Chapter 8: You Don't Want the Divine Fire Manor to Be Destroyed, Do You? (Patreon)

One day, Belle dragged Gusttave along on a shopping trip through the city.

Or so it was called—in truth, every street they wandered was a food street.

Whenever Belle spotted something delicious, she'd call on Gusttave or her sister Wise to buy it for her.

The whole way, Belle's hands were never empty, and her mouth never stopped moving.

Just as Belle was pestering Gusttave again to buy her food, a ball of flame plummeted from the sky, streaking straight toward him.

The ordinary people nearby bolted the instant they saw it.

But Gusttave saw clearly what lay at the heart of the flame—it was a young man in Daoist robes.

The look he fixed on Gusttave was filled with fury—and beneath the fury, a thread of killing intent.

'Demon-Slaying Divine Fire, yet no trace of Dongfang Spirit Clan blood—and that uniform. This must be Jin Renfeng.'

Faced with the sudden attack, Gusttave didn't move. Someone else had already beaten him to it.

"Daring to commit crimes in defiance of the Strike Hard Campaign—you really don't think much of me, do you!"

The one who'd struck was none other than this city's Public Security Bureau Chief.

Seeing someone dare make trouble on his own turf—especially during the Strike Hard Campaign—felt like a direct slap to his authority.

The Bureau Chief was a bear of a man, broad-backed and thick-shouldered, his dark blue uniform straining against muscle. His sleeves were rolled up to the forearms, baring a pair of corded, powerful arms.

His surname was Tie, given name Shan—one of the Way of Great Peace's earliest disciples. He'd followed Gusttave for over a decade, rising from a mud-footed peasant to the head of an entire city.

Tie Shan planted his foot and launched skyward like a cannonball fired from its barrel. Veins bulged along his right arm as he drove a heavy, bone-crushing grappling strike straight at the figure wreathed in flame.

Jin Renfeng clearly hadn't expected an unwelcome third party to crash the scene.

He'd meant that strike for Gusttave alone—a palm infused with years of painstaking cultivation in the Demon-Slaying Divine Fire. Lacking Dongfang Spirit Clan blood or not, its power was nothing to scoff at.

Intercepted mid-strike now, his expression darkened. The flame in his palm surged violently, colliding head-on with Tie Shan's grappling hand.

"Boom—"

A ring of scorching shockwave burst through the air, scattering the stalls lining both sides of the street. The candied hawthorn skewer in Belle's hand was blasted clean out of her grip. She let out a yelp, staring in heartbroken dismay at the skewer rolling across the ground, coated in dust—and her whole posture wilted.

Tie Shan landed steady on his feet. His right palm had reddened slightly, but he seemed not to notice, giving it a casual shake. He looked up at Jin Renfeng, who'd likewise touched down, and flashed a grin, white teeth bared. "Kid, not bad with your hands. But starting a fight on my turf? You've got some nerve."

Jin Renfeng, clad in crimson Daoist robes, wore a face carved from ice, flames coiling around his body. His gaze slid past Tie Shan and locked onto Gusttave, the killing intent in his eyes almost tangible.

"Still staring? I'm taking you in!" Tie Shan cracked a palm down on Jin Renfeng's head.

The blow landed hard enough to leave him seeing stars.

Gusttave spoke up at last. "Committing crimes in defiance of the Strike Hard Campaign—this goes well beyond your typical spoiled brat. We need to come down hard."

"Whatever sect or clan stands behind him is surely hiding some great scheme. We can't let this slide—get to the bottom of it."

At that, Tie Shan straightened at once and snapped Gusttave a military salute. "Yes, sir!"

Back when Gusttave had delivered the Venom Master into custody here, it was Tie Shan himself who'd received him—so naturally, he already knew his teacher and superior was somewhere within his jurisdiction.

With that, Tie Shan hauled Jin Renfeng away.

What awaited Jin Renfeng was the harshest interrogation imaginable—one that might go on until the body-cam ran out of spiritual power.

As for whether the enforcement baton had any spiritual power of its own, that was something even Gusttave couldn't say.

After Tie Shan left, Wise stared at Gusttave, her face knotted with conflict.

Jin Renfeng was her own father's senior disciple, and the sect behind him was none other than Divine Fire Manor—the very sect her father had founded.

Divine Fire Manor had already been weakened by the rise of the Way of Great Peace, to the point that even as the manor's own young ladies, the two sisters traveled without so much as a single attendant.

If they were hit by another crackdown now, the manor might collapse entirely—not even a name left behind to survive it.

Wise was torn over whether to beg Gusttave to spare Divine Fire Manor.

She had no idea who Gusttave truly was, but judging by his formidable strength and the deference the Bureau Chief showed him, his standing had to be extraordinary.

With his help, Divine Fire Manor might yet escape this disaster.

After all, it was his order that had launched the crackdown on the manor in the first place.

Wise watched Gusttave's back, her fingers unconsciously twisting into the fabric of her sleeve.

She'd grown up in Divine Fire Manor. Her father was strict, but he'd always kept the manor running smoothly, top to bottom.

But ever since the Way of Great Peace rose to power, the manor's influence had plummeted. Its disciples scattered, and now even she and her sister had to count every coin when they traveled.

If it were struck down again…

Wise bit her lip, about to speak—but Belle darted forward first.

"Hey!" Belle grabbed hold of Gusttave's sleeve, tilting her face up with righteous indignation. "Was that guy after you just now? Did you offend Divine Fire Manor or something?"

Gusttave glanced down at her, the corner of his mouth curling. "I've never met him. Though I have heard the name Divine Fire Manor."

"Then this is easy!" Belle planted her hands on her hips. "My sister is Divine Fire Manor's eldest young lady! Do us a favor, and Divine Fire Manor will have your back from now on!"

Wise nearly fainted from exasperation at her own sister. She hurried forward, pulled Belle behind her, and bowed slightly to Gusttave, the tips of her ears flushing. "My sister speaks without thinking. Please don't take offense, Daoist."

But Gusttave only smiled. "Why don't you try persuading your sister to marry me? Maybe I'll feel generous enough to let Divine Fire Manor off, just this once."

"You don't want to see the sect your father built with his own two hands wiped out, do you?"

[Kiana Kaslana: Why does this guy give off such a cheesy ecchi-anime vibe!]

[Keqing: Using something like this to force a woman into marrying him? How shameless!]

[Silver Wolf: He's obviously just joking!]

[Keqing: Maybe so, but joking about a woman's lifelong marriage like that is still despicable!]

The moment Belle heard that, her eyes lit up. She popped her head out from behind Wise. "Really?! Sis, just marry him! You're already at marrying age anyway, and he's so strong—we wouldn't be losing out!"

"Belle!" Wise's face flushed instantly to the tips of her ears, her voice rising in a rare loss of composure.

"I'm just telling the truth." Belle shrank her neck down, muttering under her breath. "Look, he's not bad-looking, he's super capable, and he can save our manor too… Sis, can't you just sacrifice a little?"

Wise drew a deep breath, forcing her expression back to calm. She lifted her head, meeting Gusttave's eyes—eyes still lit with amusement—and spoke earnestly. "If you truly mean to help, Daoist, I'd be deeply grateful. But marriage isn't something to be used as a bargaining chip. If you're only joking, then let it be. But if you're serious… then I have no choice but to refuse."

Gusttave watched her—ears burning red with embarrassment, yet still forcing every word out crisp and clear—and the amusement in his eyes deepened.

"Just a joke, don't take it seriously." He waved a hand, his tone easy. "As for Divine Fire Manor, I'll have people look into it properly. Jin Renfeng is Jin Renfeng; Divine Fire Manor is Divine Fire Manor. Whatever he's done won't be pinned on your father."

Wise blinked, startled, then gave a small bow, a faint, barely noticeable softening in her voice. "Thank you, Daoist."

A few days later, after rigorous interrogation by the Public Security Bureau, a sealed letter was delivered into Gusttave's hands.

"Jin Renfeng used his own appearance to deceive a leech demon into teaching him a blood-exchange demon art, plotting to use the technique to swap his own blood with that of Dongfang Guyue, the master he served as Divine Fire Manor's lord—thereby gaining Dongfang Spirit Clan blood and seizing the Dongfang family's exclusive secret manual, the Pure Yang Flame."

"At the same time, in order to steal the Dongfang family's bloodline power, he also schemed relentlessly to possess Dongfang Guyue's two daughters, intending to exploit the secret of the Dongfang Spirit Clan's bloodline to build a powerful family of his own."

"The secret of the Dongfang Spirit Clan: members of the Dongfang line are born with innate spiritual power, and their pure blood can be cultivated into the Demon-Slaying Divine Fire known as the Pure Yang Flame. Furthermore, Dongfang women can pass their spiritual power down directly to their children."

"Any man from outside the clan who marries a Dongfang Spirit Clan woman can pass his own cultivation achievements directly to the next generation—effectively gaining the cornerstone for building a powerful family of his own."

All of this was intelligence that Bureau Chief Tie Shan had pried out of Jin Renfeng's own mouth.

After reading it, Gusttave handed the sealed letter over to Wise and Belle.

In the chat group, as the secret of the Dongfang Spirit Clan and Jin Renfeng's scheme came to light, everyone fell into a flurry of discussion.

[Hu Tao: Wait wait wait, this This Director's brain can't keep up! A blood-exchange demon art? Swapping your own blood with someone else's?! What kind of ghoulish nonsense is this?!]

[Kiana Kaslana: And the target of his blood-swap is his own master?! Dongfang Guyue took him in as a disciple and taught him everything he knows, and he turns around and tries to murder his master's entire family?!]

[Silver Wolf: It's worse than that. Look closely at the second half—he wants to marry a Dongfang daughter because Dongfang women can pass their spiritual power to their descendants. Marry one, and it's basically cheat codes for his bloodline.]

[March 7th: So from start to finish, becoming a disciple was fake, his loyalty was fake, even courting the daughters was all calculated… this guy is a scumbag through and through, isn't he?!]

[Zhongli: Under the name of master and disciple, he commits theft. Under the name of love, he schemes to breed. A character this vile is rare in this world.]

[Ruan Mei: The principle behind the blood-exchange demon art is worth studying, though. Swapping bloodline power between different individuals without triggering rejection—the leech demon's biology really is unique.]

[Asta: I think you're missing the point, Dr. Ruan Mei…]

The images on the light screen kept scrolling.

Gusttave had given the sealed letter to the sisters, Wise and Belle—as the parties involved, they deserved to know the truth.

After reading it, Belle let golden Demon-Slaying Divine Fire flare half an inch high in her palm, only to force it back down. She gritted her teeth. "That Jin Renfeng is a wolf wearing human skin! Scheming to steal our bloodline through a blood swap, plotting against my sister and my father—does he even deserve to call himself a Divine Fire Manor disciple?"

Wise, meanwhile, said nothing at all.

Once the sisters had finished reading, Gusttave gave them a piece of good news. "Jin Renfeng may have had a wolf's ambitions, but that was his own doing—Divine Fire Manor had nothing to do with it. In fact, you're both victims here. So the crackdown targeting Divine Fire Manor has been called off."

"Of course, if any Divine Fire Manor disciples are still up to no good, the crackdown will resume."

Wise folded the letter carefully, her fingertips paling. A layer of coldness finally settled over her gentle brow. "Thank you, Daoist, for telling us the truth, and for judging fairly. Divine Fire Manor failed to discipline its own—that this scoundrel emerged is our fault."

Beside her, Belle huffed. "If Dad finds out what Jin Renfeng was really plotting, he'll skin him alive! And to think we used to treat him like a senior brother."

Gusttave said evenly, "Wicked men get dealt with by the law. Jin Renfeng schemed after your bloodline, secretly practiced demon arts, and murdered a leech demon in secret—under the joint pact between the Way of Great Peace and the demon races, that's more than enough to warrant a death sentence. You needn't dirty your own hands."

"For your safety, you'll stay in this city for the time being. I've already arranged word to be sent for Master Dongfang to come collect you. I'll also inform him of Jin Renfeng's scheme, so he can execute the traitor with his own hands."

Wise nodded slightly, tucking the letter away. The last trace of warmth vanished from her eyes, leaving only quiet resolve. "You've gone to great trouble on our behalf, Daoist."

Belle was still fuming, fists clenched, flame flickering unsteadily at her fingertips.

"When Dad gets here, I'm going to ask Jin Renfeng to his face whether he fed his conscience to the dogs!"

Gusttave looked at the two sisters' starkly different reactions and smiled faintly. "Just settle in and don't worry. The Yiqidao League keeps watch over this city—no ordinary demon or scoundrel can get near you."

Dongfang Guyue arrived faster than anyone expected.

Barely three days after word went out, the master of Divine Fire Manor arrived at Jie'an City, travel-worn and dust-covered.

He wore a deep crimson brocade robe, his features bearing a strong resemblance to Wise's, though his brow carried an extra measure of authority and weariness carved by the years.

The decline of Divine Fire Manor showed plainly in the white streaking his temples—but the moment his eyes fell on his two daughters, safe and unharmed, they lit up instantly.

"Dad!" Belle was the first to rush forward, burying her face in Dongfang Guyue's chest, her voice laced with grievance and lingering fear. "You're finally here! Do you know what that Jin Renfeng—"

"I know." Dongfang Guyue gently patted his younger daughter's back, his voice low. "The letter explained everything."

His gaze slid past Belle and landed on Wise. His elder daughter still wore that same gentle, composed look, standing a few steps away, dipping her head slightly—but her eyes had quietly reddened.

Something in Dongfang Guyue's chest clenched, as though a fist had closed around his heart.

He let go of Belle and walked over to Wise, reaching out to brush away dust that wasn't there on her shoulder. His throat bobbed once before he spoke, voice hoarse. "It's your father's fault, for failing to see the man's true nature. I let you suffer for it."

Wise shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "It's not your fault, Father. Jin Renfeng hid his wolfish ambitions too deep. If this hadn't come to light, even we daughters would still be in the dark."

Dongfang Guyue fell silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to Gusttave, who stood off to the side with his hands clasped behind his back.

This trip wasn't only to bring his daughters home—there was something more important still. He wanted to see, with his own eyes, the legendary figure who had single-handedly toppled the old order and founded the Way of Great Peace.

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