Volume I: Autumn Festival Chapter 26: A Fierce and Formidable Monster

The Demon-Slaying Ledger recorded every monster the man in the brocade robe had killed throughout his life; they were the battle achievements he held in high esteem. Yet, the strongest among them was merely an Ao-Yin. If he could slay a monster even more powerful than an Ao-Yin, he might be able to advance further within the Qutan Qingxuan Bureau.

With his long sword pointing diagonally at the ground, the man in the brocade robe gently smoothed his hair, his expression turning serious. His eyes locked onto Jiang Wang, poised and ready to strike.

In the corner near the moon gate, Xiao Yu also gripped her sword tightly. She watched the profile of the man in the brocade robe, her small face pale. During the upheaval at her home, when blood flowed like a river, she had seen this man while hiding in the shadows. She desperately wanted to rush out, but fearing she would bring trouble to her young master, she could only grit her teeth and remain where she stood.

Suddenly, a flash of sword light appeared within the Marquis's estate. The Qi of heaven and earth condensed. As the man in the brocade robe took a step forward, a formidable sword intent surged toward Jiang Wang. Jiang Wang swung his blade nonchalantly, instantly shattering that sword intent. The residual energy of the clash was so intense that the two cultivators in green and white robes felt as if they had been struck by lightning, involuntarily stumbling back several steps.

The sword strike from the man in the brocade robe was stronger than that of Cai Tanggu. Having experienced it firsthand, they were even more horrified by the terrifying strength of Master Jiang.

"Is that all you've got?" Jiang Wang repeated the same words the man had spoken to the two cultivators earlier.

It was evident that the power of the "Mirage" had grown stronger. If Cai Tanggu were to appear again, Jiang Wang was confident he could take his life in an instant.

The expression of the man in the brocade robe shifted slightly. Such a ferocious monster! He pointed his sword toward the firmament; the previously soft white clouds instantly swirled, and purple electric arcs darted through them. Accompanied by the low rumble of thunder, a massive bolt of energy crashed directly onto the spot where Jiang Wang stood!

The green-robed and white-robed cultivators scrambled into the air, fleeing to a safe distance. The banyan tree shuddered violently, its leaves falling in a rustle. The stone floor of the courtyard cracked inch by inch, and the surrounding walls suffered deep fissures; it seemed as though half of the Marquis's estate was about to be destroyed in an instant.

Jiang Wang’s eyes narrowed. He looked up at the descending energy and raised his blade to hack at it. Before the bolt could even touch the ground, it was shattered by the Long Night Blade. A fierce, wild wind swept outward, overturning the entire courtyard. Roof tiles crashed down, the banyan tree was stripped bare, and the rattan chair was splintered to pieces.

Jiang Wang looked at the scene, feeling a touch of annoyance. With a loud bang, Jiang Wang vanished from his spot, leaving a large crater in the ground. By the time he reappeared, he was only three inches away from the man in the brocade robe. The Long Night Blade in his hand, heavy with momentum, slammed ruthlessly into the man's chest.

*Pfft!* Blood sprayed out.

The man’s face twisted in agony as his body smashed through a wall and rolled out into Qixia Street. Buried under rubble, his body trembled slightly. He made the decisive choice to pass out.

"Master Jiang, did you kill him?" the white-robed cultivator asked, deeply shocked.

It was understandable that Jiang Wang did not fear the Yuyuan Academy of Qutan, as that place only taught the basics of cultivation, and those who truly achieved success rarely stayed there. But the Qingxuan Bureau was different; it was directly subordinate to the Emperor and held the greatest power in the court of the Sui Kingdom. To wantonly slay someone from the Qingxuan Bureau was equivalent to poking a hole in the sky. The white-robed cultivator could not help but be terrified.

Jiang Wang frowned. The man in the brocade robe was much stronger than Cai Tanggu. Although that strike just now had indeed been powerful, it surely wasn't the full extent of the "Mirage's" power. Had that force really become so strong that it killed the man outright?

Looking at the stunned A-Kong, Jiang Wang asked, "Who told you I was a monster?"

A-Kong pulled a steamed bun from her robes, intending to calm her nerves. She figured that since this monster was so powerful, harboring thoughts of revenge would only bring harm to others. She ate the bun earnestly, remaining silent.

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow. "Was it a young lady surnamed Shu?"

A-Kong subconsciously shook her head. Not Shu Ni? Jiang Wang found it strange; who else could it be besides Miss Shu? A-Kong hesitated, looking at Jiang Wang, then pulled another bun from her robes. Seeming to make a difficult decision, she handed it over and whispered, "Here, eat this. Please don't kill me."

Jiang Wang: "..."

He took the bun. It was still steaming hot. A-Kong looked relieved and turned to run away.

The green-robed cultivator immediately said, "Since we have already offended the Qingxuan Bureau, we might as well cut the weeds and pull up the roots." He made a move to chase A-Kong.

The white-robed cultivator blocked him, saying, "There are clearly others who know the truth. If we cannot ensure that only we know, it is impossible to truly wipe out the roots. Killing one is one thing, but if we kill both, there will be no room for maneuver."

The green-robed cultivator muttered, "You are just too cautious."

By the time A-Kong had run out of Qixia Street, the opportunity to silence her was already lost. Jiang Wang glanced at them and smiled. "Do not be so flustered."

He feared nothing more than an enemy's revenge. His only concern was that those who came for revenge would be too strong. Based on the current display of the "Mirage's" power, crushing a peak Dongming-realm cultivator was effortless. He was actually looking forward to seeing if he could hold his own against a grand cultivator above the Dongming realm.

"With Master Jiang here, we are naturally not flustered at all." Seeing Jiang Wang’s confidence, the green-robed cultivator felt quite stirred. He had never imagined he could stand against the Qingxuan Bureau; thinking of it now, he even felt a bit excited.

However, the white-robed cultivator remained terrified. Having studied at the Yuyuan Academy, he understood the horror of the Qingxuan Bureau far better than his companion. His heart was filled with conflict. He looked toward the wall that had been pierced, seeing only a pile of rubble; the man in the brocade robe was long gone.

His eyes widened instantly. "That man didn't die?!"

The green-robed cultivator heard this and looked over, angry. "He actually feigned death to escape? Is this the style of the Qingxuan Bureau?"

The white-robed cultivator breathed a sigh of relief. "It is better that he is alive. At least things haven't reached the worst-case scenario, and we won't bring a major figure from the Qingxuan Bureau down upon us."

Jiang Wang then said, "Go and investigate who brought the people from the Qingxuan Bureau here."

The motive was obvious. Someone wanted him dead. Although this had allowed him to gain better control over the "Mirage," as the white-robed cultivator feared, a behemoth like the Qingxuan Bureau, if convinced he was a monster, would be no small trouble. Even if Jiang Wang looked forward to more strong enemies, he was not looking to court death. If he could win, he should thank them, but otherwise, this was a deep blood feud.

...

A-Kong had run all the way out of Qixia Street. Just as she caught her breath, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Her body stiffened. As her large scythe appeared in her hand, a familiar voice sounded: "A-Kong, I can't hold on any longer. Get me out of here..."

"Old Six?" A-Kong turned back to look at the extremely disheveled man in the brocade robe. "You didn't die?"

The man in the brocade robe said weakly, "How rude, how can you call me by my full name? Don't talk, let's leave here quickly."

Tan Laoliu prided himself on his extensive experience in subduing demons, with dozens of pages in his Demon-Slaying Ledger. Yet, having spent his days hunting geese, he had been pecked in the eye by one. He felt quite ashamed.

A-Kong supported Tan Laoliu and headed straight for the Du residence. She watched her surroundings cautiously, fearing they were being followed. It took some time before they arrived at the Du family estate in South City Alley.

Du Heng was pacing back and forth in the main hall, cold sweat streaming down his face. He remembered waiting just like this when Cai Tanggu had gone to the Marquis's estate. A bad premonition immediately filled his heart.

Du Yanruo sat in the hall and said calmly, "Father, do not panic. If Cai Tanggu’s strength could rank in the top hundred of Dongming-realm cultivators, Master Tan ranks in the top fifty. The two are simply not on the same level. Jiang Wang is surely as good as dead."

Du Heng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "That may be so, but how can I not panic? You were far too bold. If there is any mistake, we will have no retreat left."

As they were speaking, a servant came to report, "Master Tan is back!"

Du Heng was overjoyed. If he had returned, did that mean it was done? Du Yanruo smiled slightly and stood up to go out. But the joy on the father and daughter’s faces froze the moment they saw Tan Laoliu.

"Master Tan... what happened to you?" Du Heng was panicked. This was not the scene he had hoped to see.

With tattered clothes and disheveled hair, Tan Laoliu hung his head in shame. "The monster was too ferocious; I am just a bit worse for wear."

Du Heng hurriedly asked, "Was the monster eradicated?"

They had only told Tan Laoliu that a monster was hiding in the Marquis of Xunyang’s estate. Du Yanruo had even secretly buried a painting—which had been shredded by the green-robed cultivators in the alley adjacent to the estate—in the corner of the wall outside the Marquis's house. Although the monster in the painting had been destroyed, a faint trace of demonic aura remained. They thought that as long as Tan Laoliu could sense the aura, their lie would not be easily seen through. By then, Tan Laoliu would certainly clash with Jiang Wang. With "conclusive evidence" of harboring a monster and refusing to admit it, the Qingxuan Bureau would have the full authority to execute him on the spot.

They had not expected that there really was a monster in the Xunyang Marquis's estate. If they had known, they would have lamented that heaven was on their side.

Supported by A-Kong, Tan Laoliu sat on the steps in front of the hall and forced a smile. "I destroyed the entire Marquis's estate; you should have seen the scene."

Du Heng said happily, "Master Tan, you have worked hard. You have helped the people of Hun City eliminate a scourge."

Tan Laoliu coughed dryly. "The Marquis's estate was indeed severely damaged, but the monster... it was so ferocious that I was slightly bested. But rest assured, I have always made subduing demons my duty. If I fail once, I will try again. But before I subdue the demon, I must first recuperate."

Du Heng and Du Yanruo looked at each other. Their joy was dampened once again. This man’s way of speaking was far too long-winded, making their emotions rise and fall, and they could not help but feel a surge of anger. Yet, knowing Tan Laoliu’s status, they had to swallow their fury.

Du Heng stumbled, his face turning pale. If the mission had failed and Jiang Wang investigated back to the Du family, what would he do? Du Yanruo was also in a daze. She had already deceived a high-ranking official of the Qingxuan Bureau into taking action; why was Jiang Wang still not dead?