First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!

...

To avoid that situation.

He simply gave it to Yan Feifan. After all, Feifan knew the passwords and everything. If there was news while Lu Ding was fighting, Yan Feifan would look at it first. If he could handle it, he'd deal with it immediately. If he couldn't, he'd judge the urgency and decide whether to notify Lu Ding mid-battle or after.

Lu Ding examined his gains without turning his head, asking, "What did he say?"

Yan Feifan stepped closer before replying, "Zhou Chu said some demon claiming to be an elder of Zhutai Sacred Land came to Black Phoenix Gathering looking for you. Says he has urgent matters to discuss, very pressing."

"Zhutai Sacred Land?"

Lu Ding muttered.

Yan Feifan smiled. He was practically a worm in Lu Ding's stomach at this point. "Zhutai, schmutai. A shithole like that, calling itself a sacred land too."

"Sacred lands really ain't worth shit these days, right, Brother Lu?"

Lu Ding rolled his eyes. "You took the words right out of my mouth. Nothing left for me to say."

Yan Feifan didn't let the conversation die, smoothly pivoting. "Now that we're at each other's throats with Overcast Mountain, this Zhutai elder showing up... I reckon he's here to sell out his boss, betray his master for personal gain."

"No chance of negotiating peace?" Lu Ding tossed out casually, barely thinking.

Mainly because Yan Feifan was here, so he didn't have to think much at all. Just act and be done with it.

Yan Feifan shook his head. "Absolutely impossible. Zhutai isn't much different from White Sun Palace. At most, Zhutai's a bit more humane, with less demonic aura. But you annihilated White Sun Palace and killed Song Wuji."

"Your temper and style are well-known everywhere. Unless Zhutai is brain-dead stupid, they wouldn't send someone to negotiate. Whoever comes, dies. Because you, Brother Lu, are strong enough to be the one who makes the decisions."

"So betraying their master is the only way for a single demon to survive."

At this, contempt flickered in Yan Feifan's eyes. "But even someone who betrays their master... you won't let them live either, Brother Lu."

Once he finished.

Lu Ding stepped forward a few paces.

Yan Feifan asked, "Brother Lu, where you going?"

Lu Ding: "Didn't you already spell it out? I'm going back to kill him."

Yan Feifan quick-stepped after him. "Take me with you, Brother Lu."

Lu Ding grabbed him.

The next second.

With a thunderous *BOOM*.

The two vanished in an instant. [Celestial Shift]

When they reappeared, they were already inside the central tent of the temporary headquarters at Black Phoenix Gathering.

At that moment.

Inside the tent, the Zhutai elder stood trembling like a lackey. One second, no one was in front of him. The next.

Two figures materialized out of thin air.

The gust of wind they brought stirred the tent fabric.

One glance at the distinctive scholar-warrior sleeves, and the Zhutai elder instantly recognized the newcomer. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

"Zhutai elder, Qing Ding, pays respects to Grand Duke Lu!"

To avoid any mishaps, he wasted no time. "Grand Duke Lu above, Zhutai Sacred Lord Gao He intends to disband Zhutai, dismiss all disciples, and remain alone to make a last stand, fighting to the death against you, Grand Guardian! I beg Grand Duke Lu to send troops immediately, cut them off, and prevent even a single demon from escaping!!!"

Lu Ding stood before the sand table. After releasing Yan Feifan, he walked over to the kneeling Azure Wolf.

Looking down at the figure kowtowing so primly and properly, he felt more disgusted the longer he stared.

He asked, "Your intelligence came in time. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

The kneeling Azure Wolf's face lit up with joy. *Success!!!*

He hurriedly wriggled his body, making his kowtow even more perfect and proper. "This lowly demon dares not ask for reward. I have long heard of Grand Duke Lu's fearsome reputation and have admired you from afar. To be able to contribute even a little to Grand Duke Lu's affairs is already this demon's fortune."

"I only beg that when Grand Duke Lu cleanses Overcast Mountain, he spares my small Azure Wolf clan."

*Not asking for reward... that's the greatest scheme.*

*Once Overcast Mountain is cleared out...*

*This position of overlord... heh heh...*

Lu Ding chuckled. "You're interesting. Well, I can't just not give a reward. You've made such a great sacrifice to deliver intelligence, committed such betrayal and treachery to become a traitor... how could I not show some appreciation?"

The Azure Wolf lowered his body, struggling to suppress the grin threatening to curl his lips. Inwardly, he thought, *Grand Duke Lu truly handles things with class.*

"Whatever Grand Duke Lu arranges."

Lu Ding thought for a moment. "Alright then."

"Feifan, send word up the mountain. Have them wake Zhan Tingzhou. Give him some men and let him lead a squad to the Azure Wolf clan."

As he spoke, Lu Ding paused. A smile crept across his face as black smoke rolled down from above, covering half his visage. Only a pair of crimson eyes gleamed like burning coals. "Men, women, old, young... not a single one spared. Bring them all back and send them to Hanjing for contribution points."

The Azure Wolf's head snapped up, his face turning deathly pale.

But what he saw was a human face twisted into a savage, bloodthirsty grin, as if it was about to devour him whole.

A single strike of [Way of the Jinche] slashed through.

The kneeling Azure Wolf was instantly bisected at the waist. Intestines, stomach, and blood spilled all over the ground.

He coughed up blood. The residual power of [Way of the Jinche] was eroding what little life he had left, destroying his vitality.

"Gr-Grand Duke Lu... I... I am a meritorious official... I am the one who delivered intelligence... you... you cannot treat me like this..."

Lu Ding cast a glance at him. "Who knows that?"

Spreading his arms wide: "WHO KNOWS YOU'RE A MERITORIOUS OFFICIAL!?"

Lu Ding shook his head. "No one knows you're some meritorious official or not. Here, before me, you are just a demon. You are nothing but a mangy dog, an ungrateful wretch that can never be tamed!"

"Your intelligence is useful, sure. But your character is filthy. I, myself, put my own will first. I look down on treacherous bastards like you, you backstabbing double agents! I despise you, you make me sick!!!"

"Now, your intelligence is mine, your life is mine, and your clan will be slaughtered by me. What can you do about it? Hahahahaha..."

Yan Feifan watched coldly from the side. "I read your file. Even if it wasn't detailed, Zhutai Sacred Land treated you well. Sacred Lord Gao He showed you the grace of patronage, saved your life, and protected your entire clan. Otherwise, your Azure Wolf clan would have long been butchered and eaten by the Celestial Armor Beetles."

"And now, when disaster strikes, you sell him out..."

Even he rarely cursed. "Motherf*cker, you're truly despicable!"

"If we were to honor a vile demon like you as a meritorious official, it would only tarnish Brother Lu's fearsome reputation."

Lu Ding raised his hand. [Formation-Piercing King-Tipping Lance] instantly pierced through the Azure Wolf's bisected upper body, hoisting him into the air.

"Let's go. Let the dying demons of Zhutai witness the pathetic state of this wretched scum."

"Feifan, muster the men. Launch a full assault on Zhutai Sacred Land. Let's see exactly how this Sacred Lord plans to fight me to the death!!!"

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An additional chapter for the [Gift King] sent by the esteemed *Hotpot Skewers Irresistibly Loved* boss. Thank you, boss. To my precious readers, it's a new month—please throw in your free [Power for Love] donations!