Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Duel

If I hadn’t shared a body with him, I would never have noticed his astonishing speed. Even Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo, standing nearby, had no idea what had just happened. They must have been wondering why those people suddenly collapsed to the ground. The Crimson-Eyed Demon showed no sign of disturbance, his face perfectly calm, as if none of this concerned him.

Feng Zi Mo couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on? Why did they all just fall over?”

The Crimson-Eyed Demon shook his head, showing not a hint of guilt. Lin Wei Yan glanced at him subconsciously but said nothing.

I noticed that none of those fallen could rise again. This result was entirely different from last night, and it proved the Crimson-Eyed Demon’s strength far surpassed mine—beyond anything I had calculated. Yet, I didn’t fear his prowess, for I still held a trump card he knew nothing about. Should he discover what that trump card was, he’d surely abandon any thought of seizing my body.

I hadn’t revealed my ace because I wanted to use the Crimson-Eyed Demon to help rescue my cousin. I knew this was a risky move: if handled well, everything would turn out fine; handled poorly, the consequences would be dire. This gamble was like staking everything on a single throw, and the stake was my own life—I couldn’t afford to lose.

All my life, I’d never taken such a wild risk. But for my cousin, and to eliminate the hidden mastermind, I had to act. If I failed to eradicate the puppet master, I’d be the next to die; after all, I’d slain his Phantom Demon, and sooner or later he would seek vengeance.

Time passed slowly. Tonight was destined to be extraordinary; the moments before me were merely the calm before the storm.

Three o’clock in the morning.

This was when people were most prone to drowsiness, but I was alert as ever. I knew this was the hour when things most easily went wrong. If it were me, I’d choose this time to strike.

A cold chill swept in; I could feel danger creeping closer. I was about to warn the Crimson-Eyed Demon, but he sensed it before I did.

Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo instantly adopted fighting stances, prepared for battle. Everyone’s attention focused on the double doors ahead.

The chill emanated from those doors. Even the Crimson-Eyed Demon grew wary in the face of such formidable cold.

Time seemed to freeze; even our breathing ceased.

The creak of the door breaking the silence.

At that moment, the doors opened.

A figure entered, clad in a black raincoat and holding an oil lamp. In the dim light, I saw his face clearly.

How could it be him?

I was filled with disbelief. Was there some mistake?

Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, stepped toward us, oil lamp in hand. Water dripped from his raincoat onto the floor.

Was he here to inspect the workshop?

No matter what, I couldn’t believe Old Zhang was the mastermind behind all this.

But as Old Zhang drew closer, the Crimson-Eyed Demon’s lips curled into a wicked smile.

“Well, well, I wondered whose aura was so powerful. Turns out it’s you, old bastard,” he said to Old Zhang.

Old Zhang seemed to recognize him instantly, replying with disdain, “I advise you to stay out of this! Otherwise, old scores and new ones will be settled together.”

Listening to their exchange, I found myself utterly confused.

One thing was certain: they knew each other—and seemed to share some deep enmity.

Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo were still clueless, thinking perhaps I was reminiscing with the old gatekeeper.

But the Crimson-Eyed Demon’s next words shattered that illusion.

His eyes blazed with murderous intent as he coldly declared, “Tonight, I am involved, whether you like it or not. It’s time you died.”

On hearing this, Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo instantly lost their composure. They must have realized that it wasn’t me speaking. Almost simultaneously, they instinctively stepped back, putting distance between themselves and my body.

Their obvious reaction didn’t escape the Crimson-Eyed Demon, but he said nothing, smiling as he waited for Old Zhang’s reply.

Old Zhang didn’t speak right away. Instead, he sized up the Crimson-Eyed Demon with keen interest.

In an instant, their gazes locked, both brimming with murderous intent.

It was the first time I’d seen Old Zhang with such a terrifying look, so deeply concealed. Without the Crimson-Eyed Demon’s help, I’d likely have died already.

Watching their murderous faces, it was clear each wanted to kill the other. What puzzled me was how they knew each other, and so intimately.

A minute later, Old Zhang suddenly smashed his oil lamp to the ground, the crash resounding sharply in the quiet darkness. If I hadn’t seen him throw it beforehand, my heart would have leapt into my throat from the shock.

With the lamp shattered, Old Zhang made his move.

His actions were swift, unbefitting a man in his fifties. Even the Crimson-Eyed Demon dared not be careless.

They fought with full force, and in my eyes, this was true combat.

They moved faster and faster, like shadows flitting across every corner of the workshop.

Each clash of their techniques shook the very earth.

The Crimson-Eyed Demon unleashed his full power, a magnificent suit of armor manifesting upon him.

Old Zhang donned a green python robe, exuding a mighty presence.

They were evenly matched. Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo wanted to help, but there was no way to intervene.

The battle raged on until four in the morning, still without a clear victor.

Old Zhang’s strength astounded me anew.

He wielded countless spells, reaching the level of an immortal.

The Crimson-Eyed Demon was no weaker, facing Old Zhang’s furious onslaught.

His spells were pushed to their limits. Witnessing this scene, I could hardly imagine that such formidable beings existed.

The Crimson-Eyed Demon was but a pair of eyes, yet so powerful—how much greater must the Emperor be? I could not fathom it.

The fight continued for another half hour. Under the assault of their spells, both suffered wounds, though such minor injuries meant nothing to them.

The true contest was about to begin.