Chapter 16: Elimination

A man who had been decapitated had actually come back to life; this demon was no longer killing people but had turned into a conjurer of parlor tricks. Seeing something so bizarre and novel, Hao Meili lost all appetite. She tugged at Xiao Bugui’s arm and whispered in his ear, "That man died and came back to life. I find it strange; let’s go take a look."

Ma Zengsan remained focused on his food and wine, acting as if he hadn't heard a word, letting the two young people run off into the street.

Upon reaching the street, they found no trace of Liu Zhu. Xiao Bugui whispered to Hao, "Where did Liu Zhu go? Should I transform into a bird to scout the situation?"

Hao Meili replied, "No, my light-foot skills are no match for yours."

The two leaped onto the rooftops lining the street, moving with agility. Soon, they spotted Liu Zhu hopping and skipping, running wildly like a child. The house servants behind him followed with anxious, polite tones: "Young Master, slow down, don't trip again!"

"Master, let’s stop this nonsense and go home," an old servant said with a smile, signaling the others. Several servants surged forward, each grabbing an arm to hoist Liu Zhu up, while two others grabbed his legs, dragging him toward a residence.

Liu Zhu, drawing from an unknown source of strength, struggled like a madman. Once inside the courtyard, he began to howl like a dog and even bit one of the servants, tearing away a piece of flesh and forcing the man to let go in pain.

With one arm free, Liu Zhu scratched the servant on his left, leaving his face covered in wounds. Seeing their companion’s miserable state, the two servants holding his legs, fearing for their own safety, dropped the crazed Liu Zhu and fled, shouting, "Help! The master has gone mad!"

Liu Zhu began using his knees as feet, supporting himself with his hands, barking wildly like a dog and chasing after anyone in sight to bite them.

Standing on the garden wall, Xiao Bugui watched Liu Zhu’s grotesque behavior and asked, "Is he truly insane?"

Hao Meili produced an exquisite jade vial and removed the stopper, releasing a pleasant, subtle fragrance. "I know; he isn't mad. He has been poisoned with a Gu. Let us go down and capture this parasite."

"Be careful!" Xiao Bugui did not want Hao Meili to take the risk, but she had already flown into the courtyard. She grabbed one of Liu Zhu's legs with one hand and, with a powerful swing, threw him directly against the courtyard wall.

Liu Zhu shattered the wall and was buried in the debris, his body contorted into a mangled heap upon impact. Not waiting for the flesh to regenerate, Hao Meili swiftly plunged a short sword into Liu Zhu's chest, skewered a black-and-red insect, and dropped it into the jade vial.

Today, Xiao Bugui finally witnessed Hao Meili’s prowess and stood on the wall, stunned. Hao Meili had already corked the vial and wiped the blood from her blade with a silk handkerchief. Seeing Xiao still frozen there, she called out, "Are you just going to watch? Why aren't you helping?"

"Let’s go," Xiao Bugui said, scratching his head.

Hao Meili replied, "Agreed. Let’s head back to the Huiyou Inn. That Pig Demon killed the Second Mistress's brother; there’s bound to be some excitement now."

The two young people were unaware that the Second Mistress had long known this resurrected brother was a fake. She was currently treating the Seven Devils to wine and meat pies—all of which were poisoned.

Everyone maintained a cheerful atmosphere, laughing and joking. The Second Mistress, having the antidote, was unfazed; she even used dieting as an excuse to drink wine while rarely touching the food. Niu Er and Zhang Gou had taken the antidote in advance, so they ate and drank heartily.

The little black pig remained in Wu Ke’ai’s embrace. Wu tried to feed it wine and meat, but it refused. Seeing this, Wu Ke’ai said to the Second Mistress, "My brother, the Pig Demon, eats everything except things that are poisoned. Second Mistress, did you lace the food?"

The Second Mistress smiled. "I did, but it didn't kill you. I wouldn't know what kind of poison to serve you next."

The Black Raven Devil said, "If the Second Mistress has poisoned us, I curse her to be a widow for the rest of her life."

The Second Mistress retorted angrily, "Your crow’s mouth is truly insufferable. Yanzi, go to the apothecary immediately and ask if they have poison to mute a crow. Buy it and feed it to him first."

Yanzi looked at the leftovers on the table and said with feigned humor, "He is a crow, and I am a swallow. Second Mistress, I haven't the heart to harm him! I shall go ask the waiter to bring a few more dishes."

Yu Datou chimed in, "No need, Miss Yanzi. We have eaten just enough poison from these dishes; any more and we might actually die."

The Second Mistress confessed plainly, "I did indeed put poison in the wine and meat pies. You hurt my brother, so I invited you to a meal to call it even."

Hu Jiao said, "You are truly a vicious woman. Fortunately, we have Gu parasites in our bodies to neutralize the poison, otherwise, we might have been killed by you today."

The Second Mistress stood up and bowed. "You exaggerate, Elder Sister. I am merely a mortal woman with no martial arts skills; how could I possibly harm the famous Seven Devils of the Demon Sect? I must excuse myself; please, enjoy your meal." As the Second Mistress left, Yanzi followed behind her.

Seeing her mistress leave with her maid, Ma Ruyun grew nervous and said, "Enjoy your meal, everyone. I must take my leave to relieve myself."

"Don't go yet, Boss Ma." Hu Jiao threw out a length of white silk that wrapped around Ma Ruyun’s wrist. The brothers sitting beside Ma were no simpletons; Ma Zhan’s blade was swift, but it stopped the moment it touched the silk. This was because Ma Ruyun had spoken: "The beautiful Hu Jiao is trying to keep me here. Put away your blade; I wish to have a pleasant conversation with this beauty."

Ma Zhan obeyed, sheathing his sword and returning to his wine.

Ma Ruyun said, "The items you requested have been brought by my men. They have been waiting outside. I intended to wait until you had finished your meal, but since you are in a hurry, I present them now."

Ma Ruyun’s voice carried clearly. As he finished speaking, four burly men pushed open the door and carried in a large chest.

Ma Ruyun opened it, revealing the treasures inside, and explained, "I never carry travel funds when I go out; these are things I have plundered along the way. I do not know if the item you seek is among them, but I offer it all to you."

Hu Jiao smiled. "Since you didn't bring your own funds, Boss Ma, we couldn't possibly take everything. We shall simply look to see if that object is here."

The little black pig leaped nimbly into the chest, shrunk to the size of an ant, and burrowed into the crevices of the treasure pile.

After a long wait, the ant crawled out, returned to its pig form, jumped back into Wu Ke’ai’s arms, and grunted a few times.

Wu Ke’ai, who understood the Pig Demon, said, "The object is not in the chest."

Ma Ruyun said honestly, "Perhaps you would like to dump the contents out and search again?"

Hu Jiao replied, "No need. It seems you truly do not have it, Boss Ma. We shall not trouble you further."

Ma Ruyun, relieved, bowed and said, "Then I shall be rude and take my leave. I will host you another day. Farewell!"