Chapter 41: The Greater and the Lesser Contest

“Big Brother is only looking out for us...”
Watching Crow Monster gaze longingly at the wine jug in Big Brother’s hand, Red Skin spoke up.
“I know that, of course...”
Crow Monster nodded, slumping over the stone table, his voice weak, “I’m just looking...”
Hearing his second brother’s stubborn words, Red Skin didn’t expose him, instead lifting the wooden bowl before him to take a drink.
Just then,
A sudden thunderous crash erupted.
Red Skin looked up to find a large stone table had been overturned, and a bull demon and a bear demon were locked in fierce combat.
The scene the monsters had been waiting for was finally playing out.
Cheers erupted throughout the crowd.
Hearing the commotion behind him and the enthusiastic shouts around,
Lu Fei didn’t need to turn his head to guess that some young monsters had started fighting.
But that was for the best.
A small demon like himself daring to be the first to step forward and toast the former king—now the Black General—was already drawing too much attention.
Though he’d snatched Mouse Spirit Ash Skin’s seat partly for revenge, he had indeed intended to make a splash.
But he had no wish to stand out too much.
Were it not for Bear Leader’s threat, he wouldn’t have so brazenly approached the general for a toast as a mere small demon—it was a risky move.
This was not Earth.
Now that someone else had stolen the spotlight, it suited him perfectly.
With that thought,
Lu Fei quickened his pace toward the front.
“Hm...”
Looking down at the white wolf cub wrapped in gray bear skin, carrying a jug of wine,
Black General, who was embracing a rabbit demon beauty and drinking, shifted his gaze from the two young monsters wrestling to the white wolf cub approaching.
“Is that the little wolf you mentioned earlier?”
Black General suddenly asked.
Beside him, the White Wolf Commander in silver armor nodded, “Yes, that’s him.”
“This little demon certainly has courage...”

Hearing the commander’s words, Black General snorted.
He could tell the cub was coming straight for him, but after a closer look, he noticed something and remarked in surprise, “Hm, this youngster is not far from the level of a demon general...”
Hearing the change in title from the general’s mouth, the Wolf Commander also discerned the junior’s cultivation, and laughed, “I thought this little wolf was clever—it would be a shame if he died so easily...”
“His demon aura is a bit turbulent and unstable—he must have just broken through...”
Black General scrutinized the approaching white wolf cub and continued, “That’s normal after a breakthrough. For one so young to cultivate to this level is already extraordinary.”
“By the way...”
Black General turned to ask the Wolf Commander again, “How many of his level are there now?”
Wolf Commander replied, “There used to be three in total, but one died in yesterday’s battle, leaving two—now, with him, there are again three.”
He looked at the approaching white wolf and said, “Now we have three once more.”
“Ah...”
“If we’d known, we shouldn’t have fought that battle with the snake...”
At this, Black General felt a surge of regret, raising the bowl filled by the rabbit demon beauty and draining it in one gulp, sighing, “Do you know what I learned when I visited the King today?”
Wolf Commander listened attentively.
“Under the King’s command, besides myself and the snake, there are two other generals...”
“But each of those generals commands over a thousand small demons.”
“A thousand small demons—that’s ten times what we have!”
He drained another bowl and lamented, “I suspect the snake feels much the same as I do...”
“Our numbers are too few—the King can’t assign us more territories, but our annual tribute of spiritual herbs is still considerable...”
“And every year, the King holds a contest for small demons. We not only have to send our own to compete, but also provide ample prizes...”
“With so few small demons, we can barely select enough strong contenders.”
“I also learned that every three years, there’s a grand competition in Great Wilderness Mountain. The three kings each select their own small demons to participate, and if we win, we get prizes put forth by all three—some prizes even include rare spiritual herbs, mid-grade and high-grade magical instruments, and even treasures...”
“The next grand competition is next year...”
“That’s why I allowed so much blood food for the youngsters this time, instead of the usual mundane beasts and fare—I want them to grow quickly...”
Black General sighed once more.
Wolf Commander was shaken, feeling his horizons broaden but keeping a calm face. He refilled his bowl, raised it to Black General, and said, “The youngsters will understand your efforts, General...”
“Hmph...”
“They won’t understand...”
Black General raised his bowl, looking at the white wolf cub now at the table, and said, “As long as a few more like this one appear, I’ll be satisfied...”

With that, Black General drained his bowl in one gulp.
Bang—
He slammed the bowl down.
Already tipsy, he casually slipped his hand into the rabbit demon’s fur-lined vest.
The rabbit beauty gave him a playful glare, then promptly refilled his bowl.
Lu Fei, just arriving at the large wooden table, was startled by the sound of the bowl being set down, worried that the general was displeased at his bold approach, when he heard:
“Little one, you’re quite impressive...”
Black General finished speaking, drained his bowl again, then, embracing the rabbit demon beauty, staggered away from the table, heading toward the mountaintop.
Lu Fei was taken aback by the unexpected gesture.
Before he could ponder further, a cool voice sounded, “The general is drunk...”
Hearing the Wolf Commander’s voice,
Lu Fei immediately bowed respectfully, “Greetings, Commander...”
“You certainly are bold...”
Wolf Commander smiled and nodded, regarding the clever junior of his own kind and said casually, “I suppose you’re here for Big Guy?”
“Big Guy...”
Lu Fei repeated in confusion.
Wolf Commander explained, “That’s your leader.”
“So Bear Leader’s name is Big Guy—how down-to-earth...”
Though amused by Bear Leader’s name,
the implication in Wolf Commander’s words startled Lu Fei.
The commander had guessed his intent.
This made Lu Fei’s prepared pleasantries suddenly difficult to voice.
Seeing the junior’s silence,
Wolf Commander knew he’d hit the mark, and couldn’t help but marvel at the cub’s cleverness—knowing to seek out the king and himself at such a moment.
With that in mind,
Wolf Commander poured a bowl of wine, and under the watchful eyes of those nearby, handed it to Lu Fei, saying, “Drink this, and your leader won’t trouble you again...”