Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these two days, Chen Ning had encountered an interesting group on the road that was also heading toward the Imperial Capital.
On the surface, they disguised themselves as a merchant caravan transporting goods, but in reality, all dozen or so people in the convoy possessed extraordinary auras.
Among them was an exquisite, adorable little girl of only eleven or twelve years old.
Even though these merchants did their best to disguise their words and manners, Chen Ning could still tell that they could hardly conceal their deep respect for the girl when speaking to her.
It seemed her identity was anything but ordinary.
However, sensing no malice from them, Chen Ning simply traveled alongside the merchant caravan along the way.
“Big Brother, where’s the little snake next to you?”
Near dusk, just as both carriages came to a halt to rest, the girl Xia Qiuyu excitedly hurried over.
Xiao Jiu, however, was already trembling and hiding inside Chen Ning’s sleeve.
Along this journey, she had thoroughly experienced just how terrifying children could be.
Previously, Xiao Jiu would often straighten up proactively to let Chen Ning pet her, but ever since meeting this little girl, she was petted furiously every single time they crossed paths. Xiao Jiu felt like she was about to be petted bald!
She could only tremble within Chen Ning’s sleeve, pretending not to exist.
You can't see me, I'm already invisible, nobody can see me!
Seeing this, Qin Heng, the middle-aged leader of the caravan, stepped forward and said somewhat apologetically, “I’m sorry, brother. This little girl has loved all kinds of small animals since she was little. Spoiled by her parents at home, she wants to touch any animal she sees.”
“It’s fine. My silly little snake needed some petting anyway. It’s good for her to experience the harsh reality of the mortal world,” Chen Ning joked.
The two had a pleasant conversation, chatting about many things along the way.
Yet seeing the sky gradually darken, Qin Heng looked up at the heavens and couldn't help but wear a solemn expression: “It looks like the Blood Moon Night is almost here.”
“The Blood Moon Night?”
Chen Ning had also sensed an abnormality for a while now.
For some reason, the demons and monsters seemed exceptionally restless tonight. While the carriage was moving, Chen Ning had successively detected several dense surges of Demonic Qi, none of which harbored good intentions.
Qin Heng explained, “Tonight is the Blood Moon Night, which occurs once every fifty years.
“The Blood Moon Night has no effect on humans, but for the demon race, it is an exceptionally special occasion.
“Because on this night, even the most powerful demons will be unable to control their bodies and will be forced to reveal their true forms.
“The vast majority of demons despise having their true forms seen, so on this night, they become far more violent than usual. The likelihood of them launching attacks on humans can surge to more than ten times normal.
“Traveling in the wilderness, we must be exceptionally careful tonight.”
Just as his words fell, several seemingly ragged vagrants walked down the distant hillside, heading straight for the caravan.
“What must come will always come,” Qin Heng frowned and said. “Tonight is destined to be turbulent. Brother Chen, you are only a scholar, so stay back with your maid in peace. Leave dealing with these demons to us.”
With that, Qin Heng walked toward the front of the convoy.
At this moment, the moon was not yet completely dyed crimson; some demons could still control their bodies to avoid reverting to their true forms.
However, the vast majority of demons had already begun stirring restlessly.
Blood Moon Night? Could it be that even Qing Yan will transform into her true form tonight?
This girl won't be able to hide it any longer.
Chen Ning smiled faintly.
He hadn't originally intended to expose Qing Yan on his own initiative.
Yet he couldn't help but look forward to seeing what Qing Yan looked like in her true form.
Would she turn into a petite white fox, or...?
Before that, he would wait for the moon to turn fully red.
Chen Ning shifted his gaze to the front of the caravan.
At this moment, the vagrants had already begun begging for food.
“Good masters, have mercy! We brothers have been starving for days. Please give us something to eat.”
“Take it. Here are dry rations and jerky. If you budget them carefully, they should last you three or four days.”
The caravan members were kind-hearted and brought out a large pile of food without much hesitation.
“I have some snacks here too.”
Seeing how famished they looked, Xia Qiuyu took out several small pastries from her little basket and trotted forward with brisk little steps, wanting to give them to the men.
Yet after taking only two steps, Xia Qiuyu was grabbed by the collar and pulled back by Qin Heng.
“Princess, be careful! These fellows are not human.”
“Eh? Not human?”
Just as Xia Qiuyu blinked her big eyes in confusion, eerie smiles suddenly appeared on the faces of the ragged vagrants.
“Kind masters, dry rations aren't what we want to eat.
“Only human flesh is the most delicious thing in this world—especially the tender, succulent meat of that little girl.”
The corners of their mouths curled all the way up to their eye corners, their entire faces twisting grotesquely.
Thick azure lion fur sprouted from their faces, and their bodies swelled continuously, eventually bursting through their clothes to become massive, muscular forms standing over a zhang tall.
They were Azure-maned Lion Demons capable of taking semi-human forms!
“Hand this little girl over to me!”
An Azure-maned Lion Demon roared and lunged straight toward Xia Qiuyu.
Having prepared in advance, Qin Heng struck immediately, lightning swirling across both his palms.
“Rumble!”
With a thunderous blast, his lightning-clad palms struck out, blasting the oncoming Azure-maned Lion Demon directly backward.
“Hehe, this technique is somewhat interesting. But is that all the strength you have?”
Yet once the dust settled, the Azure-maned Lion Demon stood steadily in place, a sinister grin curling on its lips.
Apart from slightly scorched fur, that palm strike hadn't dealt any substantive damage to it at all.
The power of Thunder-Collapsing Palm is enough to easily kill a Xiantian Martial Artist. Even if the opponent is a lion demon, how could it cause only this little damage?
Qin Heng knitted his brows tightly.
During his past tempering journeys, he had slain lion demons more than once.
Yet the Azure-maned Lion Demon before him far surpassed any demon he had ever encountered before.
The Azure-maned Lion Demon soon showed a smug expression:
“Puzzled, aren't you? Wondering why I'm not on the same level as those trash lion demons?
“Naturally! After all, this vessel of mine was forged with the flesh and blood of ninety-nine infants!”
As its words fell, the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s body swelled drastically once more.
Its bones and flesh twisted and expanded amidst popping sounds like roasting beans, doubling in size in the blink of an eye.
Not only that, but ninety-nine foul, crimson lines materialized across the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s body.
This was precisely the sinister technique the Azure-maned Lion Demon had obtained from the demon realm.
Every single Blood Vein on its body was forged through the sacrifice of an infant’s life.
Empowered by the Blood Veins, its body was now as hard as iron and stone; even bladed weapons could not easily pierce it!
“To actually sacrifice the flesh and blood of infants—you beast!”
Qin Heng was completely enraged.
Facing a demon of such combat power, covering the Princess's retreat should have been the wisest choice.
Yet he could not tolerate allowing such a beast to remain in the mortal realm to harm children any longer.
The Azure-maned Lion Demon laughed wildly, “That's it, that resentful expression! I love seeing you humans want to kill me yet remain completely powerless.”
“Bastard, then I will kill you today!”
Qin Heng took a step forward, lightning flashing on both palms as he charged at the Azure-maned Lion Demon.
“Kill them for me! Leave none alive here today!
“Keep that girl, though. This Lion King wants to savor her tender flesh personally.”
“Roar!”
Following the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s order, the several lion demons behind it transformed under the blood moon one after another.
The lion demons charged at the caravan, while Qin Heng guarded Xia Qiuyu, battling fiercely against the Azure-maned Lion Demon.
Several of the lion demons were likewise covered in Blood Veins, their bodies empowered by sinister spells.
Even though the caravan possessed considerable combat strength, they began to retreat step by step before them.
Especially on Qin Heng’s side, repeatedly executing Thunder-Collapsing Palm caused his physical stamina to plummet rapidly.
Yet the repeated lightning strikes blasting into the Azure-maned Lion Demon caused it virtually no damage.
The situation grew increasingly dire.
Qin Heng gritted his teeth, knowing that if this continued, he would not be able to hold out for much longer.
“Princess, while we can still hold them off, hurry and run to Brother Chen’s carriage!
“That Red Wind Horse is very swift. We will do our utmost to protect you as you escape,” he urged hurriedly, finding a brief opening.
“But what about all of you?”
Xia Qiuyu was unwilling to abandon anyone.
“Do not worry about us! As long as you can return safely to the Imperial Capital, Princess, we will die with no regrets.
“There’s no time, please run!”
Taking two consecutive punches from the Azure-maned Lion Demon, Qin Heng was thoroughly exhausted.
The Azure-maned Lion Demon let out a wild laugh: “You think you alone can stall me? Before me, not a single one of you can escape!”
Suddenly, it abruptly switched targets and lunged straight toward Xia Qiuyu.
“Princess!”
Qin Heng had not anticipated the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s move at all, his face turning pale with horror.
Trying to intercept it was already too late, yet he made a decision nobody could have expected.
Qin Heng lunged fiercely toward Xia Qiuyu, shielding the girl’s petite body with his own flesh.
“Uncle Qin!”
Xia Qiuyu cried out in alarm.
Witnessing this, the caravan members were all stricken with terror.
Just when they thought Qin Heng was about to perish in the lion’s maw, several flying swords tore through the air.
Whoosh.
The flying swords cut through the air, releasing sharp sword hums.
The Azure-maned Lion Demon, which had always disdained dodging any attack, involuntarily stepped back several paces, leaving the area where Qin Heng and Xia Qiuyu were.
A sudden chill gripped the Azure-maned Lion Demon.
For some reason, an illusion had surged within him moments ago that if he didn't dodge in time, his body would be directly pierced through.
Why would a few mere short swords evoke such inexplicable dread within him...?
The Azure-maned Lion Demon looked into the distance, only to see a scholar clad in a white robe walking slowly from afar.
Beneath the moonlight, the white robe fluttered softly in the wind, exuding an indescribable elegance and ease.
Yet the Azure-maned Lion Demon suddenly burst out laughing.
“Scared me for a second. I thought some sacred expert had stepped in, but it’s just a weak scholar.”
Qin Heng also staggered to his feet and hurriedly warned, “Brother Chen, why are you here?
“Leave quickly! The strength of these lion demons must not be underestimated!”
“Rest easy and tend to your wounds. Leave this place to me.”
Chen Ning merely loosened his muscles and joints.
He had originally planned to just coast along as a bystander the entire way, but unexpectedly, he couldn't hide any longer.
In that case, he would end this quickly and return to the carriage before the blood moon turned completely red.
“Leave it to you? Haha, what arrogant words from a mere human!
“Today, I’ll teach you the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth!”
Underestimated for the first time, the Azure-maned Lion Demon roared in fury, its massive fist bulging with veins as it smashed straight toward Chen Ning.
“Die for me!”
Bang!
The next moment, the Azure-maned Lion Demon found its fist caught effortlessly in Chen Ning’s grip.
Staring fixedly at Chen Ning’s golden-glowing palm, the Azure-maned Lion Demon felt as if it were facing a towering mountain that could not be shaken in the slightest.
A human with even greater strength than its own!
Just what kind of sacred being was this human?!
“You’ve already thrown a punch at me. Now, it should be my turn to hit back.”
Chen Ning smiled coldly. Channeling golden radiance into his fist, he threw a punch.
The fist wind swept up in an instant, sending a wave of chill throughout the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s body.
How could a mere punch from a human harbor such terrifying force!
Before the Azure-maned Lion Demon could recover from its shock, the punch landed with a crash.
Bang!
The massive body was sent flying straight horizontally.
The Azure-maned Lion Demon coughed up a wild mouthful of blood, feeling several of its bones shatter.
This human is simply a monster!
It was instantly seized by panic and dread.
At this moment, however, Chen Ning had already stepped forward and grabbed the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s tail.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Like swinging a meteor hammer, Chen Ning swung the Azure-maned Lion Demon by its tail through several continuous rotations in the air.
When he let go, the Azure-maned Lion Demon smashed through several large trees in succession, crashing miserably onto the ground.
Rumble!
Witnessing this scene, the entire caravan was dumbfounded.
Qin Heng, who had always viewed Chen Ning as an ordinary scholar, was especially flabbergasted.
You call this a scholar?
Such a massive lion demon was practically a toy in his hands!
Despondently clambering out of the broken trees, the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s face was twisted in ferocious fury.
When had it ever suffered such humiliation?
“Human, today I will make you a dead soul in my maw!”
Suddenly, the Blood Veins on the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s body began to burst.
Wails of children echoed around, and several pained, twisted faces of infants surfaced on its chest.
Its sinister technique for refining Blood Veins imprisoned the souls of the devoured children within its body.
Now, the Azure-maned Lion Demon detonated these souls all at once to gain a massive surge in power within a short time.
Lost Blood Veins could be replenished later; today, it was determined to kill this human.
Accompanied by a foul stench permeating the air, the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s body swelled drastically once again.
Completely different from before, its entire body was now stained blood-red, and even its originally azure mane had turned a bloody crimson.
Countless children’s faces writhed in agony across the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s chest, their tragic wails echoing continuously.
Qin Heng and the others turned pale.
To condense this body, the Azure-maned Lion Demon had slaughtered countless living souls; it was utterly heinous!
If it wasn't killed here, who knew how many more families would be torn apart because of it.
“Haha, so this is what power feels like!”
In an instant, the wounds on the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s body were almost completely healed. The surging power intoxicated it, fully restoring its original confidence.
Without realizing it, squirming sarcomas resembling human heads had sprouted on both sides of its hideous head, and even its voice had turned half-gruff and half-intertwined with infant crying.
While the demonic spell enhanced the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s strength, it was also eroding its sanity.
Yet it was precisely this bizarre power that made the Azure-maned Lion Demon feel omnipotent.
“I am the king of beasts—submit before my power!”
The Azure-maned Lion Demon howled, its grotesque, deformed body lunging toward Chen Ning.
Chen Ning: “?”
On the question of lions versus tigers, he was a staunch member of team tiger.
He didn't even know how many tigers he had beaten to death with his own hands; how dared this petty lion demon clamor and proclaim itself the king of beasts?
With a slight sidestep, Chen Ning effortlessly dodged the Azure-maned Lion Demon.
Yet in that split second, the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s back suddenly burst open.
From its back, a massive, blood-colored maw shockingly sprouted forth.
Without warning, the bloody maw shot out and swallowed Chen Ning’s entire body in a single gulp.
The giant mouth clamped firmly into the ground, its bloody outer walls radiating blistering heat.
“Success!”
Seeing the trick succeed, the Azure-maned Lion Demon was thrilled.
“Didn't expect that, did you? I learned this move from your human Buddhist sect.
“This Double Mouth’s hardness is comparable to a Buddhist temple bell. Once trapped inside, don't even think about coming out!
“Before long, your body will be completely melted away by the bloody water inside!”
Bang!
Before the Azure-maned Lion Demon could finish speaking, a deep palm print suddenly indented onto the bloody wall.
“Strange, what’s going on?”
The Azure-maned Lion Demon paled in horror.
Before it could comprehend what was happening, a second palm print appeared on the bloody wall.
Immediately followed by a third, a fourth...
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Palm print after palm print consecutively slammed into the seemingly indestructible bloody wall.
Not only did the speed become faster and faster, but the force of every strike also increased steadily.
As palm prints covered all sides of the bloody wall from top to bottom, the wall began to tremble, even emitting faint wails.
Suddenly, a palm strike soared heavenward.
Boom!
The next moment, unable to withstand that terrifying force any longer, the bloody wall shattered with an explosion.
“Ah!”
At the same time, the Azure-maned Lion Demon let out a tragic shriek.
This Double Mouth was connected to its body, transmitting pain in equal measure.
Just like having a mouth torn open by force, it trembled violently from agony, nearly fainting on the spot.
“Human! What on earth did you do?!”
Gazing at Chen Ning’s figure walking out calmly, the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s voice was laced with unconcealed terror.
This human’s strength far exceeded its imagination!
“What did I do? I only tore apart one of your mouths just now. Next, it’s time for the other.”
Fist wind swept up with a roar, sounding like thunder crashing from the Nine Heavens.
“Bastard!”
Amidst the Azure-maned Lion Demon’s terrified roar, this punch struck straight into its head.
Bang!
The next moment, its head shattered with a bang, and the corpse collapsed weakly to the ground amid a rain of blood and brain matter.
【Slain 1 Azure-maned Lion Demon, obtained Noble Qi * 30】
【Noble Scholar's Sword upgraded to Mysterious Grade, High Rank】
【Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Divine Ability — Blue Lotus Fire Seal】
“No demons should dare approach this area tonight. I’ll return to the carriage first; I'll leave keeping watch tonight to you all.”
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Chen Ning simply gave a casual wave and walked toward the rear of the caravan.
At this moment, the crimson moon in the sky had turned entirely blood-red.
When the blood moon reached its peak, the bodies of all demonic creatures were forced into their true forms.
Through the carriage curtain, a graceful figure swayed gently with the candlelight inside.
Only after preparing himself thoroughly did Chen Ning gently lift the curtain.
Even so, upon seeing the scene before him, his gaze remained frozen for a good while.
Inside the carriage, Qing Yan sat quietly in the corner, arms wrapped around her slender, jade-like legs.
Her water-clear eyes rippled with emotion, carrying a touch of worry and a hint of desolation.
As moonlight cascaded down, her breathtaking silhouette was imbued with a touch more allure and vulnerability than usual.
Moreover, Qing Yan had sprouted a snow-white fox tail and a pair of fluffy-looking fox ears.
It only seemed to add to her bewitching charm.
“Young Master?”
Seeing Chen Ning, Qing Yan froze slightly.
Evidently, she could no longer conceal her fox ears and fox tail.
“In truth, my true form is a fox demon... Was Young Master frightened...?”
Qing Yan lowered her head guiltily.
Hearing this, Chen Ning smiled faintly, stepping into the carriage and sitting down slowly beside Qing Yan.
“I’ve known about this for a long time. Why would I be frightened?”
Qing Yan said in astonishment, “What? You knew all along?
“But when Young Master first entered the carriage, you clearly looked startled.”
Chen Ning laughed and said, “That's because I originally thought you’d turn into a little fox or some ugly little monster.
“I never expected you'd turn into a fox-girl instead, which is even cuter!”
“Young Master thinks I'm cute like this?”
“Of course. What tough guy could refuse fluffy things?”
Qing Yan was thoroughly shocked.
“In other words, Young Master can actually accept me looking like this?”
“Nonsense. No matter what you turn into, you’re still my silly maid.”
Chen Ning smiled gently and patted Qing Yan’s head.
A pretty rosy blush instantly bloomed across Qing Yan’s lovely face, and the corners of her lips curled up into a smile.
As expected, Young Master is even gentler than I thought...
“Still, Young Master, just when did you find out I was a fox demon?”
Snapping back to reality, Qing Yan asked immediately.
“I knew ever since you, silly girl, fell asleep on my shoulder that day,” Chen Ning said helplessly. “You showed so many flaws every day. Did you really think you could keep it hidden from me without the Blood Moon Night?”
“So Young Master knew even back then!”
Recalling several suspicious occurrences in succession, Qing Yan’s cheeks burned hot: “So you were just pretending not to know the whole time, and even deliberately took the chance to scare me sometimes!”
“Teasing a silly girl is one of life’s greatest pleasures after all,” Chen Ning cleared his throat.
“Young Master, you bad guy!”
Blushing with feigned anger, Qing Yan raised her little fists to lightly thump Chen Ning’s chest.
Just then, Xia Qiuyu happened to pass by the carriage.
Seeing the scene behind the curtain, the little girl innocently looked up: “Big Brother and Big Sister are flirting!”
“We are not!”
“We are not!”
Qing Yan and Chen Ning spoke almost in unison.
Yet when their eyes met, both couldn't help blushing and turning their heads away at the same time.
Xia Qiuyu smiled sweetly as if she had seen through everything: “Hehe, you really are flirting!”
Rate on N.U.
