"I have uncovered the true nature of the great demon!" After returning to the mortal realm, Jiang Liu'er found Hu Yuyu and Shou Qing, recounting the intelligence revealed by the carp demon.

    Shou Qing exclaimed in shock: "The great demon has dragon lineage? He's a Dragon King?"

    Jiang Liu'er shook his head: "Unknown. Even if he were a Dragon King, he'd be an evil one. He's violated both mortal laws and celestial decrees."

    Hu Yuyu asked: "Benefactor, what should we do first? Hunt the great demon? Rescue the three deities? Or slay the traitor Liu first?"

    Without hesitation, Jiang Liu'er declared with resolute cadence: "Slay Liu first!"

    "This traitor has accumulated endless karma. Each day he lives multiplies his sins. Killing him severs his evil karma. This saves the people and cuts his wicked cycle. His death serves supreme justice!"

    ...

    Meanwhile.

    "Why hasn't Master Li Yu arrived yet?" Liu Hong paced anxiously, his corpulent belly straining against his belt as he adjusted it wearily.

    His betrothed concubine clung to him like ivy: "My lord, with less than three and a half days until our wedding banquet, shouldn't we return to prepare?"

    Her honeyed voice melted Liu Hong's resolve. Groping her, he slurred: "Indeed, we should make preparations."

    The bandits killed demons, but he was human - the official Prefect of Jiangzhou drawing Tang court salaries, commanding the entire region. No outlaw would dare assassinate an imperial official!

    But...

    "My lord~" The concubine pouted coquettishly, seeing Liu Hong's hesitation: "We've already invited so many dignitaries. Delaying the wedding would disgrace your honor!"

    Lust emboldens cowards. This same carnal desire that once drove Liu Hong to bludgeon a top scholar to death now clouded his judgment again.

    "Attendants!"

    His violent grip made the concubine yelp in pain as he bellowed: "Return to the mansion!"

    Shortly after their departure, a youth arrived at the vacated site.

    Jiang Liu'er examined fresh wheel tracks. "Gone less than an incense stick's time." His eyes narrowed. "Such numerous tracks and footprints - the traitor Liu travels with heavy guard even for leisure."

    He'd left Shou Qing and Hu Yuyu guarding Liu's private residence, ready to evacuate his mother if needed.

    Now Jiang Liu'er activated his [Gale-Soul Falcon Pursuit Steps], chasing the tracks with supernatural speed.

    Soon.

    He encountered an ostentatious convoy - armored guards bearing halberds escorting a lavish carriage. The procession cut straight through farmland, crushing crops underwheel.

    A weeping old farmer dared not protest against glinting halberds.

    Jiang Liu'er stopped: "Elder, is this your land?"

    The farmer wiped tears: "Aye. My grandsons' survival depends on this harvest. Now the crops are ruined... we can't even pay grain taxes this year." His voice broke: "Heaven forsakes us!"

    Jiang Liu'er pressed half a string of coins into the man's hands. "After today, your taxes will lessen. Keep this for cleaning expenses when I soil your fields."

    The farmer gaped: "This... this is too much!"

    "Not enough."

    Jiang Liu'er summoned his Cosmic Sea-Suppressing Sword. The levitating blade made the farmer cry "Living immortal!"

    ...

    Liu Hong indeed had two demonic bodyguards, their strength matching the carp demon's.

    Over twelve years, many would-be assassins had died to these demons before reaching Liu.

    The two demons flanked Liu's carriage on warhorses.

    "Relax," one demon said coldly as Liu Hong fretted. "The carp demon handles affairs thoroughly. Those rebels will be dead within days, likely hiding in fear now."

    Liu Hong mopped sweat, forcing a smile: "I fear sudden attacks. Master Li Yu is formidable, but I'm not."

    As a former bandit himself, he knew outlaw tactics - poison, ambushes, assassinations. His countless crimes made him many enemies. These demon-slayers with righteous hearts would surely seek his head.

    "Mocking our capabilities?" The other demon sneered. "Keep your greasy guts settled. No rebel can defeat us."

    Suddenly—

    SWISH—

    Liu Hong felt ear-coldness. His hand touched warm fluid—his ear was gone.

    "AAAAH!" A demon roared, leaping to confront Jiang Liu'er.

    But Jiang Liu'er unleashed an arsenal from his spatial pouch—weapons collected from Wolf Gully Cave, each inscribed with [Hundred-Cursed Brain-Piercing Sword Art].

    Hundreds of blades filled the demon's vision.

    Before the stunned demon could react, weapon-rain pierced its body—halberds through torso, axe splitting skull.

    Liu Hong stared dumbstruck as Jiang Liu'er flashed past the corpse.

    "I am Chen!" Jiang Liu'er's murderous gaze pierced through the guards. "Son of Chen Guangrui and Yin Wenjiao. Twelve years ago, you clubbed my father to death in the river. Without vengeance, how dare I call myself human?"

    Liu Hong's eyes bulged. Chen Guangrui's son?!

    "Traitor Liu! Today I claim your head to appease my father's spirit and ten thousand Jiangzhou souls!"

    Sword fingers twitched.

    The flying blade soared.

    A corpulent head tumbled skyward, arterial spray drenching the carriage and concubine, who fainted screaming.

    Guards stood paralyzed—powerless against the avenger.

    This was Jiang Liu'er's first public execution.

    ...

    Liu Hong found himself in the underworld, clutching his severed head and wailing: "I don't want to die! I haven't wedded my concubine! Let me return!"

    A hellguard approached with soul-scourge, but froze when Jiang Liu'er materialized holding a radiant demon-subduing pestle.

    Liu Hong gasped: "You—"

    The pestle shattered his soul before he could scream.

    Hellguard: "..."

    ...