Chapter Thirty-Three: Lu Liaoliao, Transformed into a Demon

Moonlight, like water, spilled silently across the deck. The sound of fresh blood dripping from Zhou Liuzi’s severed wrist was clear and distinct—drip, drip.

Old Hu, gripping his harpoon, suddenly let out a blood-curdling scream as though he'd seen a ghost. From start to finish, he hadn’t noticed how Zhou Liuzi’s sword-wielding hand had been cut off. With a desperate cry, he shouted, “I’ll fight you to the death!” and darted toward the rail, intending to leap into the water and escape.

He hadn’t even reached the rail when a chill and sharp pain brushed his neck, as if a razor-edged blade had sliced it open. Staring wide-eyed, Old Hu saw the nearly translucent sword edge pressed against his throat, the cold radiating from it seeping into his very bones. His body froze, paralyzed by terror.

“This sword is very sharp. Move a little faster and your head will part from your shoulders,” came a gentle voice.

At some point, Lu Liaoliao had approached Old Hu, her sword now resting against his neck. She smiled faintly, making him shiver inside. His eyes darted nervously, but he dared not utter a sound.

“I already told you my wife brings misfortune—disaster comes not uninvited, but by one’s own hand. Since you brought it upon yourself, do you still hope to flee?” As Lu Liaoliao spoke, she pressed the blade down.

Old Hu’s knees buckled, and with a thud, he fell to his knees.

The young nun, Lolo, who had been trembling with fear, now giggled at Lu Liaoliao’s words. Tang Xiaoqi, weak as she was, managed to grumble, “Lu Liaoliao, enough with this talk of calamity—will you never let it go?”

Seeing that no one noticed she’d omitted the word “betrothed” when referring to herself, Lu Liaoliao felt a secret delight. She turned to Old Hu and said, “Slap yourself—fifty times. If one is too light, I’ll help with my sword.”

Old Hu dared not disobey. The sound of his own hard slaps echoed, and soon his mouth was bloodied, his state miserable beyond words.

Lu Liaoliao simply pointed at Old Hu, saying nothing further—the meaning was all too clear.

Tang Xiaoqi gave an indignant huff and turned away from Lu Liaoliao.

Zhou Liuzi, paying no heed to his severed wrist, calmly crouched to pick up his fallen hand, the short blade still clutched tight. Slowly, he stood, lifted the blade to his throat, and prepared to meet his end—never uttering a sound.

“Did you know that the Five Venoms Sect has a secret art to turn the freshly dead into venom corpses, retaining some memories from life? I happen to know this art. You’re a skilled man and a hard one, too. Once you’re dead, you’ll make a fine venom corpse.”

Lu Liaoliao’s smiling words made everyone’s hair stand on end.

Zhou Liuzi did not fear death; sometimes, death was a release. But this seemingly harmless youth was far too ruthless—death should be the end, yet he would not let even the dead rest.

Sweat beaded on Zhou Liuzi’s brow, but he could not bring himself to cut.

“So, you’re of the Five Venoms Sect. I, Zhou Liuzi, admit defeat. Before I die, tell me—what flaw did I reveal that let you so swiftly sever my hand?”

“Simple. Most people tremble with fear—weak in their limbs. Your hand shook, yes, but didn’t you feel your legs were set too steady? Now you know. You may die, but you’ll never rest easy. I’ve decided—you’ll be made into a venom corpse.”

Lu Liaoliao waved a hand lightly, as if urging Zhou Liuzi to hurry to his death. Without another glance at him, she took out a pill and handed it to Old Hu. “Swallow it.”

Old Hu, whose face was swollen like a pig’s head, dared not swallow the pill from a Five Venoms disciple. He wailed, “I have an old mother of eighty and a child just three years old. Please, young master, have mercy—spare this dog’s life!”

Lu Liaoliao pressed her sword a little harder, sending a fresh stab of pain through Old Hu’s neck.

“Swallow it, and you won’t die right away. Refuse, and you’ll die now. Your choice.”

Without hesitation, Old Hu gulped down the pill. Instantly, his whole body began to itch intolerably. He scratched until his skin was torn bloody, howling in agony, “Kill me! Just kill me!”

“Weren’t you just offering to take care of my wife? Why so eager to die now?”

“I was wrong, I was wrong! Please, let me go, spare this dog’s life—or at least give me a quick death!” Tears and snot ran down Old Hu’s face.

“With your bearded face and fierce eyes, I’d have thought you a hero. Turns out you’re just a coward. I suffered this pain myself at fourteen, and didn’t carry on half as shamefully as you.”

Lu Liaoliao tossed him the antidote. “Take this. Once the itching stops, see if any of your men are still alive. Toss the dead into the river—save the living. I still need you to crew this boat.”

Wuhua, his face pale, looked at Lu Liaoliao. “I did not hold back. Such murderous thieves are a curse left alive.”

Old Hu’s heart leapt in fear; he hurried to haul his four men’s corpses into the river, glancing at Lu Liaoliao with pitiful eyes.

“Not itching anymore, are you? The flare-up comes every three days. Without the antidote, you’ll itch to the very bone, clawing yourself to shreds, suffering for three days and nights until death brings release.”

Lu Liaoliao’s devilish smile made Old Hu faint dead away.

A chill wind blew; everyone but Lu Liaoliao felt a cold sweat down their backs.

She glanced at Zhou Liuzi, still standing statue-like, and asked, “Huh! Why aren’t you dead yet? I have the ingredients for venom corpses ready.”

Zhou Liuzi’s face was ashen. “Better to meet the King of Hell than the Five Venoms. Today, I’ve learned my lesson. Killing is one thing—what do you want? Say it plainly.”

Lu Liaoliao’s figure flickered, appearing before Zhou Liuzi in an instant. Before he could react, she pinched his cheek, forced open his mouth, and slipped in a dark pill.

“This is the Corpse Brain Pill. Its shell contains a corpse parasite. When the shell dissolves, the parasite will devour your brain, control your body, and you’ll lose all sense of self—gnawing even your own flesh. This is just the first step in making a venom corpse. When you die, I’ll begin the process.”

She clapped her hands as if she’d completed a great task.

Zhou Liuzi began to tremble uncontrollably, this time his legs giving way as well. He rasped, “You’re not human—you’re a demon! What do you want?”

Lu Liaoliao stretched lazily. “Nothing much. I just noticed you’re a good cook. Before we reach Yangzhou, someone needs to man the kitchen.”

Zhou Liuzi roared, storming over to Old Hu and kicking him hard. “Damn you, Old Hu! I gave you two thousand taels to keep up the pretense, but you had to lust after those two women. Now see what you’ve brought upon us—a devil come for our souls!”

Old Hu’s scream revealed his earlier faint was a sham.

“So, Old Hu, thanks to you, all the crew are dead. You took my money, yet instead of taking us safely to Yangzhou, you tried to murder us and steal my wife—frightening us half to death. How do you propose to pay for damages, for fright, for the poison pills?”

Lu Liaoliao squatted leisurely before Old Hu.

“I’ll steer the boat carefully, drift to Baidi City, and hire new hands. I swear I’ll see you safely to Yangzhou,” Old Hu pleaded, kowtowing as he spoke.

“You took my money, failed to deliver us safely, tried to kill and rob us, and terrorized us. How will you pay for damages, fright, and the cost of the poison pills?” Lu Liaoliao tapped Old Hu’s head with her sword.

“Wuhua, wrap that man’s wrist and treat him. If he dies, there’ll be no one left to cook. Oh, and charge a few hundred taels for medicine.” She turned to Wuhua.

The young monk’s heart quailed. Thankfully, his sister, Lord Xihua, was a woman—and a beautiful one at that—otherwise, who knows what would have happened that night when this person caught him.

Old Hu was in utter despair. The other damages aside, even the poison they’d been forced to swallow was being charged to them. Was there truly someone so greedy, shameless, and base in all the world? Heaven, how can one go on living?

“How much do you think is fair, Master Lu?” Old Hu dared not look up.

“I’m not that greedy,” Lu Liaoliao said magnanimously. “Just count the silver you took from my venom corpse, and add all the stolen silver, jewelry, and pearls on your boat. That’ll do for interest.”

This time Old Hu really did faint—and had no wish to wake again.

Zhou Liuzi could bear it no longer. “My name is Zhou Liuzi. I’m a top assassin, not your venom corpse!”

Lu Liaoliao was unimpressed. “That’s not for you to say. You’re an assassin, so I suppose your target was my friend Lord Luo. He’s been frightened half to death—how will you compensate him?”

Lord Luo Danyang, along with his two guards, had stood mutely in the wind for a long time. Hearing Lu Liaoliao mention him, Luo snapped to attention, a peculiar smile on his face. “Brother Lu, you’ve saved my life, and I have nothing to repay you with—please accept this meager gold and jewels as a token of gratitude.”

Seeing Luo trembling as he tried to hand over a pouch, Lu Liaoliao waved it away. “Brother Luo, you and I hit it off at first meeting. Rescue was only my duty. I am not one to covet wealth—please, take it back, and let not money sully our friendship.”

Luo Danyang’s heart was in turmoil, but he dared not press the matter. He asked cautiously, “Brother Lu, don’t you want to know why the assassin tried to kill me?”

“That is your secret, Brother Luo. I have no wish to know or inquire.” Lu Liaoliao’s open and upright manner made Luo Danyang both admire and feel a touch of disappointment.