Devil-Transforming Mountain.
Zhang Wentong, the sect master, gazed northward and smiled faintly. "Issue the Five Devilish Edicts. Order all Middle Rank and above Devil Cultivators throughout the country to gather at Devil-Transforming Mountain before August fifteenth next year, to join in this grand undertaking and establish the Devil Alliance. Once the Devil Alliance is formed, all who refuse to join shall be slaughtered without exception! Also, invite all the major powers under heaven to Devil-Transforming Mountain to witness the ceremony. Put their minds at ease: our Devil Alliance is loyal to His Majesty and loyal to the Human Race."
"By your command!"
The disciples of Devil-Transforming Mountain sprang into action. Black riders scattered across the country, and edicts were posted throughout the land.
The capital.
"Going for lamb soup?"
"No. Their lamb soup keeps getting worse."
"Yeah, it isn't as good as it used to be."
"You can't really blame Old Zhang. Nothing tastes good anymore."
The white-haired Zheng Hui and Han Anbo, who seemed never to have changed, slowly left Happiness Street and entered Sun's Tavern nearby. They ordered a pot of wine and several small dishes, then ate at an unhurried pace.
Han Anbo poured Zheng Hui a cup of wine, then set the pot down. He never drank.
The two spoke quietly. People coming in for morning drinks gradually filled the tavern, and it soon became lively and noisy.
Before long, those who had drunk too much began raising their voices.
"The Great River is finished. The Human Race is finished..." Suddenly, someone covered his face and burst into tears.
"How has it come to this..."
"Forget it, forget it. Didn't we see this coming long ago?"
"What a pity about the Old Royal Army. They were all first-rate heroes. Some killed more demons than people, while