After devouring the Kure Clan's demon god, Kael did not immediately refine it.
Instead, he turned his gaze toward the clan members. Today he had stormed into Kure Clan Village, crippled Raian, struck down Erioh, and even consumed their demon god. Between him and the Kure Clan, it was already a fight to the death.
If he went into seclusion now to refine the demon god, it would mean letting the clan members escape. Though they couldn't harm Kael directly, they could hurt his friends. That would be troublesome. So why not kill them all? After all, this assassin clan was hardly innocent.
With that thought, Kael's eyes gleamed with killing intent.
Thud!
At that moment, Erioh suddenly rushed forward and knelt before him. "Kure Clan leader Kure Erioh greets Lord Demon God."
Kael was stunned, then sneered. "Your demon god has already been eaten. You don't think it's still alive, do you?"
Erioh prostrated himself. "Only a demon god could devour another demon god. Lord Demon God, from today onward, the Kure Clan will worship you for generations."
Kael chuckled, realizing Erioh's plan. "So cunning—you want to preserve your clan this way. Can't beat me, so you join me."
Erioh's idea was clever. Despite his age, his mind was sharp. Kael had intended to wipe out the Kure Clan, but hearing Erioh pledge loyalty made his killing intent fade slightly.
First, the Kure Clan, with its 1,300-year assassin lineage, had skill. If subdued, they could be useful. Second, Kure Clan Village had at least ten thousand people. Kael could slaughter them all, but it would be too bloody, and he disliked such acts. Third, Erioh was so quick to kneel that Kael felt awkward killing them.
He could kill enemies, but slaughtering defenseless people felt wrong. Of course, the Kure Clan were assassins, not defenseless. But compared to Kael, they were no different from the helpless. Especially since the village had infants—he couldn't bring himself to kill indiscriminately.
After some thought, Kael decided to accept their submission. "Since you're so sensible, I'll give you a chance. Fetch some buckets of water."
Erioh dared not delay. The clan's survival depended on Kael's mercy. If Kael changed his mind, their thousand-year lineage could end. So Erioh humbled himself, willing to sacrifice pride for survival. Living was most important. Once dead, history, pride, resentment—all vanished. Erioh understood this better than anyone.
He quickly gathered people to fetch buckets of water. Kael dripped a few drops of blood into them. The clear water instantly turned into buckets of blood water.
"Everyone, drink." Kael commanded. Erioh nodded, gathering the clan to drink in batches.
With ten thousand people, the first buckets weren't enough. More were fetched, more blood added, until all had drunk.
When they finished, Kael said slowly: "My blood grants you great power. With practice, you can gain strength surpassing the demon god's. You won't need 100% Removal to wield it."
But no one smiled. They knew there was no free lunch. Just moments ago, they were mortal enemies. Even if they surrendered, Kael wouldn't give such gifts without strings attached.
Indeed, Kael continued: "My blood gives you power, but also control. If I wish, I can kill you at any time."
He raised a finger. Suddenly, everyone felt dread. Their blood seemed ready to boil and leave their bodies. They had no resistance.
"Now you understand?" Kael said with a mocking smile.
Erioh felt deep sorrow. The Kure Clan, after more than a thousand years, had lost independence. Now they were nothing more than Kael's dogs. No—less than dogs. This helplessness was unbearable. But strength decides fate. They had no choice.
Erioh led the clan in bowing. "From now on, the Kure Clan pledges loyalty to Lord Demon God. We will never betray you."
Seeing Erioh's decisiveness, Kael sighed. "Flexible indeed. You're quite the talent. If not for me, the Kure Clan might have thrived under your leadership."
Erioh's face was bitter. Who could deny it? For 1,300 years, the Kure Clan had survived by knowing who to provoke and who to avoid, who to kill and who to spare. That was why they endured—not just strength, but adaptability.
But who could have imagined that this rule would fail against Kael?