“When I saw you, a lone Taoist, claiming to annihilate Wolf Stream Cave, I thought you must be some master. Never imagined you’re just an ignorant young brat!”
Ma Butou’s face changed as swiftly as a chameleon’s. He smashed the seized Soul-Calming Bell, ferocity etched across his horse-like face.
He spat: “Thought another fierce ally of Jiang Little Demon had arrived, but you’re just a decorative pillow—pretty yet useless!”
Whipping his lash through the air, Ma Butou declared: “Tonight I’ll crack your skull for wine!”
The young Taoist’s face turned deathly pale.
He knew salvation was beyond reach tonight.
“Sigh… I’d hoped not to trouble my benefactor…” A mournful sigh pierced the mountain night.
Ma Butou’s pupils contracted. He whirled around.
“Madam?!” he gasped.
Hu Yuyu emerged from shadows, brows furrowed. Eager to dispel misunderstandings, she snapped: “Who’s your madam? I’d gladly slaughter Wolf Wuji myself!”
Ma Butou’s body froze—for he saw not just Hu Yuyu.
Jiang Liuer stood there too!
Ma Butou nearly choked. Schemes of escape flooded his mind.
The despairing Taoist, astonished to find others in these wilds, urgently warned: “Flee quickly! This demon has 170 years of cultivation! I can’t defeat him!”
Yet to everyone’s astonishment, Ma Butou became the first to bolt!
‘Damned night! Jiang Little Demon witnessed my murder attempt. No use pretending now.’
Abandoning weapons, Ma Butou transformed into his wild horse form, galloping madly.
His mind raced: ‘The King doesn’t know I planned to desert. If I reach Wolf Stream Cave for protection…’
Wolf King in crisis.
Wolf Wuji in peace.
Hypocrisy incarnate.
Whoosh—a sword’s whistle pursued like Death’s summons.
Though fleeing at full speed, Ma Butou couldn’t outrun the pursuing blade.
Thud!
The sword pierced his heart from above, halting his desperate charge.
Legs tangled, the horse crashed into rocks, rolling violently until motionless—bloodied and broken.
With final strength, Ma Butou resumed human form, clutching his chest.
Bewilderment struck—his heart bore a gaping wound, yet the sword had vanished. Only blood and faint moisture remained.
He died perplexed.
“Demons endure longer.” Jiang Liuer sheathed his sword calmly.
“Those six humans died instantly. Demons linger.”
Pondering, he added: “Perhaps heart-piercing isn’t instantly fatal. Skull strikes might work better.”
The Heart-Piercing Curse’s structure mirrored human anatomy, its core at the chest.
‘Could modifying the curse’s core to target heads?’
Never one to delay, Jiang Liuer acted.
Drawing Yin Zhao’s gifted sword, he erased its original curse and inscribed his modified version.
Better experiment with this blade than risk damaging his treasured Huntian Zhenhai Sword.
Meanwhile, the Taoist watched incredulously. The demon who nearly killed him lay vanquished so easily.
Regaining composure, he bowed gratefully—only to be hushed by Hu Yuyu.
“Hush! The Benefactor’s working.”
Startled, the Taoist realized—this girl was also a demon!
A fox spirit, no less!
After incense-time, Jiang Liuer exclaimed: “Success!”
His sword levitated, its tip aiming not at hearts—but heads!
Halting the blade mid-flight, he grinned: “It works!”
Eagerly, he shared in the group chat:
[Jiang Liuer]: @MuscleTripitaka Tang, Senior! I modified your Hundred Heart-Piercing Sword Art into Skull-Piercing Curse! More humane for demons! [Image]
...
Tripitaka Tang never expected the boy to alter his technique.
Did this child understand cultivation principles?
Reckless modification could damage weapons or even backlash!
Examining the diagram, the monk’s criticism died on his lips. “Hmm?”
Replicating the curse on his staff, he tested it on Zhu Wuneng.
Bang!
“Aiya! What demon strikes Old Pig?!” The black boar howled, rubbing his head.
Tripitaka Tang said mildly: “My doing.”
Instantly obsequious, Zhu grinned: “A masterful strike! Cleared my delusions!”
Chuckling, Tripitaka replied in chat:
[MuscleTripitaka Tang]: @Jiang Liuer, Well modified. Worthy of Golden Cicada’s reincarnation.
[Jiang Liuer]: Blushing Your teaching made it possible!
...
Validated, Jiang Liuer happily inscribed his new curse on Huntian Zhenhai Sword before storing it.
Hu Yuyu inquired: “Breakthrough, Benefactor?”
“Merely improved techniques. Now demons die painlessly.”
“Your compassion shines,” she praised.
The Taoist finally bowed: “I’m Shouqing of Maoshan’s Shengxuan lineage. Gratitude for saving this poor Taoist.”
Jiang Liuer replied: “Jiang Liuer. We tracked Ma Butou, but you intercepted him first.” His expression shifted: “Though… unexpected.”
Shouqing flushed: “I’ve only battled minor demons before. Never such a powerful one.”
Approaching, Jiang Liuer noticed the boy’s height. Beardless and youthful.
“Your age?”
“Twelve winters.”
“Same here! Birth month?”
“December.”
Jiang Liuer beamed, patting Shouqing’s shoulder: “I’m older! Help me loot.”
Shouqing gaped—this slightly older boy possessed such power?
True what Master said—geniuses walk among mortals!
“L-loot?”
“Corpse plundering!”
As Jiang Liuer and Hu Yuyu rummaged through Ma Butou’s remains, Shouqing stared dumbfounded.
Hu Yuyu held up a golden Buddha: “Look! Gold!”
“Gilded copper,” Jiang Liuer corrected.
“Still valuable!” she laughed.
Shouqing’s jaw dropped.
...
