Chapter 26: The Twenty-Sixth Day as Cult Leader (Part 2)

He looked at the stubborn and arrogant Xu Sheng as though looking at him for the final time, his eyes hiding regret and reluctance. Yet Xu Sheng was not afraid of life or death at all. He smiled, walked out the door, and said to Zhang Daniu, who had been waiting outside for a long time, “This old man will go with you to meet that Demonic Cult Cult Leader. Lead the way!”

…

When Qin Ming heard that Zhang Daniu had gathered everyone he needed not long after going down the mountain, he felt rather surprised.

So fast? Zhang Daniu’s efficiency is not inferior to Shen Fubai’s at all.

Since Shen Fubai was reporting on the matter of the restaurant in his study, Qin Ming very perceptively did not say the latter half of that sentence aloud. He merely said calmly, “You did well.”

Yet even that made Shen Fubai, who was organizing intelligence to the side, cast Zhang Daniu a chilly glance.

However, Zhang Daniu did not feel delighted by this praise. Instead, he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly and explained, “Cult Leader, people who can read are really hard to find. I only found one person, and he isn’t exactly very willing.”

As he spoke, Zhang Daniu directly led Xu Sheng into the study. “There’s only this person. Please inspect him, Cult Leader.”

Qin Ming could not help examining this man. He saw that the man wore Confucian robes, but unlike Chen Lue, he was not gentle, refined, and courteous. Instead, arrogance was written all over his face. His chin was lifted high, as if he disdained everyone. Mm… He was more like Shen Fubai when Shen Fubai was facing anyone other than Qin Ming.

But one look at his clothing was enough to know that this person truly had learning. Besides, Qin Ming did not like people who only knew how to flatter and fawn, so he felt some expectation toward him.

Only, before he could ask the words “Who are you?” the Confucian scholar before him fixed his gaze on his face. Without hiding the slightest trace of his contempt or resentment, he cursed loudly, “Ha, fine, you demon! Provoking the righteous sects on ordinary days was one thing, but now you have even started bullying men and forcing women. Pah!”

“Seeing you today, I know you are a heartless, utterly wicked person. Sure enough, the rumors outside did not come from nowhere.”

“Ha, I’ll tell you plainly. This old man was born with a backbone. I fear no threats. Beat me or kill me as you please. How dare you Demonic Cult rats order this old man to work for you! Impossible. Absolutely impossible! This old man will never comply, even unto death!”

…

Suddenly being cursed at while someone pointed at his nose, Qin Ming was instantly stunned.

Good grief. When other people disliked him, they either cursed him behind his back or cursed him in their hearts. This was the first time someone sprayed him right to his face! This man really was not afraid of death!

Yet unexpectedly, Qin Ming had thought he should be angry, but the first feeling that surged in his heart was joy. Great, great. This man was so upright and unbending at a glance. He was obviously exactly the kind of like-minded teammate he needed!

In the Demonic Cult, which was full of scourges, wasn’t this man his only hope? He had to keep him. He absolutely had to keep this man!

Besides, although the other party was denouncing him, what he denounced had nothing to do with him. He had never done any bullying of men and forcing of women. As for being heartless, that was not him either. That’s right. As long as Qin Ming resolutely refused to admit it, this tirade could not hurt him at all.

Therefore, Qin Ming’s expression was calm, as if he did not take any of the insults to heart. Instead, there was even a faint trace of… excitement in his eyes?

This made Xu Sheng, who had still been cursing, look strange. He nearly could not keep cursing.

Before Qin Ming could organize what phrasing to use, however, a cold shout suddenly drowned out everyone and echoed clearly inside the study.

“Ha, Cult Leader, this old bastard is truly outrageously bold. He dares insult Cult Leader. He truly deserves death!”

Shen Fubai’s face revealed anger, and the killing intent in his eyes stared at Xu Sheng like frost and snow. “Cult Leader is clearly both wise and brave, with extraordinary strategy. It is one thing for this man’s old eyes to be dim and fail to recognize Cult Leader’s grace, but he even turns around and makes false accusations. If he is not sliced to pieces, it will be difficult to resolve your subordinate’s hatred!”

Qin Ming: …No need, no need. That’s too much.

Seeing that the old Confucian scholar only sneered and was not afraid of Shen Fubai’s threat, Qin Ming paused before saying, “Though that is the case, I still need his abilities…”

“That is easy.” Shen Fubai immediately thought of another move. “Does he not claim himself a chivalrous and righteous man? Then randomly pull out some commoners. If he refuses to serve Cult Leader loyally, kill one. Ask again after a few breaths. If he still refuses, kill two. Repeat this again and again until blood flows like a river. I would like to see whether he can truly serve us loyally for the sake of innocent lives!”

“…”

As soon as these words came out, the entire hall was shocked.

“You, you…” Xu Sheng’s eyes widened. His body trembled as he stared at the cold Shen Fubai, unable to say a single word.

And Qin Ming’s gaze toward Shen Fubai had already turned into shock and vigilance.

Th-this is a Demonic Cult scourge?!

This level is way too terrifying!!!

Shen Fubai was truly worthy of being a Demonic Cult disciple. His ruthless, vicious degree was practically catching up to Fang Zheng. Terrifying. Too terrifying.

A severe warning bell sounded in Qin Ming’s heart. Without changing his expression, he sat a little farther away from Shen Fubai, and his nerves also tensed.

As for Xu Sheng, it was as if he had suddenly aged ten years. His hand clenched tightly, then slowly loosened. After disgust, hatred, helplessness, grief, and countless other emotions surfaced on his face, they finally turned into a silent sigh. “This old man… will join. I will join you.”

“Please do not lay a hand on the common people!”

And just like that, the only decently learned scholar “willingly” joined the Demonic Cult!

Side Mission: Improve the Conditions of the Refugees Outside the City. Progress: 10%. Reward: five thousand merit points!

Mission Objective: Increase Demonic Cult Manpower. Progress: 80%.

Seeing as the host is about to succeed, please keep up the good work!

…

Yang Xu was pacing outside the Cult Leader’s study. On one hand, he felt regretful for such an unyielding person as Xu Sheng. On the other, he was thinking of seeing the other man off before he left, which would count as not wasting their bond as senior and junior fellow disciples.

In the end, what he saw was not Xu Sheng being carried out, but Xu Sheng intact, alive, and still breathing. The surprise in his eyes nearly overflowed. He hurriedly took a few quick steps to Xu Sheng and looked him up and down. “You’re… fine?”

“…This old man has decided to temporarily join the Demonic Cult and become a spy.” Xu Sheng spoke bitterly, unable to stop shaking his head again and again with sighs.

Yang Xu did not understand at all why he had suddenly changed his thinking, but his heart was delighted. “Truly? Excellent, excellent. In the future, when facing that demon’s schemes, we will be able to handle them together!”

“The biggest problem right now is not the Demonic Cult Cult Leader.” Unexpectedly, Xu Sheng said this with an extremely solemn expression. “It is his subordinates. Those black-hearted dog thieves do not possess the slightest shred of mercy. With these people colluding with him, the Demonic Cult Cult Leader naturally cannot think of anything good!”

“Besides, the Demonic Cult Cult Leader’s martial arts are powerful, and he is difficult to deal with for now. It would still count as removing a scourge if we first deal with the most threatening subordinate by his side. What do you think?”

Seeing that Xu Sheng had suddenly awakened to the conviction of removing treacherous and evil people, Yang Xu froze, then nodded repeatedly. “All right. I think your idea is very good.”

If the road to killing the Demonic Cult Cult Leader did not work, could they not first eradicate the other remnants of the Demonic Cult?

“Who do you think we should eliminate first?” Yang Xu’s eyes turned fierce as he asked in a low voice, ready to act at any time.

Then he heard Xu Sheng sonorously and powerfully say three words. “Shen Fubai!”

Yang Xu: “…Who?”

Xu Sheng: “Shen Fubai. That young-looking yet heartless person. Just now, he was actually able to think of such a vicious plan as killing hostages to force me to stay. To be so vicious at this age, he absolutely cannot be allowed to remain!”

“…” Yang Xu’s expression changed from astonishment to oddness, then to anger and helplessness. In short, his face was extremely wonderful to behold… After taking several deep breaths without saying a single word, Xu Sheng finally realized there was a problem and frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“Mm… Actually…” Yang Xu felt his cheeks grow a little hot and said awkwardly, “Shen Fubai is also an undercover agent on our side.”

The shock on Xu Sheng’s face did not calm for a very long time.

The atmosphere abruptly turned stiff. Before Xu Sheng could come back to his senses, he saw Shen Fubai walk out of the study and stride over. All his anger from earlier surged up at once. He could not help giving a cold snort and cursing, “You dog thief!”

Shen Fubai answered subconsciously, “All of this is for the grand plan!”

“…”

Yang Xu had just felt a little surprised that this exchange sounded so familiar when Xu Sheng, who did not fall for this, continued cursing. “Bullshit. You dog thief, when you talked about killing people just now, this old man could not see the slightest bit of unwillingness from you. Don’t run. Take one strike from my sword!”

Shen Fubai originally did not want to argue with him, but seeing that Xu Sheng had truly drawn his sword and was swinging it down at his head, his expression immediately startled. He hurriedly hugged his head and dodged, then was so angered that he began cursing too. “You old bastard. I originally did not want to argue with you because of your age. Do not force me to show no mercy!”

“Ha-ha.” Xu Sheng wore a mocking smile and began to jeer at him. “This old man is now staying in the cult under the Demonic Cult Cult Leader’s orders. If you dare touch even a hair on this old man’s head, do you believe this old man will lie down at the Cult Leader’s feet and play dead on the spot?”

“…” When had Shen Fubai ever seen such a rogue? His words came out unevenly. “You, you… Bastard!”

Xu Sheng smugly stroked his beard and glanced disdainfully at Shen Fubai. Watching this scene, Yang Xu could not help marveling repeatedly. Who would have thought that someone as untamed and unyielding as Shen Fubai would actually have a time when he was stifled? It seemed that this Xu Sheng was indeed also a talent.

He could not help mediating between them. “Shen Fubai is walking the path of foolish loyalty. In front of the Cult Leader, he will inevitably display the appearance the other party likes. As he said, all of this is for the grand plan. His original intention is still good. It is possible that because his acting is too superb, he is easily misunderstood. Calm down.”

“Hmph.” Xu Sheng gave him a little face and flung his sleeve, unwilling to pay attention to Shen Fubai. He turned his head to the side.

Shen Fubai was too lazy to get angry with this old bastard too. He merely reminded them unhappily, “I discussed this person’s appointment with the Cult Leader earlier. It is said the Cult Leader seems to intend for him to teach and educate people.”

“…Teach and educate people?”

They were clearly four common words, but why did they sound so strange in the Demonic Cult?

Yang Xu frowned in confusion, unable to understand the meaning. What place in this Demonic Cult could be used for teaching? “This… What does that mean?”

“…I am not clear either.” After a pause, Shen Fubai admitted this rather helplessly. He had always claimed himself supremely intelligent, but every time he faced this Cult Leader, he seemed to become mentally deficient and could not guess the other party’s thoughts at all. “However, the Cult Leader must have his own purpose. We have to brace ourselves and deal with it.”

After speaking, he cast Xu Sheng an annoyed glance, as if secretly warning him.

But Xu Sheng only stroked his beard with a face full of refusal to admit defeat and sneered. “It does not matter. No matter what plan that demon has, it has nothing to do with this old man!”

“After all, this old man only said he would stay in the cult. When did I ever say I would obey his orders and act?”

“If he has the guts, let him kill this old man!”

After saying this, he hooked his lips smugly and strode away.

Only Yang Xu and Shen Fubai were left behind, staring at each other in shock where they stood.

…Oh no, this is bad. Yang Xu slapped his thigh. He had thought another helper had come in, so why did it feel like this one was also disobedient? Was his future life going to have another person dragging him down?

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