Chapter 031: Stone Jade Ring

The sun was brilliant, the breeze was perfect, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. On such a beautiful afternoon in the mortal world, facing such a beautiful three-eyed woman, Xiao Bugui truly could not understand why they had to resort to violence the moment they met. So he said, "My lady, on such a glorious afternoon, our paths have crossed. I was simply walking down the street and asked if you were a cat demon; surely that isn't a crime punishable by death?"

The three-eyed beauty did not waste words. She fixed her gaze on the sun, as if absorbing its heat, and then shot two brilliant rays of light from her beautiful pupils. They were like pillars of light, piercing through everything in their path.

Xiao Bugui reacted with agility, dodging the scorching beams, but he was drenched in a cold sweat. He shouted urgently, "Qing Shi, spit out a weapon, quick!"

Qing Shi let out a dry cough and spat out an item. Xiao Bugui did not get the Flowing Fish or the Flowing Fire he had hoped for, but rather the limp Seven Kills Spear.

Holding the soft spear, Xiao Bugui said in despair, "How am I supposed to use this? Seven Kills Spear, straighten up!"

To Xiao Bugui's surprise, when the three-eyed beauty saw the Seven Kills Spear, she actually withdrew her gaze and demanded, "Are you called Xiao Bugui?"

Xiao Bugui asked in astonishment, "You know me?"

The three-eyed beauty replied, "I am Shi Yuhuan, the Cult Leader of the Demon Sect."

Xiao Bugui said, "So, my lady, you have come to avenge Fang Dabai."

Shi Yuhuan said, "I intend to slaughter this rat's nest. Where are Hu Jiao and the others?"

Xiao Bugui said, "They are sleeping at the inn. My lady, I will take you there."

Shi Yuhuan warned him with a cold face, "From now on, address me as 'Cult Leader.' If you call me 'my lady' again, I will kill you."

Xiao Bugui tied the limp spear around his waist and smiled fearfully, "Yes, Cult Leader lady, I understand."

Shi Yuhuan shot a beam of light from one eye like a silver needle, piercing Xiao Bugui’s backside. She gave another stern warning: "If I hear you mispronounce it again, I will make you wish you were dead."

Xiao Bugui's backside stung as if it had been pricked, tears streaming from his eyes. His leg went lame instantly, and he had to endure the pain, hobbling along to lead the way, not daring to utter another word, keeping strictly silent.

Upon entering the inn, they found that Ma Zengsan had already left without a word. Xiao Bugui ignored everything else, ran upstairs, knocked on the door, and shouted, "Sister Hu Jiao, wake up quickly!"

Hu Jiao had just fallen asleep and was woken up by his noise, so she cursed, "Xiao Bugui, are you sick?"

Xiao Bugui clutched his aching backside and explained, "The Cult Leader is here! You must come out! She is terrifyingly powerful, hurry up!"

Hu Jiao put on her clothes and, having confirmed that it really was Cult Leader Shi, acted like a rabbit chased by a hound. She immediately went to other rooms to call the remaining Five Killers: "Cult Leader Shi is here! Wake up, all of you!"

The Pig Killer had been snoring loudly, but upon hearing the name "Cult Leader Shi," he became like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow. He smashed open his door, shattered the second-floor railing, and leaped straight down in front of Cult Leader Shi. He knelt on his front legs, transforming from a fierce and terrifying image into a cute little pig.

Wu Ke'ai and Pan Yingjun, looking like children who had committed a mistake, walked downstairs obediently with Hu Jiao and stood respectfully before Shi Yuhuan, not daring to act out.

Yu Datou was the slowest to emerge, so he simply lay flat on the slanted staircase and slid down.

The Five Killers shouted in unison and with great reverence, "We humbly welcome the arrival of the Cult Leader!"

Shi Yuhuan caught the scent of alcohol on the Five Killers and scolded them, "You five, I have warned you so many times not to let drink hinder your duties, yet you refuse to listen. Sooner or later, you will drink yourselves to death. Follow me now to burn down that Five-Corner Tower."

Yu Datou waved his hand and said, "Cult Leader, that won't do. Zhang Ruoxu of Mount Mao is currently at the Wen Family Manor."

Shi Yuhuan asked, "What is he doing here? Does he know I've come to massacre the village?"

Yu Datou replied, "It seems he is here to sell paintings. The Wen Family Manor is holding a special auction for him."

Shi Yuhuan remarked, "Isn't that old geezer only good at painting 'big pies' [empty promises]? Does he really need a special auction for that?"

Yu Datou said, "Zhang Ruoxu is the old leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, so naturally, there are many who wish to curry favor with him."

Shi Yuhuan said, "What use is that? He only knows how to paint empty promises. Even if he is there, I will kill everyone, leaving no one behind."

Manager Wen had already been awakened by the commotion in the lobby. He slipped out like a mouse and hid in a corner. Hearing their conversation, he realized something major was about to happen and, out of a sense of fellowship, went to send a warning. Unfortunately, his pace was too slow; by the time he reached the Five-Corner Tower, Shi Yuhuan had already arrived first.

Inside the Five-Corner Tower, the legendary master of painting empty promises, Zhang Ruoxu, was wielding his brush on a long table. Each time he finished a circular pie, he would have it mounted and framed before starting the next one.

Zhang Ruoxu said, "The pie I just painted was five-spice flavored; now, I shall paint a leek-stuffed one."

Wen Jiuquan held the painting in his hands, praising it endlessly: "It makes me hungry just looking at it! This painting is exquisite!"

Zhang Ruoxu generously said, "If you are hungry, just eat it. It is no matter; I shall simply paint another."

Wen Jiuquan flattered him, "Daoist Wu's paper and ink are worth their weight in gold. I cannot afford such an expensive pie; I had better sell it instead!"

Shi Yuhuan's gaze shot forth, the light piercing through those who tried to block her path. After inflicting casualties on many, she stormed into the main hall.

With a master supporting him, Wen Jiuquan was not afraid even when he saw the three-eyed woman. He said in a booming voice, "Is your Excellency the Demon Sect Leader, Ji Qingcheng?"

Shi Yuhuan replied, "You guessed wrong. I am not Cult Leader Ji; I am Cult Leader Shi."

Hearing this name, Wen Jiuquan's head began to spin, but he feigned composure and said, "I did not invite you to today's exhibition. Why have you come to cause trouble and kill so many people?"

Zhang Ruoxu was clever enough to ask directly, "Cult Leader Shi, do you have a grievance with Wen Jiuquan?"

Shi Yuhuan said, "He killed Fang Dabai. I have come today to exact revenge."

Upon hearing that Fang Dabai was dead, Zhang Ruoxu actually showed signs of sorrow, saying with regret, "Fang Dabai is dead? He was such a good man! Brother Wen, did you really harm him?"

Faced with Zhang Ruoxu's question, Wen Jiuquan shed old tears and said, "Brother, I am wronged! I did not kill him. Hero Fang left after a duel with Wen Dana. I tried repeatedly to persuade Hero Fang to stay and recover from his injuries. I know the power of the Demon Sect's Cult Leader; I wouldn't dare do such a thing even if I had ten times the courage!"

Zhang Ruoxu asked, "Where is Wen Dana? Capture him at once."

Wen Jiuquan said, "I shall go find him right away, I will go find him!" And he took to his heels.

"Why go to such trouble? I shall kill you all to save the hassle." Shi Yuhuan’s gaze was sharp as she looked at Wen Jiuquan. Zhang Ruoxu threw out a painting to shield him; the scorched painting emitted the aroma of a pie. Wen Jiuquan had already escaped through a secret door.

Blocked by Zhang Ruoxu, Shi Yuhuan was furious. Her three eyes widened in anger as she growled, "Old man Zhang, we haven't sparred in a long time. Today, let us fight and see who is the stronger of the two!"

Zhang Ruoxu said, "Cult Leader Shi, I am old now and am no match for you. I intervened just now only to spare you from committing more slaughter. Do not be angry; please take a seat, and I shall treat you to tea."