Chapter 37: A Demon Among Demons

Chapter 37: A Demon Among Demons

Having dealt with the Church of the Self-Righteous across two lifetimes, Fang Che knew that the only way to tame these people was by implanting fear deep into their hearts.

These people were most definitely not here to make friends, and if he had displayed any weakness, then this could've very well been his final night in this world.

Power always reigned supreme, and this was particularly true in the Church of the Self-Righteous.

Hence, he had specifically created a persona for Starlight, one that resembled a deranged demon with a multitude of screws loose in the head.

You're ruthless? I'm more ruthless than you!

You're insane? I'm more insane than you!

Any attempt at appeasement would only be met with derision, so they had to be taught respect the hard way.

If you're not going to tell me, then I'll kill you right now! Either you tell me the location of the Divine Heavenly Church branch helm, or none of you leave this place alive!

"Hurry up!" Fang Che snapped as he rested the sharp edge of his broadsword against Qiao Yishu's neck. "Where is the branch helm? Don't make me ask again!"

Qiao Yishu was cursing Starlight's entire bloodline internally, but he had no choice but to comply as he provided the branch helm's address.

All of his companions could only look on helplessly as Starlight extorted the location out of him, then asked a multitude of questions to confirm the location.

"That's in the northern part of the city, right? The one with the old locust tree on the left and willow street on the right? What are you doing there? You're running an armed escort agency? That's not a bad cover! Where did you bury the people originally working at the agency? In the courtyard? No? Then where? You spared them and they're now working for you?!

“You expect me to believe that?! See? That wasn't so hard, was it? I knew you had to have killed them. So you buried them in the backyard? And there were dozens of them? Damn, you really are a heartless prick! How many people did you kill in total? How many men and how many women?"

Qiao Yishu was quickly losing the will to live.

This was an even harsher interrogation than one that he would've been subjected to had he fallen into the hands of the Protectionists!

I'm a helmsmaster, for heaven's sake! Do you have to humiliate me like this in front of so many people? And you're calling me a heartless prick?! How about you take a piss on the ground and take a look at your own reflection in it?!

Finally, the interrogation was over.

Qiao Yishu was drenched in sweat, and his face was purple with rage, but he didn't dare to say anything.

Fang Che immediately reverted back to a polite gentleman.

"Have some tea, everyone. This is the finest tea in my collection. What was I saying earlier? Ah yes, I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the clans of the main church. This is truly an honor for me! Feel free to come here at any time, and I'll be sure to treat you to some wine and a hearty meal!"

With Fang Che putting on a much more amicable display, the atmosphere quickly began to liven up.

After mustering up some courage, Ning Chengwei said, "There's a question I'd like to ask you, Brother Starlight."

"Go right ahead, Brother Ning! I'll tell you everything I know!" Fang Che promised.

"Do you know of Night Demon?" Ning Chengwei asked in a timid fashion, knowing that he was potentially stepping on a landmine.

Sure enough, Starlight's expression instantly darkened, and he slammed a palm down onto the table, pulverizing it along with all of the teacups to send tea flying in all directions.

Several of the young women at the table had gashes sliced into their faces by the broken shards of the teacups, but they didn't dare to move, their fear of death far outweighing their fear of disfigurement.

Starlight sprang to his feet with a furious expression as he stabbed a finger at Ning Chengwei and roared, "I knew you were a bunch of nefarious pricks! You're here to kill Night Demon, aren't you?"

Once again, his nine ring broadsword was drawn, and everyone at the table hurriedly scrambled to their feet as explained, "No, no, no, this is all a massive misunderstanding, Helmsmaster Starlight! None of our clans had anyone die during the Parasite Ascension Project, so we're just curious!"

Ning Chengwei was cursing himself to hell and back.

What the hell's wrong with me? Why did I have to bring up Night Demon? I should've just kept my mouth shut and prayed that I live past tonight!

"Really?" Starlight asked in a skeptical manner.

"Of course!" everyone replied in unison.

"Sheesh, why didn't you say so? You got me all worked up for nothing," Fang Che sighed as he returned his broadsword to its scabbard. "Honestly, I don't really care if you're after Night Demon. I hate his guts anyway."

Everyone: "......"

Then what the hell was that reaction just now?! Is this guy actually insane?!

"But you can't kill him on my territory!" Fang Che continued.

Everyone's eyes lit up slightly upon hearing this.

Wasn't this an indirect admission that Night Demon was in the White Cloud Prefecture?

Sure enough, Starlight's expression instantly changed slightly, as if he knew that he had misspoken, and he hurriedly amended, "I mean, it's not like Night Demon is here anyway. Our pope has put him into hiding, so no one knows where he is right now."

Everyone knew that Starlight had just done them a favor, and they collectively expressed their gratitude to him.

"No need to thank me, we're all friends here."

After chatting for a while longer, Starlight yawned in a weary manner.

Qiao Yishu immediately took that as a cue to leave, standing up as he said, "It's getting quite late, and I think everyone's rather tired, so how about we end things here for tonight?"

"I'm not tired at all!" Fang Che argued. "How about we keep chatting until the sun comes up?"

"No, no, we've already taken up far too much of your valuable time, Brother Starlight."

"I feel like I haven't been a great host."

"Not at all! You've been the best host that we could possibly ask for! Brother Starlight, do we have your permission to carry the other guy away with us?"

"Oh, him? I almost forgot about him! What was his name again? Anyway, yeah, of course you can take him. I'm really sorry about what happened. Sometimes, my temper just gets the best of me. Brother Qiao, Brother Ning, please put in a good word with him for me."

A short while later, Qiao Yishu and the others fled from the One Heart Church branch helm as if they had narrowly avoided being condemned to the deepest pits of hell.

The same thought was ringing out in everyone's mind:

I'm never coming here again!

The group departed in silence, and only when they were certain that they were a safe distance away did Qiao Yishu allow himself a long sigh of relief, one that was immediately echoed by everyone else.

Back in the One Heart Church branch helm, they felt like they didn't even dare to breathe, and they could finally do so now.

"My eyes have truly been opened tonight," Ning Chengwei said with a wry smile.

"I can't believe someone like Starlight exists! I almost pissed myself back there!"

"It sounds like Starlight and Night Demon are on pretty bad terms with each other."

"No shit! Starlight reached the Lord without being given the opportunity to take part in the Parasite Ascension Project, while Night Demon was granted that opportunity and came first! Anyone would be pissed in his shoes!"

"That's true. I wonder how someone as strong as Starlight missed out on such an opportunity."

"It's because Ren Zhongyuan was in charge of everything, and there was no way he was going to give someone from Yin Shengong's camp a chance."

"Starlight has made his feelings very clear. Even that last tantrum that he threw felt like an act."

"I agree. He immediately calmed down as soon as we explained that we had no intention of going after Night Demon, and he even indirectly revealed to us that Night Demon is in the White Cloud Prefecture."

"It seems like he wants us to kill Night Demon for him."

"What a shady bastard!"

Meanwhile, Qiao Yishu was walking along in a glum silence.

He had come here to eradicate the One Heart Church's branch helm, but he had well and truly shot himself in the foot, and now, Starlight was aware of his branch helm's location.

What was going to become of him once these people from the main church left? Starlight would be sure to kick his doors down and torment him every day!

With that in mind, Qiao Yishu immediately made up his mind to move the branch helm in the next few days.

It would be a huge waste to abandon a new branch helm like this, but it had to be done. Qiao Yishu wouldn't be surprised in the slightest even if Starlight reported his branch helm to the Hall of Protectionists!

At the same time, Qiao Yishu was filled with relief and schadenfreude over the fact that Starlight had missed out on the Parasite Ascension Project.

Otherwise, someone like him would've been sure to rise to the top and take the One Heart Church with him!

As for the young man being carried on the stretcher, he was vowing internally to kill Starlight with his own two hands!

***

After everyone was gone, Fang Che gathered the nine on-duty Grandmasters before reprimanding, "I know that you're not to blame for their visit, but could you not have at least made an effort to keep them outside?

“I felt like I was walking into someone else's territory tonight! Don't let it happen again, and clean up this place until it's completely spotless! When I come back tomorrow, I don't want to see a speck of dust even on the leaves of the trees! Do you hear me?"