Chapter 42: I Forgave Him

When Lu Fei returned to the stone table, carrying the wine jar that had yet to be touched, his head was still somewhat muddled. His intention in seizing the opportunity to approach was to leave an impression on the Black General and the Wolf Commander, so that the Bear Leader, who harbored resentment against him, would be more cautious.

Ordinary lesser demons were not qualified to step forward; it was only because he had recently advanced to a third-tier demon soldier, just one step away from becoming a demon general, that he dared to do so. Even so, his greatest hope before going up was that the Black General would remember him as a little wolf demon with the potential to become a demon general, a minor leader.

After all, the Black General had only nine minor leaders under his command; demons at the leader level were certainly considered middle-ranking. As for his expectations with the Wolf Commander, they were slightly higher. There were many wolf demons on Wave Mountain now, but apart from the Wolf Commander, he alone possessed a coat of pure white fur.

Moreover, from his observations and inquiries over the past few days, he had learned that his white wolf body was not an ordinary wild wolf, though it wasn't a rare or legendary beast. When he was still a first-tier demon soldier, his true form already measured nearly three meters in length. Other ordinary wild wolf demons were barely over two meters; those with better talent might reach two and a half meters at most.

From this, Lu Fei realized that his white wolf body was somewhat unusual. If he could perceive this, there was no reason that the powerful, high-ranking Wolf Commander would not understand it as well. Therefore, Lu Fei placed more hope in the Wolf Commander’s favor.

After all, if he were in the Wolf Commander’s position and a younger member of his own kind came seeking guidance, he would offer assistance. Most demon races were far more loyal than humans, and kinship made bonds easier to form. Most importantly, those who sought help in times of difficulty showed courage and intelligence; a clever mind meant a longer road ahead. Demons lived much longer than humans, and who could say whether a fortunate younger demon might someday be of help.

For these reasons, even now in his demon body, Lu Fei would be willing to help such a young demon. This was why he had expectations for the Wolf Commander.

Yet what he hadn’t anticipated was that, before the Black General became drunk, he seemed to have praised him, saying he was quite impressive.

But the general was drunk; would he remember anything when he woke up the next day? The Wolf Commander’s appreciation, however, was beyond Lu Fei’s expectations. Had the Wolf Commander not been paying close attention to him, he would not have immediately seen through Lu Fei’s purpose in offering the toast. If he hadn’t valued him, he wouldn’t have given him a bowl of wine, nor reminded him to offer a toast and apology to the Bear Leader before leaving.

Though the Wolf Commander didn’t say much to him, Lu Fei genuinely felt the leader’s regard. What good fortune this was.

“Big Bro, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Lu Fei distracted upon returning to the stone table, the crow demon quickly asked, “I saw you go up to the king—no, the general—and then the general left. Did he ignore you?”

“What nonsense…”

Before the crow demon finished, the little pig demon, Redskin, immediately retorted, “You were only watching the excitement. Didn’t you see the general was drunk? He couldn’t even stand at the end. And didn’t you notice Big Bro spoke with the Wolf Commander for quite a while? The commander even rewarded him with a bowl of wine… Didn’t you see any of that?”

“I really didn’t…”

Embarrassed by Redskin’s questions, the crow demon scratched the feathers atop his head. “But I saw Big Bro toast the Bear Leader… Did Big Bro resolve things with the Bear Leader?”

Though Redskin had been paying close attention since Lu Fei went up with the wine jar, he couldn’t answer the crow demon’s second question and was just as curious.

“I suppose so…”

Lu Fei snapped back to himself, nodded, poured himself a bowl from the wine jar, and drained it in one go, saying, “The Wolf Commander said it’s fine, so it should be fine… But we shouldn’t rely on other demons for our safety. We must work harder on our cultivation.”

At this, Lu Fei poured himself another bowl, and poured a bowl each for the crow demon and Redskin. The fruit wine was low in alcohol, and he hadn’t drunk much before, so a little more wouldn’t matter. Besides the crow demon, who seemed tipsy and was slurring his words, Redskin remained quite clear-headed.

“Come…”

Lu Fei raised his bowl, and the crow demon and Redskin immediately followed suit.

“Cheers…”

“Cheers…”

After Lu Fei returned to the stone table, glances from the banquet table often drifted their way.

In the minor leaders’ seating area—

“I was right, wasn’t I…”

The fox demon in leather armor withdrew his gaze and looked at the tiger demon beside him, “I told you that little white wolf might have a connection with our Wolf Commander. Now it seems it’s more than just a little.”

The tiger demon raised his bowl and drained it, wiped the wine from his mouth, grabbed a small bone with meat from the table, tossed it into his mouth and chewed, saying, “Of the nine minor leaders on Wave Mountain, not a single wolf among them. Seeing a younger kin and looking after him is normal, especially since that little wolf resembles the commander so much…”

The tiger demon continued, “But that little wolf seems pretty strong, right? Earlier, that pale-faced brat didn’t dare utter a word when he saw him and gave up his seat. I remember that guy’s strength isn’t bad, is it?”

“Heh, exactly. It’s because he’s strong that he’s favored by the commander. Otherwise, why wasn’t the commander interested in him before?”

The fox demon’s tone shifted, gaze turning to the figure across the table, drinking madly, and he laughed strangely, “I bet that big fellow isn’t feeling great now. Didn’t he lose an arm because of the little wolf?”

“Come, cheers…”

Three bowls clinked together, splashing wine.

The Bear Leader drained his bowl, wiped the wine from his mouth, grabbed a chunk of cold meat, and bit into it.

“Big Bro doesn’t seem in a good mood?”

A bull demon leader set his bowl down, looked at the sullen Bear Leader, and turned to the tiger demon.

The tiger demon said in a dark tone, “Hey, little bull, if you had an arm broken by a little demon and almost lost your life, would you hate him?”

The bull demon immediately replied angrily, “I would eat him alive—no one could stop me…”

“Enough…”

The Bear Leader interrupted, “The commander’s orders must be followed. Besides, my arm has healed now.”

He looked down at the lively crowd of lesser demons, at the white figure among them. Under the firelight, his dark red pupils grew more savage and ferocious. He said calmly, “I’ve already forgiven him…”