Xue Tuzi pulled his ribbon taut, carefully tying it back in his hair before channeling his qigong. A surge of energy coursed through him, and in an instant, he was sprinting down the dimly lit hall, his feet barely touching the ground. Jiao Jiao clung tightly to the edge of his sleeve, his small nubs gripping the fabric as he tried to keep pace, his wide eyes flickering with excitement.
Behind them, Shudu clenched his teeth, his jaw tightening at the sight of Jiao Jiao departing with Xue Tuzi. "That kid," he muttered under his breath, frustration simmering in his voice. He shot a quick look at Xiao Zongzi, who responded with a knowing tilt of her head. She skittered up his shoulder, her spider legs clicking softly against his arm as she settled in place.
Without another word, Shudu took off after them, his pace unwavering as he and Xiao Zongzi followed Xue Tuzi's figure deeper into the winding hall. The shadows seemed to stretch around them, the quiet hum of energy crackling in the air.
Xue Laohu and Li Zhameng darted across the dimly lit corridor, their paths weaving effortlessly around each other as they moved in perfect synchrony. Demon guards crumpled left and right under their combined assault, the air thick with the sounds of battle. Li Zhameng swiftly loaded his gun with non-lethal, highly potent sleeping bullets, a determined glint in his eyes as he lunged through the air. He aimed with precision, releasing his shot mere moments before landing squarely in the strong arms of his Shizun.
Knowing Li Zhameng's qigong abilities were average at best, Xue Laohu had taken it upon himself to carry him on his back, allowing them to maneuver deeper into Hou Mountain's treacherous lair at speed. Each time they approached a cluster of guards, Li Zhameng would spring from Xue Laohu's back, launching himself midair to deliver a precise blow before his Shizun caught him, preventing him from hitting the ground. It was a practiced rhythm, their movements honed to perfection.
At other moments, Li Zhameng would hold steady on his Shizun's back, expertly firing rounds behind them as Xue Laohu surged forward, his agility allowing him to weave through the halls and take down guard demons with swift, ruthless efficiency. As they moved deeper, the shadows grew thicker, but the two pressed forward without hesitation, springting as they carved a path through Hou Mountain's defenses.
Shudu entered the darkened hall, stepping into a grotesque scene-a sea of corpses hanging from thin threads like puppets, the bodies of demon guards suspended lifelessly, their blood dripping steadily onto the cold floor below. The silence was thick, punctuated only by the slow, rhythmic patter of blood. Shudu's eyes narrowed, his lips twisting into a grim frown. "Hmph... this is that bitch's work alright. Kill first, ask questions later," he muttered, picking up his pace as he headed deeper into the hall.
At the end of the corridor, he found Xue Tuzi standing in a large, dimly lit bedroom. The beauty was pulling the threads that controlled his most recent victims, their bodies twitching sporadically as they succumbed to their fate, life fading from their faces. Shudu clenched his fists. "You merciless bas -" Before he could finish, a needle shot toward his face, slicing through the air with deadly precision. He twisted his head just in time, feeling the faint sting as the needle grazed his cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.
"What the hell was that for?" Shudu growled, wiping the blood away and shooting a glare at Xue Tuzi.
Xue Tuzi raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Hmm... my hand slipped," he replied nonchalantly, tucking a few stray locks of hair behind his ear as he skipped over the bodies strewn across the floor.
"Was it this hand?" Shudu snarled, grabbing one of Xue Tuzi's wrists and slamming him against the wall. "Or maybe it was this one?" He seized Xue Tuzi's other wrist, crossing them and pinning him firmly, his eyes flashing with restrained fury.
Xue Tuzi met his gaze with a smirk. "Actually, it was this one-" he quipped, attempting a swift kick aimed directly at Shudu's groin. But Shudu's reflexes were sharp; he blocked the kick with his knee, pressing Xue Tuzi further into the wall.
A dangerous glint flickered in Shudu's eyes as he leaned in close, his nose almost brushing Xue Tuzi's neck. He inhaled deeply, a feral expression crossing his face as his nostrils flared. "Why do you smell like a whore?" he asked, his voice a low, menacing rumble. Each breath was hot against Xue Tuzi's skin, sending a tense shiver through him.
Xue Tuzi furrowed his brows, twirling two thin needle threads between his fingers. "To ensnare weaklings like you," he replied coldly, and in one swift motion, he lashed out with the threads, aiming to slice Shudu's nose clean off. Shudu dodged just in time, his instincts sparing him but costing him a few strands of hair that fluttered to the floor.
Each stood their ground, fists clenched, eyes narrowed, ready to exchange a brutal round of blows when the faint sound of voices drifted from down the hall. Xue Tuzi's gaze flicked to the door, his mind working fast. With a swift move, he shoved Shudu backward onto the bed and straddled him, he yanked his robe open just enough to reveal a hint of skin.
Keeping a deadpan expression, Xue Tuzi let out a series of low, breathy moans, mimicking the sounds of sexual pleasure. His face remained impassive as he unraveled his robe slightly, arranging the scene to look convincingly debauched. The room he had infiltrated had once been the site of a demon orgy, now silenced by his own deadly hands. If he played his role well enough, there was a chance the guards would overlook the room, leaving them unnoticed. Xue Tuzi's moans grew louder, echoing suggestively through the room as footsteps approached. On cue, there was a hesitant knock at the door.
"Pardon the intrusion," one of the guards called through the door, his tone uncertain, "but have you perhaps heard any... ruckus nearby?"
Xue Tuzi threw his head back, letting his hair fall over his face, disguising his expression as he continued the act, the sound of his moans filling the silence.
Xue Tuzi let out a breathy, exaggerated moan as he called out, "N-no… I haven't heard anything…"
With a smirk, Shudu grunted loudly, running a hand over Xue Tuzi's thigh. "You like this big dick?" he growled, giving Xue Tuzi a rough tug as if adding to the scene.
Xue Tuzi rolled his eyes, keeping his voice in character. "I can barely feel it," he muttered, his tone laced with mock disappointment.
Shudu's smirk deepened into a frown, and without warning, he pinched Xue Tuzi sharply on the side, making him stifle a yelp of genuine pain. "Feel it now?" he growled with a sadistic edge, digging his nails into Xue Tuzi's hip.
"Nngh—y-yes," Xue Tuzi groaned, his voice strained as he fought to stay in character despite the discomfort. The guards hesitated, then mumbled a quick apology and backed away, calling through the door, "Stay alert—there's a killer on the premises."
Once the guards' footsteps faded, Shudu leaned close to Xue Tuzi's ear, his breath warm and his voice a mocking whisper. "If you're enjoying this act so much, we could always take our pants off," he teased, his lips parting just enough to reveal the gleam of his sharp canines. He let his tongue slide over his teeth, his gaze predatory.
Xue Tuzi grimaced, giving him a rough shove. "I don't fuck insects," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain as he rubbed the fresh scratch on his hip.
Shudu's expression darkened, offended by the insult. He drew his fist back, aiming a punch directly at Xue Tuzi's face, but before he could strike, a thick web shot through the air, blocking his attack.
"Xiao Jiao! Why are you protecting that bastard? I am your Master! Or have you forgotten?" Shudu barked, his voice laced with fury as he struggled to free his fist from the thick, sticky web that Jiao Jiao had shot over him. The web clung stubbornly, refusing to let go, and Shudu's scowl deepened as he wrestled with it. Jiao Jiao merely turned his head away with a dismissive "Hmph" before crawling diligently to Xue Tuzi's side, his big bug eyes wide with a look of admiration.
"Not even a worm wants an idiot for a Master," Xue Tuzi chuckled softly, brushing his fingers through his hair and realizing he was out of needle threads. His gaze shifted to Jiao Jiao, and he pointed a slender finger at him. "You, worm—think you could spin some needle threads for me?"
Jiao Jiao's eyes brightened at the request, his large, round head bobbing in excitement as his eyes turned crescent-shaped with joy. Nodding enthusiastically, he began to spin delicate, shimmering threads, each strand pink and iridescent, glinting with a faint glow as they materialized in his nimble little nubs.
"Xiao Jiao, he's using you!" Shudu warned, his voice a low growl as he continued struggling with the web. His frustration grew as he watched Xue Tuzi delicately place each newly threaded needle into his hair, each one glinting in the dim light. Finally, Xue Tuzi knelt down, meeting Jiao Jiao's trembling, hopeful eyes.
"He's right. I am simply using you," Xue Tuzi said coolly, his gaze unwavering. Jiao Jiao's smile faltered, his heart sinking as he lowered his head, his tail curling in sorrow.
"Heartless bitch," Shudu spat, venom dripping from his words.
"But," Xue Tuzi continued, placing a gentle hand atop Jiao Jiao's head, "if you continue to be useful, I'll treat you well." A rare, genuine smile softened his face, and his eyes closed for a brief moment. Jiao Jiao's heart raced, his sorrow melting as he looked up with shimmering, heart-shaped eyes. Extending his small, pink limbs toward Xue Tuzi, he silently begged to be held.
"Xiao Jiao! He's lying!" Shudu shouted, watching helplessly as Xue Tuzi scooped Jiao Jiao into his arms, cradling him close. Snuggling into Xue Tuzi's chest, Jiao Jiao shot Shudu a defiant glance, tugging at his eye and sticking his tongue out in a mocking gesture.
"Traitor!" Shudu roared, his voice echoing through the room as Jiao Jiao buried himself deeper into Xue Tuzi's embrace, unbothered by the insult.