Chapter 62:The Devil Visits Sichuan

The moment Lucifer arrived in Sichuan, he realized something was terribly wrong.

It wasn't the atmosphere.

It wasn't the people.

It wasn't even the Tang Clan.

It was the food.

Lucifer sat inside one of the most famous restaurants in Sichuan, staring at the dishes spread across the table. Around him, customers were devouring their meals with expressions of pure bliss.

Lucifer took another bite.

Chewed.

Swallowed.

Then slowly put down his chopsticks.

"...This is what they call famous?"

The restaurant owner nearly fainted.

The chefs looked like their souls had left their bodies.

Meanwhile, Chirin laughed inside his mind.

Chirin: "Most people travel to Sichuan because of the Tang Clan's poison arts, hidden weapons, and legendary craftsmanship."

Lucifer: "I came for food."

Chirin: "And?"

Lucifer: "I feel scammed."

After another few bites, Lucifer stood up.

The entire restaurant released a collective sigh of relief.

Finally.

The demon was leaving.

Little did they know he was heading somewhere much worse.

The Tang Clan.

The Tang Clan Estate stood proudly in the heart of Sichuan.

Ancient walls.

Countless guards.

Layers of hidden formations.

Even grand sect elders thought twice before causing trouble here.

Lucifer walked directly to the front gate.

The guards immediately crossed their spears.

"Halt."

"State your identity."

Lucifer casually shoved both hands into his pockets.

His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

"My name is Lucifer Morningstar."

A grin slowly spread across his face.

"The Devil."

The guards froze.

Their faces instantly turned pale.

Unlike many others, the people of Sichuan had heard recent rumors.

The Green Forest Massacre.

The Secret Realm Bloodbath.

The Devil who challenged the Heavenly Demon.

The Devil who fought an Imugi.

The Devil who escaped the Murim Alliance.

Every rumor sounded more absurd than the last.

Yet none of them dared dismiss them anymore.

The guards immediately prepared for battle.

Just as weapons were about to leave their sheaths—

"Stand down."

A calm female voice echoed through the courtyard.

Everyone turned.

A woman walked forward.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

Dangerous.

Every step carried the faint scent of poison.

Tang Ock.

The Matriarch of the Tang Clan.

The guards immediately bowed.

Lucifer examined her from head to toe.

Then nodded.

"Not bad."

Several guards nearly drew their weapons again.

Tang Ock ignored the comment.

Her sharp eyes remained fixed on Lucifer.

"So."

"The Devil himself has come to Sichuan."

"What business do you have with the Tang Clan?"

Lucifer looked past her toward the estate.

Then back at her.

"Aren't you going to invite me inside first?"

Ock remained expressionless.

"It isn't wise to invite the Devil into my home without knowing his intentions."

Lucifer shrugged.

"Relax."

"I'm not here to fight."

Ock narrowed her eyes.

"Then why are you here?"

Lucifer answered without hesitation.

"To eat."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

One guard nearly dropped his spear.

Another thought he had misheard.

Tang Ock stared at him for several seconds.

"...What?"

A short while later.

Inside the Tang Clan dining hall.

Lucifer was eating.

No.

Devouring.

Plates vanished one after another.

Bowls disappeared faster than servants could replace them.

The entire kitchen had entered a state of emergency.

Tang Ock sat across from him watching.

The feared Devil.

The man the Murim Alliance was hunting.

The man who had slaughtered Green Forest.

Currently looked like a starving beast.

Finally she spoke.

"You seriously came to enemy territory just to eat?"

Lucifer didn't even stop chewing.

"You and I have no grudge."

"How are we enemies?"

"The Murim Alliance has declared you an enemy of the Orthodox World."

Lucifer snorted.

"Like I care."

Ock rested her chin on one hand.

"We are one of the Great Clans of the Murim Alliance."

Lucifer swallowed another mouthful.

Then smiled.

"No."

"You used to be."

The atmosphere instantly changed.

Tang Ock's eyes sharpened.

"What do you mean?"

Lucifer leaned back.

"The Murim Alliance abandoned you years ago."

Nobody spoke.

Not even the servants.

Because everyone knew those words were true.

Nobody dared say them aloud.

Ever since the death of the Poison Emperor.

Ever since Tang Ock inherited leadership.

The Tang Clan's influence had steadily declined.

The Alliance praised them publicly.

Yet distrusted them privately.

Poison frightened everyone.

Even allies.

Lucifer continued.

"They fear your poison."

"They fear your hidden weapons."

"They fear your independence."

"And most importantly..."

His eyes locked onto hers.

"They don't want to follow a woman."

Tang Ock remained silent.

Because there was no argument.

Only truth.

Finally she laughed.

A small laugh.

Cold and bitter.

"And I should trust the words of a madman?"

"The same man who slaughtered Green Forest because they interrupted his nap?"

"The same man who turned a secret realm into a graveyard?"

Lucifer grinned.

Unlike normal people.

He didn't bother defending himself.

"I don't need noble reasons."

"I simply do what I want."

For some reason.

That answer felt more honest than any excuse.

Tang Ock stared at him for a long moment.

Then suddenly asked—

"Lucifer."

"Would you like to become my husband?"

Lucifer swallowed.

Blink.

Blink.

Then nearly choked.

"...My what?"

Tang Ock calmly poured herself tea.

"My husband."

Lucifer shot up from his chair.

"WHAT?!"

His voice echoed through the entire estate.

Outside, several disciples thought an assassination attempt had begun.

Inside, Tang Ock remained completely calm.

Meanwhile Chirin was laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

Chirin: "I didn't expect this."

Lucifer: "Neither did I!"

Chirin: "Congratulations."

Lucifer: "Shut up."

And thus, for the first time in a very long while—

The Devil himself was completely caught off guard.

At that exact moment...

A large caravan arrived outside the Tang Clan.

Leading it was the Young Master of the City Lord's Manor.

A man who had been pursuing Tang Ock for years.

And a man she had rejected every single time.

Standing before the gates was Tang Ryeong.

Ock's younger sister.

She immediately blocked their path.

"This is Tang Clan territory."

"You need permission before entering."

The Young Master smiled politely.

A fake smile.

One that made Ryeong want to punch him.

"We are here under orders from Great Elder Snake."

"The Tang Clan must undergo inspection."

Ryeong narrowed her eyes.

"We are members of the Murim Alliance."

"Why should we be inspected?"

The Young Master chuckled.

"Every Great Clan is undergoing the same procedure."

His eyes gleamed.

"Or..."

"Do you have something to hide?"

Ryeong clenched her fists.

Everyone knew his real goal.

Tang Ock.

He wanted her.

And now he finally had an excuse to enter.

Unfortunately—

Ock herself appeared.

"Let them search."

The Young Master smiled triumphantly.

In his mind, victory was already his.

Hours later.

The entire Tang Estate had been searched.

Nothing was found.

Not a single clue.

Not a single crime.

Not a single excuse.

The Young Master's mood darkened.

Still unwilling to leave, he sat in the main hall drinking tea.

Soon—

He made his move.

"If Lady Ock marries me..."

He smiled.

"The Tang Clan can reclaim its former glory."

Several elders immediately nodded.

Of course they did.

They had already accepted his gifts.

Money.

Influence.

Promises of power.

Ock sat silently.

Listening.

Enduring.

While her own elders practically tried selling her away.

Ryeong's patience was reaching its limit.

Then—

A voice interrupted everyone.

"How dare a pig try to eat swine meat?"

The entire hall froze.

The Young Master slowly stood up.

His eyes swept across the hall before finally stopping on the masked man standing beside Tang Ock.

Something about him was irritating.

The confidence.

The arrogance.

The way he stood beside the woman he desired.

Most importantly—

The way Ock wasn't denying any of his claims.

"Who are you?" the Young Master asked coldly.

The masked man chuckled.

"Who am I?"

He wrapped an arm around Ock's shoulder before answering.

"I am Ock's husband."

Silence.

The entire hall froze.

The elders stared.

The guards stared.

Even Ryeong's mouth opened slightly.

Only Ock remained calm.

Though her twitching eyebrow suggested otherwise.

The Young Master's smile disappeared.

"Husband?"

"That's right."

Lucifer nodded confidently.

"The future Patriarch of the Tang Clan."

The elders nearly choked on their tea.

The Young Master's face darkened.

For years he had pursued Tang Ock.

For years he had been rejected.

Now some masked nobody appeared out of nowhere claiming to be her husband.

How could he accept such humiliation?

The Young Master laughed.

A cold laugh.

"And what exactly makes you worthy of becoming Lady Ock's husband?"

Lucifer looked at him.

Then looked around.

Then looked back.

"And what makes you worthy?"

The hall instantly became tense.

The Young Master's pride was his greatest weakness.

Everyone knew that.

"You dare compare yourself to me?"

"Why not?"

The Young Master raised his chin proudly.

"I was born with wealth."

"I possess influence."

"I possess status."

"I possess lineage."

His gaze became contemptuous.

"What do you have?"

Lucifer suddenly snapped his fingers.

A wooden box appeared.

Everyone looked confused.

The moment the box opened—

The entire hall became filled with a rich spiritual fragrance.

The elders stood up instantly.

The guards widened their eyes.

Even Ock looked surprised.

Inside the box rested a beautiful crimson flower.

A treasure.

A true treasure.

"A Thousand-Year Crimson Moon Flower..."

One elder whispered.

His voice trembled.

Such treasures were fought over by sects.

People died for treasures like this.

Yet Lucifer casually picked it up.

Then walked toward Ock.

Before anyone could react—

He gently took her hand.

The entire hall stopped breathing.

Even Ock was caught off guard.

Lucifer smiled.

"My gift."

"For my beautiful wife."

Then he placed the flower in her hand.

The hall exploded.

"A THOUSAND-YEAR TREASURE?!"

"He just gave it away?!"

"Without hesitation?!"

"Is he insane?"

The Young Master's face became ugly.

He had prepared nothing.

Not a gift.

Not a treasure.

Nothing.

Lucifer immediately turned toward him.

"Oh?"

"You came to propose?"

The smile beneath his mask widened.

"And you brought absolutely nothing?"

The hall became silent.

Lucifer continued.

"Hahahaha!"

"Don't tell me the great Young Master came to ask for a woman's hand empty-handed!"

Several elders lowered their heads.

They were trying very hard not to laugh.

The Young Master's face turned red.

Then blue.

Then red again.

"Enough!"

His aura erupted.

The surrounding furniture shook.

Everyone instantly became serious.

The Young Master pointed at Lucifer.

"If words determined strength then beggars would rule Jianghu."

His eyes narrowed.

"In the end only the strong survive."

Lucifer shrugged.

"Then fight me."

The Young Master immediately shook his head.

He wasn't stupid.

For all his arrogance, he knew one thing.

He couldn't sense Lucifer's cultivation.

That alone was dangerous.

Instead—

A smile appeared on his face.

A cunning smile.

"Strength isn't only measured by fists."

Lucifer tilted his head.

"Oh?"

"A commander wins wars through strategy."

"A ruler wins kingdoms through wisdom."

"A leader wins through intelligence."

He pointed toward a nearby board.

"Shogi."

The crowd blinked.

Lucifer blinked.

Even Chirin blinked.

The Young Master's smile grew wider.

"If you truly believe yourself worthy of Lady Ock..."

"Defeat me."

"On the board."

Inside his mind he laughed.

I've studied shogi since childhood.

Nobody in Sichuan can defeat me.

This fool has already lost.

Lucifer stared at the board.

Then at the Young Master.

Then back at the board.

"Sounds fun."

The Young Master smiled.

He had taken the bait.

The news spread instantly.

A crowd gathered around the courtyard.

Elders.

Servants.

Guards.

Disciples.

Everyone wanted to witness the match.

Ock and Ryeong sat nearby.

Ryeong leaned closer.

"Sister."

"Who is he?"

Ock remained silent.

Ryeong frowned.

"You trust him?"

Ock looked toward Lucifer.

For some reason—

She wasn't worried.

"He'll win."

Ryeong blinked.

"That confident?"

Ock nodded.

"He doesn't do things he can't handle."

Meanwhile—

Chirin was having a crisis.

"You know how to play, right?"

Lucifer answered honestly.

"No."

Chirin nearly died.

"What?"

"Never played before."

"We are doomed."

"Relax."

"Relax?!"

Lucifer ignored him.

The match began.

The Young Master allowed Lucifer the first move.

"I'll let you begin."

"I don't want anyone saying I won unfairly."

Lucifer moved a piece.

The match started.

Ten minutes later—

Lucifer was losing.

Badly.

One piece.

Then another.

Then another.

The Young Master's confidence grew.

The spectators began whispering.

"He's losing."

"He doesn't know how to play."

"The Young Master has already won."

Ryeong became nervous.

Even Ock frowned slightly.

Only Lucifer remained relaxed.

Eating fruit.

Yawning occasionally.

Almost bored.

The Young Master laughed.

"I told you."

"Not everything is decided by force."

Another piece fell.

Then another.

Soon Lucifer's side looked hopeless.

The Young Master stood up.

The outcome was obvious.

"There is no need to continue."

He adjusted his robe proudly.

"Know your place."

"Some things simply aren't in your fate."

He turned around.

Preparing to leave.

Then—

A voice stopped him.

"Sit down."

The Young Master frowned.

"What?"

Lucifer smiled.

"I'm not finished yet."

The Young Master sneered.

"You've already lost."

Lucifer moved a piece.

"Have I?"

The Young Master glanced at the board.

Then froze.

A small crack appeared in his confidence.

Lucifer moved another piece.

The Young Master's eyes widened.

Another move.

Sweat formed on his forehead.

Another move.

The spectators became confused.

The board had changed completely.

The Young Master's advantage was disappearing.

No.

It was becoming a trap.

A trap that had been forming since the beginning.

Lucifer wasn't losing.

He had deliberately sacrificed pieces.

Every move.

Every loss.

Every retreat.

All of it had been bait.

The Young Master's breathing became heavy.

"No..."

Lucifer moved another piece.

The Young Master's hand trembled.

"No."

Another move.

"No!"

The crowd finally understood.

The Young Master had walked directly into a killing formation.

A trap so large he hadn't noticed it.

Lucifer smiled.

Then moved his final piece.

"Checkmate."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The Young Master's face became pale.

The board.

The spectators.

The elders.

Everything blurred.

He had lost.

Not because he was weaker.

Not because of luck.

He had been completely outplayed.

Lucifer slowly stood.

Then leaned close enough for only the Young Master to hear.

"Ock is mine."

The Young Master's pupils trembled.

"So stop dreaming."

Those words struck harder than any blade.

The Young Master's fists clenched so hard blood dripped from his palms.

Yet he could do nothing.

Nothing at all.

The crowd erupted.

The Young Master had lost.

Publicly.

Humiliatingly.

Completely.

And from that day onward—

His hatred toward Lucifer Morningstar became absolute

After the match Ock was going to her room 

Ock froze at the doorway.

For a brief moment, the normally composed Matriarch of the Tang Clan simply stared at the shameless man sprawled across her bed as if he owned the entire estate.

Lucifer had one arm behind his head, the other resting lazily on his stomach.

Completely relaxed.

Completely at home.

As if he wasn't currently hiding inside one of the most influential clans in Sichuan while being hunted by the Murim Alliance.

Ock closed the door behind her.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Then she smiled.

A dangerous smile.

Lucifer immediately sat upright.

"Wait."

Ock took a step forward.

"Wait."

Another step.

"Let's talk about this calmly."

Another step.

"I saved your clan today."

Another step.

"I also gave you a thousand-year flower."

Another step.

"I even became your husband."

Ock's eyebrow twitched.

"Husband?"

Lucifer pointed confidently at himself.

"According to everyone downstairs, yes."

Ock grabbed a pillow and smashed it into his face.

"Bastard."

Lucifer caught it.

"You hit your husband?"

"You're not my husband."

"You literally told the elders."

"To shut them up."

"Still counts."

"It doesn't."

"It does."

"It doesn't."

"It does."

"It doesn't."

"It does."

Ock suddenly felt a headache.

For years she had dealt with politicians, merchants, assassins, clan elders, city officials, sect representatives, and Murim Alliance inspectors.

None of them exhausted her as much as this single man.

She sat down across from him.

"Why did you help me?"

Lucifer shrugged.

"I felt like it."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Ock stared at him.

She couldn't understand him.

Most people wanted something.

Power.

Money.

Influence.

Connections.

Yet Lucifer had risked exposing himself to the Murim Alliance simply to embarrass the Young Master.

It made no sense.

Ock sighed.

"Do you know what you've done?"

"Many things."

"You publicly humiliated the City Lord's son."

"Good."

"You challenged his authority."

"Even better."

"You made the Tang Clan his enemy."

Lucifer grinned.

"Sounds like a productive day."

Ock rubbed her forehead.

Why was she even trying?

At that moment a knock echoed from outside.

"Matriarch."

It was Ryeong.

Ock quickly composed herself.

"What is it?"

"The elders wish to see you."

Ock glanced toward Lucifer.

Lucifer instantly laid back down.

"Tell them I'm sleeping."

"That's my bed."

"Our bed."

Ock almost threw another pillow.

Outside the room Ryeong frowned.

"Sister?"

"I'm coming."

After Ock left, Lucifer stared at the ceiling.

Then Chirin spoke.

"You enjoy causing trouble."

"I don't."

"You absolutely do."

"I solve problems."

"You create them first."

"Details."

Meanwhile.

Inside the City Lord's mansion.

The Young Master's face was twisted with rage.

Everything that happened today replayed endlessly in his mind.

The laughter.

The humiliation.

The checkmate.

The hand kiss.

The thousand-year flower.

Most importantly—

Ock looking at that man.

His fists trembled.

CRACK.

The teacup shattered.

The servant beside him flinched.

"Young Master..."

"Find him."

"Sir?"

"I don't care how."

The servant swallowed nervously.

"But we don't even know who he is."

The Young Master's eyes darkened.

"Then find out."

The servant hurried away.

The Young Master sat alone.

The more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong.

That masked man.

The confidence.

The aura.

The fearlessness.

It was almost as if...

Suddenly his eyes widened.

"No..."

The possibility appeared in his mind.

A possibility so ridiculous he initially rejected it.

Yet the more he thought about it...

The more it made sense.

The Young Master immediately stood up.

"Prepare my horse."

"Sir?"

"Now."

At the Tang Clan.

The clan elders had gathered.

Most of them were still discussing the mysterious husband.

One elder cleared his throat.

"Matriarch."

"Yes?"

"Why did you never tell us about him?"

Ock remained calm.

"Because it wasn't your business."

The elder's face twitched.

Another elder asked,

"What clan does he belong to?"

"A powerful one."

"Which one?"

"A very powerful one."

The elders exchanged looks.

That answered absolutely nothing.

Yet none dared press further.

Because they had all witnessed what happened earlier.

Even if they disliked it—

The mysterious man had saved the Tang Clan's reputation.

That was undeniable.

Just then.

A guard burst into the hall.

"Matriarch!"

Everyone turned.

"What happened?"

The guard swallowed.

"The City Lord's forces are moving."

Silence.

The elders frowned.

"Moving where?"

The guard replied.

"Toward the Tang Clan."

The atmosphere instantly became heavy.

Ock's eyes narrowed.

"How many?"

"Thousands."

The hall erupted.

"What?!"

"Has he gone mad?!"

"Does he want war?!"

"He doesn't have the authority!"

The guard hesitated.

"There is more."

Everyone felt a bad premonition.

"The City Lord's son has submitted a report to the Murim Alliance."

Ock immediately understood.

"What report?"

The guard's face turned pale.

"He claims the Devil is hiding inside the Tang Clan."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Every elder froze.

Then chaos exploded.

"What?!"

"Are you insane?!"

"The Devil?!"

"Lucifer Morningstar?!"

"No wonder that man felt strange!"

"Matriarch!"

All eyes landed on Ock.

Ock remained calm.

Too calm.

The elders slowly realized something.

One elder's voice trembled.

"Matriarch..."

Ock sighed.

"Yes."

The elder swallowed.

"Don't tell me..."

Ock nodded.

The elder nearly fainted.

The others looked ready to die.

"The Devil is really here."

BOOM.

The hall erupted louder than before.

Outside.

A certain devil sneezed.

Lucifer rubbed his nose.

"Someone is talking about me."

Chirin replied.

"They're probably panicking."

"Why?"

"Because you're here."

Lucifer thought for a moment.

"Fair."

Then he stood up.

His crimson eyes looked toward the horizon.

Far away.

Dust clouds were rising.

Thousands of soldiers.

Experts.

Murim Alliance warriors.

Moving toward the Tang Clan.

Lucifer smiled.

A dangerous smile.

The kind of smile that usually appeared before disasters.

Chirin immediately recognized it.

"Oh no."

"What?"

"You have that look."

"What look?"

"The one before mass casualties."

Lucifer grinned.

"I was wondering how to pass the time."

Chirin sighed.

The poor people outside had no idea.

They thought they were coming to hunt the Devil.

What they didn't realize—

Was that the Devil had already started looking forward to the hunt.

Far beyond the Tang Clan.

The Young Master rode at the front of the army.

His eyes burned with obsession.

This time he would destroy the Tang Clan.

This time he would kill that man.

This time Ock would have no choice but to depend on him.

Yet deep inside...

A small voice whispered.

A warning.

A primal instinct.

Run.

Unfortunately.

Pride was louder.

And somewhere ahead—

Lucifer Morningstar was smiling.

The storm over Sichuan had finally begun.