Monarch Night

Everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts; the tone and spirit of the Starlight Master were something they had never seen before.

They couldn't help but feel a bit sad for him.

From the orthodox perspective, indeed, the Starlight Master had little future prospects.

The Starlight Master forced a bitter smile and said, "So it's a bit premature to talk about the future now. But for me, opportunities are scarce. So I must still consider it."

"So regarding your cultivation, I am also concerned. Just now, Yun Qi was correct, I have other intentions; there's nothing I can't say."

"I am thinking... if in the future I can make some progress, or perhaps, in this life, if there is a chance to reach some high position, and by then, I can rely on your strength... At that time, you can't still be so insignificant, can you?"

"If we look at your current cultivation progress and combat power, if this speed is maintained, the future... might not turn out as one hopes. Or, there might be a situation where a golden mountain is placed before us, yet we can't lift it."

"If that happens, what meaning would our meeting today have?"

The Starlight Master rarely opened his heart to everyone.

Everyone quietly listened.

Because such moments were very rare for the Starlight Master.

If not for today's shock from death, such a moment might never be witnessed in life.

Zheng Yunqi sighed silently in his heart.

Indeed, the Starlight Master spoke the truth.

The future, for everyone present, is a harsh topic.

Yet, it must be considered.

"Having met, whether you follow me or I benefit from you in the future, in any case, we must accomplish something together."

"Otherwise, are we to only drink and joke as acquaintances, and then just go our separate ways?"

Fang Che forced a smile: "I'm not content with only being a Little Leader in this life; are you content to remain insignificant side members of a family for your entire life? To lie flat for a lifetime?"

"I, for one, am not content!"

"So I want to lead you together in discontent!"

"Because if you lie flat, all my efforts today will be in vain."

Zheng Yunqi and others bowed their heads, each unable to describe their feelings.

Frankly, the words spoken by the Starlight Master today were straightforward and heartfelt.

"Did you really think I brought you here just to manage a sub branch? Just to run an Escort Agency? Just for the potential to become a Hall Master in the future?"

"Is that my only ambition?"

"I used all means to bring you under my command, to make you listen to me; then had each of you grasp various techniques, acquired legitimate identities, and avenged your enemies, even saving your lives time and again in times of crisis..."

"All for me to become a Hall Master in the Yixin Sect?"

The Starlight Master chuckled coldly, his gaze sharp, "Then you underestimate Starlight!"

"Do you think I merely wish to associate with some insignificant side members of small to medium families, who will have no future achievements?"

"Wrong!"

"If not for today's life-and-death crisis, I would have brought this up in a few days. Your martial arts cultivation is too weak! Too weak! Because of this weakness, you dare not even have a bit of ambition!"

"You don't even have the thought of competing. Always timid before direct descendants; why? Because you have no strength!"

"Exactly so!"

"But such people, I, Starlight, neither want nor wish to associate with!"

"I hope you all are Dragons! The Demons amongst demons! Even if you aren't the Family Head in your respective families, you must wield power, achieve something in your domains!"

"Have a voice!"

"That's my goal! To cultivate you such that in any situation, you can face challenges confidently. For example, when we face the Guardian Hall... or in the future, when you face the Law Enforcement Hall in the Main Sect, facing big families! It's the same anywhere!"

"I'll exert my strength to lead you out, and then, for those fortunate to return home alive, I don't want you to become yes-men! I want you to strive! To seize!"

"Seize your positions! Seize everything of yours!"

"And then in the headquarters, or elsewhere, carve out your own sky!"

"In preparation for our future reunion."

"One day you will leave, and by that time, only I will be developing down here. If I, Starlight, die, then naturally everything is over for me! But you can still band together and develop, reaching wherever you can, and never need to resent my current harshness!"

"But if I don't die! There will definitely be times when I need you in the future!"

"I don't want you to be as you are now at that time!"

"Fight, just one word."

The Starlight Master pointed suddenly, "See the thirty-two lying over there? Nineteen of them are just like you!"

"Maybe during this time in Baiyun State, one day you'll also lie there like them!"

"However, if you don't strive, don't seize, don't practice, then one day, you'll end up lying down somewhere else too!"

"So, I hope you..."

The Starlight Master seemed moved, finished speaking emotionally. He took a long breath and exclaimed loudly, "A man should not long endure submissively!"

"Gentlemen! I hope that in the future, you can lend me some light!"

A smile appeared on the ugly face of the Starlight Master.

But this smile, at this moment, seemed so warm!

All the little demons were deep in thought.

Their hearts were warm with emotion.

The words of the Starlight Master were realistic.

But they were more sincere and earnest.

They had heard enough flowery words, even uttered them themselves often.

But such genuine words were seldom heard.

Each was involuntarily touched.

Especially, with nineteen bodies lying nearby.

Those words seemed all the more convincing.

"Go on with your tasks."

The Starlight Master waved his hand, saying somewhat wearily, "As for the bodies of these brothers... seek their family opinions."

"But preservation is not possible. You understand this as well. I am not familiar with the headquarters' family matters, so I won't interfere with this issue."

"I'll give you two days to recuperate and handle this matter."

"I still need to report to the Sect Hierarch. I'll be off now!"

The Starlight Master stood up abruptly, his brows furrowed angrily, "I have said quite a lot today, but don't think you can walk all over me, Starlight, just because I've spoken openly! In the future, if you deserve a beating, a scolding, a killing, or punishment... hum, be careful!"

In a flash, his figure flickered and instantly disappeared without a trace.

...

The Starlight Master departed.

Zheng Yunqi and others still kept silent.

The hall was crowded, yet silent enough to hear a pin drop.

A long time later, someone sighed and said, "Today's experience was like living ten years in the Jianghu. Unexpectedly, the Starlight Master... the Squad Leader, although brutal, we usually say he's a demon among demons... but today... my view has truly changed. Hmm."

These words seemed to capture everyone's thoughts.

Zhou Meier said thoughtfully, "The Starlight Master... though brutal, and fierce, whatever he wants, he never hides; in our Wei Wo Zheng Sect, the notion of a gentleman doesn't exist, but even if he's a villain, he's a true one. And even if he's a demon, he's an aboveboard demon."

"True villain, perhaps, but aboveboard? Not really."

Zheng Yunqi laughed and said, "But I'm still surprised that the Starlight Master could say these words, at least, looking from tonight, under the Squad Leader's command, one's life isn't easily lost unless facing such unexpected situations."

Zhao Wushang said thoughtfully,

"That's more than enough."

Everyone echoed, "Yes, that's more than enough."

Zheng Yunqi looked at everyone and said, "But today's incident, it's no small matter. These nineteen people were recruited by us to join the Yixin Sect Branch, and they reported to their families."

"Now they're dead, how to write the letter to their families... we need to discuss this together."

"Killed by another sect... could this be blamed on us?"

"Maybe it can."

Zheng Yunqi smiled bitterly, "Their first instinctive thought would be: why is my son dead while you aren't dead?"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

But thinking about it, that's indeed the case.

Why didn't you die, but my son did? You all have similar cultivation levels.

Explanations, reasons, whatever causes... when facing such parents, they have no effect.

"So, this isn't just one letter, but... many letters, each family needs a letter, including you, you also need to write to your own families, otherwise we can't withstand this incident."

"And we need to use this opportunity to blame those who were reported dead by us before. That would truly be a once-and-for-all solution."

"That might not be easy."

"No, it's very easy! You don't understand human nature!"

Zheng Yunqi said, "We only need to unify our words and discuss the wording, so you must cooperate; this is our biggest opportunity."

"Indeed."

"Once I finish writing, you all write according to mine, and after completion, let me check. Then use the Five Spirits Gu to send them out."

"Okay."

"This is indeed a big matter..."

Zheng Yunqi sighed. But in his eyes, there was a glittering light.

Because today, he seemed to have seen a golden Great Dao.

However, whether this path exists, whether it can be traversed, remains uncertain.

But at least there is some conceptual framework and direction now.

Once there's a chance... talk to the Starlight Master more.

The future... seems very enticing.

...