"Ah... When Tower Master had just assumed his position, I was on a mission outside and failed to come and pay my respects at once, for which I sincerely apologize. Please forgive me, Tower Master."
Ma Youcai raised the wine cup in his hand and bowed deeply to Su Heng.
Then, he lifted his head and drank it all in one gulp.
"No worries, I have heard about you from Elder Li, saying that you handle affairs reliably and are adept at resolving hidden dangers before they arise," Su Heng said with a smile. "I don't care much for formalities; doing your duties well is already admirable."
Having said this, he lifted the huge bronze wine vessel in his hand and gave a distant toast to Ma Youcai.
"You are right, sir," Ma Youcai chuckled obsequiously.
He lowered his head and stealthily wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
On the day Su Heng killed Hong Wendao, Ma Youcai was not present at the scene. In other words, although this man had always been scheming against Su Heng, this was their first actual meeting.
Before this meeting,
Ma Youcai had already learned something through many channels, both actively and passively.
The new Tower Master of the Demon Suppression Tower was a rather imposing giant.
Initially, Ma Youcai had been somewhat dismissive in his mind.
Being overly large didn't necessarily mean stronger, but surely meant less agility.
At the very least, most of the large-bodied Martial Artists he had seen could be described as "big and dumb."
But it was only upon seeing him with his own eyes that he realized his grave mistake.
The man before him was definitely not a "big and dumb" type, but a War King who could conquer the world and slaughter deities.
He stood at least two meters and fifty centimeters tall, and possibly even close to two meters seventy.
If it wasn't for the high ceilings of the Demon Suppression Tower.
In an ordinary room, he reckoned that just standing up would puncture the ceiling.
Furthermore, he was remarkably strong, beyond imagination. Each muscle on his body was well-defined, rough, and barbaric.
When he tried to approach,
Ma Youcai could feel the temperature of the air rising due to his presence.
There was also that primal, wild scent that emanated from him.
He sat in a specially made big chair – not of wood, but of bronze.
Not for luxury or uniqueness,
but simply because no wood could fully support his body.
Many sharp protrusions were present on the huge bronze throne, along the back and the armrests, looking as though they could scratch someone.
Ma Youcai guessed that this feature was deliberately preserved.
To avoid comfort.
Even temporary ease was not allowed.
A person with both roots and wisdom is frightening enough, yet if they also possess resilience and barbarism,
they would become a complete monster, an unbeatable deity.
Ma Youcai was now feeling some regret.
He felt that the plan by the Song brothers, Song Ting and Song Yingchun, would hardly succeed.
But regret was useless now, as the plan had already started, and he had no way out.
The only consolation he had was,
once he led Su Heng out of the Demon Suppression Tower, his task would be completed.
"You seem a bit distracted. Are you thinking about something?" Su Heng asked pensively after taking a bite of food and setting down the wine vessel.
To accommodate Su Heng's physique,
the long table in front of him was also custom-made, thicker and higher.
Ma Youcai was eating standing aside, devoid of any majesty of a seasoned demon. He looked like a mere henchman.
"What's the matter,"
Ma Youcai chuckled and toasted Su Heng once more.
His face was full of smiles, but inside, he was cursing, "What is Wang Bingquan that idiot doing right now? Why has there been no movement for such a long time."
If time dragged on too long,
and if the guy in front of him became suspicious, they would both be doomed.
...
...
...
Meanwhile, on the other side,
things were unfolding just as Ma Youcai had anticipated; Wang Bingquan's actions were not going very smoothly.
"If it's a demon from the sixth floor, even if it's sneaked out, it wouldn't cause much of a stir. As for a demon from the eighth floor, it might just eat me alive."
"Heaven truly favors me," Wang Bingquan felt that the tides had turned in his favor, not only could he complete his mission, but he might also get a chance to enjoy her charms.
"What's your name, I'll take you out of here," Wang Bingquan manipulated the formation.
With a rumbling sound,
the isolation gate descended, and the Shining Stone Chains shackled on the girl's hands clicked open.
To Wang Bingquan's surprise, upon gaining freedom, the girl's face showed no happiness but was instead ice-cold.
"I will not leave this place," Li Hongxiu said coldly.
"Have you gone mad, why would you want to stay here?" exclaimed Wang Bingquan in surprise. "Those people could kill you at any time, and might not even grant you a quick end."
Li Hongxiu did not speak again,
but using her legs, she shifted her buttocks, hiding herself in a corner of the room.
One surprise after another made the already irritable Wang Bingquan even more impatient.
"No matter what you think today, you have to leave with me, and it's not up to you," Wang Bingquan said fiercely, his demeanor growing more ferocious.
He had not noticed any demonic aura on the girl.
Wang Bingquan found it somewhat strange.
But there wasn't enough time to think more, only subconsciously believing that such a frail and slender girl shouldn't pose much of a threat.
Thus, Wang Bingquan chose to act immediately.
He spread his five fingers, and his large hand reached forward to grab Li Hongxiu's arm.
Hiss!
A handful of crimson foxfire ignited.
"Why!" Li Hongxiu suddenly looked up, her face stern, her sharp fangs bared, and her fluffy fox ears perked up.
"I had already braced myself for death, why must you force me!"
Accompanied by a roar.
The crimson foxfire erupted explosively, sending Wang Bingquan's massive body flying backward, smashing heavily against the wall behind him.
His chest was a mangled mess of flesh and blood, and his eyes showed stark horror as he looked at Li Hongxiu.
"Damn it, it's a fierce ghost!"
Wang Bingquan, holding his chest, leaned against the wall and staggered to his feet. He didn't dare to stay any longer and quickly vanished from Li Hongxiu's sight.
Li Hongxiu withdrew her gaze and resumed squatting in the corner, hugging her knees.
The foxfire on her body swayed, gradually extinguishing and disappearing.
...
...
...
"Then... I will take my leave." Ma Youcai wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, glanced at the robe hanging on the coat rack in the corner, and at the token on the robe.
He sighed in relief and bowed to Su Heng.
"Hmm." Su Heng's face was slightly flushed, showing an obvious sign of intoxication.
Hearing this, he merely waved his hand, continuing to drink by himself, as if he hadn't noticed anything.
Seeing this,
Ma Youcai no longer lingered, turned, and quickly left, disappearing from view.
In the slightly disheveled room, Su Heng's drunken expression rapidly faded, his previously hazy eyes now carrying a hint of coldness.
He stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and walked to the window.
"Creak."
The door was pushed open.
A figure walked in from outside and spoke softly to Su Heng.
"I know," Su Heng nodded.
"But..." Li Xunhao looked astonished, momentarily stunned.
"Don't you think this matter is a bit suspicious?" Su Heng asked in return.
"That said, it certainly is suspicious," Li Xunhao frowned, "Two elders, just sneaking in and taking a small demon from the sixth floor, if this is considered betrayal or defection, it seems too much ado about nothing."
"Their real intention must be to lure me out," Su Heng stated calmly.
"Then you still..."
"Since the opponent has willingly set a feast, how can there be a reason not to go?" Su Heng sneered, extending his hand and with a flick, the coat from the rack draped over his shoulder, "Besides, there's an old saying about being a thief for a day but not being on guard for a thousand."
"I indeed want to see who would use such mediocre tactics to attempt to harm me."
"Shall I accompany you there?" Li Xunhao volunteered.
His nature was rather arrogant and lazy, but ever since the incident that day, Li Xunhao's attitude towards Su Heng had changed significantly.
At this moment, he even proposed to take the initiative, and his voice contained a hint of tremor.
Not out of fear, but out of excitement and anticipation.