Chapter Forty-Nine: The Source of the Demonic Plague

Realm of Demonic Beasts...

Ye Sansi found himself at Peng Immortal’s home, arriving just in time for dinner.

Restless with urgency, Sansi had barely settled before he attempted to speak of the demon plague. Yet Peng Immortal spoke first: “Young Master Sansi, whatever business you have, let us discuss it over a meal. You’ve come all the way from Lingzhou City, the journey must have wearied you. Rest for a moment; your matters will not be delayed.”

As the dishes were served, Peng Immortal poured wine for Sansi and said slowly, “Young Master Sansi, I know you’ve come this time because of the demon plague.”

“Indeed, Elder Peng Immortal, how did you know?”

“When I escorted you all to Lingzhou City the other day, I sensed something amiss. Upon my return, I kept a close watch and discovered that most areas of Lingzhou were plagued by demons. I wondered at the cause—how could so many demons be invading Lingzhou so brazenly? Yesterday, I reported this to the King. The King revealed the truth: it is the work of a single demon, who has turned the people of Lingzhou into its puppets. The wise King ordered me to assemble some demonfolk and, within three days, eradicate this demon.”

“If that is so, it would be wonderful. But have you found the demon’s whereabouts?”

Peng Immortal laughed heartily: “This demon is skilled, but fortunately its cultivation is shallow and its aura distinctive. Any demon of our realm can track it with ease.”

Hearing this, Ye Sansi felt the weight in his heart ease; he drank deeply from his bowl and smiled. “Elder, I knew you would have a method to deal with the demon plague. Hearing your words, I am reassured.”

“However…” Peng Immortal hesitated.

Sansi gratefully asked, “However what? Elder, speak plainly. Whatever you ask of me, I will do.”

“To be honest, we have already located the demon’s trail, but night has fallen. We plan to set out tomorrow morning to exterminate it. I hope you will join us, Young Master Sansi.”

“Ha! Is that all? The demon plague threatens all humanity—this is my duty. The Realm of Demonic Beasts acts with great righteousness, aiding the mortal world in times of peril. I shall do everything in my power to assist you.”

“Good, Young Master Sansi, eat well. Once you’ve finished, I’ll arrange a place for you to rest. Tomorrow morning I’ll call for you.”

After the meal, Peng Immortal’s wife made up a wooden bed with a mat. Ye Sansi lay down, but sleep eluded him; one leg propped up, he pondered his worries.

He thought of Ling Shuang. He had promised her—to accompany her for life, protect her for life, love her for life—yet on the very day after making that vow, he left without saying goodbye. He had expected danger on this journey beyond the city, feared he might die and Ling Shuang would remember him forever. So he had asked Taiyi to speak those heartless words. Sansi himself loved Ling Shuang, wished to remain beside her, but his life was not destined for peace.

He could not stand by and watch Lingzhou fall, nor its people become puppets of the demon, nor could he bear to see Ling Shuang, Taiyi, and Nian’er in danger. Thus, he must step forward, risk himself for those he cared for, only then could his heart be at ease.

The night passed swiftly. At dawn, Sansi awoke, having slept poorly with the demon plague weighing on his mind.

He rose and, not seeing Peng Immortal, inquired after him from a rabbit demon. He learned Peng Immortal had gone early to make arrangements for the demon’s extermination, leaving simple fare on the table. Sansi washed, ate a little, then went outside. On an open ground in the Demonic Beast Village, he found Peng Immortal and approached, bowing respectfully.

Peng Immortal patted Sansi’s shoulder, drawing him close, and addressed the assembled demons: “Fellow villagers, this is Young Master Ye Sansi, whom I just mentioned—skilled in martial arts, courageous and upright, possessed of a heroic heart. Last time, he helped me survive the heavenly tribulation—he is my benefactor.”

Ye Sansi greeted the demonfolk courteously.

Peng Immortal continued, “Yesterday, by order of the King, I gathered the village’s demons to purge the demon plague in Lingzhou. I have chosen you all. Any objections?”

The demonfolk shouted loudly, “The King’s command is our fortune! Whether we are scattered to dust or our souls dispersed, we shall fulfill the King’s will, without hesitation!”

Peng Immortal smiled, waving his hand gently. “Fellow villagers, your words are weighty. This mission is but to rid Lingzhou of a wicked demon and restore peace. This demon is no formidable foe—a junior who strayed from the path and gained unnatural strength. No need to panic; compared to your cultivation, he is but a spark. Our task is to prevent that spark from spreading.”

Ye Sansi saw the formidable lineup, felt reassured. The demonfolk accompanying him had centuries, even millennia, of cultivation. The demon would surely be easily dispatched. He smiled and said to Peng Immortal, “Elder, you still ask me to assist you? Seeing this force, what could I possibly do?”

“Young Master Sansi, think about it. Our Realm of Demonic Beasts is hidden from the world. If we went alone, it would surely cause trouble. But with you, things are different—the eradication of the demon plague would be credited to you alone, unrelated to our realm, sparing suspicion from the immortal cultivators.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll be the sole recipient of all the good reputation!”

Peng Immortal gave a few instructions to the demonfolk, then led the way. Sansi rode his treasured gourd, following behind.

After an hour’s journey, Peng Immortal halted. Sansi drew near on his gourd and asked, “Elder, what is it?”

Peng Immortal pointed to a stretch of farmland below. “Young Master Sansi, look—the demon is beneath this ground.”

“But this is farmland, with no place to hide.”

“The demon is in a subterranean cave. See how the crops have been neglected for ages? It seems the villagers have all become its puppets, hiding underground. Surrounded by puppet demon aura, it conceals its own demonic energy. Immortals of lesser cultivation would not detect it, but our demons are well acquainted with this aura—it cannot fool our noses.”

Ye Sansi scrutinized the terrain below, frowning. “Elder, the demon is underground, yet there is no entrance nearby. How do we get in?”

“A cave must first have an opening. If we can’t find one, we’ll make one ourselves. Old Jia, it’s up to you.”

“Yes.” One of the demons descended and transformed into its beast form, though Sansi did not recognize the creature. The beast leapt high, then burrowed into the soil, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Peng Immortal smiled smugly, asking Sansi, “Young Master Sansi, do you know what beast form that is?”

“I grew up in the mountains and have seen few beasts. Elder, this is…”

“His beast form is a pangolin, adept at burrowing, able to dig dozens of yards deep. Once he opens the passage, we’ll descend into the cave. From there, we still have a journey to reach the demon’s lair.”

Peng Immortal, the demonfolk, and Sansi waited above ground. Sansi peered into the hole—it was incredibly deep. In less than half the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the pangolin returned and nodded to Peng Immortal.

Peng Immortal said to Sansi, “Young Master Sansi, you are mortal. I fear you may be injured during the descent. Hold onto my arm, I’ll take you down.”

“Thank you, Elder.”

Peng Immortal and Sansi led the way, joined by five demons; four remained at the entrance, five hovered above, forming a net as Sansi had suggested to prevent the demon’s escape.

With such preparations, the demon would surely not flee.

Inside the cave, darkness reigned—one could not see their hand before their face. A demon spat out a ball of flame, illuminating the path.

The scale of the cave was magnificent, rivaling the splendor of the imperial palace. After a few steps, they saw a road paved with human ribs; on either side of the path, the walls were adorned with leg bones, arranged with a certain grim elegance.

Ye Sansi gritted his teeth and said angrily, “This is vile—such heaps of bones! How many innocents were slaughtered to build this? This demon is utterly depraved. I will kill it myself, to avenge these innocent people!”

Peng Immortal nodded in agreement. “Young Master Sansi, when the time comes, I will let you have the chance. The demon’s aura is growing stronger; another five hundred steps and we’ll arrive.”

At this, Sansi immediately slowed, moving forward carefully. Peng Immortal said, “Young Master Sansi, no need for such caution. The demon has exceptional hearing; even if you tread lightly, it will still sense us.”

“I don’t understand, Elder. Should we enter openly, then?”

“Precisely. When we dug the passage, the demon already sensed us. Yet it hasn’t moved—surely it believes we are no threat. When we are within a hundred paces, we’ll rush in together and try to capture it in one go.”

“Understood.”

At a hundred paces, Peng Immortal charged into the demon’s lair. The demon hung upside down from the cave ceiling, having long sensed intruders. As Peng Immortal rushed in, it loosened its grip, unfurled its wings—it was a bat demon, half-human, half-bat, grotesque and terrifying.

The demon opened its mouth and let out a scream. The soundwave sent Peng Immortal flying, and Ye Sansi quickly covered his ears—the echoing shriek gave the bat demon the upper hand.

Heaven’s Fury burst forth from Sansi’s hand.

Sensing the power of Heaven’s Fury, the bat demon descended, folding its wings. It spoke, “Young man, your sword is truly extraordinary, your hostility toward me immense. And these great demons—strangers to me—must you kill me? Since we are all demons, why not spare me? Otherwise, I will cast a spell to control this youth and make him take his own life—you won’t be able to stop it. How does that sound?”

Ye Sansi glanced up and saw a chair fashioned from skulls. Rage surged within him. “Despicable demon! Since we are here, how can we let you live? How can we allow you to harm any more innocents? Even if I, Ye Sansi, die here today, you will accompany me in death!”

“Young, but your words are bold. Take this!” In a flash, the demon was within ten paces of Sansi, extending its right claw, clenching its fist. Sansi was immobilized—the demon’s magic was powerful, binding him so tightly he could not break free, no matter how he struggled. Strangely, Peng Immortal, seeing Sansi in danger, did not intervene, nor did the other demonfolk; they stood by, watching.

The bat demon laughed, “Ha! Boy, it seems you’ve been deceived by these demons. I worried for my own life, but now I see they’ve brought me a meal. If I simply eat you, I might regret it—so I’ll make you my servant. Ha! Another strong ally—taking Lingzhou City will be easy!”

The bat demon transformed its right claw from a fist to a palm, releasing a wave of black energy toward Ye Sansi. Peng Immortal still did not act, only watched as the black aura enveloped Sansi. In a short time, the energy dissipated.

The bat demon laughed, “Ha! Welcome, my newest subject!”

Peng Immortal grew tense, eyes wide, staring at Sansi.

“What spell is this? It didn’t hurt me at all.” Ye Sansi was completely unaffected, rubbing his eyes.

The bat demon was stunned—it had not expected its demon plague to be ineffective against Sansi. It immediately lunged, claws out, intent on ending him.

Just as the bat demon attacked, Peng Immortal and the demonfolk finally acted. The demon was caught off guard, struck hard in the chest by Peng Immortal, followed by attacks from the five others, battering the bat demon relentlessly.

The bat demon beat its wings, finally breaking through the encirclement. It let out a cry in a different tone—curiously, this scream was not piercing. It seemed the bat demon was not attacking...