The Steward Demonic Emperor

On the highest platform on Devil Peak stood a black-garbed man with rapt attention.

High above the clouds, the sun and moon hung side by side, flooding the land below in their warm glow and sharp coldness.
The man took deep breaths as he spread his arms toward the sky, and the lights gathered in his palms.
And the world dimmed.

A foul wind stirred, wreathing with endless howls of agony from untold ghosts.

The wind picked up the man’s elegant hair, revealing a demonic face behind.

The sun and the moon dimmed while the man grew in power from the rays.
Soon, even dark energy began to rise from him.

With his face battered by the freezing winds, the dark energy grew thicker until it covered him whole.
He released a breath and an evil smile adorned his face.

Rumble!

With a loud sound as the trigger, the four mountains in vicinity erupted while Devil Peak itself was wracked by terrible tremors.
The man absorbing the essences of the sun and moon opened his eyes.

With a space rending sound, seven flashes of light appeared.
As the light scattered, there stood seven figures radiating ruthless power.

His eyebrows shook but a fraction as the man spoke in an eerie voice, “How are the seven of you here? Didn’t you all despise us demonic cultivators to no end?”

“Humph, Demonic Emperor, Zhuo Yifan, isn’t it obvious why we’re here?” An old man stroked his white beard as he gave a look of disdain.

His heart skipped a beat and Zhuo Yifan sounded out, “Geezer Sword Emperor, I do not know what you mean.”

“Humph, stop faking it and take out the Nine Serenities Secret Records.” A female Daoist stepped arrogantly as she threw her chin forward.

Zhuo Yifan paled.

It had been only a month since he found the legendary Nine Serenities Emperor’s dwelling.
After brushing death countless times in the process, he finally obtained the written accounts he wished to study for all his life.
How was it that they caught wind of this?

He suddenly recalled something and his face grew darker by the second.

“Zhao Chen, come out.” shouted Zhuo Yifan.

A cheery voice rang through the empty forest on the mountain.
Immediately, a handsome youngster in white robes walked from behind the seven, smiling; all the while as he made a curt bow to Zhuo Yifan, “Ha-ha-ha, Master, did you ask for me?”

Zhuo Yifan glared with hatred at the hypocrite and said, “Is this your doing?”

“Yes!” nodded Zhao Chen with a smile.

“Did you also cancel the guarding array?”

“Yes!”

“Why? I never slight you in the least.” Zhuo Yifan clenched his fist as murderous intent flared out from his eyes.

Despite being a demonic cultivator, he normally did not kill without reason.
If he did, he was just acting out on his nature.
Else, those righteous cultivators would’ve come to end him much sooner.
Zhao Chen, for that matter, was an orphan that Zhuo Yifan took in when he saw his talent.
Yet, who’d have thought the day would come when Zhao Chen would betray him.

Despite putting a front with his calm demour, before Zhuo Yifan’s increasing killing intent, Zhao Chen’s feet betrayed him as he took two steps back, moving closer to the seven beings behind him.

“Master, I understand your kindness is as heavy as a mountain.
But that doesn’t give you the right to steal the Eight Emperor seat and cast me in your shadow for all eternity.
Even more so, regarding the Nine Serenities Secret Records.
Ever since you’ve obtained it, you’ve trained alone, even afraid of me catching a glimpse of it.”

Zhuo Yifan’s heart clenched when he heard this.

Zhao Chen would never know he did it for his sake.
Having low cultivation and going head first into studying the Nine Serenities Secret Records would deviate one’s cultivation.
He had opted to understand it in its entirety and only then impart it to him.

Yet all his plans were ruined in just a short month.

“Ha-ha-ha, well said.
Zhao Chen, you’re a true disciple!”

Zhuo Yifan’s roaring laughter reached the heavens and so did his rage, “Since it is so, Master will give you a taste of the Nine Serenities Secret Records.”

“Zhuo Yifan, it is not your place for such unbridled words in the presence of us seven.” The white-bearded old man stepped before Zhao Chen.

“Humph, everyone in the Sacred Domain knows me as the Eight Emperor.
I could care less if all seven of you Emperors come at me t