The Fall of the Red Moon Demon Sect

After the blood cloud over the Crimson Moon Canyon was evaporated by a single palm strike, the heavens and earth seemed to finally heave a sigh of relief.

The crimson earth, soaked in demonic energy for three years, revealed charred rock formations under the washing of the rain. The magma river gradually cooled, and the cracked crater emitted white smoke, like a giant beast with a broken spine, still breathing unwillingly.

Within the canyon, the remnants of the Crimson Moon Demon Sect completely collapsed.

It wasn't that their morale was shaken.

Their faith was shattered.

Their Martial God Physique, whom they revered as a god, was evaporated by Wang Hao's palm strike without even a speck of dust left.

The Crimson Moon Forbidden Ground they had feared for two thousand years had now become a ruin for the Great Zhou army to tally their spoils.

They had constantly spoken of sacrificing the world in blood and reshaping the glory of the demonic path, only to finally realize that the so-called glory of the demonic path couldn't even last the time it takes an incense stick to burn in front of the Great Zhou Emperor.

Even worse.

Wang Hao had said no surrenders would be accepted.

So they didn't even have the right to kneel and beg for mercy.

"Kill!"

The Great Zhou Imperial Guard advanced once again.

Demon-Suppressing Crossbows fired in volleys.

Runic arrows fell like rain.

The surviving demonic cultivators had just thought of fleeing when they were crushed by the dense military formations.

A demonic sect elder, with disheveled hair and covered in blood, attempted to flee through the air.

He had just flown into midair when the door of the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda opened.

Boom!

A phantom of a thunder phoenix swept across the sky.

A full-strength strike from an Eighth Realm expert.

That early-stage Sky Piercing Realm elder didn't even have time to scream before half his body was scorched into charcoal by the lightning. He smashed down from the sky, fell into the muddy water, twitched twice, and completely stopped moving.

The New Emperor Sword stood nearby, slapping its thigh.

"Tyrant! You're wasting it!"

Wang Hao glanced at him.

"How is it a waste?"

The New Emperor Sword said with a pained expression, "That was an aberration-transformed Martial God Physique! The meat might be a bit old, but there are plenty of aberration energy impurities. It could have given me a good bite."

Wang Hao said indifferently, "He has the Crimson Moon Demon Sect's Blood Fiend Curse on him. Eating him will easily give you diarrhea."

The New Emperor Sword froze.

"A sword can get diarrhea?"

Wang Hao said, "You can try."

The New Emperor Sword was silent for a moment before saying seriously, "Caution is the first virtue of an aberration weapon's evolution."

Wei Zhongxian stood beside him with his head bowed, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Xiao Chen, wrapped into half a mummy by the military doctors, lay on a stretcher and watched this scene, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"I finally understand."

Ye Guyun sat nearby, wiping his sword.

"Understand what?"

Xiao Chen said faintly, "Wang Hao doesn't just manage the lives of living people; he even manages what his sword eats."

Wanyan Gu poked his head out from another stretcher.

"Is this called the Emperor's Art?"

Qin Hongye sneered, "This is called being stingy."

Wanyan Gu suddenly understood.

"Then I get it."

Xiao Chen looked at him.

"What do you get?"

Wanyan Gu said seriously, "My dad also practices the Emperor's Art."

Xiao Chen, "…"

If the Northern Barbarian King knew he was summarized like this by his own son, he would most likely break Wanyan Gu's legs and make him crawl back to the Royal Court with his hands.

In the center of the battlefield.

The Crimson Moon Demon Sect's resistance was quickly crushed.

Their high-level combatants were either dead or fleeing, and the remaining True Intent Realm and Astral Qi Realm demonic cultivators simply couldn't stop the Great Zhou allied forces.

The guest elder legions of the various sects killed until their eyes turned red.

These sects had been severely harmed by the Crimson Moon Demon Sect in the past.

Disciples abducted for blood sacrifices.

Mountain gates attacked at night.

Mortal territories massacred.

One blood debt after another; now, the time for reckoning had finally come.

Patriarch Ren leaned on his dragon-head cane, standing in midair without attacking again.

Not because he was merciful.

But because he was no longer needed.

Old Master Li of the Southeast stroked his beard, smiling as he looked at the canyon ruins.

"Two thousand years of the Crimson Moon Demon Sect's foundation."

Patriarch Ren said indifferently, "Two thousand years of committing sins, today they pay the debt."

The ancient sword on Pavilion Master Heavenly Sword's back returned to its sheath.

He looked at Wang Hao with complex eyes.

Previously, he thought Wang Hao was a young emperor who showed his edge, was ruthless in his methods, and had deep schemes.

Now he realized he was wrong.

Wang Hao didn't show his edge.

He deliberately hid his edge in his sleeves most of the time, waiting for others to get close before stabbing them through the heart with a single sword strike.

This kind of person was the most terrifying.

Because you never knew how many trump cards he still had hidden.

Evaporating a Martial God Physique with a single palm.

Was this a trump card?

Or was it just one of his trump cards?

No one dared to ask.

And no one dared to try.

Just as the Great Zhou army began to mop up the last batch of demonic cultivators, a muffled rumble suddenly came from the deepest part of the Crimson Moon Canyon.

Thump!

The sound wasn't like an explosion.

It was more like a heart that had been sleeping for countless years suddenly beating again.

Wang Hao looked up.

The light screen of the Sign-In Intelligence System silently appeared.

[Intelligence Update: Crimson Moon Demon Sect Underground Blood Coffin Opened.]

[Target: Bloodfiend Patriarch.]

[Identity: Third-generation Sect Master of the Crimson Moon Demon Sect, Chi Wushang's Grandmaster.]

[Realm: Peak Sky Piercing Realm, Half-step Martial God.]

[Closed-door cultivation for eight hundred years, attempting to use the Crimson Moon Demonic Tome and the Blood Pool to charge at the Martial God Realm.]

[Current Status: Terrified, Shocked, Extremely Strong Desire to Survive.]

[Hint: Bloodfiend Patriarch is adept at feigning submission and consecutively betrayed three allies eight hundred years ago.]

[Hint: The target suffers from severe blood fiend backlash in his body and has less than ten years of lifespan remaining.]

Wang Hao's eyes flickered.

"Oh?"

"There's still an old thing that isn't dead."

Wei Zhongxian immediately stepped forward.

"Imperial Master, do you want this old servant to lead men to encircle and kill him?"

Wang Hao said indifferently, "No need."

"He will come out himself."

As soon as he finished speaking.

The ground deep in the Crimson Moon Canyon cracked open with a boom.

A blood-colored stone coffin rose from the ground.

The surface of the stone coffin was wrapped in chains, and countless shriveled heads hung on the chains. The eye sockets of every head were empty, but their mouths were still opening and closing silently, as if cursing, or perhaps begging.

The stone coffin opened.

A hand as thin as dry wood rested on the edge of the coffin.

As soon as that hand appeared, the rainwater within dozens of zhang instantly turned red.

Blood mist permeated the air.

The surviving demonic cultivators had already despaired, but at this moment, it was as if they had seen their last straw, and they fell to their knees crying and shouting.

"Patriarch!"

"Bloodfiend Patriarch has come out of seclusion!"

"Patriarch, save us!"

"Kill Wang Hao! Avenge the Sect Master!"

In the stone coffin, an old man draped in dark red robes slowly sat up.

His hair was sparse, his skin clung to his bones, but his eyes were startlingly red, like two oil lamps about to burn dry.

The aura on his body was extremely terrifying.

Peak Sky Piercing Realm.

Truly just a hair's breadth away from the Martial God Realm.

If placed in the Crimson Moon Demon Sect's prime, this kind of existence would be enough to suppress the entire Western Region.

Even the eight demigods wouldn't dare say they could easily take him down.

But at this moment.

Bloodfiend Patriarch sat in the coffin, without roaring, without murderous intent.

He first glanced at the spot where the Martial God Physique had been evaporated cleanly.

Then he glanced at the shattered Crimson Moon Main Altar.

Finally, he looked at Wang Hao, who stood with his hands behind his back in the void.

The next instant.

Everyone thought he was going to attack.

The surviving demonic cultivators even began to feel wild joy.

"Patriarch is invincible!"

"Patriarch is a Half-step Martial God!"

"Wang Hao just fought a great battle with the Martial God Physique; he must be greatly exhausted!"

"If Patriarch acts, he can definitely turn the tide!"

And then they saw.

Bloodfiend Patriarch stood up from the stone coffin.

He took a step out.

And arrived a hundred zhang in front of Wang Hao.

Then.

He knelt on one knee.

Boom!

The entire battlefield seemed to be strangled by an invisible giant hand.

All sound instantly vanished.

The wild joy on the faces of the surviving demonic cultivators froze.

The Great Zhou soldiers were also stunned.

Xiao Chen sat up on the stretcher, tugging at his wounds, and gasped in pain.

"He knelt?"

Ye Guyun remained expressionless.

"It seems so."

Wanyan Gu's eyes widened.

"Even a Quasi-Martial God can kneel with such proficiency?"

Qin Hongye said coldly, "An old demon who has lived for eight hundred years doesn't just know how to fight and kill; he also understands the ways of the world."

New Emperor Sword chewed on a leg of lamb, looking thoughtful.

"That posture is very standard."

Wei Zhongxian glanced at him.

"Lord Sword understands this too?"

New Emperor Sword said proudly, "I've seen Eunuch Wei kneel plenty of times."

Wei Zhongxian's smile stiffened.

He suddenly felt a strong urge to suggest that the Emperor arrange an etiquette training session for this sword.

Bloodfiend Patriarch paid no mind to the surrounding gazes.

He raised both hands high.

A dark red ancient book appeared in his palms.

The ancient book was not made of paper.

The cover looked like dried human skin, with clear textures and even visible veins.

Thirteen shriveled eyeballs were embedded in the cover.

Those eyeballs, despite being dried up, were still slowly turning, staring collectively at Wang Hao.

The entire book exuded a dense stench of blood, resentment, and evil energy.

Just by taking it out, the surrounding rain turned into a rain of blood.

Many soldiers of the Great Zhou frowned and stepped back.

Even some sect patriarchs revealed expressions of disgust.

Bloodfiend Patriarch lowered his head, his voice hoarse but exceptionally respectful.

"I am Bloodfiend. I have been in secluded cultivation for eight hundred years, seeking the path of the Martial God, ignoring the affairs of the world."

"Only upon emerging today did I learn that the Crimson Moon Demon Cult has committed monstrous sins, provoking the wrath of heaven and the resentment of men."

"Your Majesty's heavenly might is unparalleled. Wiping out the Demon Cult is the mandate of heaven."

"I am willing to offer the Crimson Moon Demon Cult's supreme treasure—the strange artifact, the 'Crimson Moon Demon Tome'."

"Furthermore, I am willing to dedicate my life's cultivation to Your Majesty, join the Avengers Alliance, guard a region for the Great Zhou, eradicate anomalies, and redeem my crimes with meritorious service."

After saying this.

He pressed his head even lower.

His posture was as low as the dust.

The air was terrifyingly quiet.

In the Great Zhou army formation, many generals showed shock on their faces.

Peak perfection of the Sky Realm.

A Quasi-Martial God.

And he was proactively offering the Crimson Moon Demon Tome.

This temptation was simply too great.

Even if the Crimson Moon Demon Cult's sins were monstrous, if such an expert could be used by the Great Zhou, his value would be immeasurable.

The Western Regions had just been pacified and needed experts to guard them.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion had not yet been destroyed and required high-end combat power.

Not to mention, Bloodfiend Patriarch did not have much lifespan left. If controlled by a secret method and made to be a thug for ten years, it might not be a bad thing.

Wei Zhongxian stood behind Wang Hao, a trace of thought flashing in his eyes.

He coughed lightly twice.

This was a hint.

Not to plead for mercy for Bloodfiend Patriarch.

But to remind Wang Hao: Emperor, from a profit perspective, this deal is truly lucrative.

Patriarch Ren also narrowed his eyes.

Old Master Li of the Southeast stroked his beard without speaking.

Wang Wudi stood in the clouds, arms crossed over his chest.

He did not speak.

He wanted to see how Wang Hao would choose.

An emperor cannot act solely based on personal likes and dislikes.

A mature monarch must know how to make trade-offs.

Some dirty things, as long as they are useful, can still be used while holding one's nose.

This was the thought in many people's minds.

Even Xiao Chen couldn't help but look at Wang Hao.

"Will he accept him?"

Ye Guyun was silent for a moment.

"A normal emperor would."

Xiao Chen asked, "What about Wang Hao?"

Ye Guyun looked at Wang Hao's back.

"He's not very normal."

Xiao Chen: "..."

Although it sounded like an insult, it inexplicably made a lot of sense.

Wang Hao slowly landed on the ground.

The rain fell on his black dragon robe but couldn't wet it in the slightest.

He walked up to Bloodfiend Patriarch.

Bloodfiend Patriarch remained kneeling on one knee, holding the Crimson Moon Demon Tome in both hands.

His posture was submissive.

His aura was restrained.

He looked like an old man who had truly repented and was willing to offer everything.

Wang Hao looked down at the Crimson Moon Demon Tome.

"This is the Crimson Moon Demon Tome?"

Bloodfiend Patriarch respectfully said, "Replying to Your Majesty, it is."

Wang Hao reached out and took it.

The moment the demon tome entered his hand, the thirteen eyeballs widened simultaneously.

A cold, resentful energy drilled into Wang Hao's palm through the cover, attempting to erode his soul.

Buzz.

Within Wang Hao's body, a wisp of lightning flashed.

The Thunder Abyss Demon Suppression Pagoda trembled slightly.

That resentful energy was instantly shattered on the spot, turning into a wisp of green smoke.

The thirteen eyeballs trembled in unison.

As if they had seen something far more ferocious than themselves.

Wang Hao turned to the first page.

Blood-red runes were densely packed.

Every rune looked like a living bug, wriggling on the human skin page.

Faintly, the wails of countless departed souls could be heard.

There were old people.

There were women.

There were children.

There were even the souls of unborn infants.

Wang Hao looked at it for a moment, his voice calm.

"I have heard that forging a single page of the Crimson Moon Demon Tome requires the sacrifice of three thousand living people."

Bloodfiend Patriarch's body stiffened imperceptibly.

But he quickly regained his respectful demeanor.

"Replying to Your Majesty, this is an ancient method of the Demon Cult, passed down for a long time. I have been in seclusion for many years, and many things are merely hearsay to me..."

Wang Hao continued to turn the pages.

The second page.

The third page.

The fourth page.

Every page was made of human skin.

Every page had blood runes.

Every page sealed departed souls within.

Finally, strange energy was channeled into it, making it a strange artifact.

He turned the pages very slowly.

The battlefield grew increasingly quiet.

The expressions of those who originally thought it was acceptable to accept Bloodfiend Patriarch's submission gradually changed.

Because they heard it.

There were truly people crying within that demon tome.

It was not an illusion.

It was the people forged into the pages, unable to find release even after death.

Wang Hao turned to the thirteenth page and stopped.

He looked up at Bloodfiend Patriarch.

"How many pages does this book have in total?"

Bloodfiend Patriarch said in a low voice, "Three hundred and sixty pages."

Wang Hao nodded.

"Three hundred and sixty pages."

"Three thousand people per page."

"One million and eighty thousand people."

He spoke very lightly.

But every word was like a knife, cutting into the hearts of everyone present.

One million and eighty thousand people.

Not one million and eighty thousand ants.

They were living, breathing humans.

They were farmers.

They were children.

They were scholars traveling for their exams.

They were newlywed wives.

They were mothers holding their children, fleeing for their lives, only to be dragged back by demonic cultivators for blood sacrifice.

Bloodfiend Patriarch pressed his forehead to the ground.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to atone for my sins."