THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Eighty-Five — Killing Intent at the Banquet

Without lifting a finger—

Zhuo Fan had frozen everyone in place through sheer spiritual pressure alone.

Song Qian and Song Yu exchanged horrified glances.

Their understanding of Zhuo Fan’s strength shattered once again.

Just what kind of monster had they invited into their carriage?

WHOOSH!

A black shadow suddenly descended from the sky.

The newcomer landed directly beside Qi Tianlei.

The moment he saw the young master collapsed on the ground, drenched in cold sweat and humiliation—

A terrifying fury erupted from his face instantly.

“What happened here?!”

“WHO DID THIS?!”

His furious roar shook the entire street.

But the instant his eyes met Zhuo Fan’s cold gaze—

His pupils shrank violently.

And half his anger disappeared immediately.

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes slightly while studying the man.

Around forty years old.

Heavy beard.

Bone Tempering peak-stage cultivation.

And judging from the luxurious robes—

Clearly a clan master.

Sure enough—

After the initial shock passed, Song Qian hurriedly bowed with trembling fear.

“U-Uncle Qi…”

“Please don’t misunderstand…”

“It was all because of me.”

“Please don’t blame anyone else…”

The man blinked briefly.

As though only now noticing the Song siblings.

Then instantly—

His expression transformed completely.

“Hahaha!”

“So it’s Qian’er!”

“I was wondering why this brat rushed to the city gate so early today.”

“So distinguished guests have arrived!”

“Misunderstanding.”

“It’s all just a misunderstanding!”

His laughter sounded warm and welcoming.

Like a kind elder greeting family.

He casually lifted the unconscious Qi Tianlei onto his shoulder.

“Come.”

“You rarely visit Lanling City.”

“This uncle must properly fulfill his duties as host.”

Then he turned and began leading the way personally.

Outwardly—

He looked perfectly friendly.

But Zhuo Fan noticed every glance the man secretly threw toward him.

Careful.

Calculating.

Dangerous.

A cold smile appeared on Zhuo Fan’s lips.

“So…”

“You’re telling me the Qi Clan looks down on the Song Clan?”

“Your Uncle Qi seems to value you more than his own son.”

“Even after watching Qi Tianlei piss himself in public…”

“…he didn’t pursue the matter at all.”

Song Yu frowned deeply.

“That’s exactly what feels strange.”

“He’s the Qi Clan head—Qi Ganglie.”

“Usually he never gives us a pleasant face.”

“And Tianlei-ge is his only son.”

“He values him more than anything.”

“But today…”

“…he acted like a completely different person.”

“There’s definitely something wrong.”

“Mm.”

Zhuo Fan chuckled lightly.

“There’s definitely something wrong.”

Song Qian rolled her eyes helplessly.

“You two are overthinking things.”

“Maybe Uncle Qi’s just in a good mood today.”

“It’s already fortunate enough he didn’t pursue the matter.”

“Otherwise we’d be finished.”

“Him?”

Zhuo Fan sneered dismissively.

“Not even worth mentioning.”

Song Qian sighed helplessly.

She naturally didn’t understand what level Zhuo Fan’s true strength had already reached.

To her—

No matter how monstrous Zhuo Fan was—

He remained a Bone Tempering cultivator.

And Bone Tempering could never defeat a Heaven Profound expert.

Stepping beside him—

She poked his forehead lightly.

“I know you’re strong.”

“But no matter how strong you are…”

“…you’re still only Bone Tempering.”

“If you anger the Qi Clan completely…”

“…even I won’t be able protecting you.”

Zhuo Fan only shrugged carelessly.

Song Qian shook her head helplessly again.

Yet strangely—

The more arrogant and untamed Zhuo Fan acted…

…the harder it became looking away from him.

That absolute confidence.

That complete disregard for everything.

It gave her a sense of security she had never experienced before.

Soon afterward—

The Qi Clan arranged a private courtyard for the Song siblings and Zhuo Fan to stay in.

But before they could discuss purchasing medicinal herbs—

Qi Clan servants arrived suddenly.

The clan head had prepared a banquet and invited the Song siblings to “catch up properly.”

With no choice—

Song Qian and Song Yu followed the servants away.

Leaving Zhuo Fan alone inside the room.

Which suited him perfectly.

At last—

Silence.

Peace.

He immediately sat cross-legged and began cultivating again.

Three hours later—

Creak.

The room door opened carefully.

Zhuo Fan slowly opened his eyes.

A sharp light flashed through them instantly.

The Song siblings nearly jumped in fright.

“You finished reminiscing with Qi Ganglie already?”

The siblings stiffened awkwardly.

Then nodded nervously.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“That old fox didn’t make things difficult for you?”

The siblings shook their heads again.

But the fear in their expressions only deepened Zhuo Fan’s suspicion.

Finally—

Song Qian forced out an ugly smile.

“Brother Luo…”

“Clan Head Qi prepared a banquet.”

“He wants welcoming us properly.”

“And…”

“…he invited you too.”

Zhuo Fan’s brows lifted slightly.

He stared at them silently for several seconds.

Then smiled.

“A banquet?”

“That sounds troublesome.”

“It’s meant for you.”

“I barely know him.”

“So I won’t go.”

“No!”

Song Yu blurted immediately.

Then instantly regretted it after noticing Zhuo Fan’s increasingly suspicious gaze.

“Haha…”

“Brother Luo…”

“This is still the Qi Clan.”

“If the host invites us…”

“…wouldn’t refusing be disrespectful?”

Zhuo Fan fell silent briefly.

Then smirked.

“So I have no choice?”

The siblings nodded together stiffly.

“No choice.”

Zhuo Fan stood slowly.

Then laughed softly.

“Fine.”

“If the host insists on entertaining us…”

“…then even a Hongmen Banquet should still be attended.”

The moment he spoke—

The Song siblings’ bodies visibly trembled.

Soon—

The three arrived at the main hall.

Lavish dishes already filled the tables.

Qi Ganglie sat smiling at the head seat while nine Bone Tempering elders surrounded the circular banquet table nearby.

Meanwhile—

In the farthest corner of the hall—

A separate tiny table waited alone.

Two walls boxed it in completely.

No escape route.

No blind spots.

Only three chairs.

Clearly reserved for them.

Zhuo Fan almost laughed aloud.

This setup practically screamed ambush.

They’d intentionally placed him in a dead corner where everyone could attack simultaneously.

Could these idiots make it any more obvious?

Still—

He didn’t care.

Even if every Bone Tempering cultivator here attacked together—

It would merely mean more corpses.

Calmly—

Zhuo Fan sat down beside the Song siblings.

A faint smile remained on his face.

The surrounding elders exchanged subtle glances immediately.

Mutual understanding flashed between them all.

“Qian’er.”

“Little Yu.”

Qi Ganglie raised his wine cup warmly.

“This uncle is truly happy you came to Lanling City.”

“Tonight…”

“…allow me to toast your future success at the Hundred Pill Gathering.”

“May Blossom Rain Tower favor your clan.”

Everyone raised their cups together.

Everyone drank.

Except Zhuo Fan.

The moment the wine approached his nose—

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Then he calmly set the cup back down.

Instantly—

The atmosphere changed.

The surrounding elders grew tense.

Qi Ganglie himself frowned slightly.

But quickly recovered.

“Hahaha…”

“So this little brother is Luo Fan?”

“I heard from Qian’er how much you helped them during the journey.”

“For that…”

“…this old man offers another toast.”

Again—

He drained his cup completely.

Yet Zhuo Fan still didn’t move.

Now—

The killing intent around the table became impossible to hide.

Qi Ganglie signaled the elders silently to remain patient.

Then he turned toward Zhuo Fan with fake anger.

“Little brother Luo…”

“This old man personally offers you wine.”

“Why refuse?”

“Do you look down on me?”

Zhuo Fan smiled lightly.

“Wine is poison flowing through the intestines.”

“I stopped drinking many years ago.”

Then his smile deepened slightly.

“And honestly…”

“…Clan Head Qi should drink less too.”

“Otherwise you might make foolish decisions while confused.”

“Like provoking someone you absolutely shouldn’t provoke.”

“And bringing disaster upon your entire family.”

Qi Ganglie’s fists tightened instantly.

Cold sweat began forming on his forehead.

The surrounding elders also stiffened visibly.

After several deep breaths—

Qi Ganglie forced himself calm again.

“Young people truly are arrogant nowadays.”

“But that’s fine.”

“When young…”

“…one should enjoy life fully.”

“Drink while there’s wine.”

“Enjoy while there’s time.”

He pushed another wine cup directly before Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan glanced at it briefly.

Then laughed softly.

“Enjoyment requires staying alive first.”

“I’m still young.”

“I don’t plan dying so early.”

Qi Ganglie’s expression darkened completely.

“What exactly are you implying?”

“Hahaha…”

Zhuo Fan slowly lifted the wine cup.

Then tilted it gently.

The liquid poured onto the banquet table.

Instantly—

White smoke erupted violently.

The table began melting at visible speed.

Within moments—

An entire corner dissolved completely.

Everyone’s expressions changed.

Zhuo Fan smiled coldly.

“Hundred Venom Pill.”

“Refined using the venom of a fourth-grade spirit beast…”

“…the Scarlet Refining Python.”

“I’m correct, aren’t I?”

Qi Ganglie’s face darkened completely.

Zhuo Fan leaned back lazily.

“And these Bone Tempering elders too…”

“Quite the welcoming banquet.”

“Clan Head Qi…”

“…your setup couldn’t possibly be more obvious.”

Qi Ganglie finally slammed the table violently.

“Fine!”

“Since you already exposed everything…”

“…this old man won’t keep pretending!”

BOOM!

Peak Bone Tempering pressure exploded from his body instantly.

“Zhuo Fan!”

“You dare offend Nether Valley?!”

“Valley Master You already issued a Nether Valley Kill Order against you!”

“The entire empire hunts your head now!”

“So instead of letting others claim the reward…”

“…this old man might as well deliver your corpse personally!”

Then he roared toward the surrounding elders:

“All elders!”

“ATTACK!”

[End of Chapter Eighty-Five]

 

Chapter Eighty-Six — Betrayal

The order had barely left Qi Ganglie’s mouth—

When all nine Bone Tempering elders attacked simultaneously.

BOOM!

Nine palm strikes tore through the air toward Zhuo Fan from every direction.

The terrifying pressure alone nearly crushed Song Qian and Song Yu into the floor.

They couldn’t even breathe.

But Zhuo Fan merely sneered.

Then casually flipped the banquet table upward with one hand.

BANG!

The table exploded into countless fragments midair.

Wood splintered everywhere.

Yet behind the shattered debris—

Zhuo Fan had already disappeared.

Where did he go?!

Everyone froze instinctively.

Then—

A mocking laugh echoed from behind them.

“Heh…”

“I’m over here.”

Before anyone could even turn—

WHOOSH!

PFFT!

One elder’s head exploded instantly.

Blood and brain matter sprayed across the hall like shattered fruit.

Zhuo Fan slowly lowered his fist.

Then casually flicked the blood from his fingers.

“First one.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Nobody expected Zhuo Fan to be this monstrous.

Surrounded by nine Bone Tempering experts—

Yet not only did he break through effortlessly—

He even killed one instantly.

Qi Ganglie inhaled sharply.

Cold sweat slid down his back.

“So the rumors were true…”

“You really are a monster.”

“No wonder even Nether Valley’s Seventh Elder died by your hand.”

Zhuo Fan laughed softly.

“If you already knew how dangerous I was…”

“…why provoke me anyway?”

“Even Nether Valley couldn’t stop me.”

“What makes you think the Qi Clan can?”

Qi Ganglie gritted his teeth violently.

Then suddenly grinned madly.

“Wealth comes from danger!”

“The greater the risk…”

“…the greater the reward!”

BOOM!

A massive tiger phantom erupted behind him instantly.

“Mid-grade Spirit-rank martial art—”

“Tiger Roaring Fist!”

ROOOOAR!

The tiger phantom charged directly toward Zhuo Fan.

Qi Ganglie’s fist smashed forward with overwhelming force.

Yet Zhuo Fan didn’t dodge.

Didn’t retreat.

He simply threw a punch back.

BOOOOOOM!

The collision shook the entire hall violently.

Song Qian and Song Yu immediately covered their ears and collapsed onto the floor.

Zhuo Fan slid backward over ten meters, carving deep trenches into the ground.

But the tiger phantom exploded apart instantly under his punch.

Then—

CRACK!

A horrifying scream echoed through the hall.

Qi Ganglie’s entire arm exploded into blood and shattered flesh.

“Clan Head!”

The remaining elders cried out in panic.

But Qi Ganglie barely heard them.

His eyes remained fixed on Zhuo Fan in absolute horror.

Because he understood exactly what had happened.

Zhuo Fan’s spiritual energy wasn’t abnormal.

Bone Tempering first layer.

Nothing special.

But his body—

His body was monstrous beyond reason.

Every inch of flesh.

Every bone.

Every muscle—

Felt harder than spirit weapons themselves.

The backlash from striking Zhuo Fan directly had destroyed his entire arm.

“What…”

“…what the hell are you?”

Qi Ganglie gasped heavily.

“No…”

“You’re not human.”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“Whether I’m human or not…”

“…is no longer your concern.”

The moment the words fell—

BOOM!

Phantom Tracing Step.

His figure vanished instantly.

Then appeared directly before the remaining elders.

Three punches.

Three explosions.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Three elders suddenly stared downward blankly.

Massive bloody holes had appeared through their chests.

Before they could react—

Their bodies collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Everyone froze completely.

Only now did they finally understand why Qi Ganglie’s arm exploded earlier.

Zhuo Fan wasn’t killing Bone Tempering experts.

He was crushing them like paper dolls.

Song Qian and Song Yu stared at him with trembling eyes.

The difference between them…

…felt like the difference between mortals and monsters.

Finally—

Qi Ganglie broke.

“Brother Zhuo…”

“Earlier…”

“…this old man was blind.”

“Please.”

“For Qian’er and Little Yu’s sake…”

“…spare the Qi Clan.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes turned cold instantly.

“Qi Ganglie.”

“I warned you already.”

“Don’t make foolish decisions.”

“But you still chose this.”

“So now…”

“…you pay the price.”

Then his gaze shifted toward the Song siblings.

A terrifying chill flashed through his eyes.

“As for them…”

“People who betray me…”

“…what qualifications do they have asking for mercy?”

Song Qian’s face turned pale instantly.

Guilt filled both siblings’ eyes.

“Brother Zhuo…”

“We were forced…”

Song Qian began weakly.

But Zhuo Fan interrupted coldly.

“There’s no need explaining.”

“You already made your choice.”

“I’ll let both of you leave alive.”

“But don’t let me see you again.”

Song Qian lowered her head painfully.

Song Yu sighed bitterly.

Meanwhile—

Qi Ganglie’s expression suddenly twisted viciously.

“Fine!”

“If the Qi Clan must die…”

“…then we’ll drag you down with us!”

“All elders!”

“Attack together!”

“Kill him even if we die!”

The remaining five elders roared simultaneously.

All of them unleashed their strongest martial arts at once.

Spirit-rank techniques erupted throughout the hall.

They truly intended fighting to the death.

But Zhuo Fan only smiled.

Thunder exploded behind him instantly.

BOOOOOOM!

Thundercloud wings unfolded violently.

Then swept outward.

The five elders hadn’t even finished their martial arts before the wings passed through them completely.

PFFT!

Five bodies split cleanly in half simultaneously.

Blood poured across the floor like rivers.

“Hmph.”

“Weak.”

Zhuo Fan sneered dismissively.

But at that exact moment—

WHOOSH!

A blue dagger suddenly shot toward him from behind the falling corpses.

Only then did Zhuo Fan notice Qi Ganglie’s vicious grin.

The elders were merely bait.

The dagger—

That was the true killing strike.

Too bad.

Still pathetic.

Zhuo Fan’s Thundercloud wings twitched slightly.

He could destroy the dagger instantly.

But suddenly—

“BE CAREFUL!”

Song Qian threw herself directly in front of him.

PFFT!

The dagger pierced into her shoulder instantly.

Blood sprayed outward.

Song Qian’s pupils trembled violently.

Dark blood slowly flowed from her lips before she collapsed weakly.

“SIS!”

Song Yu screamed desperately and rushed forward to catch her.

But Song Qian ignored him completely.

Her tear-filled eyes remained fixed only on Zhuo Fan.

“I’m sorry…”

“We really didn’t mean betraying you…”

Zhuo Fan’s brows twitched slightly.

Then—

Qi Ganglie roared furiously:

“Stupid bitch!”

“You ruined everything!”

“I’LL KILL YOU!”

He charged directly toward the siblings in madness.

Zhuo Fan didn’t even look at him.

One Thundercloud wing swept casually through the air.

SHHHK!

Qi Ganglie’s body froze mid-charge.

Then split cleanly into two halves.

Blood and organs crashed across the floor instantly.

Thus—

The Qi Clan’s strongest experts died completely.

Zhuo Fan crouched beside Song Qian silently.

The dagger had pierced directly through her shoulder.

But the blood flowing out—

Was dark crimson.

Poison.

Zhuo Fan immediately removed the dagger and examined it carefully.

Then frowned.

“Troublesome.”

“There’s poison.”

“POISON?!”

Song Yu burst into tears immediately.

“It must be the Qi Clan’s secret toxin!”

“I’ll go find the antidote!”

“Sis, hold on!”

He sprinted out frantically.

Zhuo Fan blinked briefly.

Then sighed.

“That idiot…”

“I was about telling him the poison could probably be forced out with spiritual energy.”

But suddenly—

A weak hand grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t go…”

Song Qian whispered softly.

Zhuo Fan paused.

Then slowly nodded.

Supporting her body carefully—

He pressed one hand against her back and sent spiritual energy into her body.

But moments later—

His expression changed slightly.

“What’s going on?”

“I can’t locate the poison source?”

That situation was extremely rare.

Either—

She wasn’t poisoned at all.

Or—

The poison was extraordinarily special.

Too special for ordinary spiritual energy detection.

Meanwhile—

Song Qian’s face grew paler by the second.

Her life force was fading rapidly.

Zhuo Fan frowned deeply.

Then finally sighed helplessly.

“Looks like forcing it out won’t work.”

“There’s only one method left.”

Poison extraction by mouth.

But then—

His eyes slowly drifted toward the dagger wound near Song Qian’s chest and shoulder.

Instantly—

Even Zhuo Fan felt awkward.

That position…

…was a little too embarrassing.

[End of Chapter Eighty-Six]