Chapter 558: A Transaction Where Each Takes What They Need

After Dupont called Tang Luo the strongest, the scene fell completely silent.

Everyone stayed silent, not saying a word.

Holt's expression was calm; he had long anticipated this result.

Since that night, Holt and Tang Luo had sparred more than once or twice.

The teaching process summed up to Tang Luo, one-handed and seated, beating Holt up.

Holt couldn't even make Tang Luo stand up, unless he chose "terrain destruction" as a method.

Among the five Generals, their strength was basically on par with each other.

However, in frontal assault operations — that is, arena matches — Holt had respectively defeated the other four Generals.

Of course, this was a private sparring match among the four.

The result was not made public.

Since Tang Luo could one-handedly thrash Holt, he naturally could also easily one-handedly thrash Dupont.

"Let's go." Tang Luo was satisfied with everyone's silent shock; the effect was very good, the objective more or less achieved.

Dupont's words were exactly Tang Luo's purpose.

He wanted to tell others that he was the strongest support-type Exorcist.

Strongest, strongest support — two meanings.

Both the strongest and the strongest support, a dual-strongest Exorcist.

The remaining three Generals' gazes fell on the departing backs of Tang Luo and Holt, their expressions varied.

The next day, noon, the cafeteria.

"This morning, Tang Luo found me and asked me to join his team."

"Since that's the case, I'll reluctantly accept you as my little brother."

Dupont said, "I lose the fight but not my spirit; I originally wanted to say that, but he's really too strong, I couldn't say it, so I just joined his team like this."

"..."

The Exorcists gathered nearby all showed expressions too painful to look at directly.

After Dupont was defeated yesterday, some finally realized that this General known as the Tyrant, who acted alone and was supposedly the hardest to get along with, actually wasn't as hard to talk to as he looked.

In reality, he's quite interesting, you just have to be careful not to get dragged into his rhythm.

"General, what does it take to join your team?" an Exorcist nearby asked.

"You have to be strong enough, of course." Dupont said, "Just strong enough."

"What counts as strong enough?"

"Being able to take my serious Flame Fist?" Dupont said, stroking his chin; he wasn't too sure himself.

Tang Luo only told him that only the strong would be invited.

What counted as strong, Tang Luo didn't say.

But anyone who could take Dupont's serious Flame Fist would definitely be a strong Exorcist.

On the other side, inside the luxurious room belonging to the Generals.

Although it might not have been lived in for a year and a half, the room was still arranged according to the General's personal preferences and had been completely cleaned long before the Generals' return.

When the Generals returned to Headquarters, or any branch, it was like coming home.

The Holy Order's people are all talents, and they speak pleasingly.

Exorcists all super love it here.

"You want me to join your team?"

Lola looked at the Tang Luo before her, a faint smile on her lips.

Among the five Generals there were two women; Lola was one of them, silver-white long hair, a slightly loose uniform unable to conceal her perfect curves.

A beautiful, enchanting face.

Making her the most popular among the Generals.

However, according to Holt, this one was older than him, and by at least ten years.

Holt is forty-five this year; that is to say, this Lola is at least fifty-five, maintained extremely perfectly.

The Sacred Heart can make Exorcists look younger, and their aging speed is also relatively slow.

In this aspect, Lola is absolutely top-tier.

"Correct." Tang Luo said.

"Based on what?"

"You're strong enough, qualified to join our team." Tang Luo said.

"Us? Rock-head Holt, brainless idiot Dupont, and you, a stranger — your team?" Lola laughed, slightly mocking, "Why should I join your team?"

"Because this is a team composed of the strong." Tang Luo said, "Unless you're willing to be left behind from now on, gradually slipping out of the ranks of the strong."

"Oh?" Lola became interested, "You have a way to make us stronger?"

Generals have reached this step today, having almost reached their limit.

Improvement is a very difficult thing.

How does an Exorcist get stronger? Training, and combat.

Once training reaches a certain degree, if an Exorcist wants to get stronger, they need combat.

Combat is the only way for an Exorcist to get stronger.

For Generals, Lesser Demons are things that can be wiped out with a wave of the hand, like dominoes that fall with a push.

Fighting them yields zero improvement.

Mid-tier Demons are much the same, just requiring a bit of force to push; improvement is negligible.

Only fighting high-level demons counts as improvement for the generals.

But high-level demons are few in number and not easy to encounter.

"Of course, with me here, you can act without any worries." Tang Luo said, "As the strongest support, I can guarantee your safety."

"Is that all?" Luo La asked.

"That's enough." Tang Luo said.

Do the generals lack combat? No, in fact, the generals do not lack combat; their mocking intensity far exceeds that of ordinary demon hunters.

Once they put on the general's uniform, they often can't even think of sleeping peacefully.

But this is not the exhilarating, unimpeded combat the generals desire, which could enhance their strength.

The demons, relying on their cannon fodder attribute, conduct harassment that has no enhancing effect on the generals.

Of course, if they gather their vast numbers, the situation would be different.

But the generals also dare not let the demons continually gather and accumulate vast numbers.

They do not yet possess the ability to carve a path seven times in and seven times out amidst chaotic armies.

Such dancing on the blade's edge fundamentally does not take the World Destroyer and his demons seriously.

In fact, it is almost tantamount to seeking death.

Aside from headquarters and branches, the generals rarely stay in the same place for more than three days.

Ordinary demon hunters, ordinary encounters and pursuits are already sufficient for them.

The generals cannot do that; they need combat of higher intensity, but not too high, for too high would mean death—this is quite awkward.

The World Destroyer is a great demon king, but he is not just right, giving the hero experience and equipment like a great demon king should.

Over thousands of years, the Holy Group has truly seen generals die peacefully in bed, not in battle, numbering no more than five.

Their mortality rate is much higher than that of demon hunters and field personnel.

The stronger the strength, the higher the status, the better the treatment, and the greater the pressure to bear.

Only strength is the guarantee.

"Let me think it over." Luo La rolled her eyes, "If everyone else joins your team, then I won't be an exception either."

"Good." Tang Luo did not insist, and stood up.

At this moment, a knocking sound came from the outer gate.

"Is Tang Luo here?"

Although asking, the person knocking did not wait for anyone inside to respond before opening the unlocked door and walking in.

"... Ah, I forgot you, this social butterfly." Luo La patted her forehead.

The visitor was a blond-haired man, handsome in appearance, sunny in demeanor, looking like the kind of street artist who deeply involves himself with girls—a scumbag artist.

"Hello, I am Cecilie." The blond-haired man extended his hand, "May I ask if I can join your team? Lord Tang Luo."

Cecilie, likewise one of the Five Great Generals.

"Yes." Tang Luo said, "I originally intended to find you, but you need to help me persuade Clement to join my team as well."

"No problem." Cecilie readily agreed, "Then, I hope we can further advance under your leadership."

Having said that, he turned and left, never departing from bringing water.

His actions were swift and decisive, making people feel favorably toward him.

Tang Luo turned to look at Luo La.

"Alright, alright, I'll join." Luo La made a gesture of surrendering with her hands, "But you also need to answer me a question first."

"Speak."

"Foreigner, what is your purpose?"

"Foreigner?"

"Yes, this world is not your homeland; you are foreigners." Luo La said, "But to make you fight for this world, the Holy Group deliberately downplays all your pasts, letting you fully integrate. So we do not use such a term to address you."

Tang Luo nodded; the Holy Group indeed does this.

They never mention the past in the slightest, and various activities also carry a subtle, imperceptible effect.

"Since you have asked sincerely, my purpose is simple: to go home." Tang Luo said.

"Go home?" Luo La was stunned for a moment, then relieved, she said, "This is not a good idea."

"Don't worry. Before I return, I will find the World Destroyer and kill him." Tang Luo said, "Our interests align, and I want to hold the key myself, rather than be manipulated."

"So you intend to build your own power to force the Holy Group." Luo La said, "But what makes you think we will stand with you?"

"Because I am strong." Tang Luo said, "The strongest support, I can lead you, and indeed all demon hunters, to become stronger! I can completely end the struggle between demons and humanity."

"Holy Group..." Luo La opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Demon hunters certainly wish to become stronger and completely end the war.

But does the Holy Group truly wish for that?

Does the Holy Group's seven-person council truly wish for humanity to completely annihilate demons and slay the great demon king?

After demons are eradicated, how much value does the Holy Group still have?

"Interesting." Luo La's gaze shifted, "I will stay by your side, watching you."

Tang Luo smiled slightly.

Go home?

Go to hell, what he wants is merely the summoning method mastered by the Holy Group.

For this, he must surely master sufficient vast power to make the Holy Group spit out this secret buried at the bottom of the box.

No need for covert investigation, no need for various probing trades—grand momentum is the true way.

Including the current actions.

The Holy Group councilors knew Tang Luo was up to something, but they had no good way to stop him.

The exorcists, the generals were willing to hang out with Tang Luo to boost their strength.

You councilor jumps out and says you don't allow it? Who the hell do you think you are?

What, sugar daddy? Screw your grandpa, I've got a bunch of people from the Holy Group sending me money after I quit.

The strong and mighty general, that's how confident he is spitting in a councilor's face.

Of course, they wouldn't do that, and the councilors rarely meddle in their affairs.

The two sides aren't exactly close, but they're seamless comrades-in-arms—soldiers and logistical support.

Unless absolutely necessary, no one wants to break it.

As for the generals joining Tang Luo's side, it certainly doesn't mean they've died and gone to follow him blindly.

Unless Tang Luo uses the Soul-Degree to make them take refuge in the Buddha.

Both sides are cooperating, each taking what they need.

In the adult world, it's all about interests, even if there's a "world-ending" crisis looming.

As long as it's not truly right in front of them, everyone will engage in all kinds of deals.

Moreover, just because it's a transaction doesn't mean it's not helpful in resolving the crisis.