Mo Gei Lian had just intended to lead Ye Yu back to the sect when he noticed the puzzled looks on the faces of the surrounding Strength Demons. He stiffened, then announced in a cold voice, “All of you, take a good look—this is my big brother Ye Yu, one of the founding Lords of Chimo Hall. From now on, if any of you dare block his path, don’t blame me for breaking your legs! Understood?”
Every demon froze. They could not believe that their near-invincible Lord would even have an older brother. But faced with Mo Gei Lian’s icy glare, they trembled and hastily nodded.
A moment later, in the main hall of Chimo Hall, Mo Gei Lian presented three Storage Rings and placed them before Ye Yu. “Inside these are top-grade materials and treasures, Demon-Immortal Artifacts, and various supreme elixirs. All sorted and ready. Please accept them—these are the finest items I’ve collected over the past half-year, saved up just to surprise you on your return.”
Ye Yu felt a surge of emotion. That Mo Gei Lian had thought of him so—he truly meant well. Yet he did not immediately pocket the rings. Instead he asked, “Where’s A Rui? Was he not at the sect today?”
Mo Gei Lian’s expression darkened. In a low voice he said, “Big brother, that fellow is a traitor.”
Ye Yu frowned and hurriedly prompted him to explain. Mo Gei Lian recounted the events since his departure.
In the first month, every power in Lianhuazhou had nearly trampled Chimo Hall flat, all because of the spectacular performance at the Sect Gathering. Especially Ye Yu—though a frail Dream Demon, he had relied solely on physical prowess to defeat a Strength Demon two realms above him, becoming the hottest topic in the region. Every demon was convinced that Chimo Hall’s Body-Refinement Technique was unquestionably the finest in the Demon Realm. They offered enormous sums to obtain it, but Mo Gei Lian, remembering Ye Yu’s motto, refused every bid, waiting instead for the highest price.
In the second month, A Rui dramatically announced he was leaving Chimo Hall to serve under Demon Lord Bai Miaoxiang, who immediately appointed him Vice Demon Lord. All were astounded—how could a mere inner-demon not yet in the Earth-Demon Realm receive such rewards?
When the truth emerged—that A Rui had given Bai Miaoxiang Chimo Hall’s Body-Refinement Technique—everyone understood. Exchanging a Vice Demon Lord title for the finest technique in the Demon Realm seemed a shrewd deal.
Mo Gei Lian almost exploded with rage. He stormed into the Demon Lord’s Hall to confront A Rui, expecting the traitor to hide. Instead, A Rui boldly stepped forward and said, “In Chimo Hall, you and big brother are geniuses among geniuses, surpassing all after mastering Mo Lintian. But what about me? I refuse to follow your heels my entire life. I want power so all fear me and dread me. What’s wrong with that? Besides, you gave me this technique—it’s mine. I can give it to anyone I want. It’s none of your business!”
Mo Gei Lian was silent for a long moment, then smashed his fist into the floor, cracked the stone, and walked away, tossing over his shoulder, “A Rui, from now on we’re brothers no longer!”
Back at Chimo Hall, Mo Gei Lian ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) secluded himself for ages before beginning to recruit disciples, determined to rebuild the sect and pursue his revenge. As for Mo Lintian, he had no thought of selling it again—it would serve as the final punctuation on his bond with A Rui.
Hearing Mo Gei Lian’s tale, Ye Yu was silent for a long time. He understood his brother’s pain—one’s own blood turning traitor cost a bitterness only those who’d experienced it could know. “That must have been a hard time,” Ye Yu finally said softly. “If you ever feel trapped in your heart, big brother will stand up for you. Same as before—shall we go raze a Demon King’s Hall?”
His voice was soft but resolute. Ye Yu had met Bai Miaoxiang; he was merely at Demon Lord Realm. With Ye Yu’s current pinnacle Demon Emperor–Realm cultivation, any foe below Demon Emperor–Realm could be easily slain.
Mo Gei Lian shook his head. “No, big brother. I don’t ever want to see A Rui again. Maybe I’m weak—I’d rather keep him alive in my memories. And he was right: you gave him Mo Lintian. How he uses it is his freedom. Why should I interfere with his path to power?”
Ye Yu sighed. Just then, a towering Strength Demon entered, reporting, “Sect Lord, urgent news—Vice Demon Lord A Rui of Lianhuazhou has been killed by Demon Lord Bai Miaoxiang, on charges of colluding with an outside State Demon Lord.”
At this, both Ye Yu and Mo Gei Lian’s faces changed. Killed?
Although Mo Gei Lian had declared all ties severed, hearing of A Rui’s death still struck him hard. He murmured repeatedly, “He’s dead... how could he die?”
Ye Yu’s expression grew grave. Something was amiss. A moment later another Strength Demon strode in and said, “Sect Lord, an inner-demon requests an audience, claiming to be called Lotus-Flower Demon Chicken!”
Mo Gei Lian trembled and ordered him brought in at once. When Mo Gei Lian and A Rui had first founded the sect, their greatest joy had been cooking and devouring Lotus-Flower Demon Chicken. The taste was unforgettable. Even now, Mo Gei Lian would prepare it when idle—though eating it alone paled compared to sharing it with A Rui.
Soon the stranger entered—a demon Mo Gei Lian did not recognize. He produced a letter from his Storage Ring, placed it before Mo Gei Lian, and wordlessly departed.
Puzzled, Mo Gei Lian opened the letter. Instantly he burst into tears. Ye Yu sprang up and took the letter from his hand. It was penned by A Rui.
