Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 295 (New)

295: The Lazy One is Discovered (5)

“So, you actually made it back alive.”

Guangmuliang clenched his jaw as he looked up at the gathered demon elders, who peered down at him from their elevated positions.

‘Ancient phantoms.’

The progress of the cult had hit a standstill for far too long. The primary cause was these very elders, who refused to relinquish their iron grip on authority.

‘The foundation is decaying.’

The mandate of their order was uncomplicated:

The survival of the most ruthless.

Only the mightiest ascended to the peak.

This brutal philosophy had been the backbone of the cult’s longevity, yet it had simultaneously birthed a deep-seated corruption.

The bishops who had weathered the scars of past conflicts had only grown more formidable through their survival, and they refused to let go of the reigns of power.

Their stagnation stood in direct opposition to Guangmuliang’s vision of injecting youthful vitality into the campaign against the Central Plains.

“How exactly did you manage to return with your life?”

Xue Mo, the Blood Demon, issued a sharp reprimand, his form radiating a menacing crimson mist.

“I permitted your departure with the cult’s disciples—did you truly presume survival was an option? Did you imagine that those who marched forth under the banner of the Sacred Flame could simply crawl back after retreating in cowardice? You are a simpleton. I warned you that you lacked the years required to hold the title of bishop.”

An overwhelming, suffocating pressure descended upon Guangmuliang.

‘Ugh…’

The weight of the aura made drawing breath an agonizing struggle. Though both men held the rank of bishop, the chasm in raw power between Guangmuliang and Xue Mo was vast.

“What is your justification?”

“I offer none.”

Guangmuliang’s voice rang out with defiant clarity.

“Why should I seek an excuse when I have committed no transgression? I have no need for justifications.”

“In that case, prepare to perish.”

Guangmuliang lifted his foot and slammed it against the floor with all his might.

Thud!

The heavy sound reverberated through the hall.

“Why must I face death when I am innocent of any crime? I am Guangmuliang! I have lived my life with unwavering devotion to the Sacred Flame, and I refuse to be executed based on a lie!”

“A lie, you say…”

Xue Mo let out a mocking sneer.

“Did a foe mislead you?”

“No.”

“Did an obstacle prevent your success?”

“No.”

“Then the failure rests solely on your shoulders. What ‘lie’ are you speaking of?”

Guangmuliang drew himself up to his full height.

“The lie is the claim that I turned tail and fled.”

“Hahahaha!”

Xue Mo’s gaze turned predatory as he stared at the younger man.

“You have no shame for one who has tasted the benevolence of the Demon Cult. Had you simply embraced your end, I would have granted you a swift, painless departure. Instead, you have dragged the reputation of the Demon Cult through the mire and struck a bargain with those heretics. You have violated our creed and failed our order. Do you confess to these sins?”

“I confess to the actions.”

“And you still maintain your innocence?”

“I do! Because I discovered something that demanded verification, regardless of the price I might pay.”

“Is that your entire defense?”

Guangmuliang inclined his head slightly.

“…Is there anything else?”

“What?”

“Consider who I am!”

A sudden, violent surge of energy erupted from Guangmuliang. While it wasn’t enough to truly cow the elders, the intensity of his spirit was undeniably grand.

“I am Guangmuliang! I am Guangmuliang! It was this very council that elevated me to bishop. You understand my character better than anyone. Do you truly believe that I, of all people, would run away out of fear? Me! Guangmuliang!”

His roar echoed through the rafters of the Great Hall.

“If it serves the interests of the Demon Cult, I would not blink if my limbs were torn from my torso! Is there a single person in this room who can call me a liar?”

Xue Mo’s eyes thinned into narrow slits.

The figure seated directly beside Xue Mo finally spoke:

“He speaks the truth.”

“…Ba Mo (Dominant Demon).”

A man of towering stature gave a slow nod.

“Guangmuliang may be lacking in certain refinements, but a coward he is not. That has always been his nature. Wouldn’t you agree, Xue Mo?”

“Hmm.”

Xue Mo let out a weary sigh.

“Regardless of his character, the reputation of the Demon Cult has been stained. He cannot go unpunished.”

“Should we not at least entertain his reasoning before passing judgment? I hold the view that the power of the Demon Cult is rooted in equitable process and absolute conviction. Penalizing a man without understanding his motivation contradicts our core tenets.”

“You make a fair point.”

Xue Mo signaled his agreement.

Having secured the consensus of the other bishops, Xue Mo addressed Guangmuliang once more:

“Speak, then. Why did you fall back before the objective was met? Why did you show your back to the enemy?”

“Because of what I witnessed.”

“And what was that?”

Guangmuliang scanned the room. Twelve pairs of eyes watched him from the shadows.

“I saw the Sacred Flame.”

“The Sacred Flame?”

Xue Mo’s face twisted in confusion.

What kind of madness was the boy spewing?

“Explain yourself. What do you mean you saw the flame?”

“The Sacred Flame that we believed was lost has been reignited in a distant land. Our ancestral fire has returned.”

“…Is this the truth?”

“It is.”

The composure of every elder in the room began to fracture.

The Sacred Flame.

The eternal beacon of the Demon Cult.

But more than that, it was the essence of a legendary figure.

A man who offered his very soul for the cult.

One who began as a mere mortal, rose to the rank of King, and now existed as the Sacred Flame itself.

“I have located an individual who I am certain is the blood descendant of the Great Demon King.”

“What?!”

“That heretical claim!”

The hall began to shudder as if struck by a tectonic shift. The floor tiles split under the sheer weight of the bishops’ collective auras, and loose items were tossed through the air.

“Do you comprehend the weight of your words? The Great Demon King left no lineage behind. This is a known fact. Do you dare suggest otherwise?”

“I do!”

Guangmuliang shouted back:

“That is what the official chronicles say. Every disciple of the cult is taught that history. I, too, believed it with my whole heart. But!”

Guangmuliang pounded his fist against his sternum.

“My pulse quickened the moment I laid eyes on him! Every fiber of my being felt it! He carries the legacy of the Great Demon King!”

“This is lunacy…”

“Then prove me wrong!”

Guangmuliang’s voice thundered.

“The strategy to seize the Central Plains is vital. Following the directives of the cult is absolute. But!”

He looked each elder directly in the eye.

“If—even if the chance is one in a million—if the child of the Great Demon King breathes! If we have the opportunity to restore the royal bloodline! That takes precedence over any tactical order! If the holy lineage is being defiled in a land of heathens, reclaiming it for the Demon Cult is our most sacred duty! Am I mistaken?”

Xue Mo’s brow furrowed at the logic.

“I have a question.”

“Ask it.”

“Do you feel no shame for the doubt you have cast?”

“None.”

“Are you absolutely certain this individual possesses the blood of the Great Demon King?”

“I am positive!”

“And are you prepared to forfeit your life on this conviction?”

“Take it now.”

Guangmuliang lifted his own hand and struck the side of his thick neck.

“I would gladly die for the glory of the Demon Cult. I do not believe I have erred. Even if there is a shadow of a doubt!”

Guangmuliang gritted his teeth.

“Is it not our duty to investigate even the smallest possibility?”

“Hmm.”

Xue Mo gave a slow nod.

“Your logic is sound.”

Xue Mo turned to his peers and stated:

“I must offer my apologies to the other bishops. Typically, a matter of this gravity would require a collective vote, but given the critical nature and the urgency involved, I shall take the responsibility of this decision upon myself.”

“Very well.”

Once the others had signaled their consent, Xue Mo looked back at Guangmuliang:

“Guangmuliang.”

“I am ready for the verdict.”

“We shall not hold your recent actions against you.”

“…!”

“Retreating in the face of the enemy is a stain on one’s honor, yet your reasoning is correct. If this person truly carries the blood of the Great Demon King, that fact eclipses every other concern of our order. Thus, preserving our strength and falling back was the correct tactical choice. The Demon Cult absolves you. However!”

Xue Mo’s voice rose to a deafening volume:

“You must validate your claim. I will provide you with every resource you require. Deliver the blood of the Great Demon King to this sanctum. Should you fail, your life will be forfeit.”

Thud!

Guangmuliang dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead against the cold stone.

“In the name of the Sacred Flame, I accept this mandate from the Demon Cult.”

Xue Mo gave a curt nod.

“We will discuss the logistics shortly. The bishops need time to arrange their affairs, so we shall reconvene tomorrow at this hour. Prepare your strategy and your list of requirements by then.”

“As you command.”

Xue Mo rose from his seat.

“Until then.”

He exited the shadowed assembly hall.

As Xue Mo stepped out into the open air, he squinted against the brilliance of the sun, his face tightening into a scowl.

‘The Great Demon King?’

Every single scion of the Great Demon King had been eradicated. He had personally overseen their ends. While the rest of the cult remained ignorant, he knew the grim truth.

Xue Mo walked past his personal quarters and entered a secluded, small structure. Taking a steadying breath, he pried up a section of the flooring. He descended into a narrow, subterranean passage and moved deeper into the darkness.

Then…

With every step he took, he lowered his body closer to the ground.

Lower… and lower…

He had entered the tunnel standing upright, but by the time he reached the inner chamber, he was crawling on his belly.

His once-mighty presence had completely evaporated. Shaking with terror, Xue Mo whispered in a cracking voice:

“Your humble servant begs for a moment of your time.”

Woo woo wooong.

A deep, vibrating hum filled the air, and a voice seemed to manifest from the very walls.

“[What is it? I explicitly forbade any interruption of my slumber.]”

“I felt it was imperative to inform you of a new development.”

“[Speak.]”

Xue Mo swallowed hard, forced air into his lungs, and said:

“Guangmuliang has returned from the Central Plains. He claims to have discovered a living descendant of the Great Demon King.”

“[The Great Demon King? You say the name of the Great Demon King?]”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“[The Great Demon King… hahaha, hahaha, ha ha ha ha ha ha!]”

A chilling laugh filled the cavern, and a surge of raw power buffeted Xue Mo’s body. Dark blood began to seep from his eyes, his nostrils, and his ears.

“[A descendant of the Great Demon King… how fascinating. That bloodline is a priceless treasure.]”

“It is, My Lord.”

“[Bring him to me. Drag him before my presence. He will serve as the perfect catalyst for the ritual.]”

Xue Mo pressed his face into the dirt and shouted with desperate reverence:

“I obey the command of the supreme Great Demon King.”

Ten Thousand Mountains.

This was the dark reality unfolding in the deepest reaches of the New Demon Cult’s holy land.