Evan Yang smiled and said, "So that's how it is."
"Shopkeeper Evan, why don't you open another winery? We'll fully support you!" These people were all drawn by Evan Yang's wine. Ever since he disappeared, they hadn't had much to drink, and deep down, they hoped he would reopen.
Evan Yang knew that if he seized the winery now, he'd definitely provoke the Liu Family. He'd worked so hard to infiltrate Fiend Palace—getting exposed would be too easy. Besides, he still wanted to grow his own influence inside Fiend Palace, and he was always looking forward to what might be waiting on the tenth floor of the Demon-Fiend Underpalace.
So he thought it over and came up with a new plan. He smiled at everyone and said, "Don't worry. Within a month, the winery will definitely reopen—right here in this city."
Evan Yang had worked hard to build up his wine business here—there was no way he'd let the Liu Family ruin it.
When everyone heard that Evan was reopening, they got excited and started congratulating him, telling him to let them know as soon as the new place opened.
Evan nodded, then returned to his seat. After looking at the forty people there, he smiled and said, "No celebration today. Let's go."
The squad members didn't really know what he meant, but everyone knew Evan wasn't someone who'd let himself be pushed around. So in their hearts, they were ready—if needed, they'd stand up and fight for him.
Evan didn't know what they were thinking, but he honestly didn't want them involved right now. These were people he'd just trained up—if something really happened, he could lose everything.
So after Evan led everyone away, he stopped in the void and turned to say, "I'm planning to open a winery, and it's very likely I'll be going up against the Liu Family. You all know what the Liu Family is like, right?"
Everyone here was at least a Fifth-Rank General and had spent years in Fiend Palace, so of course they knew about the Liu Family.
Seeing that everyone understood, Evan said, "From now on, you all stay in Fiend Palace and focus on cultivating."
"Captain, you—" Owen Bing understood what Evan meant, and so did the others.
"Vice-captain, listen up. I'm ordering you to keep everyone in Fiend Palace. Unless something important comes up, just focus on cultivating." Evan commanded.
"Captain, we want to go with you," Owen Bing said.
"The Liu Family has an elder in Fiend Palace—even I can't guarantee none of you will get ambushed by them. So it'd be better not to get too close to me, just in case they target you," Evan said.
"We want to fight with you to the end!" Owen Bing said, and the others all volunteered as well.
Seeing their response, Evan was naturally happy as their captain, but he didn't like dragging them into his troubles. So he smiled and said, "I have a more important mission for you all."
"Please tell us, Captain," Owen Bing said.
Evan said, "Once you're in Fiend Palace, you can train your own people. But don't just take anyone—you want people with ambition, and who are loyal to you. It's not easy, but when I have time, I'll help you screen them."
"Don't worry, Captain. We'll definitely have our own people." As an Emerald Fourth-Rank General, Owen Bing could easily recruit newcomers.
The others agreed as well. Seeing that nobody had any questions, Evan sighed, "You aren't even going to ask why I want you to recruit people?"
"Captain has his reasons. Wherever you go, we'll follow. We'll do whatever you say." Owen Bing spoke for everyone.
"My strength isn't exactly top-tier in Fiend Palace. Don't you think you're following the wrong person?" Evan knew these people followed him because they wanted a backer.
But Owen Bing's words made Evan realize just what kind of people he had around him.
"Captain, we're with you—not because you're the strongest, or some big shot in Fiend Palace. We trust you, and you always protect us." Owen Bing and the others had come out of Newcomer Hall with Evan. The squad had been bullied by outsiders many times, but Evan's actions had won everyone's loyalty. Even if he wasn't some all-powerful figure, they'd still follow him.
The others said the same—they'd all been brought into the Demon-Fiend Underpalace by Evan. Without him, most of them wouldn't have had the guts or courage to try.
Seeing the determination on their faces, Evan knew he owed them a lot. He smiled, "Alright, just listen to Owen Bing. And Owen, if anything urgent comes up, you can always contact me."
"Yes," Owen Bing replied.
"Alright, you all head out first," Evan said.
Everyone nodded, and Evan watched them leave, feeling grateful. "With these warriors, what is there to fear?" he thought.
Just after the group had gone, a woman appeared. "Still watching?"
"Yeah." Evan had already known she was following him, so he wasn't surprised.
"You really know how to win people over," the woman said with a smile.
"Which eye of yours saw me buying them off?" Evan sighed.
"Both eyes saw it. I don't know why they're so loyal, but I'm sure you gave them some benefit—they've been bought," the woman said, smiling.
This woman was none other than the Mysterious Martial Aunt of Fiend Palace.
Evan sneered, "You're overestimating me. I don't have enough resources to buy so many people."
"I don't know about that, but I'll remind you: In Fiend Palace, if you gather too many obedient dead-soldier types, and someone finds out, the consequences could be severe," the woman said with a smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Evan asked suspiciously.