Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Thorn in the Heart

In the blink of an eye, without even the time it takes to snap one’s fingers, he had already dealt with two enemies—his assault was swift beyond compare. Only now did Liuchou truly experience the terrifying power he could unleash in battle. His strength had grown to a level that defied ordinary classification.

He strode forward, removed his own robe, and wrapped it around Wuyou, who still lay unconscious. For a demon, it mattered little whether one wore clothes or not, but out of habit carried over from his previous life, Liuchou covered her before lifting her gently, preparing to seek out the Instructor Shixingyi.

Wuyou’s injuries were not grave, and Liuchou felt a measure of relief. It seemed the bloodstains were merely remnants from when she’d been captured—no further harm had come to her.

Yuanqin landed before Liuchou and sighed. “I saw their movements and guessed they meant to ambush you. I waited here, intending to repay the favor I owe you. Turns out, you didn’t need my help after all.”

“Perhaps another time,” Liuchou smiled. “There will come a day when I’ll need your assistance.”

Yuanqin smiled in return, gesturing toward the distance. “Then let’s call my watching today’s spectacle your repayment.”

From across the pond, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard, heavier and more purposeful than those of lesser demons. Among them, one set was lighter yet more resolute, each stride longer and more assured.

Liuchou, long accustomed to these sounds, immediately recognized them. Yuanqin confirmed his guess. “It’s the Instructor Tu and his soldiers. They started making their way here the moment you engaged. He’s quite fond of the Wolf Brothers—likely they summoned him, wanting to deal with the matter of their assault on Wuyou and your own killing. Unexpectedly, it was they who met their end instead.”

Seeing Instructor Tu approaching, knowing the depth of his connection with the Wolf Brothers and his willingness to intervene, Liuchou nodded in acknowledgment. “You no longer owe me anything.”

Yuanqin merely smiled and began walking back toward the barracks alongside Liuchou.

They had gone only a few steps when Tu Hu and his soldiers appeared, their faces blanching at the scene of blood that greeted them. Tu Hu’s expression twisted with fury, and he bellowed, “Seize him! Behead him!”

“Yes, sir!” The soldiers responded at once, raising their blades and halberds to charge.

Liuchou halted, and his black staff, still unsheathed, fell into his grip, its dark lacquer glinting ominously in the light.

“Instructor!” Yuanqin dropped from the air, positioning himself before the crowd to block their way. “Instructor, Liuchou fought with Zan Wulang and the Wolf Brothers in accordance with camp rules. Why seize him?”

Instructor Tu snorted coldly. “And what exactly are those rules? Go on—tell us.”

Yuanqin was momentarily speechless. No such rules had ever been formally announced in camp, though it was true that in the past, minor demons often fought to the death and the instructors turned a blind eye, tacitly approving such conduct. This had happened for months, but if pressed to recite the specifics, he could not.

Gritting his teeth, Yuanqin pressed on stubbornly. “It was said by Instructor Tu Zhu himself: If demons fight among themselves in camp and someone is killed, there will be no investigation. Does that count for nothing?” Like the Wolf Brothers, he too had an instructor who favored him: the eccentric Tu Zhu. After much thought, this was the only recourse he could find.

Tu Hu’s face grew even colder, a chill emanating from him. “Was this a fair fight?” He glared at Liuchou, who met his gaze in icy silence—a response that only fueled Tu Hu’s rage. Now, he was determined to have this upstart executed and vent his wrath.

“How was it not? The Wolf Brothers and Huang Yu attacked him three against one, and Liuchou bested them all. I witnessed it with my own eyes,” Yuanqin insisted.

“Three against one or not, this was no duel on the training ground—it wasn’t a sanctioned bout!” A savage gleam appeared in Tu Hu’s eyes. “And even if it were, I could still punish him. Here in this camp, strength is law!”

“I am the law! I say he dies, and die he must!”

“Out of my way!”

Yuanqin’s face turned green and white by turns as he drew a deep breath, ready to refuse. But just then, Qingmei’s limp form sagged into his arms, and he had no choice but to catch her. He heard Liuchou’s calm voice: “Yuanqin, step aside. Let me see what strength truly means here.”

“Liuchou, you—”

“Go!” Liuchou’s voice was not loud, but it carried a note of irrevocable resolve.

Yuanqin could only sigh inwardly, then, holding Qingmei, hurried toward the barracks.

Tu Hu was nearly beside himself with fury. He glared daggers at Liuchou, eyes burning with a murderous fire that could no longer be concealed. Bloodlust radiated from him, clear for all to see.

With a whoosh, Liuchou raised his staff, pointing it straight at Tu Hu.

With a thunderous boom, dust exploded beneath Tu Hu’s feet. In a blur, he left countless afterimages as he flashed before Liuchou in an instant, blade in hand, stabbing mercilessly at Liuchou’s throat.

Liuchou’s hands moved in a flurry, his iron staff gleaming black and spinning swiftly, barely managing to form a wall of defense—unyielding and unbreakable.

But Tu Hu’s strength was overwhelming. With a loud crack, the blade pierced right through, though Liuchou managed to dodge, fast as lightning. Still, the blade’s edge grazed him, slicing a bloody swath from his face.

The strike was so fierce and swift that, though it wounded Liuchou, Tu Hu had no time to recover his attack. Liuchou, seemingly unfazed by the wound, spun and swung his staff down with a force that could split a mountain.

Only then did Tu Hu twist his blade around, clashing hard against the iron staff.

Clang!—Crack!

At that sound, Tu Hu’s heart clenched as he saw his beloved blade chipped and broken. The pain was acute—this weapon was his favorite, and its damage stung bitterly.

He could only pull back to avoid a head-on clash with Liuchou.

Liuchou paid him no heed. Realizing his strength was equal, he pressed his advantage, swinging the staff again and again in a relentless tide of blows, forcing Tu Hu into a desperate defense, barely evading being struck.

Suddenly, Tu Hu roared, leaping back three steps, sheathing his blade and clenching his fists. Veins bulged along his neck as his body began to swell and grow...

In a matter of moments, Tu Hu transformed into a giant ten fathoms tall and six across at the shoulders.

Liuchou immediately felt the mounting pressure. Moments ago, they had fought to a standstill; now, he faced certain defeat.

It seemed blood would surely flow freely this day.

Liuchou drew a calm, deep breath, channeling his entire strength into his grip on the iron staff.

Tu Hu’s eyes bulged, lips twitching in a ghastly snarl. He sensed no fear in Liuchou, which only fueled his rage all the more.

Suddenly, the air itself seemed to shudder—a silent, chilling bloodlust crept up Tu Hu’s back, snapping him to attention. He whirled around.

Less than ten paces away, Tu Zhu lounged lazily against a tree, not even looking at him. He idly trimmed his nails with a small knife. Only now did anyone notice his presence, and no one could say when he’d arrived or how long he’d been there—he had gone entirely undetected.

“Tu Zhu!” Tu Hu roared in anger. “Do you know what will happen if you move against me?”

Tu Zhu tittered, raising an eyebrow but not looking up. “No need to get nervous. If I meant to strike, would you even know?”

“Then what do you want?” Tu Hu demanded.

Tu Zhu pursed his lips in a cold, mirthless laugh. “My disciple just came and told me you denied my words. So I came to ask: what will Instructor Tu do about that?”

Tu Hu was momentarily speechless. Tu Zhu’s words affirmed Yuanqin’s earlier statement. He might dismiss Yuanqin, but not Tu Zhu. His face shifted uneasily. “Let’s discuss this later. For now, there’s one matter: I want to kill that monkey. Will you intervene?”

“Naturally, I won’t. He’s nothing to me,” Tu Zhu said, blowing dust from his fingers and putting away his knife. Only then did he raise his head. “But while I don’t care, someone else does... There, go ask him.”

Tu Hu turned and saw Shixingyi and Fei Fei hurrying over, arriving in a flash. His heart sank, and he quickly dispelled his transformation, returning to human form.

Liuchou saw them too, and, trailing behind, the anxious Ban Nu. Only now did he let go of his killing intent toward her—he’d thought her in league with the Wolf Brothers, luring him into a trap. But now he saw she’d truly sought out Shixingyi and the others.

“Instructor Tu, what is the meaning of this?” Shixingyi demanded, his face grim. Usually mild-mannered, his anger alone made Tu Hu wary—after all, he was the newly appointed head, the highest authority since Jian Keng’s departure.

“Instructor Shi, it was a private duel. I was merely enforcing discipline,” Tu Hu hastened to explain. “He killed Zan Wulang, the Wolf Brothers, and Huang Yu—all must be punished.”

“One against three? Did he provoke them first?” Shixingyi pressed.

“That’s right...”

“No, they struck first!” came a voice.

Tu Hu had no idea who was speaking and replied automatically, only to see Ban Nu cry out, “They injured Qingmei! Liuchou was only trying to rescue her—how can he be at fault?”

“Nonsense!” Tu Hu was not easily cowed. He dared not confront Shixingyi directly, but had no fear of this lowly demon. “Even if they seized Qingmei, that only means she wasn’t the instigator. It has nothing to do with him!”

Ban Nu was desperate, tears brimming in her eyes. “If they hadn’t grabbed Qingmei, why would Liuchou have intervened...”

“Silence!” Tu Hu roared, a wave of force slamming down on Ban Nu, driving her toward the ground.

A hand reached out suddenly, lifting Ban Nu up. The moment it touched her, the oppressive force vanished without a trace.

At the same time, the owner of the hand spoke coldly: “If, as the instructor claims, demons cannot speak the truth, then should I die as well?”

Only now did Tu Hu realize, in his rage, he had offended Fei Fei as well. Though Fei Fei’s status was lowly and rank unremarkable, she held an exceedingly sensitive position: she was the Valley Lord’s battle slave, raised at his side since childhood. To offend her was to court even greater disaster than offending Shixingyi.

Startled, Tu Hu hurriedly apologized. “It was my reckless tongue—my mistake. Please forgive me, Instructor Fei. I’ll transfer my share for the next three months to you as compensation.”

Tu Hu was ruthless but quick-witted. By admitting fault and offering compensation immediately, he gave Fei Fei no grounds to pursue the matter further, or to take it up with the Valley Lord himself—thus resolving the conflict.

Sure enough, Fei Fei snorted but said nothing more.

Shixingyi then spoke. “There’s no need to debate provocation. If one is not strong enough, it is only right to flee when others provoke. To stand and fight foolishly—such a fool deserves death. If he was not the provocateur, all the better; the Wolf Brothers sought death, and none else are to blame. That is the end of it. Gather the three corpses. Liuchou, you may go. That is all.”

Repeatedly blocked, Tu Hu’s bluster evaporated. He could only bow his head and reply, “Instructor Shi has judged fairly. I understand.”

“Dismissed, all of you.”

The soldiers obeyed and departed. Tu Zhu hummed a tune and sauntered away. Only Fei Fei lingered, smiling at Tu Hu. “This girl is a good one. I’ll take her as my disciple—what do you think?”

Ban Nu was overjoyed and bowed low. “Master!”

Tu Hu understood all too well the meaning behind Fei Fei’s move, and could only force a smile. “Excellent, excellent.”

Fei Fei shot him a glance, pulled Ban Nu to her feet, and said, “Since I’m taking you in, I must give a gift. You heard what Instructor Tu just said—starting tomorrow, you’ll go to his quarters each day to collect my share for the next three months. Is that acceptable?” She looked at Tu Hu.

Tu Hu forced a smile, gritting his teeth. “Of course, of course!”

Fei Fei laughed heartily and, taking Ban Nu’s hand, departed in high spirits.