Position

Xia Lun and Alani met at the designated spot.

“Just the two of us?” Xia Lun glanced around, his voice echoing through the empty mountain valley.

They stood on a barren ridge, where only the wind howled across the desolate earth. Jagged rocks cast twisted shadows in the twilight.

Apart from them, there was no one else in sight.

“Tch. That’s the Demon King we’re talking about. Not many have enough faith in their own strength.” Alani clicked his tongue.

Xia Lun nodded.

Strong as many might be, few possessed the blind confidence of someone like Alani.

That was fine. Fewer people actually suited Xia Lun’s expectations.

“Are you sure you want to come with me?” Xia Lun’s voice dropped low, carrying a certain weight, as he issued a final warning to Alani. The breeze brushed against the stray strands of hair over his forehead, revealing a pair of eyes that were far too calm.

“Of course.” Alani nodded without hesitation. He was already fully equipped, his light armor gleaming with a cold, hard luster in the deepening night.

He had always been a lone wanderer… If not for Xia Lun, he would have resolved to challenge the Demon King single-handedly.

Even if he couldn’t win… Alani believed his skills were enough to flee from the Demon King’s grasp.

Xia Lun said no more.

This man was clearly prideful to the core. If he were to bluntly tell him the truth, Alani would only grow more stubborn, and it might even breed resentment.

Persuasion would likely be futile… So Xia Lun would simply let him be.

“Where is the Demon King now?” Xia Lun cast a glance at Alani.

“Dani City.”

A flicker of confusion passed through Xia Lun’s eyes—he’d never heard of that city.

Alani let out a derisive snort, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, barely noticeable smirk, as if confirming some suspicion. His tone carried a trace of superiority. “A border town that only became a city a few years ago—was just a modest settlement before. Not exactly famous. A man of your stature, Mr. Xia Lun, would never have visited such a backwater place.”

Xia Lun gave a slight nod. “Do you know where it is?”

“Of course.”

“Then let’s set off.”

Alani was momentarily stunned. “No preparations needed?”

Xia Lun’s tone was far too casual, as if they were heading off for a spring outing with a sweetheart, not a campaign to slay a Demon King.

“What preparations are necessary?” Xia Lun countered, his voice still flat.

“You mean just the two of us, facing the Demon King’s army head-on?”

Xia Lun shrugged dismissively. “And why not? Ordinary demon troops won’t be able to stop us. All we need is to battle the Demon King himself.”

In this era, Aina had yet to develop techniques like combined battle formations—numbers meant nothing in the face of absolute strength.

That logic made some sense. Alani gave a reluctant nod.

“Well then, Mr. Xia Lun, if the Demon King has any powerful demon generals under his command, I’ll leave them to you.” Alani said offhandedly.

Xia Lun paused.

“No problem.”

Seeing Xia Lun agree so readily, Alani was taken aback.

Could this man truly not be tempted by the glory of slaying the Demon King and making a name for himself?

Or perhaps… he planned to wait until the two of them wore each other down, then swoop in for the spoils?

Alani’s expression hardened.

A figure of Xia Lun’s stature suddenly seeking him out—it was suspicious from the start.

Maybe Alani had been on his radar all along, valued for his strength, and now Xia Lun intended to use him…

Alani sneered inwardly. He wouldn’t let Xia Lun succeed. He had already planned it: when the time came for Xia Lun to back him up, he would use his agility to slip away, leaving this guy to tangle with the Demon King. Then, he would turn the tables and emerge the victor.

At the thought, a cold smirk of smugness crossed Alani’s lips.

Xia Lun caught every shifting expression on the man’s face but merely let out a quiet sigh in his heart, shaking his head.

…

The journey to Dani City wasn’t far, taking roughly three days.

The atmosphere ahead grew distinctly ominous. The sky seemed soaked in invisible ink, heavy clouds pressing low against the horizon as if they would never part, blocking out every ray of light.

Though it was daytime, the surrounding area was as dim as midnight, and the air carried a cloying, sweet stench mixed with rust and decay.

“What the hell is this?” Alani frowned, staring at the massive, unnatural cloud cover above.

It was well-known that blood-kind disliked sunlight… So aside from Aina, other blood-kind had descended as well.

Could some of them be Aina’s friends or family? The thought stirred a faint, barely perceptible flutter of anticipation in Xia Lun’s heart, like a stone tossed into a still lake, sending ripples spreading outward.

He wondered how Aina would introduce him to her kin when she saw him.

The thought had barely surfaced when Xia Lun sharply snapped back to reality. He had come for a duel—to sever the Demon King’s ambition for the sake of humanity’s fate, not to reminisce, and certainly not to… meet the family.

It struck him that Aina had never mentioned her parents.

Xia Lun shook his head. Why was he, before even meeting her, letting his mind run wild after her?

He needed to get his attitude straight. If he lost, humanity’s destiny might rest in Aina’s hands…

Forcing aside distracting thoughts, Xia Lun’s expression gradually grew solemn.

Alani noticed the change in Xia Lun.

Heh. So even this guy gets nervous, huh?

The Demon King—worth going all out against.

“Don’t you hold me back.” Alani snorted, slapping the scabbard behind his back. The long sword sang as it shot out, arcing several meters into the air before landing perfectly in his grip.

He had to admit, the man had skill. That flashy move, seemingly simple, actually relied on profound techniques—beyond the reach of most high-level warriors.

Xia Lun ignored the display of prowess, merely saying flatly, “Let’s move.”

Their forms turned into twin streaks of light, racing toward the heart of the black clouds.

“Who are you?”

Several towering, ash-skinned rhino-headed beastman warriors blocked their path, wielding axes and hammers—clearly part of the Demon King’s army.

“Scram!”

Alani’s sword flashed. His form flickered at a speed beyond normal sight, and in an instant, the beastmen’s heads were cleaved off, blood spurting. A thick, sickening stench of gore immediately filled the air, staining the ground a dark crimson.

Their bodies hit the earth with heavy, dull thuds.

Xia Lun’s face darkened. His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.

But in his current position, there was little he could say.