Chapter One Hundred and Ten: Teach Me the Demonic Arts

Chu Youcai shook his head and said, “It’s not that you are too weak, but that this world holds too many vile and despicable things. All we can do is forge ahead through thorns and brambles, with all our might.” Then he looked directly at Shangguan Wanru. “Miss Shangguan, there is one favor I wish to ask of you.”

Shangguan Wanru stared at Chu Youcai without speaking.

Chu Youcai said, “If ever the secret of my demonic arts is leaked, I hope you will protect my wife and the others.”

Shangguan Wanru shook her head and said, “As the great hero Yan Yunfei once said, what you can do, you must do yourself.”

Then, with a clear and earnest gaze, she looked at Chu Youcai and said, “Promise me one condition.”

Chu Youcai asked, “What condition?”

Shangguan Wanru spoke calmly, “Teach me the demonic arts.”

At that moment, she held no other thoughts; she only fixed her gaze on Chu Youcai, her mind serene yet filled with an unspeakable resolve.

Standing by his side, silently protecting him, assisting him—that was what her mother had told her.

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Chu Youcai could hardly believe it. Only moments ago, it was not just Shangguan Wanru who wished to learn the demonic arts, but also Yun Cuixian and Hong Yu. Even Wen Ji gathered her courage and declared that she would try, even if it meant perishing.

His heart swelled with deep emotion; he knew they wanted to help him.

He could not refuse them.

Because he knew—they were all one.

At once, he taught them the three methods of physical cultivation through demonic arts, then went to buy a cauldron inscribed with ice and fire talismans, and began guiding them into the cauldron to cultivate.

To his delight, the medicinal liquid refined from the Luoshu Molin Pill, when applied to their bodies, could largely counteract the cauldron’s flames and icy chill. Though it lessened the effectiveness of body refinement, it allowed them to cultivate smoothly.

Under these conditions, within just two days, all the women’s physiques made leaps forward, with Wen Ji improving the fastest.

Wen Ji was originally a jade demon, nearly obliterated in body and spirit. Now, her spirit had advanced further; she even began to fear the thunder no more.

Chu Youcai guarded them for two days, and seeing no problems, he finally felt relieved.

Yet, for some reason, an uneasy feeling lingered within him.

At dusk one day, noise came from outside the door. Chu Youcai gazed intently and saw Hei Qi enter.

Hei Qi handed him a letter and said, “This is news from Second Young Master Chu.”

Chu Youcai unfolded the letter and read.

Just seeing it, his whole body stiffened as if struck by lightning.

Veins bulged on his arms instantly.

A surge of anger welled up.

The letter clearly read: “Hei Qi: Second Young Master Chu requires flesh and blood. You are to capture every controllable death row prisoner in Yanzhou City, then send some people to create chaos in the refugee camp of one hundred thousand. It’s best if most of them are killed or injured. Then secretly bring the bodies here.”

Seeing these words, Chu Youcai’s gaze turned icy cold.

The refugee camp held nearly one hundred thousand people, and this Second Young Master Chu actually wanted to slaughter them all? How innocent, how tragic they were!

In front of Second Young Master Chu, were these people nothing but insects?

What made him feel fortunate was that he had already won over Hei Qi and learned this message; otherwise, this tragedy might have been unavoidable!

At once, he said, “Hei Qi, your next task is to buy time and secretly send others to protect the people in the refugee camp.”

Hei Qi nodded but hesitated for a moment, then said, “Master, there is another letter—about your mother…”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai’s expression changed, and he urgently said, “Show me.”

Hei Qi quickly handed him the other letter.

Chu Youcai tore it open and found it read: “Hei Qi: Second Young Master Chu wrote to the Madam to remove Chu Youcai’s mother’s memorial tablet, but Madam refused and replied that she would wait for the prince’s return in half a month before deciding. Keep a close eye on the prince’s movements.”

Seeing this, Chu Youcai’s eyes burned with rage. He hadn’t expected that when Master Wu from the Wu faction failed to frame him, Second Young Master Chu would go straight to petitioning. Such a man was despicable beyond measure!

His fury surged like a turbulent river.

Such a brother, who regarded the common people as ants, himself as prey, and even used a widow to humiliate! What right did such a person have to exist in this world?

Chu Youcai took a deep breath and slowly regained his composure.

The contest was still half a month away! He still had time! He would use this time to quickly improve his strength!

He returned to his room and entered the inner world of the Zhuo Long Mountain River Pearl. He intended to accelerate his cultivation, treasuring every moment.

At that instant, words appeared on the rock inside the inner world of the Zhuo Long Mountain River Pearl: “You have come.”

Somehow, Chu Youcai felt a spirit within these words.

The rock then displayed another line: “Time is short. Enter the trial. This trial deducts ten years of lifespan but will take ten days in the mortal world.”

“In this trial world is a realm suffused with vast demonic energy, inexhaustible in supply.”

“Success will bring great rewards.”

“Trial participant, you may use one inch of your Yang Qi to inquire about the reward contents, or wait three hours to enter the ordinary trial space.”

Chu Youcai immediately said, “Deduct one inch of my Yang Qi. Tell me the reward.”

If the reward was substantial enough, no matter how difficult the trial, he would confront it head-on.

His current realm lagged far behind the Prince Chu Yu; drastic measures were necessary.

Suddenly, Chu Youcai felt one year of his Yang lifespan was deducted, leaving only thirteen years.

The rock displayed: “The reward is a cultivation method. This method allows free conversion among demonic arts, literary energy, and Daoist magic. Only those with cultivation above fifty years Daoist magic can comprehend its truth.”

At that moment, Chu Youcai was nearly shocked out of his skin.

Had he heard correctly?

Could demonic arts, literary energy, and Daoist magic be freely converted?

In other words, he could wield demonic arts that appeared indistinguishable from Daoist magic to others?

Joy surged within him. If so, his greatest worry would be solved.

He would only need to conceal it before those above fifty years Daoist magic cultivation.

After his joy, he calmed himself.

A reward this great surely carried immense risk; he must be doubly cautious.

He did not immediately enter the trial space within the Zhuo Long Mountain River Pearl but withdrew, leaving a note on the table explaining he would seclude himself for ten days.

Then he re-entered the trial space.

At this moment, his Yang Qi dropped from thirteen years to three years.

His vision blurred; Chu Youcai found himself in rugged mountains, surrounded by jagged rocks and steep cliffs, resembling a mortal world’s towering peak.

Looking afar, he saw countless vast cities, an indescribably magnificent sight.