nyslfriends Chapter 20: Bloodbath
Chapter 20: Bloodbath
Following the directions of the old man selling flatbread, Cao Xing and Bixia quickly found the county government office in Gaoche Town.
However, the two of them did not come here to pay any peace tax.
"This county government office isn't even as grand as the township head's house."
Cao Xing saw the dilapidated threshold of the county government office from afar and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. If he hadn't just learned about it, he would have really thought that guy was lying to him and made him misunderstand an honest official.
"Brother, what is a township head?" Bixia asked curiously from the side.
Um...
Realizing he had let something slip, Cao Xing quickly explained, "He's the kind of guy who just takes the money and doesn't do any work."
"oh."
Bixia nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
"Walk!"
Cao Xing observed the surroundings for a while, then made a hand seal and used the supernatural power "Illusion," transforming himself into the appearance of a middle-aged Taoist priest. He then pointed at Bixia and used "Illusion" again, turning Bixia into a zombie.
After reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining, Cao Xing's mastery of supernatural powers became increasingly proficient. However, he still couldn't transform into a mosquito like a monkey.
Just as Bai Yao once said, her cultivation was too shallow, so she could not create large objects or small forms.
It means that if one were to become an inanimate object, one could only transform into ordinary objects, but one could not transform into enormous things such as mountains, ancient trees, or giant objects.
Similarly, one cannot transform into inconspicuous little creatures like mosquitoes, insects, rats, or ants if one changes their body shape.
Now it all depends on one's cultivation level, and I'm far from that level.
However, for now, it's enough for my needs.
After making sure there were no problems, Cao Xing led Bixia towards the yamen.
A notice offering a reward for exorcising the demon was posted on the sign at the entrance of the government office.
Cao Xing glanced at it, and after confirming there were no problems, he tore down the notice and turned to shout to the officials in front of the yamen: "I have eliminated the demon. Go and inform your magistrate quickly."
The constables at the gate were taken aback and glanced at Cao Xing from head to toe.
Upon seeing the middle-aged Taoist priest with an air of otherworldly wisdom, the constables exchanged glances and hurriedly ran into the gate to report.
Before long, a butler hurriedly led a group of people out. As soon as the butler stepped out the door, his gaze swept over Cao Xing, and with a flick of his mustache, he immediately put on an extremely fawning smile.
"Greetings, Daoist Master. I am a clerk in the county government, surnamed Hu. May I ask which sacred mountain you are from, and which master you are under, and how you should address me?"
As Master Hu spoke, his gaze turned to the figure behind Cao Xing, who was shrouded in thick black clothing.
"I am a humble Taoist priest in yellow robes, traveling around here. I happened to encounter a bone demon in Li Family Village and killed it without a second thought. I learned that the government is offering a reward for its elimination, so I have come to claim the reward."
Master Hu understood immediately, thinking to himself, "Hmph, so he's a rogue cultivator without any sect or school. No wonder he's so ignorant of the rules."
His smile remained unchanged, but his gaze shifted to Bixia behind Cao Xing, and he asked, "And this is...?"
"This is a corpse demon that I refined."
As Cao Xing spoke, he took out a bell from his pocket and shook it gently.
"Ding!"
As soon as the bell rang, Bixia stepped forward and stomped hard on the blue bricks of the steps.
With a loud "bang!", the blue bricks exploded, revealing spiderweb-like cracks.
The constables' expressions changed immediately, and they showed a look of horror.
Master Hu was also taken aback and unconsciously took two steps back.
Seeing this, Cao Xing immediately stepped forward and took Master Hu's hand affectionately: "Don't be afraid, this corpse demon will not hurt people on its own. It will only act according to the magic weapon in my hand."
After hearing Cao Xing's explanation, Master Hu was finally reassured, and his expression immediately improved.
He glanced at the bell in Cao Xing's hand, nodded, and smiled even more brightly: "Daoist Master, you are incredibly powerful and have rid the people of harm. You are a blessing to the people. Please come in quickly."
"Um...aren't you going to take a look?"
Cao Xing felt a surge of contempt as he looked at Master Hu, who was so eager to lure him into a trap.
At least check if what I'm saying is true or false!
It's full of flaws, what kind of advisor are you? Wouldn't it be better to go home and farm? You need me to cover for you.
As he spoke, he casually tossed the bundle aside. The clerk opened it and saw that it was full of bones.
These bones are different from ordinary bones; each bone is white and smooth as jade, which is extraordinary.
"That monster was a bone spirit. I smashed its bones. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to the village to check. I guarantee there are no more monsters in the village now."
Master Hu nodded repeatedly: "Yes! Yes, that's the monster. Please come in, Taoist priest."
As he spoke, he led Cao Xing inside.
Cao Xing shook the bell in his hand, and Bixia slowly followed behind him.
After the two arrived at the main hall.
Master Hu gestured for Cao Xing to wait a moment while he went to the back to call the master out.
Watching the advisor's departing figure, a shadow crossed Cao Xing's eyes.
We waited for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Then they heard footsteps of varying weight outside the door.
Cao Xing looked up and saw Master Hu leading a large group of young women and his second sister-in-law dressed in bright red and green, rushing towards him.
"So this is the Taoist priest who exorcised the demon."
The young woman at the head of the group was alluring and seductive, followed by several young girls, all dressed provocatively.
Before Cao Xing could understand what was happening, he was surrounded by these women.
"Master, you are incredibly powerful. I've been feeling short of breath and tightness in my chest lately, and I always feel like something is pressing down on me."
These women were incredibly fierce; some even lifted their clothes, practically wanting to stick them to Cao Xing's face.
No, don't come any closer, I'm still a child.
The women swarmed forward, and Cao Xing's eyes were filled with nothing but white, menacing weapons; he didn't know where to look.
Just as Cao Xing was dazzled, suddenly, his wrists felt heavy.
Then, it felt as if his feet were bound by something.
Cao Xing's heart sank, sensing something was wrong, but before he could struggle, the women hiding behind him suddenly pulled him back forcefully.
"Ring ring ring..."
A series of clanking sounds rang out, and when they came to their senses, they found themselves being pulled up by chains, suspended in mid-air. The young women and sisters-in-law who had been there earlier scattered in a panic.
Only a few burly men dressed in women's clothing remained, clutching the iron chains tightly in their hands.
"What are you doing?! Why are you doing this to me?!"
Cao Xing shouted in a panic to Master Hu, while subconsciously glancing at the bell at his waist.
However, Master Hu didn't give him any chance and waved his hand.
A group of yamen runners rushed in from outside and swung their broadswords at Cao Xing.
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!!"
After a few muffled thuds, Cao Xing was hacked to pieces.
Throughout the entire process, Bixia, who was standing behind Cao Xing, did not move an inch.
After a while, footsteps were heard outside the door.
"Master, it's all done!"
Master Hu greeted him with a smile. The county magistrate in front of him looked like a fleshy winter melon, with a fat head and big ears, and was very prosperous.
Behind the magistrate followed a Taoist priest with a scar on his face.
The scarred Taoist walked in, glanced at Cao Xing, who was hacked to pieces, and a satisfied smile appeared on his gaunt face.
He walked up to Cao Xing's body and said, "What a pity. You don't seem to be from a sect. No wonder your elders didn't tell you that you should find out someone's background before going down the mountain to exorcise demons."
After speaking, he glanced around and saw the gourd and bell at Cao Xing's waist. His eyes lit up, and he reached out to pick up the gourd. After opening it and seeing that there was still some spiritual energy inside, a look of joy appeared on his face.
"Oh, quite a few, it seems you didn't die unjustly. If I don't kill you today, you'll die at someone else's hands sooner or later."
"Nephew, this man is gone, what should we do with this thing?"
The portly magistrate pointed to Bixia standing to the side.
The scarred Taoist circled around Bixia, looking her over with increasing admiration. He felt that the corpse demon in front of him exuded an astonishing killing intent, suggesting that it was at least at the eighth level of Qi Refining.
"Alright, alright, this kid isn't very capable himself, but this corpse demon is a rare treasure."
The scarred Taoist turned around and picked up the bell from Cao Xing's corpse.
"Perfect, you destroyed the bone demon I was raising, so I'll keep this treasure."
The scarred Taoist initially thought the bell was a magical artifact, but upon closer inspection, a look of doubt appeared in his eyes.
This bell was just an ordinary copper bell, not some kind of magical artifact.
Suddenly! His eyes widened, and he exclaimed inwardly, "Something's wrong!!"
Realizing something was wrong, the scarred Taoist leaped up, instinctively trying to escape.
But his reaction was a step too slow. Just as he leaped into the air, a gust of wind came from behind and slapped the scarred Taoist on the back.
"Snapped!"
The immense force pierced through his internal organs, causing the scarred Taoist to feel his liver and gallbladder rupture. He was thrown to the ground like a kite with a broken string, coughing up blood...