Hun Changqing put away the bamboo slips detailing the refinement of the Heavenly Demon Puppet, thoroughly satisfied. He turned to leave, only to discover Zi Yan reaching her wicked little claws toward the precious medicinal herbs in the crystal display case, her eyes gleaming and a translucent thread of drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
Hun Changqing strode up behind Zi Yan and rapped her sharply on the back of the head.
"Ow! Master, what was that for?!"
Zi Yan winced and hurriedly covered her head with her little hands, a cry of pain escaping her lips.
"These things may not be especially precious, but that doesn't mean I can let you ruin them like this. Once they've been refined into medicinal pills, I'll let you eat them. For now, show some restraint."
"Oh..."
Zi Yan rubbed her head and pouted, answering with an aggrieved little murmur.
"Let's go."
After packing away all the medicinal herbs and the scrolls on the shelves, Hun Changqing called to Zi Yan and headed outside.
Seeing Hun Changqing leave, Zi Yan immediately scampered after him, sticking close behind while secretly making little gestures.
Hun Changqing stepped out of the great hall. In the square outside, the clamor of slaughter that had soared into the clouds had finally fallen silent.
The vast square had been stained scarlet by streams of blood. Bloody mist drifted through the air, and the stench of blood permeated every nook and cranny. Even the bright moon overhead had been draped in a thin crimson veil, making it look like a blood moon.
Every disciple of Demon Flame Valley had been slaughtered. With Su Qian, a Dou Zong, present, its elders had been unable to escape death either. Apart from Earth Demon Old Ghost, whose fate remained unknown