Chapter 922. Long-Awaited Return

Xin Wuming gritted his teeth. He wished so much to teach the asshole in front of him a lesson. If he wanted to, he could. He was now a Peak Spirit Stage cultivator.

Pai Kuan’s cultivation had also increased to the Peak Spirit Stage after he enjoyed the resources of being the sect leader. However, he knew that in a direct fight, Xin Wuming was most likely the winner. Xin Wuming was a graduate of Echos’ Royal Academy and a military veteran. Despite being younger, Xin Wuming had more experience fighting. That had been why he employed Xin Wuming in the ploy to overthrow his previous sect leader.

Nevertheless, Pai Kuan didn’t fear Xin Wuming. For some reason, the man insisted on hiding in White Cloud City.

"Hehe, let’s cut the bullshit." Pai Kuan sat at the table opposite Xin Wuming. "You have two options. Leave this city and find another hiding hole, or be my lapdog if you wish to remain here. Which one will it be?"

Pai Kuan let Xin Wuming think about his options. He looked to the side and called one of the Demon Gang members, "Hey, you! Is this how you people treat your guests? Bring me a bottle of wine, already!"

The called members looked uncertainly at Xin Wuming, who nodded lightly. This member went to the counter, took a bottle and a cup, before bringing them to Pai Kuan.

Pai Kuan chuckled as he slapped the cup away and drank directly from the bottle. He then spat the contents out and cursed, "What the hell are you drinking here? This is horseshit!"

"What do you expect? Go elsewhere if you want quality wine," Xin Wuming retorted.

"Hehe. How far has the Demon Gang fallen? To think that your organization once stood at the top of this country. Now, it is but a husk of its rotten corpse. Why are you still clinging to it anyway? Your comrades have gone and pursued other, better avenues. Only you remain, stubbornly clinging to the past glory. You even kept using the same name for your group. I can guess why you insist on remaining in this town, as unbelievably foolish as it is. Is it because this is Amon’s hometown? Do you truly believe that demon is going to return here one day? Wake up already! That coward had fled when his secret was discovered. He is gone, forever!"

"Shut your mouth!" Xin Wuming exclaimed. He stood and stabbed his longsword on the table. "I don’t care if you insult me or exploit me for your benefit, but I will be damned if you dare badmouth my big brother!"

"Hehe, I must say, I do envy Amon. How did he brainwash you into being such a loyal dog? Never mind, you are mine now. Even if your loyalty is not to me, you will do as I say. Otherwise, get the hell out of my town. Now that we have cleared that up, I have a couple of deeds I need done. Your ragtag group is perfect for the job."

Xin Wuming took a deep breath. He struggled to rein in his emotions, but ultimately, he sat back down and asked, "What’s the job?"

"Now, isn’t that better?" Pai Kuan laughed. "I know you try to act tough in front of your followers, but you are just wasting our time. Now, the job I want you to do is..."

His speech was interrupted when he heard commotion from the entrance.

"Hey, who are you? This place is closed. Go somewhere else!"

A large, hooded man had entered the tavern. He wore a cloak that covered his entire body. The hood covered most of his head, leaving only the lower part of his face exposed, and even that was concealed by the darkness it cast.

The hooded man looked around the room, spotted Pai Kuan and Xin Wuming in the corner, and walked over.

"Hey! I say, stop, dude!" One of the Demon Gang members put a hand on the hooded man’s shoulder. Yet, the hooded man continued walking as if nothing had happened. The gang member was surprised to find that no matter how hard he tried, even after using two hands to pull the hooded man, the hooded man continued unimpeded. His feet even skidded on the floor when he tried using all his weight to stop the man.

More gang members came and grabbed the hooded man. The same thing happened. He continued walking as if they were a bunch of lightweight dolls. One member finally became serious and brandished his weapon, a large hammer. He stood in the hooded man’s way and bellowed, "How dare you intrude on Demon Gang’s territory? Die...!!!"

He swung his hammer at the hooded man. His action caused his friends, who were holding the hooded man, to scatter away.

The hooded man didn’t flinch. He continued walking forward as the large hammer slammed into his chest. Upon impact, something no one had expected occurred. Flames burst from where the hammer hit the hooded man. The flames engulfed the hammer wielder. In an instant, the gang member was covered in flames from head to toes as he screamed in agony. His scream didn’t last long. In only a second, his body had turned to ash from the flames.

The hooded man continued walking.

This incident caused both Pai Kuan and Xin Wuming to rise in alarm. They didn’t know who this hooded man was. They couldn’t sense his cultivation level, but they for sure knew he was dangerous.

The hooded man stopped before the two and crossed his arms in front of them.

Pai Kuan was flabbergasted. Who the heck was this stranger? He came barging in here and then posed before them without saying anything.

Xin Wuming, on the other hand, felt as if he was struck by lightning. Something dawned on him as this stranger stood before them. The stranger’s bearing and conduct reminded him of someone. Someone he yearned to meet, but deep down, knew that it was close to impossible.

Even so, he still called out, "Bi–Big brother...?"

Amon’s voice was heard then, dispelling all doubts. "Hehe. Although the Demon Gang is reduced to such a pathetic state, I am genuinely impressed that you keep it alive all this time. Well done, Wuming."

"Brother! It truly is you!!" Xin Wuming leaped forward and fell on his knees before Amon. His head slammed into the ground, causing it to crack. "You don’t know how long I have waited for this day to arrive. You have finally returned to us!"

"Bo... Boss...?" The Demon Gang members called with uncertainty. Why did their boss prostrate himself before this man? They were about to gang up on him for killing one of them, but they were unsure what to do now after seeing their boss acting like this.

"What are you clowns doing? This is our real boss! Get down on your knees!" Xin Wuming scolded them.

"A... Amon...? Is that really you?" Pai Kuan was still not convinced that the person before them was Amon.

"Hehe. Elder Pai Kuan. I heard you are now the sect leader. I have always known you for the snake you are. I have always wondered when you would make your move. It turns out I was right."

Amon took off his hood, revealing his horned head. The sight caused everyone to lurch back involuntarily, including Xin Wuming.

"Bro... Brother? What... happened to you?" Xin Wuming asked.

Amon smiled and replied, "Good things. Now, get up and follow me."

Xin Wuming stood. He gave everyone the command, "Everyone, pack up! We will–"

"Leave them," Amon interrupted him. "I have no use for them. I came here only for you. Now, come!"

Xin Wuming looked at everyone apologetically before following Amon, who had walked back to the exit. The Demon Gang members looked at each other, unsure what to do.

"Halt!" Pai Kuan called. "Amon, you can’t just come and go as you please. You are a fugitive from the entire Aetheria! There is a big reward for your capture, or even your corpse. But considering our history, I’m willing to help you if you are willing to play nice."

Amon stopped walking. He turned back to Pai Kuan and grinned. "Elder, you should learn to rein in your opportunistic tendency. You are like a puppy who barks at a passing lion. You would have been okay otherwise, but you just have to draw attention to yourself. Do you seriously think I will show myself so nonchalantly out in the open after all these years if I am not sure I will be fine even if the world finds out?"

"You... You can’t mean..."

"Let me put it this way, elder," Amon used his Elder God Veil. His shadow suit not only covered his body but spread all over the tavern. The shadows covered everything, including the Demon Gang members. Their screams didn’t last long. Only Xin Wuming and Pai Kuan were spared, but the shadows hovered close to them. They could feel its aura. They knew they would be goners if these shadows enveloped them.

Pai Kuan saw Amon’s grinning face inside the shadow. He heard Amon’s voice as all kinds of negative emotions assailed his mind. "My return to this world signalled the end of how things used to be. Calamity will soon come. Whether you survive or not, it matters not, but know that everything you have strived for will mean nothing in the end. For I will be the one who decides how the world proceeds from now on!"