Becoming evil makes you ten times stronger, but becoming a demon gives you hundredfold strength

He could feel it; this person was formidable.

Longbows and crossbows, firing at close range, even top-notch experts couldn't block them, let alone the fact that Great Leader Chen's men were also prepared and had charged together.

Meng Yu coldly watched this group of people.

Without drawing his sword from his back, a flame rose, and in his days in jail, Meng Yu had cultivated some fist and foot skills. He used the White Crane Steps and White Crane Hammer as fluidly as flowing clouds and water, and the flame from the Fire Crow Sword Technique was just as mesmerizing in his hands.

A fire snake spat out, perfectly blocking the arrows, then his fingers flicked in rapid succession, and the archers twenty steps away suddenly screamed loudly.

And he, his body as fluid as clouds and water, moved forward; anyone who stood in his way touched by his palm would, the next moment, have flames bursting from within, engulfing them.

Just like those twelve archers.

He had decided, his alias would be Fiery Young Master, and his martial skill named Fiery God Palm, disguising himself as a close-combat mage!

In just an instant, more than twenty people turned into firemen, then fell to the ground one by one, while the hall was filled with the stench of charred flesh, and Meng Yu had already arrived in front of Grand Chieftain Chen.

"I!"

Suddenly, a bitter taste filled Grand Chieftain Chen's mouth. He wanted to say he never touched the Liu Family members, he wanted to question why such a high and mighty person like you came to show off in his place, he had even witnessed how terrifying Meng Yu's martial skill was, similar to twenty years ago, when the Saintess of Guanghan from the Martial Saint Land of Ice and Snow Palace fought others, it was with this very manner.

But that was the Martial Saint Land, the Saintess of Guanghan Palace! And this young person in front of him...

He gritted his teeth, his Five Tigers Gate-Crushing Saber that he had diligently practiced for forty years cleaved at Meng Yu, the sabre light was bright as snow, sealing off any escape for his opponent. But the young person before him moved agilely as a white crane, with a twist and a turn, he dodged the sabre light, then landed a palm on his chest.

The palm was light, gone in a flash.

"Boom!"

An intensely hot flame surged upwards, he screamed as he turned into a fireman, and the next second, he fell to the ground, becoming a torch in the middle of the hall.

"Anyone who runs dies!"

With a flick of his finger, two Fire Crows flew out, turning two lackeys who tried to escape into firemen.

Meng Yu looked at the bandits present and huffed coldly, "What garbage, the girl saves you, and this is how you repay her, by kidnapping her to your mountain stronghold?"

Meng Yu kicked the floor, and the ash that was once Cheng Kaiyuan had already burned to dregs.

"Can I take over as the Stronghold Leader of Black Wind Stockade?"

Red candles were dimly lit, red silk was hung high, beautiful women were like jade; it was a lively scene.

The only thing missing was the wedding night.

...

One day later, Meng Yu sat on the soft couch, contentedly patting the armrest of the walnut chair.

Indeed, one cannot live isolated from society.

This past month, he had been inquiring about the surroundings, including sleeping rough, alternating between hunger and fullness, even chatting with the locals—only to turn around and find the locals preparing knockout drugs for him, with kids holding sticks ready to rob him...

Not to mention life in the wilderness, lying in trees surrounded by mosquitoes, ants, venomous snakes, bird droppings, and so on, sometimes for the sake of traveling swiftly, he had to use Qinggong for hours on end!

In the end, he decided to find a secluded place and set himself up as the King of the Mountain.

Of course, he didn't come alone; on the way, he encountered a group of wandering samurais. Upon seeing Meng Yu's combat prowess and hearing that he intended to become an outlaw, they immediately kowtowed and swore allegiance, leading to today's scene of Black Wind Stockade's marriage and the previous scene of him killing.

"Hero Meng, please have your meal." Stay tuned to empire

A tender and virtuous voice came from outside, and a shy woman walked in.

There were six people from the Liu Family, mainly Madam Liu, Miss Liu, and the second young Miss Liu, along with three cousins.

This was quite normal; in this era, if a family was wealthy and influential, the extended family would send their daughters, sons, and so on to help, even starting from being maids and servants. It wasn't mistreatment but providing a way out.

```

It was Miss Liu who came. That day, after killing the Great Village Chief, he also took the chance to save Miss Liu, Second Miss Liu, and Madam Liu. Meng Yu then asked them, "How will you repay this kindness?"

Meng Yu didn't have any problems, of course he wouldn't make up a story about owing a favor to the Liu Family members, and Madam Liu immediately offered money as no problem, and for saving their lives, we will pay right away. "You let my two daughters go, and I will stay as a hostage. As for the money, I will give you whatever you want," she said.

Then Meng Yu smiled and said, "You are beautiful, and so are your thoughts."

Meng Yu's solution was very simple.

He told them, "Send someone to the Liu Family to get the money. The six of you stay here first, take good care of the kitchen, and be responsible for my meals. When the Liu Family members come, I will let you go."

Meng Yu was not afraid of poison. Though he wouldn't claim to be immune to all poisons, it was impossible to find poison in the stronghold that could harm him, an eighth layer Qi Cultivator. But what about something disgusting like spit?

The previous maids of the stronghold didn't seem reliable, and the idea of the mercenary recruits who had been subdued cooking was out of the question.

The young ladies were noticeably fair-skinned and had clean limbs, and their daily habits seemed very good—such people in charge of the kitchen meant he wouldn't be wronged.

Now, Miss Liu was delivering the meal—that famous great talent whom Master Cheng couldn't forget and who was known far and wide.

Well, Meng Yu liked the gentle and virtuous type, especially her shy but prince-admiring expression—it was really quite nice.

Upon opening the meal tray, today's meal contained four dishes and one soup, all common dishes, but characteristic of the mountain stronghold.

The first dish was mixed wild vegetables.

These common wild greens around the stronghold were carefully prepared, looking green and lush. When picked up with chopsticks, they did not have the bitterness of wild vegetables but rather a refreshing taste, like after rain in the field, with different flavors mingling together that immediately whet the appetite.

The second dish was steamed cured meat with rice flour. Large chunks of meat and shiny grains of rice, with refined seasonings, had no hint of any odorous taste—it was exactly the type of dish that men loved to eat with meals.

The third and fourth dishes were stir-fried chicken and steamed eggs. The stir-fried chicken was so delicious that Meng Yu almost bit his tongue, while the steamed eggs were silky and tender, with a special sweetness that seemed like the kiss from a lover.

Perhaps the only regret was that the portion was too small.

"Really not enough to eat... Miss Liu, next time make more, I feel like I could eat a whole cow," Meng Yu sighed, continuing to drink the soup. The soup was chicken broth, but without any hint of gaminess, and extremely smooth. When he drank it, it felt as if something was gently scratching at his heart.

Miss Liu stood there meekly, her face blushing, and after a long time, she whispered.

"Mother said, 'A little of many dishes is best, it's actually best if there isn't quite enough,' Young Master Meng."

Her mother had taught her this when she was preparing to become a bride—that one would grow tired of even exotic delicacies if eaten daily, but exquisite small dishes, only a little each time, would never wear out their welcome.

A clever wife would carefully prepare several delicious dishes for her husband, but never too much, as this would make her husband like it all the more.

Unfortunately, she no longer had that opportunity.

"Hmm, that saying makes sense. Don't worry about staying in the stronghold, and take some time to practice martial arts. Seriously, such beautiful girls—such poor swordsmanship..."

Meng Yu hummed a bit, surrounded by various snacks that the ladies had made and sent over, so he wasn't worried about going hungry. Then he signaled for her to leave.

Then, someone else came in.

"Boss, this is the stronghold's account book."

The speaker was a man in his thirties who respectfully handed over the ledger.

On the twelfth day, Meng Yu had encountered a group of itinerant mercenaries. Observing that these people were quite honorable—robbing wealth without killing people, and even leaving a little money for their victims—he revealed himself and asked, "I need a group of underlings; are you willing to be enlisted by me?"

The sudden appearance of Meng Yu made the group exchange glances. But when Meng Yu shattered a boulder with a palm and turned a tree into a torch with a flick of a finger, and when he declared his intent to flatten Black Wind Stockade and asked if they were willing to work for him...

"Here's some silver as a down payment."

Dad, no, Granddad, how fortunate we are to have met you in this life!

Seeing the bag of silver, Meng Yu's cultivation, and his goals, the group of mercenaries immediately kowtowed in agreement!

```