Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Demon Man

“No!” ×2

As Zhou Tian launched his attack, both Vivian and the obese pig-like city lord cried out in unison. The only difference was that Vivian's tone carried a hint of urgency, while the city lord's voice was laced with naked terror.

Zhou Tian heard their shouts, but he paid them no heed. He had no idea why Vivian opposed his attack on the city lord, nor did he care. All that mattered was that this pig of a city lord had tricked him earlier, and now, enraged, he was determined to make him pay.

Under Zhou Tian’s control, a tide of venomous snakes surged forward, engulfing the city lord and all those nearby.

“You fool! Do you have any idea what consequences your actions will bring?” As she watched the city lord’s party being swallowed by the writhing snakes, Vivian jumped in front of Zhou Tian, berating him furiously.

Zhou Tian’s irritation only grew as he listened. He knew Vivian must have her reasons for speaking so, but the reality was simple: this city lord had attempted to kill them. Zhou Tian had never been one for mercy toward those who raised a blade against him. If someone was willing to draw swords, they should be prepared to die. The city lord had made his move; Zhou Tian considered it only right to kill him in turn. Vivian’s reaction naturally annoyed him.

Seeing Zhou Tian’s indifferent expression in the face of her criticism, Vivian’s anger flared even hotter. She pointed at him and exclaimed, “Our church’s duty is only to spread the faith and root out demons. Administration of officials falls under the Empire’s authority. By killing a city lord under the Empire’s rule without sanction, do you realize the trouble you’re inviting? The Empire might even retaliate against our church over this!”

Zhou Tian wasn’t sure if Vivian was right. But even if she was, he felt no remorse. The church’s interests were its own. Unlike Vivian, Zhou Tian was no devout believer; his own interests always came first. To ask him to swallow his anger for the church’s sake was impossible. Even knowing that if he refrained, the city lord would likely face retribution anyway, Zhou Tian preferred to take vengeance into his own hands rather than leave it to the church.

Because of this difference in priorities, an argument seemed imminent. But just as they were about to quarrel, a sudden commotion erupted within the mass of snakes that had buried the city lord’s party.

Zhou Tian and Vivian turned to look. The mound of snakes, which had completely engulfed the city lord, suddenly bulged upward several meters, as if being pushed from beneath. Instantly, both Zhou Tian and Vivian assumed guarded stances.

No sooner had they readied themselves than an explosion sounded beneath the swarm of snakes. The entire writhing mass Zhou Tian had summoned to deal with the city lord was blasted away in an instant. Through the drifting blood mist, two figures slowly emerged.

“That’s…” Vivian’s eyes narrowed as she warned Zhou Tian, “Be careful, they’re demons!”

Zhou Tian was momentarily stunned. They’d searched fruitlessly for the demons before, only for their whereabouts to be revealed now, in this totally unforeseen way.

Despite the surprise, a smile crept across Zhou Tian’s face as realization dawned. Naturally, he couldn’t shirk a task given by the Pope, but unlike Vivian, he had little real enthusiasm for the work. He was only after the demon core. Now, with the target revealed and the prospect of completing the mission early, his mood soared.

Ignoring Vivian’s warning, Zhou Tian charged straight at the enemy, knowing that the earlier explosion had been the work of the demon.

“You idiot, don’t go over there!” Vivian’s anxious shout rang in his ears, but Zhou Tian’s only thought was to finish the mission as soon as possible. He had no attention to spare for Vivian’s concerns, and her warning went unheeded.

Thus, Zhou Tian rushed forward, quickly closing in on the two figures. To his surprise, one was a nondescript mage, the other none other than the pig-like city lord. For a moment, Zhou Tian hesitated. But he quickly recovered, disregarded Vivian’s earlier warning, and lunged open-mouthed at the mage.

Zhou Tian failed to notice the mocking smile that flickered across the mage’s face. The demon mage made no effort to evade as Zhou Tian’s bite landed, instead reaching out a hand toward Zhou Tian…

But Zhou Tian, with a flicker of movement, avoided the touch. Though unsure what the demon intended, he trusted that no good would come of it. Knowing the mage was up to something, Zhou Tian gave him no chance to make contact.

Later, Zhou Tian would be grateful for his caution.

The demon’s hand, missing Zhou Tian, landed on the spot where Zhou Tian had bitten him. Instantly, the mage’s right hand exploded at the point of contact, blasting away flesh and clearing out all traces of Zhou Tian’s snake venom.

“What a sinister power,” Zhou Tian muttered under his breath. Having witnessed the ability firsthand, he dared not approach the demon recklessly again. Quickly retreating to Vivian’s side, he asked in a low voice, “Do you have any way to counter his power?”

“My holy light magic can harm his body, but as for that ability…” Vivian fell silent for a moment, then replied, “Just do your best not to let him touch you.”

“Damn!” Zhou Tian wanted nothing more than to flip her off. After seeing the demon’s power, who would dare approach him? One touch and you explode. If you let him get his hands on you, your life is forfeit. Against such an ability, any melee fighter would keep well away until a countermeasure was found.

Vivian ignored Zhou Tian’s grumbling, her gaze fixed intently on the demon mage. “I’ll prepare a spell. Hold him off, don’t let him get to me.” Without waiting for Zhou Tian’s response, she began chanting an incantation on her own.

Zhou Tian shot her a helpless look. He hardly relished the thankless task, but with Vivian ignoring him and no way to abandon her, he grit his teeth and prepared to act.

He summoned all the surviving snakes nearby and released a fresh wave from the Serpent Basin, directing the swarm at the demon mage.

Unfortunately, Zhou Tian’s attacks were completely neutralized by the demon’s ability. As the snakes surged toward him, the demon mage simply held out his hand, and any snake that drew near exploded on the spot. The spectacle was impressive, but in truth, Zhou Tian’s assault posed no real threat.

Worse still, the demon mage’s vitality and regenerative powers were extraordinary. Ordinarily, even if someone survived the venom, an explosion like that would be fatal. Yet the demon mage, poisoned and missing chunks of flesh, fought on as though nothing had happened. Even more terrifying, his wounds visibly regenerated as they watched. From the look of things, unless they obliterated him entirely, not even dismemberment would guarantee his death.

Thankfully, Zhou Tian wasn’t alone in facing the demon. While his own abilities were countered, Vivian’s holy light magic was effective against all demons. After Zhou Tian bought her some time, Vivian finally finished her incantation.