Chapter Twenty-One: A Crushing Defeat

With a muffled thud, the red-tasseled spear’s three-edged blade struck dead center on the small tortoiseshell shield. This was precisely the outcome the wolf demon had hoped for. Though the shield was small, it was a genuine magical artifact, acquired over a decade ago from the cave of a monk who had attained final repose. While the wolf demon was a creature and not a cultivator, and could not draw forth the artifact’s true power, the shield’s material itself was nearly indestructible—impervious to blades, spears, fire, and water. Thus, it had become the wolf demon’s most vital piece of defensive equipment, never leaving its side.

At that very instant, the wolf demon’s right arm was raised high, its three claws glinting with a metallic chill, bloodlust and savagery burning in its gaze. Its claws were its sharpest weapons, and blocking with the tortoiseshell shield while counterattacking with its claws was a battle technique the wolf demon had mastered through countless fights. With such skill, it had defeated many formidable foes. Even the mighty Lord of the Yellow Wind had to promise two whole spirit stones as payment to persuade it to act just once.

In this moment, the wolf demon could almost see the scene of Fang Xiao being torn open, flesh and blood splattering at its hands—a sight it relished above all others. Yet before the wolf demon could strike, the tortoiseshell shield clutched in its left paw suddenly shattered into fragments. The magical artifact failed to withstand the spear’s assault, the three-edged tip smashing it to pieces in an instant. The gray military spike slid past its arm and stabbed into its chest, poised to pierce its heart.

With a howl, the old limping wolf demon summoned every last ounce of strength, its massive form hurling itself backward, narrowly escaping death at the very gates of hell. Fang Xiao, having failed to finish the job, found his momentum exhausted and could not give chase in time—he could only watch as the wolf demon widened the gap between them.

Suddenly, the shaft of the red-tasseled spear exploded in Fang Xiao’s hands, countless bamboo splinters whipping wildly through the air, cutting into the webbing of his thumb. Crimson blood gushed forth. After all, it was only a hastily fashioned weapon—the bamboo pole could not withstand the tremendous backlash and shattered instantly. Fang Xiao grunted, suppressing the searing pain in his palm, and quickly drew his military belt.

“You just wait!” he shouted.

But the wolf demon ahead had lost all will to fight. Its right claw was pressed desperately to its chest, hot blood seeping between its claws in a steady stream—it had been seriously wounded. The wolf demon glared at Fang Xiao with venomous hatred, forcing out the words, “I will come back for you!” Its thirst for vengeance was unyielding. Having suffered such a bitter defeat, it would surely seek double retribution next time.

When that day came, it would not rest until it had devoured Fang Xiao alive, for only that could erase the humiliation it had suffered today. With a flick of its tail, the wolf demon turned and fled into the nearby mountains and forests. This old limping wolf had survived so long not simply by strength alone, but by vigilance and caution. Though heartbroken that its magical artifact had been destroyed by Fang Xiao’s spear, it realized it had gravely underestimated its opponent. Even though Fang Xiao’s spear was also ruined, the wolf demon dared not counterattack, for who knew what other tricks Fang Xiao, disciple of Xuan Pingzi, might have up his sleeve? The wolf demon shuddered at the mere thought of Xuan Pingzi—someone even the Lord of the Yellow Wind would not provoke lightly. Weighing its options, it decided to flee, swift and decisive.

Yet after only a few dozen steps, the wolf demon felt an unprecedented weakness, stumbling nearly to the ground. Blood was pouring from the wound in its chest, its claw unable to staunch the flow. Panic gripped it. Its body had always been exceedingly tough—though the spear had struck near its heart, it had dodged in time, and the wound was shallow. With its regenerative abilities, it should have been nothing. But to its shock, this wound, no larger than a coin, could not be closed no matter how it tensed its muscles, and the bleeding would not stop. Worse still, the faster it ran, the more fiercely the blood gushed. How could this be?

Dread and confusion overwhelmed the wolf demon, stripping away all its usual cunning and ferocity. Desperate, it scooped up a handful of earth and pressed it hard to the wound, hoping to slow the blood loss. The bleeding from its chest did indeed stop—but now the blood was pooling inside, turning to internal bleeding.

In terror, the wolf demon threw back its head and howled, hoping to summon help. At that moment, a belt whistled through the air, the gleaming five-star steel buckle slamming heavily into its back. The wolf demon’s cry was cut short. Like a stray dog struck at the spine, it collapsed to the ground in utter humiliation. Its wolfish eyes bulged with pain, a harsh rasp rising from its throat, tears and drool mingling as foam bubbled from its mouth—a truly wretched sight. The clump of earth fell away, and hot blood once more gushed from its wound. But now, the wolf demon was powerless.

Crack! Crack!

Fang Xiao, who had just caught up, swung his military belt, beating the wounded beast while it was down—one strike to the waist, another to the head, each blow ringing with the sound of breaking bone. After three strikes, the wolf demon lay on the ground, barely clinging to life, all strength spent. It could not even struggle—its limbs shook, its eyes glazed. Moments later, this once-formidable creature drew its final breath, dying in utter disgrace.

[Experience +55]

Fang Xiao, still holding the belt, saw the message flash before his eyes and felt a surge of satisfaction. How exhilarating! He turned to retrieve his three-edged spike. The loss of the spear did not matter; as long as he had this weapon, he could always craft another. He was grateful for his earlier wise decision not to engage the wolf demon in close quarters—had he done so, the outcome would have been uncertain.

After a moment’s thought, Fang Xiao grabbed the wolf demon’s large tail and dragged the carcass back to the temple. The beast was massive, weighing nearly two hundred pounds—fortunately, Fang Xiao’s martial training made it possible to haul it. At this moment, he failed to notice that, within a hundred paces in the forest, a white fox stood quietly atop a rock, watching him from afar. The fox’s eyes were enchanting, its three tails swaying gently, a hint of spiritual grace in its bearing. Beside the three-tailed white fox sat a small fox cub, who looked up at the elder. The white fox’s lips curled into a faint smile as it murmured softly, “Now there’s nothing to worry about, is there?” The cub said nothing, only pressed itself into the white fox’s warm embrace, nuzzling affectionately. “Come, let’s go,” the white fox said, turning and leading the cub deep into the forest, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Night slowly fell. Lanterns on the gates of the little Jing Mountain temple glowed softly, casting a gentle light across the courtyard. Having just dragged the wolf’s corpse into the yard, Fang Xiao now found himself at a loss. He had no idea how to handle such a large prize—he had absolutely no experience!

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