[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-101":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"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},2317381,4532,"Chapter 101: Fighting Demons","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-101",101,"\u003Cp>\"How about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother stared intently at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All these martial artists use the same tricks,\" Lin Jue sighed, tossing aside the steamed bun. \"But this poison is more potent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother rose to his feet, his longsword already drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These bald monks!! I was still being polite with them! They strike first! Brother, stay here and guard Sister. It’s going to get nasty outside—I’ll handle it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, there are still civilians and pilgrims outside,\" Lin Jue added thoughtfully. \"Shouldn’t we report this to the authorities first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course we’ll report it—but first we must deal with them! If you think about it, those neighbors next door probably noticed something wrong and refused to join them, which is why they were killed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother gripped his longsword and declared firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s rare to have such skill! I’m not ascending to become a god—why should I have a woman’s heart?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he finished speaking than he vanished like the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Lin Jue let him go alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister, stay inside!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue spoke, he did not hesitate—he turned to retrieve his longsword. Two steps forward, he saw his sister moving exactly as he had, in perfect sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both hands gripped their sword hilts simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, a cry came from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahh~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Fuyao’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue lowered his sword and looked down—he saw the fox standing beside him, head raised, staring straight at the ceiling beam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue immediately looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister looked up too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beam was empty—nothing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the fox’s expression had turned fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both frowned, alert—then they saw the beam tremble slightly, shaking loose some dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, they both pulled back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like when they faced the water demon on the boat, they had stood face to face, now both leaping backward at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pfft!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hole, the size of a finger, appeared on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was instantly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vast heaven and earth, spirits of this place, heed my command! Spirit-light cleanses, shattering ancient darkness! Demons and ghosts, come forth—do not hide from the light! Three realms, yin and yang—my incantation reveals your form!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Incantation binds heaven and earth, divine thunder gathers at the sword’s tip, law points to yin and yang, true fire glows along the blade’s edge! The five elements of the three realms lend me strength—let my weapons manifest their divine mystery!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two different voices, two incantations, rang out at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue’s incantation ended, spiritual energy rippled outward—a figure appeared on the beam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, the junior sister held her sword horizontally; a flicker of spiritual light danced along its blade, shifting like thunder and flame, then vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both looked up again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure was on the beam, yet its posture was not human: neither crouching nor lying, but like some beast, its four limbs gripping the beam, suspending its body in midair, staring down coldly at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stepped forward, one before the other, swords raised, palms thrusting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pillar of fire shot forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Lin Jue’s spiritual fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no cramped cabin—he didn’t have to worry about burning the roof—he unleashed his full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the figure did not dodge or leap—it moved with terrifying speed, crawling along the beam, only lightly scorched before it reached the room’s corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire column chased it, then faded halfway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost simultaneously, a second pillar of fire erupted from the junior sister—coming from a different angle, cutting off its path, tracking its movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister also held nothing back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the creature was only lightly scorched again, swiftly darting to another wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames died out; the room’s light flickered, then dimmed—two distinct scorch marks now marred the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room’s temperature had risen sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister’s expression turned grim as she watched it: its feet and hands pressed firmly against the wall, yet it did not fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, her brother chanted the sword-attuning incantation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the creature strained its limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, its entire body dissolved into a fleeting shadow, lunging toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knowing what it was, and seeing its ferocious charge, they once again dodged left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the junior sister, having trained in swordplay for over half a year, and hearing her brother chant the sword-attuning spell, deliberately covered for him—she stepped back and swept her sword upward in a lunar arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sss!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The longsword, charged with the incantation’s spiritual force, slashed across the creature—sparks flared, hissing white smoke rose, leaving a deep gash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue, still off-balance, twisted his body and spat a torrent of blazing spiritual fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire could strike the enemy—but it also blinded. Lin Jue knew this well; the room was too narrow for sustained flame—he cut it off instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the fire vanished, the figure was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both spun around, instantly standing shoulder to shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected—the creature was fast. It had slipped behind them while they weren’t looking, now clinging to the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closer inspection revealed it was indeed humanoid, but grotesquely shaped—with enormous eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both stared at its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wore coarse hemp robes, now torn open by the sword, revealing the wounds beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was clear: the flames had burned it. Half of its robes were reduced to ash; its flesh beneath was charred and rotting, its huge eyes bleached white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now clinging to the wall, it stared at them, its tongue extended, dripping down to lick its wounds, then rising upward to lick its own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One lick—and the damage healed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout this, its eyes never blinked—never left them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stared at it, speaking aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature replied coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly chilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue involuntarily sniffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught a stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like death-qi...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the temple’s monks had prepared two layers: poison, and this demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the good news: it was wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it could be hurt, it could be killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Incantation binds heaven and earth, divine thunder gathers at the sword’s tip, law points to yin and yang, true fire glows along the blade’s edge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s left hand pulled out two flying daggers; his right hand still gripped his longsword tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon, hearing his incantation, immediately stopped licking and lunged again—trying to interrupt his chant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the junior sister was ready—she spat out a stream of spiritual fire, forcing the creature to leap sideways, landing on another wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The five elements of the three realms lend me strength—let my weapons manifest their divine mystery!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue finished the incantation, flicked his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, he chanted another spell to activate the weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shu-shu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two flying daggers shot out like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the creature reacted just as fast—it shifted position instantly, leaving only the two daggers, deeply embedded in the wall, their rings barely visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon exhaled a jet of black smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister had seen this trick many times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flicked her sleeve—a cloud of spiritual fire erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire met smoke, hissing, releasing a foul stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watch out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue remembered the hole that had suddenly appeared on the floor—he lunged, grabbed the junior sister’s arm, and yanked her toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister, expression grave, let him pull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as she was dragged sideways, her wrist flicked—executing the inner sword flourish most commonly used by Third Senior Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the flames and black smoke, a long, thin object suddenly lashed out, while the sword, reflecting the fire, traced a circle in the air, as if stained with a ring of flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword was already sharp, and with the power of the spell bound to it, it immediately severed a portion of the thin object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two instantly steadied themselves, pressing close together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the flames and black smoke had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, morning sunlight streamed through the door; the room faced east, and the crimson light stretched the shadows of the two people, the fox, and the demon long across the floor, where a few drops of blood and a soft, elongated object lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the young disciple had severed it, the object should have been a foot long; now, lying on the ground, it shrank rapidly, leaving only a segment about the length of a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its thickness was roughly the same as a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a piece of tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look again at the demon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, blood stained its lips, and its gaze toward the group grew even more venomous and ferocious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon seemed unable to blink; its eyes swept back and forth over them, then flicked toward the shadows on the wall, and toward the bamboo basket and the staff stuck upright atop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue followed its gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the demon reached for the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue extended a finger and murmured a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff the demon had just grasped instantly transformed into two venomous snakes, writhing back to bite it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Squeak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon clearly feared snakes; it shrieked, shuddered all over, and hurled the snakes away, retreating backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as it looked down again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where were the venomous snakes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t it still just a staff?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon realized it had been tricked; it gnashed its teeth but dared not reach for the staff again, instead flicking its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bloodied tongue shot out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men dodged simultaneously and flicked their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two swords nearly met, as if clashing, then executed a sweeping slash—if the severed tongue had struck them, even if it had wounded them, it would have been severed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the tongue was not aimed at them; it stabbed diagonally into the ground beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning sun cast their shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hole instantly appeared on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that hole was centered on Lin Jue’s shadow, right above his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, Lin Jue felt an odd sensation—and sharp pain in his shoulder; though not like a puncture, it felt as if a blunt steel rod had struck him with full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of spell was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was astonished—and suddenly afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hole’s position had just been where his head had been; when he dodged, it naturally shifted to his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that blow had landed on his head, it would have been catastrophic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue glanced quickly toward the temple’s entrance; he couldn’t make out details, only a vast red sun and chaotic figures fleeing through the courtyard, with noisy commotion—he guessed Third Master was busy too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he swiftly swept his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent wind surged through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash! The door slammed shut!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men no longer cast shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon grinned, revealing a row of tiny, sharp teeth; its hands sprouted hooked claws, crawling along the wall. On the floor, one man gripped his sword tightly, poised for battle; the other chanted the sword-empowering spell, his left hand already gripping two flying daggers—one hung from his pinky, one held in his palm—both fixed on the demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides searched for an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the fox hid beneath the bed, glancing at them furtively, yet its eyes held only alertness, no fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue studied the demon, frowning in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This demon seemed to possess some intelligence…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon stared at them too, sensing the commotion outside gradually fade; it grew impatient and spat out thick black smoke as cover. Simultaneously, the young Daoist girl unleashed spiritual fire, and amid the intertwining flames and smoke, the demon shot out its tongue like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tongue pierced the black smoke, while a flying dagger shot forth from the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon easily dodged, but the tongue missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the fire and smoke cleared, its cold eyes reflected the two Daoists charging forward with swords raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon showed no fear; it leaped forward at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its claws slashed through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl ducked low, swept her sword upward—it was still a sword form from the dance, less brutal and sharp, yet more fluid; but the sword’s keen edge and spiritual glow made the demon wary, and it twisted aside quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another flying dagger flew in from the right, slicing through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by a faint chant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it the spell that turned weapons into snakes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t holding any weapon…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the dagger approach, the demon was puzzled, yet its reflexes were far sharper than a human’s—it should have dodged easily—but when the dagger neared, it suddenly split into two writhing venomous snakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon was stunned, frantically dodging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could recover, another sword, glowing with spiritual light, struck from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the male Daoist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed—he’d noticed its fear of snakes—and this slash was delivered with full force, the blade shimmering with spiritual light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A segment of its arm was cleanly severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as it hit the ground, it became a gray claw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon screamed in pain, enraged beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could these two let such an opportunity slip?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One lunged forward with a thrust, while the other didn’t thrust—he chased and swung his sword downward with full force, the blow swift enough to stir a gale, momentarily resembling a blade chasing stars and moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long sword, gleaming with cold light, slashed repeatedly before the demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, human and demon were different; the demon was far more agile, and as long as it kept retreating, no matter how hard the two tried, the swords could not catch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it was nearly against the wall, it opened its mouth and spat out thick, ink-like black smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the smoke, it flicked its head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its tongue shot out like an arrow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time it aimed for Lin Jue’s chest—the one it judged the greater threat—but he sensed it and dodged hard, only taking the strike on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, it nearly pierced through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue ignored the pain; his mind raced, his hand clenched the last two flying daggers, and he began chanting a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to throw—the daggers flew forward on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon’s round eyes widened, reflecting the two daggers; it feared they would turn into snakes again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to the demon, the daggers moved slowly; it instinctively sidestepped, and the daggers skimmed past its chest and back, striking the wall with dull thuds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man is wounded!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon naturally seized the chance, lunging forward—its severed arm had already regrown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man before it clearly panicked, realizing escape was impossible; in his panic, he hurled his own sword at the demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword spun, whistling through the air, appearing powerful—but in truth, it moved far slower than the daggers; in the demon’s eyes, it was neither fast nor spinning quickly. It didn’t change expression, merely swiped a claw, striking the blade’s side precisely and sending it flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now how will you resist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the demon thought victory was near, it realized—once it drew close—that the Daoist’s mouth never stopped, still chanting some spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No! A chill ran down its back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It tried to dodge—but its foot suddenly ached, as if something had bitten it and yanked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pup-pup-pup…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, one misstep—and five diamond-shaped dagger tips pierced straight through its chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had completely perforated its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more, rooted in the back of its skull.\u003C\u002Fp>",2572,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","652fafc68ce7580ddb8250d8bb37d8aae73fd5c1a6708978fb26fcf77b6d2eb9","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-102","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-100",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]