Chapter Nine: Encountering a Demon at Sea

The next morning, as the sun rose over the sea, Tianhai Village awoke from its quiet slumber and returned to its bustling state. Merchant ships large and small shuttled to and fro, and every villager wore a smile. They knew that today, immortals would rid them of the monster—this meant a happier life awaited them.

Sunlight streamed into the inn, casting a golden beam across Liu Lingshuang’s face. She awoke early, lying in bed, lost in thought and worry for her home—Liu Manor of Lingzhou City. Realizing it was getting late and remembering the important task ahead, she rose, coughed a few times, and called out, “You two lazybones, get up! We still have a monster to subdue.” Woken by her call, Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi rose, washed up, and went downstairs together.

The innkeeper’s assistant spotted them and hurried to greet them, calling to the kitchen, “The immortals are up! Serve the food!” At his words, plates of delicacies quickly filled the table. The innkeeper approached, saying, “This is by the village chief’s special order—our immortals must eat and drink well.”

Ye Sansi grinned sheepishly. “You’re all so kind! With so much good food, I won’t stand on ceremony.” With that, he fell to eating with gusto. Liu Lingshuang smiled at him, “Ye Sansi, eat a bit slower. No one’s competing with you.” Li Taiyi added, “Exactly, Brother Sansi, don’t stuff yourself too much. It’ll be hard to fight monsters on a full stomach.” Ye Sansi nodded vigorously but didn’t slow his pace.

The innkeeper watched Ye Sansi’s ravenous eating and whispered to the assistant, “Do you think these immortals are reliable? The chief has invited plenty of immortals before to subdue the monster, but they either never returned or claimed they saw nothing. I suspect they’re just charlatans after food, drink, and money. What do you think of these three?” The assistant replied, “Hard to say. We ordinary folk can’t discern who’s genuine or fake. Let’s hope they’re the real deal.”

Before long, Ye Sansi wiped his mouth with his sleeve, burped loudly, and stood up. “Can’t eat too much, that’s enough. Lingshuang, Taiyi, let’s go.” Liu Lingshuang shook her head. “Not too much? You’ve nearly finished the whole table! You really do eat like a wild child.” Ye Sansi scratched his head in embarrassment. Li Taiyi also rose. “Alright, we should be on our way.”

The village chief came to see them off, bowing respectfully. “Immortals, please be extremely careful.” Li Taiyi returned the gesture. “Thank you for the warning. After we subdue the monster, we’ll proceed directly to Qingyang City. I’ll place a wooden sign halfway up the mountain—when you see it, you may pass safely.” The chief nodded and personally escorted the three to the village entrance. “Immortals, we part here. We of Tianhai Village can never repay your great kindness.” Liu Lingshuang waved her hand. “Chief, return home. Leave the monster to us.”

The chief watched their figures slowly disappear, sighing deeply and praying in his heart: May the immortals subdue the monster and keep Tianhai Village safe.

They entered the rear mountain, a forest less dense than the one near Li Family Village. None of the three spoke; each was preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Ye Sansi, once carefree on Mount Buyun, had since met the generous and warm Liu Lingshuang, whose patience and kindness had touched him, and Li Taiyi, mature and steady, who had once saved his life and been generous in all things. He didn’t want to lose them. He knew the dangers they faced, and having felt the pain of separation from loved ones, he understood that it was cherishing what he had that made him fear loss.

Liu Lingshuang knew she might die in this nameless wilderness. She had been the young lady of Liu Manor, destined to master the arts and live as a noblewoman, but peace had never suited her. She craved adventure, and sometimes, a single passion could alter the course of one’s life.

Li Taiyi was aware that, of the three, his cultivation was the highest. If he could not defeat the monster, Ye Sansi and Liu Lingshuang would surely die. The weight of responsibility pressed upon him, nearly suffocating.

An hour later, the trees thinned further, replaced by a carpet of wildflowers and a peculiar fragrance in the air. After another hundred paces, a massive boulder came into view, standing out in the clearing. Breaking the silence, Ye Sansi said, “Lingshuang, Taiyi, you two hide. I’ll act as bait.” As he headed towards the boulder, Liu Lingshuang grabbed his arm. “I haven’t even spoken yet, and you think you should be the bait? If anyone goes, it’s me.” Li Taiyi interjected, “Let me go. My cultivation is highest, and I can protect myself. Brother Sansi, Miss Lingshuang, you two stay hidden. If I can’t win, you can escape first.”

Ye Sansi gripped Skyfury, swinging it lightly. “Look, I have Skyfury with me. I’ll be safe. Both of you have greater skills than I do; I’m the best bait.” He patted his chest. “See how strong I am? If the monster isn’t interested in you, what then? Let me go.” Li Taiyi frowned, knowing he couldn’t change Ye Sansi’s mind, and reluctantly agreed. “Brother Sansi, be careful.”

Liu Lingshuang, anxious, tried to hold Ye Sansi back, but Taiyi stopped her. She looked at him, her voice trembling. “Taiyi, you know Sansi is only strong. He doesn’t know any immortal arts! What do we do?” Li Taiyi comforted her, “Don’t worry. Brother Sansi may lack magic, but Skyfury is a supreme treasure. It will keep him safe.” Though worried, Liu Lingshuang saw Sansi had already gone and could only nod.

Ye Sansi approached the boulder. Li Taiyi and Liu Lingshuang hid themselves. Sansi sat against the stone, nerves taut, more cautious than when hunting wild boar on Mount Buyun. Failing at hunting meant hunger; this time, a mistake meant death.

Another hour passed. It was noon. Ye Sansi, growing tired, relaxed slightly. As he was about to rise and stretch, he heard footsteps by the boulder. Peering out, he saw a young maiden of delicate figure, a strange fragrance about her. Before he could speak, the girl asked, “Will you escort me home?” Ye Sansi tensed, silent.

Hidden, Li Taiyi and Liu Lingshuang gripped their weapons, ready to spring out. The girl repeated, “Will you escort me home?” Ye Sansi glanced at Skyfury, which showed no sign of reaction. He thought, “Skyfury, of all times to be asleep!”

Again, the girl asked, “Will you escort me home?” Ye Sansi, still silent, thought she didn’t seem like a monster, and Skyfury hadn’t reacted—he was at a loss. Seeing his silence, the girl softly murmured, “Not him,” and turned to leave.

Ye Sansi, thinking of the villagers slain by the monster, was filled with anger. He called after her, “I will. I’ll take you home.” The girl’s eyes, previously dim, now shone with excitement. Before Ye Sansi could react, she flicked her sleeve, and darkness overtook him.

Li Taiyi and Liu Lingshuang rushed out. Taiyi transformed his sword—now nine swords, striking at the monster from nine directions. Liu Lingshuang stamped her foot, forming a seal, trying to bind the monster with the Universe Lock. But the monster’s power surpassed theirs. With a casual wave, eight swords shattered. Liu Lingshuang tried to rescue Ye Sansi, but was struck down by the monster’s palm and lost consciousness.

Only Li Taiyi remained. He drew a talisman, attaching it to his sword. The charm ignited, flames enveloping the blade. Taiyi advanced, sneering, “Monster, dare to test yourself against my divine fire?” (This was a charm made by my father—once fused with the sword, it becomes divine fire, deadly to any monster. Let’s see what this one can do.)

Leaping into the air, Li Taiyi raised his sword and struck. The divine fire turned to a scorching blade of energy, slashing toward the monster. The monster did not dodge. Taiyi laughed inwardly. (Foolish monster, you think you can withstand my divine fire.)

The monster raised her hand, summoning the fallen blossoms to form a shield. The sword energy broke the shield and forced her back a few steps.

Taiyi was pleased, but on closer inspection, saw the monster unharmed. Before he could react, a wave of flowers struck him, knocking him to the ground. He tried to rise, but the monster waved her sleeve and he fainted.

Ye Sansi woke slowly. What he saw matched the scholar’s story exactly—bones scattered everywhere. He struggled, but was firmly bound by vines. Turning his head, he saw Lingshuang and Taiyi also tied up.

He shouted, “Lingshuang! Taiyi! Wake up!” Liu Lingshuang opened her eyes, found herself immobile, and, seeing the bones, screamed, “Ye Sansi, this—this—this is the monster’s lair, isn’t it? What do we do? All three of us are caught, and even Taiyi lost. We’re dead this time!”

Ye Sansi tried to comfort her. “Lingshuang, don’t be afraid. I’m here. When the monster appears, I’ll fight with all I’ve got. You take Taiyi and run.” Tears welled up in Liu Lingshuang’s eyes. “Run? Run where? The monster’s too powerful. How can we escape? Taiyi’s still unconscious and looks hurt. Besides, we’re all tied up.”

“Wait, we still have Skyfury!” Ye Sansi struggled until one hand was free. With a flick of his wrist, Skyfury flew in from outside the cave. Ye Sansi laughed, “Ha! That monster must’ve thought Skyfury was just a trinket and left it by the boulder. We’re saved. Skyfury, help free us!” As he spoke, the icy aura from Skyfury froze the vines binding them. With a bit of force, the vines shattered. Liu Lingshuang quickly freed Li Taiyi and slung his arm over her shoulder.

Ye Sansi took Skyfury and said to Liu Lingshuang, “Lingshuang, before the monster notices, take Taiyi and leave. I’ll cover your escape.”

Liu Lingshuang wiped her tears. “Let’s go together. Why stay behind?” Ye Sansi replied gravely, “This monster’s magic is beyond us. You take Taiyi and go. If the monster doesn’t appear within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I’ll leave too. Go—quickly!”

“Alright, Sansi, be careful.” With those words, Liu Lingshuang supported Li Taiyi and hurried toward the cave entrance.

But after only a few steps, the exit sealed itself. From deep within the cave came a chilling voice: “Going? Where do you think you’re going?”