The words "collecting the body" boomed in my ears like thunder, turning my previous amusement and worry into sheer terror. Sister Zhang’s worried words from before leaving still echoed, as if lingering. All my schemes and plans dissolved into a single cry of fright—Brother Zhang.
I leaped from my hiding spot beneath the trees and rushed directly to where Zhang Dabiao had fallen.
“Brother Zhang… Brother Zhang, don’t scare me.”
Looking at Zhang Dabiao lying on the ground, blood at the corner of his mouth, eyes tightly shut, his mountain-splitting saber nowhere to be seen, I suddenly didn’t know what to do. My master had taught me countless methods for dealing with danger, but none on how to rescue someone.
I slapped myself hard, forcing myself to calm down. The more panicked I became, the more mistakes I would make. I remembered watching a rescue program on television; the first step was to check if the injured person was breathing. Yes, check for breathing.
With that thought, I extended a finger and placed it near Zhang Dabiao’s nose and mouth. As a warm breath blew onto my finger, tears of excitement almost fell. He wasn’t dead; he was still breathing, though it was faint.
This also eased the tension in my heart. At the same time, I activated my Ghost Eye. Zhang Dabiao’s Yang energy was still abundant, although some ribs had turned black, likely a sign of fracture. His heartbeat was still strong, so his life was not in danger.
“It’s good he’s not dead, it’s good he’s not dead…” I mumbled to myself, completely unaware that a figure had suddenly appeared beside me.
“How is it? Am I considered merciful? I didn’t take his life, which is a fitting end to the elaborate play you’ve staged, isn’t it?”
The sudden voice startled me, and then anger surged through me, because the speaker was none other than Huang San, who had been impersonating “Eight-Browed Mustache.” I spun around to face him.
“Who exactly are you? Why are you doing this?” Huang San wouldn’t have hurt Zhang Dabiao. Even if he lost control, he wouldn’t have injured Zhang Dabiao this badly. There was only one possibility: the Eight-Browed Mustache before me wasn’t Huang San. Besides, their auras were different. Although the Eight-Browed Mustache before me possessed Huang San’s aura, it was exceptionally chilling.
“Who am I? Am I not the one you’ve been looking for? I can’t believe I escaped the cage and found such a treasure, with so many people to devour. Tell me, who am I?” The Eight-Browed Mustache chuckled sinisterly, his eyes glinting with a dark, bright light. Under the gaze of my Ghost Eye, there was no white visible; his eyes looked like two pitch-black holes.
My body trembled. I suddenly recalled the old monk’s words about the great demon, and my heart sank. No way! Could it be that a sliver of demonic soul, suppressed by the old monk, had infiltrated Huang San’s body?
Was there any way to survive this? Thoughts raced through my mind like lightning, and my hands unconsciously began forming the Heavenly Retreat Seal. Whether it was the escaped demonic soul or Huang San whose mind had been controlled by someone else, I had to get justice for Zhang Dabiao today, no matter what.
At this moment, my anger burned, and I channeled my entire Xuan Yang True Qi, gathering it between my hands. The Heavenly Retreat Seal, which had been a golden long sword, transformed into a shimmering golden dragon. With the appearance of a golden light, the Eight-Browed Mustache revealed a look of terror.
“So, you are that old immortal’s disciple. No wonder you dare to challenge this demon. Today, this demon will test you and see how much skill you’ve learned from the old immortal.” Before the Eight-Browed Mustache’s voice had faded, his hands began to move rapidly in mid-air. As his fingers danced, strands of black thread formed before him.
“Go.” With a command from the Eight-Browed Mustache, the black threads in front of him came to life and surged towards me. I didn’t know how these threads were formed; they cut through stone and split trees upon impact. Nothing could block them.
I had started forming the Heavenly Retreat Seal before him, but my sealing speed was a few moments slower. When the black threads were still a meter away, the small golden dragon in my hand let out a roar that belied its small size.
A sound like thunder and a tiger formed in my hand. The golden dragon, appearing like a king, chased after the fleeing black threads. At this moment, I realized that what the Eight-Browed Mustache had summoned were not threads, but small snakes as thin as needlework.
The little golden dragon, like an emperor, battled the black thread-snakes in mid-air. For a time, they were locked in a fierce struggle, evenly matched, falling into a stalemate.
“How can this old immortal teach such a monstrous disciple? How did he even comprehend the Heavenly Gang Seal?”
I ignored his curses and focused on channeling the Xuan Yang True Qi within me to control the small golden dragon formed by the Heavenly Retreat Seal, devouring the black thread-snakes. With each one I consumed, I felt my control over the Heavenly Retreat Seal improve slightly, which greatly delighted me.
My Xuan Yang True Qi was running low, and controlling the Heavenly Retreat Seal was already strenuous. To think that the Heavenly Retreat Seal could replenish my energy by devouring the black thread-snakes was an unexpected joy.
After devouring nearly two-thirds of the black thread-snakes, the Eight-Browed Mustache suddenly exclaimed, “Kid, I’m done playing with you. I just escaped and acquired a treasure. When I reappear, I’ll show you my true skills.” Before he finished speaking, the Eight-Browed Mustache waved his hand, and his figure shot through the air like an eagle. Everywhere he passed, screams erupted.
Chaos ensued, and under my Ghost Eye’s observation, everyone in his path perished, their essence, energy, and spirit completely dissipated, leaving behind only mummified husks.
What a vicious technique! Is this what a demon is?
Before I could even figure out how he had escaped, a voice rang out, “Evil creature, where do you think you’re going?” The first word, ‘evil,’ sounded as if it were spoken from a distant place, while the last word, ‘going,’ echoed right beside me like thunder.
Immediately after, I saw a figure radiating a crimson golden light chasing after the Eight-Browed Mustache. The hidden personnel also pursued them. In the blink of an eye, the small valley that had been bustling moments ago was now deserted.
I had intended to pursue them as well, firstly to avenge Zhang Dabiao, and secondly, to understand what methods Huang San, who had been controlled, would employ. After all, he had been arranged by me to impersonate a thief. But why had things turned out so differently from my expectations?
*Cough cough…*
Zhang Dabiao’s coughing sound made me retract my steps. I slapped myself hard. How could I have left Brother Zhang here like this? Wasn’t I endangering his life?
“Brother Zhang…”
At this moment, Zhang Dabiao had opened his eyes. His face was pale, but the spirit in his eyes had not dissipated; they were still bright, though filled with much worry.
“Little brother, it’s all my fault for being useless, watching Huang San get controlled and being unable to rescue him. Cough, cough…”
“Brother Zhang, it’s not your fault. I also didn’t expect Huang San to face such a calamity. Stop talking. I’ll carry you down the mountain to find a doctor. We can talk after you’ve recovered.” Saying this, I prepared to help Zhang Dabiao up and head down the mountain.
“Go down the mountain? I think you’d be better off staying here?”
Seeing the man who shouldn’t have been there, my pupils suddenly contracted sharply.
“How are you here?”