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Demonic Master
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Chapter 1: Red Vine City
-Scorched Heavens Continent, The Eastern Disputed Lands, Red Vine City-
The Red Vine City was a city made and led by corrupt merchants who sought profit over all else. There wasn't any depraved act that they hadn't committed in order to increase the coins in their pouches. The Red Cloud Chambers of Commerce, commanded by the "Red Butcher," was the dominant commercial faction. The "Red Butcher" was regarded as an overlord in the Red Vine City and was known to be a peak Foundation Establishment realm human expert. He had a reputation for being cruel and evil.
The Red Street was a commercial street which was known for it's expensive taverns and dense bustling crowds. It was on this street that a shabby yet expensive tavern called the Red Sun tavern was located. In a room on the second floor, a floor frequented by the particulary rich patrons was a young man of about 16 years sitting in the lotus position.
The young man was garbed in black and red robes. The design of his robes was peculiarly similar to the clothes of warrior monks, yet none existed in this world for people to recognize the design for what it was. The young man soon opened his eyes and let out a breath which was quite strong, given that it rattled the furniture in the room as it passed them by.
"It gets exhausting after a time... looking at red everywhere." The young man sighed. His name was Tang Haotian and he was the young man who had miraculously awakened a system 6 months ago in the Forest of Death.
His troubles now related to seeing the colour and word "Red" in every place he frequented in this heaven-forsaken city. It was not something surprising, however, since everybody wanted to suck up to the 'Red Butcher.' After all, should they be the ones responsible for spreading his name, they would most likely have a chance at gaining the favour of the overlord of the city, the 'Red Butcher.' Tang Haotian shook his head slightly, banishing those thoughts. He looked up, his eyes seemingly staring at nothing but air.
"Points." Tang Haotian voiced with a tinge of excitement. He had very good gains in his cultivation in the past few weeks, and he was looking forward to the results from the system.
[HP: 600]
He had now gained 500 hard work points, or HPs, as they were called by the system. Tang Haotian was even-tempered, and he had never tried to recklessly use the points that he had accumulated after over three-quarters of a year of grueling training. Instead, the prospect of using the points he had accumulated- and would accumulate- as he cultivated, motivated him to train harder.
The function of his system was something one would not expect from a system with Hard Work in it's name. Nevertheless, he would not complain. It had saved him and already provided him with two heaven defying treasures.
"Activate Gacha." Tang Haotian voiced again, however, his voice was now solemn.
[Gacha Tries: 6 Accumulated]
His system had only two functions- HP and the Gacha. The system rewarded him with points based on merit, and that merit was unsurprisingly graded based on his Hard Work.
"Draw." Tang Haotian commanded with a tinge of impatience.
[Drawing Gacha]
[Result:
Trash - A Flask of Red Wine (Mortal)]
Tang Haotian's eyebrow twitched, and he exhaled heavily in frustration. A few months after his discovery of the system, he had found out- from the system itself- that his initial rewards would be severely downgraded due to the fact that the system had worked on it's own- without HP being cashed in- to save him and gift him two treasures. Not to mention, the countless side benefits he would get from those 'gifts.'
He was usually calm and composed, however, he felt that the system was now deliberately mocking him by sending 'Red' Wine to him. With his circumstances, partaking in luxury would be akin to spitting on his resolve and the fact that he bore his eyes upon 'Red' again definitely didn't elude him.
Tang Haotian took in a deep breath. He held it for a couple of seconds before letting it out. Now getting his mind in order, he continued with his 'Draws.'
"Draw."
[Drawing Gacha]
[Result:
Trash - Underwear of the Owner of Red Sun Tavern]
"Damnit." Tang Haotian cursed as a smelly underwear suddenly appeared before him. Faster than any mortal could react, he opened the window in his room and chucked the offending item out. He felt that he had even surpassed his supposed limit for speed in the face of such a 'great danger.'
Now glaring at the system screen, Tang Haotian asked, "Can you roll multiple at once?"
The results of the Gacha were divided into the grades - Trash, Human, Yellow, Earth, Heaven, Saint, Divine. If the Gacha was drawn more than once, the probability of getting a reward of a higher grade increased with each additional draw carried out within 24 hours. Also, the system had a space it stored its objects in, so the fact that the underwear suddenly appeared before Tang Haotian indicated that it was definitely a machination of the system. The system didn't reply, but continued to draw.
[Drawing Gacha]
[Results:
Trash - Smelly Socks
Human - 10 Years of Experience of A Mortal Sword Maniac
Human - Charisma of a Great Mortal Emperor
Trash - A Piece of Cloth]
Tang Haotian's eyebrows furrowed. The grades of the rewards were quite low.
However, the next instant, his eyes widened as he made a prediction that, if fulfilled, would be comparable to a blessing for him. There was only one way to test his conjecture...
"Activate Human Grade Reward 1 and 2."
Tang Haotian screwed his eyes shut, focusing on trying to perceive any change his body might be undergoing. However, such focus proved to be unnecessary as he was hit by a sudden wave of nausea. His head felt like it had bloated beyond humanoid proportions. Starting from the his fingertips, his flesh, muscles and skin stung, and felt as though someone was molding them as they would mold clay.
His muscles burned and he felt as though his body was no longer his. He felt desperate. His inhuman will once again came to the forefront as he gritted his teeth, and despite the waves of weakness seemingly drowning him, he clawed the headrest of the bed in a bid to stay upright- in the lotus position.
His luck did not seem to be on his side, however. Just as he thought he had regained some semblance of control, the pain was upped by another level.
Putting his arm in his mouth, Tang Haotian let out a wordless scream.
It was only dozens of seconds later that the seemingly unbearable hell finally ended for Tang Haotian.
---(Line Break)---
Tang Haotian slowly moved his leg. It felt unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time. He likened the feeling to that of 'atrophy' that he had learnt of from 'those' memories. Using the bed as support, Tang Haotian slowly wobbled to his feet. Just as he was trying to get his balance, there were consecutive knocks on his door. He opened his mouth to give a reply-
The door was pushed open.
Tang Haotian frowned. To barge into the room of a cultivator uninvited. This was a great crime and taboo. The person's life could very well be taken by the cultivator in a fit of anger should he have experienced something that would destabilize his cultivation. His situation was made worse by the fact that he was currently weak, and those who showed weakness in a place like the Red Vine City... well, they would most likely not live to see tomorrow.
The person who had entered was the owner of the tavern. He was a short and stout man, his hair was black and yellowed at the edges. He had a smile on his face, one that contained a trace of cruelty and a hint of greed.
Just as Tang Haotian was cursing at his weakness and the system, his body suddenly moved with a grace he had not known he had. His hands rested at his sides, his lips pursed just the right amount to show his displeasure, and his body went ramrod straight. These utterly unknown motions, felt extremely familiar to him. They were seemingly ingrained into him as 'muscle memory.'
The tavern owner's smile abruptly stiffened as he laid his eyes on the previously hooded demon boy. The boy moved two steps forward toward the man, just as he moved a step back.
To the man, Tang Haotian had previously just been a demon who had some power and was pretty bad at concealing himself. He had hoped that by making this desperate action, he would eventually be freed from his predicament. After all, given the Red Butcher's fetishes, every demon was a gift that would earn great favour. To capture the demon, he had even hired a peak Qi Gathering realm expert...
Yet, it seemed that his judgement of the demon was grossly inaccurate. The demon's hair was black with reddened tips, lustrous, and sharply tied together. His sword-like straight posture, piercing red eyes, and pursed lips gave him a quiet dignity. A nobody would never have such a temperament. After all, one's cultivation realm and cultivation art play a great role in their temperament and presence. To have such a presence...
The tavern owner's back started sweating. The demon's eyes had a dangerous look in them, and he was sure that his head would fly should he not try to weasel his way out of this. The hired help would definitely not stand a chance against this man.
He quickly bowed his head, lower than what was required, to show his subservience. His mind raced as he tried to come up with excuses that would help him here...
Yet, what came out of his mouth was-
"Please save my daughter."
The demon rose an eyebrow in a single elegant motion. His lips pursed further.
The tavern owner felt like cursing his own mouth. He was going to die.