He smiled faintly: “Exterminating an entire clan is the same! Only by delivering meticulous, exhaustive strikes from every angle, wave after wave, can one batter the very spirit of that family until they slowly collapse internally. By the end, even if they retain some residual strength, they will be too overcome with terror to muster a final defense… because their spirit will be utterly broken! This, truly, is the pinnacle of killing!”

These words were far beyond what one would expect from an elder of the Three Great Sacred Lands; they were even more extreme than those spouted by notorious villains. In fact, this man himself was precisely a ruthless devil. He had once held a period of prominence; over a hundred years ago, the name ‘Thousand Soul Butcher’ Wang Weiran was enough to silence crying infants.

The other three men’s expressions shifted slightly as they looked at him. One of them said, “Brother Wang, even if it’s annihilation, a clean kill with one stroke each would suffice—swift and less trouble. Why must you go to such lengths to torture them? It wastes energy and effort, and depletes your Yin De (virtue)!”

Wang Weiran chuckled darkly: “Life is about experiencing satisfaction in all things. You haven’t experienced it, so you can’t understand the sheer pleasure of wantonly tormenting others. That feeling is exquisitely wonderful.” The other three shivered internally, thinking: We are normal people; how can we compare ourselves to this utterly depraved Arch-Devil!

Then Wang Weiran continued, “Truthfully, since joining this Palace, I haven’t indulged in this particular style for quite some time. However, for this one matter—dealing with these few great families—it seems the Sect Masters are overreacting slightly; it’s akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

But… have you noticed? The forces the Sect Masters have mobilized this time have been highly selective. And this selection clearly indicates that the Sect Master definitely does not want these families to perish quickly! They want us to torment them to the absolute limit! Although the Sect Master never uttered this, his implication—hehe—is perfectly clear!”

“Oh? We eagerly await Brother Wang’s insight,” the other three responded with expressions of keen interest.

“Hmph. The primary figures leading the contingent dispatched by the Sect Master this time are all notorious figures from the unorthodox paths of yesteryear, known for their perverse conduct and infamous reputations! Take me, Wang Weiran, for example—who ever regarded me as a righteous hero? Even joining the Three Great Sacred Lands—so what? I’m still that same ‘Thousand Man Den’ I always was!”

Wang Weiran gave a cold laugh: “But why would the Sect Master send people like us? And furthermore, designate me as the leader of this group? Among the four of us, even if I don’t falsely disparage myself, neither my martial prowess, cultivation, nor intellect is superior to others; I have that much self-awareness. If there’s anything exceptional about me, it’s only this one specialty in torture, which requires a certain trickery.”

“Why didn’t the Sect Master send those guys brimming with a sense of justice? Haven’t you ever considered that?” Wang Weiran sneered coldly: “Also, before we left, the Sect Master only gave us a few simple instructions, with no specific steps laid out. This clearly means we are to act on our own initiative, to do as we please! No matter how we choose to proceed, it’s acceptable!”

“No wonder the Sect Master only said: ‘Seize the opportunity to eliminate them…’ but said nothing about specific strategies or deployments. We thought it was because the targets were mere secular families, weak in strength, thus requiring no special tactics. It turns out it was for this reason…” The other three suddenly understood.

“Hmph. The Sect Master’s own younger brother, Venerable Xiaoyao, died tragically in the snowy mountains, along with six hundred top experts from the Three Great Sects—any one of whom was no weaker than the four of us—all buried in those mountains! Furthermore, among the Nine Great Sages, only one, the disheartened Venerable Demon Pupil, survived! How could such biting hatred be satisfied by merely saying ‘kill them’?”

Wang Weiran said earnestly: “The Sect Master is inwardly desperate for satisfaction! But he finds it inconvenient to say so openly, after all, he cannot afford to lose the millennia-old reputation of righteousness and nobility held by the Three Great Sacred Lands! He has too many considerations! When we handle matters for him down here, there will naturally be rewards. This is the concept of 'a fine palanquin is elevated by the person carrying it.'”

“But if that’s the case, what if someone truly demands accountability later? Wouldn’t the four of us become scapegoats? You just said we lost so many masters before; the enemy’s strength must also be formidable. If there are further complications, the Sect Master certainly won’t be moved, but we are precisely the pawns most easily discarded! At that time, pushing us forward will allow the Sect Master to rest easy, while we face eternal damnation…”

Although the other three understood this, they still frowned, taking this aspect into consideration. Their accumulated wisdom of over a hundred years wasn't something they would easily dismiss.

“Accountability? Who would dare demand accountability? In ten thousand years, the only person who dared openly defy the Three Great Sacred Lands for the sake of these secular families was Jun Moxie! Now that little thief Jun Moxie is dead! Who else would seek retribution?”

Wang Weiran scoffed: “In ten thousand years, how many people have truly dared to stand against the Three Great Sacred Lands? Your concerns are utterly groundless!”

Prompted by his words, the three felt greatly relieved: “Indeed! His Majesty Emperor Zhan, setting aside his reputation, decisively acted to strike down Jun Moxie, eliminating a massive future threat for our Three Great Sacred Lands. Such an action is truly admirable! One must remember, a person’s reputation is more important than life itself…”

“Exactly! Since ancient times, all true powerhouses cherish their good name; even common folk understand the value of 'face'! His Majesty Emperor Zhan acted decisively, sacrificing his reputation, not hesitating to launch a sneak attack to kill Jun Moxie—that was wisdom and immense courage!”

The four praised him together. It was as if the Emperor Zhan’s act of disregarding his status to launch a sneak attack on a junior was a world-shaking, earth-shattering heroic legend…

“Today, it’s Old Sun’s turn on duty, isn’t it?” Wang Weiran looked at the white-robed man beside him: “After we finish this roast bird, let’s set off. Consider it a little excursion to the Dongfang family, to stretch our legs and digest our meal.”

Old Sun, the white-robed man next to him, who bore a large black mole on his face, smiled upon hearing this: “No trouble at all. The mere Dongfang family—it’s hardly the first time we’ve visited, and when was there ever any real danger? However… gentlemen, after this task is done, this old man intends to partake in the female kin of the Dongfang family for some vital essence. At that time, I trust you gentlemen will help me keep this secret.”

“I am only on duty, gathering intelligence; I know nothing about other matters, nor do I care,” Wang Weiran chuckled, squeezing his eyes shut.

“Indeed, we won’t see a thing… Old Sun, you go have your fun. Vigorous activity requires proper fuel, doesn’t it? Haha…” the other two chimed in.

“Thank you three for your generosity!” Old Sun was instantly delighted: “To be honest, these past few years in the Sacred Lands have truly stifled me… My cultivation technique almost developed flaws because of it… If I had known this would happen, I would never have agreed to be recruited in the first place…”

“Haha…” The four burst into laughter.

“Listening to you all talk, only that last sentence has any merit. You truly shouldn’t have agreed to be recruited by the Three Great Sacred Lands. Because if you had, you wouldn’t have to throw away a perfectly good life here for nothing,” a voice said, remarkably mild and refined.

“Who? Who is it!” The four jumped up simultaneously. The voice was clearly right beside their ears, yet all four of them hadn't detected it! The strength possessed by this person must be unimaginable!

The four spun around quickly to see a youth in fine white robes standing only three zhang away, hands behind his back, his face set in the most gentle, elegant smile. His calm gaze was fixed on the four roasted geese laid out before them, and he smacked his lips, saying: “What a delicious aroma. It’s truly a pity you four aren't chefs. Why bother becoming martial artists? All that killing and bloodshed—how can it compare to the safety of being a chef…”

Wang Weiran’s heart sank. This person had managed to approach them to within three zhang without making a sound! This was the forbidden zone where a single outstretched hand could end their lives!

Tentatively, he released his Divine Sense to probe the opponent, only to be horrified to find that the probe detected absolutely nothing!

The person was clearly standing right there, alive, yet in the sweep of his Divine Sense, he was utterly void!

We are doomed!

Wang Weiran’s personal strength might not be supreme, but his experience in the martial world was vast. He grasped the extent of the opponent’s power and secretly cursed inwardly. He quickly pasted a smile on his face, cupped his hands, and spoke with utmost respect: “May I ask, Young Master, what brings you to this place? Hehe, if you require any assistance, my brothers and I could perhaps offer a small effort. As long as we can help, we certainly will not refuse…”

“Oh? Really?” Jun Moxie tilted his head, watching him with apparent amusement.

“Of course! Young Master, command us,” Wang Weiran’s attitude became increasingly deferential. For men like them, who originated from the dark paths, as long as their lives could be spared, they would call an attacker grandfather, ancestor, or even father on the spot. As long as they could escape with their lives, revenge could be sought later; life was paramount.

“May I ask the Young Master’s honored name?” But at that moment, Old Sun on the other side abruptly asked, his eyes blinking with uncertain suspicion. This question made Wang Weiran curse him internally!

Idiot!

Can’t you tell who this person is even now? Feigning ignorance still offered a slim chance of survival; asking directly now was simply foolish, courting death! Even if you want to die, don’t drag me down with you!

Why, I’ve been subserviently quiet precisely because I didn't ask for names! Is there anyone else in this world other than Jun Moxie who looks like this fellow? Are you a pig?

Wait, if this is Jun Moxie… why isn’t he dead? His Majesty Emperor Zhan clearly claimed to have killed him on the spot, and many Saint-level experts witnessed it back then…

Wang Weiran’s mind filled with doubt, but his confusion did not last long.

“You can’t guess?” Jun Moxie blinked, looking somewhat vexed: “You still haven’t recognized me?” His expression was one of slight frustration, as if their failure to recognize him was something deeply unacceptable…

Beads of sweat appeared on Old Sun’s brow, yet he insisted: “Please, Young Master, grant us your name.” As he spoke, his heart hammered, praying constantly: Please, please, please… let it not be that little fiend…