Du Niangzi rushed to the courtyard gate, reaching out to pull it open, ready to sound the alarm and call for the Demon Troops.
Ever since she began teaching the newly arrived female demons the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Life-Extension Grand Method on behalf of Hei Pi Yao Wang, her Qian Si Yuan had become a critical stronghold guarded by the Demon Troops.
The second-in-command, Zong-Lie, had set up layer upon layer of defenses here, and if any abnormality was detected, a large force of Demon Troops and Demon Generals would arrive immediately.
This female demon’s cultivation couldn’t be discerned, but her movements were exceptionally fierce.
Du Niangzi wasn’t sure if she could defeat the opponent.
But since there was an option to gang up, why fight alone?
Actually, she could have screamed in the courtyard to summon nearby Demon Troops.
But just now, after Lin Xue and the other female demons had been sent here, she had, out of habit, wrapped her courtyard in spider silk to prevent any foolish female demons from sneaking out while she wasn’t paying attention.
Although there were Demon Troops guarding outside and, even if a female demon escaped, she wouldn’t get far, if anyone managed to slip out from under her watch, Du Niangzi would be blamed by Hei Pi Yao Wang and Leader Zong-Lie for her poor supervision.
So, every time new female demons arrived, Du Niangzi would tightly seal her courtyard with layers of spider silk, strictly confining the newcomers within.
This spider silk was extremely soundproof.
Therefore, if she shouted an alarm inside, the Demon Troops outside wouldn’t hear a thing.
Now, with Lin Xue attacking her relentlessly from behind, it was too late to withdraw those strong threads.
Her only option was to open the courtyard gate so her voice could reach the outside, alerting the Demon Troops that something was amiss.
Du Niangzi’s hand had already grasped the door handle—just one pull, and the door would open.
There were more than a dozen Demon Troops in direct sight of the gate, and a powerful demon at the Core Formation stage was patrolling by with a Patrol Squad.
As soon as she opened her mouth, that demon leader and all the Demon Troops would swarm in.
That beautiful, fairy-like female demon would be captured on the spot, dragged to the Torture Chamber, and suffer endless torment.
Thinking of this, Du Niangzi’s heart was filled with delight.
What she enjoyed most was watching women prettier than her suffer every manner of torture.
A sinister, venomous smile crept onto Du Niangzi’s lips.
Suddenly, a fan flew past her eyes—she couldn’t tell who had thrown it.
The fan looked quite ordinary, like the cheapest kind bought casually from a human town. The fan’s surface was painted with a large eye.
Spinning, the fan whirled past Du Niangzi and dropped to the ground.
She glanced at the fan and snorted with disdain.
Did they really think throwing a little fan could stop her from opening the door?
This little demon girl must be desperate, tossing anything she could grab at me.
With ridicule and a venomous smile, Du Niangzi yanked open the main door and dashed out, raising her sharp voice and shouting at the top of her lungs:
“Help! We’re under attack!”
Outside, the Core Formation demon leader with the Patrol Squad happened to be passing by.
Hearing her shrill cry, he bellowed and led his squad of Demon Troops charging into the courtyard.
All around, more and more Demon Troops rushed over, weapons in hand.
Some, as they ran, pulled horns from their waists and blew into them.
“Woooo—!” “Woooo—!”
The horns rang out, rough and deep, rallying the Demon Troops and Demon Generals nearby.
More and more Demon Troops poured in, soon surrounding the entire Qian Si Yuan so tightly that not even water could seep through.
Du Niangzi turned around in triumph, looking back into the courtyard.
Inside, that fairy-like beauty was now pale-faced.
Seeing the Demon Troops and Demon Generals closing in, encircling the courtyard in a tight net, she dropped her short dagger, her face filled with panic and confusion, completely at a loss.
Soon, she was seized by the swarming Demon Troops, tightly bound, her face ashen as she was dragged out.
Suddenly, someone shouted, “The Mountain Lord is here!”
Instantly, the Demon Troops parted to make a path. All the Demon Troops and Demon Generals dropped to their knees, shouting in unison, “Greetings, Mountain Lord!”
Du Niangzi also knelt with the others, wondering, Why has the Mountain Lord been alarmed?
Since his lifespan was nearing its end, Hei Pi Yao Wang rarely left his Palace after relying on absorbing female demons for Life-Extension.
Yet now, Hei Pi Yao Wang strode over in great strides, swift and vigorous, Zong-Lie following closely behind, stopping right before the female demon.
The female demon, pressed down by Demon Troops and kneeling before Hei Pi Yao Wang, pleaded for mercy:
“Spare me, Mountain Lord! I was forced by Leader Hei-Feng—I had no choice but to obey his orders and pose as your Life-Extension concubine, here to disrupt your cultivation. I had no other way but to yield to his coercion. Please, Mountain Lord, spare my life!”
Hei Pi Yao Wang’s face turned purple with rage.
He ground his teeth. “That damned Hei-Feng! To think I trusted him so much, and he’s actually waiting for me to die? Zong-Lie!”
Zong-Lie, behind him, cupped his hands. “Here!”
Hei Pi Yao Wang commanded, “Take your men and follow me—hunt down Hei-Feng immediately! I will cleanse my household myself!”
Zong-Lie was overjoyed. “As you command!”
Hei Pi Yao Wang glanced down at the kneeling female demon, pointing at her. “Since this demon was forced by Hei-Feng, her life will be spared, but punishment is still due. Take her away—flay her skin!”
The female demon’s face contorted with terror and she collapsed, limp.
Next, Hei Pi Yao Wang turned his gaze to Du Niangzi, pointing at her. “Du Niangzi, you uncovered Hei-Feng’s scheme in time and have rendered a great service—you shall be rewarded! After peeling that demon’s skin, the pelt will be yours!”
Then, with a gentle expression, he said to Du Niangzi, “When I return from cleansing my household, I’ll teach you a set of the Changing Skin Technique. You’ll be able to wear that pelt and become as beautiful as her.”
Upon hearing this, Du Niangzi was so happy her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
Looking at that female demon’s stunning, fairy-like appearance, she thought that she too could become so beautiful one day.
At once, Du Niangzi rejoiced, bowing deeply.
“Thank you, Mountain Lord, for your grace! Du Niangzi will never fail your generosity, and from this day forth, will serve you with all my heart and soul!”
……
Lin Xue watched as Du Niangzi pounced to the door, mouth wide open, clearly about to call the Demon Troops outside, and her heart sank heavily.
A trace of despair surged up inside her.
Du Niangzi was truly cunning and sinister—she’d managed to break free of Lin Xue’s control in just a moment’s distraction.
Now, trying to hold a knife to her throat again and force her to obey was no longer realistic.
Does this mean she could only choose the worst outcome and kill this poisonous spider directly?
But killing Du Niangzi would only solve the immediate problem. How would she clean up the aftermath?
Gritting her teeth, a cold glint flashed in Lin Xue’s eyes.
There was no time to hesitate.
She’d just have to take things one step at a time.
First, get past this crisis!
Demonic energy surged within her, and she was about to unleash the Swiftwind Sword Manual in a desperate strike at Du Niangzi, when she saw Hong Yanzhi rush forward and hurl something at Du Niangzi with all her might.
The object flew to Du Niangzi, hovered in front of her face, and with a whoosh, the fan opened.
Lin Xue took a closer look—it was the fan Lang Buping had given to Hong Yanzhi before they parted.
Her heart leapt with joy.
Fan Eye!
That’s right! How could I have forgotten about this treasure!
Du Niangzi had already gripped the door handle and was about to throw open the door and dash out, but her movements suddenly halted.
She stood there, staring fixedly at the fan, unmoving, as if hypnotized.
It worked!
Lin Xue let out a long, relieved breath.