[{"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-40":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},2266985,4426,"Chapter 40: Nature","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>The people outside the cave had initially seen the series of explosive flashes of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the flames vanished around the corner, only a short while passed before the flute’s melody shifted, followed by that roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’s expression changed at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Zhong, I’d believe he could hold his breath to run back and forth with his lung capacity—but after shouting like that, could he still hold it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu frowned too: “A roar expels air; after exhaling, immediately holding breath...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, Wu Zhaizhu had already charged inside, blowing his whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the shrine old woman’s flute silenced, a single whistle wouldn’t cause chaotic stimulation and could serve some insect-repelling purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wu Zhaizhu moved, Zhong Jinqiu followed close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as the two rushed in about two hundred meters, they saw a figure sprinting toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu raced forward, face flushed, gripping a figure in his hand like a straw dummy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three hurried out of the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay away from me—your clothes might still be coated with toxic smoke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu spoke rapidly, then avoided everyone, sprinting over to dozens of meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now with the wind blasting him, he was also exerting force—any lingering smoke clinging to him deep in the cave should have been fully blown and shaken loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu stopped, finally daring to breathe deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu stepped forward and saw Chu Tianshu had laid the woman on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman was unconscious, but after lying down, she coughed twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu gasped: “She’s not dead?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a village, someone holding opinions different from the leadership isn’t unusual; holding back opinions without voicing them isn’t unusual either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to stay silent, then suddenly violate the village’s rules and strike a guest from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And steal the village’s treasure, attempting to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a person is a serious threat—the kind any manager seeking to preserve the village’s stability detests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows what day another incident might occur, one that displeases her, and she’ll strike again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when agreeing to let Chu Tianshu enter the cave alone,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu had already prepared himself mentally for the shrine keeper to be a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave’s conditions were so complex, so perilous—Chu Tianshu didn’t even need to kill her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by applying slightly more force during capture, leaving her inside the cave, or being careless on the way, the poison insects could have bitten her to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chu Tianshu had brought her out alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have switched her position back and forth while sprinting, so though she was unconscious and limbs motionless, the insects couldn’t settle or bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu’s expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously felt strong dislike for this old woman and had prepared himself to see a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now that he saw the shrine keeper still alive, his heart unexpectedly eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The complex mix of emotions inside him was something even he couldn’t name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She forced herself to play the flute, injuring her internal organs, her breathing becoming erratic and uncontrolled—when she came out, she must have inhaled a great deal of toxic fungal spores.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu bent down, lightly pressing her wrist; her clenched fingers loosened. He took the jade flute and handed it to Wu Zhaizhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Return to its rightful owner—please see to her treatment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu took the Colorful Cloud Flute, momentarily at a loss for words: “This... isn’t this what you wanted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu smiled: “Didn’t you still haven’t lent it out yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu knelt down, pulled out a pill, and shoved it into the old woman’s mouth; he didn’t want to look up, only muttering: “Then... her ambush on you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At her age, after such internal injuries and exposure to the brain-poisoning hallucinogen, she’ll never again play those Gu -controlling melodies properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu turned toward the bamboo grove, arms spread, as if only absorbing the beauty of the mountain and water, no longer glancing at the woman on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, she violated your own village’s rules—there must be punishment for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu straightened, speaking loudly: “Rest assured—we will punish her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave that answer, yet a familiar feeling stirred within him; he turned to look at Cai Shanjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun was also smiling, not looking at the chieftain, but at Chu Tianshu, then at the sun overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunlight gave this aging governor a touch more vitality; his eyes half-closed, he looked content, though no one knew what he was smiling at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Governor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked forward step by step, offering the Colorful Cloud Flute to Cai Shanjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The three trials are passed—we’ve all lost. The Colorful Cloud Flute, as agreed, is yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun turned his gaze back, smiling: “When I return to Kunming, I will choose an auspicious day to return this treasure—and offer further thanks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu closed his eyes, then said: “Great Governor, if you wish to cross the river, what do you think of Wu Tugǔ and Wu Zewa’s strength?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Abang—her Gu technique has improved greatly. Could these three lend you a hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun quickly replied: “Wu Tugǔ’s size makes this journey impractical—perhaps later, if he wishes, he can join the army.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zewa and Abang...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at them, pausing thoughtfully: “Zewa is fiercely brave, his every movement embodying the true spirit of a Miao warrior—he too could join the army later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Abang... hmm, innocent and carefree—let’s leave her for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truly sharp and experienced members of Wu Family Village rarely excelled in their own secret arts; at best, they were good at gathering intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But someone like Wu Zewa—though otherwise fine—after mastering the village’s techniques, his demeanor became too distinctive, out of place among outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking them along would likely draw attention long before reaching the ferry, exposing Cai Shanjun and his group to constant surveillance and ambushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, the only one in the entire village whose ancestral arts were mastered enough, and whose bearing and conduct had become fluid and adaptable enough to disguise himself freely, was Wu Zhaizhu himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper interjected: “We don’t need extra hands yet, but I noticed fine cinnabar in the mountains—your families also use it to paint on jars. Could you give me some?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu laughed heartily: “We have cinnabar, and also premium talisman paper—perfect for your charms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Chu Tianshu: “Our Wu Family Village’s sword-forging craft is also renowned—I myself am a skilled blade-smith, with a fine collection gathered over the years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me take you all to pick out some good weapons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu turned back and smiled: “We’ll likely rest a few more days—choosing weapons isn’t urgent now. We’ll discuss it tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu was also intrigued; though he couldn’t carry a true superior spear on the road due to concealment needs, and the village might not have one anyway, he was equally skilled in sword techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there were narrow-bladed long knives he could use as swords, hiding them on the journey would be no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhaizhu nodded in agreement, solemnly addressing Cai Shanjun: “I grow ever more certain you will succeed in returning to Kunming and remain the enlightened lord who protects the people of Yizhou and secures their place in this chaotic age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The shrine old woman didn’t understand—the wisdom of our ancestors most desired that descendants seize opportunities to invest, ensuring better continuity. People are the most important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Treasures are merely tools of people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chieftain escorted them all the way back to their quarters before leading the others away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun held the jade flute, standing on the corridor: “When your roar echoed out, I nearly thought the old woman would fare worse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did it sound especially murderous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu walked over, stretched his arms, and said: “Since childhood, I’ve been steeped in values—I have a moral scale inside me. Some people just aren’t there yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But others—I know at least a few—who are wicked accomplices, destroying countless children’s families, still trying to control us, planning to silence us afterward. Hah! Even killing them once and shooting them again wouldn’t be enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking these words, his mouth seemed to chew something, his fingers and wrists moving freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lately, he’d been pondering the mysteries of the Toad Palm Thunder Technique—when eating, drinking, or having spare moments, his mind inevitably drifted to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This art, evolved from Taiji Quan, differed greatly from Tongbei Quan, embodying the insight of guiding one’s nature, releasing and restraining with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Idle as a breeze, active as blazing fire; sweat must be expended before drinking, with outflow and inflow, adapting to circumstances, deciding when to kill or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These everyday experiences, felt firsthand, felt like practicing the fist form—chewing on them yielded rich insights, endless flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun saw this and sensed something: “You’ve entered the spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In ancient times, many who read extensively or trained rigorously didn’t enter the spirit; only those who, wherever they went, connected everything to their training and applied it practically could be called embodying their learning—only then did they enter the spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like calligraphy masters who practiced with brush, with branches, on paper, on walls, on dining tables, even before sleep, their fingers tracing patterns on their robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tears in their robes were crisscrossed with character marks—such people truly entered the spirit, and would surely achieve greatness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun mused: “Those who rage but lack courage—pitiful, regrettable. Those who rage and summon courage—good, but prone to excess, fearing that future wanton killings will harm themselves—sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who rage yet remain clear-minded and courageous...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left fingertips brushed across the flute’s holes, his voice bright with laughter: “The magnificent land, the Colorful Cloud Flute’s melody—should be played for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle change occurred in Cai Shanjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu turned to look and felt the man’s flute-holding figure grow slightly blurred in his perception, as if veiled in colorless mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The toxins within him seemed to lose their precision, unable to determine where to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The accumulated poison’s harm and pressure on his body immediately eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Cai Shanjun bring the flute to his lips,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu suddenly asked: “The old woman could produce flute tones that shook the organs—can you do the same?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can control it without harming yourself, this flute tone would be perfect to aid my training—needles, flute tones, fist techniques—all three together...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun’s expression paused slightly; he had to interrupt: “That matter can wait. Let me play a simple, pure melody now, alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu fell silent, raising his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun’s flute melody rose, rippling over the water, echoing through the great mountains; his eyes half-closed, a faint cool glow on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu listened; so did several people in nearby rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Jinqiu’s hand, holding the oil tea, froze midair as Ma the Shopkeeper spread out talisman paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Yu stood firm in his room, knife in hand, silently staring at the glint at the blade’s tip; Xiao Huo was polishing his gun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the village, a sudden drumbeat rang out, as if someone were responding to the melody, and others began humming a lovely song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a sound emerged from the direction of the waterfall—sometimes like a flute, sometimes like a xiao, sometimes like a sheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as this sound reached them, all other noises in the village fell silent; more households stepped to their doors to gaze at the waterfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the council hall, the Village Chief and several others rose quickly and walked to the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding mountains no longer held mountain gods transformed into divine oxen, and no longer knew how to respond to the Miao people’s offerings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within the waterfall cave, the vast cavern stretching straight from the mountain’s core down to the earth still held a thousand-year-old spiritual wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Older villagers had already knelt behind their doorsteps, hands clasped before their chests, eyes alight with emotion, voices barely a whisper: “Cave Goddess…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu looked in astonishment toward the distant mountain waterfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the melody ended, he could not help asking: “Is there really a Cave Goddess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, when he heard the legend, he thought whatever dwelled in the cave was no benevolent spirit—perhaps akin to the Wu Chang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this melody seemed to be responding to Cai Shanjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun made no reply, gazing at the waterfall, his voice calm: “If the Cave Goddess truly exists, she likely knows we’ve taken the flute and are about to depart—so she is… ”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu said: “Saying farewell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Shanjun stared at the waterfall for a long while, then raised the jade flute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She is blessing us—may our sails cut through wind and waves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2119,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e7620bef6ecda2d7205916e19b9b44c1918e6781e1f7729c8fe3a3d8597ebf85","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-41","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-39",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]