Chapter 30: Following the Vine to Find the Melon
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Water arrows pierced the air.
Two large trees on the bank shook, rustling loudly as leaves and small branches fell away.
Amidst startled cries, two Mountain Sparrow Demons hidden in the dense shade flew up. They had black heads with light patterns, gray backs, long tails, silver-gray patches in the center of their throats, and short, tiny beaks.
Two nine-inch-long Silver-Throated Long-Tailed Sparrows.
Fu Shaoguang's heart tightened; these were natural enemies.
The moment the Silver-Throated Long-Tailed Sparrows appeared, they chirped and flapped their wings, launching six-inch Wind Blades directly toward the water surface.
The Wind Blades sliced through the air, creating sharp sonic booms.
Fu Shaoguang immediately mobilized his Spiritual Power, sending water arrows to collide with the Wind Blades. At the same time, he quickly flapped his wings to dodge. The water arrows only blocked a small portion of the Wind Blades, resulting in a collision of cool mist.
Most of the Wind Blades still struck forcefully. Relying on his sharp five senses, Fu Shaoguang narrowly dodged by shifting left, rotating right, and moving up and down.
Just as the Wind Blades were about to hit, he cast the Flowing Light Technique again, his figure blurring and merging with the light.
The three-inch Mayfly figure vanished.
Where the Wind Blades passed, blood splattered, like crimson plum blossoms blooming in the Void Realm.
The next moment, a heavy object landed, splashing water everywhere.
It turned out to be a foot-long Crucian Carp, greedy for a meal, trying to hunt Fu Shaoguang. It was too late, however, and crashed directly into a Wind Blade, instantly separating its head from its body and losing its fish life.
Hiding among the lush aquatic plants by the bank, Fu Shaoguang felt lingering fear. Fortunately, he was a step faster, otherwise, being attacked from both sides by the Wind Blades and the Crucian Carp, he would certainly have fared poorly.
Sparrow Demons restrain Insect Demons.
At the same Rank, their size and Spiritual Power reserves completely surpassed the Mayfly's. Therefore, Fu Shaoguang did not act rashly.
He lay low silently, like a patient hunter, scrutinizing the two Silver-Throated Long-Tailed Sparrow Demons, verifying his previous guesses while contemplating countermeasures.
"Chirp chirp, that bug is gone."
"Chirp, he must have used that Invisibility Spell again."
"Chirp chirp, what do we do? What do we do? That thing dissolves when it touches water."
"Chirp, don't worry. There are two of us, and we are Mountain Sparrows, which restrain bugs. We aren't afraid of him. He must be hiding. Let's find him together!"
"Chirp chirp, find him!"
Although he couldn't understand the bird language of the two Silver-Throated Long-Tailed Mountain Sparrows, judging by their anxious reaction while searching for him, he must have gambled correctly.
The problem had been with his own body.
And it should be solved now.
With this thought, Fu Shaoguang’s mind settled. His pair of compound eyes and three simple eyes locked onto the two Sparrow Demons.
What followed was his hunting time.
Hidden within the light, Fu Shaoguang moved through the rays, silently approaching his targets.
The two Sparrow Demons were cautious, fearing they would be ambushed if separated. To prevent being defeated one by one, they stuck closely together, never leaving each other's side. This, however, backfired, giving him the perfect opportunity.
The distance was now within reach.
Fu Shaoguang still didn't move.
Not until the two demons settled on a treetop.
He suddenly appeared above the two demons and aggressively launched his long-planned attack: his top two legs scattered Poison Powder, while his middle two and bottom two legs each stabbed out a long, thin Poisonous Needle.
His movements were sharp, vicious, and completely decisive.
This was the benefit of having many legs.
The two Mountain Sparrow Demons were terrified.
They had expected this Insect Demon to hide in the dark and launch sneak attacks, but they never imagined he would be so bold as to get this close, nor did they expect him to use Sharp Weapons instead of Spells.
Not using Spells but engaging in close combat—are you crazy?!
Poison Powder permeated the air, glowing an eerie green in the sunlight, and the Poisonous Needles were strangely colored. The two Sparrow Demons felt a deadly crisis, and their feathers stood on end.
They realized this demon was truly poisonous.
They wanted to avoid it, but the distance was too short. There wasn't time to flap their wings and escape, nor time to activate a Spell.
At this life-or-death moment, one Mountain Sparrow Demon knocked the other away. The Poison Powder and two Poisonous Needles landed on the sacrificing demon. In its death throes, it exhausted its remaining strength, thrusting its Bird Beak like a sword, trying to severely injure or even kill its opponent, aiming for mutual destruction.
Fu Shaoguang had anticipated this move of risking one's life, and the Inch of Time Lengthening, which he had been preparing, activated.
The Sparrow Demon's movement slowed for a moment. Fu Shaoguang seized the opportunity to escape. The Bird Beak missed its target, and the Sparrow Demon, filled with unwillingness, its eyes permanently darkening, its consciousness sinking into Chaos.
It fell from the treetop and crashed onto the ground.
Red and black blood intermingled.
This demon was utterly dead.
Fu Shaoguang's nerves were still taut.
There was still one Mountain Sparrow left.
Swish! Swish!
Sure enough, the sound of tearing air rang out, and Wind Blades struck.
Fu Shaoguang flapped his wings and rolled sideways, casting the Flowing Light Technique while dodging, quickly hiding himself in the light.
But this Mountain Sparrow Demon launched Wind Blades like crazy, flying wildly everywhere. Its position was hard to lock down, and Fu Shaoguang found it difficult to approach. He could only lie low, occasionally having to dodge Wind Blades that happened to fly his way.
Despite this, Fu Shaoguang did not lower his guard. Although the bird demon seemed insane, what if it was just trying to confuse him? What if it wanted him to develop the false confidence that he could “slay the demon in one blow once its Spiritual Power is exhausted,” so it could escape when he relaxed?
As long as this demon wasn't dead, variables existed.
Moreover, he couldn't endure as long as this sparrow.
What if he didn't wait until the demon exhausted its Spiritual Power and he got tired first... Wait, escape!!!
A plan formed in Fu Shaoguang's mind.
He took a long look at the continuously raging Mountain Sparrow Demon, flapped his wings, and left, heading straight for the Demon Market entrance. He hid on the Old Tree Demon guarding the entrance, recovering his Spiritual Power while inquiring about news.
In his previous life, Fu Shaoguang deeply understood the importance of the Gatekeeper Uncle. During his hospitalization, because he had a good relationship with the Gatekeeper Uncle, he could occasionally sneak out for a breath of fresh air.
In this life, after gaining the means, he sometimes painfully spent Five Wen to bring the Old Tree Demon a pot of wine, and later even gave him a portion of dung pills for the Moon God Festival.
The two demons had a good relationship.
It was naturally easy to inquire about some news.
The setting sun lingered, and twilight descended.
Demons returned one by one in the evening, and others queued up, waiting to register before entering the Demon Market.
Fu Shaoguang went in first and waited on the other side of the entrance. Soon after, he saw the familiar Sparrow Demon. Watching it enter the Demon Administration Office to collect an Identification Wooden Token, he thought, 'Just as expected.'
When he encountered the two Mountain Sparrow Demons during the day, Fu Shaoguang had already guessed they were demons from outside the Demon Market, since if he had interacted with them, he couldn't have had no impression of them.
He suspected that a demon inside the Demon Market was coordinating with them from the inside out, and he even had a suspect in mind. Now, part of his guess was confirmed, and he figured the other part wouldn't be far off.
For one to sacrifice itself to save the other, the two Mountain Sparrow Demons must have had a good relationship. The surviving Mountain Sparrow Demon, in its anger, would likely seek out the Mastermind to demand justice or discuss the situation.
This was also why Fu Shaoguang let the Mountain Sparrow Demon go; he wanted to follow the vine to find the melon and capture the Culprit.
After the Mountain Sparrow Demon left the Demon Administration Office and flew into the Demon Market, Fu Shaoguang cast the Flowing Light Technique and silently followed behind.
【Sparrow Tile House】
The second most popular entertainment venue on Jinyu Street in the Demon Market, second only to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. It is operated by the Sparrow Demon Clan. Its exterior is a large wooden bird's nest structure, and the interior architecture is antique and elegant.
Though not large, it offers everything: food, drink, and entertainment, including diverse activities like Sparrow Wrestling, fine cuisine, song and dance, storytelling, and massage. Bird demons can usually find suitable work here.
For instance, Crocodile Monsters come here for teeth cleaning, Rhino Spirits specifically request Starling Demon services, and Puffers often visit the Tile House.
Fu Shaoguang was also a frequent visitor here, finding it similar to the Human Race's Goulan Wasi. He especially liked to visit the bookstall where he had previously gathered information, reading storybooks to relax.
He was not familiar with the other Sparrow Demons.
He had a good relationship with the Silver-Faced Sparrow Demon at the Silver-Faced Bookstall.
This demon had a gentle temperament and wasn't displeased that Fu Shaoguang only browsed and never bought anything. They became familiar over time.
Fu Shaoguang's suspect was precisely this demon.
He knew his five senses were sharp, and ordinary tricks left on him would be easily noticed. Only a knowledgeable, familiar demon could easily trick him.
Following all the way.
Sure enough, he saw that Silver-Throated Long-Tailed Sparrow Demon enter the bookstall.
Fu Shaoguang's compound eyes flashed with a cold light.
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