"Hiya! The Great King is here!" Before Snake Third could even take a sip of wine, he was so startled that his gourd nearly slipped from his hand.
He hastily tied the gourd to his waist and straightened his posture.
The snake demon's body was already long, but when he stretched upright, his length from head to tail measured over three meters.
The usually reticent Snake Fourth hastily imitated Snake Third's actions.
Snake Third warned, "Brother Jiang Liuer, straighten up! The Great King dislikes subordinates who slouch. As a newcomer, you might not know our king's preferences yet."
Jiang Liuer complied.
Whatever snake demon species Elder Bajie's celestial transformation had turned him into, when Jiang Liuer raised his serpent head, he stood nearly a meter taller than Snake Third and Fourth.
Noticing his conspicuous height, he subtly bent his knees to appear less remarkable.
A group of demons approached from nearby.
Each bore varying degrees of human-like features.
Leading them was a formidable wolf demon.
Dark miasma coiled around the wolf king's armored form. His general-like attire exuded an indescribable bloodlust that silenced the surroundings, forcing lesser demons to hold their tongues.
"My king! The wedding feast provisions—fresh meat, fruits, wine, and Five Minerals Powder—are all prepared," reported the snake captain who scurried from the cave, his earlier arrogance toward Jiang Liuer replaced by groveling humility.
"Well done," the wolf king nodded approvingly before suddenly asking, "Does my bride remain undisturbed?"
"Utterly tranquil!" The snake captain fawned. "The lady stays in her chamber under watch by female demons. Even if she fled, she couldn't escape Wolf Ravine Cave."
The wolf king's grin stretched ear to ear.
Other wedding guests arrived.
"Congratulations on your nuptials, King Wolf!" A boar demon clasped its trotters ceremoniously, presenting a milky-white jade scepter. "This South Sea Jade Ruyi, seized from a human merchant century past, I offer as tribute." Lowering its voice, it added, "Taoist exorcists plague our lands. We beg your assistance."
The wolf king fondled the scepter gleefully. "Easily arranged!"
A wolverine demon embraced the king boisterously, gifting three hundred silver taels. A wealthy cat demon presented a golden Buddha statue.
Were it not for their animalistic heads, Jiang Liuer might have mistaken them for humans.
What truly separated demon from man?
Jiang Liuer watched treasure after treasure fill the wolf king's coffers. Even his ascetic eyes widened at the glittering hoard. A single stolen item could sustain him for decades...
As sunset painted the sky, crimson lanterns bearing "Double Happiness" characters glowed to life. Torches flared across the compound.
"Brothers! Tonight I, Wolf Wuji, take a bride!" The armored king had changed into vermilion wedding robes. "Eat and drink without restraint! Wine flows endlessly, meat overflows! Even vegetarians shall feast on fruits!"
Demonic cheers rent the air, stirring unnatural winds across the mountainous region.
Jiang Liuer's head swam from strong liquor. He feared drunken mishaps.
"My king!" A bear demon roared teasingly. "You've hidden your bride too long! Show her tonight! Unless you plan to keep her veiled until pups arrive?"
Wolf Wuji drained his wine bowl. "Impudent whelp! But tonight I'll indulge you. Who else wishes to see my queen?"
The crowd erupted in demands.
"Very well!" The king relented. "You—fetch the ladies to bring her forth!"
As the order echoed, Jiang Liuer clutched his green-tinged serpent face. "Brother Snake Third... where's..." He bit his tongue—a "new" subordinate shouldn't ask directions. The cursed wine slowed his wits!
"Need to vomit," he amended hastily.
"Lightweight!" Snake Third jeered. "Hurry back! They say the bride's beauty stuns the soul."
Jiang Liuer barely heard. Leaning against a tree, he retched violently, expelling his earlier meal.
"Better..." he gasped—then froze.
His voice had returned to normal!
Touching his face, he felt scales receding. His height diminished rapidly.
"Elder Bajie's magic fades!" He desperately reached out mentally for help.
A metallic scent assaulted his nostrils.
"Move and die," hissed a bloodied blade at his throat. A weak, feminine voice demanded: "Green-snake, tell me how to escape this cave. Whisper—or perish."
Jiang Liuer's panic eased slightly—she hadn't seen through his disguise. The blade trembled; his captor's ragged breathing betrayed severe injury.
[Jiang Liuer]: "Elders! A demon holds me hostage! Bajie's spell fails!"
Feigning compliance, he groped for a stick. "I'll show you the way..."
Mid-sentence, his serpent tail whipped backward, striking the assailant's groin.
"Ugh!" A feminine grunt. Jiang Liuer twisted, grabbing the wrist and swinging his stick.
CRACK!
The wood splintered. Behind him slumped a blood-drenched cat-woman, tail twitching. Her murderous glare faded as consciousness slipped.
"Did I... kill her?" Jiang Liuer paled. Then he noticed her grievous wounds—his blow merely finished what others started.
Before he could check for responses, terrified shouts erupted:
"MY KING! THE BRIDE... SHE'S GONE!"
