[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons":3,"chapter-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-39":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Immortality Begins with Slaying Demons",{"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},2317927,4533,"Chapter 39: Hand-to-Hand: Subduing the Monkey Demon","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>The straw-cloaked monkey demon removed its straw hat, revealing sparse, aged black fur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its body was short and stunted, yet its head was large; as its lips curled, two tusks emerged: “Your swordplay isn’t bad, but your blade’s no good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young, tall monkey demon knelt on one knee and pulled out a long object wrapped in silk; it carefully unrolled the silk to reveal a slender ceremonial blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scabbard was straight, entirely black and glossy, adorned with gilded patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It extended both hands, respectfully lifting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The withered claw of the old straw-cloaked monkey gripped the hilt, drawing forth the blade’s dark luster, examining it with faint affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether by coincidence or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi noticed that among these demons, the higher their cultivation, the more they imitated humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow-skinned weasel rode in a palanquin but remained fixated on gluttony, its mind filled only with thoughts of eating humans, naming itself based on its appearance with a crude nickname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These monkey demons, however, wore human clothing, chose elegant names from books—calling themselves Tongtian—and slept with the most delicate women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Green Scale Old Mother, she even began applying makeup, kidnapping the finest craftsmen to forge the most beautiful, luxurious jewelry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My blade is named…” Yuan Tongtian held his breath, eyes blazing, ready to explain the blade’s origins in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi shook off his thoughts and swung his blade toward the kneeling, tall monkey demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First kneel before a fight? What’s the matter with you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson killing aura wrapped the blade as it slashed downward with crushing force toward the demon’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since completing the Golden Sun Eight Treasures Golden Body, Shen Yi found his strength like a vast, ceaseless river—far exceeding his former limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two demons clearly hadn’t expected him to strike suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tall, young one froze for an instant before hastily raising his arm to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That brief hesitation was enough—the blade severed its cervical spine as if cutting tofu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head, eyes wide with confusion, rolled to Yuan Tongtian’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the ceremonial blade, it clenched its nostrils and shrieked: “Absurd! Absurd! A crude, uncultivated peasant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I, before eating, wipe my hands with a damp cloth, bathe every three days, and burn incense every five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much more so for killing—a matter of utmost gravity—requiring self-introduction, clear reasoning: why I kill you, and how I shall defeat you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could one… how could one make such a crude, ugly mess of things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screaming, Yuan Tongtian’s small frame leapt upward, his black blade slashing repeatedly—steady, ruthless, revealing solid foundational skill from the very first strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frosty blade qi erupted, instantly shattering the small thatched hut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even amid chaotic emotions, Yuan Tongtian’s black blade movements remained orderly, profoundly mysterious—clearly a perfected beginner-level sword art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did it imitate human behavior, it even studied martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No manners? You deserve to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You killed my descendants? You deserve to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Tongtian hunched and howled, pressing forward step by step, his two extremely long arms flailing wildly, each strike faster than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this furious assault, Shen Yi’s expression remained unchanged, his steps steady—but inwardly, he felt a touch of weariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old monkey was clearly no ordinary demon; it had been guided by someone. The sword art it used seemed tailor-made for its arms, and that ceremonial blade was no ordinary weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official blade in my hand is worth only seven taels and two mace, after deducting the workshop’s graft…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t noticed before, but now, facing an opponent equally at the beginner’s peak, equally skilled in martial arts, the gap in weaponry became glaringly obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I persist in thinking I can subdue it without injury, I’ll pay a heavier price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Shen Yi’s gaze grew calm; he seized an opening and slashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap between weapons was even greater than he’d thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely one full-force clash shattered his official blade—the edge flew off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he’d anticipated this; he let go of the hilt, advanced instead of retreating, closing the distance abruptly, his long, powerful fingers clenching into a fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was aiming for a trade: injury for injury!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Tongtian saw his intent, not only unafraid, but grinning savagely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only it knew how razor-sharp its lifelong companion blade truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trade injury for injury? You won’t live long enough to strike again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the black blade slashed toward Shen Yi’s shoulder!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No flesh splitting as expected, no wet crunch of cutting meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sound of metal meeting metal rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Tongtian gripped the long blade in disbelief; no matter how hard it strained, the gleaming black edge couldn’t press down an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lifted its head and saw the same flicker of shock in Shen Yi’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What are you shocked about? What were you dodging just now? Who are you pretending to be, feigning a retaliatory stance even while wounded?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Yuan Tongtian could recover, five long, powerful fingers clamped onto its face, and with overwhelming force, it was slammed violently to the ground!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if its internal organs were being shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This power was beyond the beginner realm—it was the very realm it had longed for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a body-refining martial artist with the power of a Jade Fluid realm lower itself to launch a surprise attack?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Tongtian couldn’t comprehend it—then a fist came down, smashing half its eye socket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood filled its nostrils; it gasped, mouth gaping, thick, sweet-tasting blood spilling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whoosh of fists echoed beside its ears, like whispering death envoys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butcher Zhang swung another punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and the skinny head monk shared the same master; they knew each other’s moves intimately, neither gaining advantage for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this punch struck unexpectedly true, smashing hard into the monk’s nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skinny head monk clutched his face, grimacing in pain; ignoring the blood seeping through his fingers, his eyes widened in terror as he stared far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How old are you, still playing this trick? Trying to make me turn around? Today I’ll kill this disgrace to our sect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butcher Zhang raised his fist, ready to strike again—then saw the bald, pockmarked head still staring fixedly behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth and turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat broke out on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of strong young men stood frozen, their long spears and bows hanging limply in their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front, Shen Yi pressed down on the old monkey, striking coldly, his knuckles smeared with red and white matter, thick as paste, dripping steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each punch made the monkey demon’s legs tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until it stopped moving entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly rose, exhaling a long, hot breath, his dark eyes turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the instant his gaze swept over them, the constables and soldiers collapsed to their knees, too drained even to beg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long has it been…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butcher Zhang swallowed hard—he hadn’t even warmed up, and it was already over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two beginner-level great demons, dead without a single sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to look at the skinny head monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk had already scrambled twenty zhang away in an instant, rolling and crawling—no longer like a martial artist, but like a startled rabbit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder if anyone’s watching…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Got some business today, only one update—will make it up later. Just letting readers know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still too green as a new writer, but I’ll work harder to write better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Writing for full attendance bonus—let’s go!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1252,"2026-06-20T15:00:36.117Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f6928caea05871dd519ceadcd11c527c3d59da9e3ac7e628d39ec4eb7782bfb9","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-40","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-38",840,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-cover.jpg"]