Chương 28: The Three Kings

Fang Cheng followed the Li brothers into the stone cliff's cave system. They wound through tunnels, turning left and right, climbing vines until they reached a massive cavern. Minor demons bustled in and out, carrying wine jugs and wild fruits. Spotting the Li brothers, they shouted:"Hurry up and get the hotpot going! The kings have been waiting forever!" Dagou nodded and signaled his brothers to get to work. Then he turned to Fang Cheng with a warning. Don't say anything stupid, or the kings would roast him alive.

Fang Cheng nodded and entered the cavern. In the center stood a massive iron cauldron, surrounded by stone tables laden with wild fruits. The water inside was already boiling, sending up clouds of steam and a rich, mouthwatering aroma. Fang Cheng inhaled deeply. Every pore in his body seemed to open, his whole being refreshed. This cauldron had clearly cooked many delicious brains. Even without any ingredients yet, just the scent of the boiling water was enough to make anyone drool.

He tore his gaze away from the cauldron and looked at the back of the cavern. Three stone chairs sat in a row. On the left sat a man in yellow robes, dressed like a Great Sheng official. He had a thin mustache, sunken eyes, prominent cheekbones, and eagle-like eyes that gleamed with predatory intensity. When he noticed Fang Cheng looking, he grinned and licked his lips. Dagou whispered that this was King Yellow. Don't stare at him, or he'd think you wanted to be eaten.

On the right sat a man in green robes, pale-skinned and handsome, with sharp eyebrows and a mischievous smile, the kind that made innocent maidens swoon. Oh no, my heart. You're going to eat it, aren't you? The green-robed man glanced at Fang Cheng, coughed as if something had caught in his nose, but seeing he was with the fortress crew, said nothing. The middle chair sat empty. King Tiger hadn't arrived yet. Fang Cheng kept his cool, staying close to Dagou and quietly observing.

"Brother Green, life in the mountains is pleasant, but it gets dull after a while. Why don't you and Brother Tiger join me for some fun in the Great Sheng Royal Capital?" The yellow-robed man took a sip of wine and suddenly proposed. The green-robed man frowned.

"That place is crawling with cultivators, the Hall of Eternal Life, the Underworld Bureau, countless experts. It'd be dangerous for us."

"Brother Green, you don't understand. I know those Hall of Eternal Life people well. We drink together, eat together, listen to music. I've done it all." The yellow-robed man laughed heartily.

"You think I'm really a wanted criminal? Hah, I've done plenty of jobs for the Hall. They don't want me dead. Only those idiots at the Underworld Bureau take it seriously. Too bad, with the Hall's protection, the Bureau will never catch me." The green-robed man shook his head.

"I'll pass. Dealing with cultivators is too complicated. I prefer eighteen-year-old maidens, pure and simple."

"Haha, Brother Green speaks the truth. Dealing with those schemers does take effort." Fang Cheng listened to King Yellow's words and felt his disgust for the Hall of Eternal Life deepen. Once he dealt with the demon sword, he'd go to the capital and dispense some justice. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Just then, Zhonggou and Xiaogou carried in the so-called white pig. Fang Cheng took a closer look. It was a young, plump man, fair-skinned, with a round face and a big belly.

He reminded Fang Cheng of his former colleague Zhu Youchang, though this one was more likeable. The young man was completely naked, shaved clean of all hair. His skin was red from repeated scrubbing. These kings had high standards. They wanted clean food. Dagou pulled over a long stone table for the brothers to lay out the ingredients. Fang Cheng went over to help. He noticed the plump man wasn't dead. He seemed sedated. More surprisingly, he had faint traces of Divine Energy in his body.

He was actually a cultivator. Once the plump man was laid out on the stone table, Xiaogou drew his short knife, ready to get to work. Dagou stopped him.

"Wait. King Tiger isn't here yet. He wants it fresh, crisp texture. Especially the brains, scooped out fresh, boiled briefly, then drizzled with hot oil. That taste, it's like ascending to heaven."

"Big brother's right." Xiaogou put away his knife and pulled out a razor to shave any stray hairs off the plump man's body, especially the coarse ones, so they wouldn't get stuck in anyone's teeth. Dagou continued giving orders.

"Fang Cheng, start the fire. Second brother, season the pot. Use plenty. This white pig has a strong sour smell." Fang Cheng nodded and went to tend the fire, but his attention stayed on the plump man. He needed to save this guy, have him witness Fang Cheng's good deeds and, if possible, spread the word. Zhonggou stood by the cauldron, tossing in seasonings as he chattered.

"I heard that people who eat a lot of meat have a stronger sour smell. This white pig looks like he's from a wealthy family, different from us villagers who eat nothing but coarse grains." Xiaogou sidled up.

"Second brother, are you saying we should go catch some villagers for a change of taste?" Zhonggou tossed in a handful of chili peppers and shook his head.

"Catching people is the kings' job. No need for us to take risks. We eat whatever the kings bring. The kings get the brains, the other demon lords get the organs and intestines, and we brothers get the leftover meat. Plenty for us." Xiaogou laughed.

"Haha, second brother's right. Life in this fortress is great, wine, meat, no heavy labor. Just a bit of cooking." Fang Cheng listened as he worked, then said, "Hey, Zhonggou, add more chili. I like it spicy." Zhonggou frowned at Fang Cheng's attitude and snorted.

"Watch how we do things. From now on, you'll be doing all this grunt work." Xiaogou laughed and patted Fang Cheng's shoulder.

"Hear that? You're doing all the work from now on. If you refuse, heh heh, I'll eat you. I'm not afraid of losing IQ. I never had any to begin with."

"Speaking of which, does eating a stupid person's brain actually lower your IQ?" Fang Cheng asked. He'd been feeling dumber lately. He'd blamed it on the demon sword, but maybe he'd just been eating too many idiots. He'd have to be more careful in the future. As they chatted, King Tiger finally arrived. Behold, he strode in, like an official on an inspection tour, wearing a genial expression but radiating authority. The cavern fell silent. Dagou and Xiaogou dropped what they were doing and stood at attention.

The yellow-robed and green-robed men rose to greet him. Fang Cheng crouched by the cauldron, watching King Tiger from the corner of his eye. He was dark-skinned, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built. The energy emanating from him was formidable, stronger than any demon or cultivator Fang Cheng had ever encountered. Fang Cheng's heart tightened. He stayed alert. The demon sword within him lay dormant, either sensing a tough fight or afraid of scaring off the prey.

King Tiger approached the stone table, eyed the plump man, and licked his lips with a greedy expression.

"I can smell it. His brain is fragrant." Then he turned, glanced at Fang Cheng, and smiled.

"Brother Green, Brother Yellow, you brought gifts? Hahaha, this little cultivator's brain is even more fragrant."

"What, he's a cultivator?!" King Green looked surprised. King Yellow's eyes flickered. Dagou and Xiaogou scratched their heads in confusion. Zhonggou's face fell.

"Brother Tiger, he's not with us." King Yellow said. King Green added, "I couldn't sense any energy from him." Seeing his friends' uncertain expressions, King Tiger burst out laughing, his eyes locking onto Fang Cheng with a predatory gleam.

"A Second Level cultivator, daring to come to my doorstep. Since you've come to die, I'll oblige." With that, he reached out a massive claw and swiped at Fang Cheng through the air.