Volume One: The Nature of the Devil Never Changes
Arc: The Great Guerrilla War
Elder Zhao Tian Yi spoke calmly:
"What do you have, Gu Yue… or Scarlet King? It makes little difference."
Scarlet King replied with the same composure:
"I am the son of Lin Yuan, leader of the Inky Rebirth Darkness Faction. He sent me to negotiate a deal with you."
He raised one hand slightly as he continued, his voice cold and steady.
"We have a powerful competitor known as the Dragon Gang. I assume you are familiar with them.
Their entire economy depends on taverns, restaurants, and external hunting.
My plan is simple: bring the gang down… and then monopolize every tavern within the sect.
Once that happens, the sect will fall into financial distress.
Afterward, I will secretly send some followers of my faction to purchase taverns and restaurants belonging to other sects.
This will gradually place them under economic pressure as well.
Eventually… they will begin harming one another."
The elder leaned slightly forward, interest beginning to form in his eyes.
"And then? Continue."
Scarlet King nodded.
"When one sect attempts to collect the loans it gave to another sect, the debtor will refuse—because it will no longer have the resources to repay them.
This will ignite conflict.
Each sect will be on the brink of economic collapse and will attempt to save itself through war.
Other sects involved in debt relations will inevitably be dragged into the conflict as well.
In the end, the final victor will emerge severely weakened.
And at that moment…
the Heaven's Grip Sect will intervene and eliminate them all.
And thus… congratulations.
Your sect becomes the strongest power in the First Dimension."
The elder studied Scarlet King's eyes carefully before speaking.
"Why would my sect help you?
And what do you gain if we assist you?"
Scarlet King adjusted his posture slightly before answering.
"I already explained.
Your sect enters the conflict at full strength.
You defeat the remaining sects and claim their treasures.
That alone will establish you as the dominant sect of the First Dimension."
The elder closed his eyes slowly while sipping his tea.
"And how exactly do you intend to control the taverns and restaurants?
Sects possess other income sources—hunting, trade, markets.
How will you control those as well?"
Scarlet King spread his coat slightly as he responded.
"It is simple.
Control begins after the Dragon Gang collapses.
We will seize their assets and sell them through auctions, shops, and markets.
This will allow the Inky Rebirth Darkness Faction to dominate the market.
Then we recruit the former organizers of the Dragon Gang and send them hunting within the territories of rival sects.
However, we will enhance their strength with qi chicken meat and qi juices.
This will drastically increase their hunting efficiency.
Eventually, disciples of other sects will find no beasts left to hunt.
And so the sects will face a crisis:
No taverns of their own.
No functioning markets.
And no hunting grounds."
The elder thought silently.
(What a terrifying plan…)
(But why would he help my sect?)
He asked:
"How can you guarantee the success of this plan?
And what happens if it fails?"
Scarlet King answered with icy calm.
"The Heaven's Grip Sect loses nothing.
I alone bear the risk.
As for the plan's success…
you may simply observe the results."
The elder released a transparent white aura—stronger than before.
"And why would you assist our sect?"
Scarlet King replied without hesitation.
"Because…
I intend to ascend to the Second Dimension.
And I want your sect to recommend me to the sects of the Second Dimension…
once you become the ruling power."
Scarlet King extended his hand.
Blue-black flames emerged quietly from his palm.
The elder studied the flames carefully, tension flickering across his expression.
After a brief moment of thought, he sighed.
Then he extended his hand and shook Scarlet King's.
After withdrawing his hand, he resumed drinking his tea.
"So… what support do you require?"
Scarlet King answered calmly.
"Financial backing.
And shipments of qi juice and qi chicken meat to be transported to the Heavenly Food Sect."
The elder suddenly slammed the table.
The teacup shattered.
"Agreed!"
He thought to himself:
(I expected him to demand far more… this is an excellent bargain.)
Scarlet King thought silently:
(And who said this was the real plan?)
Scarlet King stood.
"In that case… I will take my leave."
The elder nodded.
"Farewell.
We will meet again when our paths cross."
Mist gathered around Scarlet King.
He teleported back to Xiao Mo's room.
The mist appeared behind her.
She was still arguing with Ikalath and suddenly launched a qi blade attack.
"Shut up, you bastard!! Haaah!"
Ikalath laughed as he easily blocked the strike.
"You are only in the Qi Refinement Realm.
I am at the Qi Condensation Realm—third level.
How exactly do you expect to defeat me, little girl who loves teddy bears and pink rooms?"
Xiao Mo shouted in frustration.
Then she hugged the bear tightly and spoke in embarrassment.
"I'm lonely…
That's why I like dolls and pink things.
They make the room feel beautiful…
and ease my loneliness."
Ikalath froze.
"Huh?"
Scarlet King appeared behind him.
He grabbed Ikalath's shoulder and spoke to Xiao Mo.
"We are leaving now.
Goodbye."
Mist enveloped them.
They began teleporting back to the Heavenly Food Sect.
During the transfer—since it required a short period of time—Ikalath sat down and asked:
"So… how did things go with the First Elder?"
Scarlet King smiled—a cold, demonic smile.
"Perfectly.
The elder believes the plan benefits him.
When in reality…
all the sects' treasures will soon belong to me."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"And that is not even the real plan.
It is merely my old plan…
which I modified slightly after meeting Xiao Mo."
The mist finally appeared at the gate of the Heavenly Food Sect.
Scarlet King and Ikalath stepped out.
Morning sunlight flooded the surroundings.
Warm rays illuminated the sect while the voices of disciples echoed around the entrance.
They walked through the open gate.
Immediately they saw Lin Yuan flirting with a girl.
"Miss beauty… would you like to have dinner with me?"
The girl replied without even stopping.
"No, thank you."
Lin Yuan sighed dramatically.
"Oh… fine.
That makes eighty-two girls who rejected my dinner invitations."
He glanced around and spotted Scarlet King and Ikalath.
He waved energetically.
"Oh! Ikalath! Scarlet King! You're here!"
Ikalath raised his hand in greeting.
Scarlet King simply stared coldly.
Lin Yuan approached them.
Suddenly Scarlet King spoke.
"You will become the leader of the Inky Rebirth Darkness Faction."
Lin Yuan froze.
His face turned pale.
"Me…?
I become the faction leader?!"
Scarlet King answered calmly.
"Yes.
You will be the public leader.
But I will be the true leader behind the scenes.
Because no one would follow a nine-year-old child."
He continued:
"Less than a year remains before my talent and spiritual roots are revealed."
He looked at Lin Yuan with cold eyes.
"And now…
we begin the war against the Dragon Gang."