[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h":3,"chapter-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-106":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring Evil, Exterminating Demons Across All Heavens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267051,4426,"Chapter 106","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-106",106,"\u003Cp>In the locust tree courtyard, several long tables and cushions had been added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Donglai, Cheng the Blind, and Zheng Hui’s most trusted guards were still waiting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the cold, wind-chilled night sky, a red shadow flashed across the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had already leapt over the wall, and as he moved, he casually tore off his cloak, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it onto the long table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems the plan succeeded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng the Blind said, “That shout of yours just now was truly loud—I heard it clearly even from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu picked up the teapot and drank two mouthfuls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I really am not used to speaking at such a volume.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was born in the Jianghuai region, unlike mountain dwellers who grow up singing folk songs and practicing loud calls over distances; though after training in martial arts, his lungs and heart were strong enough to produce very high sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such sounds are usually shouts or howls—monotonous and crude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That time on the island, when I tricked Zhu Heng with prolonged shouting, I relied entirely on the megaphone in my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without tools, maintaining such a high volume while keeping every word clear is truly unnatural to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu cleared his throat, recalling the feeling of shouting at full volume—and yet felt a strange kind of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I get the chance later, I should train this skill too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng the Blind sighed softly: “The collusion between the Duan and Yuwen families, and Duan Zhong’s schemes—all have been hidden in the shadows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he chooses to fight now, it will seem like he’s representing Nanzhao martial arts against Tang martial arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many may even see him as a hero—and thus hate Hai Donglai even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nightfall, Hai Donglai no longer carried his umbrella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had changed into a deep red robe with a black sash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though still red, it was vastly different from his previous bright, flamboyant attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he sat behind the long table, arranging tea utensils in this guise, he looked like a scholar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already have enough enemies who hate me; adding one more group won’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Donglai said, “One reason Chu Physician used my name was precisely because my reputation is so terrible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu chuckled but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had indeed thought so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bad reputation has its advantages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reputation of the Tang Imperial Secret Service was so vile that even their own citizens feared them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one would ever equate Hai Donglai, the head of the Tang Imperial Secret Service, with an ordinary Tang person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Duan family tried to exploit this duel to stoke internal division in Nanzhao, they couldn’t succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For over a decade, even decades, they’ve relentlessly spread the lie that “the Secret Service aren’t human—they’re all demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, suddenly, you claim that the head of the Secret Service’s actions represent the broader Tang people’s attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could possibly believe that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng the Steward worried: “This plan to confront Yi Wang and his shadow allies—the duel—is indeed an excellent strategy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this life-or-death challenge carries great risk; even if you win, it will bring serious consequences later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some officers in the army are still undecided; they still regard Duan Zhong as a great hero and elder among Nanzhao soldiers. If Duan Zhong dies in open combat, it may ignite their collective fury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu paid no mind, walked over to Hai Donglai, and took a cup as soon as he finished brewing the tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how effortlessly Hai Donglai handled the tea, it was clear he was highly skilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Tea Sage Lu Yu became famous, tea culture had flourished—tea art had become a refined pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Donglai devoted half his life to struggle, and the other half to enjoyment; naturally, he had studied tea art with some depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu gulped down two mouthfuls, unable to discern any real difference between this tea and tea brewed by simply tossing leaves into hot water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will defeating Duan Zhong really make them unite in fury?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu said after drinking, exhaling steam, “I think it’s more likely to make them fear your power—and then respect your virtue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after fearing power can one truly appreciate virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re too preoccupied with benevolence, others won’t remember your kindness—they’ll only see you as weak and easy to exploit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In small groups, it’s possible for someone of true virtue to inspire respect without needing to instill fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the vast scale of Tang and Nanzhao, relying on personal character is laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanzhao’s shift in governance over the years has one major cause: their defeat in the great war ten years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But back then, it was Yi Mouxun who lost—not Duan Zhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now, let Duan Zhong lose too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to your plan, on the day of the duel, you’ll still be the one facing Duan Zhong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Donglai’s expression held a trace of regret as he turned his wrist, “I’ve never fought him, but when I assassinated Nanzhao generals years ago, several were his disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their swordplay and palm\u002Ffinger techniques were quite impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their styles seemed different, but shared an underlying thread—put together, they might approximate Duan Zhong’s fighting pattern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over the next two days, I can practice a bit and show you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Hai Donglai couldn’t yet engage in intense combat, practicing techniques with slightly above-average strength posed no burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—if the enemy’s allies show up, we’ll all have to deal with them together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We can’t guarantee every head will fall to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with Duan Zhong as the main target, others are being drawn out because of Chu Tianshu’s actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case, the qi we collect shouldn’t be too little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least enough to let me return home after crossing over—and enough to bring back the Three-Seven Divine Sword with its spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph, will I have to pay a fee every time I cross over carrying a sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When will I be able to train the Three-Seven Divine Sword into something formless and intangible—something I can merge into my body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu, relaxed after his battle, let his mind wander into fantasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A greeting came from outside the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re all staying up late instead of returning to your rooms—I must have prepared this midnight snack perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Wenjing smiled as she arrived carrying two food boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s more in the kitchen—I’ll go get some later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kitchen had several assistants, but the Locust Tree Courtyard seemed to be hosting something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng’s guards stood outside, allowing only Madam Wenjing to enter freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, that loud challenge earlier had left everyone distracted, each eager to peek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Mo nearly dropped the steamer basket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Madam Wenjing remained calm, focused solely on her task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first food box was handed to Chu Tianshu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mentioned this Hu pancake recipe—I tried it. See what you think.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu opened it to find a plate of golden, crispy, sesame-coated baked cakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Hu pancake recipes were numerous, but the common versions resembled large flatbreads or lamb-style naan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had mentioned his fondness for Huangqiao baked cakes—and to his surprise, Madam Wenjing had actually made them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu took a bite—it was crisp on the outside, layered like a thousand folds inside—and his face lit up with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perfect! After I finish fighting, I want more of this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crisp snap echoed through Yi Wang’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong stepped on a half-burned lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bamboo frame, already charred, had dried into brittle fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound told you the frame was utterly ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the Yi Wang mansion tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several guard captains trailed behind Duan Zhong, heads bowed, too ashamed to even breathe loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had survived not because they were especially skilled, but because their posts were farther away—they hadn’t encountered the intruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong didn’t rebuke anyone. He walked silently into the central hall, where tables and chairs lay shattered, and six or seven corpses lay scattered among the debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could imagine they had been surrounding someone—only to be flung away in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong stamped his foot, his body suddenly leaping upward, piercing through the hall’s roof, and in a single bound, landed on the wall of the side courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the side courtyard stood a half-collapsed pavilion, with the corpses of the Three Elders of Diancang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And many guards stood beside the body of Duan Rusu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Three Elders of Diancang fought Hai Donglai first atop the pavilion—they did their duty well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong finally spoke, his voice tinged with sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Rusu was just too foolish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if he couldn’t hear from the side courtyard the strength behind the man’s stone lion throw that shattered the screen wall…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He should have known that if the Three Elders of Diancang couldn’t defeat him, neither could he.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Instead of securing his own safety first, he thought to combine forces into a group of four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t bravery; it’s ignorance of when to advance or retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things truly cannot be retreated from, should not be retreated from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you’re only facing an assassination—you don’t retreat, don’t hide—what are you waiting for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the Duan family’s hopes could only rest on the next generation, even the generation after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all of this depends on one thing: in this duel, I must win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai, Dong, Lai!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man truly is elusive—Chang’an had provided the envoy team’s route, yet still couldn’t pinpoint his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he was right there among the envoy team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have led the envoy team in fighting off those Tibetans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was probably wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, given his usual style, he would have gone straight for Duan Zhong himself, not merely killed someone in the Prince’s mansion and then left, issuing a duel challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong opened his eyes: “This is also deliberately giving time, so my allies can prepare their response.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong had already seen through the intent behind the duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Duan Zhong felt this intent was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s never just the Duan family that needs these people—these people also need the Duan family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the Military Governor of Huaixi or that man in Chang’an, both are already old; the things they wish to accomplish may have only this one chance left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Tang seeks to reclaim lost lands; Tibet seeks to resist fiercely—they both must seize this opportunity to succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The upheaval in Nanzhao must be brought about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then come. I’ve already lost a nephew—now you must bring your strength to help me avenge this public grievance and private grudge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong gazed at the moon; the beads in his hand suddenly frosted over with ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the beads froze—the golden thread binding them hardened like metal rings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the next instant, flames erupted violently around the golden ring, crimson glow seeping through each bead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden shift from cold to heat caused the beads to burst apart before they could fully burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Zhong’s hands fully emerged from beneath his half-revealed sleeves, facing the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On each finger of his right hand sat a silver-white ring, forged like fine steel, fitted near the base of the finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his left index finger, there was also a ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, the six rings were dull, nearly hidden by his skin tone and the shadows of his sleeves, utterly unremarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, their radiant glow perfectly matched the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if each ring contained the very spirit of a weapon, alive and stirring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1937,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","14aec7df65f612aaff6536b162064574cf5155ce5058cae165197303ac2425e1","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-107","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-105",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]