Volume One: The Nature of the Devil Never Changes
Arc: The Great Guerrilla War
Scarlet King stared at Lin Yuan and said calmly:
"Let's hold a meeting with all faction members at the faction's main headquarters."
Lin Yuan looked confused.
"Why? Do we even have a headquarters for the faction?"
Scarlet King clasped his hands behind his back.
"Follow me to a secluded place."
The three of them moved swiftly across the rooftops until they reached the top of a large building.
Scarlet King carefully scanned the surroundings, making sure no one was close enough to hear them.
Then he spoke.
"Yes. Before I left for the Heaven's Grip Sect, I instructed some members to purchase land and begin constructing a headquarters.
We must spread our prestige—just like the four major gangs that possess their own headquarters.
This will create the impression that our faction is powerful enough to own a headquarters of its own.
Most other gangs—aside from the major ones—do not possess such a base.
On Earth, where we once lived, this technique is called propaganda.
Or simply… publicity."
Ikalath crossed his arms and laughed mockingly.
"Hahaha… propaganda?
I doubt that nonsense will work in the cultivation world.
Everything here revolves around benefit—not publicity.
This might be the first mistake you've made in planning."
Scarlet King turned toward him and chuckled softly.
He walked closer and placed his hands on Ikalath's shoulders.
"Propaganda spreads the idea that a person's interests align with my side…
and that all other sides are potential enemies who must eventually be eliminated.
That is precisely why it will succeed perfectly in a world as cruel as this one.
Look closely… I made no mistake."
Ikalath fell silent.
He had no reply.
[Before traveling to the Heaven's Grip Sect — Heavenly Food Sect, night]
Scarlet King stood atop a wooden building beneath the bright moonlight.
Three figures stood behind him.
The first had extremely long blue hair and a face so delicate it looked almost feminine.
The second had short red hair tied back, a massive muscular body, stern features, and a scar across his face.
The third had long black hair and an ordinary appearance.
All three spoke in unison.
"We greet Gu Yue, son of the faction leader.
Why have you summoned us?"
Scarlet King replied coldly:
"I want you to purchase land and construct a faction headquarters.
The land must cover one million square kilometers.
The perimeter must extend five million kilometers."
He continued:
"The faction currently has fewer than a thousand members…
but in the future, millions will join.
Therefore, we require a territory large enough to accommodate that growth."
The three answered firmly:
"As you command, sir."
In the next moment—
They vanished.
Scarlet King looked up at the moon and thought:
(Hah… humans are easy to turn into servants when you speak the language of authority and hierarchy.)
(Even if they are stronger than me… they obey because the concept of rank is deeply rooted in their minds.)
(That is why they become servants to others… instead of servants to themselves and their own ambitions.)
(Humans are the weakest creatures psychologically in this world.)
(The vast Primordial Origin World—containing twenty-two dimensions…)
(Humans were once oppressed by every other race until the era of the Great Emperors arrived and granted them status among the races.)
(Yet even now… they remain the most fragile psychologically.)
(Despite also being the most intelligent.)
He gazed at the moon again.
(Humans are like monkeys staring at the moon and wondering:)
(Why does the bird fly toward it every day, trying to reach it?)
(But I…)
(I am the bird.)
(And the moon… is eternal rest.)
(Yet every time… I fail to reach it.)
He sighed softly.
"Life is truly simple…"
"I should go meet Ikalath at the Heaven's Grip Sect."
That scene faded.
It was merely a memory inside Scarlet King's mind.
He returned to the present.
Scarlet King stepped closer to Lin Yuan.
He wrapped his hand around Lin Yuan's neck—not tightly, but firmly enough to remind him who held authority.
"You will be the visible leader.
But I will be the true leader behind the scenes.
During the meeting, I will use a shapeshifting technique to take your appearance.
I will give the speech in your name…
and persuade the members to follow you wholeheartedly with a few simple words.
That will be easy."
Lin Yuan felt a flicker of frustration.
But he forced a smile.
"Alright… we'll follow your plan."
Inside his mind, however, a storm was brewing.
(Does he not trust me…?)
(So much that he turns me into nothing more than a puppet?)
(This isn't fair…)
(But I cannot oppose him.)
(Compared to Scarlet King… I'm just a child.)
(He's far more experienced… far more intelligent.)
(I must listen to him for now.)
(But I will grow.)
(I will improve.)
(Until one day… he trusts me.)
(And eventually… I will become the true leader of this faction.)
(Without anyone controlling me.)
Lost in his thoughts, Lin Yuan suddenly shouted unconsciously:
"I'll do it!!"
Scarlet King and Ikalath both turned toward him in surprise.
"Do what?"
Lin Yuan scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ah… sorry. I didn't mean anything."
Scarlet King and Ikalath exchanged glances but said nothing.
Scarlet King sighed lightly.
"Let's gather the members.
Also, the headquarters will be open to the public.
People will be able to see its grandeur…
hear speeches…
feel the atmosphere.
That may encourage many to join us."
Lin Yuan thought for a moment.
"But that means other gangs could send spies into our headquarters."
Scarlet King shrugged indifferently.
"And what exactly will they do inside?
Measure the length of the walls?"
Then he added calmly:
"The headquarters is merely a façade.
Fools stare at the walls.
The wise search for what lies behind them."
He continued:
"The true secrets will be kept in a different headquarters…
one reserved only for high-ranking members."
Ikalath tilted his head.
"Ranks?"
Scarlet King turned toward the horizon from atop the building.
"Yes… ranks."
He began listing them calmly:
"Soldier
Officer
Commander
General
High General
Marshal
War Master"
Lin Yuan blinked.
"Aren't those military ranks from Earth?"
Scarlet King replied coldly:
"These titles are older than Earth itself.
Perhaps cultivators visited Earth long ago…
and taught those weak inhabitants such terms."
Lin Yuan asked:
"Will we reveal our plans to the high-ranking members?"
Scarlet King glanced over his shoulder.
His gaze was so cold that Lin Yuan's body trembled.
"The king in chess…
does not reveal his plans.
He only tells the pieces their next move."
Ikalath felt a chill run down his spine.
He spoke quietly.
"So… you intend to sacrifice all the pawns in the end…
and devour the enemy king yourself?"
Scarlet King smiled faintly.
"Pawns exist to be sacrificed.
In chess…
no one cares how many pawns have died."