Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Schemes of the Four Sacred Beasts

"Xia Dan, what brings you here?" Qin Xiaochuan was startled to see Xia Dan approach. It had been a while since they'd last met, and Xia Dan seemed even more charming than before. Her tight shorts hugged her waist and hips, accentuating the curves of her young figure. The short-sleeved T-shirt, adorned with a Mickey Mouse print, was lifted by her proud chest, making her irresistibly alluring and adorable. Her ponytail was tied high, swinging behind her head, and Zhang Yang couldn't help but drool at the sight. When did that rascal Qin Xiaochuan start dating such a beautiful girl?

"Xiaochuan, something big has happened again," Xia Dan said, running toward him. "The monsters of Demon Street are dissatisfied with being sealed away by the barrier. They demand that the Spirit Realm grant their wish and lift the seal, letting them live among humans."

"Demon Street? What's that?" Qin Xiaochuan pressed, sensing another mission from the Spirit Realm.

"Demon Street lies at the boundary between the Demon Realm and the human world. Originally, it was a criminal base for monsters known as the Four Sacred Beasts, but as more and more demons gathered there, the Spirit Realm sent envoys to seal it off, preventing them from entering the human world."

"I see. So why do those creatures from Demon Street think they have the right to demand the Spirit Realm release the seal and let them into our world?"

"Actually, the leader of the Four Sacred Beasts, Vermilion Bird, somehow obtained a magic flute. This flute can control low-level monsters like demon worms through its music, and the Spirit Realm's seal is weak against such creatures. Recently, many demon worms controlled by the flute have slipped through the seal and entered the human world, causing chaos. Look, that's one!"

As she spoke, Xia Dan pointed to the mouth of a delinquent youth. "See, that's a demon worm!"

From the mouth of the youth Xia Dan indicated, a creature resembling a scorpion crawled out. Eight insect-like legs protruded from its front, a hard shell covered its back, and a long, soft tail trailed behind, slick with saliva. It looked as though the worm had just emerged from the boy's brain.

"Is this a demon worm?" Qin Xiaochuan bent down and picked up the creature as it tried to escape, examining it closely.

"Yes, though it's small, it can burrow into the human brain and control thoughts and actions. These students were under its influence, causing such dangerous incidents. To prevent Vermilion Bird from threatening us, Lord Little Yama ordered me to tell you to go to Demon Street, find the magic flute, and destroy it. Then Vermilion Bird will lose his power to control demon worms and threaten the Spirit Realm."

"I see. How many demon worms have slipped into the human world?"

"Not sure. According to Little Yama, probably tens of thousands."

"Tens of thousands? That many?" Qin Xiaochuan was shocked by the number.

"Exactly. Otherwise, the Spirit Realm wouldn’t be so passive. Once these worms enter a body, the person becomes Vermilion Bird’s puppet. If he plays the flute, these puppets will start committing outrageous acts, causing chaos. This is urgent. Only by destroying the magic flute can we eliminate the demon worms and stop more monsters from infiltrating our world. Xiaochuan, I’m counting on you!"

"Wait, you want me to go alone into a nest of criminals? Are you kidding?" The thought of facing a whole den of monsters made Qin Xiaochuan shake his head like a rattle. He remembered his last encounter with the demon child, which nearly cost him his life. Facing a horde of monsters would surely mean being devoured alive. This was not a job he wanted.

Hearing their conversation, hot-blooded Zhang Yang strode over and pointed to himself. "You’ve got me too!"

"Oh, Zhang Yang, you're so annoying! You overheard everything!" Xia Dan blushed, pushing Zhang Yang aside. She had been careless, not noticing there was someone else here before revealing these secrets. What to do?

"Don’t be surprised. If we don’t find the magic flute soon, those demon worms will hurt people. I, Zhang Yang, won’t allow that!"

Seeing the determination in Zhang Yang’s eyes, Xia Dan could only wave her hand helplessly. At least Zhang Yang was Xiaochuan’s classmate—if an ordinary person learned of this and spread the news, the world would be thrown into chaos.

Two hours later, Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang, armed with a map from Xia Dan, found the location of Demon Street deep in the mountains. There stood an abandoned castle, neglected for years, which the Four Sacred Beasts had turned into a monster haven. Around the castle, the woods were festooned with Spirit Realm sealing charms—clearly an effort to prevent monsters from slipping into the human world.

Navigating around the seals, Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang entered the Four Sacred Beasts’ territory.

"Have you thought this through? This isn’t like last time. If we get caught by monsters, we’ll be eaten—maybe not even a bone will be left..."

"Stop trying to scare me, Xiaochuan! How could a hot-blooded youth like me leave the city’s fate in your hands alone? You’re always whining—so annoying!"

"Ha, looks like you’ve toughened up. You must’ve gained quite a bit lately, huh? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so confident!"

"Hah, you guessed it. Not to brag, but about the Spirit Sword..."

Just as Zhang Yang was about to elaborate, monsters began to swarm out from all directions. They looked much like humans, but born of the Demon Realm, they fed on carrion and lesser creatures. Their movements were sluggish, almost zombie-like. Detecting the scent of fresh meat, the monsters emerged from the woods and lunged at Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang.

With no time to waste, Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang fought back against the low-level monsters.

"Damn, the more we fight, the more there are! How are you holding up, Zhang Yang?"

"No problem. Keep an eye on your side—I can handle mine..."

"If we get surrounded, we won’t escape, not even from here, let alone back to the city. Damn..."

Just as the two were being overwhelmed, two figures burst through the seal, breaking through the monsters at the perimeter and joining Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang. They threw off their cloaks.

"White Shadow—and Feiyan? You two?"

Seeing them reveal themselves, Qin Xiaochuan was surprised. How had they ended up together, and why were they helping him out? He wasn’t surprised by White Shadow, since he’d saved his life before, but Feiyan’s presence was an unexpected twist—he’d beaten that guy up himself.

"With just two people, this would’ve been difficult."

"But why are you together?"

"Well..." White Shadow joined Qin Xiaochuan, considering how to explain. "Call it community service in the mortal world. The Spirit Realm allowed us to help retrieve the magic flute, and in exchange, we’ll regain our freedom. Does that make sense?"

"I see. That makes sense. Zhang Yang, let me introduce you: this is White Shadow, and this is Feiyan."

Qin Xiaochuan introduced White Shadow and Feiyan to the still slightly bewildered Zhang Yang.

Feiyan, hearing Qin Xiaochuan introduce him to a stranger, turned coldly away. "I don’t know what White Shadow’s thinking, but I have no intention of assisting you. I’m only here because I’m interested in the Four Sacred Beasts’ treasures. Don’t get the wrong idea!"

White Shadow and Qin Xiaochuan exchanged a glance, fully aware of Feiyan’s temperament, and could only shake their heads. Zhang Yang, however, was furious—how could this short, black-clad guy be so arrogant?

"Hey, kid, you’re pretty cocky! Apologize for what you just said, or else..."

"Oh? Are you looking for trouble?" Feiyan replied expressionlessly, sizing up Zhang Yang and finding him easy to deal with.

"What did you say, you bastard? Want to fight? Let’s see how I teach you a lesson!"

"Feiyan, now isn’t the time to fight. Did you forget our mission?" As Feiyan prepared to settle things violently, White Shadow quickly intervened. They were here to help Qin Xiaochuan deal with the magic flute; if Feiyan committed another crime against humanity, not only would their efforts be wasted, but they would face punishment from the Spirit Realm again. Feiyan was extremely dangerous—just a little displeased, and he’d start a massacre. If he did something foolish, White Shadow would also be implicated.

"Listen, Qin Xiaochuan, I’ll have my revenge on you," Feiyan said coldly. "You’d better watch yourself!"

Seeing Feiyan ignore him, Zhang Yang was about to start a fight, but Qin Xiaochuan pulled him back and whispered, "This guy isn’t joking. He could kill you! Idiot!"

Warned by Qin Xiaochuan, Zhang Yang collected himself—not out of fear, but because infighting would jeopardize their mission to save the city. He patted Feiyan’s shoulder, as if to warn him not to be too arrogant, only to be kicked aside by Feiyan. The two almost started another brawl.

"Alright, we’ve got more allies now. Let’s move out!" Qin Xiaochuan was delighted to have such capable companions join them.

"It’s White Shadow!"

"And Feiyan!"

"Let’s hurry..."

"We can’t win..."

In the Demon Realm, where the strong devour the weak, the lesser monsters sensed the newcomers’ power and dared not approach. As the four advanced, the monsters that had surrounded Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang parted, clearing a path for them.

Passing through the throng of low-level monsters, the four arrived at the gate of an abandoned castle. Qin Xiaochuan looked around, then stepped up to the entrance. A skull-shaped door faced them, and as they approached, its jaw slowly opened, as if the monsters inside had long anticipated their arrival—opening wide to welcome them in.