Chapter 533 (New)

Chapter 533: The Lazy Man Makes a Mistake (3)

Traversing through life, one inevitably crosses paths with a multitude of irrational individuals. While the sentiment that all people are created equal is frequently echoed, the reality is quite the opposite. This is a truth that anyone with a modicum of life experience would readily admit.

Generally, people tend to operate within the boundaries of logic. However, because the definition of “logic” is subjective and shifts from one person to the next, friction is unavoidable.

The Demonic Elder (魔老), throughout his long tenure, had encountered a vast array of human specimens.

Given the nature of his residence and the unsavory characters he was forced to navigate, he had built up a sturdy resistance to even the most bizarre personalities.

After all, what was the Demon Cult? It was a place where a man considered a raving lunatic by the rest of the world would be viewed as a perfectly normal and upstanding youth.

Having spent his entire existence within those walls, the eccentricities of the average person were beneath his notice.

Yet, currently, the Demonic Elder found it impossible to suppress his rising blood pressure.

‘Where on earth did this creature emerge from?’

He had always maintained that if one were to identify the most peculiar being in existence, it would undoubtedly be a disciple of the Demon Cult. Now, he was forced to retract that belief.

The Demon Cult was home to many madmen, but none of them could even hold a candle to this particular lunatic.

It wasn’t merely his actions. Every twitch of that carefree expression, the slight curl of his lips, and every casual movement of his hands seemed specifically designed to make an observer’s blood boil with indignation.

“Do you truly imagine you’ll walk out of these gates alive after what you’ve done?!”

The Demonic Elder roared, pouring every ounce of his wrath and status into his voice.

It was a wasted effort.

“I say, old timer, you’ve got a real set of lungs on you.”

“…What?”

“Must be the age; you’re surprisingly thoughtful too. But look, that isn’t something you need to lose sleep over. We’ve got it handled, so why don’t you just get back to your business?”

Wei Yanho gave a dismissive flick of his wrist, appearing genuinely bothered by the interruption.

“Huh?”

The Demonic Elder turned his head, his face a mask of sheer disbelief.

‘What did I just hear?’

It wasn’t the reaction of a high-ranking official, but his confusion was understandable. All social interaction relies on a basic set of expectations regarding how the other party will reply.

When a response veers so wildly off-course from reality, anyone would be left standing in a daze.

“This… uh, I…”

The Demonic Elder blinked rapidly, trying to process the situation.

Despite the fearsome reputation his name carried, his face at that moment looked remarkably stunned and vulnerable.

‘Poor soul…’

Wei Jeonghan gazed upon the Demonic Elder with genuine pity. While feeling sorry for a high-ranking member of the Demon Cult was a bizarre concept, he couldn’t help himself.

How utterly preposterous must this feel?

Even if Wei Jeonghan had been the one standing there, he wouldn’t have known how to respond. At this specific moment, his sympathy for the victim of his son’s behavior outweighed his hatred for the organization.

“This…”

As the Demonic Elder managed to gather his wits, his teeth began to grind together.

“So, you are the one called Wei Yanho?”

“Eh?”

Wei Yanho’s eyebrows shot up.

“You’ve heard of me?”

“As many strange figures as there are in this world, how many disrespectful runts like you could possibly share the name Wei Yanho?”

“Impressive.”

“Ugh, he hit the nail right on the head.”

Jangil looked as though he was seconds away from clapping in agreement.

In hindsight, it wasn’t shocking that the upper echelons of the Demon Cult were aware of Wei Yanho. To their organization, he represented a significant hazard—not just due to his raw strength, but because of his complete lack of a predictable pattern.

Any strategist involved in the plans to take over the Central Plains would be familiar with the name. Though it remained to be seen if this specific elder held such a high office.

“Wow, my reputation has managed to travel even this far.”

Wei Yanho actually turned a bit red with modesty, which caused the Demonic Elder’s face to contort in a spasm of rage.

He knew he needed to maintain his composure, but it was a lost cause. His primary desire at that moment was to seize that smug face and bury it in the dirt.

But…

“I am unaware of your purpose for infiltrating this place, but you must realize that there is no escape for you, correct?”

“Oh, really?”

“I will ensure you suffer immensely for the audacity of stepping into this sanctuary with your common filth.”

“Hah, if they didn’t see us come in, what are you going to do?”

Listening to the exchange between Wei Yanho and the Demonic Elder, Wei Jeonghan could only move his head in dismay.

‘Can this even be classified as a conversation?’

A dialogue implies that two people are actually listening to one another. Here, they were merely projecting their own thoughts into the void.

Wei Yanho seemed to be attempting a chat, but the elder was simply incapable of processing his words. It wasn’t hard to see why.

Wei Jeonghan took a moment to scrutinize the Demonic Elder.

‘I don’t recognize his face…’

While perhaps not as well-versed as Yeom Mong, Wei Jeonghan was intimately familiar with the key players of the Demon Cult. The protracted conflict had ensured he saw most of their ranks, and few high-ranking members escaped his notice.

Yet, this elder was a complete mystery.

Given his aura and advanced years, he couldn’t be a minor figure, yet his face was new. That left two possibilities: either his skills weren’t high enough to participate in the previous conflict, or…

‘Is he an internal administrator?’

Every organization has those who handle the inner workings while the leaders and combat masters deal with the outside world. The bureaucrats and overseers.

If this elder was one of those, Wei Jeonghan realized, he wouldn’t be a simple target.

‘What is our move?’

An unforeseen obstacle had appeared. Despite their outward confidence, Wei Jeonghan’s internal thoughts were a mess of conflict.

Should they attempt to neutralize the elder quickly to continue their investigation, or…?

While he did the worrying, the choice wasn’t his to make.

“Well then.”

Wei Yanho placed the heavy pack he had been carrying onto the floor and cracked his neck from side to side.

“Talking isn’t going to fix this, is it? Isn’t that right, old man?”

The Demonic Elder shifted his glare back to Wei Yanho.

‘That little brat.’

Anger was eating him alive, but he hesitated to strike. The Demonic Elder had been briefed on the various accounts regarding Wei Yanho. There were many stories.

He knew of the boy’s absurd feats, a level of Lazy-ness that was historically significant, and his total lack of decorum in deserting his household with no plans of return.

However, more concerning were the reports on Wei Yanho’s martial prowess.

‘The level of a Bishop.’

That assessment alone carried immense weight.

The Insane Demon, who had survived a direct confrontation with Wei Yanho, had labeled his skills as being on par with a Bishop.

That statement had two layers of meaning.

Firstly, it was an admission of Wei Yanho’s formidable base power, though the Insane Demon—being far beyond a standard Bishop—implied he could still handle him.

Secondly, it was a grim warning that Wei Yanho, already at such a height, possessed a terrifying potential for growth.

Had these words come from anyone else, they might be dismissed as hyperbole to make their own victory seem more impressive. But the Insane Demon wasn’t given to such fluff.

He didn’t hand out compliments to boost his own ego. He detested the praise of others even more than he disliked being praised himself.

He had zero incentive to talk up Wei Yanho, especially since he viewed most other Bishops as incompetent weaklings. When it came to gauging strength, the word of the Insane Demon was ironclad.

This was why the Demonic Elder paused.

It wasn’t that he was certain he would lose a duel. Rather, he was the only one present capable of offering a challenge. If he lunged at Wei Yanho and failed, the brat would have free rein over the entire fortress.

The stolen treasures of the Demon Cult already protruding from Wei Yanho’s bag were a testament to that danger.

The second Wei Yanho was spotted, an alert would have been dispatched to the central command, so support would arrive eventually. But what if Wei Yanho vanished with the loot before they got there?

‘It would be an absolute disaster.’

The Demonic Elder forced himself to stay calm.

Even for a member of the Demon Cult, he was known for a volatile temperament. That was the essence of the Demonic Arts, after all—transforming the psyche into something that struggled with restraint. The Demonic Elder was a practitioner and was fighting his own nature to keep his cool.

But his fury was being held back by a strange wall.

There was no better cure for a hot head than Wei Yanho. Anger usually requires a predictable target.

“Look, let’s at least try to have a discussion first.”

“What could I possibly have to discuss with a demon like you?”

“Aren’t disciples of the Demon Cult humans too? Let’s communicate!”

“Hmph, I have nothing to say to you.”

“How can you say you have nothing to say?! Think of something!”

Watching the Demonic Elder desperately trying to hold his ground against Wei Yanho, Wei Jeonghan turned his eyes toward the patch of sky visible through the stone window.

‘This is nothing like the terrifying sect I remember…’

In Wei Jeonghan’s mind, the Demon Cult was a gathering of cold-blooded, heartless monsters. Anyone who had met them on the field of battle would have the same nightmares.

War stripped away humanity, but the Demon Cult was unique in its level of depravity.

This elder had to be cut from the same cloth. If he was an administrator, he should be even more calculating and ruthless. And yet, here he was, bickering with Wei Yanho like an exhausted grandfather trying to manage a troublesome child.

Instead of feeling triumphant, Wei Jeonghan felt a strange sense of gloom.

“Wow, old man, you sure do talk a lot.”

Wei Yanho stepped closer to the elder, continuing to loosen his joints.

“It’s not that I get a kick out of bothering my elders, but things are a bit messy right now, so I’m going to need you to be patient.”

“You should scrub your mouth out with soap, you filthy brat.”

“How cold.”

The criticism actually came from his own companions.

Wei Yanho was a seasoned professional at annoying his elders. Countless seniors had suffered because of him. If they could have heard his claim of not enjoying it, they would have likely vomited blood in outrage.

“You… you little monster.”

The Demonic Elder’s complexion turned a deep, angry crimson.

While his mind told him to wait for reinforcements, his body was ready to explode. But then again, he was a Demonic Elder for a reason. If he chose logic over his bloodlust, he wouldn’t be part of the cult.

“Do I have to slaughter you to get through that thick skull?!”

“Gramps is acting weird. If I’m slaughtered, how am I supposed to understand anything?”

“You…!”

Wei Yanho gave a playful grin and drew his blade.

“Well, since we’re clearly not getting anywhere with words, let’s just finish this up. Here I come!”

With no more warning, Wei Yanho lunged forward with his sword.

Wei Jeonghan and Jangil immediately circulated their internal energy. While they trusted Wei Yanho with the elder, they couldn’t count on him being the only threat. The moment the clash began…

Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!

The strike…

The hands of Wei Jeonghan and Jangil, which had been brimming with power, went limp in shock.

They stared at the carnage unfolding before them.

“Uh…”

A colossal torrent of light erupted from the sword, erasing the elder from existence in a heartbeat. Without slowing down, the energy continued its path of destruction. It tore through the structure and raced like a tidal wave down the fortress’s main corridor, finally detonating with a roar at the front gates.

KABOOOOOOOM!

Witnessing that impossible display of power, Wei Jeonghan and Jangil slowly turned their heads to look at Wei Yanho.

There stood Wei Yanho, his own mouth hanging open in shock.

“What… what just happened?”

Even he didn’t know his own strength. Seriously!