The Devil’s Legacy and the Eyes of Asura

Qiao Wei nodded slightly. His voice changed abruptly—suddenly aged and tinged with sorrow—and his eyes sharpened, gleaming with an almost blinding intensity.

"Third Young Master," he asked slowly, "I wonder if you've ever heard of the 'Four Demon Lords' who once reigned supreme over the martial world?"

Qin Ren's smirk faded. He sat upright and answered solemnly, "The Four Demon Lords—Heavenly Demon Meteor Liang Hanwei, Earth Demon Heartless Qi Dasheng, Time-Spurns-All Qiao Qitian, and Illusion Demon True Monarch Li Guding. These four were the mightiest protectors and emissaries the Demonic Sect ever had. At their peak, the righteous sects were forced into hiding, and the Demonic Sect spread unchecked across the empire."

"My father, Qin Xiaoyao, once fought Qiao Qitian to a draw in a three-hundred-round duel during his youth. But he always claimed that Qiao, out of magnanimity, never used his signature technique—'Time-Spurns-All.' My father deeply respected him, always saying, 'Though the righteous and demonic walk different paths, the demonic has its heroes and the righteous its villains.'" Qin Ren grinned and added, "And I, of course, am one of those righteous scoundrels everyone loves to hate."

"But ten years ago, the Four Demon Lords vanished overnight. The Demonic Sect fractured, and the righteous seized the moment, purging every stronghold across Great Qin. That was the beginning of their rise to power."

Qiao Wei nodded again. "So your father held me in such esteem… I did not expect that."

Qin Ren's eyes widened. "You mean—?"

Qiao Wei smiled faintly. "Yes. I am none other than Qiao Qitian, 'Time-Spurns-All.' And Uncle Li here is 'Illusion Demon True Monarch' Li Guding. His technique, the Illusion Demon Palm, may not be one of the Three Supreme Palms of the world, but in truth, it's on par with any of them. People only exclude it because of his affiliation with the demonic path. If justice were blind, the world would know there are four supreme palms—and his would be among them. You've exchanged blows with him, Third Young Master. Surely, you understand."

Even Qin Ren couldn't keep his seat anymore. He shot up and bowed deeply to the two men. "Forgive me, seniors. I had no idea of your identities. I've been disrespectful. My father always told me: if I ever met Elder Qiao, I must treat him with the reverence of a nephew serving his uncle. Yet here I was…"

Qiao Wei chuckled. "Third Young Master, don't say that. I'm no longer 'Time-Spurns-All.' I'm just Qiao Wei now. I'm not a Demonic Elder—I'm your servant. One day your servant, your servant for life. You showed me kindness. I owe you everything. I can't accept your bow."

Qin Ren stood up straight and laughed. "Well, why didn't you say so earlier? Let's drop the formalities. From now on, I'll just call you Brother Wei! Damn it, if my old man hadn't warned me, you think I'd have shown you that much respect? You sly old fox, hiding all this from me!"

He glanced at Li Guding. "So you're Li Guding, huh? Damn, that name sounds like 'nicotine.' You must be a damn heavy smoker. Come, have a cigarette."

He handed one to each of them, lit his own with a flick of flint, and puffed contentedly. "If you want a light, get it yourself. I ain't your nanny. Ha! What luck! Randomly pick up a servant—turns out he's 'Time-Spurns-All.' Randomly grab a thief—turns out he's 'Illusion Demon True Monarch.' Hahaha…"

Qiao Wei and Li Guding exchanged a look. Qiao Wei was already regretting that "one day a servant, a lifetime a servant" line. Li Guding's gaze was practically burning a hole in his skull.

"All right, let those two juniors sit down too," Qin Ren declared. "Hey, Li Xiaoye—lose the creepy mask and that goddamn wig. That look is giving me a headache."

He had reverted to his arrogant, domineering self, utterly unfazed in front of two legendary figures of the demonic world.

Truth be told, Qin Ren didn't really care who they had been. As far as he was concerned, Qiao Wei was his loyal servant now—his Brother Wei—and both of them shared a certain shameless kinship. Hadn't it been Qiao Wei who led him into tricking not just bodies but hearts too?

To Qin Ren, flower thieves only played with bodies. Love rogues like him? They played with both body and soul. And Qiao Wei had been the one to corrupt him in the first place.

And Li Guding? A glorified thief, that's all. Whatever titles he used to hold, they didn't matter anymore. Qin Ren figured he'd already done him a favor not turning him over to the authorities.

Besides, he'd done his part. Bowed, praised, showed respect. If they didn't appreciate it, that was on them.

Li Xiaoye gave him a murderous glare, then looked questioningly at Li Guding. When he gave her a subtle nod, she reluctantly began peeling off her mask.

As the first edge came loose, a sliver of flawless, jade-like skin emerged. Qin Ren stared, lips curled into a lecherous smile, thoughts already wandering.

When the mask and wig came off entirely, his eyes lit up like a wolf spotting prey.

Before him sat a girl with soft, delicate features—pink and tender like petals in bloom. Her eyes sparkled, black and white in perfect contrast, dancing with mischief. Her hair was cut short, brushing her ears, completely unlike the flowing locks worn by the women of Great Qin.

Short hair—bold, lively, spirited. Back in his past life, short-haired girls were a common sight, but here in Great Qin, she was a unicorn. That alone made her feel oddly familiar to him.

What a girl, he thought, heart pounding. Witty, mischievous, short-haired… She'll never let life be dull. And her charm isn't the dangerous, empire-toppling kind—more like comforting, intriguing. What a treasure that old fox Li Guding raised. Looks like I'm going to have to ruin her… thoroughly.

Li Xiaoye could feel his hungry gaze and knew exactly what he was thinking. Having witnessed firsthand how he treated Du Xiaoyan, she had no affection for this scoundrel. But she also feared the terrifying power behind his Shura Demon Eyes. She dared not meet his gaze nor voice her disgust. Quietly, she slipped into a seat beside Li Guding, staring down at her toes.

Yun Ge'er, meanwhile, had always nursed feelings for his junior sister. Watching Qin Ren ogle her like that, his blood boiled.

"You lecherous dog!" he growled. "They call you the Supreme Lust Demon of the Qin Clan—and today, I see the legends weren't exaggerated!"

Qin Ren turned toward him with a lazy smile. "Come again?"

"You heard me."

Before the tension escalated, Li Guding barked, "Yun Ge'er! Know your place! Sit down!"

Fuming, Yun Ge'er obeyed, but his eyes stayed fixed on Qin Ren with unyielding resentment.

Qin Ren seethed internally. What's your damn problem? I'm looking with my own eyes—how's it any business of yours? If not for Li Guding's presence, I'd have already beaten you into paste.

Seeing Yun Ge'er still glaring, Qin Ren's temper flared. Instinctively, his Shura Demon Eyes activated.

Yun Ge'er met his gaze—and froze.

Within those crimson pupils, he saw frozen wastelands, blood-soaked earth, mountains of bone… and atop one peak stood Qin Ren, arms outstretched, hair bristling like spikes, laughing maniacally into a blood-red sky.

The vision shattered Yun Ge'er's courage. He paled, drenched in cold sweat, and toppled backward off his chair in a clumsy heap.

Qin Ren snorted. "Coward. And you dared raise your voice to me?"

Qiao Wei chimed in mockingly, "Old Li, your disciple seems useless. Loyal, maybe—but not much else."

Li Guding looked awkward. "I never taught him any real techniques. Without strength, how could he stand up to the Third Young Master's gaze?"

Qiao Wei sneered, "Being broken by the Shura Eyes… such men are doomed to mediocrity. Xiaoye didn't flinch. Your boy's even less than a girl."

Li Guding sighed and turned to Yun Ge'er, who was still trembling on the floor. "Yun Ge'er, leave. Take 100,000 taels from the accounts. That'll cover you for a lifetime."

"Master—" Yun Ge'er croaked, "You're casting me out? Over that lecher?!"

"Get out!" Li Guding bellowed. "You've shamed me enough. Xiaoye didn't flinch, and you collapsed! I should kill you where you stand! But out of respect for our years together, I'll spare you. Now get lost!"

With one last hateful glance at Qin Ren, Yun Ge'er scrambled out of the room, crawling more than walking.

Li Xiaoye never said a word in his defense. Perhaps she, too, thought Yun Ge'er had no right to challenge the Third Young Master if he couldn't even stand tall like a proper man.

Qin Ren exhaled a smoke ring, sipped his wine, and popped a bite of food into his mouth. Then he spoke with calm ease, "Uncle Li, that boy knows who you are. Aren't you afraid he'll expose you?"

Li Guding answered calmly, "It doesn't matter. Old Qiao and I have already decided—it's time to return to the martial world. Our identities are no longer secrets."

Qin Ren nodded. "Good. Now, back to business. I've got two questions."

"First: you mentioned a fifth fearsome expert. What incredible feat did he accomplish?"

"Second: what exactly is the Shura Demon Eye? Why do you say I have it?"