Chapter 33: The Price of Power and the Interloper

Initially, Mo Qiu harbored some apprehension regarding the battle’s outcome.

If Bai Chen proved incapable of defeating Saluk, her carefully laid plans would necessitate significant alterations.

She had spent several days meticulously investigating the collaboration between Zhou Wanchen and Saluk.

Moreover, she was aware that the Demon Hunter Guild was keeping a close watch on Zhou Wanchen.

Seizing this opportune moment, Mo Qiu had deliberately lured Saluk out to serve as Bai Chen’s adversary.

Mo Qiu settled back down, her hands resting on the railing as her long legs dangled playfully.

“Should this plan be exposed, I fear I would lose my standing within the Imperial Organization.”

Even if she managed to bluff her way through, navigating freely among the demons in the future would become an arduous task.

‘Having gone to such lengths, Bai Chen, you must deliver.’

‘Show me a spectacular battle; don’t expect anyone to come to your rescue.’

Even if Bai Chen were to fall, it would merely signify his lack of strength, and future training would require her to step in personally.

“After all, I am the only benevolent demon in this world willing to go easy on you, am I not?”

The young woman offered a seductive smile towards Bai Chen’s profile, then resumed watching the fight.

One punch rendered Saluk unable to rise, yet Bai Chen’s own complexion was far from pleasant.

A profound discomfort washed over him, as if something had forcefully swollen his entire body.

It was as if a persistent voice whispered in his ear, tempting him to unleash his full power.

Yielding to the temptation, Bai Chen’s hand trembled as he slowly raised it, his gaze fixed upon his clenched fist.

“You this…”

Just as Saluk began to feel a sliver of relief, he witnessed Bai Chen’s fist strike the nearby wall.

The punch was remarkably light, almost akin to a child’s playful tap.

Yet, after a brief moment of stillness, lightning erupted from his fist, sending a web of cracks rapidly spreading across the structure.

In an instant, the entire building disintegrated, collapsing into rubble under their watchful eyes.

Saluk’s eyes widened in astonishment.

He, too, could demolish a building with a single blow, but Bai Chen had clearly exerted no significant effort.

Could the disparity in their power truly be so vast?

“Still not enough…”

Bai Chen felt utterly unsatisfied by that last punch; the building had been too frail.

He yearned for a more resilient punching bag.

His vacant gaze drifted for a moment before finally settling on Saluk.

A faint smirk played on Bai Chen’s lips, and with each laborious step he took, pulsating electrical arcs sparked in his wake.

Since he was a demon, surely it wouldn’t matter if he were killed?

Having suppressed it for too long, he no longer wished to restrain himself.

The voice in his mind incessantly echoed a few chilling words: destruction, kill, annihilate.

If holding back was so agonizing, why not unleash it all?

To hell with dealing with the aftermath!

All he desired at this moment was the exhilaration of battle!

Bai Chen let out a low growl that sent shivers down Saluk’s spine, leaving him momentarily paralyzed, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Just then, Bai Chen’s foot nudged something, prompting him to glance down.

It was a bag of fish, specifically tilapia.

The electric current flowing through them caused the fish to convulse and struggle, their movements quickly ceasing.

Tilapia…

Bai Chen recalled that yesterday, when making sauerkraut fish at Mo Qiu’s home, they had also used tilapia.

Come to think of it, hadn’t he made plans with her yesterday?

She must have remembered, and that was why she was at the market today, buying tilapia.

The young woman’s face materialized in his mind, an indelible image.

If she were standing before him, he would only wish to pull her into his embrace, letting the warmth of her body dispel his anguish.

How he longed to see her eyes again.

Those deep, beautiful eyes, like abyssal pools.

Bai Chen couldn’t quite explain why he was drawn to eyes devoid of highlights, yet he found himself utterly captivated, unable to extricate himself.

If he were to surrender himself to that voice, he would never again be able to gaze upon the eyes he cherished.

A fervent yearning erupted within his heart, powerful enough to eclipse the mysterious voice that had been tempting him.

The volatile electrical arcs gradually subsided, and the terrifying aura swiftly receded.

Bai Chen dropped to his knees with a thud, his eyes squeezed shut, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

So weary, as if all strength had been drained from his body.

A gentle breeze wafted by, and his body simply toppled over, the light in his pupils flickering precariously.

“What?!”

Mo Qiu and Saluk exclaimed in unison.

The young woman nearly tumbled from the railing, the starlight in her eyes trembling.

Saluk, upon comprehending the situation, burst into boisterous laughter, slowly pushing himself to his feet.

“So, he’s just a novice who can’t control his own power yet.”

Saluk bared his teeth, revealing a gap where one had been missing.

“I truly thought it was going to end like that.”

He slowly advanced towards Bai Chen.

Even if Bai Chen could hear his words now, he lacked the strength to rise.

“Hm?”

Catching sight of Bai Chen’s slightly twitching arm, a momentary tremor of unease stirred within Saluk, only to be swiftly replaced by a derisive scoff.

“You startled me; turns out your recovery speed is quite impressive too.

This is becoming increasingly interesting.”

Saluk had changed his mind.

He wouldn’t kill Bai Chen; instead, he would take him back to thoroughly research the secrets within him.

As long as he could observe, he could interfere; as long as he could interfere, he could control.

Eventually, Bai Chen’s secrets would all be his.

Halting before him, Saluk met Bai Chen’s gaze, and the struggling light within those eyes made him chuckle aloud once more.

Raising his palm, he intended to cripple Bai Chen’s limbs first.

Just then, Saluk’s body abruptly froze, and the fingers poised to touch Bai Chen began to tremble.

What was happening?

Everything within his vision became rigid and blurred, as if shrouded by a translucent curtain imbued with strange hues.

He watched in disbelief as his own palm moved away from Bai Chen, slowly clenching into a fist, then savagely slammed against his own face.

‘Why was my body…’

Saluk, having punched himself, nearly stumbled to the ground, but his distorted vision swiftly returned to normal.

He attempted to clench his fist again, and the control over his body returned.

A soft *pitter-patter*.

Small leather boots trod upon a puddle, yet the young woman’s speed did not falter, even as her skirt splashed with dirty water.

Her elaborate layered gown seemed utterly out of place amidst the market that had almost become a ruin, making her appear like an ancient noblewoman stepping into a dilapidated slum.

“Oh dear, it seems it’s not working anymore.”

“You…”

The moment their gazes met, Saluk found himself utterly captivated by her peach-heart-shaped pupils.

All anger and discontent were instantly replaced by infatuation, and he felt a profound shame for his earlier rudeness.

‘How could he possibly be angry? She was his master…’

*Thwack!*

Another punch, and Saluk hit himself so hard that stars danced before his eyes, yet it also jolted his mind back to lucidity.

“What are you doing?” Saluk growled, his voice low.

“Are you… helping a human?”

In response to his challenge, Mo Qiu withdrew her hand and replied, “You misunderstand.

I simply found it amusing.”

“What?”

“I happened to be passing by and saw such a splendid fight, I couldn’t resist joining in.”

Despite the innocent smile, Saluk’s eye twitched, his grotesque face contorting into a truly menacing expression.

“Are you trying to steal my prey?”

“Don’t be so crude, Brother Saluk,” Mo Qiu said, twirling a lock of her deep blue hair around her finger.

“It’s merely a handover; you’re tired.

Go and rest.”

“You’re full of it!”

Saluk had been enduring her for far too long, and before his words even finished, he charged, sending a fist hurtling towards her.

Under the fierce assault, the seemingly delicate young woman disintegrated, scattering into a myriad of mirror shards across the ground.

As Saluk stood dumbfounded, his vision became distorted once more, and his body again fell into an uncontrollable state.

“Alright, this time I won’t hold back.”

The young woman, who had appeared behind him at some unknown point, casually waved her hand, causing the mirror shards on the ground to gather into her palm, coalescing into a sharp dagger.

“Wait, I’ll leave right now!” Saluk shrieked at the top of his lungs.

“Hm?” The young woman tilted her head.

“Give me ten seconds… no, five seconds is enough!”

“Really?”

“I’m not lying to you!

And I won’t go complaining to Aiqi either; I’ve always been a demon who respects strength.

You’re stronger than I am right now, and I’m completely convinced!”

Upon hearing this, Mo Qiu flicked her finger, sending Saluk’s body rocketing away as if he had been launched from a spring.

He skidded across the ground, carving a long gully before finally coming to a halt, his mouth full of dirt and dust.

With only five seconds, he didn’t even have a chance to glare.

After a cold snort, he scrambled away, tumbling and crawling.

Watching his disappearing figure, Mo Qiu felt a tinge of regret.

“If I could have concealed the truth of your death here, how could I possibly have let you go?”

The troublesome fellow had departed, and now—

Mo Qiu slowly turned, her gaze falling upon Bai Chen, who still lay on the ground.

Her pink tongue lightly traced her crimson lips.

How fragrant; was this the mingled scent of tension and fear?