Chà Chà Novel

Heaven had nine layers, and the earth comprised the Nine Provinces. Since ancient times, cultivators had stood above the multitude of living beings. Yet in Central Continent, where humanity flourished, ordinary mortals still formed the majority. The region therefore remained under the rule of mortal dynasties.

These were no ordinary dynasties, however. Their imperial cities maintained numerous cultivators and mighty experts, while also bearing the fortune of the mortal realm—something most sects lacked.

Thus, before venturing out, most cultivators were instructed by their sects not to oppose mortal dynasties unless absolutely necessary. First, however powerful one’s cultivation, it was difficult to withstand being overwhelmed by numbers. Second, such conflicts easily entangled one in karma.

For that reason, even knowing that Xiushui’s young city lord was merely a mortal incapable of cultivation, the Yaoshang disciples had shown him every courtesy. They had first paid the substantial entrance fee at the gate with only partial willingness. Then, even with their immortal venerable missing, they had chosen to visit the young city lord before taking further action. When told to wait in the front hall, they had agreed patiently.

What they had never expected was to be kept waiting for more than an hour.

Jing Feishuang promptly lost patience. Her master was missing and might have fallen into a demon’s hands. Surely that qualified as the “absolute necessity” her sect had mentioned. She was about to force her way into the young city lord’s room and drag him out when the much-discussed young master finally appeared at a leisurely pace.

He wore crimson-cloud brocade and tall boots inlaid with spirit stones and inscribed with speed-enhancing arrays. A string of magical artifacts clinked from his jade belt. Even his buttons and cuffs were densely engraved with defensive formations.

For a moment, Jing Feishuang wondered whether he had put the entire city’s protective formation on his body.

The other Yaoshang disciples were equally astonished by his precautions. They momentarily forgot their anger at the delay. After all, putting on so many complicated formations and artifacts really would take considerable effort. They even suspected walking in them must be difficult. The spirit stones needed to power all those arrays could hardly be light.

Whatever else might be said, the young city lord was evidently in good physical condition, carrying several dozen catties while walking normally.

“I heard that the young city lord has been frail and sickly since childhood, spending most of his time bedridden,” Jing Feishuang said. “It seems the rumors are unreliable. You look remarkably healthy.”

“Whatever makes you say that, Immortal Lady?”

Song Liang gave two theatrical coughs.

“I merely forced myself to get up when I heard immortals from the Yaoshang Sect had arrived. In truth, even walking is exhausting.”

“There is no need for modesty,” Jing Feishuang replied. “An ordinary person could hardly carry formations inlaid with several dozen catties of spirit stones.”

Song Liang smiled humbly.

“Just adrenaline.”

Jing Feishuang: “…”

She had initially harbored some suspicions about him. A young man who had been bedridden for so long, suddenly carrying such a burden and walking briskly, could easily be suspected of demonic possession.

But he showed no trace of demonic energy. Moreover, his elaborate protective measures suggested not possession, but a simple determination to stay alive.

She dispensed with further pleasantries and told him that a demon might be inside the city. She hoped he would immediately order a citywide lockdown and a house-to-house search. If the creature consumed human flesh and blood, its power would increase dramatically, bringing catastrophe upon the entire city.

She deliberately emphasized the danger, hoping the young lord would grasp its severity and issue the order quickly. Instead, he remained perfectly composed and asked—

“What kind of demon is it? A bird or a beast? A plant or an aquatic creature? What does it look like? Does it have any distinguishing features?”

“…”

Jing Feishuang’s brows knitted.

“I don’t know.”

Song Liang looked at her as though she must be joking.

Patiently, she explained, “My master encountered the creature by chance. I came here following his trail and have never seen its true form.”

“Then who is your master?” Song Liang asked.

After only a moment’s hesitation, Jing Feishuang answered.

“Immortal Venerable Shuanghua of Wuxiang Peak, Yaoshang Sect.”

The amusement in Song Liang’s eyes briefly stilled.

Jing Feishuang caught the change at once.

“Does the young city lord find something amiss?”

“Nothing is amiss. It’s the procedure that’s the problem.”

Song Liang shook his head.

“I understand your request, Miss Jing. This is indeed a serious and urgent matter. We’ve reached the point where no further delay is acceptable.”

“So—”

“So let me return to my study, write a memorial to the imperial capital explaining the situation, and wait for approval from above.”

“…”

Jing Feishuang stared at him in disbelief.

“The imperial capital is more than thirty thousand li away. Even a Golden Core cultivator traveling on the wind would need over three days to reach it. By the time you receive approval, that creature will have eaten most of Xiushui!”

Song Liang spread his hands helplessly.

“That’s feudal government for you. So much red tape. Not like you cultivators—you decide to slay a demon, and one stroke of a sword puts a bloody hole through the poor thing.”

For some reason, Jing Feishuang thought his words sounded rather pointed, but she had no time to dwell on it.

“This cannot wait another day. If the young city lord refuses to act, the Yaoshang Sect will capture the demon in your stead. Should the Qingyun Empire object, our sect will accept full responsibility.”

“You misunderstand, Miss Jing. My request for authorization won’t prevent you from hunting the demon. You conduct your search; I submit my application. If you need more manpower, simply ask.”

Song Liang smiled.

“I would only ask that you send someone here each day to report your progress and your next steps. That will make it easier for me to report to my superiors. What do you think?”

The request was reasonable. Relieved, Jing Feishuang agreed immediately, promising to send someone with daily updates.

Song Liang saw his guests off with a smile. Once they had gone, he turned to the elderly servant beside him.

“I remember my father has a Spirit-Locking Ring in his treasury. Bring it to me.”

“It is a very valuable item. I fear the master may be unwilling to part with it,” the servant replied hesitantly.

Song Liang clicked his tongue.

“Tell him to stop arguing. If he doesn’t hand it over, I’ll set all sixteen of his concubines free.”

The old servant nodded.

“Yes, Young Lord.”

The old servant had no doubt that his young master was capable of it. After all, the first thing he had done upon climbing out of his sickbed yesterday was deliver a kick that incapacitated his own father, then find the city lord’s token and announce on the spot that he was officially taking over.

The poor old city lord was still secretly seeking treatment. Publicly, he could only claim that longing for his missing concubine had temporarily deprived him of all worldly desires.

Once the Spirit-Locking Ring arrived, Song Liang played with it briefly and tucked it inside his robe. He collected several bottles of high-quality wound medicine from the storeroom and headed back to his room. Halfway there, he remembered something else and ordered the servants to prepare some raw pig’s blood and pork.

They obeyed in bewilderment.

A restrictive formation had been placed around the room. Only Song Liang, carrying its controlling core, could enter. He therefore had no fear that anyone would discover the “thing” he had hidden inside.

What he could not prevent was the hidden occupant slowly waking shortly after his departure and dragging its badly injured body to the door.

Such an ordinary restriction was nothing to “it.” All it needed to do was locate the crucial point and interrupt the flow of spiritual energy to deactivate it.

That would still consume some spiritual energy, which was taxing in its current condition. But it had just heard that Yaoshang disciples had arrived here. It could afford no further delay.

Yet the instant it severed the restriction, the door opened from outside. A shadow fell over it, and a moment later, someone scooped it up—

“Heavens, you really can’t bear to be away from me! Even badly wounded, you had to come looking for me. I’m so touched. Darling, I must give you a present!”

Before it could react, a black ring-shaped artifact inscribed with an ancient binding formation snapped around its neck, cutting off its access to spiritual energy entirely.

“It”: “…”

“Touched? Do you love me even more now?”

The culprit lifted it before his smiling face.

“How about a kiss?”

He puckered his lips and leaned closer. It immediately raised a paw to block him.

Song Liang got a mouthful of fur and spat several times. Then, beneath the little creature’s dark, icy stare, he caught its paw and planted three noisy kisses on it.

“Just a couple of kisses first. Once you’ve eaten raw pork, you’re not allowed to kiss me, all right?”

“It”: “?”