After listening to his subordinates' chattering objections, Ink Ash couldn't help but pick up his pitch-black spear and ask in a negotiating tone, "Hey... damn spear, how about giving me some face today?"

Buzz! The spear tip swayed left and right, then pointed straight at the ceiling. Its meaning was crystal clear.

"What the hell! You won't give me an inch? I'm warning you, don't push me too far!"

...

Not even bothering to respond, the pitch-black spear stood quietly in place.

Helplessly watching those pitiful, pleading eyes, Meng Youlian—the only one capable of restraining the Demon King—finally reached out and pulled him back. "Alright, Ink Ash. They simply don't have the guts to lie to you. The fact is what it is. No matter how unwilling you are, you must learn to accept it."

"No... this can't be! If things keep going like this, there won't even be a hero to subdue me. Wouldn't that make me a failure as the Demon King?" Dejected, Ink Ash slumped onto his throne. Feeling as if his entire body was rusting from inactivity, he sighed sadly.

At that moment, Lang Xiao—the only general who hadn't spoken yet—earnestly consoled, "Boss, pull yourself together. What's a mere setback? Don't forget our greatest mortal enemy!"

"Right, Grey Wolf, you see things clearly... The Angel Clan, those bird-people, can't possibly let us grow unchecked." Giving him an approving look, Ink Ash perked up and said confidently.

With a strange expression at the nickname that had stuck, Lang Xiao muttered inwardly, "Though I'm henpecked, I'm a silver wolf from the far north—with very distinct colors!"

As for the Bear General, who never got a chance to speak... you can probably guess. Yes, that's right—Xiong Er~! (Sigh, our Great Demon King's perverse sense of humor.)

"Regarding this issue, I can give a brief answer." Stepping forward, Meng Youlian—who had stayed out of it all along—suddenly projected a 3D image onto the table.

Puzzled, Ink Ash stared at the image reflected there and asked thoughtfully, "What is this?"

"This is a statistical table I compiled recently. Please, all of you... forget it, I'll explain it myself!" Glancing at the generals with their blank stares and confused expressions, Meng Youlian sighed helplessly. "Based solely on what we can learn and infer—and we're not certain if they're setting up a false front—the Angel Clan's livelihood is quite worrying right now. Especially their soul reserves, which are extremely scarce."

"Eh? Why?"

"As everyone knows, the fundamental reason why we demons and angels have been mortal enemies for millennia is souls. Both sides desire to monopolize every living being's soul on the continent. Demons harvest souls through equivalent rewards and luring into corruption; angels obtain them through blessings and pious faith. However, under the angels' slander and propaganda, our competitiveness has weakened over the past century. On the continent, we're practically denounced by everyone."

"But seven years ago, after ascending the throne, the Great Demon King devised an epoch-making measure—integrating skill tree point allocation with demon-provided services. Under fair and just principles, we create humane, tailored plans for each contractor." With a smile, the Head Maid lightly clapped her hands and sweetly advertised, "Simple and easy to use, full of human touch. Sign this contract, and I guarantee you'll love it for life..."

"Cough! Cough!!" Ink Ash, who had just sipped the Demon Realm's unique black tea and nearly choked, coughed loudly.

Returning to her icy tone, Meng Youlian concluded without a hint of shyness, "By now, the angels have lost all ability to compete with us. Today, in the soul market, only areas with fanatical believers and strong religious coverage remain outside our control. Everywhere else is entirely operated by demons."

"Is it that impressive?" Unable to express his emotions, Ink Ash clicked his tongue in amazement.

With a burning gaze fixed on the projection's last page, a trace of pride curved Meng Youlian's lips. "That's right. According to inside information... the angels have started cheating and swindling—using our old methods."

And so, amidst thunderous applause, the meeting concluded successfully. The final outcome? Our Great Demon King could completely continue idling away his life. A happy ending for all—like hell it was!

Late at night, all was quiet. The exhausted Succubus Head Maid had long since fallen into a deep sleep. From her cute muttering, it was clear she wouldn't wake anytime soon—especially after drinking specially made sleeping tea.

Suddenly opening his eyes—utterly free of tiredness—Ink Ash, after months of hesitation, finally made up his mind. He tiptoed out of bed. "I, the Demon King... aspire to be an immortal villain infamous for eternity. How could I shrink back from such a minor setback? Even with no trouble, I'll create trouble! Even with no enemies, I'll make enemies..." A pitch-black crescent moon hung in the blood-red sky. In that lonely deep night, the Demon King's silent roar echoed through the heavens: "Because—as the Demon King, how could I possibly reform!"

The next morning, Meng Youlian stared icily at the handwritten letter in her hand—from a certain Great Demon King.

"Youlian, by the time you read this, I'm already on the path to finding myself. Forgive my willfulness. Forgive my leaving without goodbye. And don't look for me! This decadent life, this soul-corroding tenderness, only makes me more degenerate and passive. I will either perish in silence or explode in silence. You might ask why I'm so persistent? Because... becoming a big bad guy who strikes terror into hearts is my lifelong wish! (smiling face waving fist)"

Instantly, paper scraps flew everywhere as a roar of gnashing teeth echoed throughout the Demon Realm: "Ink Ash!!!"

Heaven, the Eden where angels reside. In a mist-shrouded palace guarded by white clouds, a graceful woman veiled in light gauze gazed down at the last frozen scene in her crystal ball. After a long while, her dazzling eyes shimmered with indescribable radiance. Her crimson lips, curved in a smile, parted slightly, and a heavenly voice not of this world slowly sounded: "As you wish... the wager officially begins."

On the bustling continent, in the far north's borderlands, along a sparsely populated path, a young man walked while singing, lightly stepping forward. "Sa~ The good show is about to begin!"