The words of the Black Water Old Demon made Mo Fan chuckle inwardly.
He did not fear the other party asking for benefits. What he feared was the other party wanting nothing at all.
All the bustle in the world is for profit. All the hustle in the world is for profit. Therefore, Mo Fan was not surprised that he raised conditions. Even for reform, one must make others embrace it willingly.
And benefits were naturally the best driving force!
Though that was the case, Mo Fan did not want to agree so readily. After a brief contemplation, he smiled bitterly and said, “Senior, my Black Wind Mountain cannot compare to your Black Water River in size or abundance. Therefore, I truly do not have many good things to offer. Why not go and see for yourself? Apart from the demons filling my mountain, if there is anything that catches your eye, feel free to take it!”
Mo Fan’s words immediately stunned the Black Water Old Demon. He then rolled his eyes in annoyance. “So after all that talking, you little fellow still plan to have this old man work for you for free?”
“Cough, cough… How could that be? I have already shown the greatest sincerity. It is truly that my pouch is empty and the demon mountain impoverished!”
Mo Fan touched his nose awkwardly, thought for a moment, and said, “How about this! My Black Wind Mountain has established a demon academy and invited a great human Confucian to lecture on the dao. It can enlighten living beings and open their wisdom. If Senior does not disdain it, in the future the demons from your Black Water River may come to audit the lectures at any time!”
“Lecture on the dao?”
The Black Water Old Demon was stunned again upon hearing this, then questioned, “A great human Confucian will surely lecture on human principles. Can it truly enlighten our demon race?”
“Naturally it can. Senior should understand that I would not deceive you.”
Mo Fan smiled, but then his expression turned serious as he said, “However, living beings in the world have different aptitudes, so the results of enlightenment will vary. I dare not say it will certainly enlighten all little demons, but in the end it will still be better than before.”
“It sounds rather interesting. Though it holds little use for this old man, it is still a good deed.”
The Black Water Old Demon nodded. In fact, he did not insist on demanding benefits from Mo Fan. He merely used it as an excuse to let those other six fellows understand that this visit had yielded some gains.
In this way, during the subsequent cooperation, those six would embrace it willingly, for there would be sweets to taste.
For a great demon like the Black Water Old Demon, only breaking through to the Ancestral Realm could truly capture his attention. As for other treasures, no matter how many, it was hard for them to catch his eye.
But the Black Fish King and the other five great demon kings were different. They did not see things as clearly as the Black Water Old Demon. Their desire for power was still quite strong. Therefore, if they could increase the number of little demons under them or enhance their strength, they would naturally be pleased.
Next, Mo Fan chatted with the Black Water Old Demon about many things, mainly regarding the general direction of future reforms.
For the insights and strategies Mo Fan proposed, the Black Water Old Demon could only marvel again and again.
In Mo Fan’s words, it was to unite as many demon kings as possible first. Have the various demon kings spread the demon race writing system, forming a series of new orders. Use this as a bond to twist the demon kings into a single rope. Finally, based on this, form an encircling momentum to approach the territories of the various Demon Ancestors, persuading them to join. Ultimately, target the various sacred lands of the demon race.
“This idea is good. Now that Phoenix Cry Mountain is sealed and the Fire Phoenix Sacred King has gone into seclusion, while you have gained the capital to contend with Demon Ancestors, it is indeed an excellent opportunity to gather the demon kings!”
The Black Water Old Demon nodded, but then his tone shifted. “With your strength, there should be no problem. But the key is that these demon kings are accustomed to holding absolute power. I fear a large portion will still not yield so easily.
The new order you promote, from a grand perspective, is for the entire demon race. Yet in many rules, it weakens the demon kings’ authority over their own territories. I am afraid it will not be so easy to implement.”
“Senior, before the great trend, all voices of doubt are insignificant. They will ultimately be submerged in the flood of history.
A great unified order is inevitable. This aligns with the overall interests of the demon race!
Before the survival of the entire race, individual interests count for nothing. Since it is reform, to change old malpractices and establish new order, naturally there will be no lack of blood and fire!
Those who share our aspirations, we gladly welcome.
As for those who go against the way, we can only use thunderous means to resolve them!
The hundred-year period is not long. If we can rectify the entire demon race during this time, a little bloodshed is worth it!”
Mo Fan smiled slightly, yet hidden in his smile was a trace of indifference. Then he continued, “In fact, when great demons like Senior are willing to join the tide of reforming the demon race, the vast majority of demon kings will also choose to join!
As long as living beings in the world possess wisdom, they all know to seek advantage and avoid harm. No one wishes to place themselves in danger.
The so-called great trend prevails. Before the great trend, often more will choose to blindly follow the flow!
And those who do not follow the flow wish to swim against the current. Such actions are no different from a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Let them drown in it!”
“…”
The Black Water Old Demon was speechless. After thinking for a moment, he frowned and said, “All this is manageable. Even those two Demon Ancestor seniors are manageable. But you must think clearly. In doing so, the ones you will ultimately face are the Sacred Kings!”
This was what the Black Water Old Demon worried about most.
Those below demon kings were not worth concern. As the foundation of the demon race, as long as the demon kings were controlled, they would naturally obey the rules.
Though Demon Ancestors were harder to handle, given Mo Fan’s relationship with those two, the problem should not be great.
But Sacred Kings were different.
Though the Fire Phoenix Sacred King was currently in seclusion, if upon emerging she suddenly discovered that the order in her territory had completely changed, how could that be tolerated?
At that time, as the instigator pushing the entire reform, Mo Fan would inevitably bear the wrath of the Fire Phoenix Sacred King.
“I actually thought about this point long ago.”
However, Mo Fan’s words stunned the Black Water Old Demon.
“Senior, what I want to do is merely promote the reform of the demon race, enabling the demon race to re-establish order. It is not to become the sovereign above all demons.”
Mo Fan smiled, then grinned and said, “What if I use the position of Demon Race Sovereign to quell the anger of the Fire Phoenix Sacred King and gain her support?”
“Ah? This…”
The Black Water Old Demon was immediately rendered speechless.
It had to be said, this was indeed a brilliant move by Mo Fan, and the only way to break the impasse.
At first, he had truly thought that all Mo Fan was doing was aimed at becoming that sole one. That was why he had so many concerns.
But now Mo Fan’s words were like a shot in the arm for him.
“In this way, you would truly be making wedding clothes for another. Are you really willing to do this?” The Black Water Old Demon frowned.
“I said that the reason I am doing this is merely to fulfil a promise to Senior White Tiger Sacred King. That is all!”
Mo Fan smiled slightly, then stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the distant clouds and mist. He said calmly, “Though I speak of it lightly, in my heart I understand how deep the waters of the demon race are. The several Sacred Kings are not something the current me can contend with. Therefore, the Fire Phoenix Sacred King is an excellent choice!”
There was one more sentence Mo Fan did not say regarding why he chose the Fire Phoenix Sacred King.
That was, among all the Sacred Kings he knew of so far, only the Fire Phoenix Sacred King had a good relationship with the White Tiger Sacred King. Moreover, a thousand years ago, both had followed that human female emperor.
Of course, more importantly, the Fire Phoenix Sacred King now possessed the so-called immortal sword. Her strength was no longer what it once was. Even the Sword Head of Inverted Suspension Mountain could do nothing to her. Looking across the entire Ten Thousand Great Mountains, who could rival her?
