THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Fifty-Three — He Belongs to Me

“Ning’er!”

Just as the little beggar prepared to lead Zhuo Fan toward the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, a furious shout suddenly echoed behind them.

The beggar’s body trembled instantly.

He turned around slowly, almost guiltily.

A group of people approached from the far end of the street.

At the center walked a young man dressed in spotless white robes, a jade belt wrapped around his waist, his appearance elegant and refined like the heir of a great noble family.

More than twenty Qi Gathering experts followed behind him.

The same people from earlier.

The white-robed young master stopped several meters away.

Without even glancing at Zhuo Fan, his eyes locked directly onto the beggar.

A trace of restrained anger flashed through them.

“You’ve caused enough trouble.”

His voice was calm.

But commanding.

“Come back now.”

The little beggar bit his lip tightly.

Conflict filled his eyes.

Then suddenly—

As though making a final decision—

He darted behind Zhuo Fan and shouted loudly:

“Big Brother Zhuo, save me!”

Only then did the white-robed young master finally notice Zhuo Fan’s existence.

His phoenix-shaped eyes narrowed coldly.

“This is a matter involving the Xue Clan.”

“If you don’t wish to invite unnecessary trouble…”

“…step aside.”

Xue Clan?

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Then he glanced toward the little beggar thoughtfully.

Interesting.

This brat actually managed to provoke Qingming City’s strongest family.

The Xue Clan possessed a Heaven Profound expert overseeing the family directly.

Even across the empire, they qualified as a legitimate second-rate clan.

Of course—

Inside Qingming City, Nether Valley still ruled absolutely.

Which meant the Xue Clan naturally became one of Nether Valley’s subordinate families.

The little beggar looked at Zhuo Fan pleadingly.

His eyes practically begged for help.

Zhuo Fan chuckled softly.

Then suddenly—

He pulled the little beggar directly into his arms.

The white-robed young master’s pupils contracted instantly.

The beggar himself froze completely.

Underneath the dirt covering his face, a faint blush actually appeared.

“What are you doing?”

The white-robed young master finally exploded in anger.

Zhuo Fan smiled lazily.

“From now on…”

“He belongs to me.”

His tone remained casual.

But absolute.

“If you want to touch him…”

“…you’ll have to get past me first.”

The white-robed young master’s face darkened immediately.

“Before entering Qingming City…”

“…didn’t you investigate who the Xue Clan is?”

“You dare provoke us here?”

“Hahaha…”

Zhuo Fan laughed softly and shook his head dismissively.

“Of course I know.”

“The Xue Clan is simply a dog Nether Valley keeps tied outside Qingming City.”

His eyes turned mocking.

“There are countless rare spirit beasts in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.”

“So why would I waste time paying attention to a dog?”

The white-robed young master’s face instantly cycled from pale—

To red—

To green.

Even the little beggar became angry immediately.

He shoved Zhuo Fan hard.

“You’re not allowed to talk about the Xue Clan like that!”

This time, even Zhuo Fan became confused.

I’m helping you insult your enemies.

Why are you getting angry instead?

But before he could think further—

“Take him down!”

The white-robed young master shouted furiously.

The guards behind him immediately surged forward like a flood.

Only then did the little beggar seem to realize the situation properly.

He hurried behind Zhuo Fan again without hesitation.

Zhuo Fan merely sneered.

Most of these guards were below fifth-layer Qi Gathering.

Only one or two had reached the sixth layer.

Trash.

“A bunch of insects…”

“…and you dare rush toward death?”

Instead of retreating, Zhuo Fan charged directly into the crowd.

Red light flashed in his palm instantly.

Mortal-tier Mid-Grade Martial Art—

Blood Shadow Palm.

Boom!

One palm struck a guard directly in the chest.

The man’s blood vessels instantly convulsed violently as though his entire circulation system was about to explode.

He sprayed blood from his mouth before collapsing unconscious immediately.

Another palm.

Another guard flew backward over ten meters instantly.

Another palm.

Another.

Another.

Every strike landed with terrifying precision.

The guards flew through the air one after another like broken dolls before crashing unconscious onto the stone streets.

Within moments—

More than twenty guards lay motionless across the ground.

The white-robed young master stared blankly in disbelief.

Even he, an eighth-layer Qi Gathering cultivator, could never suppress over twenty cultivators this easily.

Especially not someone who only appeared to possess fifth-layer Qi Gathering cultivation like Zhuo Fan.

What he did not understand was simple.

Blood Shadow Palm bypassed physical defense entirely and directly attacked the blood vessels and internal organs.

Against cultivators at this level—

It was devastating.

The white-robed young master’s expression finally grew serious.

Meanwhile, the little beggar stared at Zhuo Fan with wide eyes full of shock.

Clearly—

He never expected Zhuo Fan to be this terrifying either.

“You really do possess some skill.”

The white-robed young master slowly stepped forward.

Crack.

The blue stone beneath his feet shattered instantly.

“Then let me…”

“…personally test you.”

His aura erupted outward.

Eighth-layer Qi Gathering cultivation.

“Xue Gang?”

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.

“So you’re the Xue Clan’s eldest son.”

“The future heir.”

Xue Gang snorted coldly.

“What?”

“Afraid now?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“Not afraid.”

“Just annoyed.”

“If I offend you here…”

“…my next few months in Qingming City will become troublesome.”

Then suddenly—

Killing intent flashed across his eyes.

“So instead…”

“…why not silence everyone here permanently?”

The instant those words fell—

A horrifying killing aura exploded outward.

Xue Gang’s body stiffened instantly.

Cold.

Pure cold.

For a brief moment, he felt as though death itself had wrapped around his throat.

Even his circulation slowed from instinctive fear.

How was this possible?

This monster was only at fifth-layer Qi Gathering.

So why did his killing intent feel more terrifying than many elders Xue Gang had met before?

Xue Gang’s face turned pale immediately.

Meanwhile—

Zhuo Fan moved.

Boom!

His body shot forward like a black cannonball.

One palm pierced directly toward Xue Gang’s heart.

Only at the final moment did Xue Gang bite his tongue violently and force himself awake from the terror overwhelming his mind.

“High Mortal-Tier Martial Art—”

“Roaring Wind Fist!”

Green spiritual energy exploded around his arm like a cyclone as he threw a desperate punch forward.

Unfortunately—

Zhuo Fan only smiled coldly.

Hand seals shifted instantly.

A crimson streak suddenly shot into Xue Gang’s body.

Blood Infant.

Xue Gang’s fist stopped midair abruptly.

His body froze completely.

He could not move.

At all.

Panic exploded inside him instantly.

And before he could understand what happened—

Zhuo Fan already appeared directly in front of him.

That smiling face…

Looked like a demon’s grin.

Boom!

Blood Shadow Palm struck Xue Gang directly in the chest.

He spat blood violently while flying backward through the air.

His internal organs burned with agony instantly.

But before he even landed—

Whoosh!

Zhuo Fan appeared beside him again like a ghost.

Xue Gang nearly lost his soul from terror.

This monster…

…was still faster?

This time, Zhuo Fan did not strike him.

Instead—

He grabbed Xue Gang by the throat directly.

Cold laughter echoed softly beside his ear.

“Young Master Xue…”

“Don’t worry.”

“After you die…”

“…I’ll send all your servants down to accompany you.”

“No survivors.”

“At least during these next three months…”

“…I don’t want the Xue Clan chasing me through the mountains.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

“So let this become…”

“…an unsolved disappearance.”

His fingers tightened slowly.

Crack.

Xue Gang immediately heard the horrifying sound of his throat bones beginning to fracture.

At that moment—

He truly felt death approaching.

And inside his mind, only one thought remained:

What the hell did I do wrong?

I only came out to bring Ning’er home.

Why did I run into a monster like this?

No mercy.

No hesitation.

No fear of consequences.

If his throat had not been crushed so tightly already—

Xue Gang genuinely felt like crying.

I definitely forgot to check my luck before leaving home today.

“Stop!”

Suddenly—

The little beggar screamed desperately.

Zhuo Fan frowned slightly and looked toward him.

“What now?”

“Aren’t they your enemies?”

Tears already filled the little beggar’s eyes completely.

He had wanted Zhuo Fan to stop earlier—

But everything happened too fast.

Within moments, all the guards collapsed.

Another moment later, Xue Gang nearly died.

“I-I don’t want them dead!”

The little beggar shouted while crying.

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes coldly.

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Now they’re not just your enemies.”

“They’re mine too.”

“And my enemies…”

“…only have one ending.”

“Death.”

His fingers tightened again.

Xue Gang’s eyes bulged outward instantly.

Another second—

And his neck would snap completely.

“If you kill him…”

“…I won’t guide you anymore!”

The little beggar finally screamed hysterically.

Zhuo Fan paused slightly.

Then slowly loosened his grip.

Thud.

Xue Gang collapsed onto the ground coughing violently.

At the same time, Zhuo Fan recalled the Blood Infant back into his body casually.

“You’re the strange one here.”

He shrugged indifferently.

“You don’t care about your enemies.”

“So why should I care about future trouble?”

Then he walked toward the little beggar calmly and wiped the tears from his filthy face.

“Enough crying.”

“Lead the way.”

“I’ll take you out of Qingming City afterward.”

“You…”

The little beggar sniffled while staring at him.

“You’re a bad person.”

Zhuo Fan laughed softly.

“Yes.”

“I am.”

Then his eyes gradually darkened.

“In this world…”

“…only bad people survive.”

“The good ones…”

“…already died long ago.”

The little beggar stared at him silently.

For some reason—

Even though Zhuo Fan was the cruelest person he had ever met—

Standing beside him still felt strangely safe.

Half an hour later—

A black shadow suddenly descended onto the empty street.

An old man with white hair and a furious expression appeared instantly.

The moment he saw the unconscious Xue Clan guards covering the ground—

His face twisted violently.

Then suddenly—

He spotted Xue Gang trembling weakly nearby.

“Gang’er!”

The old man rushed over immediately and helped him up.

“What happened?”

“Who did this to you?”

Xue Gang trembled uncontrollably.

“O-oo…”

His face was deathly pale.

He could not even form complete words anymore.

The old man quickly examined him.

Internal injuries.

Severe mental trauma.

And beneath him—

A spreading puddle of urine.

The old man froze completely.

Xue Gang was not cowardly.

On the contrary, he had always been considered fierce and proud among the younger generation.

Yet now—

Someone had terrified him badly enough to wet himself.

What kind of monster could accomplish something like that in mere moments?

The old man’s expression turned incomparably grave.

After feeding Xue Gang a medicinal pill, he slowly stood again.

His eyes swept across the ruined street coldly.

No matter who that person was—

Daring to provoke the Xue Clan inside Qingming City…

…would never end well.

[End of Chapter Fifty-Three]

 

Chapter Fifty-Four — Peak Bone Tempering

“This is one of the paths into the mountains.”

Half an hour later, Zhuo Fan and the little beggar crouched inside a dense patch of brush overlooking a narrow mountain trail.

Zhuo Fan glanced into the distance and frowned immediately.

More than thirty guards stood watch over the entrance.

Every one of them possessed Bone Tempering cultivation or higher.

With Zhuo Fan’s current strength, breaking through by force would not be difficult. Combined with the Evil Moon Ring and Blood Infant, he could carve his way past them without much trouble.

The problem was—

How to cross without alerting anyone.

Once fighting broke out here, Nether Valley’s stationed elders would arrive almost instantly.

And if the Xue Clan’s Heaven Profound expert joined the pursuit as well—

Even Zhuo Fan would struggle escaping alive.

After thinking silently for a while, he finally sighed inwardly.

Looks like he truly needed the little beggar’s hidden route after all.

“Xiao Ning.”

He turned toward the boy.

“Where’s your secret passage?”

The little beggar still looked shaken from earlier events. Though the tears on his face had dried, he continued sniffling quietly every few seconds.

“J-just follow me…”

He rubbed his nose hard before disappearing back into the forest brush.

Zhuo Fan watched him helplessly.

This brat’s courage really was smaller than a mouse’s.

Ever since witnessing Zhuo Fan fight earlier, the boy had practically remained in a constant state of panic.

And Zhuo Fan genuinely could not understand it.

Those people were chasing you.

Not your relatives.

Why cry this much over them?

Still—

A promise was a promise.

Besides, Zhuo Fan feared that once they entered the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, this little crybaby would spend every encounter with spirit beasts screaming into his ears endlessly.

With a tired sigh, Zhuo Fan followed him through the dark forest.

After weaving through countless hidden trails, the little beggar finally stopped beside a narrow underground stream.

At the edge of the water sat a concealed cave entrance barely large enough for one person to crawl through.

“H-here…”

The little beggar pointed weakly toward the cave.

“When I was little…”

“…I used to sneak into the mountains from here with my brothers.”

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then he nodded internally.

This place truly was hidden well.

Without local guidance, nobody could possibly discover this entrance naturally.

Most likely, the little beggar and his brothers stumbled onto it accidentally while playing in the mountains years ago.

Otherwise Nether Valley would have sealed it long ago.

“Good.”

Zhuo Fan gestured toward the cave.

“You first.”

The little beggar rolled his eyes slightly.

Clearly—

He understood Zhuo Fan’s caution perfectly.

Even though Zhuo Fan doubted any trap existed here, his habits from countless years surviving the Demon Path never allowed him to relax fully.

The little beggar bent down and prepared to enter.

But suddenly—

“Ning’er, stop!”

A furious shout exploded through the forest.

Whoosh!

A massive figure landed directly in front of them.

The man appeared around forty years old, wearing luxurious robes across a broad muscular frame. His sharp eyes radiated fierce authority naturally.

Peak Bone Tempering cultivation.

Zhuo Fan’s pupils contracted slightly.

“Xue Wanlong?”

“The Xue Clan Head?”

The man raised an eyebrow.

“Sharp eyes.”

Then his expression darkened.

“So it really was you who injured my eldest son.”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“He wanted to take away someone who belongs to me.”

“The fact he’s still alive already counts as mercy.”

“What?”

Xue Wanlong froze slightly.

Then he slowly looked toward the little beggar hiding behind Zhuo Fan.

The little beggar’s face reddened immediately before he shrank deeper behind Zhuo Fan’s robes.

For a brief moment—

Xue Wanlong’s expression became strangely complicated.

“Father!”

Suddenly, another voice echoed through the forest.

A white-robed youth rushed forward quickly.

The moment he saw the little beggar, he burst into laughter immediately.

“Hahaha!”

“I told you Ning’er would definitely hide here!”

Then he grinned toward Xue Wanlong proudly.

“Father, let me bring him back myself.”

Without even glancing at Zhuo Fan, the youth instantly charged toward the little beggar.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

This brat…

…was treating him like air.

The moment the youth approached—

Red light flashed inside Zhuo Fan’s palm instantly.

Blood Shadow Palm.

The youth suddenly felt his blood circulation freeze violently.

And before he could react—

Zhuo Fan appeared directly in front of him.

Snap!

One hand instantly locked around his throat.

The youth’s entire body froze.

He could no longer move at all.

“What are you doing?!”

Xue Wanlong shouted in alarm.

Only now did he truly understand how terrifying this black-robed young man was.

His two sons had been raised carefully inside the Xue Clan since childhood.

Talented.

Proud.

Powerful among their peers.

But compared to Zhuo Fan—

They resembled flowers raised safely inside a greenhouse.

Meanwhile Zhuo Fan felt like a beast born from bloodshed and slaughter itself.

Every strike efficient.

Every move fatal.

This was not a pampered young master.

This was a monster.

Zhuo Fan smiled coldly while lifting the youth higher.

“Fifth-layer Qi Gathering…”

“So this should be your second son.”

“Xue Lin.”

“Release him immediately!”

Xue Wanlong roared furiously.

Zhuo Fan merely sneered.

“If I actually release him…”

“…that’s when you truly won’t let us leave.”

Then his fingers tightened slightly.

Xue Lin’s face instantly turned purple.

“Clan Head Xue.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes turned icy.

“I don’t care what grudge exists between your family and Xiao Ning.”

“But from now on…”

“…he belongs to me.”

“If your Xue Clan continues pursuing him…”

“…prepare to collect your son’s corpse.”

“Don’t!”

Before Xue Wanlong could respond, the little beggar suddenly grabbed Zhuo Fan’s arm desperately.

His eyes filled with pleading once again.

Zhuo Fan genuinely felt speechless now.

This brat’s brain definitely had problems.

Why did he keep protecting his enemies?

Xue Wanlong silently watched the interaction between them.

Something unreadable flickered through his eyes.

Then slowly—

His expression calmed completely.

“What’s your name, boy?”

“Zhuo Fan.”

Zhuo Fan answered casually.

“I travel alone. I’m not afraid of Xue Clan retaliation.”

“Good.”

Xue Wanlong nodded slowly.

“Then answer me honestly.”

“Today…”

“…are you truly determined to protect him no matter what?”

Zhuo Fan’s voice remained calm.

“He’s mine.”

“I protect my own people to the end.”

“Fine.”

Xue Wanlong inhaled deeply.

“Then let’s make a wager.”

“Release my son.”

“You withstand ten moves from me.”

“If after ten moves I still cannot defeat you…”

“…the Xue Clan will never pursue him again.”

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Then suddenly smiled.

A vicious smile.

Without hesitation, he threw Xue Lin back toward Xue Wanlong directly.

“You’re not afraid I’ll break my promise?” Xue Wanlong asked seriously.

Zhuo Fan shrugged.

“If I truly wanted him dead…”

“…you couldn’t stop me anyway.”

Xue Wanlong’s expression darkened instantly.

“Arrogant brat!”

Boom!

Peak Bone Tempering pressure exploded outward violently as he charged straight toward Zhuo Fan.

Yet Zhuo Fan remained motionless.

Expression unchanged.

Xue Wanlong secretly praised him inwardly.

Even many Bone Tempering cultivators could not remain this calm under his pressure.

But before he even reached Zhuo Fan—

Zhuo Fan suddenly moved first.

Instead of retreating—

He charged forward directly.

Xue Wanlong frowned immediately.

Then—

Silver light exploded outward.

The Evil Moon Ring appeared in Zhuo Fan’s hand instantly.

“What?!”

Xue Wanlong’s face changed drastically.

“A third-grade demonic artifact?”

The next second—

Zhuo Fan accelerated violently beneath silver light.

Like a meteor.

In an instant, he appeared directly before Xue Wanlong and slashed upward toward his neck.

Xue Wanlong barely managed to twist aside in time.

But at that exact moment—

A crimson streak suddenly shot from Zhuo Fan’s body toward his chest.

Blood Infant.

“Got you.”

Zhuo Fan grinned coldly.

This was his true killing move.

The Evil Moon Ring only distracted Xue Wanlong’s attention.

The Blood Infant was the real attack.

But suddenly—

Boom!

The Blood Infant slammed backward violently as though striking an invisible wall.

Zhuo Fan’s chest instantly churned from the backlash.

Because the Blood Infant was linked directly to his soul, the recoil affected him immediately.

His hand trembled slightly—

And the Evil Moon Ring missed its fatal angle.

The silver blade only grazed across Xue Wanlong’s cheek before slicing harmlessly past him.

The two separated instantly.

Zhuo Fan’s expression finally became serious.

Meanwhile—

A faint layer of flowing light shimmered beneath Xue Wanlong’s robes.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“A second-grade defensive demonic artifact…”

Now he finally understood.

The Blood Infant failed because Xue Wanlong possessed protective treasure armor.

And once the Blood Infant lost effectiveness—

The difficulty of this battle instantly increased several times over.

Unfortunately for Zhuo Fan—

Xue Wanlong was even more shocked than he was.

He stared at Zhuo Fan like he had just seen a ghost.

A fifth-layer Qi Gathering cultivator nearly cut off his head in one exchange.

If not for the ancestral Heaven Lock Armor his father forced him to wear earlier today—

That crimson creature probably would have killed him instantly.

Cold sweat slowly rolled down Xue Wanlong’s back.

This was the first time in his entire life he had encountered such a terrifying monster.

And the most horrifying part—

This monster was only at fifth-layer Qi Gathering.

“What kind of freak…”

Xue Wanlong muttered hoarsely.

“…did I just run into?”

[End of Chapter Fifty-Four]