*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
**Author's Message**
Readers, a word from the author. This is my first novel, and I'm growing with every chapter I write. This story is something I'm truly passionate about, and I promise to keep improving—chapter by chapter—until it becomes something worthy of your time.
Thank you for reading and staying with me on this journey. Your comments, thoughts, and support genuinely motivate me, so feel free to share how you feel about each chapter. I read everything.
***
Void raised both hands placatingly, his smile kind and disarming, as though addressing a child throwing a tantrum.
"Calm yourself, my lord," he said softly. "I am here for something else entirely."
The Heavenly Demon smirked, arrogance radiating from him like heat from forge coals.
"Something else, you say?" he rumbled, voice thick with amusement. "You speak as though you can read my thoughts. Kahahahaha!"
Void lowered his head slightly, the picture of deference.
"If I am not mistaken, my lord," he continued, tone measured and precise, "you were wondering where I came from... how I bypassed your wards so effortlessly... and whether I might be from the Righteousness Sect."
The Heavenly Demon flinched. Color drained from his face, leaving it ashen. His eyes widened—not with fear, but with the cold shock of a predator realizing it had been sized up by something unseen.
How? he thought, mind racing. How did he know exactly what I was thinking?
He straightened abruptly, gaze drifting to the shadowed corners of the training hall as though sensing an invisible spectator. Then, forcing composure, he fixed Void with a glare sharp enough to split stone.
"Speak plainly," the Heavenly Demon demanded, voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Why are you here?"
Void smiled wider.
"I am here for—"
The Heavenly Demon cut him off, qi surging outward like a storm front.
"And before you utter another word," he snarled, "know this: if your answer fails to satisfy me, I will kill you where you stand. Right here. Right now."
Void fell silent. The air thickened, torches flickering as if struggling to breathe.
Then, suddenly, his face brightened with a radiant smile.
"Yes, of course, my lord," he said brightly. "Why not?"
"Speak," the Heavenly Demon commanded, killing intent thickening the atmosphere until it pressed against the skin like wet iron.
Void bowed his head once more.
"My lord, I am here to become your personal, humble servant," he declared. "Please allow me to stand by your side."
The Heavenly Demon paused, a smirk curling his lips.
Oooh... how unexpected, he thought. I assumed he came for some grand scheme, but he's just another fool begging for scraps. What do these brats take me for?
Every aspirant had tried the same ploy—flattery, promises of loyalty, desperate bids for power. None had proven worthy. This one's answer wasn't even decent.
Should I simply kill him now?
His killing intent spiked higher, sword hand twitching.
"Brat," he said aloud, voice laced with contempt, "you claim you want to stand by my side? Explain why."
Void answered without hesitation, eyes gleaming with fervent admiration.
"My lord, you are admirable beyond measure. Strongest in this world, yet you comprehend its true workings. You know how to crush those who forget their place—without mercy, without hesitation. I have a dream: to serve someone obviously superior to me. To learn at the feet of true power."
The Heavenly Demon threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing like thunder in a cavern.
"Well spoken! But if you truly wish to serve me personally, you must *prove* yourself. You know that, yes?"
Void nodded eagerly.
"Yes, of course, my lord. I insist you don't hold back—not even if it means killing me. Go all out. That is what I truly wish."
The Heavenly Demon's smirk widened into something feral.
"You've got nerve, brat. Most would beg for mercy by now. Very well—I won't hold back. Are you ready?"
Void's smile never wavered.
"Yes, my lord. Of course."
***
The Heavenly Demon's sword ignited, demonic flames roaring to life as he lunged.
Void sidestepped with liquid grace, calculating mid-motion: First strike tests reaction speed. Predictable—80% power, probing for weakness. His hand flickered out, palm grazing the demon's extended arm. Qi clashed; the Heavenly Demon grunted, a shallow cut blooming across his forearm from Void's precise counter.
Noted,Void thought. His flame qi prioritizes burst damage over sustained flow. Left side slower by 12%.
The demon whirled, blade descending like a guillotine. Void twisted away, but the shockwave clipped his shoulder—fabric tore, blood welled. He rolled, coming up with a feigned stumble that drew the demon in.
Perfect.
As the Heavenly Demon pressed the advantage, Void's leg swept low—a calculated feint masking a vicious palm strike to the ribs. Bone cracked audibly; the demon staggered, flames flickering.
"You—" he snarled, blood trickling from his mouth.
Void "tripped," falling to one knee with exaggerated exhaustion. In reality, he had already mapped the demon's next three moves: overhand slash, spinning kick, flame burst finisher.
The Heavenly Demon smirked triumphantly, raising his sword for the killing blow.
"Get up, brat."
Void remained on the ground, breathing ragged, body marked with burns and cuts—but his eyes gleamed with hidden satisfaction.
I did it, he thought, suppressing a chuckle. Hehehehe.
***
The Heavenly Demon sheathed his sword, a broad smile splitting his face.
"You've passed," he declared, laughing heartily. "From now on, you are my personal servant! Hahahahahaha!"
Void rose slowly, head bowed in apparent gratitude. But as he lifted his gaze, something shifted—an almost imperceptible tilt, his eyes drifting downward to the floor as though addressing a presence no one else could perceive.
"I guess this was it," he murmured to himself, expression blank, devoid of the earlier fervor. "As expected. My acting has reached the divine now."
He glanced sidelong at the Heavenly Demon, lips curving faintly.
"Now I simply stick with this demon dog... until the second phase begins."
***
**Author's Note:**
Void didn't just infiltrate—he orchestrated the entire exchange, wounds calculated, flattery weaponized. Drop "Puppet master activated" if you see through his game already, or predict how long before the Heavenly Demon realizes he's the one on the leash. Your guesses fuel the schemes.