Chapter 343: Three Strikes Subdue the Fish Woman

Chapter 343: Three Blows Subdue the Fish Maiden

The maiden’s heart, still in its tender bloom, gave a sudden lurch as she gazed upon the handsome man, a flicker of fear stirring within her.

Among the diners, some scholars who had intended to appeal to righteousness now swallowed their well-prepared words.

Had the man been a peerless hero, they might have dared reason with him, pressing him with moral arguments.

But he delighted in killing—apologies, then, they would simply indulge him.

“Waiter, bring me a serving of chicken,” Qi Yuan said, feeling hungry after the killing.

The startled waiter snapped to attention and hurriedly replied, “Right away, sir!”

Qi Yuan found an empty seat and sat down with Huo Mushi.

“This spot is right under the draft—an excellent position. If anyone speaks ill of me, the wind will surely carry it to my ears,” he murmured to himself.

The diners present forced awkward smiles.

The wealthy merchant had only just died, his blood still warm; who would dare speak ill of him now?

Yet, because of Qi Yuan’s bloodthirsty display, none among the diners dared approach the legendary Red Cudgel Demon Butcher to converse, as if waiting for someone bold to step forward first.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded, and the maiden descended the stairs. She wore a green palace gown, looking utterly charming and endearing.

“I, Green Pearl County Mistress, pay respects to Lord Red Cudgel Demon Butcher!”

The girl walked to Qi Yuan’s table and offered a graceful bow.

A stir ran through the diners.

This one was a royal princess!

Green Pearl County Mistress was the daughter of the Little Zhou Empress, the most beautiful woman in all of Fengyuan Kingdom.

The diners who had earlier gossiped about the Little Zhou Empress and the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher trembled in fear.

Qi Yuan cast a faint glance at the girl. “What do you want with me?”

“My lord fought three thousand li across the northern lands, annihilated eleven demon lairs, and saved countless millions from fire and water. On behalf of the people of the world, Green Pearl thanks you for your righteousness!”

The maiden bowed, her manner that of a little adult.

“Oh, anything else?” Qi Yuan picked up a peanut with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth.

Green Pearl County Mistress looked at him, a resolute gleam flashing in her lovely eyes. “I wish to offer ten thousand taels of gold as a tuition fee and become your disciple!”

“Can ten thousand taels of gold buy this world?” Qi Yuan asked casually.

He needed money, urgently, to purchase the Star-Girdling artifact.

At his words, the faces of everyone present shifted.

What did he mean by that…

Was the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher planning to overthrow the dynasty?

“Of course not!” Green Pearl County Mistress seemed to catch his “hidden meaning” and bit her lip as she replied.

She had come to see the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher on a mission from the royal family.

Her father, the emperor, dared not meet him, so she had come in his stead.

“Since that’s the case, I don’t want the gold,” Qi Yuan refused.

Ten thousand taels of gold was a lot, but he would have to stuff it into his Blood Martial Space.

His space was too small to hold so much gold.

As for silver notes or gold notes—would they be of any use once he left this world?

Clearly not.

Hearing his refusal, Green Pearl County Mistress turned pale. Yet she lowered her head and continued, “I am willing to be your slave or maid, to serve by your side, if only you will take me as your disciple and teach me martial arts, so I may protect Fengyuan!”

She had already steeled herself for sacrifice.

Among all the princesses and county mistresses of the royal house, she was the most beautiful and the most precious.

“Your words sound familiar—exactly what my little junior sister said,” Qi Yuan remarked, recalling Jiang Lingsu’s first days at the mountain gate. “But after she joined the sect, she turned straight into a wealthy lady. Though she helped me a lot, she never really became a slave or maid.”

Green Pearl County Mistress’s mind raced with thoughts.

Then she heard Qi Yuan speak again.

“In half a day, I’ll be leaving this place, so I naturally won’t take on disciples.

But I’m about to go crush the demons of Xi River.

Watch carefully; whatever you can learn will be your own doing.”

Thinking of his junior sister Jiang Lingsu, Qi Yuan felt generous.

Green Pearl County Mistress was stunned, then overjoyed.

Stunned—where was the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher going?

Joyful—did this mean he was accepting her?

Just then, suddenly, a resounding melody rang out, continuous and unbroken.

From outside came a voice, beautiful as heavenly music:

“Xi River Fish Maiden offers two thousand water tribes of Xi River as a betrothal gift, inviting His Majesty the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher to take his throne in the Xi River Water Palace!

All soldiers of Xi River shall be Your Majesty’s arms.

If Your Majesty wishes to contend for the world, the soldiers of Xi River shall trample the southern lands!”

At these words, the diners’ faces changed.

Green Pearl County Mistress’s heart also leaped.

“It’s the Xi River Fish Maiden!”

“The Lord of Xi River!”

“The mightiest demon force under heaven—she actually bows to the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher!”

“If the demon soldiers all serve the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher, taking Fengyuan would be as easy as turning his hand!”

The diners were shaken—some worried, some indignant.

Had they been in the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher’s place, they were certain they could never refuse the temptation of the Xi River Lord.

Green Pearl County Mistress, too, looked troubled, yet she remained oddly silent, saying nothing.

At that moment, a smile crept into Qi Yuan’s eyes. “This is the first time I’ve seen such an eager moonlight maiden.”

The moonlight maidens he had met before all cursed him on sight.

Even that Princess Jasmine had only tried to seduce him with a beauty trap, harboring ill intentions.

But when the Xi River Fish Maiden spoke these words, Qi Yuan’s nose did not grow even slightly—a sign that she was sincere, not lying.

“If Your Majesty agrees, your concubine can be a general by day, galloping for you; by night, a consort, yours to gallop upon.”

The Xi River Fish Maiden’s voice was like heavenly music, laced with a seductive charm.

The inn's doors swung open, revealing a woman in bridal attire standing outside.

Snowflakes drifted down, red and white mingling.

Looking up from below, the first thing to catch the eye was a pair of pale, delicate bare feet.

Unshod, adorned with azure and crystal-clear anklets, treading upon the icy snow.

Higher up, long jade-like legs, hidden beneath the slit of a red wedding dress, smooth and fair.

Higher still, a waist with an exaggerated hip-to-waist ratio, and a full bosom.

Even just her figure was irresistibly alluring.

At the top, a red veil covered her head.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, lifting the red veil of the Xijiang Fish Maiden, revealing... a fish head to the world's gaze.

Yes, that's right—not a face, but a fish head.

Bulging fish eyes, tough-looking gills, and a pouty mouth that seemed born to be hooked.

Seeing this face, countless thoughts raced through Qi Yuan's mind, and he couldn't help but ask, "Could you have a human face on top and a fish body below?"

What surfaced in Qi Yuan's mind was a classic dilemma.

Stranded on a deserted island, with only one mermaid to keep you company.

Would you rather the mermaid had a beautiful human face, but a fish tail from the waist down? (Note: No sharp teeth in the mouth.)

Or would you prefer she had an amazing body, but a fish head?

Qi Yuan had never faced this choice before.

Now, seeing the Xijiang Fish Maiden, it came to mind.

"If Your Majesty wishes it, why not?" The fish eyes of the Xijiang Fish Maiden glimmered with a smile.

Her form shifted in that instant.

Her lower half became a fish body, while the original fish head transformed into a face as stunning as that of the Green Pearl County Lord.

The diners, who had been terrified, now showed hints of greed and infatuation.

Even this fish, they thought, still held a lingering charm.

Qi Yuan gave a cold glance. "Have you ever heard..."

"Does Your Majesty mean to say that humans and demons cannot coexist, or that those not of our kind are bound to have different hearts?" The Xijiang Fish Maiden interrupted him, continuing, "In this world, the power of speech has always belonged to the strong!

Rules and authority are only fit for someone like Your Majesty!

If Your Majesty is strong, we shall be Your Majesty's most loyal, sharpest sword!"

"You're wrong." Qi Yuan finally managed to interject after she finished. "My thoughts may be extreme, but..."

"Let me finish first—interrupting you feels strange to me." Qi Yuan cut off the Xijiang Fish Maiden, steering the conversation back on track. "What I wanted to say is, the power of a white moonlight lies in her living in memory—even she herself, if she showed up, couldn't defeat that image.

But once the white moonlight takes the initiative and chooses to be a simp... well, then it's all over."

"...???" The Green Pearl County Lord was utterly baffled.

The diners were equally confused.

Every word from the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher seemed to make sense individually, but strung together, they had no idea what he meant.

The Xijiang Fish Maiden was stunned too.

Then Qi Yuan continued, "The moment the white moonlight makes the first move, you lose.

So... it's better to die and become a part of me!"

With his words, a murderous intent filled the air.

Seeing this, Huo Mushi familiarly took out his suona and began to play earnestly, immersing himself in the moment for Qi Yuan.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan glanced at the Green Pearl County Lord. "Now, how much you can learn depends entirely on your insight."

Without another word, Qi Yuan launched straight into action.

This left everyone present dumbfounded.

The Green Pearl County Lord hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

The Xijiang Fish Maiden had been seducing the Red Cudgel Demon Butcher, who then spouted some incomprehensible nonsense, and without even a negotiation, started fighting.

Now, the shock in the Xijiang Fish Maiden's eyes vanished, replaced by a cold expression. "It seems Your Majesty is unwilling to be our sovereign and wishes to rebel!"

Since they were enemies, the Xijiang Fish Maiden showed no courtesy.

The Xijiang Water Tribe was the most powerful demon force on this land.

Even if the other eleven demon factions united, they would be no match.

"How nice it would have been to stay as my white moonlight—yet you wanted to turn official and marry me, trying to ruin the image of my white moonlight?"

Qi Yuan sneered.

A powerful aura radiated from him, and the blood-red cudgel in his hand grew large, like a stabilizing pillar.

The entire earth seemed to tremble from the energy spilling out of him.

The Xijiang Fish Maiden's expression shifted slightly. "As expected, you've stepped into the Martial Spirit realm!"

Hearing this, the diners were all shocked.

"The Red Cudgel Demon Butcher has actually reached the legendary Martial Spirit realm!"

"A Martial Spirit—one who can summon clouds and rain with a wave of the hand!"

The Martial Spirit realm was a legendary realm.

One person could stand as a nation!

Mountains, rivers—mere toys in the hands of a Martial Spirit.

"But even if you're a Martial Spirit, so what!" The Xijiang Fish Maiden roared, "Twenty thousand water tribesmen, march with me to slay this beast!"

With her cry, the calm river ahead cracked.

Countless thick ice shattered, and the shouts and roars of an army arose.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Offend our water tribe, and you shall die!"

Twenty thousand armored soldiers, wielding spears and pikes, appeared—a dark, oppressive mass covering miles of the river with demonic shadows.

The Xijiang Fish Maiden, somehow already back on the river, wore a cold smile.

Her body radiated power beyond the demon spirit level.

She was a demon spirit!

On par with the Divine Infant in the path of immortals—an absolute great demon!

Not weak in any world!

"If Your Majesty regrets now, there is still a chance for a turn!" The Xijiang Fish Maiden's voice was icy.

Twenty thousand demon soldiers stood behind her, a dense black mass, and her confidence was stronger than ever before.

Qi Yuan’s gaze was calm: “Green Pearl, watch closely—this sword of mine… is super fierce.”

Overwhelming power.

Heaven-Splitting Sword Art.

Deathly Radiance.

Brothers in Arms!

In that moment, the heavens and earth darkened.

Everyone instinctively looked up at the sky.

It turned out the sky had not grown dark—it was because… the Red-Staff Demon Butcher’s body had blocked the light from the heavens.

A blood-red, terrifying figure, of unknown height, of unknown size.

A fearsome, grotesque death god from hell, gripping a sky-scraping wooden staff, leaping high into the air.

Splitting the heavens, drawing the sword!

Kill!

A single sword stroke.

No—a single staff strike.

An instant ago, a thousand miles of frozen ice, ten thousand miles of drifting snow.

The next second, all the snowflakes and ice in the world tore away from the earth in that moment, hurled into the sky.

As the terrifying staff crashed down among the twenty thousand demon soldiers.

Only then did all the snow and ice return to their places.

The heavens and earth remained the same.

Yet… the world had changed!

In that instant, the twenty thousand demon soldiers scattered.

The Xi River was severed.

The river water evaporated.

Heaven and earth trembled.

Such was the might of a single staff strike—so terrifying!

“Pfft!” The Xi River Fish Woman spat out a mouthful of blood, disbelief in her eyes.

This blow had not only directly slain a third of the twenty thousand demon soldiers.

But she herself had borne the brunt and suffered severe injuries.

“How is this possible? I am a demon spirit… a martial spirit cannot be this powerful!” The Xi River Fish Woman, pale-faced, screamed in frenzy.

In that moment, her courage was shattered.

“You can’t even withstand one of my staff strikes, yet you want to marry me? Fish-head woman, you think too much. You’re only fit for some shrimp-headed men!”

“Take another strike from me!”

In the sky, that terrifying, towering figure brought down another staff.

Boom!

From the original Xi River, another seven thousand of the twenty thousand demon soldiers fell.

The demon-spirit-level Xi River Fish Woman’s body shattered, and the gills from her fish head were knocked out.

Her face was filled with disbelief, all her pride vanished.

“One last strike—this ends!”

Heaven-Splitting Sword Art!

Qi Yuan leaped again, and a mighty staff fell upon the river’s surface.

The scattered demon soldiers, already terrified, fled in all directions.

But the moment Qi Yuan appeared in this world, their fate was sealed.

In an instant, all twenty thousand demon soldiers died horribly, crushed into pulp.

From appearance to annihilation, in mere seconds, the twenty thousand demon soldiers were gone.

Who could remain unmoved!

Who could remain unshaken!

Green Pearl County Mistress trembled, gazing at that towering figure. For some reason, the fear in her heart had completely vanished, replaced by a trace of loss.

Recommend a book, “My Wife’s Experience Panel,” with a link below. If you like it, feel free to bookmark and follow.

Synopsis: Good news: The experience-grinding panel has been activated—the golden finger has finally arrived.

Bad news: The experience-grinding panel belongs to my fiancée.

Good news: After binding, when my fiancée grinds experience, I get triple the benefits.

From then on, Zhu Yang decided to urge his wife to cultivate diligently every day. For their future, she must learn self-discipline.

(End of this chapter)