Chapter 33A: Rescue

[Translator/Editor: otwentyfirst]
[Host: justreads.net]

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Demonic technique? Shen Li wrinkled her brow.

The Demon realm had been under heaven’s jurisdiction since the end of the Thousand Year war. The boundary dictated by heaven was firmly enforced by the Demon Emperor, so even if the demon people didn’t like it, they couldn’t disobey. Despite this there were those in heaven who suspected the demon people had evil intentions and were simply biding their time, waiting for a chance to strike back. However because the Demon Emperor took great pains to enforce the boundaries, there had been no issues between the realms, thus nothing for heaven to complain about or latch onto as evidence.

This would change if immortal beings were being kidnapped. If a link, no matter how dubious, could be drawn to the demon people, the already suspicious people of heaven would jump to conclusions and pass a guilty judgement.

The reputation of the Demon Emperor and his people would be tarnished and the already tenuous peaceful relationship between the two realms would crumble.

Shen Li thought it would be great if the feigned friendship between the two realms fell apart and they could stop pretending to be nice to each other, however she had an issue with being used.

“Undo the limiting spell,” Shen Li said to Xing Zhi as she walked to the group of men clad in black. She said this, but before he could do as she asked, she had already broken through the ice, grabbed one of the men by the scruff of his neck and punched him to the ground.

He lay in a fetal position clutching his belly. She promptly kicked his legs out and sat on his stomach, then she forced his mouth open to keep him from committing suicide.

“I’m going to ask each question once and only once. Refuse to answer and I will cut your finger and force you to eat it, so take stock of how many fingers you have.”

Xing Zhi knew from the coldness in her eyes she was serious. She was a king of the Demon realm after all, so her ferocity was not in doubt.

The man under her trembled, wanting to escape, but Shen Li was like an immovable thousand-pound weight.

“Who do you work for?”

The veins on his face bulged and he looked like he was choking. Since he refused to answer Shen Li moved her hand to his waist and reached for the dagger sheathed there. She slid it out and pressed the blade to a finger, ready to slice it off. The man squeezed out the words, “Gate guard… “

Before Shen Li could ask the next question his face turned a ghastly purple. The already bulging veins on his face expanded and pulsated like worms. Their movement grew in intensity until his eyes bulged out. A whinny sound of pain escaped his throat before a loud “pop” erupted from his head.

The brunt of the blood splatter landed on Shen Li’s hands, but some still managed to make it to her face. She glanced down at the body underneath her before tossing the dagger away and standing up.

Bones and flesh disintegrated into sand spilling out of his clothes like an overfilled bag.

“What a malicious death curse. Answering questions will cause you to blow up.”

With a grave expression Xing Zhi, turned to the other men in black only to find their eyes closed in suicide. Apparently they didn’t want to die the same horrible death their comrade suffered.

Shen Li turned to follow his gaze. With a frown she said, “We lost our only lead.”

“I… I once overheard about a lake.” Hu Lu hesitated but pushed forward. “The immortals being kidnapped are being held in a cave near a cliff that’s covered with green vines. It’s by a huge waterfall. The only place that fits that description is Qingya cave.”

Shen Li was quick to reply. “Let’s go. We’ll rescue any immortals we find and figure out our next steps afterwards.”

Xing Zhi muttered some things to himself before speaking out. “We should disguise ourselves first. Let’s change clothes so it’ll be easier to approach the cave.”

“When the time comes, Xing, you take care of them with your spell-casting and I’ll take care of them with my fists.”

Xing Zhi nearly laughed at her words. He picked up a stick and tapped her forehead lightly with it. “What is wrong with your brain? Always so violent.”

Shen Li distractedly touched the spot he tapped and turned away without saying a word.

Xing Zhi had been careful how he behaved around her, but all that care went to waste with that single action that made his personality shine through. The way he touched her, the way he spoke, they were identical to the other jerk! The mortal him rejected her but the immortal him was seducing her. What was with him? She wanted to beat him up for unsettling her heart so much!

Shen Li was still stewing when she felt her clothes morph into the same black outfit the men wore. Xing Zhi had changed both his appearance and his clothes to resemble the leader as well. Now he gave off a competent heroic air, instead of that of a lazy loafer.

“Ahem, let’s go,” said Shen Li after clearing her throat.