[{"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-66":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},2267011,4426,"Chapter 66: Dreaming of Hunting a Tiger","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>“Is this really a health check benefit from the Social Survey Team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin looked nervously at the building before him, “If every sampled survey subject has to come for a checkup, how much government money would this waste?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun smiled faintly: “It’s a problem when budgets can’t be spent. Having an excuse to spend it is wisdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least one-fifth of the people in government spend their days figuring out how to waste money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin turned his gaze to the sports car behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this why people like you get to drive sports cars?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t ask it aloud—he felt asking might expose some dark side of the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, these two had asked him to come for a checkup, and he had repeatedly refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, this Mr. Fang made a phone call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than thirty minutes later, his company’s boss returned to the office, enthusiastically declaring they would cooperate with the social survey, demonstrating good citizenry and a healthy, positive spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was past midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin had never seen that boss stay at the office past 4 p.m. Since the boss had spoken, he had no choice but to comply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally thought it strange, but now he was beginning to taste the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed there was a large budget that needed to be spent quickly, so they’d invented this social survey pretext.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surface work must look as noble as possible, and they needed eye-catching topics—like inviting citizens who work late into the night for checkups, to show the survey’s rigor and humanitarian concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this checkup were done a thousand times, its cost would still be a drop in the bucket compared to the real budget amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin knew well that similar things happened in his own company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, get inside quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu spoke, jumping out from the back seat of the sports car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the sports car had a back seat, it was cramped—unsuitable for adults, at least not comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the top was open; Chu Tianshu had stood directly behind, hand resting on the driver’s seat, watching the night scenery all the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it felt strangely more free than sitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they’d messaged ahead, someone inside the Special Capture Bureau’s building immediately guided them to the examination area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin underwent testing inside, while several others watched through a one-way glass in an adjacent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This man’s condition is truly grim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Jiang still wore her white lab coat and high ponytail with mask, but she seemed to be chewing something, releasing a whiff of mint gum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t need the report—she’d already interpreted much from the curves on the instruments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Risk level: low. Injury severity: severe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He appears energetic now, but it’s merely an intense facade formed by internal self-conflict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the information you provided, his daily consumption of pure milk clearly indicates a distortion in some bodily function. If left untreated, he’ll perish alongside the malevolent spirit within him in about fifteen days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun pulled out a cigarette, sniffed it at his nose: “Can this be treated here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Per regulations, we are obligated to do our utmost to treat victims like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Jiang’s voice was cold: “But we cannot treat him here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know what new material devices the Special Capture Bureau had developed, but he understood well their medical research direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from stabilizing cultivation progress and remedying cultivation hazards,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Bureau’s internal research on treating injuries all leaned toward “efficiency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bias came from their duty—they were responsible for the lives of their operational personnel; efficiency truly was life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they kept the patient alive, they could always transfer them later to another convalescent facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yin Fengxin’s condition was too fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Special Capture Bureau’s standard methods couldn’t be applied to him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My suggestion: tell him the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Jiang’s tone was calm: “At least don’t let his final days be wasted on overtime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu said: “No. Revealing the truth now might cause him to die before even reaching fifteen days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Jiang glanced at him, then pondered: “That’s possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh. The three malevolent spirit signatures have already formed a small closed loop. Our case’s conclusion now hinges only on Brother Yin. Let’s put some thought into this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun sighed, slipped the cigarette back into the pack: “Find some excuse—not the truth—that lets him stop working overtime and relax for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Jiang pulled out a gum can and handed it to him, her voice still cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t smoke while monitoring this patient. If you can’t resist, chew gum.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun took it, thinking: “What excuse could we find?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After working together on several matters, they’d developed a strong rapport; they leaned close and whispered a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yin Fengxin stepped out, he met the two investigators in the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun laughed: “Good news, Brother Yin—you really are sick…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin exclaimed: “What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, being sick isn’t good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu explained beside him: “But your illness is primarily hormonal. Left untreated, it’ll worsen; treated, it requires only rest and recuperation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our superior just came by and decided to make your case a model example.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can take time off. All expenses during your recuperation will be reimbursed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin was even more astonished: “So… you’re treating me for free?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated: “But how long will this leave-taking last? If I’m gone too long, my boss will surely be upset.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu patted his shoulder and smiled: “Didn’t you hear? They’re making you a model example.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll become a popular, positive public figure. As long as you stay at your company, they can leverage this image.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—your boss is a sensible man. He won’t do anything foolish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made perfect sense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked out of the building together, and only as they neared the sports car again did Yin Fengxin rub his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never thought something like this could happen to me. As a kid, when I played scratch cards, the most I ever won was fifty cents. As an adult, I’ve rarely even gotten a ‘free refill’ on a drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin looked back at the building: “Why was I chosen as this model?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t there others in your survey with worse illnesses, more compelling images for the public?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun said: “These things depend on luck. Our superior happened to be out patrolling at midnight just as you were being examined. Honestly, any illness—if packaged well—yields roughly the same publicity effect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin scratched his temple, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu suddenly said: “Are you feeling guilty because you’re not suffering enough, yet still got this opportunity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin hurriedly replied: “Not that bad—I’m actually glad to get this chance. It’s just… uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun stared at the steering wheel: “There are countless people worse off than you, but also countless others luckier. Don’t overthink it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you feel you’ve received something you didn’t deserve, consider instead how much you’ve lost in this society that you truly did deserve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Society moves this way. We can’t interfere—so we might as well lie down and accept its duality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu laughed: “Since when did you get so philosophical? In my view, you just know how to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression turned serious, and he spoke slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yin Fengxin, you’re a good man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he finished, he leapt into the back seat of the sports car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Fengxin quickly said: “I’ll stand in the back, Mr. Chu—you sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had already ridden the wind all the way; another round wouldn’t be as enjoyable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang Jun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu tapped the driver’s seat: “Can we switch cars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun said: “Sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drove off in the sports car, and within minutes returned in a minivan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minivan looked familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—this was the Special Capture Bureau’s actual vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s first go to your home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu said: “Let’s assess your living conditions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Jun drove; Yin Fengxin gave directions from the front passenger seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu hunched in the back, watching the two ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Special Capture Bureau can’t separate the Kidney Jade malevolent spirit—but that doesn’t mean I can’t try.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu mused, recalling the ancient annotations in the *Ghost Gate Medical Manual*—some predecessors had left a few lines of lifelong reflections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world is full of injustice, but healing the sick and saving lives, resisting death—these are the most upright acts of all, to be spoken plainly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, he would add one more line: if you save a good person, that’s even more open-hearted, serene, and pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minivan’s interior was indeed roomier than the sports car, but its ride felt less stable and cushioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu sat slumped in the back, jostling slightly, his mind crowded with thoughts until he unconsciously lowered his eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaaoo!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu opened his eyes to see a lion pacing not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I fall asleep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around and saw that in today’s dream, the number of lions, tigers, and giant serpents was unusually high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sky, swarms of vampire bats flew in formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, there seemed to be a birdcage as large as a building; in another direction, a rectangular bronze mirror burned with firelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visual manifestations of his external yin corruption in dreams were tied to the local feng shui environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These elements in today’s dream were all connected to the feng shui layout of the Ao District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never realized my dreams could be this lively.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chu Tianshu admired the scenery, a tiger charged toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During those days at Wu Family Village, he had dreamed of tigers too—several times, he’d slid under its belly, but his foot was always snatched before he reached its underbelly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These big cats were still quick to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strike the head!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu punched the tiger’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slide wasn’t fast enough, but a punch was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Song once said: Grasp the crown of the head, strike the tiger first in the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s punch sent the tiger reeling backward; he followed with a flurry of blows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiger was left bleeding profusely from the face, its teeth knocked out, whimpering as it collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lion lunged from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu seemed motionless, then suddenly shifted two meters sideways, appearing diagonally ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun and kicked—his toe driving into the lion’s ear, toppling it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His earlier footwork mimicked Zhu Heng’s “Barefoot Slash-and-Cut,” moving abruptly through sheer foot motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since discovering he could resist in dreams, Chu Tianshu now saw them as a place to practice and refine his fist techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the movements he replicated in dreams might not be fully replicable in reality, they carried enough realism to serve as useful reference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he had killed six lions, five tigers, and three serpents,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the wild beasts on the plain seemed to grow slightly wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu knew this wariness was only temporary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These creatures were merely faint manifestations of the Zhangyang ’s spirit-attuned artifacts and feng shui patterns from the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lacked the true cunning of real beasts, unaware of when to advance or retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood still, conserving his strength, continuing to observe the scenery—when suddenly he noticed a figure by the small river to his left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu was astonished—his dreams had never before shown any human form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when human-like ghostly auras manifested, they usually appeared as venomous snakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this figure wore a soft-brimmed futou, a blue cotton robe, and a small black sash at the waist—not only human, but seemingly ancient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu cautiously circled to stand before the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s features were indistinct, but he appeared to have a beard and seemed to be speaking, his voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu strained to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the divine has become a ghost, how can it be trusted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man spoke as if to himself, or perhaps addressing many, intoning solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though humans suffer countless afflictions, they must tirelessly seek a hundred methods, a thousand medicines, to unravel ten thousand solutions—never turn to ghosts or gods…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never turn to ghosts or gods!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2047,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c338b2e11f02574150d92803e9b8c7aec9ecb619fd699f78c858a29b3a5b3630","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-67","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-65",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]