Chapter 70: Bullied Again? Damn it, I've put up with you for a long time!

Watching the approaching group of demons, Mortal felt the demonic energy surging within him, ready to erupt at any moment.

Although Black Wind Mountain had strict rules prohibiting murder, as long as they didn't kill each other, getting into a fight was entirely permissible.

Seeming to sense the change in Mortal's aura, Crane Feifei glanced at him, then shifted her gaze toward the approaching demons and said in a low voice, "Do you need my help?"

Mortal paused slightly, then shook his head. "Thank you for the kind offer, but they are just a bunch of trash. I don't think I need to trouble you just yet."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Crane Feifei smiled and nodded. "Very well, then I shall watch how you handle this trash."

With that, she stepped aside, maintaining a certain distance from Mortal, and watched the unfolding scene with keen interest.

Mortal rolled his eyes at her behavior, then turned to look at the approaching One-Eyed and the others, asking, "Leader One-Eyed, what kind of play are you putting on this time?"

Following Mortal's words, the ox demon Big Bull, Red-Eye, and the other minor demons swarmed forward, glaring angrily at One-Eyed.

Clearly, even these low-level demons understood that these visitors harbored ill intentions.

"Leader Laibao, you must be misunderstanding something. This time, I am truly not here to cause trouble. You should try to relax a bit."

One-Eyed grinned, then pointed a finger at Mortal and said to the demons around him, "Everyone, this is the demon leader 'Laibao' who replaced the scorpion demon that I told you about. And his true form is actually a toad!"

"What?"

"A toad?!"

"Hahaha! Since when could ugly creatures like toads break through to the Demon Leader realm?"

"It seems Leader Laibao is quite extraordinary indeed!"

"Precisely! To be able to cultivate to the Demon Leader realm in the body of a toad, he must have suffered a great deal, hasn't he?"

"..."

The group of demons burst into laughter, their words dripping with mockery and ridicule.

This scene caused Mortal's eyes to gradually narrow.

Now that they were closer, he realized that every single one of these fellows had reached the Demon Leader realm!

"You lot..."

Big Bull and the other minor demons were furious upon hearing this and were about to retort when Mortal sharply scolded, "Silence!"

"Step back! They are all leaders. Is this a matter for low-level demons to meddle in?"

They are all leaders?

The minor demons shrank their pupils slightly, feeling a chill run down their spines. Too terrified to speak further, they were thoroughly frightened.

Seeing this, a flash of "regret" crossed One-Eyed's eyes.

"Everyone, One-Eyed is right. I am Laibao, and my true form... is indeed a toad. However, back when I first ascended the mountain, Grandfather Great King even praised me as a blessing-bringing demon. Do you have some issue with my true form?

Oh, and by the way, the newly arrived White Snow Rabbit Demon—the Grandfather Great King's favorite concubine—is a good friend of mine. Would you like me to introduce you?" Mortal looked at the gathered demon leaders with a smile.

At these words, the demon leaders all exchanged glances, a trace of surprise flashing in their eyes.

They had not expected this toad demon leader to have such powerful connections. Even Grandfather Great King had praised him, and he was even friends with Lady White Snow. Such connections were practically heaven-shaching!

Since Grandfather Great King himself had called him a blessing-bringing demon, the demon leaders naturally dared not voice any other opinions. As for asking to meet Lady White Snow, they wouldn't dare make such a request even if they wanted to.

If Grandfather Great King were to find out about that, wouldn't they end up being served on a banquet platter?

Not far away, Crane Feifei's beautiful eyes also lit up with brilliance. She hadn't expected this newly promoted Leader Laibao to possess such methods, dissolving the oppressive aura of this aggressive group of demon leaders in just a few brief sentences. Truly remarkable!

"N... No need!"

"We just felt that Leader Laibao is quite formidable. We heard that you ascended from a minor demon to a leader in less than a year after coming up the mountain. Such ability—I doubt there is a second demon in the entire Black Wind Mountain who could achieve it!"

"Indeed! We never imagined Leader Laibao would be so accomplished. We should naturally become well-acquainted with the leader!"

"..."

Prompted by Mortal's words, the demon leaders began to laugh awkwardly, completely stripping their tone of the previous sarcasm and ridicule.

At this moment, a burly man pushed his way forward from the back and cupped his fists at Mortal. "Leader Laibao, I am a mountain-patrolling leader under the Second General, known as Big Horn."

"Ah, Brother Big Horn, a pleasure to meet you! A pleasure!" Mortal quickly returned the salute.

"Actually, we came looking for the scorpion demon this time to discuss next month's mountain patrol duties. But Leader One-Eyed told us that the scorpion demon is already dead and that you have taken over One-Eyed's position, which is why we came to discuss it with you," Big Horn said.

So it was about this matter.

That bastard One-Eyed probably harbors malicious intentions. Was he intentionally trying to test me?

Mortal thought to himself, then smiled at Big Horn, "So that's how it is. Patrol duties are easy to discuss. But before that, I must clarify something to you all. As for Leader Scorpion, I have no idea whether he is dead or alive, because he disappeared half a month ago, and I happened to break through to the Demon Leader realm during that same half-month, which is why I took over his position."

With that, Mortal looked over at One-Eyed, who wore a puzzled expression, and spoke calmly, "Leader One-Eyed, it seems I have already told you about this twice. How can you still talk nonsense? Or could it be... that you know who killed Leader Scorpion?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the demon leaders turned their gazes toward One-Eyed, a trace of dissatisfaction flashing in their eyes.

Clearly, Mortal's account differed somewhat from what One-Eyed had previously told them, making them feel deceived.

"Uh... Did you tell me before?"

One-Eyed scratched his head and gave an awkward chuckle. "Ah, I must have forgotten! So Leader Scorpion just went missing? I thought he was already dead!"

"One-Eyed, you should speak less of such irresponsible nonsense from now on!" Big Horn snorted coldly, seeming to realize something.

"My apologies, everyone. But aren't we here this time to discuss next month's patrol duties with Leader Laibao?"

One-Eyed laughed sheepishly, hurriedly changing the subject.

The demons exchanged glances, growing somewhat wary of One-Eyed. No one spoke for a moment, hesitation lingering in their eyes. Finally, Big Horn broke the silence, "The patrol proposal was brought up by you in the first place. Since that's the case, you should be the one to present it."

"This..."

One-Eyed frowned slightly, but ultimately nodded. "Fine, I'll explain it."

He looked at Mortal and said, "Leader Laibao, it's like this. We are all mountain-patrolling leaders of Black Wind Mountain, so every month we dispatch our minor demons to carry out patrol duties. Since you've just been promoted to a leader, there are naturally many things you don't know yet. Therefore, next month's patrol mission will be handled entirely by your garrison.

Right, the patrol duties on Black Wind Mountain aren't actually complicated. There are only four cliff faces that need to be inspected. With the abilities of your minor demons, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Hearing this, all the demon leaders looked at Mortal.

Mortal did not rush to reply. Instead, he turned to look at the spider demon Old Eight and asked, "Is that so?"

"Reporting to master, Leader One-Eyed's description differs greatly from what we know!" Old Eight said with a deep voice.

"Oh? Then tell me, how were the patrol duties divided in the past?"

Old Eight thought for a moment and said, "In the past, when Leader Heizi discussed patrol matters with the various leaders, he always included us, so we are quite familiar with it.

It's actually quite simple. It's done through drawing lots. During each patrol period, four leaders draw lots, and whichever cliff face they draw, they are responsible for patrolling and securing that side. Furthermore, the patrol period is only half a month, not a full month as Leader One-Eyed claimed!"

"Is that true?"

"One-Eyed?"

Mortal looked at One-Eyed, whose gaze flickered with evasion.

Perhaps feeling the pressure under everyone's watchful eyes, One-Eyed found it hard to stay silent. After hesitating for a moment, he grinned and said, "Leader Laibao, as a newly promoted demon leader, what's wrong with sharing a bit more of the burden for everyone?

Surely you shouldn't—"

"Bang!"

Before One-Eyed could finish his sentence, Mortal struck him directly with a punch, sending him flying through the air.

"Damn it, I've tolerated you for a long time!"

"I originally thought your eyesight was bad, but now it seems your brain isn't working either. Do you really take this leader for someone easy to bully?!"