Hong Yanzhi heard the gossiping voices of the little demons behind her, and her face instantly darkened.
Hua Ban drew a whip from his waist, turned around, and lashed it toward the few little demons who were gossiping so enthusiastically, cursing as he did:
“You stupid cats, what’s with all this gossiping? If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll cut out all your tongues!”
The little demons immediately rolled all over the ground, scattering and clinging together, clutching their heads and begging for mercy: “Please spare us, Commander Hua Ban! We know we were wrong, have mercy on us!”
Hong Yanzhi snorted coldly, her steps uninterrupted as she strode quickly into the cave.
Lin Xue followed behind, feeling increasingly uneasy.
She hoped she could successfully cure the Master of the Cave’s poison, then leave this den of demons together with Zhang Zongnian as soon as possible.
She must not run into that so-called Young Master Huzi.
The passage inside the cave was extremely spacious, wide enough for three or four large trucks to pass side by side.
The ground beneath their feet was level, paved with large slabs of bluestone, clean and tidy.
Some bioluminescent moss grew on the walls, casting a gentle glow that lit the passage with a shimmering radiance.
A few little demons, dressed in coarse gray cloth, were working hard with brooms to sweep the ground.
When they saw Hong Yanzhi enter, these little demons immediately stepped aside to the sides of the passage, kneeling down with their foreheads touching the ground.
Lin Xue was surprised to discover that each of these little demons had shifty eyes, pointy mouths, protruding teeth, and long rat tails trailing behind them.
They were actually rat demons!
In a den of cats, there were rats!
Cats and rats living together—truly a spectacle.
Hong Yanzhi didn’t spare a glance at the rat demons, holding her head high and proudly striding past their heads pressed to the ground.
Only after she walked far did the rat demons crawl up and continue with their work.
The group walked about a hundred meters and reached a crossroads.
Directly ahead was a grand hall.
Lin Xue glanced inside, and her view suddenly opened up.
The hall was as large as two football fields, able to accommodate over a thousand people for gatherings.
Although no sunlight entered, the hall was unexpectedly not dark at all.
The high domed ceiling was filled with glowing pearls and luminous stones, their brilliance making the entire hall seem like a dreamlike world.
At the very front, atop a high platform, stood a magnificent throne inlaid with pearls and treasures, covered in white tiger skin, exuding an impressive aura.
On the steps below the throne, two rows of redwood chairs were arranged in a V shape from high to low, each covered with thick carpets.
The hall was empty, with not a soul in sight—only a few rat demons in coarse gray clothes, butts raised, vigorously scrubbing the floor and walls.
Hong Yanzhi did not enter the hall, but stood at the crossroads and ordered the little demon attendants behind her: “Yuan Ding, Yuan Bao, the two of you stay here and await orders. Hei Zhua, take the other guards and escort this human cultivator to the Human Elixir Chamber and lock him up alone.”
“Yes, ma’am!” A black-clawed cat demon cupped his paws and, waving the large knife in his hand, barked orders to the other little demons: “Move! Follow me and take this brat to the Human Elixir Chamber!”
The little demons pointed their spears at Zhang Zongnian, shouting: “Move it!”
Zhang Zongnian turned his head and met Lin Xue’s gaze.
Lin Xue saw deep worry, desolation, and even a hint of farewell in his eyes.
He probably thought he was doomed.
Lin Xue tried to smile at him, hoping to set his mind at ease.
Zhang Zongnian looked at her a few times, but with the little demons urging him from behind, he had no choice but to turn away and follow Hei Zhua down the left passage.
Watching his back, Lin Xue’s heart was full of guilt.
Ever since this fellow saved her, it felt like she was always in his debt. Every time she tried to repay him, she ended up dragging him into another mess.
This favor, back and forth, when would it ever end?
Hong Yanzhi’s cold, proud voice sounded behind her: “Snake spirit, come with me.”
Lin Xue turned her head.
Hong Yanzhi had already entered the right passage with the remaining two little demons.
Lin Xue hurried to catch up and followed behind.
The right passage was a spiraling staircase, winding upwards.
They climbed the stairs for nearly a kilometer before entering a large karst cave dozens of meters across.
Lin Xue guessed that she was now right above the grand hall from before.
The cave branched out in many directions, each ending in a chamber.
Inside the cave stood four burly tiger demon guards with long spears. Upon seeing Hong Yanzhi, they all saluted in unison: “Greetings, Demon Princess!”
Hong Yanzhi nodded, heading straight for the widest passage in the center.
Under the watchful eyes of the tiger demons, Lin Xue slithered along, tail swaying, and, together with Yuan Ding and Yuan Bao, followed behind Hong Yanzhi.
Just as the four of them reached the entrance to the chamber at the end of the passage, they saw two little demons carrying out a dried corpse from within.
The corpse was a middle-aged man, dressed as a farmer. He was already dead, his eyes wide open, his twisted face full of terror, and not a trace of color left on his body.
Seeing Hong Yanzhi, the two little demons put down the corpse and saluted in unison: “Greetings, Demon Princess.”
Hong Yanzhi waved her hand and asked, “How is my father?”
One little demon replied, “The Master of the Cave’s strange poison flared up half a tea’s time ago. Mao Erliang, in charge, ordered me to bring a human elixir to the Master, who drained the blood and has managed to barely suppress the poison. He is resting in his bedchamber now.”
Looking at the corpse’s terrifying face, Lin Xue felt a wave of discomfort.
Another innocent life lost.
It was clear that this man had suffered immense fear before death.
Who knew whose son, husband, or father he was?
The pillar of a family dying here would spell catastrophe for those he left behind.
The world had gained yet another orphan, just as she had been in her past life.
This era was truly cruel and dark for ordinary people.
It was a pity her own abilities were weak; she could barely protect herself, let alone help others.
Just then, a weak, elderly voice called from inside the room: “Yanzhi, is that you? Come in.”
Hong Yanzhi waved for the two little demons to leave.
The two little demons carried the corpse away.
Yuan Ding and Yuan Bao stationed themselves at the doorway.
Hong Yanzhi led Lin Xue into the chamber.
After passing through a twisting corridor more than ten meters long, they entered the room.
Inside, it was spacious and luxuriously decorated. At first glance, Lin Xue almost thought she’d stepped into an antique luxury suite at a fancy hotel.
The dome overhead was set with dozens of luminous pearls, paired with softly glowing fluorite, resembling a deep night sky filled with stars, bathing the room in radiant light as bright as day.
The floor was covered with thick, expensive white fur carpeting, the long, soft pile muffling all footsteps, as if treading on clouds.
Around the room, purple sandalwood tables were adorned with coral, porcelain, jewels, and other rare decorations.
In the center, a massive bed carved from a single block of warm, lustrous jade was particularly eye-catching.
The bed was broad, its lines smooth and natural. Fine snow-colored blankets and piles of plush pillows covered it.
Delicate yellow veils hung from the canopy around the bed.
A frail, shriveled old man in silk clothes lay half-reclined on the bed, his face sickly as he looked toward them.
This old man’s transformation was quite complete, with no trace of beast form visible.
If she met him on the street, Lin Xue would think he was just a wealthy old gentleman.
He must be the Master of Luoyun Cave at Xixia Mountain.
A trace of blood stained the old man’s lips, and there was still a faint scent of blood in the air.
Thinking of this old demon grabbing the middle-aged man earlier and greedily sucking his blood, Lin Xue couldn’t help but feel nauseated and uneasy.
Hong Yanzhi turned her head to glance at Lin Xue.
Lin Xue understood, curled her snake tail, lowered herself, and respectfully bowed to the old man: “This humble girl Lin Xue greets the Master of the Cave.”
The old man’s eyes roved over Lin Xue, a flash of amazement in his gaze. He asked, “This little demon is…?”
Hong Yanzhi stepped forward, sat sideways at the bedside, and asked, “Father, how are you feeling? This snake spirit is the doctor I found for you. She can treat poisons. Father, please let her try.”
The old man shook his head, pointed to his right arm, and gave a bitter smile:
“Yanzhi, you know my condition. That damn rat’s poison is fierce. He bit my arm fifty years ago, and since then, I’ve consulted every demon physician around.”
“None of them could do anything about the poison in me, Hong Lao San. It can’t be cured—only drinking human blood helps me endure it bit by bit.”
“The best is the blood of cultivators, rich in spiritual energy, which can suppress the toxin.”
“Unfortunately, human cultivators are hard to catch. Now I can only use the blood of ordinary people, which is much less effective.”
“At the moment, the poison is just suppressed. I’ll probably need to feed again soon to hold it back.”
“If even the old demon physicians can’t do it, what makes you think a little snake spirit can cure me? It’s a bit too reckless.”
Hong Yanzhi said, “Father, I’ve already brought her. Let her try, just in case she really can cure you.”
The old man sighed helplessly, “Fine, fine.”
He beckoned Lin Xue: “Little snake spirit, come here.”
Lin Xue stood and walked to the bedside. “Please, Master of the Cave, roll up your sleeve.”
Hong Lao San, with an unconvinced look, rolled up his sleeve.
Lin Xue saw a bite scar on his arm, surrounded by a large area of swollen, blood-red flesh.
She silently prayed: “Guanyin Bodhisattva, Jade Emperor, Grand Supreme Elder Lord, Jesus Christ, please let this Wood Spirit Detoxification Technique work!”
Taking a deep breath, she activated the Wood Spirit Detoxification Technique, and a wooden spike appeared in her hand.
She inserted the spike near the bite on Hong Lao San’s arm.
Emerald-green at first, the spike began absorbing red, and the swelling on Hong Lao San’s arm started to fade.
It worked!
The Wood Spirit Detoxification Technique could indeed cure the old cat’s poison!
Lin Xue’s heart leapt with joy.
The wooden spike quickly turned entirely blood-red, swollen with poison in moments.
Lin Xue conjured a few more spikes and swapped out the first one.
With the combined effort of several wooden spikes, the swelling on Hong Lao San’s arm rapidly subsided, and before long, his right arm was completely restored—aside from the bite scar, there was no trace of injury.
Lin Xue exhaled in relief and pulled out all the wooden spikes.
Hong Lao San stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, glancing back and forth between his arm and Lin Xue, hardly able to believe the poison that had tormented him for decades had completely disappeared.
His face lit up with delight and disbelief as he exclaimed, “Oh my, incredible! One truly cannot judge by appearances. Who would have thought the poison that tormented me for decades would be cured by a little snake demon!”
He slapped the table and shouted, “Reward! A heavy reward is due!”
He turned to Hong Yanzhi: “Yanzhi, you must reward this little snake demon well for your father!”
Hong Yanzhi was also overjoyed and happily said, “Congratulations, Father, on your recovery and return to health!”
Hong Lao San burst into hearty laughter.
Lin Xue took the opportunity to kneel and say, “Congratulations to the Master of the Cave on your restored health. I seek no reward, only that the Master and Demon Princess allow my brother and me to leave, and return my Flying Magical Artifact to me.”
With the Flying Magical Artifact, she could take Zhang Zongnian away.
Without a means of transport, if that Yang Family Ancestor came chasing again, escape would be impossible.
Hong Lao San paused, then asked Hong Yanzhi, “Brother? Flying Magical Artifact? What’s this about?”
Hong Yanzhi smiled, “Just some trivial matters. I’ll explain it all to you later, Father.”
Hong Lao San laughed, “Very well, I’ll leave it all to you. I’ve been tormented by this poison all day and am quite fatigued.”
Hong Yanzhi stood up and said, “Then I won’t disturb your rest, Father.”
But Hong Lao San said, “Wait, I have a few words for you.”
Hong Yanzhi looked at Lin Xue and gestured outside: “Wait outside for now.”
Lin Xue rose, bowed, and said, “This humble girl takes her leave.”
She turned and left the room.
At the entrance, standing with Yuan Ding and Yuan Bao, Lin Xue felt infinitely relieved.
She rejoiced inwardly: The Wood Spirit Detoxification Technique really worked.
Truly a divine skill!
Now she could finally take Zhang Zongnian and leave safely.
This ordeal had passed without mishap.
She probably wouldn’t run into that Young Master Huzi who loved to torment and torture female demons.
How fortunate.
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