51-53

Chapter 51: Disregard

The wind picked up, dispersing the storm clouds, and the bright moonlight illuminated the corpses scattered around the mountain shrine.

Crack! Su Heng cracked his neck. He hadn't been injured, but his clothes were inevitably splattered with decaying flesh and blood. The blood contained a strong corrosive toxin that melted through the fabric.

Fortunately, Su Heng was prepared. His body grew noticeably every few days, so his satchel contained over a dozen sets of clothes in various sizes.

"Sir…" Xu Ziyi and Xu Bai Xia, recovering from their shock, approached. Xu Ziyi's eyes lit up, a charming smile appearing on her face as she approached Su Heng, her ample bosom swaying with each step. She even bent slightly, revealing a glimpse of cleavage.

Unfortunately… Su Heng ignored them completely, walking right past as if they were invisible.

"Are you alright?" Su Heng tore off his soiled clothes, discarding them. His powerful, bronze muscles were exposed. Xu Ziyi, staring at his grotesque Ghost Back, didn't even notice the drool dripping from her mouth.

Such exaggerated muscles and power, such a sense of security… to be with him… it would be worth dying for.

Unfortunately… her most prized weapon was useless against him.

Su Heng wiped away the bloodstains and pulled a new black robe from his bag. Xu Ziyi reluctantly looked away.

"I'm fine," Su Li frowned, looking at her arm. The skin around the wound was no longer dark red but slightly black, her arm numb and weak.

"Mm…" Su Heng frowned, pressing on the wound. His attribute panel appeared:

[Evergreen Wood Art Fifth Level (Effects: Evergreen Wood Energy, Accelerated Qi Recovery)]

Without hesitation, he spent his thirty accumulated attribute points, raising the Evergreen Wood Art to the sixth level, unlocking a new effect: "Accelerated Healing."

The Evergreen Wood Art had eight levels. Reaching the sixth level was nearing mastery. Unlike the third-rate Pure Yang Art and Black煞 Art, the Evergreen Wood Art allowed one to easily surpass human limits and enter the Demon Form Realm upon entry.

Of course, entry was extremely difficult without elixirs. Even with the attribute panel, it took Su Heng a long time. Third-rate cultivation methods and the core techniques of the Demon Suppression Agency each had their advantages and disadvantages; the theoretical upper limits were similar when various methods were combined and strengthened.

Su Li was at the fourth level, her internal energy deeper than her peers thanks to the Accelerated Qi Recovery effect. However, the healing and detoxification effects were less pronounced against the potent toxin from the corpses; she could only suppress it, not eliminate it.

"Your energy won't work; my injuries aren't that serious," Su Li guessed his intentions, softly comforting him despite her dizziness.

They were close to Baihua Prefecture; once they reached the prefecture and the Demon Suppression Agency, the poison wouldn't be a problem. She just needed to endure a little longer.

As she thought this, she felt a powerful surge of energy coursing through her body. Su Heng and Su Li's Evergreen Wood Energy was of the same origin, but Su Heng's was far superior in both quality and quantity. If Su Li's energy was a stream, Su Heng's was a raging river, its quality exceptionally high.

The potent corpse poison melted away before Su Heng's energy, and Su Li's wound rapidly healed.

"Done!" Su Heng clapped, standing up with a satisfied expression. Su Li looked at her completely healed arm.

"I thought I'd be scarred," Su Li breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did you do that?" Su Li grabbed his sleeve, looking at him expectantly. "How did you reach this level of the Evergreen Wood Art in just a few days?"

"It was a bit slow," Su Heng replied modestly. "I've been mostly traveling, so I haven't had much time to cultivate."

"You could have just maxed it out." A brutal blow.

"…" Su Li slumped her shoulders, turning away.

"This place…" Su Heng wasn't afraid of danger, but the corpses, blood, and stench were nauseating. "We need to leave."

Su Li and Xiao Qing nodded; girls preferred cleanliness.

As they turned to leave, Xu Ziyi approached again, tears welling in her eyes. "Sir, could you give my brother and me a ride? We'll be eternally grateful if we reach Baihua Prefecture safely…"

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

But when she looked up, Su Heng and Su Li were already ten meters away, only Xiao Qing remaining behind, turning back to look at her thoughtfully before following them.

Xu Ziyi was left behind, her expression shifting from seductive to embarrassed, then to resentment. Her beauty had always been a weapon, but it was useless here. This blatant disregard was a blow to her ego.

She gritted her teeth, pulling a pale purple orb from her pouch.

"Sister, no!" Xu Bai Xia's face paled as he tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Swish! The purple orb flew through the air, landing on Su Heng's trousers just as he disappeared around the bend, exploding into a fog that clung to his clothes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 52: Gods and Buddhas

Huu…

The mountain wind howled, accompanied by the distant cries of wild animals.

Xu Ziyi's muscles tensed, her face rigid. Xu Bai Xia covered his mouth, his pupils trembling, as if he dared not breathe.

Only after Su Heng had completely disappeared did Xu Bai Xia lower his hand, gasping for breath.

"You damn bitch, what are you doing!?" Xu Bai Xia snarled, his voice low and furious. "Do you know you almost got us killed? That woman was suspicious, and you still did that? Are you suicidal? If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

Slap!

Xu Ziyi slapped Xu Bai Xia across the face.

"You insolent brat!" she shouted. "I'm your sister!"

"I did it for you!" Xu Ziyi said. "The lure powder would attract demons to draw away our pursuers. Once we reach Baihua County, with the Demon Suppression Agency there, we'll be safe."

"You useless thing,"

Xu Ziyi clenched her fist. "If you had half that man's strength, we wouldn't be living in constant fear."

Xu Bai Xia's face turned pale, his chest heaving. He suppressed his anger, vowing to find the family treasure in Baihua County and then separate from his foolish sister forever. Otherwise, he had a feeling she would get him killed.

"Let's leave. The smell of blood is too strong; it might attract evil spirits," Xu Bai Xia said coldly.

Xu Ziyi snorted and followed her brother.

But as they walked,

Xu Ziyi's eyes widened. "Why is there fog?"

The mountain wind howled, the night clear—impossible for fog to form. Yet, wisps of grayish-white mist appeared, like death shrouds weaving through the trees.

She shivered, feeling a sudden chill. She quickened her pace.

"Cough!"

Xu Ziyi coughed violently, her eyes widening. She covered her mouth, feeling a thick, metallic texture. She spread her fingers, her face contorted in terror—blood!

An intense itch surged from her throat and lungs. She stumbled, kneeling, clawing at her throat. Thick blood gushed from her mouth like a horrifying waterfall, soaking her chest and clothes. She felt dizzy, her consciousness fading, pain shooting through her nerves.

"Help…"

She reached out to her brother.

But Xu Bai Xia, terrified, turned and ran. He didn't get far before collapsing, convulsing and vomiting blood like his sister.

"You bitch, it's your fault!"

Before dying,

Xu Bai Xia cursed, his eyes bulging, veins popping on his face, his expression full of resentment. In his blurred vision, Su Heng's tall figure appeared, with Xiao Qing and Su Li behind him.

Xiao Qing was expressionless. Su Li showed a hint of pity.

"Spare… me," Xu Bai Xia reached out, trying to touch Su Heng's leg.

But Su Heng stepped on his neck. A sharp crack echoed as Xu Bai Xia's head drooped, his spine shattered, silencing him like his sister.

Su Heng knelt, searching their bodies. He found spare clothes, weapons, an old book, and a sachet. He opened the sachet, revealing pale purple powder with no scent.

"Remember when you were suddenly attacked?" Xiao Qing turned to Su Li. "This powder attracts demons and ghosts, but it's hard for ordinary people to detect."

Xiao Qing, resurrected by the Agency's elder, was more sensitive to such things than Su Heng or Su Li.

"I see," Su Li nodded, her expression complex. Without Su Heng, they would have been in grave danger. Thinking of Jin Yu's fanaticism, the consequences were terrifying. But with the two dead, Su Li felt only relief and aftershock.

"This powder might be useful later," Su Heng carefully set aside the sachet.

He picked up the small, yellowish book, examining it by moonlight, his brow furrowing.

"These two were likely from a demon-slaying group like those in Qingmao Mountain. Their clan was destroyed by demons, leaving only these two to flee, seeking something left behind by their family in Baihua County," Su Heng deduced from the book's contents.

"And those pursuing them were organized," Jin Yu's lifeless head lay nearby. These weren't demons or Demon Form cultivators like Su Li, but something in between, piquing Su Heng's curiosity.

"Remember what I told you? In Baihua County, demons, clans, and the Agency are in a three-way standoff," Su Li patiently explained. "It's not just clans and the Agency that are organized; demons are too."

"That's normal," Su Heng nodded. "Some demons are as intelligent as humans. Loose organizations are to be expected."

"The largest of these is the Heavenly Demon Alliance," Su Li said.

"Heavenly Demon Alliance…" Su Heng noted the name.

"Do you know why, with so many demons around Baihua County, the Heavenly Demon Alliance is considered the Agency's biggest threat?" Su Li asked.

"Demons are strong and have uncanny abilities. What other reason could there be?" Su Heng replied without hesitation.

"Wrong," Su Li said. "If it were just strength, the vast empire would have stronger forces. Even with strange abilities, persistent probing would reveal weaknesses."

"Then why?" Su Heng asked.

"Hope," Su Li said. "The Heavenly Demon Alliance's powerful demons give hope to gang members and ordinary people. Those who serve them are taught martial arts, given demonic flesh, or enhanced with demonic abilities."

"To us, they're demons. But to others, they're no different from gods and Buddhas."

Thank you to Qingchenzhe, Maomi won't speak, book friend 2122112220029, and Dahang Chuangketie for the monthly tickets; thank you to Youshenqingde Youshouxiansheng for the 500-point reward!!! Thank you for your readership, comments, and recommendation votes. Have a pleasant weekend, gentlemen.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 53: The Treasure

"Incredible…" Su Heng let out a long breath, his expression grave. He'd overestimated the demons, but they were even more formidable than he'd imagined.

"The foolish, mindless demons have been killed or imprisoned in the Demon Suppression Tower. The ones left are naturally the more intelligent ones," Su Li explained.

"Let me see this booklet. I heard the Heavenly Demon League mention it," Su Li said.

Su Heng handed it to her. "There are maps and inscriptions, but the drawings are abstract. I don't understand them."

He was unfamiliar with Hundred Flowers County. Even with these clues, he wouldn't find the treasure alone. Xu Ziyin and Xu Bai Xia were only moderately skilled, and their family's influence wasn't significant. Frankly, Su Heng wasn't particularly interested in the booklet's contents.

"Interesting." Under the moonlight, Su Li examined it, a smile playing on her lips.

That smile reminded Su Heng of a top student encountering a challenging problem.

"Is there something unusual about these maps?" Su Heng leaned closer, curious.

"If you search based solely on the descriptions, you won't find it," Su Li said, her finger tracing the ink sketches. "These are shadow maps. The features depicted differ from the actual landscape. You need a specific vantage point."

"So complicated," Su Heng was surprised. "Their ancestors went to great lengths to leave something behind."

"How do we find this vantage point?" Xiao Qing also leaned in.

"The answer is in the book itself," Su Li turned a few pages, finding an inscription:

"Cold spring's fine threads on the bridge, jade maiden's stone, three-foot cave; sea cliff's sails, shuttles to and fro, true form, wondrous age, weaves autumn moths."

"What does this mean?" Su Heng felt a headache coming on.

"The literal meaning isn't important. It's about a specific location," Su Li tilted her head, her expression serious. "Deciphering this poem should reveal the location of the Xu family ancestor's treasure."

"I have some ideas, but I need to confirm them," Su Li smiled. "How about I handle this? You won't be shortchanged."

"Fine," Su Heng nodded. He wasn't particularly interested in the treasure itself. Besides, Su Li seemed more interested in the process than the treasure itself.

Leaving the booklet with Su Li, they rested before setting off again.

A day and a night passed. By the third day's sunrise, standing on a small hill, Su Heng could see the outline of Hundred Flowers County.

Hundred Flowers County, nestled in a fertile river valley, had a massive stone outer wall and the imposing Guanjiang River to the east. Nine massive docks lined the river, representing "Nine Dragons spitting water, bathing the fetus; eight-part divine light illuminating the palace platform."

These docks, each unique in style, bustled with merchant ships, goods, weapons, and people.

Beyond the docks lay the bustling market, filled with merchants and sailors from all over, drinking, gambling, and frequenting brothels and black markets.

Su Li had told Su Heng that the county, including surrounding villages, had a population exceeding one million – impossible in previous dynasties, where a city exceeding 100,000 was remarkable. Hundred Flowers County's size suggested the influence of supernatural forces.

Aboard a large ship, the three crossed the Guanjiang River and landed at the docks. Elite soldiers in black iron armor maintained order, their spears and arrows gleaming in the morning light.

Su Li produced an ancient iron token. Seeing the beast emblem, the leading soldier's expression turned respectful. They entered the county smoothly.

The streets teemed with people: scholars, merchants, martial artists, and even foreign tribesmen with blue eyes and thick body hair. The sounds of vendors, shouts, and conversations filled the air.

"So lively! And so much delicious food," Su Heng commented.

Despite the crowds, Su Heng didn't feel cramped. At over six and a half feet tall and weighing over 500 jin, his muscle density was three times that of a normal person. People instinctively moved aside as he passed.

His size naturally attracted attention, with people turning to stare, even after he'd passed. A young girl, clutching a dropped candied hawthorn, stared wide-eyed.

Su Heng sighed. He was used to the attention, but needed lodging.

Hundred Flowers County offered three types of accommodation:

Inns and taverns: Affordable but generally unsafe.

Mansions: Better environment, requiring both money and proof of identity.

Official stations: For officials, safe but not necessarily comfortable, offering services like horse changes and political/military assistance.

(End of Chapter)