23: Chapter 24 Fighting the Corpse Demon

Departing from Wuzhuang Temple, the Master and his three disciples traveled westward. After only three or five days, they entered a desolate mountain range.

This mountain featured towering Peaks, jagged rocks, overgrown paths, and ancient trees that scraped the sky.

It was silent all around; not even the chirping of insects or the barking of dogs could be heard, while gusts of eerie wind blew through.

In short, it exuded an indescribable, sinister Demonic Qi; one look was enough to know it was a dangerous place where filth and evil gathered.

Tang Seng, riding on his horse, shivered from the eerie wind, pulled on the reins, and furrowed his brows.

He spoke to the disciples in front of him.

"Monkey King, Pigsy, Ao Lie, this mountain looks extremely desolate. I fear there are demons at work. You must be extra careful and protect our progress."

Monkey King leaped to a high vantage point, shielded his eyes with his hand, and scanned the surroundings with his Fiery Eyes.

He saw a thick, black column of Demonic Qi rising from a mountain hollow in the distance. He grinned and turned back to say to Tang Seng.

(This is inspired by the opening scene of a movie I watched as a child. I forgot the name, but the protagonist was a bull.)

"Master, rest assured. It's just some mountain spirits and wild monsters. With me, Monkey King, here, I guarantee your safety!"

"It's just that this mountain is desolate and uninhabited; there isn't even a household here. My stomach is already flattened from hunger; where can I go to beg for food?"

Pigsy rubbed his empty stomach, shouldered his Nine-toothed Rake, and complained with a long face.

Having walked for most of the day without a drop of water, he was already so hungry that his chest was sticking to his back.

Ao Lie walked beside the group, his white clothes spotless, his expression calm.

He was currently at the Peak of the Mystic Immortal Realm, just one step away from the Golden Immortal Realm.

Although his own combat power was not top-tier, his perception of Demonic Qi was extremely acute, and he had already detected that obscure yet vicious Demonic Qi.

The demon's cultivation was not top-tier, roughly at the Early Stage of the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm.

It could not compare to Zhen Yuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple, nor was it as strong as the previous Yellow Wind Monster, but it was adept at disguise and transformation, and very good at bewitching people's hearts, making it tricky to deal with.

He remained composed, secretly sensing his Shadow Servants.

Two thousand five hundred ordinary Heavenly Immortal Shadow Servants were dormant and awaiting orders, while four hundred knight-level Profound Immortal Shadow Servants maintained steady auras.

Xiao Hei, Shadow Servant, and Tiger Overlord, the three commander-level servants, could appear at any moment.

Even if a major battle occurred, he could easily handle it; there was no need to deliberately hide his strength, he only needed to act according to the situation.

"Master, Second Senior Brother, these mountains are remote, and it is indeed hard to find a household. Why don't we have First Senior Brother go further away to beg for some food, while we rest and wait here? How about that?"

Ao Lie spoke slowly, his tone peaceful, reminding everyone of the danger here while also solving the problem of hunger.

Tang Seng nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

"Ao Lie's words are very reasonable. Monkey King, I will trouble you to go and beg for some food. Remember to go and return quickly; do not wander too far."

"I know!" Monkey King replied, then turned to Pigsy and Ao Lie, sternly instructing, "You idiot, Brother Ao Lie, take good care of Master. I will return shortly. If any demons approach, just shout loudly, and I will be back in an instant!"

After speaking, Monkey King flickered, transformed into a streak of golden light, shot into the clouds, and flew toward a place with smoke and human dwellings in the distance.

No sooner had he left than the sinister Demonic Qi became increasingly intense.

In the mountain hollow, inside the White Bone Cave, the thousand-year-old Corpse Demon, Lady White Bone, was sitting on a stone stool.

Through the Demonic Qi, she stared at Tang Seng and his disciples from afar, her demon eyes flashing with greedy light.

"Hahaha, I searched everywhere in vain, only to find it without any effort! It is rumored that Tang Seng from the Eastern Land Great Tang is the Reincarnation of Golden Cicada, a good man who has practiced for ten lifetimes. Eating a piece of his flesh grants immortality. I didn't expect him to deliver himself to my door!"

Lady White Bone chuckled sinisterly, her body surging with white bone Spiritual Qi.

She then shook her body and transformed into a village girl with delicate features and simple clothing.

She carried a blue ceramic jar in her hand, filled with rice and vegetarian dishes, swaying her waist, looking quite attractive.

At this moment, she was walking straight toward the place where Tang Seng and the others were resting.

"Master, Master, a woman is coming over from the front!" Pigsy had sharp eyes and spotted the approaching village girl immediately. He was overjoyed, forgot his hunger, and hurriedly pointed forward while shouting.

Tang Seng looked up and saw that the village girl had gentle features and a light gait.

She carried a food jar in her hand and had a kind expression, so he immediately put his hands together and let down his guard.

Ao Lie frowned imperceptibly, unable to help but think of the original story...

The village girl was clearly wrapped in thick Demonic Qi, but it was concealed by a Spell; ordinary people could not see through it, so it must be the demon in disguise!

Before he could speak, Pigsy had already rushed up enthusiastically and grinned at the village girl.

"Female Bodhisattva, where are you going? Is that vegetarian food you are carrying?"

The village girl giggled and nodded, her voice gentle.

"This Elder, I am a farmer from the foot of this mountain, specifically delivering food to my husband. Seeing you Elders resting here, if you don't mind, I will share some food with you."

Tang Seng hurriedly stood up and bowed.

"Amitabha, thank you for your kindness, Female Bodhisattva. How can I, a poor monk, accept your food for nothing?"

"Master, do not be so polite. Monks practice charity and accumulate merit; I am just doing my small part."

As the village girl spoke, she reached out to hand the food jar to Tang Seng.

Ao Lie immediately stepped forward, blocked Tang Seng, and spoke coldly to the village girl.

"This female benefactor, this is a deep mountain forest with few people. You coming here alone is too suspicious. Please reveal your true identity!"

Although he did not expose her identity as a demon, he gave a direct warning. Pigsy, who was nearby, was unhappy and glared at Ao Lie.

"Brother Ao Lie, what are you doing? The Female Bodhisattva is kindly offering food; how can you be so suspicious!"

A flash of sinister intent crossed the village girl's eyes, but she immediately put on a wronged expression, her eyes reddening.

"Why does this Elder speak like that? I have kind intentions, yet I am suspected by you. It is truly disheartening."

Seeing this, Tang Seng immediately scolded Ao Lie.

"Ao Lie, be respectful! The Female Bodhisattva is kind-hearted; how can you be so suspicious? Hurry and apologize to the Female Bodhisattva!"

Ao Lie felt helpless; Tang Seng had Mortal eyes and could not see through the demon's disguise.

Pigsy was gluttonous and lustful, and had been bewitched. With just himself, it was hard to convince the two of them.

Just as they were in this deadlock, a flash of golden light appeared in the sky. Monkey King had returned from begging for food and scanned the village girl with his Fiery Eyes.

He immediately saw through the Demonic Qi surrounding her and shouted angrily.

"What a bold demon! You dare to disguise yourself as a Mortal and deceive my Master! Take this!"

With a roar, Monkey King did not say another word, swung his Golden Cudgel, and smashed it down toward the village girl's head!

"Demon, where are you running!"

Seeing this, the village girl's expression changed drastically. She had not expected this hairy-faced monk to see through her disguise at a glance.

Terrified to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, in her desperation, she used a Corpse-Separation Spell.

She left behind a Mortal shell and transformed into a gust of eerie wind, fleeing back to the White Bone Cave.

With a loud "bang," the Golden Cudgel smashed down heavily. The village girl immediately fell to the ground and lost her breath.

Tang Seng jumped up from the stone in fright, his face deathly pale. He pointed at Monkey King, trembling all over, and scolded him sternly.

"Monkey King! You! You dare to harm a life for no reason in broad daylight! You unruly monkey, you haven't changed your wicked ways, and you still dare to slaughter!"

"Master, you have misunderstood me! She is not a Mortal at all; she is a demon in disguise, specifically here to deceive you!"

Monkey King hurriedly explained and reached out to lift the lid of the village girl's food jar on the ground. Inside, there was no rice or vegetarian food at all. It was all moss, maggots, and rotten grass; there was not a shred of anything edible.