It's Time We Got Hurt

Strictly speaking, Chen Wei was not allowed to pocket the spoils of war.

If an Inspection Celestial Official caught him and sent a memorial of impeachment to Lingxiao Palace, he would suffer at least a few bolts of heavenly lightning.

In principle, he absolutely should not take it.

But there were exceptions to everything.

Chu Feng was simply too considerate, insisting on pressing it into his hands.

Refusing him to his face would only create distance. How was he supposed to lead his men after that? Would his subordinates still have any enthusiasm for earning merit?

Second, they were on the front lines, where the situation changed in the blink of an eye. He could not be too rigid; he had to adapt.

Third, this item had been obtained through a private operation, so in principle, it did not violate the Heavenly Court's rules.

What was this called?

This was called dimming one's light and mingling with the dust.

When it was time to mingle with the dust, one had to mingle.

When the flood swept through the Dragon King's temple, nobody could stand spotless on the shore.

About two incense sticks after Chen Wei left with his men, two demonic winds slowly descended. The arrivals were none other than Peng Demon King and Macaque King, who had been tasked with guarding the camp.

The two Demon Sages had found the camp too stuffy and slipped away to drink wine and eat meat.

With their bellies full of food and wine, the two demons returned on clouds, humming little tunes. The moment they landed, their expressions froze.

The provisions, Spirit Stones, and Magic Artifacts were all gone.

All that remained were charred wreckage scattered across the ground and several hundred Demon Soldiers sleeping like dead pigs, impossible to wake no matter how hard they were kicked.

Peng Demon King sucked in a cold breath, his eyes widening. "We only went out for a drink. How did our home disappear?"

"We're finished, finished!" Macaque King spun in anxious circles. "If Eldest Brother finds out, he'll skin us alive! Third Brother, which blasted immortal did this? They were vicious! They didn't even leave us a single hair!"

Peng Demon King swept up a scorched, broken saber and sword, brought them beneath his nose, and sniffed. "White Elephant Spirit's aura?"

"Those three bastards from Lion Camel Ridge did this?!" Macaque King flew into a rage. "Well, well! They've got some nerve, sneaking around behind us to clean out our home!"

"No."

Peng Demon King shook his head and tossed the broken saber to the ground. "The aura is indeed White Elephant Spirit's, but the staging is far too obvious. Look where they left the saber-right out in plain sight, as if they were afraid we'd be too blind to notice it. Those three old demons have foul tempers, but they're no fools."

"Then what should we do?" Macaque King caught on and hurriedly asked.

Peng Demon King said nothing, staring at the ashes on the ground. After a long while, he raised his head. "It's time we got hurt."

Macaque King froze for a moment, then everything clicked.

Whoever had done it, the supply camp had indeed been burned to the ground. That was an indisputable fact.

Did it still matter who had launched the sneak attack?

Not in the slightest.

What mattered was how to shake off the blame for losing the camp.

The supply camp had been burned clean, leaving wreckage everywhere.

Yet its commanding generals, Peng Demon King and Macaque King, were whole and completely unscathed. Did that make any sense?

So no matter how the fire had started, as long as the camp was gone, the two of them had to be gravely wounded!

As long as their injuries were severe enough, responsibility would never catch up with them.

What was this called?

This was called the highest wisdom of survival in the Three Realms.

Once he understood the principle, Macaque King proved ruthless enough. He aimed at Peng Demon King's chest and drove his fist into it.

Bang!

Peng Demon King spat out a great mouthful of blood, and the armor over his chest shattered.

"Why the hell did you hit so hard?" Peng Demon King cursed, clutching his chest.

"If we're putting on a show, we have to see it through, Third Brother!" Macaque King picked up the broken saber from the ground and handed it to Peng Demon King. "Here, Third Brother, cut my arm! Make it deep! Give my thigh a slash while you're at it!"

"My good brother, bear with it!"

Peng Demon King took the broken saber and carved two bloody gashes into Macaque King.

Before long, two agonized wails rang out.

"Eldest Brother! Your little brothers did everything they could!"

"Those villains from Lion Camel Ridge! How dare they ambush us! Curse them!"

Having finished beating each other up, the two Demon Sages lay in pools of blood, waiting for Eldest Brother to return and see their handiwork.

Time turned back one hour.

At the deepest point of the Heaven-Reaching River, powerful currents surged along the riverbed.

Azure Lion Spirit and White Elephant Spirit led a squad of elite Demon Soldiers along the riverbed. The two demons had coveted the Heavenly Court's supplies for a long time.

They proceeded with extreme caution, constantly watching for hidden sentries and formations laid by the Heavenly Court.

And yet.

There was nothing. It was utterly deserted.

They came within ten li of the Heavenly Court's vanguard Flying Boat fleet without seeing so much as the shadow of a heavenly soldier.

No patrolling Flying Boats, no formations, not even a searchlight Talisman?

"Eldest Brother." After scouting, White Elephant Spirit submerged again and transmitted his voice to Azure Lion Spirit. "Looks like that Vanguard Officer named Chen Wei really is a complete blockhead. All bluster outside, hollow within! We've sneaked all the way here without encountering a single inspection. It's been smooth sailing!"

Azure Lion Spirit relaxed at those words, his heart settling firmly into place.

He had worried that the Vanguard sent by Yang Jian might possess some extraordinary ability. Now it seemed he had worried over nothing.

What did these civil officials, who spent every day copying books in grand halls, know about deploying troops and arranging formations?

"Heaven is on my side!"

Azure Lion Spirit swept his hand and made a gesture underwater. "Pass down the order. Everyone, get ready! We'll surface and charge straight onto the Flying Boats. Move fast! Loot only, no killing. Grab the goods and withdraw!"

The Demon Soldiers drew their weapons, greed gleaming in their eyes.

"Second Brother."

Azure Lion Spirit turned to White Elephant Spirit. "The outcome is settled. Send Third Brother a message. Tell him we've met no resistance and are about to succeed. Have him guard our home, hold his position, and get ready to receive our spoils!"

"Right!" White Elephant Spirit cheerfully pulled a Voice Transmission Jade Talisman from his robes and poured demonic power into it. "Third Brother, Eldest Brother and I are just about to..."

But before he could finish.

Golden-Winged Great Peng's screams rang out first. "Goddammit! Dragon Demon King has no honor! He's raiding our camp! They're pouring in from every direction! They loot everything they see and cut down every demon they find! Get back here! Your little brother can't hold out!!!"

The voice from the jade talisman cut off abruptly. Clearly, his voice transmission spell had been interrupted.

Azure Lion Spirit and White Elephant Spirit stood frozen, staring at each other, their souls nearly flying out of their bodies in fright.

Dragon Demon King had gone to raid their home?!

How dared they?!

"Eldest Brother... this... are we still raiding the Heavenly Court?" Even White Elephant Spirit's voice trembled.

"Raid my ass!!" Azure Lion Spirit's eyes turned red with panic as he unleashed a torrent of curses. "Our home's about to be wiped out, and you still want to loot supplies?! Turn around!! Back to defend the camp at full speed!!"

That was Golden-Winged Great Peng back there!

Losing supplies was a small matter. They could always steal more.

But who was Golden-Winged Great Peng?

He was Western Buddha Tathagata's own maternal uncle. This venerable lord had honored them by becoming their sworn brother.

If anything happened to Golden-Winged Great Peng, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats of Spirit Mountain would skin them both and tear out their tendons.

"Retreat! Retreat!! Everyone, return the way we came! Hurry!!!" Azure Lion Spirit roared with a sweep of his hand, decisively withdrawing his forces.

They swam back even faster than they had silently slipped in.

Meanwhile, aboard the Heavenly Court's supply Flying Boat.

Ma Muzhi raised his wine cup, his face wreathed in a flattering smile. "Commandant Kang, allow this humble official to toast you! With you stationed here, our supply lines are as impregnable as golden ramparts and a boiling moat!"

"Oh, you flatter me, my good little brother. Let's drink!" Kang Anyu chuckled and drained his cup.