Chapter 22: Presenting the Sword! Jiang Liu'er's Intent!

    The prisoner convoy was nearing Jinguang Temple. Fortunately, autumn had arrived, preventing the war casualties from decomposing during these two days.

    The soldiers paused to rest their horses.

    They chewed on dried rations from their packs.

    Hu Yuyu continued recuperating. For two days, the fox demon alternated between sleeping and eating, gradually restoring her vitality.

    "Brother Yin, rest assured. I'll be fine."

    Jiang Liu'er urged Yin Zhao to strike.

    Yin Zhao hesitated, "Brother Jiang, blades have no eyes."

    "Trust me!" Jiang Liu'er insisted.

    Gritting his teeth, Yin Zhao proposed, "Then... a light stab first?"

    The sword thrust carried minimal force, barely enough to break skin.

    Yet...

    Clang—

    The sharp tip failed to pierce Jiang Liu'er's skin.

    Yin Zhao gaped, "How is this possible?"

    Increasing his strength made the skin dent but still drew no blood.

    Stunned beyond words, Yin Zhao nearly unleashed full force before Jiang Liu'er dodged.

    "This is my current limit," Jiang Liu'er explained. "Any stronger and you might actually wound me."

    Yin Zhao marveled, "Such godlike skill! Were you to join the army, you could decimate enemy forces and claim generals' heads like plucking fruit!"

    Blushing at the praise, Jiang Liu'er revealed his aspirations: "I only plan two paths - monk or official! The former would please Abbot Faming. The latter lets me protect him!"

    Jiang Liu'er: @Muscular Tang Sanzang, Senior, The Vajra Wrath Demon Forging Body Technique proves arduous. Half a day's practice barely scratched the surface. My talent must be lacking.

    The creator of this technique never anticipated feeling outshined. Conceived at twenty-one through decades of research, he'd estimated Jiang Liu'er needing a year to grasp basics.

    Yet...

    The youth breached entry threshold in mere hours!

    Muscular Tang Sanzang: "Master all three stages before I teach advanced methods."

    ...

    Dusk approached as the convoy reached Jinguang Temple's foothills. Jiang Liu'er hesitated before the mountainside monastery, clutching a red fox and bone club, uncertain of his reception.

    Had he killed Monk Huishan?

    Steeling himself, he bid farewell to Yin Zhao who insisted on gifting an ornate sword. Despite initial refusal, Jiang Liu'er accepted the exquisite blade, its craftsmanship evident.

    "Farewell! May we meet again in Chang'an!" Yin Zhao's troops departed.

    Climbing the familiar path with mixed emotions, Jiang Liu'er felt years older despite three days' absence.

    A young acolyte at the gate gaped in recognition. "Jiang Liu'er? How...?"

    Before explanations, Hu Yuyu's warning came: "Master, serpent stench lingers here - like Wolf Gully Cave's halberd-wielding snake demon!"

    Jiang Liu'er's questions unveiled calamity: Abbot Faming kidnapped by demons, warrants for his arrest, Huishan comatose.

    "The monster didn't lie," Jiang Liu'er realized grimly. "I did disrupt its wedding."

    Ignoring warnings, he turned eastward where dark energy coalesced.

    "Wait!" cried the acolyte. "That's the demon's territory!"

    Sword grip whitening his knuckles, Jiang Liu'er marched toward the serpent's lair. "Exactly where I intend to go."