[{"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-30":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},2266975,4426,"Chapter 30: The Gentleman","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>Those few people were walking slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma seized the opportunity to pull out a match and light a lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kerosene lamp was too cumbersome, so they didn’t bring it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside Uncle Ma’s bundle were several white candles, fist-sized, thick and short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lighting them, he dripped a bit of wax onto the table, pressed the candle’s base down, and it stood steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the woods noticed the light and quickened their pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu seemed to catch a fleeting flash of intense joy on the faces of the two men leading the donkey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old uncle, it’s cold and the road’s slippery—we miscalculated our pace. Can we rest here for the night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sickle-wielding man called out from twenty or thirty paces away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma said, “Traveling far from home, who doesn’t run into trouble? This place was already abandoned—we fixed it up a bit to rest. Come on in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They led the donkey close to the tea shed and helped the man on its back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man wasn’t short, but he hunched his back, walked with a shuffling gait; even these few steps, carried by others into the tea shed, produced a rasping breath from his throat and chest, like thin iron wires grinding together—unbearable to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu was removing needles from Zhong Jinqiu’s arms; his gaze swept over and met theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man being supported was fine, but the two supporting men stared fixedly at this side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sickle-wielding man said, “You’re doing acupuncture? Are you a physician? Could you check on our elder brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu smiled, “I don’t know acupuncture at all. These needles were inserted by the town’s senior physician for my second uncle—he said they must stay in for a long time. We were in a hurry to return, so we brought the needles along and pull them out ourselves when the time comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t even mention it—the old doctor was afraid we’d lose the needles, so we had to pawn a dried lamb leg at his clinic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, Chu Tianshu was happy to treat patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But here, in these wild mountains where even the path was unclear, encountering someone riding a donkey uphill? Better stay cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma and Uncle Zhong, both seasoned travelers, were wary of the others too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Uncle Zhong—that look… hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu frowned slightly; Uncle Zhong’s gaze was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not his usual casual, detached scrutiny—but a direct, fixed stare at the gasping man’s face, growing more serious the longer he looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he could see a painting on the man’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sickle-wielding man looked anxious: “Brother, don’t pretend you don’t know—when you pulled out the needles just now, that twist of the needle tail? You’re no novice…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu suddenly said, “Xiao Chu, saving a life surpasses building seven-tiered pagodas. You studied acupuncture for years—help him out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu and Uncle Ma both turned to Zhong Jinqiu at once, their eyes flickering with faint light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged a glance—no aura of dark magic, and Zhong Jinqiu was no man easily swayed by sorcery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu rose slowly and walked to the opposite side of the table, first taking the sick man’s pulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu also moved to the table’s edge, leaning in to observe closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five people crowded around a broken table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu told them to step back; by candlelight, he examined the sick man’s eyelids and tongue coating, felt his pulse again, and fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This illness…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu lifted his gaze again, studying the men before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men in straw capes showed anxiety, but their waists and bellies were taut—clearly on guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the sickle-wielding man—his right arm hidden beneath his cape, utterly still, for reasons unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu was also acting strangely; his face was grave, but his eyes seemed vacant, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to all of them, the patient was the most normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyeballs were cloudy, his face yellowish-waxy, his lips dark—all symptoms of labored breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like he was enduring pain, but not desperately so—like someone who’d seen too many doctors and had grown resigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this man was the most abnormal of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu held up one finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patient said, “One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu held up two fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held up four fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patient tried to smile, but it triggered a cough—he wheezed twice, then said, “Of course it’s four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu sighed, frowned, stood up, and paced left and right, unconsciously moving far away to the tea shed’s far corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved to the other side, “Come here for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu walked over, controlling his throat with masterful skill, voice like a whisper: “What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu replied in the same hushed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This man isn’t sick—he’s poisoned. The poison has sunk deep into his five organs and six bowels, even spread to his skull and bone marrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A normal person poisoned this deeply would be little different from a corpse—only his pupils haven’t yet dilated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet this man can breathe, walk, and still think clearly. His physique isn’t that of a martial artist—he must be a powerful sorcerer. If he’s upright, fine. But if he’s evil…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu asked seriously, “Uncle Zhong, do you know him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma stepped closer: “What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu spoke low: “Ah… this story is long…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma had never married in his youth, had no family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhong Jinqiu once had a happy family—and because of them, he kept alive the bold ambitions of his youth, still striving for fame and achievement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife and son fully supported him, relied on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son, Zhong Jiye, especially admired the way his father led a band of brothers across south and north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among his peers, Zhong Jiye became a leader himself, guiding his young companions with force and discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, Zhong Jiye discovered one of his brothers was addicted to opium, stealing money to smoke. He pleaded, beat him, tied him up—all useless. The brother corrupted others too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jiye flew into rage, gathered all his young brothers, and smoked opium repeatedly before them, determined to prove it could be quit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this fool's martial skill is barely at the entry level—he couldn't even handle the power of the Lingyang Pill, how could he possibly withstand such a deadly poison?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu lowered his eyes, “At the time, I still clung to ambition, neglected my family too much. In the end, my son died, my wife fell ill and passed—nothing remained but hatred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma remembered: “That year I visited you—I heard you killed the opium den owner in town, then hunted down every supplier along the drug pipeline.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But when I found you later, you hadn’t killed many more people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu gave a weary smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because when he arrived, he didn’t see the fat, cruel opium dealers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw only vast fields of opium flowers blooming everywhere—the scene, beautiful yet terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once-pristine terraced fields had all become opium plantations; the growers were nothing but farmers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You never truly feel pain until it hits you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before that year, Zhong Jinqiu had cursed opium for corrupting the nation—but never truly considered: how many people in all of Yizhou were growing it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it already surrounded him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...How could I avenge this? I fled before stepping into those fields.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu said blankly, “I was afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma said, “But later, you said someone had avenged you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu’s eyes flared, solemnly: “Yes. That man must have seen such fields too—far more than I did. But he wasn’t afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He became the Military Governor of all Yizhou. With one order, though opium wasn’t fully eradicated, not a single den dares display its sign in daylight anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was a strong man, a righteous man, someone I will forever revere!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma glanced at the patient at the table, suspicion dawning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his voice further, almost whispering with barely-there breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you saying… that man over there… is Cai Yin? Cai Shanjun?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The former Military Governor of Yizhou’s Junzheng Prefecture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But how? He went to Jingcheng, held high office and wealth—even the President treated him well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu cut in firmly, “I’ve watched his speeches many times—I’ve memorized his face. Even with disguise, he can’t fool me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma stared: “No wonder you told Xiao Chu to help…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only asked Xiao Chu to lend a hand. With Cai Shanjun’s status, to be reduced to this? His troubles are obvious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu’s weak hand, hidden behind his back, unconsciously clenched—movement stiff and difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Xiao Chu can help, help a little—then we part ways immediately. Don’t get tangled in their affairs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu raised his eyebrows, voice softening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, he never truly knew me, never did me any great favor. Helping him this much is enough—we’ve fulfilled our bond.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Ma fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colluding with insiders to kill an old eunuch might have over a 60% chance of success—but meddling in Cai Shanjun’s affairs? No one could say how likely survival was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only these two had encountered this, they could have charged in with fire and fury—even if they died, it would at least be an unusual way to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chu Tianshu is still young, still has time to grow slowly; he shouldn’t face this now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Zhong spoke that way because he clearly understood this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet little Chu is perceptive—if he sees through Old Zhong’s true feelings and offers to help, this matter becomes too difficult…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Commander?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s voice rose sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two old men, who had been avoiding the young man’s gaze, looked up in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patient’s breathing paused for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men in straw capes went on guard—one hand gripped his sickle, the other reached into his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu returned eagerly to the opposite side of the table and smiled: “So you’re our former Grand Commander of Yizhou? I heard you did much good during your tenure—have you come back to reclaim power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men still didn’t know how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patient blinked, then answered: “There are important matters to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you’ve made it this far into the mountains, you’ve already entered Yuan Nan City’s sphere of influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s smile didn’t fade: “Why not try contacting Commander Xu of Yuan Nan City? With his troops backing you, everything would be easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sickle-wielding man hesitated: “Who exactly are you three? This kind of thing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because that Xu is untrustworthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patient answered directly, paused, then burst into a fit of coughing before continuing: “Yizhou isn’t yet an ironclad kingdom. While gathering intelligence secretly in Jingcheng, I found this man growing more untrustworthy by the day—if I go to his headquarters like this, I’ll be dead for sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s smile widened as he clapped his hands: “Excellent. So once you’re in power, you’ll eliminate him, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sickle-wielding man frowned: “Do you have a grudge against them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I meant to kill him and his deputy—but over the past month, I’ve killed more than one person a day on average. I’m actually getting tired of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu looked at his fingers, speaking slowly: “After all, I’m a physician.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I can achieve justice and satisfaction merely by healing, isn’t that far more comfortable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this man’s status closely resembles that of General Cai Shanjun from our homeland’s history—the one who defended the nation against Yuan Zhonglu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s practically a living, breathing experience boost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And… come on, I can’t let these two old men, past their prime, be forced to speak insincerely and live in gloom, can I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty years of spiritual sensitivity to yin corruption never turned me into a cold-blooded beast—now that I’ve trained in a fiery, passionate fist art, why should I restrain myself further?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1985,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d51414af2fbeb996d87d0dab55ca8fe44300e477c8b3ccb93df5701870aadcf4","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-31","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-29",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]