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A sense of distorted inner satisfaction was achieved through fantasy as Gui Yuan, the moth demon, let out several "smacks!" and slapped a few long wooden boxes onto the table.

These wooden boxes were entwined with strands of vine and seemed to have been opened by someone.

"Murky Heart Elixir."

"Odorless Bodhi Seeds."

"Lotus Leaf of the Azure Shade."

As Gui Yuan, the moth demon, put down each box, she named an item, indeed the very rewards she had just mentioned!

All demons in attendance suddenly became breathless with excitement as their eyes greedily fixed on the wooden boxes.

And just then...

Smack!!

Another wooden box was slammed onto the table, causing it to tremble slightly.

Compared to the three boxes she had laid out earlier, this final smaller box presented by Gui Yuan, the moth demon, was not only much smaller but also lacked the protective vines. It looked drab compared to the others adorned with intricate patterns.

Gui Yuan, the moth demon, grinned.

"Blood Demon, guess what's inside this?"

Fang Yu frowned slightly, shaking his head.

"I don't know."

All demons' gaze was drawn to it.

Though the last wooden box looked simple, it came from the hands of a Demon Lord, and still spurred wild thoughts.

Yet at the next moment, Gui Yuan, the moth demon, made a shocking announcement.

"Inside here is a reward from the Great Demons above, given to you in recognition of your outstanding performance in the recent operation."

After finishing her speech, Gui Yuan, the moth demon, covered her mouth and chuckled.

Compared to her own substantial rewards, the Blood Demon received only a paltry little wooden box.

Inside, it probably wasn't anything of significance.

Sure enough, the other demons also wore peculiar expressions as their eyes shifted between the small box and Fang Yu.

Though they remained silent, it was clear they sensed that despite Fang Yu's remarkable feat, those above didn't seem to value it much, as the reward given to him seemed scant, certainly not as bountiful as that of Demon Lord Gui Yuan, the moth demon.

All this was happening quietly, but Gui Yuan, the moth demon, could sense the atmosphere was getting subtly tense.

After all, most of the demons present were subordinates of the Blood Demon, and a loss of face for him—a lack of value from above—could easily lead to overthinking.

With a wider smile curling up her lips, Gui Yuan, the moth demon, raised her hand to stop Fang Yu as he moved to open the box.

"The envoy said that you can only take your reward after I have finished announcing it."

Of course, the same applies to my reward.

Before Fang Yu could react, Gui Yuan, the moth demon, had already opened the box.

Creak.

The small wooden box, with no enchantments set upon it, was opened with ease.

But all that met the collective gaze was a single piece of paper.

Every demon in the inn couldn't hide their disappointment at this sight.

Only Gui Yuan, the moth demon, wore an even more insolent smile.

She gave Fang Yu a sidelong glance, her voice playful.

"It seems the Demon Leaders above believe your accomplishments yesterday are worth no more than an honorable certificate."

Having said that, she pinched the thin piece of paper between her forefinger and middle finger.

As her gaze shifted from Fang Yu to the paper, she began to read without a second thought, aloud.

"Demon Foot [Gui Yuan, the moth demon], the report you gave yesterday has been investigated and found to be inconsistent with the facts. Such brash greed for glory, monopolizing the achievements of your kind, corrupt favoritism..."

Gui Yuan, the moth demon, started off reading well enough, but a sudden shift in her casual tone to tension occurred, her eyes widening as her voice subconsciously lowered; her gaze quickly scanning the content on the paper.

"What does it say? What does it say?"

"What's going on? Why has she suddenly stopped reading?"

"It seems to be accusing the Demon Lord of stealing credit..."

The surrounding demons grew curious, craning their necks, waiting for the continuation.

But Gui Yuan, the moth demon, who had read the entire content, let the paper slip from her hands to the floor, as she stood rigid with a blank expression, her mind seemingly empty, unresponsive.

Smack.

And just then, a hand caught the slipping paper, lifted it and announced loudly.

"Demon Foot [Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon], the matter you reported yesterday, upon investigation, does not align with the facts. Such reckless self-aggrandizement, usurping the credit of your own kind, and engaging in nepotism and corruption, have already violated the organization's regulations and must be severely punished!"

"Upon investigation, it was the Demon Tail [Blood Demon] who repelled the Foolish Underworld's minions yesterday! Demon Foot [Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon] took advantage of her position to steal the credit. Such behavior is outrageous; effective immediately, she is stripped of her position as [Demon Foot]! However, considering that she did face hardships during yesterday's mission, even if not achieving merits, she will be demoted to [Demon Tail] and placed under the newly promoted [Demon Foot] Blood Demon! For a period of three months, if her performance is satisfactory and approved by Blood Demon, she may be restored to the position of Demon Foot."

"Additionally, effective immediately, Blood Demon is promoted to the position of [Demon Foot]! More than thirty Demon Tails in the vicinity are now under his jurisdiction, and he may also recruit a variable number of Demon Tails to serve under him."

"In light of the former Demon Foot [Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon]'s deceptive behavior, the rewards already issued, such as the [Turbid Heart Liquid], [Fragranceless Bodhi Seeds], and other items, shall all go to Blood Demon, to be enforced immediately!"

"Signed: Demon Leader — Shu Bird Demon."

As the final signature was disclosed, the scene suddenly fell into a deadly silence.

For a simple reason.

That was... none other than the high and lofty Demon Leader!

All the demons present, at most, had only seen a Demon Foot like theirs, and that was only because Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon herself had shown up today.

They'd never even glimpsed the shadow of the higher-up Demon Lords.

And now, suddenly, there was an order from the Demon Leader himself.

The leap was so huge, it was utterly life-threatening!

Someone shivered, and suddenly, someone fell to their knees.

"Congratulations, Lord Blood Demon, on your promotion to Demon Foot!"

Realizing what was happening, others quickly followed suit and knelt down, yelling.

"Congratulations, Lord Blood Demon, on your promotion to Demon Foot!"

"Congratulations, Lord Blood Demon, on your promotion to Demon Foot!"

"..."

The voices swelled within the inn.

Even Che Linfang, who came to his senses from behind, had a smile on his face as he knelt halfway.

For a moment, the only people still standing were Fang Yu and Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon, who was completely dumbfounded.

Fang Yu smiled.

It seems that this was Brother Qing's arrangement.

Although there were some twists and turns, Fang Yu was quite satisfied.

He walked up to Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon, gently patted her cheek.

"Demon Tail [Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon], have you not quickly paid your respects to the Lord Demon Foot?"

Swoosh—

Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon suddenly raised her head, the dazed look in her eyes slowly sharpening into focus.

She looked at Fang Yu incredulously, almost biting each word as she asked.

"What did you just... call me?"

The intense killing intent that almost spilled out scared the demon underlings closest to her, making them shudder and quickly bury their heads, not daring to take another look.

But Fang Yu showed not the slightest bit of apprehension.

He simply stuck the paper right in front of Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon and then lightly patted her cheek.

"It seems you have a problem with me being the Demon Foot, Demon Tail [Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon] Lord?"

Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon seemed still in disbelief, still unable to accept it, staring fiercely at each line and every word on the paper.

But... there was no mistake.

She, the high and mighty Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon, had actually been demoted to a [Demon Tail]! And, damn it, placed under the supervision of Blood Demon!

Why! Why! Why!!!

She glared at Fang Yu, a surge of anger rising, and with a cry, she spat out a mouthful of blood from fury!

Luckily, Fang Yu reacted quickly, stepping back to avoid getting his clothes dirty.

"Little Moth, there's no need to overreact like this. It's just a swap of roles between you and me. If you hadn't tried to steal my credit, how would you have ended up like this?"

Fang Yu said with a seemingly amused tone.

Yet this indifferent response infuriated Gui Yuan the Great Moth Demon so much that she spat out another mouthful of blood.

"Blood Demon! Blood Demon! Blood Demon!!!"

She roared, but dared not take a step forward, just clenching her fists so tightly her eyes were nearly all white.