After a short while, Muyun Qin followed the cat demon and arrived outside a grand mansion in the city.

"This is the place," the cat demon whispered.

Muyun Qin activated his spiritual vision to sense any activity inside.

"Hmm? Strange!" Muyun Qin furrowed his brows as he couldn't detect any presence within the vast courtyard. "Are you sure your master is here?"

The cat demon replied, "I'm certain! This mansion may seem ordinary, but there's an underground palace where my master resides."

"An underground palace?" Muyun Qin was surprised.

Inside the underground palace, a chubby man in a yellow robe sat on a throne, smiling contentedly. A seductive woman in a pink robe, with her bosom partially exposed, leaned against him in his embrace.

Seated on both sides below him were seven individuals of various ages and genders, all indulging in fine food and wine while watching the dance before them.

Musicians played their instruments by the side of the hall, creating a harmonious and captivating melody. The music alternated between deep and majestic tones and joyful and lively tunes.

The dancers gracefully moved to the rhythm, sometimes displaying solemnity and dignity, sometimes exuding cheerfulness and agility, and sometimes revealing alluring and seductive gestures.

"Excellent!" The chubby man and his seven subordinates enjoyed the spectacle.

"My lord, taste this. I made it myself," the woman in the pink robe picked up a morsel from a plate and fed it to the chubby man's mouth.

However, the chubby man noticed a black-robed old man entering through a side door of the hall.

"Is my cooking not delicious?" the woman in the pink robe complained playfully.

"It's delicious, my beauty. Your cooking is delicious, and your lips are even sweeter and tastier," the chubby man said, turning his head to give her a peck on the lips.

The woman chuckled at his response.

"Everyone, withdraw," the chubby man commanded.

"Yes, master."

The musicians and dancers stopped, bowing and retreating. They had long lost hope since arriving in this underground palace and had never been allowed to leave. They were condemned to live in this lightless existence, not daring to voice any complaints due to the terrifying methods of the demons.

At this moment, the black-robed old man entered the hall, holding a wooden box in one hand, and respectfully said, "Master Chu, I have obtained the star-patterned steel you requested. It took me eight years to acquire this batch, totaling eighty-three pounds."

"Star-patterned steel?" The figure of the chubby man sitting there suddenly blurred, leaving behind afterimages as he traversed over ten yards in an instant.

Swish!

He was already in front of the black-robed old man.

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The old man's heart trembled, "He's so fast. He could kill me with a single strike. Not to mention the demonic master, even the other seven demons here could easily kill me."

However, the chubby man extended his hand and swiftly grabbed the wooden box, opening it to reveal pieces of silver-white metal with unique patterns. His eyes lit up, and he grinned wickedly, saying, "Star-patterned steel is forbidden by the imperial court. If anyone is found hoarding it, it's a crime punishable by extermination of the entire family."

"That's why it was so difficult to obtain. It took eight years and countless efforts, and many of my brethren died to acquire this batch. Once I obtained it, I immediately brought it to Master Chu," the black-robed old man explained hastily.

"Don't worry, you have been loyal to me, and I will naturally reward you. With me protecting your gang, no one can touch you! You won't have to pay tribute for the next ten years," the chubby man said generously.

The black-robed old man was overjoyed. With the support of the demon master, his position as the gang leader was secure, and he was exempted from tribute for ten years. This tribute could now go directly into his own pocket.

"Thank you, Master Chu," the black-robed old man flattered.

"Star-patterned steel." However, the chubby man in the yellow robe was fixated on the treasures inside the wooden box. He picked up a silver-white metal piece and shoved it into his mouth. His teeth, which had appeared ordinary, suddenly transformed into jagged saw-like edges. With a crunching sound, he effortlessly crushed the piece of star-patterned steel, chewing it before swallowing it into his abdomen. His teeth returned to normal.

"My strength ranks among the top three in the gang. Even an axe strike on the star-patterned steel would barely leave a mark, and it quickly regenerates on its own. Is it so easily bitten?" the black-robed old man marveled inwardly.

After consuming a piece of star-patterned steel, the chubby man walked back to his throne. However, his entire skin seemed to possess silver threads that flowed subtly.

"Congratulations, master! Congratulations, master."

"With this star-patterned steel, the master's strength will surely greatly increase."

The seven subordinates sitting beside him all stood up to offer their congratulations.

Some precious materials could only be utilized by immortals, Buddhas, gods, demons, and monsters. For example, star-patterned steel could be directly consumed by this demon master to enhance his cultivation.

"Hahaha..." The chubby man burst into laughter, shaking the entire hall with his amusement.

Suddenly, a black-clad youth entered the hall, casually holding a delicate young girl as if strolling through his own backyard. It was Muyun Qin, holding the cat girl captive.

"Hmm?" The hall fell silent as everyone observed this unexpected visitor.

The complexion of the chubby man changed slightly, but he soon sat back on his throne and embraced the woman in the pink robe. With a sly smile on his face, he said, "My palace has seven layers of guards and numerous trap mechanisms. I didn't expect a friend to come here unnoticed, capturing one of my subordinates. Yong Chu admires your skills. May I ask, friend, where do you come from, and what brings you here?"

Muyun Qin glanced at the chubby man, using his divine eye to clearly see that the yellow-robed figure was actually a wild boar demon, exuding a formidable and domineering aura. The seven individuals seated beside him were also demons.

"Is he your master?" Muyun Qin disregarded the demon master and focused on the cat girl before him. "Did he order you to attack Yun Qin?"

"Yes," the cat girl replied, her head drooping pitifully.

"Friend, have you come for Yun Qin?" the chubby man sat there, his voice resounding.

"Yes, for Yun Qin," Muyun Qin responded.

Muyun Qin turned to face the chubby man and asked, "Why did you target Yun Qin and seek to control him?"

"Hahaha, Yun Qin's father is Gang Qin, one of the three chief silver-badge bounty hunters in Yingtian County. As you know, even though a single silver-badge bounty hunter is insignificant to me, the imperial officials and their forces pose a threat that gives me a headache. So, I wanted to use his son's life as leverage to have a good talk with him. That's why I resorted to this plan," the chubby man laughed. "But since you've taken action, I can give you face and let this matter slide. However, may I ask where you come from? There shouldn't be such a powerful master in Yingtian County."

"Oh? You think I'm not from Yingtian County?" Muyun Qin responded.

"Hahaha, I, Yong Chu, have been in Yingtian County for sixty-eight years," the chubby man confidently declared. "Whether it's humans or demons, there is nothing I don't know."

"Nothing you don't know?" Muyun Qin nodded.

Whoosh.

Muyun Qin then threw the cat girl to the side, causing her to fall to the ground. She quickly got up, simultaneously pleading in a low voice, "I have brought the immortal here. Please honor your promise and withdraw the spell, sparing my life."

"I brought this cultivator here. The master will never spare me. I must escape while the cultivator and the master are in confrontation," Catwoman contemplated.

"Poof." Suddenly, Catwoman's body trembled, and the true elemental force that sealed her demonic power instantly shattered her heart.

"You, you didn't keep..." Catwoman's eyes were filled with unwillingness and anger, then she collapsed to the ground, her body contorted, reverting to the form of a black cat corpse.

Muyun Qin looked at her. "Some promises must be kept, even at the cost of one's life. But for certain people, adhering to promises is foolish and outdated! The same goes for monsters! If I were that foolish, I would have died at the hands of monsters countless times."

As soon as his words fell, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed.

"Died at the hands of monsters countless times?" muttered the obese man in a yellow robe, his pupils contracting. "Monsters are already rare, but it seems he has dealt with many of them."

"My friend, if you help me deal with Yun Qin, I will spare you. Can we let bygones be bygones?" The obese man stood up, staring at Muyun Qin, while the woman in the pink robe beside him appeared somewhat nervous. The seven monsters that were originally seated also stood up, each one fixing their gaze on Muyun Qin. As for the black-robed old man, he was trembling with nervousness. Although he controlled a faction with thousands of members, at this moment, he felt nothing but panic and fear.

"No, I cannot," Muyun Qin shook his head.

A flash of ferocity appeared in the obese man's eyes, and he suddenly shouted, "Kill!"

The sound resounded like thunder, echoing throughout the entire hall, causing the hall to tremble. Several cups and plates on the table burst directly from the shockwave.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh..."

Men, women, old, and young, the seven extraordinary experts instantly sprang into action. Five of them flew out directly, one transformed into a mist, and another disappeared into thin air.

"He can turn invisible?" Muyun Qin was slightly surprised.