The improved female villains regained their memories.

"...I must warn you, Luo Benmo has completely gone mad now, she'll beat you to death."

“She won’t kill me, otherwise it would violate her beliefs.”

"Yes, but she will definitely torture you and make you wish you were dead."

The system's voice was serious: "After all, you're going to cause trouble at her departure ceremony."

The organization of the Villain's Den is structured with the leader as the head, the Four Heavenly Kings as assistants, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals as generals, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends as elites. The so-called expedition conference is when Luo Benmo convenes her Four Heavenly Kings, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends to gather all the strength of the Villain's Den and launch an expedition to a certain place.

Before everyone was strong, there were more expedition assemblies, mostly led by villages and towns. Now that everyone is more powerful, there aren't as many expedition assemblies. Moreover, everyone tacitly understands the objectives of their expeditions.

In particular, the target to be announced at today's departure ceremony is Lingquan City.

Lingquan City is currently the only town in the southeast that has not yet been incorporated into the Evil Fools' territory. Taking Lingquan City would mean that the Evil Fools would finally have their first major city. They would no longer be roving bandits and outlaws, but a truly powerful force. They would use this as a springboard to participate in this global struggle.

Therefore, this departure ceremony is extremely important to the villains' den. Luo Benmo is intolerant of any dissent and will naturally not allow anyone to disrupt this ceremony. If Yang Pingsheng tries to cause trouble at this ceremony, he is simply courting death.

"...I understand everything you're saying."

Yang Pingsheng pursed his lips: "However, I absolutely cannot sit idly by and watch those things happen."

Luo Benmo's expedition was inhumane.

She never restrained her subordinates, and atrocities occurred in every village and town that was conquered. If it weren't for Yang Ping's desperate intervention, the southeastern region would have been ravaged by these villains, leaving nine out of ten houses empty.

This time, things are different. Before the expedition even began, Luo Benmo declared that if they could capture Lingquan City, everyone in the city would be allowed to celebrate wildly for three days!

The so-called indulgence means that Luo Benmo will not care whether you kill someone or forcibly abduct a woman.

Lingquan City is the premier city in the southeast. If those scoundrels from the den of villains really let them run rampant, this great city might just fall into a den of demons.

Therefore, Yang Pingsheng must stop Luo Benmo today, not only for Luo Benmo's sake but also for the sake of the people of Lingquan City. He cannot stand idly by and watch Luo Benmo run rampant with lawlessness.

The system sighed, "If only you had known this would happen, you wouldn't have done it in the first place. Why didn't you just execute the Heavenly Dao Plan earlier?"

Yang Pingsheng countered, "Will Heaven's plan save the people of Lingquan City?"

This time, it was the system's turn to fall silent.

Heaven is ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs. As long as it benefits the plan, why would it care about the people of a single city?

The system told the truth: "No, Heaven will use this opportunity to give you better control over Luo Benmo in the later stages."

"Yeah."

Yang Pingsheng's eyes remained expressionless: "Then I won't carry it out."

Whether it's the system or the Heavenly Dao behind it, they have only one goal: Luo Benmo.

But Yang Pingsheng is different. For him, if Luo Benmo is to change, then the fate of Lingquan City must also be changed.

"One last question."

Yang Pingsheng asked, "Are you willing to give me more power to help me with my actions today?"

"No," the system refused. "Unless you carry out the Heavenly Dao's plan."

"I see."

Yang Pingsheng didn't ask the system any more questions, only leaving the message: "I'm going."

He pushed open the palace door.

The den of villains today is no longer the impoverished mountain stronghold it once was. A magnificent hall stands atop the mountain, with perpetually dark clouds overhead. The predominantly bright red color scheme accentuates the towering main hall, creating an overwhelming sense of oppression.

Yang Pingsheng stepped out of his palace and looked up at the stone steps leading deep into the mountaintop. The crisp, cool air filled his lungs, allowing his reason to align with his enlightenment.

It wasn't just Luo Benmo and the den of villains who grew up, but also Yang Pingsheng.

Just like the story of King Chu's meteoric rise to fame, Yang Pingsheng had been lying low for many years in preparation for his breakthrough today.

Perhaps it was from that moment that Yang Pingsheng realized that his sister was definitely not someone who could be enlightened through education alone.

Unlike Wen Shihan, who knew he was wrong but insisted on doing so, Luo Benmo didn't think he was wrong at all.

Therefore, even if it meant waking her up, Yang Pingsheng wanted to make her realize that what she was doing was wrong.

"Let's go."

A crisp breeze ruffled the hem of his clothes. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Above the stone steps, a blood-red palace.

On the throne, the silver-haired girl opened her eyes, her pupils flashing with what seemed like lightning.

Sensing her younger brother leaving the palace, the girl gave a disdainful smile.

"Oh."

Chapter Seventeen Challenge

Luo Benmo, the leader of the villainous den, calls herself the leader. She has four Heavenly Kings under her command: Spirit Monkey, Lone Wolf, Iron Ox, and Blood Pigeon.

The first three were all veterans of villainous gangs. The fourth was a notorious female thief in the martial arts world. Because she had offended many people and was being hunted down, she sought refuge with Luo Benmo.

As Yang Pingsheng reached the palace entrance, a woman dressed in night clothes and wearing a mask appeared before him. She first bowed respectfully, and then said in her melodious voice, "Young Master, please follow me."

This pre-battle meeting of the villains' den was more important than any before, and therefore, the rules were stricter than ever. Blood Pigeon led Yang Pingsheng in through a side door and guided him to his seat.

Inside the palace, the highest seat was Luo Benmo's, and the seat slightly diagonally to his side was Yang Pingsheng's. One level down, there were two seats for each of the Four Heavenly Kings, and then the seats for the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals.

There are no seats for the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends; they can only stand in the main hall according to their assigned numbers. Luo Benmo's rules must not be violated. If you stand in the wrong place or commit insubordination, she will not hesitate to kill you on the spot.

When Yang Pingsheng arrived, most of the people in the main hall were already there. His elder sister was sitting in a chair, her head tilted to the side with her hand on it, her eyes slightly narrowed, seemingly lost in thought.

She was still so tall; even though she was already twenty, she was still only about 1.5 meters tall. If she stood up and compared herself to Yang Pingsheng, he would probably be a little taller than her.

"sister."

Hearing the noise, Luo Benmo opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Yang Pingsheng.

"You're here?"

She gestured to the seat next to her: "Sit down."

"Yes."

Yang Pingsheng lowered his head and sat down in the chair.

thump—

The melodious sound of an ancient bell echoed, signaling the start of the meeting.

Inside the main hall, the seventy-two Earthly Fiends stood silently below. Luo Benmo glanced around the hall, and seeing that everyone had arrived on time, nodded in satisfaction.

"Spirit Monkey, let's begin."

"Yes, leader."

The monkey, shrouded entirely in a black robe, stood up. Though still thin, he was no longer the same as before. Facing the crowd below, he spoke loudly:

"Everyone, we are finally about to take the first step."

His voice was powerful and resonant, no longer the weak and submissive voice of yesteryear.

"We have received reliable intelligence that Gu Bixuan, the city lord of Lingquan City, has offended his enemies and is now seriously injured. The Immortal Sword Sect, which supports him, is also preoccupied with internal affairs and has no time to deal with matters in the mortal realm. Lingquan City is now isolated and helpless, and its city lord is unable to hold the city together alone. This is our opportunity!"

He raised his hand and said loudly, "The chaotic world has existed for too long, and our den of villains has been lying dormant for too long. Spirit Spring City will be the battle to make our name known, and we will use it as a springboard to participate in the world's competition."

"Our leader guides us forward, and we will surely achieve great things and leave our mark on history!"

The lone wolf, clad in full armor and carrying a large sword, rose to his feet and roared, "Tear the enemy apart and display our might!"

"Tear the enemy apart and display our might!!"

The Earthly Fiends below immediately shouted in unison: "Tear the enemy apart, display our mighty power!!"

Amidst the shouts, Yang Pingsheng rose and slowly walked down the steps.

The noise gradually subsided, and the eyes of the Earthly Fiends, Heavenly Generals, and the Four Heavenly Kings all focused on the young man. He walked on expressionlessly, and the Earthly Fiends below all stepped back, making way for him.

He slowly stepped to the center, turned around, and faced Luo Benmo on the high seat, saying, "Chief, I have something to say."

Silence returned to the main hall.

The Heavenly Generals knew something about the relationship between the siblings, but the Four Heavenly Kings knew it best. Over the years, the two had gradually become estranged, and the Four Heavenly Kings, especially Iron Ox and Lone Wolf, were the ones who understood this most deeply.

Tie Niu cared for Yang Ping as he grew up, watching the boy transform from cheerful to silent. Lone Wolf, on the other hand, followed Luo Benmo and witnessed his sister's transformation from caring for her brother to beating him.

Yang Pingsheng referred to himself not as a younger brother, but as a subordinate. His very first words ignited a flicker of anger in Luo Benmo's eyes.

"Go back."

A brief sentence, imbued with the power of thunder and spiritual energy. The Earthly Fiends knelt in fear, and even the Heavenly Generals hurriedly rose and knelt, begging their leader to calm his anger. The Four Heavenly Kings remained still, Blood Pigeon did not interfere in the leader's family affairs, Monkey was shrewd, and Lone Wolf always sided with Luo Benmo. Only Iron Bull—this burly man—looked at Yang Pingsheng with worry.

He knew that the child had always harbored resentment towards his sister, but he never expected it to erupt today.

"leader!"

Yang Pingsheng withstood the pressure and said loudly, "I am not against your expedition to Lingquan City, but I want to implore you to retract your previous promise to everyone. Lingquan City is the largest city in the southeast, and it is also the first city we must conquer. Once you occupy it, its people will all be your people. Rulers are like parents, and people are like children. What kind of parent would harm their child?"

"How dare you!!"

Upon hearing the word "promise," Luo Benmo suddenly became furious.

The hidden rage erupted undisguised, and the pressure from the lightning spirit energy increased by three points. Yang Pingsheng, with blood in his mouth, still stubbornly looked at her, refusing to kneel down.

A thick layer of earthy yellow spiritual energy emanated from his body, forming a shield that blocked her attack.

"Ok?"

Luo Benmo exclaimed in surprise. She examined the spiritual energy surrounding Yang Pingsheng and sneered, "So that's why you dared to defy me. You've cultivated a spiritual root."

“Chief, I have no intention of rebelling against you,” Yang Pingsheng said. “I just want you to take back what you said before.”

"No?"

Luo Benmo tilted his head, his eyes darkening into an abyss: "Is this all you want?"

"Yes, as long as you take it back."

"Yet you won't even call me 'sister'."

The figure vanished from the throne.

A streak of silver hair flashed before Yang Pingsheng's eyes, causing his pupils to contract sharply. The next instant, the earthen-yellow shield shattered as easily as paper.