Chapter 08: The Enchanting Songs of Demons

Gradually, a hint of bloodiness lingered at the tip of the nose

It was as if she witnessed with her own eyes the sharp nails piercing through Jiang Yun's chest, extracting a bloody, still beating heart

That man is named Zhang Fengtu, a skilled master with a modest reputation in another branch of martial arts. Since the establishment of martial arts by Wuzun a thousand years ago, it has long since fragmented into countless branches, each forming its own power. Zhang Fengtu's lineage is loyal to the Prince of Huai'an, who has always been at odds with Marquis Wuyang.

Suddenly, a chill crept up to the forehead

... ...

I originally intended to test her, but was taken advantage of by the Heart-Eating Demon in the process," the person said, "I still have important matters to attend to, so I will leave this to you, Elder Tai. You should act cautiously and ensure that everything is done discreetly. She is a practitioner of martial arts, and it is not advisable to confront anyone in the current state of the demon realm.

Liu Shao panicked and forcibly grabbed her: "Jiang Yun! Wake up!"

People have their own destinies regarding life and death, so let us not interfere. Lu Li sighed lightly, drawing a boundary and setting up a formation. Tomorrow morning, someone will surely find her, but tonight's events must not be spoken of.

That night, the red glow behind the rockery, the enormous "black bat", the ugly mask, and those long, sharp blue nails that glimmered with a cold light! ... along with the conversation between the moon and that "skinny bamboo pole" ...

Lu Li was astonished: "Oh, Liu Shao'er is actually not afraid of death anymore?"

Lascivious person

In this regard, Liu Shao was completely unaware.

Jiang Yun finally reacted; she released Liu Shao's hand and walked alone into the depths of the forest

Liu Shao felt a sense of humiliation and angrily exclaimed, "Lu Li!"

Liu Shao had seen countless dead bodies and should not have been afraid, but the scene before her was truly horrifying and bizarre. She quickly shrank into Lu Li's embrace and asked in a trembling voice, "Is she dead?"

In fact, given Liu Shao's current cultivation, she is certainly capable of completing tasks independently and surviving until the end in the fierce competition. Her reliance is not solely on Lu Li's protection; however, Lu Li bears significant responsibility for her current predicament. During her first mission, she did not fail; she was merely stunned after killing someone, which alerted the opponent's guards. Fortunately, Lu Li intervened in time to save her. Since then, Liu Shao has not dared to act alone. She has always been a person who takes advantage of every opportunity, and Lu Li has always indulged her. Over time, as her dependence became a habit, others only saw Lu Li's brilliance. Liu Shao, increasingly protected, became more timid and less confident in her own abilities, ultimately losing all opportunities to demonstrate her skills, thus becoming what is referred to as a 'waste'.

What is Brother Lu doing in the room during the daytime

Being a killer is not about lacking flaws; rather, it is about having no flaws at all. Otherwise, how can the master control them? Some are driven by money, some by lust, and others by fame and status. Lu Li belongs to the type that is driven by lust, yet he never touches the grass by his own nest, which greatly pleases Marquis Wu Yang. Masters typically prefer their subordinates to compete with one another, as developing feelings can lead to complications. Of course, this does not apply to Liu Shao, who is a useless individual. She possesses a certain degree of beauty, which can be used to win over trusted subordinates.

Lu Li smiled and said, "Then let's go take a look"

At midnight, with no moon, the forest was pitch dark, making it impossible to see one's own fingers. However, this posed no problem for the martial practitioners. Liu Shao was dressed in a lightweight night outfit, leaning against a tree trunk and waiting.

Liu Shao was so frightened that her spiritual power leaked out, nearly screaming out loud

Lu Li nodded: "The heart has been taken away"

Bai Feng blushed and said: "Liu Shao'er! I considered him a friend, without any of your disgusting thoughts!"

In the eyes of others, he dotes on her and protects her, how enviable it is! ... But who in this world would treat others unconditionally? That strange person back then changed her fate in just three days ...! ... It would be strange to say that Lu Li has no ulterior motives ...! His purpose is nothing more than ... ...

"Moss elder, how is the situation?" The layers of branches and leaves above obscure the speaker, yet the voice is exceedingly pleasant, belonging to a man

In an instant, Liu Shao felt as if everyone was watching her, as if she had been struck hard across the face, and she turned around expressionlessly to leave

The willow branches blushed red, and she said resentfully, "I have something to do tonight, you come with me!"

The willow branches shivered in the cold, and anxiously looked around: "We must hurry back to inform Commander Fang!"

Lu Li's progress in cultivation has been remarkably swift, and he is now second only to Commander Fang. He has never failed in any of his missions, and Duke Wu Yang is quite fond of the talent he has painstakingly nurtured

Are you here to help, or do you want to take the opportunity to get closer to Lu Li? Liu Shao coldly laughed to herself: "No need, Lu Li will accompany me."

She had just left when Commander Fang and Marquis Wu appeared outside the courtyard gate. Commander Fang let out a low grunt: "Here to look for Lu Li again"

She suddenly stopped

"What is the purpose of the aquatic tribe?" Liu Shao listened with some confusion. It is no wonder, as practitioners of martial arts have fallen to this state, spending most of their time eliminating rivals and expanding their own influence, with little regard for matters concerning demons and monsters; assassins are even less informed about these issues.

Seeing her look of embarrassment and anger, Lu Li suppressed a laugh: "Alright, I will go."

She fears death and does not wish to die. Since there are those who protect her, why take risks? Can integrity be eaten? Can integrity sustain life? If she truly had integrity, she would have starved to death long ago

"That is even better; he truly cares. As long as this girl is in my hands, he can be of use to me," Duke Wu Yang said with a self-satisfied smile. "To have raised such a top talent is also your achievement."

This place is a blind spot, and the hidden guards cannot see it

In a moment of daze, Liu Shao unexpectedly saw her long-lost parents, who were standing there waving at her, their faces adorned with the gentlest and most affectionate smiles. And there was Yue, who had not changed at all, mysterious and elegant, reaching out his hand, waiting for her to come over

Fang Weichang frowned and said: "But he has not touched this girl."

Everyone dared not to make a fuss, all were stifling their laughter. Jiang Yun felt his face flush from being watched, a bit at a loss: "It's... it's nothing, just checking if Senior Brother Lu is in the room."

The painting shattered, and Liu Shao suddenly came to her senses, a myriad of emotions surging in her heart. She forcibly halted her thoughts and spoke, "I will go see if Lu Li has arrived. Are you leaving or not?"

Liu Shao did not dare to follow, her intuition telling her that the situation was extremely dangerous. Watching Jiang Yun's figure disappear, she became anxious and restless. Ultimately, she stamped her foot and decided to run back. Just as she turned around, she saw a shadow emerge from behind a tree, nearly scaring her out of her wits.

Lu Li shook his head: "It is futile; her soul has already dispersed"

Bai Fengjie misunderstood; I am speaking the truth, people with dark complexions really do not suit the color red

Laughter took on a certain special hue, and the young women scorned it, yet few felt embarrassed. Among assassins, there have always been very few who maintain a clean reputation, especially young men; as long as they do not reveal their identities, Commander Fang Wei never intervenes and occasionally arranges for women as rewards. It is an open secret that there are often women in Lu Li's courtyard, and he never refuses special rewards. The female assassins have all received training in this regard. It was only at that moment that Liu Shao realized what they were actually doing, feeling both disgusted and angry. Everyone knew he liked her, and his flings with other women were clearly a way to make her the subject of ridicule.

Seeing such a thing with my own eyes, who would believe that he has no ulterior motives with such a beautiful person beside him

Liu Shao took a few steps behind and then pulled him back again, her tone rather uneasy: "How about we just take a distant look?"

Lu Li understood that she had taken on a task, and without asking further, nodded in agreement before closing the door to herself again

That attire, that visage, unmistakably belonged to Jiang Yun. In just a moment, a gory hole had appeared in her chest!

Liu Shao was still preoccupied with Jiang Yun's matters, her mind unsettled, as she held her breath and crouched in the shadows, lost in thought

Lu Li reminded her to look, as a maid was approaching along the corridor, carrying a large tray that held wine glasses, fruits, and other items.

"You are not allowed to make a sound; I will call out, this is only fair," a woman named Jiang Yun stepped to the front of the steps and called out loudly, "Senior Brother Lu Li! Senior Brother Lu Li!"

Lu Li had long been accustomed to her capricious temperament, and found it difficult: "I cannot play the role of a maid."

Lu Li observed her expression and said, "By the way, it is dangerous inside; we should leave."

The room fell silent in an instant, with everyone staring at the door, waiting to witness a good show

Zhang Fengtu is precisely the target of this assassination by Liu Shao

Indeed, he just likes someone like me," Liu Shaoruo said nonchalantly as she clapped her hands twice. "Bai Fengjie is so outstanding and impressive, yet he just doesn't appreciate her, which is truly frustrating.

Jiang Yun still refused to leave, making small talk with her. After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Lu Li's figure was still not seen, yet a strange song faintly drifted out from deep within the forest.

The willow branches quietly cursed under their breath, unable to resist casting furtive glances at Lu Li

The surroundings were extremely quiet, with not even the sound of birdsong; the strange singing had seemingly vanished without a trace, as if it were an illusion

The girl in the yellow dress feigned a sigh: "No matter how fine your clothes are, he will not spare you a glance. I advise some people not to waste their efforts."

With his company, the willow branches were no longer as tense as before. The two of them calmed their demeanor, employed the technique of light body movement, and quietly made their way deeper into the woods

Marquis Wu Yang pondered for a moment and said, "The chances of success in this matter are not great; let us refrain from sending him for now"

"No matter her," Marquis Wu Yang said with a smile, "who would sincerely do their job without any benefits? If a useless person can exchange for Lu Li's loyalty, that would be excellent."

Human beings have always believed in the principle of cosmic retribution, which is why even in martial arts, no matter how ruthless one may act, they never harm the soul, leaving the other party with the opportunity for reincarnation, to avoid damaging their moral integrity. Especially after that divine punishment, both the demon and monster clans have become much more restrained. Who would have thought that this heart-eating demon is so violent? Could he still be nearby

Facing that calm gaze, Liu Shao confirmed that he truly had no particular thoughts. Instead, he felt an inexplicable surge of anger: "I won't go! You go!"

The maid approached, and Lu Li gestured with his profile for her to proceed.

Bai Feng quietly breathed a sigh of relief; since Lu Li did not call for Liu Shao, she did not consider it a loss

A pair of violet eyes appeared at the door, more translucent and bright than water crystals, seemingly radiating a faint glow, like stars and the moon

Occasionally, a patrolling guard would pass by in the corridor, which was nothing unusual for the experienced Liu Shao. The real trouble lay in the hidden dark guards surrounding the area. The map provided by Captain Fang indicated their positions, and there were also formations set up outside the building. Given Liu Shao's cultivation level, it was nearly impossible to breach this formation and ascend the building, not to mention that Zhang Fengtu himself was a skilled expert. Captain Fang's arrangement of this task was likely based on the strengths of both her and Lu Li.

In a concealed courtyard within the smoky city, two young girls faced each other. The one on the left, dressed in yellow and green, was as tender as the budding willow shoots of early spring, with fair skin, a delicate and curvaceous figure, and almond-shaped eyes that exuded charm. The one on the right wore a more eye-catching red outfit, was slightly taller, had a darker complexion, and her arched brows conveyed a sense of heroism, with a voluptuous figure that held its own allure

"Liu Shao'er, do not foolishly think you can provoke me," the girl in red scoffed

Lu Li's gaze indeed fell upon the willow branches, and he nodded slightly at her

After five years of rigorous training, these are the children who have survived in the competition. They began undertaking various tasks two years ago, and Wu Yanghou secretly placed them in Yan City, granting them different identities and allowing them much more freedom in their actions. As the young men and women grew older, their thoughts became more complex. Bai Feng, who has always been diligent in her studies, excels in martial arts and possesses great beauty, has almost openly expressed her affection for Lu Li. However, standing in the way is Liu Shao, and the conflict between the two women has intensified. Today, by unfortunate coincidence, they encountered each other, and Liu Shao made a sarcastic remark, leading to another confrontation between the two women.

Unexpectedly, Lu Li did not call out to Liu Shao; instead, he turned to the side and addressed Jiang Yun: "Junior Sister Jiang Yun, was it you who called me?"

It is better than some people; without Lu Li, one is just a waste

Liu Shao hesitated indeed, as the ability to render the "Spirit Collection Technique" ineffective indicated that the opponent's cultivation level was difficult to gauge. Jiang Yun had not been on good terms with her on ordinary days, and had even teamed up with Bai Feng to ostracize her, making it truly not worth the risk for such a companion.

Under the tree ahead, a person stands upright, facing this way, with hollow eyes and an extremely strange expression on their face

A wisp of green smoke drifted silently, and a shadow appeared beside Jiang Yun's corpse. It was an old man dressed in green, with green hair and an odd appearance, holding a dark green cane that resembled an old tree root.

The willow branches gazed at the scene before them, and the image from many years ago surged uncontrollably in their minds

Lu Li! Liu Shao let out a big sigh, pointing in the direction Jiang Yun had gone, and said, "Listen, that sound..."

"Someone really sang just now!" she hurriedly explained

Everyone perked up their ears, waiting for him to speak, while Bai Fengqing couldn't help but bite her lip, her face turning pale

Seeing this situation, Liu Shao felt a rush of warmth rise to her face. She had received training in this area, but since taking on her assignments, she had not encountered such a scenario. Moreover, during her training, she was surrounded only by girls, and at this moment, beside her ... ...

The tips of the willows turned red with embarrassment: "What are you talking about!"

Liu Shao immediately recognized that it was Jiang Yun and impatiently asked, "What are you here for?"

Yes, call Lu Li out

Sensing the intensifying smell of blood, Liu Shao suddenly felt an ominous premonition, gripping Lu Li's arm even tighter. Just as she was about to speak, Lu Li suddenly stopped in his tracks, prompting Liu Shao to quickly follow his gaze.

The willow branches remain indifferent.

The gambling game ended in this unexpected manner, and no one laughed at anyone. Bai Feng was not to be trifled with, and the person behind Liu Shao was also formidable. When the joke went too far, it was ultimately oneself who suffered the consequences. Thus, they wisely changed the subject.

Liu Shao surely knows her thoughts, and immediately stepped in front of her, confidently raising her face.

"Willow tip?" Someone called her

Heart-wrenching? The willow branches swayed as she involuntarily raised her hand to touch her chest, feeling the intense heartbeat, and only then did she gently exhale

Lu Li was also a bit puzzled: "What happened?"

The willow branches are shrouded in a haze, leaving only this one thought, and before I know it, I am entranced.

Liu Shao impatiently pushed her, saying: "Hey! Are you listening to me?"

The willow branches began to feel restless, as they kicked the stones on the ground with their feet

Liu Shao gasped in surprise

Bai Feng was the first to regain her composure, stepping forward with the intention of drawing his attention to herself. However, the tightly clenched hands and the look of tension in her eyes revealed that she was not very confident.

Cultivating a killer is not an easy task. Commander Fang has long prohibited conflicts among the disciples and requires them to cooperate with one another. If he learns that Jiang Yun was with her before his death, he might even place blame on her. After all, it was her fear of death that led to this situation. If she had stayed by Jiang Yun's side, perhaps he would not have met such an untimely demise. Now that he is dead, it is better not to speak too much.

Jiang Yun was not concerned about her indifference, and Zhang Wang said, "Why hasn't Senior Brother Lu arrived yet? Could it be that he has forgotten?"

"It's nothing, let's go to the task first," Lu Li said

"It can escape my tracking, this demon's cultivation is indeed higher than the legends suggest," that person paused and said, "Nevertheless, that young girl, who is also a cultivator, was surprisingly unaffected by my demonic song, as you just witnessed."

No one expected this outcome, and both Liu Shao and Bai Feng were instantly dumbfounded

The song was problematic! As Liu Shao awakened, he saw Jiang Yun with vacant eyes, lost in thought. He quickly raised his voice in an attempt to rouse her, and in the end, even resorted to using the "Spirit Collection Technique," yet it was still of no avail. The dark forest resembled a bottomless pit, and the enchanting song, imbued with magic, acted like a soul-snatching hook, drawing people in.

Jiang Yun affectionately leaned closer to her and said, "I heard you took on a task. I happen to be free tonight, so I came to see if I could be of assistance."

Heavenly Demon? Hmm...

The song is devoid of any sorrow or joy, lacking both lyrics and melody, and even the words are barely discernible. Its charm lies entirely in the sound itself, ethereal as moonlight, gentle as a feather, clear as spring water, and vast as a dream. The exquisite qualities are truly difficult to articulate, yet it is pleasing to the ear, stirring the heart of the listener.

Lu Li made a sound of acknowledgment, comfortingly patting her back while gazing in that direction: "Miao Yin buries the heavens, the enchanting song confounds the world; it seems to be that Demon Lord of the Water Tribe."

The sleeves of the robe, adorned with simple patterns embroidered in an unknown material, are steeped in the cold darkness behind, glimmering with faint traces of light

Liu Shao recalled the events of the day, and images of him with those women kept surfacing in her mind. She couldn't help but raise her hand and strike the tree trunk fiercely, feeling disgusted and filthy. Want her? He is delusional for a lifetime!

However, just as Liu Shao was quietly gathering energy and preparing to take action, a peculiar sound came from the small building above.

Every task requires Lu Li's assistance. Liu Shao knows that such matters cannot be concealed from Commander Fang and the others. The reason they tolerate this is entirely because of Lu Li. Lu Li is someone who has been particularly nurtured by the Marquis. Without Lu Li, she would have likely been treated as a gift and given to someone else by Marquis Wu Yang long ago

Jiang Yun beside me stood still, as if lost in thought.

This dismissive attitude is even more irritating, and Liu Shao restrained herself from exploding: "It is currently night, and the soul may not pass through the gates of the dead so quickly. Why don't we look for Jiang Yun? Perhaps she saw something before her death."

In the room, Zhang Fengtu had already begun to engage with the songstress, causing the soft couch to creak incessantly. The reality of the scene was far more shocking than one could imagine, and the anger in Liu Shao soared even higher, resembling a furiously puffed-up cat, glaring at him. What joy could there be in such disgraceful acts with a woman? He found it utterly filthy!

Liu Shao rarely persisted, obediently stepping into the teleportation array.

Liu Shao held him back: "But what should we do since Jiang Yun has gone in?"

Lu Li conceded: "Alright, you are right."

As soon as these words were spoken, the young men and women immediately began to make a commotion

Lu Li Dao: "What do you want to do?"

It is the heart-devouring demon! Liu Shao lost her voice

This sentence sounds somewhat familiar, and Liu Shao was momentarily taken aback, her charming face immediately darkening: "How do you know it is not magic!"

The willow branches trembled

Liu Shao immediately understood his meaning; she must take the opportunity to knock out the maid as she passed by, pretending to be her while delivering food and wine inside. Only in this way could she bypass the obstacles of the formation. At that time, Lu Li would provide support. With the commotion outside, Zhang Feng would inevitably be distracted, allowing her to act at the opportune moment, thus greatly increasing her chances of success

In that moment, everyone had almost come to a conclusion, and none felt surprised. Who does not know that Lu Li is completely obedient to Liu Shao, able to infinitely tolerate Liu Shao's unreasonable demands and bad temper, to an almost unimaginable extent, practically losing face as a man? If it were someone else, they would surely be ridiculed, but unfortunately, Lu Li is a person highly valued by the Marquis and the Chief Guard, and no one dares to offend him

As he spoke, the maid delivering the vegetables had already passed this dead corner. With no other options at hand, Lu Li took out a black cloth from his sleeve to cover half of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. He softly instructed, "Don't move," and then leaped up, darting diagonally towards the small building.

The Demon Realm once annexed the Monster Realm, and it was not until the War of Immortals and Demons and the Heavenly Punishment that both the Immortal and Demon realms were nearly annihilated, allowing the Monster Clan to finally seize the opportunity to break free from the Demon Realm and establish their independence. The power of the Monster Realm was already inferior to that of the Immortal and Demon realms, and currently, the human cultivators are in a period of great prosperity, which still instills a degree of apprehension in them towards these mortals who possess short lives yet immense power

Hmm... said Lu Li, "The heart-eating may not necessarily be demonic"

Unlike during the day, he wore a heavy black cloak, lying in the shadows in the same posture as her, yet he exuded a sense of elegance that surpassed hers, his magnificent purple eyes deeper than the night itself

Commander Fang hurriedly said: "This is all due to the Lord's discerning eye for talent, the task of assassinating the leader of the Southern Sect..."

In an instant, the door opened

Lu Li seemed to realize something and looked at her with great interest: "Oh, what is going on with Liu Shao'er?"

That mysterious singer, is it a human, a ghost, or a fox

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Bai Feng faced the provocation with no way out, gritting her teeth and saying: "If we are to gamble, then let us gamble!"

Under what circumstances could such a wound occur? Could the murderer be that mysterious singer

Jiang Yun, however, remained oblivious and forcefully brushed her aside

Liu Shao raised an eyebrow: "I have no objections, I just fear that Bai Fengjie may not dare to gamble"

The elder examined the corpse for a moment and replied with a grave expression: "It is indeed the method of the Heart-Eating Demon."

The darkness cannot obscure the vision of the martial cultivator, as weeds grow abundantly in the forest. The deeper one goes, the taller the trees become, the ground becomes increasingly damp, and the air is filled with the decaying scent of fallen leaves and rotting wood

After a few cups of wine, that figure of maple unexpectedly pinned a singer down on the couch, lifting her skirt to proceed with his intentions

The teleportation array flickered, and the two individuals vanished

You will only know if you try

"Who is afraid of death!" Liu Shao glared at him, though she felt somewhat lacking in confidence, "Anyway, we have our people in the city, we can send a signal at any time... Ah?"

Is there someone else in the room

What a beautiful voice! It is astonishing that there is someone in this world who can sing so beautifully

In the back garden of the Zhang residence in Lincheng, the lanterns are bright, and the windows of the small building are wide open, allowing a clear view of the interior. A man in his thirties with a fair complexion is seated on a couch, embracing two singing girls while drinking and joking.

The spring breeze returns once more, the spring day dawns anew, the wind carries the catkins throughout the city, like rain, like smoke

Friend? The willow branches slightly curled, glancing at the tightly closed door: "Who do you think he would call first if he saw us?"

For the convenience of tasks, most people prefer to dress lightly on ordinary days. However, his long robe stands out as particularly unique. Moreover, he lacks the youthful fervor one would expect at his age; instead, he exudes a calmness that transcends his years. This demeanor makes him even more captivating to the young ladies, while it intensifies Liu Shao's hatred. The heated gazes of the young ladies ignite a fire in her heart as she watches.

Tai Lao nodded and said: "Compared to the Heart-Eating Demon, this matter is even more peculiar, my lord's intention..."

Her complexion was pale, and her features were exquisite, nearly perfect. Her long, jet-black hair was gathered at the crown of her head with a simple silver hairpin, then cascaded down past her shoulders to her waist, resembling a waterfall. A heavy black robe trailed on the ground, separating her from the sunlit world outside

In recent years, there have been numerous rumors regarding the Heart-Eating Demon. Strictly speaking, demons are not a race but rather a path of cultivation; any race can become a demon. There was even an early saying that demons, like immortals, are also a path to divinity. Of course, this has never been verified, and no one would believe it, as it is utterly absurd to associate the malevolent demon race with the protective immortals. The Heart-Eating Demon is said to be a forsaken demon born of heaven and earth, one that has not sworn allegiance to the Demon God. Its nature is said to be more ferocious than that of ordinary demons, specializing in cultivating by consuming human hearts. Since its emergence in the world, the Immortal Sect has been tracking it for many years, yet its whereabouts remain unknown.

The time has passed, yet the shadow of Lu Li is still not seen.

In the mountains and wilderness, songs are composed in the deep of night, both elegant and eerie