Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Four: The Gentleman with the Jade-like Face

In front of the bedroom door, red silk drapes touched the floor, the scent of incense filled the air, and two heavily made-up demon maidens stood at either side. Meinu immediately called out to Hanyu in a loud voice, “My, our lord is truly fond of this little girl! Forcing us to come and comfort her—comfort her for what? She’ll be happier tonight than anyone!” Hanyu quickly chimed in, “Exactly! She’s the one getting married, yet we’re the ones worrying. Such is our fate!”

As they approached, Meinu went straight to the demon maidens and asked, “Is the bride still crying?” The two quickly replied with a laugh, “She is! Doesn’t know how good she has it!” “Honestly, let me see for myself!” said Meinu, lifting the curtain to enter. The demon maidens tried to stop her, but Hanyu simply pushed them aside, thinking, “Better to cause less trouble than more. Since they’re here on orders, they must be friends of the master. No need to make enemies and end up in a worse position.”

He Lingchi had long since run out of tears. Dressed in a full bridal headdress and robes, her hands and feet bound, she lay on her side atop a red brocade quilt. The curtains hung low, red candles flickered, and as she heard the laughter outside the bridal chamber, she felt utterly desolate. Hearing Meinu’s words, she steeled herself for death.

“Oh! What a beautiful bride!” Meinu, lifting the curtain, immediately covered He Lingchi’s mouth with her hand. He Lingchi instantly recognized the Seven-Tailed Fox, her heart sinking further when she saw Hanyu appear behind.

“Don’t shout! We’re here to save you! Your senior brothers are already waiting outside!” Hanyu whispered in her ear. He Lingchi nodded, half-believing, half-doubting. Only then did Meinu carefully release her hand. “What’s all this crying for? On your wedding night, you should be overjoyed!” As Meinu spoke loudly for those outside to hear, Hanyu quickly began untying He Lingchi’s ropes.

“You…” He Lingchi just opened her mouth but was immediately silenced by Meinu’s finger, who winked at her.

“What’s wrong with marrying the Jade-Faced Lord? You’ll have food and drink, wealth and luxury—many would envy you!” Meinu declared loudly toward the door while pulling He Lingchi toward the exit. Hanyu moved aside to stand by the door.

“Hey, you two out there, come in and help! Strip this little girl now, so the lord won’t have to bother later!” Meinu shouted. The two demon maidens entered, only to be knocked unconscious by Hanyu with two swift blows.

Just then, chaos erupted outside the cave.

“Bad news! They’ve been discovered!” Meinu hadn’t finished speaking before she dragged He Lingchi toward the main hall. As expected, demons were pouring out of the hall, and the Jade-Faced Lord had risen from his ivory bed. Amid the confusion, Meinu and the others rushed through the hall toward the exit, but as they reached the door, a strange cry sounded behind them: “There’s a human among them!”

Demons are most sensitive to the presence of humans—their auras are distinct. Meinu was a demon, Hanyu a half-demon, but they’d forgotten that He Lingchi’s human aura was overwhelming. The Jade-Faced Lord, a figure of keen perception, immediately detected the presence of a human in the hall.

“Go now!” Meinu shouted, pushing Hanyu and He Lingchi out of the hall. She then drew her black fox staff and leapt to meet the Jade-Faced Lord, who lunged through the air. There was a resounding clang, and Meinu was sent flying straight into a wall. Hanyu, already running for the exit with He Lingchi, looked back, seeing Meinu glare furiously at her. Reluctantly, Hanyu held her ground and dashed out of the Double Fish Manor with He Lingchi.

After parting from Hanyu and the others, Jin Guishan and his group had been progressing smoothly and were nearly out of the manor when they stumbled upon other sect disciples imprisoned there. With no other choice, they fought to free them, causing a great commotion.

Just as they escaped the manor, Jin Guishan saw Fatty Girl and Pancake burst out of the bushes. The reunion of the senior and junior disciples brought tears and laughter, but knowing He Lingchi was still trapped, they immediately turned back toward the cave. At that moment, Hanyu was fleeing with He Lingchi, a horde of shrieking demons in pursuit.

“Sister, get out of the way!” Jin Guishan shouted, leading the group to engage the pursuers.

“Where’s Meinu?” Before Pancake could speak, Fatty Girl asked urgently. Hanyu, frowning in anger, replied, “That vixen insisted on taking the blame herself—she’s been caught!” Without another word, she turned and charged into the enemy ranks. Pancake and Fatty Girl exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

Jin Guishan’s group now included not only disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect but also over a dozen from other sects. Though the demons were numerous, the battle was evenly matched. But just as the fight reached a stalemate, a deafening wolf's howl echoed from within the cave, and a black wind swept through, knocking everyone to the ground—only Jin Guishan, Meinu, Hanyu, Pancake, and Fatty Girl managed to remain standing, the first three due to their cultivation, the latter two thanks to their sheer weight.

“What demons dare cause trouble in my manor!” The Jade-Faced Lord, wielding a spiked wolf-tooth club, shouted with righteous fury. Both humans and demons paused in confusion. Demons? Who here was, and who wasn’t?

“You’re the demon!” Hanyu was the first to retort, hating above all to be called a demon. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Oh! So it’s a lovely little maiden! Fine, I’ll forget about my bride and take you to my bed instead!” The Jade-Faced Lord leered, then frowned, “Though you seem to limp a bit?”

“I’ll fight you!” That stung more than being called a demon—Hanyu charged at him, staff swinging for his face. They clashed instantly. The Jade-Faced Lord, clearly toying with her, only defended, refusing to counterattack. The surrounding demons couldn’t help but gossip. “She’s really angry! He won’t marry her now!” “Nonsense, he’s just putting on a show!” Suddenly, several chattering demons were struck by thrown stones—He Lingchi, standing in the distance, glared at them triumphantly.

“Oh, you can’t consummate your marriage and it’s our fault?” The attacked demons rushed at He Lingchi, who stomped her foot in anger and drew her sword to meet them. In moments, the battle at the Double Fish Cave was reignited.

“Enough games!” The Jade-Faced Lord’s face darkened, and he swung his club at Hanyu’s head. She raised her staff just in time, the impact nearly knocking her down. She rolled away to escape the fight. The Jade-Faced Lord pursued, his club nearly striking her face, but Pancake intervened with a headbutt. The Lord didn’t budge, but Pancake bounced off. Undeterred, Pancake grabbed Hanyu’s arm as he rebounded, and together they rolled down the slope.

“Grab your weapon!” Hanyu, covered in dirt, shouted angrily. Pancake, nodding furiously, pulled off his belt. The divine iron transformed at will—drumstick, cleaver, shapely leg, cleaver, leg, drumstick, leg, drumstick… “A sword!” Hanyu slapped him on the head, and finally the divine iron settled into a gleaming sword.

The Jade-Faced Lord, closing in, stared in envy, nearly drooling. As Pancake swung the sword, the Lord hurriedly blocked with his club. There was a thunderous clang, and he staggered, knees buckling.

“Impressive!” the Lord cried, rolling aside. Hanyu joined the fray, and soon the three were locked in fierce combat. Knowing the sword was no ordinary weapon, the Lord was cautious, attacking relentlessly but never letting his club meet the divine iron. Still, after a dozen exchanges, Pancake and Hanyu were hard-pressed. Hanyu quickly chanted a spell, sending a beam of moonlight from her staff into the Lord’s eyes. He dodged, and his club emitted billowing black smoke, transforming into a ferocious wolf that lunged at Hanyu. Startled, Hanyu swung her staff defensively—the moonlight and black smoke clashed briefly, but she was sent flying. Just as she was about to crash into a tree, an invisible force caught her, setting her gently on her feet. She turned in surprise to see Hong Kun flicking his horsetail whisk, with Hong Peng and a woman racing up behind him.

Meanwhile, Pancake was still locked in deadly combat, unaware reinforcements had arrived. Hong Kun approached Hanyu, watching Pancake’s battle. Hanyu opened her mouth but said nothing—without his timely intervention, she, still not fully recovered, would have been in real danger.

“Pancake!” Hong Peng cried, clutching Hong Kun’s arm in excitement. Hong Kun remained expressionless. Hanyu now noticed the woman was Biyi, disciple of Xi Feng.

“Ha, that fat one is nimble!” Biyi sneered as she watched Pancake dodge clumsily. Hanyu instinctively stepped forward, prompting Biyi to turn. “What are you glaring at, little demon?”

“Junior sister, don’t say that!” If Hong Peng hadn’t grabbed her, Hanyu would have struck already.

“Not good!” Hong Peng suddenly exclaimed. The Lord’s club was swinging at Pancake’s head—there was no way to dodge. Everyone gasped. Hong Kun snapped his whisk; the Jade-Faced Lord tumbled out of the fray. “Who goes there?” Though he dodged the unseen force, it was the first time in years he’d been so discomfited.

“Senior brother!” Pancake’s delighted shriek made everyone pause. Before Hong Kun could reply, a round ball rolled up, making him step back in surprise. Pancake threw himself into Hong Kun’s arms and burst into tears, leaving Hong Kun awkwardly staring at the sky.

“Pancake, what are you crying for? If anyone bullies you, I’ll avenge you!” Hong Peng said warmly—he’d missed this fat one sorely.

“Hmph!” Hanyu couldn’t help but sneer. Last time at Banyue Hill, wasn’t it Pancake’s fart that decided the victory? Hong Peng, knowing what she meant, smiled sheepishly at her.

“Why are you still crying? Do you want Biyi to laugh at you?” Hong Kun scolded.

“Senior Sister Biyi?” Pancake stopped crying at once and hurriedly looked around.

“Senior Sister Biyi, what brings you here?” Seeing her behind Hanyu, Pancake’s eyes sparkled. Biyi forced a smile, saying nothing.

“I am Hong Kun of Banyue Hill!” In a flash, Hong Kun stood before the Jade-Faced Lord, who eyed the slightly awkward young man before him. That flick of the whisk spoke volumes of his skill. The Lord exclaimed, “Ah, Banyue Hill, renowned indeed…” He hadn’t finished before swinging his club at Hong Kun’s head. Hong Kun hadn’t expected such treachery and, finding escape impossible, kicked off toward the Lord’s chest. The Lord, startled, flipped aside.

“Vile monster!” Hong Kun shouted, sword in hand. The Lord smirked, swinging his club at waist level, and the two became locked in fierce battle.

Outside the cave, the melee raged on. Though both sides attacked and defended, the demons clearly held the upper hand. Hanyu quickly joined, fighting alongside Fatty Girl. Pancake, though reluctant, followed, leaving Hong Peng and Biyi to assist Hong Kun.

Seeing the demons being pushed back, the Jade-Faced Lord grew anxious. He stamped his feet, chanting, and a sudden black gale, thick with intoxicating fragrance, swept toward Hong Kun. The scent was overwhelming, making one dizzy, and the wind fierce enough to nearly topple him. Hong Kun steadied himself, formed a seal, and released an invisible wave of energy with his sword. Though he managed to withstand the black wind, he was clearly on the defensive.

Somewhere nearby, a turtle peeked out from the grass, surveyed the battle, shook its head, and retreated.

The Lord rejoiced inwardly, then let out a long howl. The black wind transformed into a savage wolf, which lunged at Hong Kun. He struck with his sword, hoping to disperse it, but the wolf dodged and snapped back at him. Yet Hong Kun was no novice; with a twist of his blade, he intercepted the attack with a wave of energy.

Hong Peng, already impatient, felt that two against one was unfair, but against demons, what did fairness matter? He drew his sword and attacked from behind. The Lord, no ordinary foe, split his club into two, sending two black winds—two wolves—against the brothers.

That turtle stuck its head out again, watched for a while, then withdrew, disgruntled.

With Hong Peng joining the fray, the fight became evenly matched. Biyi looked eager to join as well, making the Lord uneasy. He suddenly swung both clubs and dashed for the cave. If he could secure the entrance, he’d avoid being attacked from both sides—no matter how many opponents, his skill would ensure he caught them one by one.

“Don’t let him in!” Hong Kun had already anticipated his move and pursued, thrusting his sword at the Lord’s back, forcing him to turn and defend. At once, Hong Peng and Biyi closed in, trapping the Lord outside the cave.

Suddenly, the turtle sprinted from the grass.

Three against one—the tide turned abruptly. The Jade-Faced Lord, though formidable, was now unable to break free. Frowning, he repeated his old trick with a piercing howl that left everyone dizzy and unsteady. Taking advantage of this, he turned into a black wind and darted for the cave entrance.

“Damn!” Hong Kun cursed inwardly, but at that moment, there was a resounding crash. To everyone’s astonishment, the Lord was knocked back as if he’d hit a wall. Only then did they see that a massive turtle shell now blocked the cave entrance.