Volume One, Chapter 18: Only Then Can We Truly Be a Family

The Nine Turns Devouring Heaven Technique was terrifyingly sinister. Su Ming had never been pushed to such an extreme before; he had always consumed in secret, never revealing it to others. But today, concealment was no longer an option.

The overwhelming assault on his divine soul felt as if an invisible demon whispered wickedly into his ear, relentlessly corrupting his mind.

Even someone like Su Ming, who had lived two lifetimes, nearly succumbed. Had it not been for the last shred of reason pulling him back, Yan Yu would have died on the spot.

Seeing Su Ming regain composure, Liu Lecheng hastily stood and steadied him.

The officials in the imperial court were different from ordinary people. Regardless of rank, they represented the entire Southern Shang Dynasty. Su Ming’s position was still unstable; rashly killing someone now would mean the Hehai Gang would immediately sever ties with him.

Master Hu Sanye would likely have Su Ming bound and handed over to the authorities directly.

Su Ming understood this well. Looking at Yan Yu cowering in the corner, hatred resurfaced... such a familiar scene of betrayal and treachery.

“Stand up,” Su Ming ordered, drawing his long sword and pressing it against Yan Yu’s neck.

Yan Yu quickly raised his hands, sensing a shift in the situation, forcing a stiff smile. “Don’t kill me, Boss Su. Killing me means ruin for all of us. Rest assured... today’s matter stays between us. No one else will ever know from my lips.”

Su Ming smirked darkly. “Master Yan, why would I kill you?”

Let him go? Relying on such a flimsy promise?

Su Ming asked himself honestly—he was not foolish enough for that.

If Yan Yu walked away today, by dawn the court would dispatch experts to capture him.

“Master Yan, you put me in a difficult position...” Su Ming’s face turned pale, the still-fresh blood droplets adding a sinister aura.

“Boss Su, I understand, I understand. I don’t want a single cent. If you need help around Zhanhua Street, just say the word. I, Yan, won’t even furrow my brow,” Yan Yu said awkwardly, trying to ease the tension, pounding his chest and making repeated assurances.

“No, no,” Su Ming shook his head, pressing the sword a little harder. Blood began to seep from Yan Yu’s neck. “The money is still yours, but I need you to do one thing for me.”

“What is it?”

“Silencing. This task must be done personally by you.” Su Ming pointed to the gang members under Pang Sandao’s command, smiling faintly.

“I...” Yan Yu swallowed hard, looking at the dozens of gang members nearby. If he killed them, he would be at Su Ming’s mercy for life. As long as Su Ming lived, this secret would bind him forever.

After all, he was part of the court, unlike Pang Sandao’s underworld associates. The regulations were strict.

Killing without cause, if the authorities found out, would mean grievous punishment—skinning alive would be lenient.

“What’s the matter? Didn’t Master Yan say he wouldn’t bat an eye?” Su Ming smiled coldly, pushing his sword a fraction forward again, enough to sever an artery.

“One must always leave some leverage in others’ hands. That way, everyone can rest assured.”

“Today, I give Master Yan two choices: I kill you and then run for your life, or you act now, and we get along well from here on.”

Feeling the deadly threat at his throat, Yan Yu yielded. He knew this man was truly mad, having revealed his demonic cultivation identity—there was no hope for mercy.

If killing him were not so troublesome, he would have no bargaining chips at all.

“Fine,” Yan Yu replied, as if drawing on all his strength.

He knew from this moment on, his fate was bound to Su Ming’s. As long as Su Ming lived, so would he; if Su Ming died, he would too.

“No... Yan Yu, how can you collude with a demonic cultivator... You’re a court official!”

“Brothers, run! There are so many of us; if one escapes, they all die!”

“Don’t kill me... Boss Su, I’ve only been with Master Pang a short time. I don’t know much; it’s not my business... I have old parents to care for...”

Fear spread like a plague, infecting the hearts of Pang Sandao’s men.

Two experts at the second rank guaranteed no survivors!

Su Ming, Liu Lecheng, and the others merely surrounded them, preventing escape. In the end, it was Yan Yu who struck the finishing blows.

“Don’t kill me... I don’t want to die...”

The dark night echoed only with tragic screams—a grim symphony that stained the moonlit purity red. Outside the manor, blood flowed like ink, the heavy rain unable to wash away the thick stains. It gathered at the end of the cobbled street into a vast pool.

At last, the mournful chorus ceased. Yan Yu collapsed weakly in the blood, staring blankly at the corpses piled like small mounds, eyes filled with indescribable confusion.

“If they want to kill me, then I’ll kill too.”

Such cruelty was the nature of this world.

Su Ming stepped forward slowly, gently wiping the blood from Yan Yu’s face. He smiled warmly. “Master Yan, from now on, we are one family.”

Yan Yu said nothing, only shaking his head, his hand trembling slightly around the long knife.

After a moment, Su Ming turned to his gang members and said coldly, “Brothers, listen well. I, Su Ming, am not unreasonable. As you can see, I cultivate demonic arts. If anyone wants to leave, I won’t stop you. But those who choose to stay, I promise each of you will live in luxury.”

With that, Su Ming pulled out an ancient, yellowed book from his bosom and laid it before them.

“This is the entry-level manual for the Tiangang Technique. Brothers who stay can practice it for free. Once you reach the ninth realm of martial arts, you will be my left and right arms!”

—Hiss.

Instantly, the hesitant men breathed faster.

An entry-level manual was priceless to them. Even if only a few could master it, at least it gave hope. Once enlightened, they and their families would rise together.

Even if they didn't follow Su Ming forever, they would become formidable experts wherever they went, never lacking food or clothing.

Liu Lecheng watched quietly and knew it was his moment. He shouted, “What the hell are you waiting for? Following Boss Su means living well; isn’t that better than sticking with that bastard Ba Kun?”

“Besides, you’re all mercenaries. Naturally, you want to sell yourselves at the best price. The Tiangang Technique’s value needs no explanation. Outside, many would break their necks to become Boss Su’s disciples.”

The men exchanged glances, still torn. The demonic cultivator identity was too conspicuous. One false move, and they’d die without a trace. None could escape.

“Boss Su has never treated you unfairly since taking over.”

Where money flows, courage follows. Soon one member stepped forward, snatched the Tiangang Technique book from the table.

“I don’t care about orthodox or demonic paths. As long as I have food and drink, that’s good enough. Boss Su, I’m with you. I’m not leaving!”

With one leading, others cheered.

“Exactly! If we’re hungry and cold, what good is the orthodox way? My mother’s waiting at home for me to support her, Boss Su, I trust you!”

“Let’s do it, brothers! Once we enter the realm, we follow Boss Su and carve a river of blood! Anyone who dares challenge Boss Su, I’ll kill them!”

Amidst the rising fervor, not a single man left. Seeing this, Su Ming nodded with satisfaction.

This outcome was ideal. If anyone had departed, it would have been a nightmare for him.

After ordering his men to clean the scene, Su Ming looked coldly at the still-blinded Yan Yu lying on the ground.

“Master Yan, you still need to tidy up loose ends here. You know the court’s convoluted ways better than I do. I need not elaborate.”

“I’ll send the money to your mansion tomorrow. Whether you accept it or not, you must take it. Understood?”

With that, Su Ming turned and left, regardless of whether Yan Yu heard him.

Under the dark night, only two figures gradually faded into the distance.

“Boss Su, where are we heading now?”

“To meet Qi Wei.”