Chapter Seventy-Four: The Devil’s Heart

Shortly after Chu Youcai departed from Jia Ping Garden, a blood-red figure suddenly emerged from the depths of the water—it was none other than Song Peng, the son of Censor Song! At this moment, his body was sluggish and his movements stiff, but his gaze burned with a crimson hue.

He remained lurking there until deep into the night. Once all had left Jia Ping Garden, he crept aboard the pleasure barge, opened a door, and in an instant, killed the old madam. Opening his mouth wide, he spat out several golden-armored locusts, which devoured the old madam entirely, leaving nothing behind.

Afterward, he went on to swallow and kill seven or eight servant girls in succession, and only then did his complexion regain a trace of vitality.

Song Peng then cast a vicious glare westward, in the direction of Guiyuan Temple. “Willow Spirit, I recover far faster than you! And now, hidden in the shadows, I hold the advantage—you cannot escape me!”

Indeed, Song Peng was possessed by the locust demon.

He spread his arms, and at once countless locusts burst forth from his body, swiftly sweeping the entire Jia Ping pleasure barge away into the distance.

“The women above will nourish me for three days,” he muttered. “Next, I must accomplish one great deed to restore my cultivation!”

His gaze shifted and finally fixed upon the residence of the Prefect of Yanzhou. “A land of talent and spiritual energy—capturing those people will make it even easier to regain my power. That is my next target!”

That night, news spread of Song Peng’s escape from the Yanzhou prison.

That night, the Jia Ping pleasure barge vanished without a trace.

That night, every flower in the Prefect’s mansion, regardless of the season, bloomed in full glory—a marvel that drew much admiration.

Because of this, the Prefect’s wife sent out numerous invitations for a flower-viewing banquet, inviting the city’s beauties to attend. Yun Cuixian too received an invitation.

********************

Several thousand miles off the southern coast of the Loulan Kingdom lay a massive island, ringed with ancient, verdant pines. At its heart, a single pine soared hundreds of feet into the clouds, and atop this colossal tree perched a vast city.

Around the city hovered flying swords, shimmering with seven-colored radiance, exuding a grandeur beyond words.

Within the palatial halls of this otherworldly realm, many figures stood respectfully along the sides, each bearing a treasured sword and keeping their eyes lowered.

At the very end of the assembly stood a young man, his gaze cold and fierce, radiating an air of defiance.

In that moment, a voice echoed from the depths of the great hall: “A flying sword message has arrived from Yan Yunfei, reporting a locust demon running rampant in Yanzhou City. After suffering injury, it has gone into hiding. Yan Nantian, as one of the Four Envoys of the Demon-Slaying Hall, you must go and eradicate this evil.”

An elder stepped forth, wielding an immortal sword, his entire presence vast and imposing. “As you command,” he replied.

As Yan Nantian exited the hall, the cold-eyed youth followed, saying, “Master, Yu Wei respectfully requests to accompany you.”

Yan Nantian nodded. “You were born in Yanzhou. Since Yanzhou is in peril, you may return with me. With twenty years of cultivation now at your command, you should have the strength to protect yourself.”

“Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon me the Time Curse Artifact. In just ten days, I broke through from ten to twenty years of cultivation,” the youth replied.

“It is but a consumable object, nothing to dwell on. The path of cultivation is endless. Your senior brother Yan Yunfei, with thirty years of cultivation, could not subdue the locust demon. You must be even more cautious.”

The young man’s eyes flashed with a cold light. “Understood. I heard the locust demon was last wounded by the Willow Spirit, and that Senior Brother Yunfei is even said to befriend the Willow Spirit. Has he perhaps developed a demonic heart?”

Yan Nantian responded, “Yan Yunfei is impatient by nature, but not without prudence. There must be more to this. The once-in-a-millennium Immortal-Slaying Academy grand gathering is approaching. Though you are a distinguished disciple of the Yan Sect, many prodigies will arise. Winning the title of Martial Champion in the sacred trial of the Nine Provinces of Yan Cloud will be very difficult. Once I slay the locust demon and seize its bloodline, I will forge a cursed treasure for you, to strengthen your power.”

“Thank you, Master.” Chu Yuwei’s face lit with joy, then he added, “Though I am of the Chu Prince’s household, my loyalty lies with the Yan Sect. I follow only your command.” As he spoke, his gaze was icy, devoid of any sentimentality.

“Very well!” Yan Nantian’s eyes flashed coldly. “I once had a feud with your father, but since you are willing to heed my orders, I need no longer hold back.”

Chu Yuwei bowed his head. “Yes, Master.”

********************

In Yanzhou City, a night hurried by. Chu Youcai awoke from his dreams, his eyes shining with a metallic brilliance.

He sat cross-legged, drawing the power of the morning sun into his body. His bones thundered with vitality, brimming with life.

By night, he could absorb the power of the stars atop the snowy peaks; by day, the energy of the sun. Chu Youcai felt an endless strength surging within him.

“So this is it—after grasping the unity of Daoist poetry and stabilizing my heart, I can rival the strength granted by immortal elixirs,” he mused.

“Yet my body is ultimately overdrawn. Unless I master true cultivation, this body will eventually wither.” He frowned.

“Cultivation isn’t so easily attained. I have the foundation of both Daoist and Literary Qi, but it only cleanses my meridians—I cannot truly ascend!”

Just then, Chu Youcai noticed a message on the table. Yun Cuixian, Hongyu, and Juexue had all gone to attend the Prefect’s wife’s flower-viewing banquet.

Chu Youcai held the Prefect in high esteem, recalling how the official had valiantly defended the city walls against the locust plague.

“It’s a fine thing for them to enjoy the flowers together,” he thought.

At that moment, a paper crane descended from the sky, landing on the window.

“A message from Second Mother?”

He unfolded the crane to find a line: “Last night, the Jia Ping pleasure barge vanished, with all aboard. It may be near Guiyuan Temple.”

Chu Youcai’s heart tightened. He recalled the strange stirring of the willow branch in his pocket the night before. Could this truly be linked to the locust demon?

Guiyuan Temple was exactly where the Willow Spirit dwelled, and she was grievously weakened. If the locust demon found her, the consequences would be dire.

Moreover, Lady Wen was still on the pleasure barge. Without hesitation, Chu Youcai left a note on the table explaining his urgent departure, dressed, and hurried out.

He moved swiftly, quickly nearing Guiyuan Temple.

Set twenty miles west of Yanzhou City, the temple was shrouded in dense mist, with lakes on three sides, exuding an air of serene elegance.

Yet, due to rumors of Blood Lotus Sect disciples lurking there, a place once popular for outings was now utterly deserted.

“The Willow Spirit said she was hiding here, but in what direction? She also mentioned two little girls who’d just become demons, pretending to be Blood Lotus Sect members for peace and quiet—what kind of little demon girls might they be?”

As Chu Youcai stepped forward into the mist, a chilling cold seeped into his bones.

Ahead, the scene upon the lake filled him with astonishment beyond belief.