Chapter 42: Slaying Demons and Fiends
Chapter 42: Slaying Demons and Fiends
“These demons dare enter a village openly to commit murder again!” The Academy Disciples saw the demons causing havoc in the distance and were both shocked and furious. They shouted fiercely.
“What should we do?”
As everyone boiled with anger, Meng Zhixue was heard speaking in a low, serious tone, “Fellow classmates, Immortal Master Fang Chi once said that we Qi Refiners are born to slay demons and fiends, protecting the common people. Since we Academy Disciples have learned Qi refining methods and mastered spells and divine arts, how can we stand by while these demons descend the mountain to cause chaos and commit murder openly? Is anyone willing to go with me to slay these demons and fiends?”
Hearing this, all the Academy Disciples roared in unison, “Let’s go together! Wipe out those rampaging demons!”
As they spoke, they circulated their qi, gripping their weapons and magical instruments firmly in hand.
They were indeed filled with righteous fervor. Facing such demonic atrocities, none were willing to stand idly by or shrink back. They were determined to rescue immediately. Yet, it was now late at night, making riding inconvenient. Since the village wasn’t far, the most impatient among them directly employed the Art of Object Manipulation. They leapt into the air, soaring while holding spears and swords, stepping on treetops and rocks, charging straight toward the village.
This flying technique was the most difficult aspect of Object Manipulation and consumed Internal Breath the most.
These Academy Disciples were indeed elites, having reached the peak of the Breath Refining Realm, but still could not sustain flight for long.
However, for only a little over ten li, it was manageable with brief rest.
“As for me…”
Watching the other disciples soar away to slay the demons, Fang Cun hesitated slightly.
Meng Zhixue turned her head and caught sight of Fang Cun’s hesitation. Recalling his cultivation level, she said softly, “Second Young Master Fang, your cultivation is still shallow. You don’t know flying techniques, and these demons are fierce and dangerous. There’s no need for you to go just yet. Please stay in the temple watching over our luggage and horses. After we slay those demons, we’ll return to meet you.”
Fang Cun was slightly taken aback, but nodded, “Thank you for understanding, Fairy Meng!”
Hearing this, many of the disciples nearby burst out laughing:
“Second Young Master Fang, just wait here!”
“Slaying demons carries risk. If Second Young Master Fang went rashly, he might get captured!”
“…”
“…”
Amidst the laughter, wave after wave of white-robed Academy Disciples soared into the night sky. Those skilled in flying techniques streaked directly through the air like meteors, hurrying toward the village. Others borrowed power from tree trunks and branches, leaping dozens or hundreds of feet with each touch, disappearing quickly through successive bounds.
“Such fervor…”
Watching the Academy Disciples vanish completely in moments, Fang Cun shook his head and returned to the dilapidated temple.
Sitting by the fire, he frowned. He had thought these demons only dared to act secretly. He hadn’t expected to witness them brazenly attacking a village. Do these fiends truly no longer fear the Qi Refiners of Willow Lake City?
“Logically, just returning with them should secure the credit. Why make things complicated?”
He pondered intently, seemingly reasoning with himself.
But after a long while, he sighed softly and slowly stood up.
“I just don’t want anyone to outsmart me, that’s all. It’s not for anything else…”
With that thought, he took the torch, tucked the Old Umbrella under his arm, left the temple, and returned to the town.
Gazing at the scene under the pale moonlight – the ground stained with blood, like a horrific, abstract painting – he slowly walked inside, thinking, ‘Wherever he went, he left traces. That was… Luo Ze’er the Great? No, common sense from my previous life!’
‘If someone really arranged this decoy, there must be a flaw. But how to find it?’
Names of figures known for this from his past life flashed through his mind as he pondered.
‘Conan, Poirot, Sherlock, Bosch, Donnie Tang, Di Renjie…’
…
…
“Dare to commit atrocities, you vile demons?”
At that moment, the furious Academy Disciples had arrived at the village under demonic assault. Looking down, they saw the settlement shrouded in turmoil. A group of demons – some with fox heads, some wolf-headed, some huge and towering, some scales glittering – were rampaging through, slaughtering and fighting amidst terrified villagers.
There were dozens of demons visible. How could the hundred or more villagers be their match? Terrified witless by their brutality and plunged into despair, the villagers suddenly heard the disciples’ cries.
Seeing the figures in white robes descending through the night, the commoners, finding a lifeline in their darkest hour, screamed desperately: “Immortals, save us!”
“Academy Disciples?”
The rampaging demons were shocked to see the robes.
But bloodlust had seized them. Spotting the disciples only enraged them further. A giant black wolf reared up onto its hind legs, transforming into a half-humanoid form. Viciously, it snapped, “So what if you’re from the academy? You humans are despicable! You steal our spirit herbs, hunt our kin, invade our lands! You leave us no way to survive! Can’t we even take revenge?!”
Amidst its howls, its body swelled massively, layers of black light shimmering over its fur. Landing back on all fours, it charged at the foremost disciples.
“Whoosh!”
Just as it reached top speed, about to savage the closest disciple, an ice-blue Flying Sword materialized from thin air. In an instant, it slashed across the wolf-demon’s throat. Blood sprayed everywhere. The demon collapsed weakly to the ground after only a few more strides.
Meanwhile, Meng Zhixue slowly descended from the sky, the tip of her toe touching the Flying Sword. Her beautiful eyes swept coldly over the scene.
Seeing the villagers’ suffering, her lovely face frosted with anger. She commanded sternly, “These demons run amok! Their crime demands death! Slay them!”
“Whoosh!” “Whoosh!” “Whoosh!”
Disciples arrived from all directions and charged into the village.
Well-drilled, they had already spread out subtly upon arrival, encircling the settlement. Though numbering almost half as many as the demons, their sudden synchronized rush created an impression of white robes flashing everywhere. It felt like numerous disciples surrounded all the demons within the village.
“Kill! Kill these human Qi Refiners! Avenge Old Fox King!”
The demons, seeing themselves seemingly surrounded, were incited to greater frenzy. Shouting fiercely, they surged forward en masse.
Their numbers were significant. Once they spotted the disciples, many threw themselves at them. Instantly, each disciple found themselves surrounded by demons, seemingly ambushed themselves within moments of appearing. Hostile shapes pressed on all sides.
Yet, being Academy Disciples, the best of their cohort, they showed no fear.
“Hah! Spawn about to die, still causing trouble?”
Nie Quan charged forward, a large pole-mounted saber in hand. Seeing a Fox Demon pounce on him, sharp claws poised to rend, he only sneered coldly. His saber suddenly thrust forward, finding its mark right between the demon’s chest and belly. It pierced right through in a single blow. Blood sprayed, drenching Nie Quan, and the fox demon fell dead instantly.
“Hahaha…”
Nie Quan, covered in blood but seemingly unmoved, swung his saber liberally, dispatching demon after demon.
“Woooo…”
Demon shrieks and phantom shapes flashed around He Zhenzhang. Three or four fiends converged on his position, intending to overwhelm him quickly through sheer numbers. Yet, faced with the charge, He Zhenzhang, known as the veteran “ticket-holder,” didn’t flinch. He merely snorted coldly. His left hand brushed over a pouch at his waist, and seven or eight yellow Talisman papers flew into the air, bearing intricate crimson patterns.
He Zhenzhang spun abruptly. In his right hand appeared a vermillion calligraphy brush, thickly coated in ink. Moving as swiftly as a painter, he waved his arm, adding a single urgent stroke onto each Talisman hovering in the air.
These Talismans all had incomplete designs. Some had characters missing the final flourish, some patterns lacking a connecting line.
Like a dragon meticulously painted yet without its finishing dot. His stroke completed them, making the Talismans whole. And with that stroke, he guided each Talisman precisely to the position he desired.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In the blink of an eye, the Talismans exploded. They didn’t just vanish; they transformed into enormous fireballs, instantly setting alight the demons that had rushed within his reach. Wrapped in flames, they screeched in agonizingly shrill cries.
This was precisely the Qi Refiner technique from the Classic of Documents – the “Missing Stroke” Talisman Method!
“ROAR!”
A black-furred bear, easily two zhang tall (over 6 meters), charged at Meng Qing’er on its hind legs. Towering over her petite frame like a giant, one swipe of its massive paw could have reduced her to paste. Yet, facing the demon bear’s charge, Meng Qing’er wasn’t flustered in the slightest. Instead, she spun lightly, flashing a playful smile at the beast.
The bear demon met the smile head-on. Its entire massive body seemed to freeze momentarily. The descending claw hung suspended, never landing.
In that instant of hesitation, Meng Qing’er danced past it like a breeze. A flash of silver light slid across its throat.
The hulking black bear demon collapsed slowly. Flames and the glow of spilt blood cast shifting patterns on Meng Qing’er’s face, making her infinitely alluring.
This was the Qi Refiner technique from the Scripture of Souls – Soul Entrapment.
“SWISH!”
A snake demon shot through the air, aiming fangs at Yu Qingli’s neck.
Yu Qingli merely tilted his body to the side. He didn’t even glance back. His hand made a slight, dismissive pinching motion in the air.
The demon snake suddenly contorted violently, twisting impossibly into a tangled knot mid-air.
This was the Qi Refiner technique from the Scripture of Arts – the Art of Object Manipulation!