Chapter 47: Arrogant Pure-Blooded Human
Outside, the world was unraveling. The city teetered on the brink of being devoured by a churning sea of evil clouds. Yet inside the bar, the Devouring Demon King Xia Feng remained blissfully unaware, lounging at the counter with the serenity of a man savoring fine wine.
Since only one referee (the bartender) officiated, matches proceeded sequentially. Six competitors—three dueling pairs—stood between Xia Feng and his turn.
It was absurd. Each duel dragged on for nearly an hour. By the time the third pair tied, Xia Feng had yawned himself awake from a two-hour nap.
"Dear guest, our establishment's popularity has inconvenienced you. Mino offers his sincerest apologies." The bartender bowed with theatrical grace.
Popular? Xia Feng eyed the handful of ashen-faced, red-eyed patrons. More like prisoners.
"These are errant members of the Divine Evil Society," the clown clarified, chuckling from his spectator's perch. "Not exactly volunteers. So, mysterious gentleman—still confident about challenging 100-pick-90?"
"Naturally."
Victory at the highest stakes meant a Hydrolysis Stone—one of the five elemental variants—essential for enhancing his spirit-tool solidification. The bonus two grams of Infinite Stone? Icing on the cake.
The clown's grin widened. He turned to the withered man, who stood sweating bullets.
"Help me," the man croaked.
After a pause, the clown shrugged. "Boss Yu's been a generous supplier. Fine."
"The game commences in ten minutes," Mino announced.
The clown vanished mid-pat on the withered man's shoulder, reappearing in a derelict hospital conference room. A peeling sticker on the wall proclaimed: "Doctors & Patients: Service With Heart, Care Without Fear."
Ten figures occupied the room. At the head table, a man in heart-shaped sunglasses and a crimson mink coat—Master Jiu—sucked face with two women while his underlings ignored the spectacle.
"Master Jiu, the invasion's too slow," a subordinate warned. "The Imperial Gate's Eighth Disciple could intercept—"
"That trash disciple won't reach District 51," Jiu scoffed, detaching from a woman's lips. "But fine. Lan Hu, deploy ten more Perfect Evil Souls to widen the rift."
Lan Hu—a mountain of muscle stuffed into a strained white tee—frowned. "We've only got nine left."
"Nine?" Jiu pondered, then casually crushed the nearest woman's throat.
Pop.
Her corpse slumped, eyes frozen in shock.
"Problem solved." Jiu licked spattered blood off his lips.
Lan Hu's jaw twitched. "She was my woman."
"Details." Jiu waved a dismissive hand. "Once we take this city, you'll have your pick of female celebrities. Heard District 51's got a few gems—like that songstress, Mu Qingtong~"
Lan Hu's rage evaporated. "Heh… yeah, she's from here—"
"Mu Qingtong?!" A gaunt figure lurched from the shadows—Yan Xujia, dark-circled and twitchy. "Kill her fiancé, and she's yours!"
"Still yapping about Cha Naixue's capture?" someone sneered.
Yan Xujia's eye spasmed. "I'm exiled to Southern Xinjiang tomorrow! How am I supposed to help?!" That ungrateful bitch Cha Naixue had betrayed his devotion—his willingness to be her dog! Not one hospital visit!
Fine. If I can't have you, you'll burn with the rest.
The clown cleared his throat. "I need backup. Newbie—you're up."
Yan Xujia blinked. "Me?"
"Just follow."
Back at the bar, Xia Feng's eyebrows shot up. Yan Xujia? His plan to ambush the exiled noble in Yongliuhai might need revising…
"Eighty million," Yan Xujia hissed to the clown. "Kill Xia Feng. Alive's better—I want him to taste despair."
Spade-Masked Xia Feng: "?"
Louder, you bastard.
The clown ignored the offer. "Mr. Spade… you're pure human, yes?"
"Obviously."
"Admirable arrogance." The clown tossed two black cards to Mino. "Double Card for him. Helper Card for my friend."
The cards melted into the bartender's forehead.
"Double Card active," Mino intoned. "Guest, you'll drink an extra glass per round."
"Helper Card active." He nodded to the withered man. "You may recruit a teammate."
Xia Feng: "???"
Cheating? Cute. But I've stacked the deck better.
The withered man exhaled. Two against one, plus the Double Card handicap? Victory seemed assured.
"Begin." Mino's polite mask slipped, revealing a predator's grin. "Challenger goes first. Perform."
This would be his first—and last—time witnessing a human attempt the highest tier. That arrogant soul would make a delicious vintage.
(End of Chapter)