The girl's eyes widened in astonishment. For a moment, she forgot to cry.
Even the young man lying on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and soaking his clothes, couldn't help but turn his gaze to Chu He.
Chu He's expression was cold, radiating a sharpness that was impossible to ignore.
"Your foundations are extraordinary. You've clearly been secretly cultivating Martial Arts.
You have ambition, but you're held back by your family, forcing you to endure it time and again.
I'd guess your father either favors sons over daughters, or he isn't your biological father.
You keep sacrificing for this so-called family. Have you ever considered what such sacrifices will get you?
Will staying at home really give you the complete family you desire?
Only the weak are bullied relentlessly."
Chu He's words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples spreading across the surface.
The light in the girl's eyes flickered as if she were struggling with a decision.
Finally, she snapped her head up, a look of grim resolve flashing in her eyes.
"You're right."
The girl's voice trembled slightly. "He's not my biological father. That boy is my stepfather's son.
I've always longed for a complete family, but... they never truly treated me like one.
If they really cared about me, how could they sell me out for their own gain?
My aptitude for cultivation is far better than my brother's, but they've never given me a second glance.
I was too naive, always dreaming of a happy and perfect family."
Chu He nodded slightly, not at all surprised by the girl's decision.
He gave a light beckoning gesture, and a short blade from one of the men's belts flew into his hand as if it had a life of its own.
He handed the short blade to the girl. "Kill them, and I will take you as my apprentice."
The girl didn't hesitate. She reached out and took the blade.
A vicious glint flashed in her eyes.
At that moment, she finally cast aside all the bonds holding her back.
A few minutes later, the once-tranquil air was thick with the stench of blood.
The girl's clothes were spattered with blood, her gaze now cold and resolute.
The people of the Great Jing Empire would never have imagined that this once-obscure girl would, in the near future, become a Female Demon even more terrifying than any Evil Spirit.
And her master was none other than the man who once shook the world, the National Guardian War God—Chu He!
...
Deep within a circle of mountains lay a mysterious place known as the Demon Cave.
Three thousand majestic peaks, range upon range, stood guard over this ancient and eerie land.
"This is supposed to be the Demon Cave, the source of the Great Jing Empire's Evil Spirits? But it's so beautiful and serene, like a paradise."
a reporter exclaimed, his voice echoing through the valley, tinged with disbelief.
"Did Chu He, the former National Guardian War God, really deceive us all?"
Another reporter frowned, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
"What a shame. I used to look up to him as my idol," a member of the Time Girl Group said softly, her tone full of regret.
"Yeah, didn't Chu He's wife leave him, too? Back then, almost every girl in the Great Jing Empire had a crush on him to some degree. It's a pity we were all so wrong about him,"
another member sighed.
The group continued forward, arriving at the entrance to the Demon Cave's seal.
There, a towering mountain peak pierced the clouds, as if it were a path to another world.
A single, humble wooden cabin stood there.
Though the cabin was simple, it was kept neat and tidy.
Inside was a simple bed, a wooden table, and some basic tableware.
A bookcase was built into the wall, filled with all sorts of books, from ancient secret manuals to modern science textbooks—it had everything.
Dozens of reporters, shouldering heavy livestreaming equipment, followed the members of the Time Girl Group up the mountain peak.
They were broadcasting the scenery of the Demon Cave and the life of the former War God for the people of the Great Jing Empire.
"I can't believe Chu He lived so simply."
"If it were me, I couldn't stand this environment for a month, let alone a few years. I probably couldn't even last a day."
"The National Guardian War God is already disgraced. Are you guys really still sympathizing with him?"
"Anyway, let's just enjoy the stunning beauty of our twelve goddesses!"
"Chu He is such a disappointment. He might be powerful, but his dereliction of duty and fame-chasing are unforgivable."
"Look at this Demon Cave. What's so dangerous about it? The scenery is even more beautiful than most of the scenic spots in the Great Jing Empire."
"What's the use of being strong? A man who has lost his moral compass doesn't deserve our respect."
"Why did they let him go? They should investigate him properly! Maybe there's someone else pulling the strings!"
The bullet comments flooded the screen like a tidal wave, each one filled with doubt and disappointment in Chu He.
Initially, the people of the Great Jing Empire had harbored some hope for Chu He, thinking that the negative rumors about him might not be entirely true.
After all, Chu He's past heroic deeds and his title as the War God had left a deep impression on them.
But with the Queen's newly formed Time Girl Group arriving at the Demon Cave along with dozens of media outlets,
everything seemed to become much clearer.
At this moment, the sky above the Demon Cave was clear and cloudless.
The mountains were a lush, vibrant green—a picturesque scene.
Who would have thought this was the place rumored to be the land of Evil Spirits?
The Time Girl Group and the media personnel had been traveling deep into the Demon Cave for nearly an hour, yet they hadn't seen a single trace of an Evil Spirit.
It was a far cry from the terrifying place of legend.
The deeper they went into the heart of the Demon Cave, the more convinced the viewers in the livestream became that the rumors of Chu He's dereliction of duty and fame-chasing were not baseless.
...
However, hidden within this seemingly peaceful mountain forest were countless pairs of evil eyes.
They quietly watched the movements of the outside world, waiting for the right moment.
These were the sealed Evil Spirits, who had been lying dormant in this place for countless days and nights.
"The bad news is, humans have arrived. And there are twelve King-level Martial Artists among them,"
a deep, hoarse voice said.
"The good news is, that bastard Chu He isn't with them,"
another voice chimed in, sounding relieved.
"That Chu He is just too terrifying. Why did he suddenly leave? Could there be some kind of plot behind this?"
a more cautious voice asked.
"Who cares? Just give us a little more time, and we'll be able to tear apart the chains of this seal and return to the Mortal World,"
a voice full of longing said excitedly.
"That's right. After recuperating for so many years, our King's power is even more fearsome than before,"
another voice agreed.
As they spoke, the surrounding black mist began to churn, as if stirred by some unseen force.
Within the black mist, countless Evil Spirits flickered in and out of view, their bodies twisted and ferocious, like demons crawling out of Hell.
"Those twelve women are quite beautiful. Did the humans send them as an offering because they fear us?"
an Evil Spirit licked its lips, a greedy light flashing in its eyes.
"When I get out, I'm going to toy with these humans until their minds break. Then I'll devour those twelve women, piece by piece,"
another Evil Spirit said viciously, already eager to taste human flesh and blood.
"These twelve women are beautiful, but they're nothing compared to Chu He,"
a voice sighed. "But it doesn't matter. As long as Chu He is gone, our chance has truly come."
"In just ten days, we can tear the seal apart and return to the Mortal World!"
The voices of the Evil Spirits gradually faded into the forest, completely undetected by any of the humans.
In this darkness-shrouded mountain forest, an unknown catastrophe was quietly brewing.
And the oblivious humans were still celebrating, utterly unaware of their impending doom.