Chapter 446: The Abnormal Demon Child

Heaven has its order, earth has its principles…

As soon as he saw these men appear, Li Yan gripped the Gou Die and began reciting the incantation.

Stop!

The purple-faced old man hurriedly intervened.

But Li Yan ignored him entirely.

These were all seasoned Jianghu types; the moment they showed themselves, he knew they had no good intentions.

Nearly all of the Salt Guild's men were wiped out—no need to ask, everyone knew their plan had gone awry.

First, the demon's tail had followed them; though it caused chaos in Fengdu City, it didn't directly spark conflict between Li Yan's group and the Green Ox Temple…

Second, Ma Santong's strength likely exceeded their expectations.

These men appearing here probably means they want to negotiate terms.

They're either Earth Immortals or resurrected ghosts with deep cultivation, and they hold more intelligence.

The only thing Li Yan can threaten them with is the Gou Die.

All strategies rest on the foundation of strength.

So no matter what they intended, Li Yan acted first—disrupt their rhythm before they could move.

Seeing the three vanish, Li Yan ceased his incantation but still held the Gou Die, scanning his surroundings, lost in thought.

Something strange had just happened.

Upon seeing these three, the Gou Die gave no mission prompt—meaning they must possess a sacred artifact capable of evading detection.

The situation was more dangerous than he'd thought…

"Those were them, just now?"

Chongxu Zi's eyes turned dark, brimming with murderous intent.

It wasn't that he was foolish—it was a case of the prepared striking the unprepared. Like walking down a street and being suddenly attacked from behind—who could possibly guard against that?

Moreover, there were problems within the Green Ox Temple itself.

"Yes, Wushan's hermit immortals…"

Li Yan murmured: "This affair was likely stirred up by them. They also possess a sacred artifact to evade the Yin Soldiers, Elder—our approach must change."

Chongxu Zi nodded: "Agreed."

He understood at once what Li Yan intended.

They could evade the Yin Soldiers, but Chongxu Zi still held a treasure capable of summoning Lu Soldiers—when heavenly thunder descended, even the most powerful Earth Immortals would kneel.

Originally meant for the demons inside, but now it seemed only Li Yan could act—he would deter the Earth Immortals…

At the other end of the valley, fierce winds surged.

Three hermits from Wushan appeared simultaneously.

"This brat's got the instincts of a dog!"

The one-eyed Daoist muttered, furious.

Wang Mengsheng, the purple-faced old Confucian, remained calm, shaking his head: "This boy dares threaten all cultivators in Wushan—he's audacious to the extreme. He won't yield easily."

As he spoke, he pulled a pearl from his robe. "Lin Daoist, rest assured—as long as we stay within ten paces, the Gou Die and Yin Soldiers won't find us."

"Let them lose a few men first, then we strike…"

At that moment, the palace-dressed woman, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke: "Wang Mengsheng, you've lost your mind."

"You urged us down the mountain to join the Shu King—that at least gave us a foothold—but now you've added more chaos, inciting the Salt Guild to seize the treasure."

"Bai Daoist and Yuan Daoist are dead. If they had stayed in Wushan, would they have met this fate?"

"You must explain yourself today!"

As she spoke, her eyes brimmed with murderous intent, her lips and palms turning blue.

Beside her, the one-eyed old Daoist gripped his sword hilt and nodded: "Yes, Wang Daoist, don't lie to us—is that thing really inside?"

"How would I dare deceive the two of you?"

The purple-faced old Confucian shook his head: "You've seen the situation at Wuxi ourselves—we helped the Salt Guild find not the divine cave of the Witch Yan Kingdom, but the alchemy cave of Erzhu Xian of Shu!"

"We never suspected this until years ago, when I saw someone from Wuxi secretly transporting celestial treasures through Wushan—I followed them. It was the abbot of the Green Ox Temple."

"Back then, I didn't want trouble. But now I realize—the treasure forged by heaven and earth was found and taken by him."

"This object may be our very chance to ascend to godhood. If we find it, why go to Chengdu and suffer under another's roof?"

"Wait. If this boy doesn't die, and he drives the Green Ox Temple's abbot into the Underworld, then we strike…"

"Agreed!"

The one-eyed old Daoist nodded: "If it's truly that treasure, the risk is worth it."

The palace-dressed woman, seeing this, said no more…

…………

"They dare not enter the cave—there must be a reason."

Li Yan ordered solemnly: "Ma Santong, the demon, excels at possession and plague toxins. Whoever is possessed, immediately restrain them—I'll drive the spirit into the Underworld…"

Before he finished, everyone suddenly turned toward the cave entrance.

From the darkness within, a man slowly emerged.

He was a middle-aged Daoist, his robe tattered, leg wrappings bound, face weathered, hair disheveled, carrying a three-foot-long sword.

He looked less like a Daoist and more like an old farmer.

"Kumu!"

Chongxu Zi's eyes blazed with rage. "Was it you who incited your master to do this? And how dare you kill your own disciples?!"

The Daoist fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a hoarse voice: "Brother Chongxu, you're still so impulsive…"

"Have you forgotten what happened to our master? You were the loudest among us then—so why are you now bringing living Yin Officers here?"

"Don't confuse the issue!"

Chongxu Zi roared: "This is two different things. Our master attained Earth Immortality yet still secretly protected the people—he defied Heaven's Way, but upheld Human Way."

"What about you? You cultivate demonic arts, harm the common folk—you're destroying the foundation of the Green Ox Temple. Even if our master were alive, he'd never forgive you!"

"Heaven's Way? Human Way?"

Kumu fell silent again, his eyes filled with mockery. "They're just lies to fool people. If Heaven's Way were impartial and Human Way just, why would the world be filled with so much resentment?"

"Brother, go back."

He shook his head slightly, raised his sword, and pointed it at Li Yan. "You, living Yin Officer, may use your Gang Command to take me away—but enter the cave, and you'll die. Your companions won't escape either."

"Had it not been for those Earth Immortals watching, I wouldn't waste words with you. Leave now. In a few days, everything will settle."

As he spoke to them, a Green Ox Temple disciple who had followed behind him suddenly flashed murderous intent, lunging forward with his sword to stab Chongxu Zi in the back.

Chongxu Zi was still too idealistic—he believed these disciples were merely misled, led astray.

But Li Yan had already anticipated this.

He didn't turn around—only flicked his little finger.

Shhh!

The severed-soul flying knife shot from his waist, piercing the traitor's skull. His body thudded to the ground.

"Flying knife technique?"

Kumu Daoist smiled faintly. "The Sword Immortal arts aren't done this way. Let me teach you."

He formed a hand seal, exhaled a white mist, and with his left hand making the sword gesture, swept the mist across his blade.

Hum!

His sword trembled violently, glowing brightly, its tip pulsing with sharp, metallic Geng Metal energy.

"You're no Sword Immortal either!"

Chongxu Zi raised his sword, simultaneously producing a yellow talisman, forming a seal and exhaling— the talisman ignited, curling into blue smoke.

On the blade, Geng Qi gathered, infused with primordial fire—those nearby felt unbearable heat.

Li Yan watched, his heart tightening.

He had once heard the Chang'an demon-hunter Hong Yecha speak of meeting true Sword Immortals with his master on Shushan—standing atop a peak, a single finger point, and swordlight obliterated demons below.

These two's methods were not true Sword Immortal arts.

They used martial techniques, channeling energy through their sword artifacts—more like martial experts wielding Geng Qi.

They weren't pure martial artists; their martial cultivation hovered between Hua Jing and Dan Jing—but achieving this through martial arts was no small feat.

Chi!

Kumu Daoist moved first, swinging his sword backward—sharp Geng Qi roared outward.

Even the ground was carved with sword grooves, soil and stone spraying.

Chongxu Zi slashed upward in response.

Clang!

The clash of blades rang through the air.

Immediately, fierce winds howled, dust and sand swirling.

Chongxu Zi grunted, stepping back half a pace.

He wasn't wounded, but clearly disadvantaged. Kumu flipped his wrist again—swordlight swept toward him, forcing Chongxu Zi to block directly. He held his ground, but was driven back repeatedly.

"Hahahaha…"

Kumu roared with laughter: "Back when we entered the sect, you stood above me, full of pride, looking down on me—but now you're old and frail, while I've gone far beyond you!"

"Bullshit!"

Chongxu Zi cursed: "If not for my heart meridian injury, how could you dare be so arrogant? And using dark arts to control orthodox methods—this is the path to death!"

At this moment, anyone could see that Kumu was not right.

His face contorted into a monstrous mask, his eyes turned blood-red, veins bulged across his skin, and dark sha-qi swirled around him—he no longer looked human.

Li Yan, upon seeing this, also felt puzzled.

This man had clearly absorbed the demonic qi of Ma Santong, the Demon Lord.

But what startled Li Yan was that the old Daoist had not lost his reason, nor showed any sign of possession.

!.

Though he did not understand why, he would not wait idly.

"Attack!"

With a low roar, he immediately pulled out a flintlock pistol.

"Hahaha…"

But Kumu had already sensed it—he unleashed a sword qi that forced Chongxu Zi back, then spun his body and vanished into a shadow.

Boom!

Lu San had already raised his bone club and pulled the trigger.

But stones shattered and flew in all directions—he had missed entirely.

Shadow Dashing!

Li Yan had not expected to see this dashing technique again after so many years.

Perhaps due to the demonic qi, Kumu's Shadow Dashing was even more inscrutable than that of the Chang'an assassins of old.

The moment Lu San fired, the opponent appeared behind him, leaping from the shadows with a sword aimed straight at Lu San.

Clang!

Li Yan moved just as swiftly—he stepped back, and his Dunchen Dao slashed upward, just barely blocking the blade.

At the same time, the Bai family woman behind Lu San also drew her sword and thrust it together into the old Daoist's back.

"Hmph!"

Kumu let out a cold snort, then drew in his breath and arched his back.

Black smoke erupted from his Daoist robe; the blades embedded in his back bent under the pressure.

With the aid of demonic qi, this old Daoist could summon a technique similar to Divine Beating.

At the same time, he formed a sword seal, and his blade was wreathed in gang-qi, trying to shatter Li Yan's Dunchen Dao.

But Li Yan's movements were faster.

Zizizi!

Sparks of electricity suddenly danced along the Dunchen Dao.

The yang thunder stored in the Twelve Yuan Chen Coins erupted.

Yang thunder clashed with the gang-qi, ringing like metal.

At the same time, Li Yan's Soul-Grabbing Chain shot out with a whistle.

Kumu's spirit screamed a warning—he retreated swiftly, and black smoke billowed from his body, attempting to activate Shadow Dashing to escape.

But he was too close; though he fled fast, the bird-claw tip of the Soul-Grabbing Chain had already snagged him.

The Bai family women and Qingniu Guan disciples saw nothing—they only saw Li Yan reach out midair and yank, pulling Kumu out of the black mist, his body now rigid.

At the same time, Li Yan triggered another yang thunder.

Zizizi!

The Dunchen Dao flashed with lightning and shot forward.

Puch!

The blade pierced through his forehead, driving straight through the back of his skull.

Thunder roared, black smoke scattered.

Kumu, unaware of Li Yan's true abilities, was instantly obliterated—his soul scattered into nothingness.

Chi!

Li Yan withdrew his blade; the corpse collapsed heavily.

He paid no attention to it, changed his left-hand seal, activated the Thunder Descends to Subdue Demons technique, pressed it onto the hilt, and replenished both yang thunders.

Chongxu Zi watched in silent astonishment.

He had initially thought Li Yan merely relied on his status as a Living Yin Officer—but these techniques were far beyond what an ordinary person could wield.

"Xixixi…"

At that moment, the laughter of a child rang out.

One of the Bai family's female disciples suddenly had blood-red eyes; she reversed her sword and stabbed at her companions.

It was because Li Yan's yang thunder had destroyed Kumu's soul, but the hidden demonic qi had leaked onto others.

Clang!

Long Yan was equally swift—she swung her sword, raised her hand to block, then stepped forward and seized the woman's wrist with her left hand, twisting hard.

This was a joint-lock technique—normally, pain and joint distortion would force the opponent to collapse backward and be subdued.

Yet even as Long Yan applied full force, the Bai woman's wrist cracked audibly, yet she remained motionless.

"Xixixi…"

She grinned strangely, tilting her head.

Like a mischievous child playing a game.

Seeing those blood-red pupils, Long Yan's heart turned cold.

Before she could react, black smoke erupted from her body and lunged straight at her.

Crack!

The bead necklace around Long Yan's chest suddenly shattered.

It was a protective charm from the Demon Cult.

The black smoke was repelled, then turned to strike another.

"Move aside!"

Chongxu Zi had arrived—he formed a seal, clutched a yellow talisman, and slapped his palm forward, striking the black smoke directly.

Hu~

Cold wind howled, spreading a cloying, foul stench.

The black smoke dispersed; everyone felt dizzy, nauseous, and chest-tightened—but their internal pills quickly suppressed the demonic poison.

"Is the demon dead?"

Long Yan asked, still shaken.

"No."

Li Yan stared at the cave entrance, voice grave: "Ma Santong's demonic qi is hidden inside a skin pouch—that's the true body. Until it's shattered, these scattered fragments will keep regenerating."

"Let's go. Stay alert."

Saying this, he stepped forward into the cave.

The others followed closely; some lit torches.

The cave was deep and dark, the torchlight flickering uncertainly.

"There are paintings on the walls!"

After only a few steps, they noticed something strange.

The surrounding stone walls bore ancient murals; the pigments, though old, remained vivid.

Li Yan, upon seeing them, was also surprised.

The murals' lines were simple and archaic, resembling those of ancient tribal wall art he had seen before.

Though simple, they told a story.

The tiny figures in the murals captured wild beasts, knelt in worship, then butchered them, eating raw flesh.

Then the figures grew much larger, took on beastly traits, and led their tribe to capture more beasts…

"This is ancient witchcraft."

Long Yan stared in astonishment: "My master once said that ancient witchcraft could consume the spirits of wild beasts and beasts, borrowing the power of ghosts and gods—this is the origin of today's Divine Beating techniques."

"But due to its many dangers, even the most secluded tribes of the Miao lands have long abandoned it."

Li Yan frowned upon hearing this, gazing into the depths of the cave.

The demon Ma Santong's condition was strange.

Had he misunderstood? Was the Qingniu Guan abbot trying to devour the demon and replace it?

(End of Chapter)