Chapter 97: The First Battle Between Humans and Demons
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
A resounding roar echoed through the air, as a beast’s massive paw thundered downwards. At that critical moment, Ji You had already scooped up the young child into his arms. Yet, the immense force of the beast’s descending foot left no room for escape.
In the blink of an eye, Ji You launched a punch straight upward. The force of his fist roared like a mountain-toppling avalanche, colliding head-on with the beast. The creature howled in agony and stumbled half a step to the right, its enormous frame faltering momentarily.
For a brief instant, the bustling street fell silent.
From the beast’s back leapt a demon with a tiger-like build and bear-like bulk, exuding an overwhelming aura that caused the air to tremble. As soon as its feet touched the ground, a gleaming silver spear flashed, its blade cutting through the atmosphere with murderous intent.
“You reckless bastards! Not only do you almost crush a child, but you attack without provocation! Is this how you demons reason?” Ji You snarled, holding the young child as he retreated swiftly.
He had no intention of causing trouble; his only goal had been to save the child. Yet, this demon’s unyielding aggression left him no choice but to defend himself. While Ji You wasn’t sure whether demons cultivated the same way humans did, he could tell the spear-wielding demon’s strength vastly surpassed his own. With no time to think, Ji You focused on evasion.
However, the silver spear showed no signs of relenting. It chased Ji You like a relentless dragon, its strikes sharp and unyielding.
With a metallic clang, Ji You unsheathed his sword. Infused with spiritual energy, the blade met the spear’s onslaught, sending a whirlwind of sword qi slicing through the air. The spear, though seemingly light and supple, carried a vast and indomitable force. Their collision sent sparks flying, and Ji You’s arms throbbed from the impact.
[What the hell do these demons drink to grow this strong?] he thought grimly.
The demon, whose head was adorned with sharp horns, looked stunned at Ji You’s resistance. This demon, A Qiu, had accompanied a noble of his race on this rare venture into human territory. Fully aware of the potential dangers, he had remained on high alert ever since their arrival. The moment he sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy, his spear was already in motion.
But to his astonishment, this human cultivator with seemingly low cultivation had withstood three blows from his Splitting Water Melody technique without even suffering a broken wrist. A Qiu’s spear technique, honed by slashing through torrents of water, had yet to reach the level of splitting rivers. Even so, it was a force that could crush opponents within his clan.
Humans were renowned for their frail physiques among the many races of the Azure Clouds Dominion. How could this man endure?
Snapping back to focus, A Qiu lunged forward once more. His spear danced like a flower blooming under moonlight, its thrusts aiming straight at Ji You.
Ji You, unable to spare a hand, maneuvered solely with his qi. His iron sword clashed repeatedly with the silver spear. The metallic clangs reverberated through the air as Ji You was forced back ten paces, his blood surging and churning with each retreat.
By now, other demons accompanying A Qiu had arrived at Eternal Prosperity Avenue. Watching the battle unfold, their brows furrowed slightly.
“This human cultivator is quite interesting,” one remarked.
“A Qiu is using his Splitting Water Melody technique. It’s said to slice through streams. How is this human’s body holding up?”
“It won’t last. A Qiu’s excitement has been piqued. I give the human three moves before he loses,” another wagered.
The sudden clash had also drawn the attention of many human cultivators in the area. Seeing Ji You on the defensive, struggling to hold his ground, the crowd’s expressions were a mix of shock and disbelief. When they turned their gaze to his opponent, their astonishment deepened.
Demons!
It had been nearly a millennium since the Primordial War, and no demon had set foot in the Nine Provinces of Great Xia since then. To see them here, in the capital no less, was akin to witnessing a ghost.
And more baffling, the demons were fighting Ji You of the Heavenly Script Academy.
“What happened?” someone asked.
“I… I’m not sure. The demons descended onto the capital, nearly crushed a child, and Ji You stepped in to save them,” another explained.
“Hah, typical of him,” a third muttered.
From a distance, they watched Ji You holding the child as he retreated. Hampered by his burden, he was unable to counterattack effectively.
Though demon and human cultivation differed and direct comparisons were challenging, the energy emanating from A Qiu suggested he was at least at the Dao Fusion Stage. However, he lacked the overwhelming aura of someone at the Heaven Resonance Stage. What stood out most was his technique: despite its ferocity, it contained no trace of magical arts, relying purely on raw physical power.
Some in the crowd smirked at Ji You’s predicament.
[So the arrogant troublemaker finally met his match?]
“Serves him right. Looks like karma’s finally caught up to him,” one remarked.
“Always stirring up trouble… now he’s bitten off more than he can chew,” another added.
Amid the jeers, Ji You abruptly leapt into the air, his sword singing as it descended with blinding speed. Spiritual qi surged through his body, accelerating his movements as he narrowly avoided the spear’s sweeping arc. His blade left a deep gash in the stone pavement below, but failed to reach A Qiu, whose spear thrust forward with unerring precision toward Ji You’s brow.
Ji You twisted mid-air, narrowly evading the strike. Landing unsteadily, he stumbled back three paces, his breaths coming in heavy gasps.
The human cultivators who had been mocking him moments ago began to frown. Unease crept into their hearts as a realization dawned: the Azure Clouds Dominion belonged to the human race. Demons were supposed to be a lesser species. Yet here they were, rampaging within the human capital.
What’s more, the other demons—watching from the sidelines and betting on Ji You’s defeat—added insult to injury.
Several cultivators exchanged glances, unease flickering in their eyes. They couldn’t help but wonder why the demons had come to the capital, and why of all people, they had encountered Ji You.
If this demonic creature dared to encounter a true direct disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy, would it still act so brazenly?
At this moment, Ji You was fighting while retreating, finally reaching the front of the silk shop. Before the crowd’s astonished gazes, the child in his arms was suddenly thrown, landing safely in a bamboo basket filled with soft silks.
“?!”
“Was he always looking for a place to put the child down?”
The demon clansman wielding the spear grew enraged, his palm channeling more force as his spear thrust forward again.
By now, Ji You had firmly planted his stance. Raising his sword, he stepped forward to meet the attack head-on. Amidst the resonance of clashing sword intents, waves of sword Qi surged in relentless layers.
At the same time, the storage gourd at his waist glimmered. Two more swords shot out instantly, hovering midair.
Seeing this spectacle, the cultivators nearby widened their eyes. With a loud clang, Ji You attempted to close the gap repeatedly despite the force of his vibrating sword. His hands grew bruised and swollen at the tiger’s mouth from the strain.
Buzz!
As the waves of sword Qi surged, the demon guard pulled back his spear, readying a sweeping strike. Yet, in that instant, Ji You switched swords mid-movement, gripping another blade and thrusting forward.
The guard’s pupils constricted sharply.
What kind of sword technique was this?!
Before he could react, Ji You’s sword was already upon him. Though blocked by his horizontal spear, the next instant, Ji You’s left-hand sword struck upward in a piercing overhead slash.
No incantations. No spells. No sorcery!
Ji You muttered this mantra under his breath. With three swords continuously rotating, the relentless waves of sword Qi reclaimed the ten-zhang ground he had previously been forced to retreat from.
As long as no spells were involved, relying on sheer Qi reserves and speed, Ji You feared nothing in this battle.
The demon guards standing behind the spearman began to grow uneasy, their smiles vanishing as frowns replaced them. Meanwhile, the bystanders stared in growing disbelief.
In the next moment, a cacophony of buzzing filled the air as two swords howled through the wind. The spear-wielding guard, unfamiliar with such a dazzling swordplay style, found his footwork disrupted. In the confusion, a sword slashed across his face, leaving a bloody gash that dripped crimson.
Ji You withdrew his sword and stepped back to the street corner, standing tall amidst the resonating tension of his sword intent.
The human cultivators around him froze for a long time, then clenched their fists, muttering:
“Damn it, it had to be him…”
“Three swords! Did you see it clearly? Just three swords—and he wasn’t even using his full strength!”
The demon guard, hearing the murmurs from all sides, touched the blood on his face and erupted with rage. His aura surged wildly, and his spear trembled in his hands. But before he could act further, a commanding voice from behind barked, “Halt!”
He froze.
The demon clan had come to the Great Xia capital to negotiate trade agreements. Although this was largely ceremonial, an unnecessary escalation here would complicate matters. If a human cultivator obstructed their delegation and was accidentally killed in the chaos, that might be overlooked. But deliberately killing a human within the capital’s walls would be far harder to justify.
The demon clan feared neither the Seven Great Immortal Sects nor the imperial family of Great Xia. Still, they could not afford to sow early resentment among the humans upon first entering the Nine Provinces.
“Impressive swordsmanship. May I ask your name, sir?”
“Names are neither changed when standing nor seated,” Ji You replied. “I am Chu He, an outer disciple of the Heavenly Script Academy. My home lies in You Prefecture, northwest of Shengjing. Anyone can inquire to verify this.”
“Damn, what an outright lie…” muttered a cultivator on the upper floor, his lips twitching. He thought bitterly, [This guy’s ability to spout nonsense is truly his most exceptional skill.]
The younger demon, whose blue pupils marked his otherworldly nature, was briefly startled. “Outer disciple? Merely an outer disciple?” His gaze scrutinized Ji You. Frowning, he signaled his entourage to move toward the palace.
“Send word back—human cultivators are not as weak as we were led to believe. The previous intelligence may be flawed.”
Turning to the injured guard, he commanded coldly, “You’ve disgraced the clan. Strip your scales when we return.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Ji You turned back toward the street’s end, ensuring the child remained unharmed. Satisfied, he sheathed his swords.
By now, Kuang Cheng had run down from above, checking on the child before hurrying to Ji You’s side. “How are you? Are you injured?”
“Nothing serious. That spear Qi was potent, though. My wrist aches a little. Without a clever trick, I’m not sure I could’ve landed even one strike.”
“The demon clan is utterly unruly! Hurry back to the Heavenly Script Academy. I’ll go report them to the Immortal Overseer Office!”
“Report them to death.”
Nodding, Kuang Cheng sprinted off toward the Overseer’s hall, while Ji You lingered on the spot for a moment before heading back to the academy.
At this time, You Bu Yu and He Ling Xiu had already gathered the disciples bound for the Dao-Quest mission at the White Jade Terrace outside the academy. Preparing to give a pre-departure address, they noted that half an hour had passed, yet Ji You was nowhere to be seen.
You Bu Yu’s expression darkened.
When he saw Ji You’s name on the roster, his initial response was deep displeasure. He had planned to use the opportunity to put Ji You in his place. However, it seemed fate had turned the tables. Now, with rumors spreading that a Hall Master’s direct disciple ranked below an outer disciple in the eyes of the Pill Sect’s daughter, his fury was already simmering. Ji You’s absence now only stoked that fire further.
“This blatant disregard for my authority… Unforgivable!”
At this moment, Ji You ascended the Divine Path leading from the mountain’s base to the Mountain Gate of the Heavenly Script Academy, idly flicking his wrist. His nonchalant demeanor caused a flicker of sharp disdain to cross You Bu Yu’s gaze. However, before he could voice his displeasure, three stewards from the Office of Affairs hurriedly descended the mountain, their expressions tense with urgency.
Just as Ji You stepped through the Mountain Gate, he was intercepted by the three stewards. Their stern faces huddled together in hushed whispers, brows furrowed as their eyes darted in suspicion. Meanwhile, disciples from the academy who had been in Shengjing, the Capital City, began gathering on the White Jade Terrace, curiosity lighting their steps. One of them spotted You Bu Yu and immediately bowed in deference.
“What has Ji You been up to?” You Bu Yu demanded coldly.
“He… he went to the streets to fight,” the disciple stammered nervously.
A dark shadow crossed You Bu Yu’s face. “Cultivators of the Immortal Way should harbor no earthly dust in their hearts. Yet, he, a mere Outer Court Disciple, spends his days seeking quarrels and indulging in strife. Our disciples were surrounded and humiliated by the Spirit Sword Mountain Sect and the Dao Seeking Sect in the Ruins of Ancient Times, likely due to private feuds he’s stirred. Not only has he shamed the academy, but it seems I must intervene personally to restore our honor.”
Hearing these words, Ban Yang Shu, Wen Zheng Xin, and Pei Ru Yi—all of whom had been present during the ambush in the Ancient Ruins—glared fiercely. They knew full well that Ji You was uninvolved in the incident. For You Bu Yu to pin such a grievous accusation on him was an act of malicious defamation, aimed at breaking his spirit.
You Bu Yu turned to the disciple again, his tone sharp. “Who was he fighting? A fellow disciple, or someone from another sect?”
The disciple hesitated before replying, “With… the Demon Clan.”
“What?”
At these words, the terrace fell eerily silent. Then, as the weight of the revelation sunk in, astonished gasps erupted. Countless eyes turned toward Ji You with disbelief. The Demon Clan had not set foot in human territory for nearly a millennium. That one should appear in Shengjing, let alone cross swords with Ji You, marked a historic encounter—the first clash between humans and demons in a thousand years.
As the crowd processed this revelation, another wave of exclamations rose, this time from the sharper minds among them. It dawned on them why the three stewards had descended the mountain in such haste. This duel, no matter its scale, bore the weight of the entire Immortal Sect’s reputation.
“Who won?” someone finally asked.
“Ji You emerged unscathed. The demon, however, suffered a sword strike to the face.”
This revelation left You Bu Yu visibly stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief. His earlier intentions to reprimand Ji You now seemed futile, even absurd. He could not act rashly in the face of such a resounding victory.
Simultaneously, the stewards—who had likely heard similar accounts—exhaled deeply in relief. For the first battle between humans and demons to be fought under the banner of the Heavenly Script Academy, albeit unexpectedly, had it ended in failure, it would have cast a long shadow over their plans to engage the Spirit Sword Mountain Sect. Yet against all odds, Ji You had not only avoided defeat but had wounded his opponent—on the face, no less.
The stewards regarded Ji You with newfound complexity in their expressions. However, seeing no further questions directed his way, Ji You casually stepped past them and ascended the White Jade Terrace. He was about to inquire about the commotion when his gaze was drawn to He Ling Xiu.
“Ah, Senior Sister He,” he mused inwardly, noting her air of effortless grace. “Such boundless freedom she exudes.”