Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Four: The Gentleman with the Jade-Like Face

In front of the bedroom door, crimson silk drapes swept the floor, incense swirled in the air, and two female demons, heavily adorned in makeup, stood at attention on either side. Meiniang immediately raised her voice with Hanyu, saying, “Our lord truly dotes on this little girl! He insists we come to comfort her—comfort her for what? She should be thrilled tonight!” Hanyu quickly chimed in, “Exactly! She’s getting married, and we’re the ones worrying. What a miserable fate!”

As they drew near, Meiniang glared at the two female demons and demanded, “Is the bride still crying?” The demons hurriedly replied with a laugh, “Indeed! She doesn’t know how lucky she is.” “Honestly, I’ll go see her myself!” With that, Meiniang lifted the curtain and stepped inside. The two demons tried to block her way, but Hanyu brushed them aside. They exchanged glances, thinking, “Better not stir up trouble. These two must be on orders, likely friends of the master. We shouldn’t offend them and end up on the wrong side of everyone.”

He Lingchi had long since cried herself dry. Dressed in her phoenix coronet and wedding robes, her hands and feet bound, she lay sideways atop crimson bedding. The canopy hung low, red candles flickered, and the laughter outside filled her with despair. Hearing Meiniang’s words, she resolved to die rather than endure more.

“Oh! What a beautiful bride!” Meiniang entered and immediately covered He Lingchi’s mouth. He Lingchi instantly recognized the seven-tailed fox and felt a chill. When Hanyu appeared, her heart sank even further.

“Don’t shout! We’re here to rescue you. Your senior brothers are waiting outside!” Hanyu whispered urgently in He Lingchi’s ear. He Lingchi nodded hesitantly. Only then did Meiniang gently remove her hand. “Why cry? It’s your wedding night—you should be rejoicing!” Hanyu seized the moment to swiftly untie He Lingchi’s bonds.

“You—” He Lingchi started to speak, but Meiniang pressed a finger to her lips and winked.

“What’s wrong with marrying the Jade-Faced Lord? You’ll want for nothing, live in wealth—many would envy you!” Meiniang spoke loudly, as if to those outside, while pulling He Lingchi toward the doorway. Hanyu quickly positioned herself by the door.

“Hey, you at the door—come help! Strip this little girl down so our lord has less trouble later!” Meiniang shouted. The two female demons reluctantly entered, but Hanyu knocked them out with two swift blows.

At that moment, a chaotic uproar erupted outside the cave.

“We’re in trouble! Have we been discovered?!” Meiniang exclaimed, pulling He Lingchi toward the main hall. Sure enough, the hall was in turmoil, demons streaming out, and the Jade-Faced Lord rising from his ivory bed—not, it seemed, because he’d discovered their presence.

Seizing the chaos, Meiniang, Hanyu, and He Lingchi rushed through the hall toward the exit. But just as they reached the doorway, a strange cry sounded behind them: “There’s a human!”

Demons are highly sensitive to humans; demons have their own aura, humans theirs. Meiniang was a demon, Hanyu a half-demon, but they’d forgotten that He Lingchi’s aura was unmistakably human. The Jade-Faced Lord, a figure not to be trifled with, instantly detected the human presence in the hall.

“You must hurry!” Meiniang pushed Hanyu and He Lingchi out of the hall, then drew her Black Fox Staff and faced the Jade-Faced Lord, who swooped down upon them. With a resonant clang, Meiniang was sent flying, crashing into the wall. Hanyu, halfway to the cave entrance, turned to go back, but saw Meiniang glaring fiercely at her. She could only halt, grab He Lingchi, and flee from the Double Fish Cave.

After parting from Hanyu and the others, Jin Guishan and his group had intended to leave the cave immediately, but remembering the other sects who’d been captured, they felt they couldn’t abandon them. So they turned back to search. They found them, but as they were about to escape, they ran headlong into a returning patrol of minor demons. With no alternative, they fought their way out, causing a tremendous commotion.

Barely out of the cave, Jin Guishan saw Fatty Girl and Yibing emerge from the underbrush. The reunion brought both joy and sorrow, but thinking of He Lingchi still imprisoned, anger flared anew. Just then, Hanyu came running with He Lingchi, pursued by a horde of howling demons.

“Sister!” Jin Guishan called out, leading his group to engage the pursuers.

“Where’s Meiniang?” Before Yibing could speak, Fatty Girl asked urgently. Hanyu frowned, her voice angry: “That wretch insisted on staying behind—she got caught!” No sooner had she finished speaking than she plunged into the fray. Yibing and Fatty Girl exchanged a glance and hurried after.

Jin Guishan’s group, along with ten or so disciples from other sects, faced the demons in a battle that was evenly matched. But just as the fight reached a stalemate, a deafening wolf’s howl echoed from the cave, followed by a rush of black wind that knocked everyone to the ground. Only Jin Guishan, Qi Yuanxiao, Hanyu, Yibing, and Fatty Girl remained standing—due to their cultivation, while the two fatties simply stood firm thanks to their weight.

“Who dares cause trouble in my domain!” The Jade-Faced Lord, wielding a spiked wolf-tooth club, thundered righteously. The demons were momentarily stunned. Who was the monster here? Who wasn’t?

“You’re the monster!” Hanyu sprang forward; she hated being called a demon. Both humans and demons nodded in agreement.

“Oh! So it’s a lovely young lady! Never mind, I’ll swap brides—come to my chamber tonight!” The Jade-Faced Lord leered, then frowned, “Though you seem a bit lame?”

“I’ll fight you to the death!” That was worse than being called a monster. Hanyu launched herself at him, striking straight at his face with her staff. Instantly, they were locked in combat. The Jade-Faced Lord, intent on teasing Hanyu, only defended, never attacking. The nearby demons muttered, “She’s angry—he won’t marry her now!” “Who says? He has to put on a show!” “Oh!” Suddenly, several chattering demons were hit by stones. Looking over, they saw He Lingchi glaring triumphantly.

“Upset you can’t be the bride? Blame us, huh?” The struck demons rushed at He Lingchi. Angrily, she stomp her foot and met them with her sword. The battle spread before the Double Fish Cave.

“I’m done playing!” The Jade-Faced Lord’s expression changed; his club swept toward Hanyu’s head. She raised her staff, and the impact nearly knocked her off her feet. Forced to retreat, she rolled away from the fight. The Jade-Faced Lord pursued her, his club swinging dangerously close. Yibing rushed in, headbutting him, but the lord didn’t budge—instead, Yibing bounced away. Not deterred, Yibing grabbed Hanyu’s arm as she flew, and together they rolled to the bottom of the slope.

“Grab a weapon!” Hanyu, covered in dirt, shouted angrily at Yibing. Yibing nodded furiously, pulling out his belt. The divine iron transformed at will—rabbit’s foot, kitchen knife, beautiful leg, kitchen knife, beautiful leg, rabbit’s foot, beautiful leg, rabbit’s foot… “A sword!” Hanyu slapped him on the head, finally turning the iron into a gleaming sword.

The Jade-Faced Lord paused in awe, nearly drooling with envy. When Yibing swung the sword, he hurriedly blocked with his club. With a resounding clang, his legs buckled from the shock.

“Impressive!” The Jade-Faced Lord exclaimed, rolling aside. At that moment, Hanyu joined the fray, and the three battled fiercely.

Knowing Yibing’s divine iron was no ordinary weapon, the Jade-Faced Lord was extra cautious. His club only attacked, never defended, avoiding contact with the sword. Still, after a dozen exchanges, Yibing and Hanyu were in peril. Hanyu chanted a spell, and a beam of moonlight shot from her staff toward the lord’s eyes. He dodged, and his club emitted billowing black smoke, transforming into a fierce wolf that lunged at Hanyu. She was startled, blocking with her staff. Moonlight met black smoke, but only briefly—the wolf sent Hanyu flying. Just as she was about to crash into a tree, an invisible force gently caught her, setting her down safely.

Startled, Hanyu turned to see Hongkun behind her, flicking his whisk. In the distance, Hongpeng and a young woman hurried toward them.

Yibing was still locked in deadly combat with the Jade-Faced Lord, oblivious to reinforcements. Hongkun approached Hanyu, observing Yibing’s fight. Hanyu opened her mouth, but remained silent. Without his help, her injuries might have worsened.

“Yibing!” Hongpeng exclaimed, nudging Hongkun. Hongkun remained expressionless. Hanyu then noticed the woman was Biyi, Xifeng’s disciple.

“Ha, that fatty’s surprisingly nimble!” Biyi mocked as she watched Yibing dodge clumsily. Hanyu involuntarily stepped forward, prompting Biyi to turn. “Little demon, why are you glaring at me?”

“Sister, don’t be like that!” If not for Hongpeng holding her back, Hanyu would’ve struck.

“Not good!” Hongkun whispered. The club was about to strike Yibing’s head—no way to dodge. Everyone was alarmed. Hongkun flicked his whisk, sending the Jade-Faced Lord tumbling out of the ring. “Who are you?” Though not hit, it was the first time in years he’d been so disheveled.

“Brother—” Yibing’s joyful shout made everyone pause. Before Hongkun could speak, a ball of flesh rolled to the front, startling him into stepping back. Yibing dove into Hongkun’s arms, sobbing loudly, leaving Hongkun awkwardly staring at the sky.

“Yibing, don’t cry. If anyone bullies you, I’ll avenge you!” Hongpeng’s face was full of concern; he’d missed this troublesome fatty dearly.

“Tch!” Hanyu couldn’t help but sneer. Last time at Companion Moon Hill, it was Yibing’s fart that won the day. Hongpeng understood, and sheepishly smiled at Hanyu.

“Why cry? You’ll be a laughingstock for Sister Biyi!” Hongkun scolded.

“Sister Biyi?” Yibing stopped crying instantly.

“Sister Biyi, what brings you here?” Seeing Biyi behind Hanyu, Yibing’s eyes sparkled. Biyi forced a smile and remained silent.

“I am Hongkun from Companion Moon Hill!” Hongkun’s figure blurred as he landed before the Jade-Faced Lord. The lord’s eyes darted, sizing up the somewhat awkward youth; the flick of the whisk had revealed his deep cultivation.

“Oh, Companion Moon Hill, I’ve long heard of you… long heard of you…” The Jade-Faced Lord broke into a delighted grin, bowing quickly.

“Not at all…” Hongkun, taken aback, bowed in return, but before he could finish, the lord swung his club at Hongkun’s head. Hongkun hadn’t expected such treachery; unable to dodge, he kicked off and crashed into the lord’s chest. The lord jumped aside in surprise.

“Good demon!” Hongkun shouted, sword in hand. The Jade-Faced Lord chuckled, sweeping his club at Hongkun’s waist. The two fought fiercely, neither gaining the upper hand.

At the cave entrance, both sides battled, though the demons clearly had the advantage. Hanyu hurried to join, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Fatty Girl. Yibing, reluctant to part, followed, leaving Hongpeng and Biyi to watch Hongkun’s duel.

Seeing the demons retreat, the Jade-Faced Lord grew anxious. He stomped his feet and chanted; instantly, a black wind surged, laced with a strange fragrance, rushing at Hongkun’s face. The scent was dizzying, the wind fierce enough to nearly topple him. Hongkun steadied himself, fingers forming seals, silently reciting incantations. A wave of invisible energy surged from his sword, barely holding back the black wind, but he was clearly at a disadvantage.

The turtle, unnoticed, crawled out of the grass, observed the chaos, shook its head, and retreated.

The Jade-Faced Lord suddenly howled; the black wind transformed into a savage wolf, baring its fangs at Hongkun. He brought his sword down, expecting to disperse the wolf, but it dodged and snapped at him. Hongkun spun his sword, redirecting the energy to block.

Hongpeng, impatient, realized that fighting demons required no courtesy, and drew his sword to attack the lord from behind. The lord, not to be underestimated, split his club into two, summoning two black winds and two wolves to entangle the brothers.

The turtle peeked from the grass, watched for a while, then retreated once more.