[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-54":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"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},2269700,4431,"Chapter 54: Holy Mother Family","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>[Detected evolution material: Shattered Pseudo-Dragon Soul (Gold). Absorb?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li En froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whirled around; his Dragon Eyes activated automatically, and only then did he notice a grotesque pseudo-dragon phantom faintly hovering above Kveirduf’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Refuse? Why refuse?” His body and soul instinctively craved evolution; without time for careful thought, Li En had already granted permission by instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the “Dragon Blood” on the blade he held was instantly drained, becoming the catalyst linking spirit and flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pseudo-dragon phantom surged forward, absorbed and assimilated by Li En’s physical form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Biological Rank: Raw Stone. Status: Strength 6(13), Physique 7(11), Agility 5(6), Spirit 6(16)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, his original Raw Stone rank broke through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other numbers began to subtly shift, as if about to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En felt something beneath his flesh, as if breaking through the soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Please locate a safe zone for Dragon Sleep to facilitate evolution.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now was clearly not the time to wait for evolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath and turned to his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he couldn’t strengthen himself before battle, this was at least good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he still underestimated the Heroic Soul Codex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evolution material: Shattered Pseudo-Dragon Soul (Gold) decomposed. Analyzed materials: “Pseudo-Dragon (Gold),” “Flame (Silver),” “Volcano (Silver).” Materials now added to material library.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Material library detected usable evolution material. Automatically applied “Flame (Silver).” Racial talent: Dragon Flame (Scorch the World) activated. Subordinate ability: “Mana Emission (Flame)” activated.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, just as before with “Dragon Eyes” and “Dragon Claws,” Li En instinctively swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint flames flowed from his palm, coating the blade—thus was born the Flame Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame was thin and pale, its intensity even weaker than a barbecue fire, appearing utterly feeble—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?” Maria, though cornered, had remained calm until now—but she instinctively stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at that fragile flame, she felt an instinctive terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En was equally bewildered, but that didn’t stop him from applying verbal pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regarding your ability, you don’t seriously believe you’re immortal, do you?” It wasn’t a lie—he truly believed Dragon-type power naturally suppressed beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s too bad… How about you spare me? I’ll pretend I know nothing, and never commit another crime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nun smiled faintly, tilting her head, as if genuinely troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh. Do you think I’d believe a beast’s promise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only instinct-driven “beasts” mimic human speech, even comprehend its meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to them, language is merely a tool—they care nothing for what they say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pretending to cry like an infant is merely to lure delicious prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screaming “It hurts, spare me!” to hunters is merely to make them lower their guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If lies aid survival or hunting, then every word they utter will be a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heartless beast. Even if I don’t know why you still pretend to be so human, today will be your end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh, I really didn’t want to fight. Wouldn’t it be better if we coexisted peacefully? My appetite isn’t even that big. How about I give you my territory and move elsewhere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the start, their communication existed on entirely different levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En spoke of societal concepts: crime, promises, justice. Meanwhile, the monster calling itself “Maria” was merely asking why this outsider dared interfere with her “hunting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m hungry. I want to eat. Isn’t that a normal need?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previous “retributions” weren’t born of anger, humiliation, or vengeance—they were purely “You invaded my hunting ground. I must assert sovereignty,” to prevent future interference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All along, monsters wore human skins, pretending to understand humanity—but no one ever discovered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a revolting monster—to dare speak of justice to a knight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how Larry had once been lectured by her on justice, even taken it seriously, Li En’s mood darkened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the “pseudo-thing’s” own thought—it was Maria the nun’s thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria the nun, perhaps, had long prayed—for righteous heroes to save her and this filthy city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These thoughts had likely circled her mind countless times, or else the monster wouldn’t have spoken them so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This monster merely uttered these “words” at the right moment—like a reflexive machine, responding instinctively to external stimuli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria craved justice, so the monster wearing Maria’s skin spoke of justice to draw closer to righteous men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she seek closeness with humans? Of course—for the beast’s instinct: easier hunting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to wait any longer. Useless.” When she realized combat was inevitable, Maria smiled and tore away the reason Li En had been delaying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze turned to Talia behind Li En—her wooden sword still slowly burning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire cave was thick with incense fumes. Li En had been buying time for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you knew this was my weakness, do you think I wouldn’t overcome it? I sleep with this scent every night. I got used to it. Heh—I’m not like those insufficiently pure little things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nun’s gaze swept toward the wooden carving that was Tienba—her glittering eyes seemed to hold emotion, perhaps even sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disdain for the weak? Sympathy for a fellow? Or a masterfully faked emotion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—Li En saw it: it was joy. Joy at having one less competitor for food!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say it’s useless, so it is?” At this moment, Li En was momentarily stunned—how could his newly found weakness be rendered useless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the incense was so thick he was sneezing—and yet the opponent hadn’t launched an attack. This time, it wasn’t a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, it’s come down to brute force,” Li En sighed deeply, sounding both resigned and weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his Dragon Eyes caught it—the instant Maria blinked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exorcise Evil.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that single instant, Li En was already within arm’s reach of the nun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle experience from the Heroic Soul granted him a trick that created the effect of a daylight ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the “Speed Boots” made it possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword was blocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike before, when she’d carelessly let the flames touch her flesh, Maria now refused to let the blade make contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had she blocked it? Was her black nun’s robe a divine artifact? Everyone was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade’s tip pressed against the outer edge of the nun’s robe—but Li En couldn’t drive it down further!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaah!” Li En gripped the sword with both hands, channeling the brute strength of his Gauntlets, trying to slash the demon to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the one being pushed back was himself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth, shifting from a downward slash to a diagonal upward cut, yanking the blade back and then slashing upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again, something blocked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to comprehend what had happened, Li En retreated, maintaining a safe distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, he saw what had stopped his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He involuntarily drew in a sharp breath—the data hadn’t lied. Seeing it firsthand was even more grotesque than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, don’t wander off,” the nun said, still gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame and blade hadn’t harmed her—but they had torn part of her robe, revealing the “thing” beneath that had blocked Li En’s sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her waist was the upper torso of a tiny infant—his small hand had just gripped Li En’s sword!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on her left shoulder was another…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kevin… or was it Brandi? Don’t put everything in your mouth.” The nun “Maria” stopped the head from shoving shredded cloth into its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Totally insane. Utterly insane—these human-like abominations!” At this moment, Li En’s inner rage exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just at the demon before him—but at the bottomless cultists of the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creation of Horned Ones was the fusion of “little beasts” with humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivation of little beasts came from “little horns” (harvested tails\u002Fhorns), pure life crystals implanted into the mother’s womb for re-nurturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most little beasts were canine in form—simply because female dogs were easy to acquire, and the resulting beasts were relatively docile, controllable, and of moderate intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, Horned Ones who absorbed more than one little beast quickly lost their sense of self and self-destructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why Heike had immediately bitten off his “new head”—otherwise, the beast factor would have rendered him completely uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among little beasts, differing genes and instincts caused conflict—and mutual destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how had Maria done it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She turned her own children into little horns.” This was the root of her fall—the reason she’d been persuaded to join this experiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eternal happiness with my children,” was the sect’s deception to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the bizarre reality? She hadn’t just believed it—she’d seemingly turned it into reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She gave birth to her children-as-horns from her own body, then swallowed and fused them into herself. Since they were all her own genetic offspring, her rejection was low—but how many ‘children’ had she eaten?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Maria no longer concealed her “children.” She let them act freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, tiny hands and heads tore through her black robe, writhing skulls and arms emerging—making witnesses lose their sanity, scalp prickling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One, two… five. Just in this instant, five infants, their pure eyes gazing outward, had revealed themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Test Subject 113. Internal codename: ‘Holy Mother Family.’ How utterly morbid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, humans with hearts are far more boundless in their depravity than beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En gripped his sword, fire burning in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was bound to be a grueling battle, but he looked forward to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me bring this all to an end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1548,"2026-06-19T21:45:41.002Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","422e6d27ca5e105413f4f9cee987afd235b524c7029b4ebab32cc67b1a391643","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-55","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-53",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]