ju, they stopped, a flicker of surprise showing.

“Hm?”

“Someone has broken the control of the Hundred Poisons Diamond Body?”

Zhuge Huang sounded surprised.

At his words, all the righteous masters turned their eyes to Li Ju. But unlike before, their gazes now carried suspicion, save for Du Tianyou and Lian Tao, who already knew the truth.

Sensing their looks, Li Ju shook his head inwardly. The prejudice in this world was all too deep—just hearing he had cultivated a Demonic Cult technique was enough to change their attitude completely.

“Boy, tell me—how did you break free of the Hundred Poisons Diamond Body’s control?” Zhuge Huang asked, ignoring the other righteous masters, his interest fixed solely on Li Ju.

Li Ju didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped out from the crowd.

“Senior Du, Senior Lian, go save the others,” he said.

“Understood,” Du Tianyou and Lian Tao replied without hesitation, leading the group away.

If, devoid of inner energy, they might have managed against lesser masters thanks to their former skills, then against one of the Four Malefics—Zhuge Huang—they were no different from ordinary fighters.

They would only die meaninglessly.

Thus, for the likes of Lian Tao and Du Tianyou, staying behind would only hinder Li Ju. Better to leave and not restrain him.

“Boy, I haven’t had my answer yet,” Zhuge Huang said, making no move to stop the others. At this moment, his eyes held only Li Ju.

“An answer?” Now that the others were gone, Li Ju’s lips curled in a cruel smile.

“You? You’re not worthy!”

With a single punch, a roaring gale tore forth.