Chapter 8: The Demon Hunter with the Greatsword on His Back

"You—"
Su Momo was so furious that her silver teeth clenched tightly. Her right hand pointed at him, eyes blazing with anger, her powerful aura surging restlessly.

Sensing he had gone too far, Qin Lang immediately hid behind Hua Manlou, hoping to avoid getting anyone else hurt.

Right now, he was still a novice—utterly outmatched by true powerhouses like this. He could be crushed like an ant at any moment; a little caution was only wise.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Su Momo shot him a fierce glare, then turned away in a huff, swearing silently to herself that she would seize the chance for revenge if it ever came.

As Su Momo’s figure receded, Hua Manlou spoke with a touch of dramatic flair, "Brother Qin, you may be in for some trouble. Momo is famous for holding grudges—she won’t rest until she’s repaid you in full."

Qin Lang swallowed, watching her formidable silhouette disappear, a shiver of apprehension running through him. "Brother Hua, don’t scare me. I’m timid by nature."

After all, nothing in this world is more troublesome than women and petty men. He wanted nothing to do with either.

Slap—

Hua Manlou clapped him on the shoulder with a hearty grin. "Don’t worry. The Demoness Su might seek revenge, but she won’t kill you. At worst, you’ll lose an arm or a leg."

Qin Lang: "…"

Damn it, isn’t that serious enough?!

Losing a limb—wasn’t that as good as dying? In the world of cultivation, such injuries were the gravest taboo. Even if pills could restore your body, the foundation would be damaged.

Even if your arm or leg was regrown, your strength would be diminished by ten or twenty percent, maybe even more…

"Hm?"

Just then, as laughter and conversation lingered in the air, Prince Zi Mo’s expression turned grave, his voice low. "There’s demonic presence approaching. Everyone, hide in the trees."

Without a word, they all leapt into the towering ancient trees, each finding their own place to conceal themselves.

Qin Lang was pulled up by Hua Manlou, who shielded him further to keep him hidden from view.

Scanning the surroundings, Prince Zi Mo took a pouch of white powder from his person and swiftly scattered it around, then leapt into the trees himself.

This was no ordinary powder—it was meant to mask human scent and keep them from being detected by the demon clan…

After a brief wait, they saw three snake demons approaching, their bodies covered in green scales, badly wounded, their eyes flickering with terror as they fled in panic.

Swoosh!

The group was puzzled, but in the next instant, a massive sword, sharp as lightning and thunder, descended from the sky, cutting off the snakes’ path of escape.

Upon seeing the blade blocking their way, the three enormous snake demons halted, their gazes wild with fear.

"Heh heh—"
"And where do you think you’re going?"

Bang!

With a cold, indifferent voice, a man—eight feet tall yet slender, features delicate and well-formed, a knife-scar marking his face, his presence overwhelming—dropped from the heavens.

Landing squarely atop the sword’s hilt, he glared at the three snake demons, eyes brimming with murderous intent.

"Let’s join forces and kill him!"

One snake demon spat in a human tongue, then launched itself at the man, the other two following suit in a desperate alliance.

This man had chased them for ten days and nights. If they didn’t kill him, their only fate was to flee endlessly.

Though they knew they were no match, they still threw themselves at him recklessly…

"Good! If I don’t kill you today, I’ll write my name backward!" the young man roared inwardly, leaping from the sword, gripping the massive blade with his right hand, and charging into the fray.

These three had slipped from his grasp too many times. If not now, who knew when he’d get another chance?

Swoosh!

With a powerful swing, sword light surged and wreathed the blade. The nearest snake demon was struck squarely in the head by the heavy sword and smashed hard into the ground.

"Roar!"

Howling in agony from the blow, the snake demon thrashed, but as the young man moved to strike again, the other two attacked, forcing him to retreat.

Hidden in the trees, Qin Lang watched the fierce battle, filled with awed admiration.

To fight three formidable demons single-handed and overwhelm them—what kind of terrifying strength was this?

Observing the youth closely, Hua Manlou murmured, "I never thought we’d meet a Demon Hunter here."

"Demon Hunter?"

Though the words were soft, Qin Lang heard clearly and couldn’t help but wonder—what kind of profession was that?

He had never heard of such a thing as a Demon Hunter before. Was it a job solely for slaying demons…?

"Roar—"

Seeing a companion fall, the remaining two demons roared in fury and spewed out toxic gas.

As the purple poison mist billowed forth, the youth swiftly withdrew, dodging the attack.

Where the miasma touched, flowers, grass, and trees withered instantly, as if all life was snuffed out, leaving behind a foul stench.

With a cold snort, the youth gripped his sword and struck again. Though the massive blade was unwieldy, in his hands it moved as easily as a light sword.

Swoosh!
Bang!

He battered one of the demons with the flat of his blade, dodging a whipping tail, then leveraged the momentum to leap at another.

Finding the vulnerable spot behind its head, he gritted his teeth, grasped his sword with both hands, and drove it in with all his might.

"Roar—"

The sudden, searing pain made the demon howl, but the youth cared nothing for its suffering. Channeling his true essence into the blade, he ended the creature’s life with a single, decisive blow.

Boom!

The last snake demon, seeing its final companion fall, trembled with fear. Without a second thought, it turned to flee.

But the youth would not let it escape. Drawing his sword, he channeled his energy through the blade, stamped his feet, and shot forth like a streak of light.

Swoosh!

A flash of dazzling sword light, and a massive snake head tumbled to the earth, blood spurting—the demon slain on the spot.

After this exhausting battle, the youth, having finished off all three demons, felt invigorated as never before. Stretching mightily, his expression turned cold. "Friends in the trees, you’ve watched long enough. Isn’t it time you came down and explained what brings you here?"

Startled, the group exchanged looks of disbelief, never expecting to be discovered.

But then again, to be a Demon Hunter was no ordinary feat. Not only did they possess strength, but their senses were incredibly keen.

Even though they had suppressed their presence, the scattered white powder around them had still betrayed their location.

Without protest or further hiding, Liu Man signaled for everyone to descend.

When the youth saw Liu Man and the others, he frowned. "Judging by your attire, you must be members of the Azure Sky Guard?"

…