Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 275, Section 284: Ye Shuyi's Heart Fluttering, Instantly Outshining Zhu Youzhen

"Zhu Youzhen, you obtained your position through nepotism, but is your cultivation level also based on nepotism?"

"Their killing techniques are weak, their movement skills are poor, their true energy is stagnant, and their senses are dull. None of them are any good!"

"With your meager skills, you dare to covet the opportunities left behind by Emperor Taizong?"

"Have sweet dreams!"

The golden-red Vermilion Bird let out a high-pitched cry, accompanied by Guo Zhao's roar. Its wings swept across the ground like the flames of the sun, instantly melting away the darkness.

Zhu Youzhen groaned, staggered, and took more than ten steps back before regaining his footing. His face was so gloomy that it looked like it was about to drip water.

His magnificent purple robe was already tattered, leaving only half of his silk trousers. His turban had also been knocked off, and his hair was disheveled.

Although he wasn't seriously injured, he looked extremely disheveled, completely lacking his previous arrogant and unrestrained demeanor.

"This person's cultivation level is clearly at the peak of the Heavenly Ladder, so how come he is struggling against Senior Brother Guo?"

Seeing Guo Zhao gaining the upper hand, Ye Shuyi felt relieved but also puzzled.

His eyes darted around and met those of his father, Ye Jingneng.

The latter seemed to guess his daughter's doubts and whispered:

"This person's aura is weak and unstable; I'm afraid he didn't advance his cultivation level through normal means."

"Don't forget, those sorcerers of the Ming Cult have plenty of evil magic in their hands."

Upon hearing this, Ye Shuyi understood. The Ming Cult's madness drug was notorious, but its effects were also extremely amazing.

Orthodox elixirs prioritize stability and mellowness, while the Ming Cult's medicines are often violent and volatile, carrying the risk of driving people mad, but also bringing astonishing benefits.

There are even rumors that the Mingzun of the Ming Cult possessed a special alchemy method that could refine martial artists into human pills to increase their cultivation.

These are just a few examples. Some people scoff at it, while others flock to it.

"Commander Zhu, I advise you to save some face for yourself and leave now, so as not to cause any trouble."

After Ye Jing finished speaking, she prepared to take her daughter into the house. Guo Zhao also disdainfully flicked his sleeves and withdrew the true energy that had been released from his body.

This dismissive attitude was like a steel needle piercing Zhu Youzhen's heart.

Anger and embarrassment overwhelmed his reason. He stared intently at Guo Zhao, who was about to leave, while his right hand stealthily reached to his waist, where he tucked a dark red, glass-like pill into his palm, muttering under his breath:
"General Ge, I need you to stop Ye Jingneng. Can you do it?"

"Alas," a faint sigh came, and although the middle-aged man did not appear, his voice transmission clearly reached Zhu Youzhen's ears.

"Second Young Master, this is the capital, not Henan Province. I am only here as an avatar. If the commotion gets out of hand and the Grandmaster himself arrives, I cannot protect you."

"I only ask you, can you stop Ye Jingneng?!"

The strange behavior of talking to himself immediately aroused Guo Zhao's vigilance.

"You henpecked husband, get out of the Duke of Yue's mansion! Trespassing on the residence of a nobleman is a capital offense!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youzhen's expression became even more ferocious. This time, without waiting for a reply, he swallowed the dark red, glass-like pill directly into his stomach.

"Sigh," the middle-aged man watching from the shadows couldn't help but sigh.

Of Zhu Quanzhong's two sons, the eldest, Zhu Yougui, was prudent and steady, and was considered by some conservative officials to be a suitable successor.
The second son, Zhu Youzhen, was arrogant and domineering, and vindictive. However, he managed to gain the favor of the Prince of Liang by relying on his connections.

After he was promoted to commander of the Crane Control Army, he was never stingy with rewards for his soldiers and was quite indulgent. His subordinates often killed innocent people to claim credit, raped and murdered people, and massacred people in the city, but he protected them all. Instead, he won the favor of arrogant and fierce soldiers.

It's still too early to say which of the two brothers will succeed him.

As a subject of the King of Liang, what else could he do but clean up his mess?

“I can stop Ye Jingneng, but Second Young Master, you should be careful. You can curb this kid’s arrogance, but don’t kill anyone.”

"Don't worry, General Ge," Zhu Youzhen said, grinning to reveal his gleaming white teeth after receiving an affirmative reply.

The bluish-black blood vessels bulged out like earthworms, and the bulging muscles expanded and stretched, turning into a purplish-red metallic luster.

His hair stood on end, resembling the wild neighing of a galloping horse, and his eyes radiated a scarlet, blood-red light.
"At most, I can break his arms and legs. If he dies, I won't be able to properly humiliate him!"

"Insanity!"

Guo Zhao was filled with shock and anger. He sensed that the opponent's aura was rising steadily, already exceeding the limit of the Heavenly Ladder Perfection and infinitely approaching the Profound Gate Martial Artist level.

He wasn't a novice; he instantly deduced that the other person had taken drugs or used a secret technique.

Regardless of the reason, Guo Zhao had no intention of sitting idly by and waiting for his death. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, moved like birds emerging from their dens, and in the blink of an eye, his fingers intertwined, forming a hand seal.

The surging true essence burst forth, and the Vermilion Bird instantly transformed into a shooting star, its terrifying high temperature and explosive power chilling to the bone.

However, Zhu Youzhen did not retreat but advanced instead, a wild, excited laugh spreading across his face. His ten fingers, as thick as bronze pillars, joined together as if swatting a fly.

Because the speed of his palms was so fast, the airflow between his fingers even emitted a sharp whistling sound, and under Guo Zhao's incredulous gaze, he instantly smashed the Vermilion Bird to pieces—

"impossible!"

Seeing the scattering flames across the sky, Guo Zhao's pupils contracted sharply. Then, realizing what was happening, his true essence surged again, covering his entire body.

However, Zhu Youzhen did not give him that opportunity.

Amidst the flames, the bronze-like Vajra Warrior shot out like a whirlwind, his five fingers gripping Guo Zhao's shoulders like iron chains.

"Chi~"

The dark purple true essence was turbid like a swamp, churning and writhing, corroding holes in Guo Zhao's protective true essence, but was then hastily repaired by golden-red flames.

"Nephew Guo," Ye Jingneng said, her heart tightening as she saw Guo Zhao's face visibly turn pale. She raised her right hand.

The Prince of Fenyang and their family were old friends, and besides, Guo Zhao would be entering the Taiqing Palace again in a few days. If he were injured now, it would be extremely difficult for him to compete for the Great Crimson Heaven opportunity later.

Furthermore, the Ye family has a close relationship with the Li imperial family, and their relationship with the Prince of Liang is naturally one of mortal enmity, leaving them with no other choice.

As his thoughts raced, five colors of light—green, red, black, white, and yellow—swirled and condensed between his five fingers. Just as Ye Jingneng was about to make his move, he suddenly felt a strange chill, as if thorns were pricking his back.

It seemed that as soon as he made a move, he would be met with a fatal blow.

Moreover, the attack wasn't just aimed at him; his daughter, who was standing nearby, was also targeted.

Ye Jingneng's expression instantly turned extremely ugly, and as if to confirm his thoughts, a faint voice echoed in the courtyard:
"The ultimate technique of Master Ye Daoyuan of Luofu, the Five Elements Divine Light?"

"However, Master Ye's 'Preface to the Five Kitchens Qi Method' seems to be incomplete. If he makes a move carelessly, I'm afraid it will bring shame to our ancestors."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable confidence. He exposed Ye Jingneng's true nature the moment he opened his mouth, and without being discovered.

'This person's strength is at least at the Profound Realm, perhaps even a Grandmaster. No, in the capital, how could the Prince of Liang dare to allow a Grandmaster to accompany him?'

'If the Grand Secretary were to act in a fit of rage, even a Grandmaster would die in vain. Therefore, this is most likely an avatar. Could it be...' Zhu Quanzhong only had two Grandmasters under his command. After a moment's thought, Ye Jing immediately pinpointed the other party's identity:

"Guizimu, Ge Congzhou?"

“It’s me. I advise Abbot Ye to stand by and watch. Once the Second Young Master has vented his anger, he will naturally stop. We also know what kind of place the capital is; no one will die.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Shuyi looked at her father, whose expression had turned ashen, and Guo Zhao, who was desperately trying to dodge Zhu Youzhen's ferocious attacks. Her slender fingers clenched involuntarily.

Born into a noble family, she associated with people of all ages and elders who were all officials, scholars, and connoisseurs of literature and etiquette.

Although I had heard of the arrogance of the warlords in the vassal states before, I was shocked to see it with my own eyes today. I couldn't help but feel doubtful and wary.

Arrogant, willful, and reckless, Zhu Youzhen's scarlet eyes held only savage instincts.

To her, this primitiveness and barbarity were like uncivilized wild beasts or livestock in heat, utterly filthy compared to the centuries-old civilization of rites and music of the Qin Dynasty.

She felt a deep disgust for this, but she had to admit that these barbaric practices had long been rampant throughout the land, and now they were surrounding the capital, about to destroy the ancient chariot of Qin.

Before a new dynasty emerges, the two capitals and sixteen circuits will inevitably become hunting grounds for wild beasts, the world will sink into darkness and bloodshed, and the blood of women and children will stain every inch of the land.
For the first time, the inner walls of the Yue State Duke's Mansion were shattered by the darkest cruelty of human nature, and terrifying associations assaulted Ye Shuyi's mind.

At that moment, she realized with profound understanding how fortunate she was to be born into a royal family.

But now, Zhu Quanzhong's army has already reached Luoyang, and there is not much time left for Xijing.

The peaceful days of quietly reading and practicing alchemy have now turned into pure glass, which may shatter at any moment under turbulence.

A shadow fell over the female Taoist priest's eyes, reflecting Guo Zhao, who was sitting on the ground with blood flowing from his mouth and nose.

His purple robe, adorned with a pattern of beaded qilin, was now tattered and torn. His once pure crimson-gold true essence was now tainted, mixed with a zombie-like dark purple-black aura, and his five fingers, bracing themselves on the ground, trembled uncontrollably.

Even so, he refused to yield in the slightest, his eyes blazing with resentment like a raging fire.
"You wife-selling pig, you beast, is this all you can do even after taking the drug?!"

"Heh, still quite stubborn."

Zhu Youzhen, however, showed no anger whatsoever. His expression was playful and pleased, adopting the posture of a victor.

With his limbs outstretched, his bronze-like muscles arched like serpents. He looked like a demonic Vajra warrior, exuding a sense of blasphemous defilement.

"Second Young Master, it's time to go."

When Ge Congzhou's voice rang out, Zhu Youzhen couldn't help but show a hint of regret, but she still withdrew her true energy.

Seeing that the other party was about to leave, Guo Zhao felt both indignant and relieved.

It's no exaggeration to say that he had given it his all in that short moment of fighting.

The opponent used some unknown method, and the difference in combat power before and after was not so exaggerated as to be heaven and earth, but it was as if they had crossed a threshold, making it difficult for him to cope.

'These traitors must have colluded with the Ming Cult's heretics and learned some evil magic. Otherwise, with my level of cultivation, how could I...'

"Brother, be careful!"

The cry of the Vermilion Bird instantly startled Guo Zhao awake. He stared wide-eyed as Zhu Youzhen's figure, which had clearly left, turned back like a black wind.

Ye Shuyi's hastily formed Vermilion Bird True Form, however, was as if countless steel blades were piercing her body under the filthy wind, stripping away her fiery feathers and flesh.

"Shuyi!"

Seeing her daughter in danger, Ye Jing's eyes blazed with murderous intent, and five-colored light shone brightly in her palm, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.

The five-colored divine light had only spread three feet when a Rakshasa woman holding the head of a dead infant appeared in the courtyard, completely obscuring it.

At the same time, Zhu Youzhen looked at Ye Shuyi, who had unexpectedly come to his door, and his smile became even more ferocious. He unleashed two purple-black fist imprints in succession, instantly shattering the true form of the Vermilion Bird.

Ye Shuyi's face turned pale. Under the powerful impact, her hair ornament broke, and her black hair flew backward along with her out-of-control body.

A bitter feeling crept into my heart without me even realizing it.

I've amassed a fleeting reputation over a decade, only to discover how utterly vulnerable I am.
"Sister Ye?"

A gentle voice rang in Ye Shuyi's ears, like a spring breeze. The next moment, she found herself nestled in broad, warm arms.

Looking back blankly, past the long neck and the sharply defined jawline, a familiar face, as beautiful as a jade beauty, came into view.

"Junior Brother Li?"

As Li Cunxiao felt the soft warmth of the woman's body in his arms, his heart inexplicably quickened.

With a casual grab of his free left hand, he caught the lotus crown and hairpin that had fallen into the air.

"I sensed a fight going on here, so I rushed over. Is Senior Sister alright?"

Ye Shuyi gave a soft "hmm," and as she felt the other person's arm loosen, a sense of loss welled up in her heart.

But then she felt her loose hair being gently lifted up.

The young man's fingers inadvertently brushed against her scalp, instantly turning the nun's delicate earlobes crimson.

"Who are you? Get out of my way!"

Watching this strange man casually tie up Ye Shuyi's hair and put on a crown, Zhu Youzhen's eyes turned bloodshot again.

What he didn't notice was that Ge Congzhou and Ye Jingneng didn't react at all, or rather, they didn't dare to react at all.

"Interesting. So this big shot from the capital thinks he's something special? Daring to ignore me, how much better are you than that brat from the Guo family!"

With a deafening roar, Zhu Youzhen's body resembled a black, malevolent gale, two crimson streaks of light leaving afterimages, like a demon crawling out of hell.

"Junior brother, this person is strange. Don't be overconfident!"

Such a terrifying display of power instantly changed the expression of Guo Zhao, who was watching the scene unfold, and he immediately shouted a warning.

But neither Ye Shuyi nor Li Cunxiao seemed to see the approaching danger.

The gold hairpin was inserted into the lotus crown, and the latter withdrew her hand, her fingertips seemingly still feeling the touch of her black hair brushing against her.

Ye Shuyi, who had been keeping her head down, couldn't help but look up. For some reason, a sense of security arose spontaneously when she was next to Li Cunxiao.

In the young man's clear eyes, she saw a smile unconsciously creep onto her own face.

Her smile bloomed like a peach blossom, and Li Cunxiao found himself somewhat overwhelmed.

Only then did she finally turn her head to face Zhu Youzhen, who was now almost within arm's reach. She could even see his trembling lips, thick, swamp-like true energy, and his demonic, Vajra-like strength.
Li Cunxiao blew a breath, which was like a thunderbolt, causing lightning and fire to flash and flames to flow like floating clouds.

Amidst the fiery clouds, a thirty-foot-long crimson dragon leaped into the air, opening its mouth—

Devour the demon into its belly!

(End of this chapter)