Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 371: Chapter 371. Infernal Ley lines

”But... the townspeople told me he is a Mystic stage cultivator,” Tuang Yin said.

”... He used concealment art,” Amon guessed.

The pursuers caught up to them now that they stopped moving. These pursuers, all wearing black cloaks, surrounded Amon and Tuang Yin, leaving them with no escape path.

”Hehe. It is as the woman said. Someone is indeed following us,” Kui Mang said.

One of the pursuers removed his cloak, revealing himself to be Kui Chong. He said, ”Father, that woman also said one of them is a demon cultivator. Do you sense it?”

”I didn’t sense any infernal energy when they used their movement arts,” Kui Man replied.

”Then they are useless to us,” One of the pursuers said.

Another added, ”That girl is a Royal Academy student. She was asking around about us some days ago.”

”If the Royal Academy informs the Kingdom about our activities, we will be in trouble. We should get rid of them.”

Kui Mang seemed to consider everyone’s opinion. Finally, he said, ”Well, since they are not the ones that woman mentioned, then let’s...”

”Hold!” Amon called. A dark aura exuded from his body.

”Infernal energy...!” Kui Chong exclaimed.

”He is truly a demon!” Another added.

”Well, well. I don’t know how you can release infernal energy while exhibiting divine energy when you use your arts,” Kui Mang said. ”Perhaps you are using a concealment device like that woman does. Anyway, since you are a demon, we will let you live.”

”This woman you kept mentioning, is her name Xin Lie?” Amon asked.

He decided to expose his demonic secret because he knew he couldn’t win against this lot. He might have fought a Spirit Stage cultivator before, but that was when said cultivator was afflicted by his poisons. Even then, he had his people supporting him. This time, he was without preparation and outnumbered.

He still had the high-tier runic giant puppet. The puppet had the simplest programming. It wouldn’t be able to fully protect him against so many opponents but should be enough to help him escape. However, he had resolved to only use it during an absolute emergency. These people didn’t appear to want to kill him after he revealed his demonic aura. He was also curious about what they were doing, so he decided to play along for now.

”Xin Lie? Is that her name? I don’t know. She never revealed her name,” Kui Mang answered.

”What is her connection to you?” Amon asked.

”No connection. I don’t know her. She just appeared before me one day. She knew about what we did and that we needed a demon. She herself was a demon. Unfortunately, I cannot force her to do my bidding because she is stronger than me.”

’Stronger?’ Amon thought. From the pressure Kui Mang released, Amon estimated he was in the Intermediate Spirit Stage. If Xin Lie was stronger, her cultivation should at least be equivalent to the Peak Spirit Stage. He never truly understood her power. Now, he got a picture of it.

”She, however, informed me that someone with a demon cultivation will approach us. I take it she meant you,” Kui Mang said.

”Why do you need a demon cultivator?” Amon asked.

Kui Mang smiled. ”Come with us. We are planning to do the ceremony again, anyway. With you, our success will be guaranteed.”

”Ceremony...?” Amon muttered.

”Please, demon cultivator,” One of the pursuers gestured for Amon to move. ”We prefer not to use force.”

”Father, what about the girl?” Kui Chong asked. He was referring to Tuang Yin.

Kui Mang gave his son an admonishing look, which caused Kui Chong to lower his head.

”I know what is in your mind,” Kui Mang said. ”You must learn to rein in your desire. It is because of you that I undertake this whole practice. If you were not so lazy and useless, I wouldn’t have taken such drastic measures to ensure our clan doesn’t fall into demise in your generation.”

”I... I’m sorry, father,” Kui Chong said weakly.

”She is coming with us,” Kui Mang declared. ”As long as the demon cultivator behaves, the girl will not be harmed.”

”Please, demon cultivator,” the pursuer gestured to Amon again.

Amon gave Tuang Yin the signal for her to comply for now. He walked in the direction indicated by their captors. Tuang Yin followed closely.

They were brought to join the mob they were following before. With so many people around them, it became even harder to escape. Kui Mang also walked beside them, making the feat impossible. The mob led them deeper into the woods.

Amon heard the sounds of fighting some distance away. The fighting must have come from the mob fighting and chasing away the spirit beasts in their path.

”Where are you taking us?” Amon asked.

”You will be there soon,” Kui Mang answered.

”What is the ceremony for?” Amon asked again.

”You will find out soon as well,” Kui Mang answered.

”Damn it! Can’t you tell us anything?” Tuang Yin complained.

Kui Mang looked at Tuang Yin. There was something weird in his gaze. ”You are lucky we need a willing maiden for the ceremony. Otherwise, we will have used you.”

”What willing maiden? Make some sense, will you?” Tuang Yin protested.

Kui Mang simply smiled at the response.

”You mentioned you are doing this for your son. I take it you are trying to protect his future,” Amon said.

”I don’t do it for him. I do it for our clan!” Kui Mang exclaimed.

He was glancing at his son while saying that. Kui Chong also heard it. His head was down again.

Amon caught that subtle exchange. Kui Mang retained his cool during Amon’s first two questions but got emotional when the question was about his son. Despite his claim, Amon could see Kui Mang care deeply about his son.

Amon analyzed his chance. Kui Chong was also close to him. He could grab the son and take him hostage. If his assumption regarding Kui Mang’s emotional attachment to Kui Chong was correct, Kui Mang would have no choice but to let him go.

However, he also had one weakness. He glanced at Tuang Yin beside him. If push came to shove, could he leave her behind to save himself? The old him would have done it in a heartbeat. The current him, he couldn’t tell for sure. He was not willing to take the chance if he was not sure. If he ended up relenting because they used her to threaten him, things would be worse. His next chance of escaping would become even slimmer.

Hence, he decided to wait.

After a while, the mob stopped their march. They spread out in a circle. The sounds of fighting were still heard. It sounded like there was even more fighting than before. Kui Mang brought Amon and Tuang Yin to the center of their circular formation. The fighting was outside the circle. They were keeping the spirit beasts out.

The center they walked into was a large clearing. At the center of this clearing was a long wooden table. Around the table was a small garden of black flowers. As they got closer, Amon noticed smears of dry blood on the table.

”This place...” Amon found a strange sensation as he stepped into this clearing. It was difficult to describe. One part of him felt extremely uncomfortable, but the other part felt right at home.

”You can feel the difference?” Kui Mang asked. ”Even us normal cultivators can feel the difference exuded by this place. It must be doubly so for your kind.”

”What is so special about this place?” Amon asked.

Kui Mang grinned at the question. He revealed a thick book with a worn-looking cover. He said, ”Everything started when I acquired this book. It taught me about the existence of infernal ley lines.”

”Infernal ley lines,” Tuang Yin asked with puzzlement.

”It’s not weird if you don’t know about it. This world has erased much knowledge that has anything to do with the demons or the infernal cultivation,” Kui Mang explained. ”The infernal ley lines are similar to normal ley lines. They were pathways for the concentrated aether that flows through this world. The world’s blood vessels, the way I see it. What makes the infernal ley lines different is that they carry dark aether that is more compatible for infernal cultivation, and this place is one of the places where the infernal ley lines converge.”

Hearing that explanation, Amon understood the sensation he was feeling.

”Aside from teaching me about the infernal ley lines, this book also shows me how to locate them. That is how I found this place,” Kui Mang continued. ”Mind you, the ley line convergence here is not truly that strong, but it is strong enough for our purpose, as shown by these black flowers. It was also strong enough to draw spirit beasts attuned to the infernal aether. We had to force them away and keep them at bay to use this place.”

Amon recognized the black flowers. They were recorded inside the Catalog of Spirit Herbs. They were rare flowers called Midnight Bloom. They were rare because they only grew in certain places. Now, he understood why.

”What purpose do you need this place for?” Tuang Yin asked.

”Rather than explaining, it is better to show you,” Kui Mang answered. ”We will begin the ceremony, anyway. A ceremony that I also learned from this book. A ceremony which we have done several times without much success. That will change today because of you.”

Kui Mang was referring to Amon when he said that.

”Where do you get that book?” Amon asked.

Kui Mang shrugged. ”Let’s just say it is from a merchant who got it from an ancient ruin.”

”What does the ceremony need me to do?” Amon asked another question.

”It doesn’t need you to do anything. It just needs your blood,” Kui Mang replied.