Chapter 13: The Twin Fiends of Demon Mountain

Ahead lay a fishpond, and upon it drifted a small boat. Seated within was a woman of bewitching beauty, wearing a bamboo hat. Three young boys, clad only in red belly-bands, dove from the boat, and in no time, one of them returned, clutching a large carp.

Seeing these children, Ma Zengsan realized that Wang Dafang had either lied or been mistaken. But since they had already arrived, he could hardly turn back now.

The woman on the boat suddenly removed her hat, revealing a face as lovely as a flower. With bright eyes and pearly teeth, she hailed the three on the shore, "Where do you three come from?"

Ma Zengsan, staring wide-eyed at the vixen, declared, "I heard a fox spirit had come here—not only stealing chickens but devouring children as well. I am a hero who hunts demons, and I have come to capture you."

Hearing this, the vixen’s expression soured. Hands on her hips, she said haughtily, "I do not hide my name or surname. I am Hu Jiao, one of the Seven Killers of the Demonic Cult. And who are you? State your name!"

Hu Jiao, the Lustful Killer of the Seven Killers, was known for moving like a shadow. Her weapon was a length of white silk, hidden with blades and poison, used to entangle and strangle her victims. Hearing that name, Ma Zengsan’s heart sank; he knew he was like a mantis trying to stop a carriage. Though he was terrified, he was an old hand in the world of martial arts. Forcing a smile, he said, "A misunderstanding, a mere misunderstanding! I am hunting a lesser demon, one not nearly as beautiful as you." He then grabbed Xiao Bugui’s arm and winked at Hao Meili, adding, "You two, hurry and follow me to check over there."

Hu Jiao shouted, "Having come, you shall not leave! Little demons, capture those three for me. We shall have a barbecue tonight."

Over a dozen small heads emerged from the pond. With wide, watery eyes, the boys in red belly-bands brandished steel forks and began to close in on the trio.

Miss Hao ignored them, looking with disdain at the woman rowing the boat. Seeing that Miss Hao refused to budge, Xiao Bugui shook off Ma Zengsan’s hand and stayed as well.

Seeing Xiao Bugui’s stubbornness, Ma Zengsan sighed, "I have no martial arts skills. Xiao Bugui, you deal with these little demons."

Hao Meili remarked, "These little brats are quite cute. My strikes are too heavy; I fear I might severely injure them. Brother Xiao, you handle them."

Both retreated, leaving the problem to Xiao Bugui. The children were quite vicious, holding their forks above their heads with milky-eyed ferocity. Xiao Bugui backed up a few steps, considering how to handle them without causing harm. He used his nimble feet to kick the dangerous little imps toward the center of the pool as if they were balls.

The children had smooth, scaled skin and felt no pain; they simply somersaulted in the water and swam back again. Xiao Bugui had no choice but to kick them away repeatedly.

After doing this two or three times, Xiao Bugui grew tired. The Dragon Bracelet on his wrist pulsed, sending a message: "Let me handle these little brats. I am hungry."

Xiao Bugui’s hand released a starving dragon. Like a giant python, it swallowed seven or eight of the small imps in one gulp. The others, terrified, scrambled back into the water, transforming into fat-headed fish and vanishing into the depths.

Hu Jiao, seeing the giant dragon, was unfazed. She shifted her position instantly, escaping the dragon’s maw just as it crushed her boat. She reappeared before Hao Meili, admiring her and saying, "So this is the daughter of the Hao family. Truly beautiful—I like you. If you cannot find a man to marry, why not consider marrying me? Though I am a woman, I do not care for men; I only love women."

Faced with this provocation, Hao Meili drew her sword. Hu Jiao was agile, though her ornate clothing still suffered a tear. She leaped into the sky and shouted, "What a fiery girl! Hu Jiao takes her leave; we shall meet again!"

The dragon ignored Hu Jiao, continuing to prowl the pond and consume the remaining demons. Once sated, it flew back to wrap around Xiao Bugui’s wrist, returning to the form of a bracelet.

Watching Hu Jiao vanish, Ma Zengsan felt an ominous premonition. "The bandits of the Northwest have arrived, and now the Seven Killers of the Demonic Cult. Something great and terrible is surely about to happen."

Hao Meili asked, "Shall we pursue her?"

Ma Zengsan knew his limits. He had a new idea and said, "She has already fled; no need to chase. Miss, let us treat you to some wine."

Hao Meili replied, "I do not drink."

Ma Zengsan gestured to Xiao Bugui. "He wants to treat you to a meal."

Hao Meili looked at Xiao Bugui, who simply offered a foolish grin. This amused her, and a mutual fondness blossomed. Yet, Xiao Bugui remained silent. Finally, Miss Hao asked, "Young Master Xiao, are you going to invite me to eat, or shall I just head home?"

Xiao Bugui pleaded, "Don't go. I will treat you."

Shortly after they left, a child in a red belly-band emerged from the pond. Unlike the others, he stood on the bank, shook his head to dry his hair, and revealed a mouth filled with protruding fangs.

Hu Jiao, a crafty vixen, had returned. She leaned over, letting her ample bosom hang low in a seductive manner, and said angrily to the fanged child, "Yu Datou, why didn't you help earlier? That dragon ate several of your children!"

It turned out the child’s name was Yu Datou. He retorted, "They were worth no more than a puddle of urine—let them die. When we came, the Cult Master specifically ordered us not to ruin the great plan."

Hu Jiao insisted, "Your powers as the Fish Killer are far greater than mine. If you had used your true strength in that pond, no one would have been the wiser. Do you think they would have made it back alive?"

Yu Datou replied, "That girl is the daughter of Hao Jingming, the richest man in the martial arts world. We cannot afford to offend her. Never mind killing her—if even two hairs on her head were lost, both you and I would be dead. But I am curious: how did they know our whereabouts?"

Hu Jiao muttered, "I suspect that bastard. When we reach his house later, we will teach him a lesson."

Yu Datou said, "This is all your fault. You ate all the chickens in his house; how could he not hate you? It’s not as if we lack money. If you love chicken, why not just go to the shop and buy some?"

Hu Jiao explained, "My mother was a fox spirit, and my father was a weasel demon. I steal chickens because it’s in my blood."

Yu Datou retorted, "Why aren't you surnamed Diao?"

Hu Jiao replied, "We fox spirits always take our mother’s surname."

Yu Datou rubbed his belly and said, "I’m hungry. I’ll treat you to a meal."

Hu Jiao said, "Then you must buy me ten roasted chickens."

Yu Datou’s round black eyes widened. "You eat even more than the Pig Killer! You should be called the Sow Killer instead!"

Hu Jiao grabbed Yu Datou by his red belly-band and lifted him as if he were a mere infant. She warned him angrily, "I am as beautiful as a flower! Who are you calling a sow?"