Chapter 53

The palace on the Demon Mountain has not yet been built.

Seeing that the waiter knew quite a bit, Liu shuang handed him another spirit stone.

“I do have that intention. Could you tell me more about this mountain lord?”

Seeing Liu shuang’s generosity, the clever waiter happily accepted the spirit stone and racked his brain for information about the mountain lord.

“To be honest with you, miss, I don’t know much. If it were the previous mountain lord, I could talk for hours. The previous mountain lord was a powerful figure, said to have some lineage of the Bi Fang bird. By the time it reached him, though the bloodline power had weakened, it was still enough to dominate the region. The previous mountain lord had a fondness for beauty, regardless of gender, and kept a large group of slaves on the Demon Mountain. He also practiced dark arts, sending his subordinates to capture demons and absorb their spiritual energy to strengthen himself.”

Liu shuang almost thought she had misheard: “Capture demons? Absorbing power from his own kind, instead of capturing rogue immortals?”

Some Taoist priests in the mortal world relied on capturing demons to cultivate their techniques.

They used demon bodies to craft their magic tools and refine pills.

Given such animosity, Liu shuang had assumed that demons would instead target the immortal clans.

The waiter said, “You should know this—if mortals or rogue immortals were targeted, even Taoist priests from other mountains would be alerted.”

He pointed to the sky, indicating the immortal clans.

“Although the previous mountain lord was powerful, he was nothing compared to the immortal clans,” the waiter continued.

“Of course, absorbing power from demons was safer. That’s why the previous mountain lord ran rampant for hundreds of years, growing stronger with no one able to stop him. Until a few days ago, someone stormed the Demon Mountain, killed the previous mountain lord, and hung his body on the mountain, becoming the new lord.”

Liu shuang looked over.

The waiter lowered his voice: “They say this new mountain lord is very different in his ways. His cultivation is profound, and no one knows his true form. He freed all the demon slaves and restored their freedom. They say he is cold and ruthless, but fair in rewards and punishments. Many demons from nearby have been trying to pledge allegiance to him since he took over.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Liu shuang took a few steps, and the waiter, thinking of the generous spirit stone she had given him, hesitated before calling out to her: “Miss, the new mountain lord has only been here a short while, and no one is sure of his temperament. He has taken in many beautiful female demons recently, so it seems he also has a fondness for beauty. But a few days ago, I heard that a female demon offended him and was executed. If you don’t want to get involved, you could try offering treasures. If he likes them, he might take you in.”

Liu shuang smiled: “I understand.”

Liu shuang knew little about the Demon Mountain from seven hundred years ago.

She didn’t rush in, instead patiently observing from the foot of the mountain for a few days.

Sure enough, as the waiter had said, many demons had been heading to the Demon Mountain recently.

Mostly beautiful female demons and small demon clans with nowhere else to go.

At the entrance of the Demon Mountain, several people had even set up desks to register those entering.

Behind them was a barrier of enchantment.

Liu shuang tested this barrier and found it impossible to enter without alerting anyone.

It seemed she would have to blend in.

She didn’t need to interact with the mountain lord.

Once she crossed the Demon Mountain, she could head straight to the Weak Water.

Liu shuang turned her gaze to the registration desk, where three demon men stood.

Using her immortal sight, she saw that their spiritual energy was not high.

They were busy writing, registering each person.

When it was Liu shuang’s turn, the three demon men were stunned.

At that time, Liu shuang wore a light veil, not covering the blue feather flower on her forehead.

Her eyes were like spring water, and even without revealing her full face, one could glimpse her beauty beneath the veil.

“What’s your name, and what kind of demon are you?”

The aura of a fox demon was easiest to imitate.

Liu shuang mimicked the scent of a previous fox demon and said, “Youyou, a fox demon.”

One of the men snapped out of it and was about to write it down when a fair hand reached over and stopped him: “Wait.”

Liu shuang looked over.

The newcomer was a pure-looking female demon with weak spiritual energy.

Liu shuang could tell at a glance that her true form was a butterfly.

The butterfly demon sneered, fanning her hand under her nose: “I wondered who smelled so strongly. Another fox demon. Let me be clear: the mountain lord doesn’t like your kind. The skin of the last fox demon who offended him is still lying outside his chamber. If you know what’s good for you, leave now, and you might keep your life.”

Liu shuang looked at her indifferently, her clear, watery eyes slightly raised.

It didn’t matter.

She wasn’t here to offer herself, just passing through.

The butterfly demon grew even angrier, feeling that the “female demon” before her had even more of a fox demon’s allure.

She puffed out her chest, declaring her dominance: “You should give up now. The mountain lord likes someone like me. He dotes on me and has been favoring me these past few days.”

Liu shuang glanced at her chest, which was indeed eye-catching—far beyond ordinary, more like towering peaks, looking heavy and cumbersome.

Liu shuang thought to herself that the mountain lord’s tastes were quite particular.

Could the butterfly demon even fly with such a build?

Liu shuang wasn’t here to cause trouble, just to blend in.

She immediately flattered: “Of course, your beauty is unparalleled, and your figure is exquisite. I could never compare. I’m just here to offer treasures, with no intentions toward the mountain lord.”

With that, she gestured to the box in her hand.

The butterfly demon eyed the box suspiciously: “You’re really not here to seduce the mountain lord?”

Liu shuang nodded.

The three men nearby also said: “Miss Congxia, there are still people waiting behind.”

Congxia snorted, looking arrogantly at the long line of female demons behind her: “You’d better behave and not entertain any improper thoughts.”

The female demons behind her watched the mountain lord’s “favorite” flaunt her status, each with their own thoughts.

After registering, Liu shuang finally entered the Demon Mountain.

She stood with a group of demons, waiting for a demon general to lead them.

Congxia turned back to look at her, still uneasy.

She waved over a small demon and whispered a few words.

The small demon hesitated: “This… this isn’t appropriate.”

“You dare disobey me?”

The small demon knew the mountain lord favored her and had no choice but to agree: “Of course not. I’ll do as you say, Miss Congxia.”

Liu shuang and the group followed the demon general inside.

She was surprised by the strict order within the demon palace.

Given that the Demon Mountain was still in disarray and the mountain lord was new, she had assumed he wouldn’t be so meticulous.

Soon, someone came to ask them about their skills and what they could contribute to the Demon Mountain.

Liu shuang followed the others’ lead and prepared her answers.

Then, someone brought over a demon power stone to test their demonic energy.

Liu shuang: “…” She hadn’t expected this.

As an immortal, testing her demonic energy would surely expose her.

The room was filled with people.

Liushuang considered the possibility of knocking them all out and making a run for the Weak Water.

With her current abilities, it shouldn’t be a problem.

She subtly moved her wrist, about to act, when a demon general in white boots walked in.

When Liu shuang saw him, she quickly clenched her fist.

The man’s familiar face and cold demeanor—it was Fuheng!

Fuheng from seven hundred years ago was much younger than she remembered.

Dressed in white, with faint marks on his neck, his cold gaze swept over the room, exuding indifference.

Compared to Su Lun, Liu shuang didn’t know much about Fuheng.

She didn’t know his background, only that he was like a sharp, emotionless blade in the demon lord’s hand.

Fuheng was always on the battlefield, his will strong, and he rarely spoke to her in her past life.

But among ghost cultivators and demon soldiers, his reputation far surpassed Sulun’s.

Because of his strength.

The Fuheng before her now carried a cold, metallic scent.

His gaze fell on her, and Liu shuang quickly concealed the remnants of immortal energy in her palm.

Fuheng sniffed. Though he sensed nothing unusual, his sharp instincts made him coldly command: “Search thoroughly.”

This was bad.

Liu shuang wasn’t sure if she could defeat Fuheng from seven hundred years ago.

Even if she could, it wouldn’t be done quietly.

If the mountain lord was alerted, it would be disastrous.

Now, the demon power stone was placed before her.

The demon general holding it frowned impatiently: “Raise your hand.”

Liu shuang had no choice.

She suppressed her immortal energy, making herself appear like an ordinary mortal, and placed her hand on the stone.

The transparent stone showed no change.

She was glad she had been diligently cultivating.

Though she couldn’t pass off immortal energy as demonic, at least she wouldn’t be exposed immediately.

Fuheng looked at the stone and emotionlessly said: “Throw her out. She’s not allowed back. The Demon Mountain has no use for someone with no power.”

Liu shuang had to speak up: “My cultivation isn’t in combat.”

Fuheng frowned in disgust, understanding her implication.

He still said: “Throw her out.”

The demon general who had been selecting people couldn’t take his eyes off Liu shuang: “Wait, Fuheng. You might not appreciate beauty, but the mountain lord might. This little fox seems quite charming. She might please the mountain lord.”

This demon general was quite helpful.

Liu shuang nodded repeatedly.

The demon general had once held a high position on the mountain, but since the new lord arrived, he had been overshadowed by Fuheng.

Eager to win the mountain lord’s favor, he often thought of offering beautiful women.

He decided to keep Liu shuang.

Since she was to serve with her beauty, her lack of power didn’t matter.

Fuheng’s expression darkened, but he didn’t object further.

After all, he still couldn’t fully grasp the mountain lord’s preferences.

Liu shuang was taken away by the demon general.

He said: “Remove your veil.”

Liu shuang glanced at him and removed her veil.

The demon general’s eyes lit up with admiration: “You… are perfect. The mountain lord won’t refuse you.”

Liu shuang smiled: “Then I thank you for the introduction.”

The demon general regretfully swallowed.

In his hundreds of years serving the previous mountain lord, he had never seen such beauty.

If it were the previous lord, he might have had a chance to enjoy her, but the new lord’s temperament was unpredictable.

He was a cultivation fanatic, decisive and cold, not the type to share.

The Demon Mountain at this time was not as grand as it would later become, though there were hints of its future splendor.

The demon general’s quarters already housed three beautiful women.

He gestured for Liu shuang to enter, warning: “Tonight, I will present you to the mountain lord. Whether you can win his favor is up to you. If you fail to stay, well, you know the consequences.”

The women nodded in unison.

The demon general left to chat with others.

Liu shuang glanced at the three women.

Demons were never short of beauty, and the demon general had a good eye.

All three were attractive with appealing figures.

Unfortunately, if the mountain lord preferred someone like the butterfly demon, none of these three fit the bill.

The demon general remained outside.

Liu shuang pondered how to sneak off to the Weak Water.

It was almost dark.

She couldn’t wait to be presented to the mountain lord.

This was a good opportunity, so she knocked out the three women despite their hostile gazes.

As she stepped out, the demon general also collapsed by the door.

Fortunately, not everyone was as formidable as Bi xun and Fuheng.

These people were no match for her.

She moved lightly, passing through the Demon Mountain’s scenery, heading toward the Weak Water.

With her memories from her past life, she easily found the direction.

But just as she was about to reach it, a barrier rose before her.

The mountain lord was truly insane—he had set up a barrier even behind the Demon Mountain!

She squinted and saw that the barrier was connected to countless soul jade bells!

These bells contained scattered souls.

If the barrier was broken, the bells would surely ring, their sound unceasing until the souls dissipated.

Though not strong in containment, their warning capability was top-notch.

The moment they shattered, the entire mountain would be filled with their ringing.

Would the mountain lord arrive before she reached the Weak Water?

These obstacles made Liu shuang tread carefully.

She couldn’t help but curse under her breath.

It was as if these things were specifically designed to stop anyone from reaching the Weak Water.

Liu shuang was in a dilemma.

Even if she reached the Weak Water, she couldn’t just jump in.

Legend had it that the Weak Water could dissolve even an immortal’s body, leaving nothing behind.

If she didn’t jump, lingering by the Weak Water would still allow the mountain lord to catch up.

Going back wasn’t an option either.

She had knocked out the demon general, who would surely realize something was wrong upon waking.

Would he report to the mountain lord?

Would they send people to search for her?

Caught between a rock and a hard place, what should she do now?

Should she hide on the Demon Mountain and wait for an opportunity, or face the mountain lord with his peculiar tastes?