You're Not Deserving to Manage My Subordinates

[Almost forgot to write the main point, the Demon Lord doesn't need to be managed right now. With Lin Xuan's current strength, there's still a long way to go before the Demon Lord emerges.]

[The immediate threat Lin Xuan has to face is the Seven Sons of the Heavenly Demon Sect.]

[After the mental breakthrough following the beast horde battle, the next step is counteroffensive.]

[Indeed, the beast horde is terrifying, but we humans aren't pushovers either.]

[This time, the leader of Cloud Smoke Sect died. How can we not retaliate? Under the proposal of the leader of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, multiple sects have joined forces to exterminate the beast horde.]

[The beast horde on the Southern Continent doesn't have a fixed location; they roam freely.]

[Coincidentally, a large number of them were discovered on the Qinglan Plains, so that's where the target is set.]

[Lin Xuan naturally joined the campaign, and it was another opportunity for him to showcase his abilities, stealing the spotlight.]

[However, a smooth victory isn't in the cards, as the Seven Sons of the Heavenly Demon Sect have intervened.]

[While Lin Xuan and his allies were battling the beast horde, the Heavenly Demon Sect entered the fray, not to assist either side but to stir chaos in the battle.]

[Previously, the Left Envoy mentioned the goal was to eliminate one of the three major sects. This time, it's a probe to weaken the Seven Stars Sword Sect's strength.]

[Actually, it's all about building the Seven Sons' image. This time, all seven appeared simultaneously, showcasing their full capabilities during the battle.]

[It's the usual routine: first, elevate them, then crush them later.]

[So, the main plot here is the Seven Sons showing off, then making a stylish exit.]

[As for me, after a long absence, I've become one of the Seven Sons, which must have come as a shock to the people of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.]

[They never expected that the once-useless me would rise to become one of the Seven Sons.]

[Thus, I didn't seek revenge on Lin Xuan this time, preserving my dignity while riding the coattails of the other Seven Sons.]

[Of course, Lin Xuan and his allies did win against the beast horde, despite our interference from the Heavenly Demon Sect. This joint effort by the sects was indeed formidable.]

[But don't celebrate too soon. The elite force of the beast horde, led by General Black Horn, hasn't made an appearance yet. They are the pinnacle of the beast horde's strength, with countless powerful beasts.]

The diary ends here.

Despite limited information, Jiang Ningshu grasped the key details.

The Seven Sons. Is he one of them?

That simplifies things.

Jiang Ningshu felt more at ease knowing who she's dealing with.

However, upon deeper reflection, merely a diary isn't enough to understand this person fully.

Why write a diary?

Why did he let me see it? Did he intend this, or was he unaware it fell into my hands?

What kind of person is he? Who does he work for? What if he doesn't help me regain my strength?

The more she thought, the more she realized she needed to stay calm.

Jiang Ningshu decided she must carefully plan her next moves.

...

The Seven Stars Sword Sect's support mission to Cloud Smoke Sect had concluded, successfully eliminating the invading beast horde.

However, the leader of the Seven Stars Sword Sect was severely injured.

Similarly, the leader of Cloud Smoke Sect was gravely injured but survived, having been rescued.

The leader of the Seven Stars Sword Sect hadn't underestimated the beast horde, but he was genuinely surprised by their power.

If he hadn't intervened, it's likely the leader of Cloud Smoke Sect wouldn't have survived.

This experience finally made the sect leader realize the value of Su Luo's intelligence. He vowed never to doubt Su Luo's information again.

But the situation wasn't over yet.

This time, they couldn't let it slide.

The beast horde had been too brazen, underestimating humanity's strength.

The sect leader's eyes gleamed with determination.

...

[Diary completed. Reward: Constitution +4, Strength +3.]

[Acquired special ability: Dice of Victory, No Matter How You Roll.]

[Boosts the power of the next attack based on the number rolled on the dice.]

Su Luo took out the dice, which looked ordinary, with faces numbered 1 through 6.

If he rolled a 1, the attack's power would double; each subsequent number increased the multiplier.

Feeling another valuable skill added to his repertoire, Su Luo was content.

Just then, he noticed the commotion outside.

Cui Baiquan said to Yun, "Move aside. I'm here to see Su Luo."

"To see our Su Demon Lord, you'll need to notify us first," Yun blocked his path.

Su Luo had instructed them to not bother him without urgency and to keep non-essential individuals away.

Yun perceived Cui Baiquan as one of those "non-essential" visitors.

But Cui Baiquan didn't see it that way. Being one of the Seven Sons himself, he thought he didn't need permission to see Su Luo.

"I'll see him directly. Get out of the way. Don't think just because you're Su Luo's favored subordinate, I won't lay a hand on you. No matter how important you are, you're still just an underling. Know your place."

Aware that Yun was entrusted with handling Su Luo's affairs, Cui Baiquan also knew she was valued. Still, an underling is replaceable.

With that, Cui Baiquan suddenly attacked, aiming for Yun.

"Little Pa, deal with him," Yun wasn't one to back down.

"You're just asking for it. Let me teach you some manners on behalf of Su Luo."

But before the fight could escalate, a figure appeared before Cui Baiquan.

"Don't bother. You're not worthy to discipline my subordinate."

Su Luo emerged and sent Cui Baiquan flying like a football, leaving a long skid mark across the ground.

Yet, Cui Baiquan got up and said, "Hahaha, that was refreshing!"

"Don't spout nonsense like that. You're gonna scare me," Su Luo felt a bit unsettled hearing that.

"Your kick was impressive. I didn't misjudge you."

Experiencing it firsthand, Cui Baiquan confirmed Su Luo's capability, deeming him an excellent potential ally.

"What do you want?" Su Luo asked.

"Let's team up. I've already teamed with Shan Gui. Then the three of us, the new Seven Sons, will take on the four original ones."

"Why not eliminate one of the old Seven Sons and add another new one? That'd make it four new versus three old."

"...You're being a bit extreme. There's no deep-seated hatred to justify killing one. We're all from the same sect; it's not necessary."

Cui Baiquan had pondered this but found it difficult or beyond his ability to execute.

Su Luo replied, "So, what's in it for me if we team up?"

"Don't you want to break free from the shadows of others?"

"Actually, I'm quite comfortable."

Su Luo felt confident he wouldn't live in anyone's shadow, especially with the enhancements from his diary.

In the original storyline, he would indeed be under pressure—stuck at the level of a mere Jindan, powerless and forced to practice harmful demonic arts, suffering daily.

"Stubborn. You just haven't experienced life under Qing Bukuang and the others. You wouldn't understand... Well, you haven't, have you?"

After a brief pause, Cui Baiquan continued speaking.

"Alright, let's discuss cooperation another time. Soon enough, you'll feel the pressure Qing Bukuang puts on the new Seven Sons."

Cui Baiquan decided to step back for now, confident Su Luo would come to him eventually.

Even Situ Ye couldn't endure it; how could Su Luo handle Qing Bukuang's oppression?

Once Qing Bukuang starts putting Su Luo in his place, he'll surely rebel, seeking an alliance.

With that realization, Cui Baiquan decided to leave, sparing further arguments.