Chapter 87: The Demon Child’s Response

Demon Realm

Within the waterside pavilion, Zhao Hongzhuang saw that Hua Zhongying was unharmed and ordered someone to escort her back to Qunfang Terrace for rest.

Hua Zhongying hesitated, glanced at the three—the Red Widow among them—swallowed her words, and withdrew from the pavilion.

As soon as she left, the Worm spoke bluntly, “The person has been delivered. Our cooperation ends here.”

Zhao Hongzhuang’s heart skipped a beat, and she responded with a gentle smile, “Why? Have I failed to serve you well?”

Her words were soft, but suddenly the pavilion’s floor was coated with a thick layer of white frost.

The Worm shifted her feet, and the frost melted away as she replied disdainfully, “Whether you served us or not is meaningless. All banquets end eventually. We all agreed on this from the start. You’ve gained prestige and power; we’ve aided you enough. It’s time we part ways.”

“Hah… You speak true. I believed that even if business ended, there would still be kindness between us. So many years, I hoped we might forge some bond.”

“No need for pleasantries. We acted for the favor you showed in releasing us long ago, and have aided you without compensation till now. Greed isn’t a sin, but one must be able to stomach it.”

As soon as she finished, Qingfu entered the pavilion. After greeting the Three Evils, she leaned close to Zhao Hongzhuang’s ear and whispered, “Demon Child, there’s trouble.”

Zhao Hongzhuang’s expression remained calm as she murmured, “What happened?”

“It’s like this, the report came from below…”

“Is it true?” Zhao Hongzhuang’s eyes flashed incredulity, brief but revealing the impact.

“I wouldn’t dare lie, not even a word.”

“Go now. Unless summoned, no matter what happens, do not enter.”

“Yes.” Qingfu bowed and left. At the door, she glanced back, unable to conceal her worry.

Ah…

Zhao Hongzhuang smiled softly and said, “You three are truly capable, gifting me such a grand gesture as soon as you act. I am overwhelmed.”

The Red Widow continued to toy with her blood-marked spider, lazily saying, “A small gift, nothing more. If you’ve thought it through, we part peacefully. If you fear trouble, those clowns at the foot of the mountain are our farewell offering.”

“So, you three have made up your minds?” Her patience was spent. She recalled: if not for her weakness back then, she would never have risked such a move. Now she held honor, yet her nemesis showed no gratitude, seeking her death at every turn.

The Red Widow suddenly looked up, gave a soul-stealing smile, and said, “What now? Do you wish to display some means?”

Her smile was alluring, seductive, yet chilling—utterly merciless.

Truthfully, were it not to buy time for the people on the island to recover, they would never have humbled themselves so. They’d done enough.

The insult made Zhao Hongzhuang flush with shame, her fair face frosted, but she could not lash out. Whether now or at her peak, she was no match for these three. To fight them would only court humiliation.

After several moments of inner struggle, she replied warmly, “No need for such talk. Since you’ve decided, I shall grant your wish. But, will your promise still hold?”

The Red Widow said, “Of course. Among our kind, a word is sacred. What we give, we do not take back.”

“In that case, let us part here.”

“Please. May your journey be swift and your sails carry you across the boundless sea; may the world be yours to roam. Only one thing: I hope we never become enemies.”

“Rest assured, you show us respect, we’ll return it. Whether friend or foe, that’s up to you.” The Worm brushed aside her hair and flashed a toothy grin at Zhao Hongzhuang.

With those words, the three vanished.

Only one remained, crushing her delicate fist.

---

“Qingfu.”

“Demon Child, what are your orders?”

“How many know of this?”

“Not many. The guards below the mountain are ours. I’ve ordered strict silence, and they didn’t bring many, likely just probing.”

“Good. Stay out of it. Let them patrol as usual—others will deal with those intruders.”

Qingfu glanced at her, understanding why, and responded respectfully, “Yes, I’ll see to it.”

After two steps, she turned suddenly, “If someone happens to witness and reports to the Realm Lord, what then?”

Zhao Hongzhuang paused, “It’s alright. I’m going to see the Realm Lord now. You handle the matter.”

“Yes.”

After sending off Qingfu, Zhao Hongzhuang made her way to the Great Mercy Palace, raising both hands above her head before bowing. After two bows, she knelt first on the left knee, then the right, prostrated herself three times, and declared, “Hongzhuang greets the Realm Lord and humbly requests an audience.”

Moments later, the palace doors opened, revealing a row of painted screens that hid the figure behind. A deep male voice sounded, “Why do you seek me?”

Zhao Hongzhuang knelt at the steps, “Years ago, I sheltered two from the Demon Realm. Now, someone has spread rumors that they are sinners from Eternal Sin Platform, provoking the Demon Realm to issue a kill order. Celestial beings from Desire Sea pursued them, but were slain by the Nine-Trained Locust. Poison Gate’s Hu Xihe incited disciples and victims’ families to attack our domain. This is grave—I dare not act without your guidance.”

“The Nine-Trained Locust—who commands it?”

“It belongs to Poison Thousand Hands of the Poison Gate.”

“Where is he now?”

“Word is, he lost control of the locust and was devoured by it.”

“So, the Poison Gate seeks to shift blame, making our realm a scapegoat?”

“I dare not presume, but their motives seem far from benign.”

“Handle this yourself. Do not let our realm lose face.”

“I understand.”

With that, the palace doors closed with a creak.

Zhao Hongzhuang knew the figure behind the screens had departed. She rose and returned to the pavilion; with the Realm Lord’s side settled, the next steps would be easier.

Upon reflection, she was grateful for her foresight, having the Three Evils remove the Eternal Sin Platform’s mark from Hua Zhongying earlier.

Now, unless the Demon Realm takes her personally, the rest need not be feared.

Yet, though not afraid, the matter remained a threat…

The Three Evils descended to the mountain foot and indeed found several Celestial beings from Desire Sea sneaking around.

The Worm turned to Constant Sash and the Red Widow, sneering, “See? She guessed right. That brat from Poison Gate moves fast, already stirring people here. Sash, which do you want to try first?”

“There’s only a handful, barely enough to whet my appetite. First or last, what’s the difference?”

“True. You take the left, I’ll take the right—the last one is fair game. How about it?”

“Agreed.”

In a flash, the scouts hadn’t even grasped the situation before they fell, writhing in pain. Those who remained were so terrified they lost control of their bowels and fled desperately.

“Shall we chase them?”

“I have a cleanliness fetish, can’t bring myself to.”

“…Heh, then let’s leave her a surprise—good idea.” The Worm urged her black insect to devour the prey, applauding the result.

No helping it—who’d expect someone to be more timid than a mouse? Just her own little bug and Sash’s great serpent, and she’s so squeamish?

Glancing at the yellowish mess on the ground, someone felt thoroughly disgusted and hastened her insect’s feeding. In a few bites, only bleached bones remained beside the road.

Constant Sash was no less efficient; her spotted snake burst from a man’s belly, wrapped around his neck, and in moments, a pile of bones was all that was left.

“Let’s go elsewhere for a proper meal.” Constant Sash recalled her snake, eyeing the two.

The Red Widow covered her mouth with a smile, “But first, if there’s no beauty, I won’t agree.”

“Oh? You have someone in mind?”

---

“I don’t, but twice now, I can’t just watch while you two feast. My little Red is still hungry.”

The Worm said, “True, but where do we find beauties?”

“Ask at Yinshan Lake, and we’ll know soon enough.” Constant Sash’s lips curled with a sinister grin that sent chills through onlookers.

“Good point.”

“Let’s go.”

…

While the Three Evils went to Yinshan Lake for unknown purposes, the one who escaped was Blue Feather, Poison Thousand Hands’ chief disciple.

He’d heard of his master’s demise and clamored for revenge. But the sect leader forbade it, saying the matter was suspicious and needed thorough investigation before any action.

He endured, only for Hu Xihe to seek him out alone, saying, “The murder of a master is like the loss of one’s father. How can a son ignore his father’s death?”

Yes, he couldn’t ignore it. So he gathered two disciples from Dragon Serpent Hall to scout the foot of Hundred Marvels Peak in the Demon Realm.

He figured, if possible, killing a few demon soldiers would be satisfying.

But before they even saw an enemy, his companions were struck down, and the horrific sight left him terrified.

When he returned to Poison Gate, he was already deranged, clutching at everyone and sobbing, “Help… help… help…”

At first, the Poison Gate disciples didn’t recognize him. Though he wore their uniform, his hair was wild, his body filthy, and in the blazing sun, his stench carried for miles.

They assumed he was a madman pretending to be a disciple, until a token fell from him during the scuffle, revealing him as one of Dragon Serpent Hall.

He was taken away to be cleaned up, and only then did they realize he was Blue Feather.

But by then, he no longer recognized anyone. He returned to the sect by instinct, unable to answer questions, rambling incoherently. With no other choice, they brought him to the central hall to see the sect leader.

At that moment, the hall was packed with outsiders, all demanding answers from Poison Gate.

Some sharp-eyed ones recognized Blue Feather as Poison Thousand Hands’ chief disciple. Poison Thousand Hands rarely did good, but his reputation for evil was well-known.

The crowd’s fury found its target. The master was dead; the disciple remained. Master’s debt, disciple’s repayment—it was only right.

They grabbed the Poison Gate disciples and fought fiercely.

Blue Feather didn’t resist, letting fists, blades, and swords rain upon him, drooling and babbling, “Help… help… The snake… the snake is coming… Don’t… don’t eat me… So many bugs… Don’t come near, don’t…”

Finally, someone noticed something was wrong.

“Wait, is he… insane?”

“Hmph, I think he knows he can’t escape death today and is feigning madness. You, me, all our disciples, and hundreds of lives—can he bear that responsibility?”

“Hmm, you may be right, but if he’s pretending, isn’t he overdoing it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe he truly encountered something. Why not drag him inside and let the sect leader decide?”

“Good idea. Come on, stop pretending to be dead—get up!”

None were in the mood for mercy. With the hatred of a destroyed sect and lost comrades, all their anger was laid on Blue Feather.

It was, indeed, master’s debt repaid by the disciple.

In truth, Blue Feather was never Poison Thousand Hands’ favorite. His talent was average; his only virtue was filial devotion.

Those who won the master’s favor had already fled Dragon Serpent Hall upon learning of the death, hiding away.

Only Blue Feather sought vengeance, but his luck failed when he encountered the Three Evils.

They dragged him as if he were a dead pig, tossing him into the central hall.

“Sect leader, give us an answer.”