Chapter 113: Out of Compassion, I Shall Preach to You

Zhang Kai stayed in the performance hall for five days. Aside from enjoying various services, he was teaching Qiuzi the Eight Slash of Heaven and Earth.

The so-called Eight Slash was a distillation of eight ancient Japanese martial sword techniques gleaned from movies and TV dramas. Each slash, when perfected, wielded considerable power—referencing the legendary warrior Zuo Qianhu as a benchmark.

However, great power naturally meant great difficulty.

After five days of training, Qiuzi had only just grasped the basics of the Phantom Slash.

Even so, its power shocked Qiuzi profoundly.

This single slash contained countless variations. Though called one slash, it actually encompassed dozens of attack styles, each a deadly move.

What amazed Qiuzi most was that this slash could harness its own inherent energy. In other words, one strike could amplify nearly half of his original power. This was just the beginning; if fully mastered, unleashing several times the power with one slash was entirely possible.

This realization deepened Qiuzi’s reverence for Zhang Kai.

A technique so formidable it could sever gods and demons was considered unremarkable by this man?

Then what kind of strength did Zhang Kai truly possess?

No wonder, while all other supernatural beings feared the Celestial Majesty’s power, he moved freely and unscathed.

Was the Celestial Empire truly that terrifying?

To have nurtured such an existence?

At that moment, the Celestial Empire, already deeply taboo in Qiuzi’s mind, became even more formidable. He resolved not to offend its people excessively in the future for fear of invoking some terrible force—one whose wrath would leave death a mystery.

Yet Qiuzi was unaware at that time.

As he practiced the Phantom Slash, the overflowing blade intent could not be concealed. It sent chills through the air. Nearby monitoring demons sensed it—an unsettling, bone-chilling sensation.

Soon, word spread from the performance hall: Qiuzi had encountered a Celestial Empire master, received a peerless sword technique from him, and was currently training. Once mastered, he would dominate the entire Netherworld.

This news unsettled all the demons.

A mere small-time performance hall owner, a mediocre demon at best, worthy of receiving a Celestial Empire master’s secret teachings? And aspiring to dominate the Netherworld?

Ridiculous.

Unable to sit still, the demon leaders gathered and stormed toward the performance hall.

That day, the area around the hall fell silent. The usual bustle vanished; not a single demon or evil spirit remained.

Then, a group of demon lords appeared at the street’s head.

Leading them were the Crow Tengu, Snow Woman, Matou, Shuten Doji, and Tamamo-no-Mae.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Qiuzi’s face darkened.

These bastards couldn’t stand to see him succeed—they wanted to cut off his future.

Ha! But they had no idea how powerful Lord Kai was. His strength surpassed that of all the demons in the Netherworld combined.

Bring it on. He wanted Lord Kai to clear these obstacles, so that the future Netherworld would be his. Once the mortal realm’s barriers were breached, all of Japan would be his.

Qiuzi’s heart swelled with excitement.

Zhang Kai sensed the gathering demons and smiled faintly.

Compared to Qiuzi, Zhang Kai remained calm.

He had been waiting for this moment.

Moreover, using Qiuzi’s training to showcase the Eight Slash’s power was intentional—to see how these Netherworld demons would respond, and whether they were worthy to become his vanguard.

Before long, a large group of demons arrived at the hall.

To Qiuzi’s astonishment, they knelt in unison, chanting:

“Crow Tengu, Snow Woman, Matou, Shuten Doji, Tamamo-no-Mae… greeting the Celestial Empire master.”

Qiuzi was baffled.

What the hell?

You come swaggering in all fierce, and this is it?

It felt like a ferocious warrior wielding a forty-meter-long blade came over and said, “Cut me an apple, boss.”

How shameless.

On the hall’s second floor, a window slid open. Zhang Kai appeared, two enchanting female demons pressed close to him.

“Well, what a lively scene. What’s going on? Come on in, don’t be shy,” Zhang Kai said cheerfully.

“Thank you, master,” the demons rose.

Zhang Kai gestured, “You’re all guests here. Come, have a seat.”

The demons rejoiced and hurried inside.

On the first floor, Qiuzi blocked them, glaring fiercely.

“What do you want?”

“Qiuzi, the master doesn’t belong to you alone. Don’t even think about monopolizing him,” Snow Woman snapped.

“Indeed. The master’s arrival is our hope, the hope of the entire Netherworld. Yet you secretly brought him here. What are you trying to do? Declare war on the whole Netherworld?” Crow Tengu’s eyes glinted fiercely.

“I represent King Yama. He invites the master for tea. Do you dare to stop him?” a small figure clad in official robes spoke sharply.

Qiuzi was stunned.

“Kai… The master is my honored guest. What business do you have with them? This is shameless.”

“Shameless beats missing an opportunity. Step aside. The master has been invited. If you block him, aren’t you afraid he’ll be angry?” Snow Woman added.

Qiuzi’s expression shifted. Though unwilling, he dared not act rashly and stepped aside, helplessly watching the demons ascend.

Inside a guest chamber, fine wines, delicacies, and dancing girls awaited. Zhang Kai enjoyed himself leisurely.

The demons entered and greeted again: “Greetings, master.”

“No need for formalities. The Celestial Empire and Japan share the same waters and culture—we are neighbors. Since arriving, I’ve felt your Netherworld’s hospitality. Very good, very good! Hahaha!” Zhang Kai laughed heartily.

“It is our honor for the master to visit the Netherworld. Please stay and savor the charm of our lands,” Snow Woman said seductively, eyes gleaming. If not for the watching demons, she would have eagerly shown her intentions.

Zhang Kai said, “Don’t worry. Since I’m here, I’ll enjoy myself before leaving. But I’m curious—Japan’s cultivation world is said to have many great powers. Why haven’t I sensed any here in the Netherworld?”

The demons paused. Crow Tengu replied, “Master, the great gods of Japan dwell in Takamagahara—the heavenly realm forbidden to us demons.”

Zhang Kai raised an eyebrow.

“So proud? Though the Celestial Empire is strict and hierarchical, we believe in ‘Heaven’s Forty-Nine,’ leaving room for mercy. Many demons have ascended in the Ninth Heaven. I didn’t expect you to be so…” He sighed, looking at the demons. “You all have good foundations. With orthodox cultivation, you might achieve true enlightenment. Such promising seedlings, yet your leaders fail to see it.”

This delighted the demons.

Were they favored?

What a wonderful surprise.

“Please show mercy to us,” they knelt, kowtowing thunderously.

Zhang Kai hurriedly said, “Stop, don’t do this. Don’t.”

“Master, we’ve suffered much. Though we’re considered mighty in Japan, we always cultivate alone with no one to care for us. The path ahead is almost lost. The mortal world has changed, and we hide here, uncertain of where to go or what the future holds. We’re anxious and fearful. Master, you are a transcendent power beyond the three realms. Please show compassion and save us,” Matou pleaded sadly.

The others echoed his sentiments.

Zhang Kai looked resigned.

“You all… fine. Perhaps my sudden arrival here is fate. Since that’s so, I shall spread the teachings throughout Japan’s Netherworld. Let this be a destined connection.”

The demons rejoiced and kowtowed again.

Behind them, Qiuzi arrived, furious, fists clenched tightly.

These bastards stole my opportunity.