Chapter 33: The Night Fiend, Sinister and Vicious

Fang Che said, "Master was right before. For our own sake, what Heavenly God Cult, what Night Demon Cult... Please forgive your disciple for saying something disrespectful, but I have never regarded them as human beings. As long as it benefits us, using them as stepping stones for our ascent, what big deal is there?"

Sun Yuan said with satisfaction, "What you said is correct. A great man should not be bound by trivial details."

Next, with Sun Yuan protecting the dharma, Fang Che took the Qingling Pill to stabilize his divine sense, and then summoned the Five-Spirit Gu to activate the communication jade.

Afterward, the two tried sending messages, and the communication was completely smooth and unimpeded.

"Your cult points have been directly granted as five hundred by the Cult Master, and you can check them through your communication jade."

"Understood."

Then, Sun Yuan produced a jade slip containing various secret codes and marks of the Single-Minded Cult.

He pressed it directly into Fang Che's head: "You must remember this firmly. Various symbols represent different meanings."

"Yes."

The moon was at the zenith of the sky.

The night was quiet.

At the time of day when spiritual energy was densest, Sun Yuan protected the dharma once more, watching as Fang Che learned the Blood-Burning Art.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction filled his heart.

It felt as though his disciple had finally grown up.

From now on, Fang Che would be able to advance to attack and retreat to escape; his safety finally did not need to be worried about too much. Moreover, with the Cult Master's favor, his future prospects would definitely be far better than his own.

"You must remember all the taboos!"

"Even if you sell out others, never let anyone else know!" Sun Yuan earnestly admonished.

"Disciple understands."

While giving assent, Fang Che muttered inwardly.

An evil cult is indeed an evil cult; even its educational methods and theoretical directions run completely counter to the righteous path.

Fang Che looked down upon this way of doing things, but that did not mean he would not make use of it.

Moreover, standing from his perspective, selling out the members of these various sects brought him even less psychological pressure.

As for moral condemnation, that was simply overthinking it.

I am an undercover agent in the first place!

If I don't sell you out, what on earth did I come here for?

"From now on, I can consider myself to have gained a little bit of a say. A Grand Team Leader indeed!"

Fang Che was well aware in his heart: up to this day, he had taken a crucial first step within the Single-Minded Cult!

All things are difficult at the start!

Yet this start had already been made!

...

Late at night.

Sun Yuan had already departed.

After careful deliberation.

Fang Che took out his newly acquired communication jade, mobilized the Five-Spirit Gu, and sent a message to Yin Shengong.

"Cult Master, your subordinate Fang Che has an important matter to report."

After a moment of thought, he changed the four characters "subordinate Fang Che" to "subordinate Night Demon" before sending it out.

The reason Yin Shengong assigned him the code name Night Demon was probably because he wanted him to address himself as such.

"Subordinate Night Demon."

Hehe, linking this to the Night Demon Cult, Yin Shengong would probably feel a wave of sheer pleasure just seeing these four characters, right?

Sure enough, upon receiving the message and seeing the four characters "subordinate Night Demon," Yin Shengong immediately slammed the table and burst into wild laughter!

Aside from other considerations, one of the main reasons he gave Fang Che this communication jade and permitted him to contact him directly was precisely these four characters!

It felt entirely too damn good!

In fact, he had been waiting for this message from Fang Che all afternoon!

It had finally arrived!

Yin Shengong felt as though he were watching Hai Wuliang, the Cult Master of the Night Demon Cult, kneeling before him with a flattering expression, saying, "Subordinate Night Demon reports to the Cult Master..."

"Hahahahaha..."

Yin Shengong felt immensely gratified, feeling as though every pore in his body had been smoothed out.

"Haha, Night Demon, weren't you acting all badass? Why are you kneeling and calling yourself a subordinate now? Hahaha ho ho ho..."

Yin Shengong laughed with wild abandon.

Outside, the guards faintly heard the Cult Master's laughter of utter satisfaction, unable to keep from feeling curious.

When did our Single-Minded Cult gain such a massive upper hand in the competition against the Night Demon Cult?

Why is the Cult Master laughing so happily?

Yin Shengong was naturally happy.

Yet in his reply, he made himself appear extremely cold and detached: "Night Demon? Speak!"

An aura of condescension and supreme detachment hit one right in the face.

Even while sending this message, Yin Shengong sat exceptionally straight, exceptionally dignified, with a sharp gaze and an imposing aura.

As if the Night Demon Cult Master were kneeling right in front of him.

"Thank you, Cult Master, for bestowing the art. Night Demon is infinitely grateful, and in the future, Night Demon will undoubtedly serve the Cult Master with absolute loyalty and devotion."

Fang Che sent the message.

Logically speaking, this sentence was completely redundant, and using such a precious communication tool for mere gratitude was a terrible waste; if it were anyone else, they would definitely feel annoyed.

But Yin Shengong did not.

Judging from the speed of Fang Che's previous reply and that condescending tone.

He estimated that Yin Shengong was already flying high with pleasure right now!

Therefore, he quickly sent another flatterer to deepen the impression: Who else could possibly make the Cult Master feel this wonderful?

Only I, Night Demon!

Sure enough, Yin Shengong immediately replied: "As long as you, Night Demon, serve this Cult Master with absolute loyalty, this Cult Master will not treat you unfairly in the future. If you have something to say, speak."

Fang Che raised an eyebrow.

Yin Shengong was indeed immensely pleased, and his phrasing was very deliberate.

'Serve with absolute loyalty!'

The key word here was 'serve!'

This is incredible... Yin Shengong probably has visions of the Night Demon Cult Master kneeling and licking his boots right now, doesn't he?

Keep enjoying yourself to death, you old bastard.

Thus, Fang Che began discussing business: "Cult Master, I have sold out the Ximen family of the Heavenly God Cult to White Cloud Martial Academy."

After sending it, there was no response for a long time.

Fang Che felt a slight sense of gravity in his heart.

On the other side.

When Yin Shengong saw Fang Che's message, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped the desk and sprang to his feet: "Good! Very, very good! Truly someone capable of accomplishing great things!"

"Not bad, not bad at all! Ruthless, vicious, and decisive! And resourceful to boot!"

"As expected of someone favored by the Heavenly Centipede God!"

Yin Shengong felt his emotions stirring faintly.

By this point, he was beginning to feel somewhat reassured.

This decisive mindset of 'everyone paves the way for me, selling them out or killing them without hesitation' is what it means to be a member of my Single-Minded Cult!

This is the true method of our Only My True Doctrine!

Calming his mind, Yin Shengong sent a message: "Reason?"

Just two brief words; I cannot let him know that I am currently feeling extremely pleased.

As a superior, one's joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure must not be so easily seen through by subordinates. What is this called?

The art of imperial governance!

Fang Che quickly replied: "I killed Ximen Xuri, and the Ximen family will naturally not let the matter rest; they are bound to come looking for trouble with me. Moreover, it is highly likely they will unite with the Heavenly God Cult to target me. My strength is humble, making it easy for others to take advantage of me. Your subordinate dared not take the risk, so I took precautions beforehand and simply struck first to gain the upper hand."

"That is damn near brilliant!"

Yin Shengong pounded the table: "Truly ruthless and decisive enough!"

Just because someone 'might' threaten him, he decisively sold them out to the enemy.

This is simply... a rare talent!

"Just for this reason?" Yin Shengong sent another message.

Vaguely expressing a trace of dissatisfaction.

Ah, applying pressure to subordinates is essential.

"Another reason is that the matter involving the Su family that I handled in Bibo City left somewhat heavy traces, so I also needed to change my impression; otherwise, White Cloud Martial Academy would not have deliberately valued me. Therefore, your subordinate used the Ximen clan and Ximen Xuri as stepping stones for advancement. This is a bit of selfishness on the part of your subordinate, and I dared not conceal it from the Cult Master."

Fang Che laid everything bare with an attitude of 'I am completely honest with the Cult Master.'

Sure enough, Yin Shengong was delighted!

Night Demon really holds nothing back from me.

"Then what are your plans for the future?"

Yin Shengong followed up with another sentence.

"If there are any other matters in the future, should it be necessary, the families of Ding Zieran and Huo Churan—your subordinate will sell them out as well. Your subordinate answers only to the Single-Minded Cult and to you, Cult Master; as long as they are not people of our Single-Minded Cult, your subordinate does not mind at all."

Fang Che answered honestly.

"Splendid!"

Yin Shengong was exceedingly satisfied.

What Night Demon said is completely right.

Since we are already an evil cult, why bother caring about benevolence, righteousness, and morality?

Loyalty among peers?

Bah!

A bad habit!

Yin Shengong immediately edited his reply: "In principle, we all belong to the Only My True Doctrine; mutually, we are colleagues, and we are not permitted to betray one another—this is a major taboo within our cult. Considering that this was your first time and you were unaware beforehand, this matter will not be pursued."

After writing this, he glanced at it and felt somewhat unsatisfied.

Thus, he added two more sentences: "Should such a situation arise in the future, the cult will certainly impose severe punishment!"

Editing complete, he sent it.

Fang Che received the message.

He took one look and chuckled.

Yin Shengong is indeed a demon cult master, an absolute veteran old schemer.

This message made it look like such actions were forbidden.

But you have to know how to read between the lines.

First are the three words 'in principle.'

In principle, it is not allowed.

Everyone understands this: if it is not allowed in principle, it actually means it is allowed. Those who know, know.

Then comes 'major taboo within our cult.' Those two words, 'taboo,' are worthy of subtle appreciation.

Taboos are meant to be understood. But taboos, much like rules, are meant to be broken—it all depends on whether you dare to do it or not.

Since it was the first time and 'will not be pursued,' those four words carry profound meaning.

Since the first time is not pursued, what harm is there in a second time?

As for the final sentence, 'Should such a situation arise in the future, the cult will certainly impose severe punishment!'

This sentence must be understood in reverse: Go ahead and boldly do it in the future without worry! Our Single-Minded Cult has your back!

Fang Che felt that his interpretation had absolutely zero flaws.

This was bound to be what Yin Shengong meant.

Therefore, Fang Che immediately replied: "I have caused trouble for the Cult Master. Your subordinate Night Demon expresses my utmost gratitude for the Cult Master's favor and care. The Cult Master's sentiments are engraved in my heart and I shall never dare forget them. I hope that one day, I may truly be able to exert myself and solve worries for the Cult Master."

Upon receiving this message, Yin Shengong could finally rest easy.

This little fellow completely understood my intentions.

Look at how well those words were phrased.

'I hope that one day, I may truly be able to exert myself and solve worries for the Cult Master.'

Ah, you are already venting my frustrations for me right now.

However, although the matter of Night Demon killing Ximen Xuri was essentially resolved regarding the Ximen family, the Heavenly God Cult would certainly not let the matter rest. This situation also posed a problem.

The key was that Night Demon's identity could not be exposed.

Yet it was equally crucial that this must not be exposed as his own directive.

How should this matter be handled?

After thinking for a moment, Yin Shengong frowned, tapped his fingers on the desk, and finally sent a message to Fang Che to test him.

"Regarding the subsequent actions of the Heavenly God Cult, since you have done this deed, what is your view on the aftermath?"