A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 96 - 94: Heavenly Demon Nine Moltings, the Essence of Martial Dao (Part 2)

Demons eating people is just like people eating meat. Don't tell me you all prefer something stringy and shriveled? Naturally, it's the juicy and chewy ones that make a good dish."

The tall and thin monk clasped his hands together, chuckling strangely:

"Can the numerous thugs from the Fishery and Wood Market, plus their relatives, amount to a thousand people? One tenth from the Inner City, roughly two thousand, right? There are many martial arts halls in the Outer City; choose some practitioners.

Roughly enough to tally five thousand, that should be enough; for the rest, pick casually.

You martial arts masters helping so much, just need to pick ten apprentices to go through the motions, how about that?"

The tall and thin monk was confident, if not for the Demon King about to emerge needing to offer a celebratory sacrifice quickly, he wouldn't have spoken so kindly.

Mu Chun gritted his teeth and said:

"Selling off one's disciples to seek survival, I'm absolutely not..."

The tall and thin monk suddenly turned cold, his arm snapped like swinging a huge axe ferociously chopping!

This time Mu Chun was prepared, the Dragon-Tiger Linked Fist poised to strike, both palms like tightly packed gunpowder, suddenly unleashed fierce power.

His face flushed crimson, stimulating his qi blood to the utmost, almost seeping out through his pores.

It was a desperate stance!

But the tall and thin monk remained expressionless, muscles under his skin pulsed, like blood-colored worms wriggling, expanding his loose robes in a large circle, robust arms nearly like a colossal python turning over, intertwining and spinning, erupting terrifying force!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of teeth-grinding friction rose, both were masters who broke into the Third-Layer of Skin Cultivation after the Second-Layer of Bone Cultivation.

With bones and muscles as hard as iron, flesh even more resilient, when collided, almost sparking tangible fire!

"Oh, somewhat decent!"

The tall and thin monk took a deep breath, oral and nasal passages spouting scorching heat, like a furnace booming!

That arm covered with blue-black intertwining scales shook, the cracking sound was piercing, Mu Chun was forcibly pressed low, knees nearly drove into the ground.

Poof!

The tall and thin monk flipped his hand and pushed, heavily pressed against Mu Chun's chest, sending him flying back vomiting blood.

He looked down with disdain:

"Came to speak nicely, really took yourself seriously?"

Mu Chun fell, crashing into tables and chairs, thud, shaking down large chunks of wall debris, chest seemingly caved in, seeping scarlet blood.

"Fourth Leader, calm down, Brother Mu is too rigid, doesn't know flexibility, I'll try to persuade him later.

A secret of skin cultivation that's worth thousands in Yihai County City, is a rare treasure."

Han Yang swiftly stood between the two, playing peacemaker:

"We run martial arts halls just to make a living, in terms of assets, far inferior to Fishery and Wood Market, whether offering sacrifice to the Demon King or seizing Black River County, feel free to act.

As long as you don't trouble us, we respect the boundary."

Zhu Wan held those few pages, declaring firmly:

"If you, Fourth Leader, are willing to impart the 'Celestial Demon Nine Transfigurations,' ten apprentices is nothing, even twenty no problem!"

The changes in these two brought joy to the tall and thin monk, if aided by the Inner City Martial Arts Association, the thousand-person blood sacrifice would surely be much easier, otherwise going door to door catching people would be troublesome.

His gaze swept over, skimming past Fishery Steward Lei Xiong who was trying hard to minimize his presence:

"And this fellow, what do you say? Isn't it said you're the best among Bear-Hawk-Tiger-Leopard fighters? My fifth brother has innate divine power, aggressive style, loves dual-handed fist killing."

Lei Xiong smacked his lips, spoke deeply:

"I'm not interested in the skin cultivation secret, He Wenbing gives me twelve hundred taels monthly. You Red Eyebrows rob the rich to aid the poor, right? Fishery and Wood Market together amount to a hefty three hundred thousand taels.

I won't extort lions, five thousand taels, I'll be a mere onlooker, ten thousand taels, I'll assist you.

Thirty thousand taels… I'll even call you godfather without any issue."

The tall and thin monk showed a surprised expression, seemingly astonished by Lei Xiong's greed and straightforwardness:

"Quite straightforward! Once my fifth brother finishes with Fishery and Wood Market, handling over ten thousand taels of snowflake silver to you directly."

The atmosphere in the hall gradually became joyful, as if the conversation was flowing smoothly.

This Red Eyebrow Fourth Leader was about to say more when suddenly his subordinate came to report.

Upon hearing, he furrowed his brows, confused:

"Tongwen Hall? Why did Zhang the Fifth go to Tongwen Hall?

Seeking someone? Seeking that damn Plague Deity!

What? Both second brother and fifth brother went too?"

Hearing this, the tall and thin monk was somewhat panic-stricken, he personally witnessed, back then that person in blue clothes breaking out and bashing the big brother half to death with three punches.

If not for second brother and fifth brother finding refuge under the Demon King, and Ninghai Zen wasn't in Black River County.

This big operation couldn't be carried out.

"Tongwen Hall... Yihai hiding talent... why provoke this killer star?

Weren't we supposed to offer sacrifices to the Demon King, get the rewards, then take piles of silver and women, return to the mountains?"

The tall and thin monk hurriedly exchanged pleasantries with Han Yang, Zhu Wan and others, then swiftly left Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall.

…

...

"Old Mu, you're too impulsive."

Han Yang helped the injured Mu Chun who had fallen to the ground, but the latter pushed him away:

"Bah! Sacrificing tens of thousands of people to the great demon... Ten years ago, I heard that the Red Eyebrows raised their flags, pretending to follow heaven's path, a bunch of somewhat righteous heroes. Who would have thought they had fallen to the despicable level of being henchmen for the demons!

I am ashamed to be associated with you! It's just one life, let them take it!"

Zhu Wan, holding a few sheets of paper, coldly laughed:

"Is your backbone the strongest, Mu Chun? Are we all weaklings?

If it weren't for Brother Han using a delaying tactic just now, you would have been beaten to death by the Ghost Head Monk.

So old, yet still a brainless brute!"

Mu Chun's forehead veins bulged in anger:

"No matter what, I won't board the Red Eyebrows' pirate ship!"

Zhu Wan sneered:

"Brother Han, talking to this foolish mule is pointless. We know your intentions, what should we do next?"

Han Yang's grim face looked solemn, his gaze piercing across the hall, several groups of Red Eyebrows loitering at the martial hall's entrance, but hadn't entered the courtyard:

"We'll attack together and kill every single one of these spies. Not a single one should slip away.

Then gather all the apprentices and disciples. Brother Zhu, you're closest to Hu Zhenshan in the Chai Market, seek his help to integrate the guard's manpower.

Brother Mu and I will act separately. First, notify the fire kiln to borrow weapons; second, use tactics to inform Yihai Prefecture.

Master Li's three big kilns are outside the city; they might not have heard anything yet. He's a master craftsman appointed by the Daoist Official, with a golden eagle to send messages.

Additionally, Brother Mu, your second disciple Deng Yong does private salt sales; he has seven or eight boats under his command. Prepare them secretly and have Steward Lei escort our families away."

Bears, eagles, tigers, leopards, among the four great warriors.

Although Mu Chun and Lei Xiong were the most skilled fighters, Han Yang, known as "Eagle King," was recognized for his deep scheming and agile intelligence.

In a real fight, matching force and cunning, he might not lose!

Mu Chun was momentarily stunned, then showed a face of shame:

"It's my small-minded suspicion that wrongly judged Brother Han.

Brother Han, give your orders, and the Broken Blade Sect will serve you like dogs and horses!"

Han Yang waved his hand, his expression slightly serious:

"The Red Eyebrow Bandits are coming aggressively, catching us off guard, forcing us to endure temporarily. Fortunately, Tongwen Hall has restrained several leaders, giving us an excellent opportunity.

Steward Lei, we're entrusting our families to you!"

The unassuming Celestial Eagle Hall Master looked sincerely at the restless Lei Xiong beside him.

The latter scratched his head:

"So you're pretending, huh? I thought... They offered ten thousand taels of silver... I'm a man of honesty, how can I go back on my words without reason."

Mu Chun furrowed his brows, about to curse, when Zhu Wan tossed two silver ingots:

"I rushed out without money, I pledge one hundred taels, and owe the rest."

Han Yang also pulled out a bag of copper coins, making them jingle:

"I usually don't spend much, Steward Lei, take this. If it's not enough, I'll use the Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall's sign as collateral."

Lei Xiong laughed heartily, suddenly stood up:

"Alright, alright, alright, I'm known to love money, but only earn clean money!

The Red Eyebrows' ten thousand taels are worth a mere penny here.

So, three copper coins, that's my reward for this trip!

Just a pity I haven't drunk with the two Martial Arts Masters much before, but as long as I reach Yihai Prefecture alive, not a hair will be harmed on your families!"

Lei Xiong pinched two fingers and picked out three copper coins from the heavy money bag.

Mu Chun's eyes reddened, his heart full of words but unable to express, snuffed out:

"Aren't we worthy to drink a cup with you, Lei Xiong?"

Lei Xiong glanced sideways:

"Bad temper, probably doesn't hold his drink well.

With you, one cup, fine!

No more, fearing you'll lose your head!"

Zhu Wan shook his hand, tearing the tightly held sheets of paper into pieces:

"Less idle talk, Masters, shall we... start killing?"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"