After the flames had died down, smoke still curled from the ashes. Following a fierce and bloody battle, the corpses on the ground piled higher and higher. Thieves and the mansion’s henchmen had each paid the ultimate price for their respective ideals.
When the cries and clash of battle had finally quieted, deep within a hidden underground chamber, the anxious Wang Yuanwai at last halted his restless pacing. After listening intently for a moment, he ordered two of his attendants, “You two, sneak upstairs and check things out. Be careful not to expose yourselves!”
“Master Wang, there’s no need. Everyone outside is already dead!” Before Wang Yuanwai’s words had even settled, a strange figure appeared at the entrance of the secret room.
“Ah, it’s you?!” Surprise and delight flickered across his face as Wang Yuanwai took a step forward. But then he caught himself, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as he glared at the newcomer. “Bold San… was it you?!”
“Heh… Master Wang, you truly are the trusted aide of the Left Chancellor! So clever!” Bold San stepped forward, each stride closing the distance. The first step crushed the chest of the first henchman, the second ended the life of the other, and the third came straight down on Wang Yuanwai’s round, fat head.
“Talk! Who is your master?”
Don’t underestimate Wang Yuanwai just because of his layers of fat. Knowing death was inevitable, the man actually showed some backbone. Despite Qiao San stepping on him until blood flowed from his nose and mouth, he refused to utter a word!
“Damn it!” The ruffian had never liked dealing with stubborn opponents, especially not enemies with grudges. Anger flaring, Papi San was about to unleash the Ten Tortures on Wang Yuanwai.
“Giggling… Young Master San, no need for such trouble!”
At this moment, a tall and graceful figure entered the room. The floating “fairy” smiled elegantly at Wang Yuanwai, her ethereal voice piercing straight into her prey’s heart. “Master Wang, just tell him, and you’ll find peace and happiness!”
In an instant, Wang Yuanwai forgot everything. His mind drifted, as if soaring into heaven.
“Who? Who ordered you to frame the Qiao family?” The question came from Twelve, while Qiao San stood tense, the long-sought answer finally surfacing. How could he not feel anxious?!
“It’s… it’s…” The dazed Wang Yuanwai mumbled, his eyes vacant. The final inner struggle proved no match for the mystic arts of the Xuan Fox. As Qiao San’s fury threatened to burst from his eyes, the traitorous henchman finally spat out the name, word by word.
“Left… Left Chancellor!”
The Left Chancellor, a high-ranking official in the capital city? Qiao San’s teeth ground together, his gaze piercing like a tangible force flying across mountains and rivers, all the way to Zunlong City. “So my enemy is none other than the powerful Chancellor himself, second only to the Emperor! Damn that old dog!”
※※※※※※※※※
Above the boundless sea, wind and rain raged, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. A battle between gods and demons had raged for ten days and ten nights!
The immortal aura of Purple Mansion Mountain had been scattered by bloodshed. Though the Supreme Xuan Stone still radiated brilliance, its glow now exuded killing intent and coldness rather than serenity.
The demonic forces of the underworld had temporarily withdrawn again. The hundreds of magical treasures floating above finally had a moment’s respite.
“Taiyuan, hand over the True Sutra, or else I’ll destroy both your Yuan Shi Immortal Body and the Sutra itself!” Peng Demon King, his monstrous form over ten feet tall, radiated a greenish glow. With a toss of his birdlike head, an overwhelming killing aura blanketed the smoke-filled Purple Mansion Immortal Mountain.
“Demon King Peng, my husband has already attained the Great Luo Body. Your petty tricks can’t harm him in the slightest. If you dare, come and take it by force!”
Standing atop the Supreme Xuan Stone, Taiyuan Jade Girl faced the enemy. Behind her stood the leaders of the various sects from the Three Mountains and Ten Islands, each bearing expressions of fury from the surprise attack, exhaustion from the prolonged battle, and a hint of deep concern.
This time, the demonic army had come suddenly and attacked fiercely. Fortunately, the Three Mountains and Ten Islands had formed a wondrous formation using the sea’s terrain, allowing the immortal cultivators to barely hold out until now. However… the pressure was nearly breaking their spirits!
“Giggling… giggling…” A melodious and seductive laughter pierced the air. Princess Jade Fan, petite and charming, appeared behind Demon King Peng. With her delicate white jade fan gently swaying, Princess of the Myriad Demons sweetly addressed Taiyuan Jade Girl. “Dear Sister Taiyuan, in this world, finding a devoted lover is no easy feat. Especially for you and Brother Yuan Shi—truly a match made in heaven. It would be such a shame if Brother Yuan Shi’s soul were to dissipate!”
Her demonic words paused briefly, and the triumphant Myriad Demon Princess grew even warmer in tone. She seemed to have completely forgotten that she herself had secretly infiltrated Purple Mansion Mountain, using her jade fan to injure the slumbering Yuan Shi’s immortal body.
“Dear Sister Taiyuan, how about this? I happen to have a Celestial Flame Pill from the Ninth Heaven, perfect for saving Brother Yuan Shi’s life. How about we make a deal…”
“No need!” Taiyuan Jade Girl’s flowing hair danced in the wind, her robes fluttering with grace. She glanced lightly at the pill in the demoness’s hand and smiled as she shook her head. “Thank you for your kindness, Princess. I’ve already said, my husband’s immortal body is unharmed. I appreciate your concern, but it’s unnecessary.”
“Is that so? What a shame! If this pill is of no use, carrying it around is just a burden. I guess I’ll crush it and be done with it!”
Without a trace of frustration, Princess Jade Fan’s smile remained. Her delicate hand turned, ready to reduce the rare medicinal pill to dust.
“Demoness, stop!” As her wrist moved, several anxious shouts erupted from the immortals.
A green shadow shot into the sky. Xuan Nu, riding her Azure Phoenix, charged recklessly toward Princess Jade Fan, her normally serene heart now turbulent with emotion. This was truly a grave sign of imbalance for a disciple of the Su Nu cultivation technique!
“Hmph! Impudent brat!”
Facing Xuan Nu’s furious charge, Princess Jade Fan continued smiling, seemingly oblivious. Though the Azure Phoenix closed the distance to within three feet in an instant, a single feather from Demon King Peng’s body flew out and mysteriously blocked the path in front of the princess.
“Boom—”
In midair, the collision of powers exploded like fireworks. A single feather from Peng Demon King sent both Xuan Nu and her phoenix crashing back.
“Giggling… Dear Sister Taiyuan, you’re in quite a hurry, aren’t you?” Princess Jade Fan turned her palm back, revealing the Celestial Flame Pill, completely unscathed.
As the eyes of her opponents once again fixated on the precious pill, the Myriad Demon Princess’s teasing tone now carried clear triumph. “Such a rare pill is priceless across the Three Realms. How could I possibly destroy it so easily? Just now was merely a little joke. Dear Sister Taiyuan, please don’t be angry.”
Unconsciously tightening her fingers within her long sleeves, Taiyuan Jade Girl sharply commanded as she saw Xuan Nu preparing to charge again. “Azure Phoenix, take Xuan Nu back to the main hall. She is not to come out without my orders!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage