Volume One, Chapter 11: Quite Stubborn with Your Words

Cheng Xi leaned motionless against the wall, and the demon lurking in the darkness remained still as well.

Though Cheng Xi’s body was weak, her aura was fierce. A sharp killing intent tore through the night, encircling her.

Suddenly, a piercing screech rang out. Cheng Xi felt a sharp pain in her chest and a bitter sweetness in her throat before she spat out a mouthful of blood.

The demon immediately lunged at her. Cheng Xi gripped the dagger tightly, her eyes locked on the creature. At that moment, a whistle of air passed by, a flash of clear light streaked through, and a miserable scream followed—the demon was pierced by an arrow and pinned to the wall.

The flapping wings swept past Cheng Xi, slamming her harshly against the wall.

“Miss Cheng, are you alright?”

Cheng Xi lay on the ground, barely conscious. Amidst the shifting light and shadows, she saw a figure descend from midair, holding a longbow, exuding an icy aura.

“Lord Jiang?” Cheng Xi steadied herself against the wall. “Your bow is quite something, but couldn’t you avoid hitting me? That arrow nearly sent me off.”

Jiang Boyu cleared his throat lightly. “It was an emergency. Miss Cheng, are you alright?”

“Just coughed up some blood. Not dead yet,” Cheng Xi said with a deadpan expression.

Jiang Boyu produced a bottle of medicine and handed it over awkwardly. “This is a secret healing potion from the Tongtian Division. Very effective.”

Cheng Xi took it without hesitation, popped a pill, and instantly felt a coolness flow from her throat to her stomach, bringing swift relief. Indeed, a potent medicine.

The Tongtian Division must be wealthy—this medicine was certainly not cheap.

Jiang Boyu had his men remove the demon pinned to the wall. Its wingspan stretched over thirty feet; no wonder one wing strike had caused Cheng Xi internal injuries.

“Lord Jiang, weren’t you returning to Jindu?” Cheng Xi asked, leaning against the wall.

The Tongtian Division guards busied themselves with the demon as Jiang Boyu stored his bow and replied, “Halfway back, the division chief received a message from Qin Chuan. Knowing demons had appeared there, he ordered me to turn back.”

Hmph, Jiang Zhouxing was quick to send a plea for help for his eldest son.

“Is this demon the big bird? What exactly is it?”

“A Ghostface Bird. It feeds on human brains to enhance its cultivation. We wiped out their main nest in Jindu last year, but apparently, some stragglers escaped to Qin Chuan.” Jiang Boyu motioned for the men to load the Ghostface Bird onto the carriage, then looked at Cheng Xi. “Miss Cheng, these creatures live in groups. If one appears, there’s bound to be a nest nearby. You should return quickly—the outside is too dangerous.”

He had official duties and could not linger.

Cheng Xi nodded. “Thank you, Lord Jiang. I’ll go back at once.”

Though she planned to search for the precious flower, she feigned compliance to avoid Jiang Boyu’s interference.

Just as she was about to leave, Jiang Boyu called out, “Thanks to Miss Cheng’s warning about the Four-Eyed Demon FoxI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.