Chapter 49: Demon Sect Recruitment

In the darkness, a dozen pairs of eyes gleamed with an eerie light, like venomous snakes hidden in a cave. These eyes were fixed on the Helmsman, quietly awaiting his words.

At this moment, the Helmsman, who had been sitting idly, spoke. His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in decades, and every word he uttered carried significant weight.

"Why aren't the lights on?"

A cult deacon respectfully replied, "Helmsman, have you forgotten? Last time at the meeting, you mentioned attending a superior's meeting and how remarkable the atmosphere there was, and you also said that our Yanjiang Branch lacked a true demonic cult atmosphere."

"I thought about it, and it's true. Our Yanjiang Branch is the lowest-ranked among all branches, and perhaps this is why."

"So I thought, don't all those stories say our cult likes to plot schemes and conspiracies in dark places? That's why I specifically didn't let the servants light the lamps."

"And you know what? Not lighting the lamps really does create an atmosphere for doing bad deeds."

Clearly, this deacon had a very clear understanding of his own actions, knowing that the demonic cult was not a place for good deeds.

The Helmsman remained silent for a long time, wondering if this deacon was subtly hinting that he wanted to leave the cult. Was he hinting that the Yanjiang Branch hadn't had a raise in its regular funds for a long time? Or was he suggesting that cult members should be bought insurance?

It shouldn't be about leaving the cult. The fellow had always diligently committed misdeeds, without distinguishing between friend or foe. He caused trouble outside and even harmed his own people within the cult, making him a scoundrel through and through.

Nor was it about raising regular funds. The cult's regular funds were linked to local finances and were already three times that of local officials, which was quite high. Yanjiang Prefecture was a remote, small prefecture, so the Yanjiang Branch's funds couldn't possibly be on par with the headquarters.

It certainly wasn't a request to buy insurance. Most cult members had no heirs; if they bought insurance, who would receive the compensation? Furthermore, the Golden Coin Merchant Guild wouldn't even let the cult buy insurance. If they sold personal accident insurance to cult members, the cult was confident it could make the guild lose everything.

"Light the lamps first."

"Yes."

The deacon blew lightly, and tiny sparks landed on the lamps, igniting the wicks. Instantly, the entire hall was illuminated.

The Helmsman spoke again: "More or less, everyone has heard rumors about Little Qin. Do not spread them further, lest outsiders make a mockery of us."

"Little Qin's character is evident to all. He commits all manner of wicked deeds, sparing no evil. If caught by the authorities, beheading would be a light punishment for him. This is proof enough that Little Qin's character aligns perfectly with our cult's doctrines."

"As for the claims that Little Qin belongs to the righteous path, they are utter nonsense. Anyone who can join our cult has passed the Cult Master's trials."

"The Cult Master's evaluation of him was 'demonic to the bone.' The Cult Master's judgment is never wrong."

Qin Yuanhao bowed respectfully, saying, "Helmsman, you are wise."

Qin Yuanhao felt slightly better. He made up his mind that once he returned, he would definitely slaughter the person who spread the rumors!

The Helmsman did not bring up Qin Yuanhao's matter again. Saying these few words was already out of consideration for the chair he had sent.

"The reason I've gathered everyone today is that the headquarters has assigned a task."

The Helmsman paused, then said, "The headquarters requires all branches to recruit new cult disciples."

Qin Yuanhao and the others were startled. They hadn't expected it to be about this. The cult hadn't recruited on a large scale for thirty years; for the past thirty years, members had joined through personal introductions. For instance, Qin Yuanhao had wanted to recruit the Tiger Demon, but unfortunately, the Tiger Demon fiercely guarded Mount Song and refused to join the cult.

"You should all be aware of the talk about the Great Era. Over the past hundred years, geniuses have risen, and even renowned masters might be defeated by unknown youngsters. Countless previously undiscovered ruins and grotto-heavens have reappeared in the world. This is a Great Era where both opportunities and challenges coexist."

"The Five Great Immortal Sects, Super-Grade Sects, and First-Grade Sects all have burgeoning talents. Dual spiritual roots, once rare, are now commonplace. If these geniuses are truly allowed to grow, there will be no need for us to contend in this Great Era."

"If we wish to contend, now is the only time!"

"Seize the opportunity, and you can transform into a dragon upon meeting rain, soar through the nine heavens, and become an immortal!"

"But opportunities are not easily seized. The cursed Great Xia Dynasty and the Five Great Immortal Sects have intensified their crackdown on us, and many of our brethren have fallen as a result."

"To secure a place in this Great Era, we must expand the ranks of our cult. The Four Great Demonic Cults have already reached a consensus on this matter."

"What you need to do is to use your respective channels to spread the news of the cult's recruitment. Endeavor to gather all demonic cultivators from Yanjiang Prefecture and the surrounding prefectures and counties, or anyone interested in joining our cult."

Someone worriedly asked, "Won't such large-scale recruitment give the righteous path an opportunity to infiltrate our cult?"

He wasn't the only one; many present had the same question. The cult already survived precariously. If a few righteous spies were to emerge, the cult's situation would become perilous.

The Helmsman shook his head. "This recruitment was organized by the Cult Master himself, using his supreme divine abilities. It is absolutely impossible for anyone from the righteous path to pass the trials he has set."

The doubts vanished, replaced by boundless fanaticism. For the cult members, the Cult Master was an omnipotent being, the very heaven of the demonic cult, who would surely lead their Immortal Cult to glory!

After the meeting, Qin Yuanhao immediately used his connections to find out who was trying to frame him. Through various channels, he eventually traced the source to a small tavern.

"That customer was eight feet tall and eight feet wide, with a pockmarked face, a burly man. He looked like he could eat three children in one sitting," the tavern owner gestured, having a very strong impression of Lu Yang.

According to the description, Qin Yuanhao quickly drew a portrait that was vastly different from the real Lu Yang. Originally, Lu Yang and his two companions had entered the tavern to spread rumors only after disguising themselves.

Qin Yuanhao's expression turned cold. So conspicuous, yet he dared to spread rumors? Did he think Qin Yuanhao was easy to bully?

It was late at night, and there was no curfew in the Great Xia Dynasty. Qin Yuanhao took his subordinates to eat street-side barbecue, including pork skewers, beef skewers, roasted lamb leg, roasted chicken feet, roasted chicken drumsticks, roasted pig skin, roasted tendons, roasted beef tendons, roasted river shrimp, tender roasted kidneys, roasted chives, roasted potatoes, roasted eggplant, and roasted moist tofu...

The grilled skewers had tender meat and ample ingredients. The seasoning was rich, and the flavor was endless. Coated with dark, oily, secret sauce and stimulated by the charcoal fire, a rich aroma wafted, and oil sizzled. The pork, skewered on long bamboo sticks, was grilled over a large brazier. The fatty meat was sticky but not greasy, and the lean meat had a rich flavor. The lamb leg was baked in a tandoor oven, combining braising and roasting for even heating. It was crispy yet tender, moderately done, and deliciously fresh. The chicken feet were first braised, then grilled. With tendons, skin, and cartilage, they offered a rich texture and were satisfying to chew. The chicken feet were grilled raw, with precise control over the heat. Moisture and fat were not allowed to escape excessively, achieving a perfect balance of taste and texture in the skin, meat, tendons, and bones. The potatoes were roasted and steamed, paired with a secret sauce, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with a fine, powdery texture.

The few of them ate until their faces were glistening with oil.

After eating and drinking their fill, Qin Yuanhao proudly commanded his subordinates: "You few, go search the entire city for these people. Don't come back if you don't find them!"

"Yes, Big Brother!" the subordinates responded, scattering to leave.

Qin Yuanhao finished his skewers, feeling content. For the time being, he stopped thinking about the annoying rumor-mongers. At the same time, he did not notice Lu Yang, who was lurking underground.

Few people pay attention to what's beneath their feet, and Qin Yuanhao was no exception.