Chapter 56: The Day Sang Zhe’s Defenses Crumbled the Most
A whole week went by after that.
And a lot happened during that week.
First, let’s talk about the Water Moon Sect.
With their leader missing, the Water Moon Sect descended into chaos.
Originally, the only thing keeping the sect together was Master Yu Xia. But with her disappearance, no one could keep the situation under control.
The disciples were anxious, and the elders had their own agendas.
A headless faction like this was just fish meat waiting to be divided among the surrounding sects and families.
It wouldn’t be long before they were completely picked apart.
But that’s a story for later.
Meanwhile, the traitor named Jing Yu thought he was the only one in the know, so he was feeling pretty smug after hiding out for a few days. He came up with an excuse to go to the Qiankun Temple.
He thought He Hongyi would keep his promise and let him enjoy a life of wealth and luxury.
But when he arrived, he was left dumbstruck.
At Qiankun Temple, there was a crowd of disciples sighing and complaining in line at the entrance, all getting their heads shaved to become monks.
And the one wielding the razor was none other than Sect Leader He Hongyi himself.
“Wait… Sect Leader He, what happened to your promise?”
“You arrived at just the right time,” He Hongyi said, looking at him kindly.
“Since you’re here, why don’t you join this monkhood and escape to the monastic lifestyle?”
Then he called over two disciples and forcibly dragged the crying Jing Yu into the temple.
Things were no quieter in the Demon Cult.
The day after the incident, while Hua Jianglian was almost unstoppable in her urge to start a brawl, Punishment Department Head Tang Yubbing suddenly brought in big news.
Upon hearing this, the Demon Cult quickly quieted down, shutting off all news and telling all the demon cultivators to return to normal life.
Naturally, the uninformed demon cultivators began to speculate.
Some said Hua Jianglian had fought a legendary battle against Master Yu Xia and ultimately killed her above the universe.
Others claimed she had reached a peace agreement with Master Yu Xia and ended the conflict.
But the only ordinary demon cultivator who knew the truth, Sang Zhe, returned home that night with Zhang Xiaoying and two cats after being away for a few days.
He enjoyed a hot pot meal, took a nice hot shower, and blissfully slept into the next day.
——
——
“Ladies and gentlemen.”
“The head of our sect will officially announce the personnel changes.”
In the square of the Demon Cult, Hua Jianglian held a loudspeaker and cleared her young voice as she spoke:
“Considering the recent outstanding contributions and dedication of the former head of the Punishment Department, Tang Yubbing, who has garnered unanimous praise from all disciples…”
“I hereby promote Tang Yubbing to the role of Vice-Sect Leader of the Demon Cult!”
Clap! Clap! The applause erupted from the audience.
“And now, for the vacancy left in the head of the Punishment Department…”
At that moment, Sang Zhe felt his heart race and tears of joy filled his eyes.
Today, he had dressed in his finest attire.
He had prepared a 20,000-word speech.
Before leaving, he even let Little Ying style his hair to perfection, looking sharp.
Because he knew today was the day he would finally reap the rewards of his hard work.
Head of the Punishment Department…
The position he had dreamt of for many years.
Once he sat in that role, he could finally consider himself part of the upper echelon of the Demon Cult.
He could even have the confidence to call himself a successful person!
Every ounce of struggle he had faced now seemed worth it.
The beautiful life he had imagined was about to become a reality!
As if sensing Sang Zhe’s excitement, Hua Jianglian deliberately paused, turned her gaze to him, and smiled.
“I announce that the new head of the Punishment Department is—”
Sang Zhe was filled with anticipation.
His eyes shimmered with tears.
“—Yan Rouwan.”
“Thank you! Thank you, everyone!”
“Thank you to my colleagues for their support and encouragement!”
Sang Zhe turned, beaming from ear to ear, bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude:
“I will continue to work hard, treat my colleagues kindly, and do my utmost to fulfill my duties…”
His voice gradually faded away.
The entire square went silent.
Hundreds of demon cultivators stared at him, speechless.
Sang Zhe’s radiant smile slowly stiffened on his face.
He turned his head mechanically to look at the stage.
A familiar yet strange face he hadn’t seen for several days appeared in front of him.
After joining the Demon Cult, Yan Rouwan no longer wore the plain white garb of the sect but instead chose an elegant, deep purple dress with flowing sleeves.
Her graceful figure paired with slightly darker eyebrows and a shocking scarlet lip gave her a unique and enchanting beauty.
Especially as she coyly blinked her long lashes at Sang Zhe.
“…Cough, cough.”
Hua Jianglian cleared her throat and continued: “Though Yan Rouwan has only recently joined our sect, she has performed outstandingly in several missions within the Heavenly Punishment Department.”
“Especially since her talents are exceptional; she now possesses peak transformation-level cultivation, just a step away from breaking into the Harmonization Stage.”
“Not only that, but Yan Rouwan has a close relationship with our annual excellent employee of the Punishment Department—Sang Zhe.”
“With Sang Zhe’s help, I believe Yan Rouwan will quickly adapt to her new role in the Punishment Department.”
“Now, let’s invite our new head of the Punishment Department to say a few words…”
Amidst thunderous applause, Yan Rouwan approached the stage with her charming smile and began her speech.
But Sang Zhe didn’t catch a single word.
He stood frozen, like his brain had crashed.
…Wait.
Didn’t I get promoted?
Am I not the head of the Punishment Department?
Where did my coveted position go?
I’ve worked so hard for this…
Sang Zhe had never felt his life could be this dark.
Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of grievance flooded his heart, making this young veteran unable to hold back the tears.
It was hard to tell how much time had passed.
Yan Rouwan finished her speech.
The gathering came to an end.
People around him gradually began to disperse, and many colleagues from the Punishment Department came up to congratulate him.
“Hey, Sang bro, congrats!”
“Isn’t Yan Rouwan the celestial maiden you turned to darkness with your own hands?”
“Doesn’t that mean the Punishment Department will now belong to Sang bro?”
“Look at Sang bro, he’s so happy he’s standing up for his wife to accept the award.”
“Don’t forget your brothers if you succeed, Sang bro!”
“If I oversleep one day and can’t clock in, you’ll tell your wife not to dock my attendance bonus, right?”
…
Sang Zhe paid no attention to the compliments around him.
Until a pair of delicate, soft hands gently pulled him away from the crowd.
They arrived at the office of the head of the Punishment Department.
“Stop crying.”
Sang Zhe heard a voice as sweet as a caregiver soothing a child.
Delicate fingers wiped away his tears.
“From today onwards, I’ll be your superior.”
“Let’s get along well at work from now on, okay?”
“Sang~Zhe~Shidi~”
Yan Rouwan whispered playfully in his ear.
