Chapter Fifty: The Banishment of the Bat Demon

The bat demon’s shout, surprisingly, carried no hostility. It was not harsh, but its resonance was wide, reaching the ears of the nine demons stationed outside to block any escape.

Peng Immortal, unsure of the demon’s intentions, asked, “What are you doing? Calling your puppets to rescue you?”

The bat demon laughed heartily and replied, “I’m not that foolish. My kin are too far away to reach me in time. But I can summon them to die with me.”

Hearing this, Ye Sansi grew anxious and called out, “How dare you!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare? If I am to die, why not have company on the road to the underworld? But if you leave now, I will not harm them. My recent shout merely instructed them to place blades at their throats. Should I cry out once more, the blades will fall. Consider carefully—whose life is worth more: mine, or theirs?”

“Despicable,” Ye Sansi muttered, helpless despite his fury, gripping the Heaven’s Wrath sword tightly. Yet with the people of Lingzhou as hostages, even his anger was powerless.

Peng Immortal stepped close and said quietly, “Young Master Sansi, isn’t this the demon you’ve wanted to destroy? Go ahead.”

“But if I kill it, what will become of the people of Lingzhou? Are we to watch them die by their own hands?”

Peng Immortal laughed. “You are truly honest, young master. You believe everything this demon says? Since my king knows the demon’s power, would he ever risk the lives of the people? The creatures circling outside belong to the Blood Bat King and are far more formidable than this bat. Blocking its voice is a trivial matter for them.”

“In that case…” Before he finished, Ye Sansi used the Blazing Capture Step to dash at the bat demon, while Peng Immortal cast a spell to boost his speed and strength. The bat demon, suppressed by the aerial sovereign, tried to retaliate with a sonic attack, but just as it opened its mouth, Heaven’s Wrath pierced its throat and body.

Bat demon blood soaked the blade, making Heaven’s Wrath shine with a chilling light that all the distant demons could sense. Ye Sansi traced the wound and split open the demon’s body. When its aura faded, he drew out his sword and kicked the corpse, which instantly froze and shattered to pieces.

Peng Immortal approached, waved his sleeve, and gathered the frozen remains into an orb of ice. Producing nine kinds of herbs from his robes, he blended them into the orb. With five other demon envoys, he performed a ritual for the time it takes incense to burn. Gradually, the ice ball shrank, transforming into a glowing purple elixir.

Peng Immortal handed the purple elixir to Ye Sansi. “Young master, this is the bat demon’s essence and power, combined with celestial herbs. It holds extraordinary strength. In dire need, take it and your power will increase ten thousandfold for the length of half a stick of incense. It will be of great use to you.”

“Thank you, elder. But what about the demon plague in Lingzhou…”

“No need to hurry. Though the demon is dead, the plague remains, but the puppets will regain some awareness. Still, they’ll be sluggish, directionless without the demon’s command.”

“What can be done? We can’t have the people of Lingzhou remain as simpletons.”

Peng Immortal smiled. “Of course not. Our king has a solution, but it will require your effort, young master.”

Ye Sansi bowed. “Elder Peng Immortal, what is the method? Please tell me. For the sake of the people, no matter the hardship, I will do it.”

“It is not so difficult, but will take some time. Listen carefully. The plague is a vile demonic spell, rooted in the art itself. Dispelling it is not hard: you must absorb and scatter the demonic power from the puppets.”

“How does one absorb and scatter it?”

“Our king has taught me the method. Once we’re back on the surface, I’ll teach you. For someone as clever as you, it will take only a few hours to learn.”

Once aboveground, Peng Immortal began teaching Sansi the Essence Devouring Art—a small segment of the true technique, sufficient to absorb demonic power and make it his own. This art was one of the most formidable in the demon realm; even the demon king no longer knew it, and only the king of the otherworldly demons had mastered it.

To Peng Immortal’s surprise, though the part he taught was small, it was intricate. He himself took half a day to master it, earning praise for his comprehension. Yet Ye Sansi needed only half an hour to become adept.

Seeing this, Peng Immortal said, “Young master, your grasp is far beyond mine. I noticed you possess a magic gourd. This will make the task easier. Fly on your gourd and use the art from above—the evil energy in the puppets will be drawn to you and scattered. With time, you can gather and purify it all.”

“Thank you, elder. I will not delay.”

“The evil energy pervades all of Lingzhou. It will take a long journey, working place by place. We must protect the Otherworldly Demon Realm and cannot help you. Forgive us.”

“Elder, you have already saved the people of Lingzhou. I will remember this debt my whole life. If the Otherworldly Demon Realm ever needs me, say the word, and I’ll help with all my strength.”

Peng Immortal nodded kindly at the youth before him. The other demons, ancient and powerful as they were, admired Sansi’s chivalrous heart—rescuing the people with no thought for reward, never forgetting kindness shown.

Sansi parted from Peng Immortal and the demons, flying alone on his treasure gourd to save the people of Lingzhou.

At that time, in Lingzhou City…

Afternoon had passed and Ling Shuang had not eaten a bite, remaining in her room and seeing no one, with only Nian’er for company. Seeing that Ling Shuang had not eaten since yesterday’s midday, Nian’er worried for her health and went to fetch some food from the dining hall, bringing a portion for Taiyi as well. Since the Second Elder had unlocked his Binding Lock, Taiyi had slept the whole time—perhaps, like Ling Shuang, he was too anxious about Sansi’s safety to face reality.

Nian’er entered Taiyi’s room, put down the food, hoping he would not wake hungry, and sighed with confusion: Why had Young Master Ye left without a word? Why had he immobilized Taiyi?

She did not want to dwell on it. In her heart, Sansi was the embodiment of justice and kindness. How could he leave in such haste, or cause Taiyi to be bound for three hours? Since last night, she had tried to reason it out: perhaps Sansi went to visit Sister Fox Immortal, or to Qingyang, or to return to Buyun Mountain. But none explained his wordless departure. She could only wait for Taiyi to wake and explain.

Returning to her room, Nian’er set the food before Ling Shuang, placing out the dishes one by one. “Look at these dishes, the colors are so tempting. They must taste delicious.”

“I’m not eating. I have no appetite.”

“No appetite? Are you worried about Young Master Ye?”

“Nonsense. I’m not worried about him. I’m angry! He left without a word, promised to teach me swordsmanship but didn’t, promised me he would… Anyway, I’m angry! I hope he never comes back. He always causes trouble. Good riddance.”

“Oh, Ling Shuang, you’re so stubborn. Everyone can see you’re just worried. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have fainted from anxiety last night.”

“I—I fainted because I was mad.”

“Fine, fine, you were mad. But the food is getting cold. Have some.”

“No, I’m not hungry.”

“Think of it this way—try the dishes, so when Young Master Ye returns, you’ll know which ones suit his taste best. You know what he likes better than anyone. Besides, if he comes back tonight and you want to scold him, how can you do it on an empty stomach?”

“That makes sense. I’ll eat, mainly so I have the strength to scold him.”

Nian’er quickly filled a bowl for her. Though Ling Shuang claimed to have no appetite, she was famished and devoured the rice, tasting each dish carefully, occasionally commenting on them as Sansi would. Nian’er could not help but smile at her antics.

After eating, Ling Shuang calmed, no longer so anxious about Sansi, and spent over an hour practicing martial arts with Nian’er. When exhausted, she returned to her room.

Fearing Ling Shuang would brood in idleness, Nian’er took the chance to teach her embroidery. Ling Shuang was reluctant—she wasn’t skilled and her phoenixes resembled little chicks—but under Nian’er’s gentle persuasion, she embroidered another chick.

Just then, Taiyi finally awoke, sitting up abruptly and calling, “Brother Sansi!” Ling Shuang and Nian’er, separated only by a wall, heard him and hurried to his room.

Ling Shuang burst in. “Taiyi, you’re finally awake. Where’s Sansi? Why did he leave without a word? Why did he bind you? Why did you stay frozen so long?”

Still groggy and dizzy from rising so quickly, Taiyi stammered, “Well…”

Nian’er gently pulled Ling Shuang back. “Calm down, Ling Shuang. Taiyi just woke up, he’s still weak. Let him rest a moment before answering.” She went to the table, opened the food, and said, “The food is cold, but the buns are still edible. Eat something, then answer Ling Shuang’s questions.”

Taiyi took a bun, bit into it, chewed a few times, then said, “Brother Sansi… Brother Sansi… He missed Uncle Shu, so he went back to Buyun Mountain…”

Ling Shuang pointed at him. “Don’t lie to me, Taiyi. How could Sansi leave for Buyun Mountain on such important business without telling us? Why would he go alone, and why would he bind you so you couldn’t go?”

“That’s exactly it. The demon plague outside Lingzhou is rampant. Sansi knew he couldn’t leave Lingzhou by his own power, so he borrowed the magic gourd from the Treasury and flew to Buyun Mountain. He was afraid you’d want to go with him and draw the Second Elder’s suspicion, ruining his plan. He bound me because I wanted to accompany him. His exact words were, ‘Taiyi, look after Ling Shuang for me. If she loses weight while I’m gone, I won’t forgive you.’ But I still wanted to go along, so he bound me for your safety.”

Hearing that Sansi had said this, Ling Shuang couldn’t help but smile, a hint of joy in her eyes. “Fine, that does sound like something Sansi would say. As the young lady, I’ll let it go and forgive that wild boy—for now.”