Chapter 47: Three Burials of the Knife's Mouth, River Currents Erupting from the Heart

    Wolf Wuji's crimson eyes dimmed as his body collapsed with a thunderous crash.

    "A sword through the skull, a shattered heart – even a deity couldn’t save him!"

    Jiang Liu'er watched as the last vestiges of life fled Wolf Wuji's form. With a flick of his finger, he summoned back the Huntian Zhenhai Sword.

    Gritting through the pain in his left arm, he severed the wolf demon's head. The massive wolf's visage dripped blood, crisscrossed with gruesome wounds.

    "Elder Faming will no longer be threatened by the demons of Wolf Gully Cave. This head should fetch a fine reward from the authorities."

    Relief and triumph dulled the ache in Jiang Liu'er's arm. As if mirroring the demon's demise, the miasma clinging to these mountains for years began dissipating.

    A breeze ruffled the young man's disheveled hair as he turned and shouted, "Wolf Wuji is dead! Come quickly and help me loot the demon’s lair!"

    Hu Yuyu hurried over, producing a handkerchief with concern. "Master, let me bind your wound first. I'll gather herbs for medicine."

    She kicked the wolf head fiercely. "Vile creature! How dare it injure you!"

    "Unnecessary," Jiang Liu'er waved her off. "A minor fracture – half a day's rest will suffice. My body-forging arts aren't for show."

    Shou Qing prodded the headless corpse in awe. "A three-century-old wolf demon slain! Your mastery of the Refining Essence into Qi realm must be unparalleled."

    "Others may surpass me," Jiang Liu'er replied, though secretly pleased. What youth doesn't relish praise?

    [​​Jiang Liu'er​​]: "Honored seniors, the wolf demon is vanquished. Behold its head. [Image]. The creature proved troublesome – its cultivation ran deep."

    [​​Jiang Liu'er​​]: "Sustained a fractured left arm in the struggle. Painful, but manageable."

    [​​Muscle Monk Tang Sanzang​​]: "Injured by a mere wolf pup? Your Vajra Wrath Demon Forging Body Art remains inadequate."

    [​​Altar Guardian​​]: "Master! He's only twelve! Slaying such a demon at this age is remarkable!"

    [​​Great Sage Equal to Heaven​​]: "Did you use my transformations?"

    [​​Jiang Liu'er​​]: "The Mountain-Bearing Technique tripled my strength! The demon couldn't withstand it."

    [Ding! "Muscle Monk Tang Sanzang" sent a private red packet!]

    Jiang Liu'er blinked in surprise. The stern monk had sent a healing ointment. Applying it while circulating his body-forging technique, his arm mended within three breaths – Tang Sanzang's trademark blend of harshness and care.

    [​​Jiang Liu'er​​]: "@Muscle Monk Tang Sanzang, gratitude for the medicine!"

    [​​Muscle Monk Tang Sanzang​​]: "Remember – true power lies in self-reliance. No spell surpasses a perfected physique."

    ...

    The trio plundered the demon's hoard – weapons replacing bamboo spears, provisions excluding suspicious meats, and modest treasures. Hu Yuyu's cry interrupted their search: "A giant bronze cauldron!"

    Beneath Jiang Liu'er's foot lay bloodstained cloth. Shou Qing paled. "This... this is human skin!"

    The flattened hide revealed the face of Huijing – a young monk from Jiang Liu'er's temple who'd shown him kindness. "Wolf Wuji didn't act alone," Jiang Liu'er murmured, noting human footprints beside demon tracks. "I'll consult the underworld."

    Channeling the Nethergate Art, he plunged into Yin realm's swirling ghost-river. Spectral wardens roared upon spotting the living intruder: "Foolish mortal! How dare you trespass again?!"