Great Demon 07

Due to the recent attack incident and the late-night disturbance, the regulatory authorities have taken the matter very seriously, prompting a thorough investigation across the entire Demon Slayer Alliance.

As for the prodigious demon slayer Mo Ran, no one could quite figure out what his deal was.

His account regularly received "dividend" deposits of varying amounts.

Not only that, but news from the Ring City branch also reported that the demons in the city had gone into hiding, as if... they had received some kind of tip-off.

Deputy Base Chief Zhang immediately speculated that Mo Ran had already sold out every last stronghold of the Demon Slayer Alliance.

Mo Ran's suspicion grew even heavier.

By the time Fang Zhiyi finished visiting the last city where an old friend resided, he received word from his subordinates: Mo Ran had escaped. His own team had rescued him, even injuring two demon slayers guarding him!

The Demon Slayer Alliance had publicly announced the expulsion and issued a warrant for the arrest of this traitorous squad!

Fang Zhiyi smirked and picked up the phone to dial a number.

"Hello."

"Old Zhang, how've you been?"

On the other end, Deputy Alliance Leader Zhang couldn't suppress his grin. "Good, very good. What can I do for you this time, Boss Fang?"

"I have a major merit to offer, but it depends on whether you can handle it."

Deputy Alliance Leader Zhang was overjoyed. This demon was a good one—not only had he helped him multiple times, but he'd also handed him plenty of achievements. "Boss Fang, just say the word!"

Fang Zhiyi chuckled. Over the past six months, he'd captured all the demons who had crossed the line and handed them over to this Zhang fellow. Though Zhang's reputation wasn't the best, he was indeed a man who got things done—all for the sake of promotions and raises, after all.

"Let's discuss this in person."

Meanwhile, Mo Ran's squad had gathered in a dilapidated old house, exhaustion and confusion written on every face. Branded as traitors, they had to carefully conceal their tracks, staying far from populated areas while remaining vigilant against vengeful demons lying in wait.

"What do we do now?" someone asked.

"The Demon Slayer Alliance has labeled us traitors, and after all the demons we've killed, they won't let us go either..."

The fat guy slammed his fist onto the table. "Damn these cunning demons!"

A suffocating tension filled the room.

From the corner, a teammate tinkering with scrap metal suddenly raised a shoddy-looking device. "Got it! The demon energy detector!"

A flicker of joy crossed Mo Ran's face. "Proceed as planned."

"Captain?"

"Remember, our goal was never power—it was world peace. Only by eradicating all demons can true peace be achieved," he declared.

The squad members looked at him, their eyes gradually hardening with resolve.

"Gather seven demon cores, enter the demon realm. I believe the truth will come to light sooner or later."

"Yes!"

Just then, the fat guy pointed at the TV. "Captain, look!"

Everyone turned to the bulky old television in the corner.

Breaking news flashed on the screen—though there was no sound, they all recognized the man shaking hands with the mayor. It was that snake demon! They'd know his face even if he were reduced to ashes.

"He dares to show up so brazenly in public? He's even more cunning than we thought!" Mo Ran's eyes blazed with fury.

"He's deceiving ordinary people—he must have a bigger scheme. What do we do?"

Mo Ran took a deep breath. "We need to hurry."

That night, the old fox demon Hu Lai, carrying two bottles of wine, walked home in high spirits. The day's news had delighted him—who knew that damn snake had such skills?

But as he neared his home, he sensed something amiss.

"Come out."

Sure enough, figures in hoods emerged from all directions, their positions perfectly cutting off every escape route. Hu Lai's heart sank—their coordination was flawless.

"Who are you?"

"Your executioners, you damned demon," said the man in the center as he pulled back his hood, revealing a face brimming with killing intent.

Hu Lai chuckled. "It's been so many years, I almost forgot what a fight feels like. Can't we just sit down and talk?"

Mo Ran shook his head. "I don't waste words on demons." Staring at the powerful demon before him, he couldn't help but recall that snake demon. He wouldn't make the same mistake again.

"You don't even—" A blade flashed. Hu Lai dodged swiftly, but the two bottles of wine fell and shattered, filling the alley with the scent of alcohol.

"No more talk. Die."

Hu Lai's smile vanished. His aged face turned solemn, and then an overwhelming surge of demonic energy erupted.

"Seven, eight... Captain! An eight-tailed fox!" someone shouted.

Mo Ran sneered. So what if it had eight tails? No demon had ever escaped their squad's encirclement!

Hu Lai was baffled. Hadn't these demon slayers seen the news? They attacked without even letting him speak! But survival came first—he could feel the pressure radiating from these humans and had no choice but to fight seriously.

The battle grew fiercer with each exchange. Spotting an opening, Hu Lai swatted away one of the weaker fighters, then twisted his body to evade another slash. With another strike, the fat guy was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.

"Did I hit him too hard?" Hu Lai hesitated—just long enough for one of his tails to be severed.

"Bastards! Don't underestimate our bonds!" the demon slayers roared.

Hu Lai didn't understand the words, finding them rather foolish, but strangely, their fighting spirit seemed to surge anew as they charged again.

"Since you insist on pushing me, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Losing a tail was already annoying enough!

In an instant, Hu Lai transformed into a massive crimson fox, finally taking his opponents seriously.

But to his surprise, these humans were formidable—not because of their cultivation level, but because... they possessed an inexplicable resilience. Every time he injured one, the others seemed to unlock hidden potential.

After dozens of intense exchanges, Hu Lai, long out of practice, suffered heavy losses.

With Mo Ran's final strike from above, Hu Lai's enormous form crashed to the ground, shrinking back into an ordinary-sized fox.

Though every member of Mo Ran's squad was wounded, they grinned at their impending victory.

Suppressing his excitement, Mo Ran stepped forward. "Blame your own nature as a demon."

Hu Lai glanced at him. "I said, haven't you seen the news..."

"Enough of your demonic lies. I, Mo Ran, will exterminate every last one of you." He raised his blade.

Hu Lai felt a strange calm. He'd lived long enough—it was a fair deal... or was it? Suddenly, he remembered the grand vision Fang Zhiyi had painted for him: demons integrating into human society. He'd seen those hardworking demons taking up human jobs, slowly changing the landscape...

"You damn snake!" Hu Lai cursed under his breath.

Just as Mo Ran's blade was about to pierce his abdomen, a hand abruptly grabbed the blade. "Say that again?"

Mo Ran froze in place.

Hu Lai gave a bitter laugh: "Damn it, couldn't you have waited until I was dead to show up?"

Fang Zhiyi's face appeared: "You useless fool."

"Snake demon!" Mo Ran snapped back to reality, swiftly retreating. The rest of the team immediately tensed up in alert.