《Inheritor of the Scarlet Demon》


 Chapter 1 - Inheritor

    The Warces Mountain located in the corner of the Demonic Lands was a massive peak whose summit remained obscured by the perpetual dark clouds. Chen Zhe had agreed to explore this treacherous region with his previous expedition companions, who claimed to have found a map pointing to a treasure hidden within the Warces Mountains. Together, they secured an external sect pass from the Dark Valley Sect who oversees the Demonic Lands for their journey.


    Navigating the mountain was no trivial task and demanded both experience and courage. The region was not without its dangers. The mountain''s base was surrounded by dense trees and infested with demonic beasts, a menace that only grew fiercer in the inner regions. Exploring this domain required not just navigation skills but considerable combat abilities.


    Chen Zhe¡¯s team consisted of a swordsman, an archer, a guide and himself, an archaeologist. The guide led them through the forest, where they encountered a mischievous pack of monkeys throwing fruits at them, poisonous spiders , venomous snakes and numerous other dangerous creatures. The journey as grueling as it was seemed even more perilous than anticipated.


    ¡°This path should have been the easiest.¡± the guide explained with a frustrated sigh. ¡°The recent heavy rainfall seems to have displaced the usual inhabitants scattering them everywhere and turning the simplest route into a menace.¡±


    Despite the party leader Tian Lou, the swordsman who was new but wellknown for his successful exploration of an ancient treasure pavilion insisting they find a different route, the guide refused. ¡°Even the easiest path is like this.¡± he said shaking his head. ¡°Who knows what we might encounter elsewhere?¡±


    Tian Lou and his sister, Tian Lan the skilled archer were visibly exhausted from their constant vigilance. The forest¡¯s dangers demanded their unwavering attention. As they began climbing higher up the mountain, their situation took a darker turn when they stumbled upon a group of people sheltering inside a cave. Tian Lou immediately placed his hand on his sword hilt and advanced cautiously trying to get a good look at the strangers.


    From the shadows a man stepped forward with a sly grin and a heavy axe resting on his shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you here for a long time¡± he sneered. ¡°And now finally here you are.¡±


    Chen Zhe recognized the man immediately. He was a known looter, infamous for robbing and killing others in the wilderness while blaming their deaths on the mountain¡¯s hazards. The sight of him sent a chill down Chen Zhe¡¯s spine.


    ¡°Step back.¡± Tian Lou commanded his voice firm as he gestured for Chen Zhe and the guide to retreat. ¡°You¡¯ll only be a burden here.¡±


    The looter¡¯s group consisted of five men: two axe-wielders, a spearman, and two non-combatants who watched with malevolent eyes. Tian Lou and Tian Lan readied themselves for the sudden battle even though they were tried from the previous encounter with the demonic beasts, while Chen Zhe and the guide did their best to support from a distance hurling rocks and debris at their adversaries. Despite their efforts, the battle was grim. Tian Lan was injured by the spearman forcing Tian Lou to call for a retreat.


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    ¡°Fall back, immediately!¡± he shouted gripping his sister¡¯s arm as they fled. The guide seizing the opportunity also narrowly escaped together with them.


    However, Chen Zhe had no such luck. The path back was blocked by the looters now leaving him with no choice but to delve deeper into the cave. He sprinted into the darkness with heart pounding while the looters¡¯ voices faded behind him.


    ¡°Let him go.¡± one of the men scoffed. ¡°There are savage beasts deeper in the cave. He¡¯s as good as dead with his abilities.¡±


    The beasts were relentless. A fire demon with blazing eyes and a horned demonic creature pursued Chen Zhe forcing him into a narrow corner. Just as he thought all hope was lost his blood dripping from the wound caused by them fell onto a peculiar stone etched with ancient symbols. With a rumble, the cave wall shifted revealing a hidden passage. Without hesitation, Chen Zhe dashed inside.


    The door sealed shut behind him barring the beasts from following him. Breathing heavily, Chen Zhe looked around the chamber. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. The walls seemed deliberately carved and an opening in the rock provided a view of the outside. In the center of the chamber with couple of stairs away stood a treasure chest adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to pulsate with an ancient aura.


    He approached the chest cautiously, his hands trembling as he lifted the lid. Inside lay a skeleton skull, its hollow sockets staring back at him. Beneath it was a tattered book, its pages worn and some of its content lost to time. Gritting his teeth, Chen Zhe picked up the book and tucked it into his robes with his mind racing with questions. What was this place? And for how much could he sell the book hidden in a secret chamber?


    As he turned back to the chest, he froze. A deep resonant voice echoed through the chamber. ¡°You will inherit the legacy of the Scarlet Demon.¡±


    Startled, Chen Zhe spun around his eyes darting across the room. ¡°Who said that?¡± he demanded but the chamber was silent. Dismissing the voice as a figment of his imagination, he returned to the chest hoping to find more clues.


    ¡°I am below you¡± the voice said again irritation lacing its tone. ¡°What are you looking up there for?¡±


    Chen Zhe¡¯s gaze dropped to the skull. That¡¯s when he saw that skeleton skull was the one to speak¡­ His blood ran cold as he realized the voice was coming from it. The skull¡¯s jaw moved slightly as it spoke, its hollow eyes glowing faintly.


    ¡°You...¡± Chen Zhe stammered taking an involuntary step back. ¡°You can talk?¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡± the skull replied with its tone almost smug. ¡°And you, my reluctant inheritor have much to learn.¡±

 Chapter 2 - The Rite

    Chen Zhe stood there looking at the talking skull with his whole body being stiff from fear. The room was dark because of the ominous glow of an eerie symbol glowing on the wall. It would seem that his whole world around him was actually closing in now. His heartbeat accelerated as this hollow-eyed skull burned faintly with flickering light. Is this some joke or has he really stumbled onto something beyond human minds?


    "You are a very silent human" the skull said now in a deep and aged voice, rich with the note of impatience from a wisdom that carried an edge. "Planning to run, are we?"


    Chen Zhe blinked forcing himself to speak though his throat felt dry. "Who. What is going on? And how are you even speaking now?"


    The skull laughed its voice now that of a mischievous teenager. "Oh, come on! I''m a treasure, a companion, a guide and sometimes an entertainer. HEheHEhe You''re lucky really really lucky. Not everyone gets to meet me in one piece."


    Chen Zhe took a step back carefully. "You''re. you''re crazy Or I am. Maybe this is all a dream."


    "You what?" the skull snapped suddenly sounding like an impatient child. "No nightmares here, Brother. You''re real like the mountain wolves No no those beasts drooling outside this chamber waiting for a fresh juicy meal."


    The mention of the beasts made Chen Zhe glance nervously at the sealed entrance. He knew there was no going back now, not without risking his life but the idea of staying here with this talking skull felt equally horrifying or even worse than those beasts.


    The skull''s voice softened and fell once again into the tone of a sage. "Listen well, boy. You are the first human to stumble upon this place in centuries. That makes you the chosen one. Yes, you will be the inheritor of my master''s will the legacy of the Scarlet Demon."


    "The Scarlet Demon?" Chen Zhe furrowed his brow with his voice growing dubious. "You mean the guy who both the righteous path and demonic path hated? That Scarlet Demon?"


    "Exactly." the skull replied now sounding smug. "But nobody gets it. The Scarlet Demon was more than a demon. He was power, rebellion, freedom. a force neither side could take in and that terrified them."


    Chen Zhe folded his arms pretending to be confident while his fingers were still shaking. "Sounds like a load of nonsense. If he was so powerful how did he die then?"


    The flames in the skull''s eyes flickered. "Ah a curious one, aren''t you? Fine I¡¯ll indulge you. My master met his end not in battle but through something entirely mysterious. A sudden strike by something abnormal but even in his final moments, he was unstoppable. He fled using a forbidden blood technique to hide himself in this cave."


    "And what? Dropped you here to find a guy like me?" Chen Zhe asked his face growing ever so skeptical.


    The skull cackled again and its words ran into babble. "Plip-plop-plink! Ah the rain falls but the river is dry. What does it mean, boy? What does anything mean? HaHahaheheHe!"


    Chen Zhe let out a sigh rubbing his temples. "What''s wrong with you? Are you insane?"


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    "Mad? No. Eccentric? Perhaps." The skull''s tone turned somber again. "My master entrusted me his most loyal companion to guard his legacy but I wasn''t always like this. I was a scholar once, a simple man who dared to observe the world''s mysteries."


    "Now you''re this thing." Chen Zhe said pointing at the skull.


    The flames in the skull¡¯s eyes flared. "Yes this. My story begins with the Flame Demon, a beast of unfathomable strength who was said to be equivalent to my master. He attacked me over a phoenix egg I sought to study. My mortal body couldn¡¯t withstand its wrath and I lay dying abandoned by fate but my master, the Scarlet Demon sought vengeance for me. He killed the Flame Demon, a feat impossible by any others."


    Chen Zhe raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess then he turned you into this talking skull."


    The skull''s tone grew reverent. "Indeed. My master took the Flame Demon''s skull a vessel of raw power and bound my soul to it using a blood ritual. He combined my essence with the very creature that killed me granting me this form now both a mix of strength and knowledge bound by his will."


    Chen Zhe scowled. "So you''re telling me this skull wasn''t even yours?"


    "Yes." the skull said with a sly tone. "But it is mine now so it is me. A fitting irony, don''t you think? My master made sure that I would never be weak again. He gave me a second life, one that transcends mortal limitations and then now I pass his legacy to you."


    Chen Zhe hesitated. "What happens if I refuse?"


    "You think you have a choice?" The skull''s tone became menacing with the flames in its eyes shifting to an ominous red. "The legacy is already within your grasp."


    Before Chen Zhe could respond the chest in the center of the room began to glow. The tattered book he had tucked into his robes suddenly grew hot igniting with a dark flame.


    "Hey! What''s happening?" Chen Zhe shouted with panic as the flames engulfed the book and began to seep into his skin.


    "It has begun." the skull said with eerie calm. "The legacy of the Scarlet Demon is merging with your body."


    "What? Stop it... Make it stop!" Chen Zhe yelled clawing at his robes as the searing energy coursed through him.


    Dark, syrupy blood streamed out of the chest squelching across the floor like an animate entity before sinking into Chen Zhe''s chest. He shuddered and crashed onto the ground wheezing for breath.


    The skull spoke not a word its tone now half worry and half humor. "Survive this? HahaHa. Now that is the real question, isn''t it?"


    Smoke rose from Chen Zhe''s body as he writhed on the ground. His vision blurred and he heard the skull muttering in gibberish once more. "Tick-tock, the wheel turns. Crimson rivers flow. Will the butterfly dance or will the spider feast. Anyway I will live?"


    "Shut up." Chen Zhe managed to gasp before losing consciousness.


    The chamber fell silent save for the faint crackle of lingering energy. The skull¡¯s flames dimmed and it muttered softly "Will he survive this?"

 Chapter 3 - The Awakening

    Dark viscous liquid began to seep from his pores pooling around him in a sticky mess.


    Hours passed before Chen Zhe¡¯s eyelids fluttered open. Groggy and disoriented, he became immediately aware of the sticky black sludge coating his body.


    ¡°That¡¯s not going to work, kid.¡± the skull said its voice from a distance yet somehow close.


    Startled by the sudden reminder of the skull¡¯s presence, Chen Zhe froze. ¡°What do you mean? How do I get rid of this?¡±


    ¡°Use your qi, boy.¡± the skull said this time in the tone of an old man. ¡°Burn it off.


    Despite his reluctance to take advice from the bizarre being, Chen Zhe closed his eyes and focused. To his surprise, he felt a newfound reservoir of energy within him.


    Chen Zhe let out a long breath marveling at how much sharper his senses had become. The rustle of leaves, the faint growls of beasts prowling outside the cave everything was suddenly clearer and even sharper.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable, kiddo¡± the skull interrupted now speaking like a teenager. ¡°You¡¯ve inherited the Scarlet Demon¡¯s legacy but it¡¯s not just about fancy tricks and heightened senses.


    ¡°The what realm?¡± Chen Zhe asked narrowing his eyes suspiciously. He wasn¡¯t sure if he should take the skull seriously or fling it off the nearest cliff.


    ¡°You¡¯re hopeless.¡± the skull now sounding like a child. ¡°Don¡¯t they teach you anything these days? Fine, I¡¯ll explain. But listen carefully because I won¡¯t repeat myself. Well, I might. Or maybe I¡¯ll just make it up as I go.


    Chen Zhe pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°What is wrong with you? Why do you sound different every time you speak?¡±


    The skull chuckled this time in the voice of an elder. ¡°Ah, you¡¯ve noticed just a minor side effect of living so long in this form and being made into this form, I¡¯m afraid.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Chen Zhe stared speechless. ¡°What... what even is that, then?¡±


    The skull ignored him pressing on.


    Chen Zhe nodded. ¡°Barely. I¡¯ve only heard bits and pieces from my friends. Tian Lou¡¯s at Early Qi Condensation and Tian Lan is at the peak of Awakening.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s a lot more after that.¡± the skull said as a fact. ¡°After Nascent Soul, there''s Divine Transformation realm. There might be even more realms after that anyhow, That¡¯s where you¡¯ll help me reconstruct my glorious beautiful body.


    Chen Zhe blinked. ¡°Wait... I¡¯ve already advanced to Qi Condensation?¡±


    ¡°Congratulations.¡± the skull said now like a child. ¡°You¡¯re officially not as useless as you were yesterday.¡±


    Chen Zhe groaned shaking his head.


    With a resigned sigh, he stuffed the skull into his bag. He hesitated before stepping out of the cave wary of the savage beasts that had chased him earlier. But to his surprise, the creatures seemed to have fled entirely.


    Chen Zhe emerged from the Warces Mountain and looked around his surroundings. His enhanced senses made it easy to track Tian Lou and the others.


    As he walked, the skull began its tales. ¡°The Scarlet Demon wasn¡¯t always a legend, you know. He started as a lowly disciple in the demonic cult nothing special.


    ¡°Sounds relatable.¡± Chen Zhe muttered.


    ¡°Oh, but he didn¡¯t stay that way. Unlike you and me.¡± the skull said its tone shifting to that of a teen. ¡°He clawed his way to the top defeating his peers one by one.


    Chen Zhe frowned.


    ¡°That¡¯s the demonic cult for you.¡± the skull said darkly. ¡°But the Scarlet Demon didn¡¯t give up. He rebuilt his strength creating his own path outside the constraints of both the demonic and righteous factions and now through you, his legacy lives on.¡±


    ¡°Great.¡± Chen Zhe said dryly.


    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s plenty of pressure.¡± the skull now sounding like an teacher. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll guide you. Unless I decide not to or you get caught being his inheritor...Fibbity kibbity dibbity do.¡±


    Chen Zhe sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯m starting to think inheriting this ¡®legacy¡¯ might be more trouble than it¡¯s worth.¡±


    ¡°Haha that''s too late to back out now¡± the skull said cheerfully. ¡°Welcome to your destiny.¡±

 Chapter 4 - Battle Unfolds

    The skull chuckled darkly its tone had again changed with mischief. ¡°Ah my dear inheritor, you¡¯re learning from such a poetic end for the poor soul.


    Chen Zhe grimaced. ¡°Could you not Keep quiet?¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be like that.¡± the skull retorted its voice suddenly shifting to a child.


    Ignoring the skull¡¯s antics, Chen Zhe advanced. Ahead, he saw Tian Lou bloodied but battling the three enemies. His sword swung in wide arcs desperate to fend them off. Nearby, Tian Lan with her injuries severe was slumped against a tree.


    Chen Zhe clenched his fists. He could feel the power coursing through him, the legacy of the Scarlet Demon amplifying his strength. Again the skull spoke but this time with a his real voice. ¡°Remember your strength boy, it comes at a cost.


    Chen Zhe nodded subtly taking a deep breath to steady himself before charging forward.


    The spearman noticed Chen Zhe approaching and sneered. ¡°You? How did this useless archaeologist survive the beasts and make it here unscathed?¡±


    Chen Zhe stepped forward his expression calm.


    The non-combatants in the enemy group laughed mockingly. ¡°He¡¯s got a death wish. He could have escaped from us but he is throwing himself here just to die.¡±


    Behind him, Tian Lou managed to lift his head weakly.But Chen Zhe ignored the warnings. As the spearman pushed forward at him aiming a deadly strike toward his head, Chen Zhe tilted his head with precision and caught the spear mid-thrust. With a strong pull, he got the spear in his hand and he got the weapon from the attacker''s grip.


    The spearman barely had time to react before Chen Zhe moved like an expert . A streak of crimson flashed as the spear found its mark. The spearman¡¯s headless body slumped to the ground and blood splattered across Chen Zhe¡¯s face.


    The skull¡¯s voice broke into wild laughter now sounding like a teenager. ¡°Oh man! Did you see that? Boom headless one like me. You¡¯re really getting the same vibe as my master. Keep at it, brat.¡±


    Chen Zhe wiped the blood from his face, his eyes cold.


    Tian Lou lying on the ground watched in awe and disbelief. ¡°Is this... really Chen Zhe?¡±


    The axe-wielders moved in flow attacking him from both sides. Chen Zhe parried one strike with the spear with his shift movements.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    The skull spoke up again its voice now sounded like an elder. ¡°Sloppy footwork, boy.


    Chen Zhe growled under his breath. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to help, at least don¡¯t distract me.¡±


    ¡°Distract you? Me? Never ever lie again.¡± The skull¡¯s tone shifted once more ¡°I¡¯m your fan now Go get him Chen Zhe Rah rah raaa!¡±


    Chen Zhe exhaled sharply focusing his qi.


    ¡°Wait.¡± the captain said raising his hands. ¡°We don¡¯t need to fight.


    Chen Zhe¡¯s grip on the spear tightened. ¡°You think I¡¯d believe that?¡±


    The captain laughed nervously. ¡°I¡¯m serious. No tricks.¡±


    But as Chen Zhe prepared to strike, the captain¡¯s blade suddenly turned but not towards Chen Zhe but toward his remaining ally.


    Before the strike could land, the other man retaliated plunging his weapon into the captain¡¯s side. The betrayal played out in an instant, leaving both men mortally wounded.


    Chen Zhe stood still processing the scene.


    The skull¡¯s voice turned smug sounding like a jester reveling in chaos. ¡°Oh, the beauty of greed. They couldn¡¯t even trust each other. Such poetic irony, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Chen Zhe approached cautiously ensuring both men were truly dead before turning to Tian Lou and Tian Lan.


    With the immediate danger gone, Chen Zhe helped Tian Lou to his feet and carried Tian Lan on his back. The skull, now adopting a soothing grandfatherly tone began speaking again.


    ¡°Ah, young one, you¡¯ve seen the truth of the world today.


    Chen Zhe shook his head unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.


    ¡°Strange?¡± the skull said with its voice suddenly playful. ¡°Strange is just another word for special.¡±


    As they moved away from the battleground, the skull whispered something chilling. ¡°You should know... that man who killed the captain?


    Chen Zhe¡¯s steps faltered. The weight of the skull¡¯s words settled on him like a heavy cloak. He glanced at the smoking remains of the battlefield, a sinking feeling in his chest. What had he truly inherited?

 Chapter 5 - The Lies We Tell

    "Tian Lou" Chen Zhe broke the silence "how are you holding up?"


    Tian Lou smiled weakly. "I''ve seen worse. Remember, I''m the one who explored the ancient treasure pavilion and lived to tell the tale. This is just another chapter in my story."


    Chen Zhe nodded, remembering all the stories he had heard about Tian Lou succeeding. Even before starting on this expedition, the reputation of him being a great explorer had preceded himself. Yet now, seeing this man battered and bloodied, Chen Zhe questioned whether most of that reputation was not borne from luck.


    "You saved us back there" Tian Lou continued, his tone turning serious. "But I have to ask. why did you hide your strength? You''re clearly not just some archaeologist tagging along."


    Chen Zhe glanced back at him, his expression calm but unreadable.


    Tian Lou frowned but didn''t press. "Precaution or not, you saved us. I don''t know what we would''ve done without you."


    As Chen Zhe looked forward on the path, the skull suddenly broke into his mind and used a wheezy old man''s tone dripping with condescension.


    Chen Zhe gritted his teeth, grinding out under his breath "Quiet down."


    "What was that?" Tian Lou asked looking at him with furrowed brows.


    "Nothing" Chen Zhe said quickly.


    The skull cackled like a mischievous child. "Ooh, they think you''re talking to yourself. Maybe they''ll think you''ve gone mad just like me.


    Chen Zhe ignored it and continued walking.


    The path back was arduous. Though they had left the Warces Mountains, the aftermath of the battle still lingered in their minds. Tian Lan stirred on his back, her voice groggy as she regained consciousness.


    ¡°Chen Zhe?¡± she whispered. ¡°What. what happened? Where are we?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re heading back to the Dark Valley Sect¡± he said. ¡°Rest for now. You¡¯ve been through a lot.¡±


    Tian Lan''s hand clutched his shoulder weakly. "Thanks" she whispered.


    The skull again chimed in this time with the voice of a sycophantic teenager full of mockery.


    "Will you stop?"


    Tian Lan shifted slightly. "What did you say?"


    "Nothing. Just focus on healing." Chen Zhe replied his tone steady.


    Tian Lou looked at him curiously but said nothing.


    As they journeyed on, the skull became increasingly loquacious.


    Chen Zhe frowned.


    "Hah?" the skull said cryptically. "Well, let''s just say that a righteous path has to be really far below itself to even allow a nobody like that no-name sect amongst their ranks."


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.¡°Just thinking about how fortunate we are to have survived¡± Chen Zhe said smoothly.


    The skull laughed again, but now its voice had a cheerful childlike quality. "Oh boy, you''re a good liar. I like this side of you, brat."


    As they approached the sect''s outer gate, Tian Lan wanted to walk. "I''m not a burden." she said decisively, despite her voice weak but forceful. Chen Zhe put her down gently and kept his gaze on her as she found her balance.


    Tian Lou straightened up a bit as well. His pride as a swordsman wouldn''t allow him to seem weak in front of the sect overseers.


    "We need to think of an alibi" Tian Lou said, pausing short of the gate.


    Tian Lan nodded. "We should blame the beasts. That cave was crawling with them anyway."


    Tian Lou looked at them both.


    Chen Zhe rubbed his chin. "We''ll say we were ambushed by a fire demon and a horned beast deep in the Warces Mountains. They killed the guide and we hardly escaped because the beasts started fighting each other.


    The skull began to chuckle. It sounded like a teenager now, nothing sneering. "Hahahaa. This is going to be fun. Lie upon lie. let''s see how convincing you are, boy."


    Chen Zhe ignored it and nodded his head towards the twins.


    The sect overseer stood at the gates, his sharp eyes observing them as they approached. He was a tall man with a stern expression, his hands clasped behind his back.


    "You''re late" the overseer said his tone cold.


    Tian Lou bowed slightly, keeping his expression neutral. "Apologies, Overseer Xu. We faced unexpected danger in the Warces Mountains. Our guide didn''t make it."


    "Unexpected danger?" Overseer Xu''s eyes narrowed. "Explain."


    Chen Zhe stepped forward, his voice unwavering.


    The overseer looked at him for a second then turned to Tian Lan.


    Tian Lan nodded weakly. "It''s as Chen Zhe said. The beasts were unlike anything we''ve seen before. We were lucky to get away."


    Overseer Xu''s eyes flicked between the three of them, his expression unreadable.


    As they exited the gates, the skull''s voice echoed within Chen Zhe''s mind, its tone now that of a smug aristocrat. "Well done, my boy.


    Later that night, the three of them sat in a quiet corner of the outer sect''s courtyard. Tian Lou''s wounds had been tended to and Tian Lan was finally able to walk without assistance.


    "I still can''t believe you survived that cave" Tian Lou said, his eyes on Chen Zhe. "You''re not the same man who went in there."


    Chen Zhe shrugged, his gaze distant. "The mountains change people."


    Tian Lan studied him carefully. "You''re hiding something."


    Chen Zhe met her gaze, his expression calm. "Aren''t we all?"


    The skull let out a chuckle, now a merry old man''s chuckle. Chen Zhe suppressed a sigh, leaning back against the wall as the twins began discussing their next steps. The weight of the Scarlet Demon¡¯s legacy pressed heavily on his shoulders. Whatever path lay ahead, he knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy.

 Chapter 6 - The Cursed Companion

    The three of them gave a brief thanks and left. The twins, Tian Lou and Tian Lan, decided to head back to their village to regain strength before the next exploration. Their aim was simple to grow stronger and grab more opportunities in the future.


    Tian Lou turned to Chen Zhe as they began walking.


    "Brother Chen, next time we go exploring. You should come with us too. We made it out alive this time but I''d rather not risk my life without reliable allies in the future."


    Chen Zhe nodded but remained quiet. There was too much on his mind. Before everything else, he had to head back home. He had to see his family but even more importantly, he had to decide what was next. The idea of remaining in the village did not feel right anymore.


    As they walked, the skull inside his bag suddenly chuckled, its voice slipping into the tone of an aged scholar.


    Chen Zhe sighed. "I know that already." After completely passing out of the Dark Valley Sect territory has made Chen Zhe feel a little better.


    The skull shifted its tone to that of an excited child.


    Chen Zhe shook his head. ¡°No sect would accept someone walking around with a talking skull in their bag a


    The skull cackled louder this time like dry bones rattling in the wind. "Oh, what a dilemma. A lone wanderer carrying the will of the Scarlet Demon caught between destiny and secrecy


    Chen Zhe furrowed his brow. "I know that very well."


    The skull let out an exaggerated sigh, followed by a wheezing laugh. "You sound like an old man now, brat.


    Chen Zhe grimaced. "You don''t even have a mouth."


    "Details, details. I had one once and let me tell you, it was quite the mouth. Sharp teeth black as night and a voice that could charm demons or send them screaming.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Skulls?"


    "Yes. Lovely, floating skulls with gleaming white teeth and hypnotic eyes.


    Chen Zhe rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long journey.


    They came over some mountain ranges, over trails lined up with common beasts. Earlier, those creatures would pose a real problem for him to deal with but now he could hardly spend a glance at them. As he thought over that, that was when this happened.


    The skull laughed. "Ah, I recall that first time the Scarlet Devil realized his power exceeded those wretched weaklings of the earth. He laughed so hard that he nearly choked on his own demonic flame. Good times, I suppose¡­ or was it bad times?


    "But let me tell you boy, power is only fun if you use it. What''s the point of growing stronger if you keep hiding?


    Chen Zhe shook his head. "You really are becoming more insane."


    "Oh oh Ah , you hurt me but listen, boy, you need to decide soon. Will you be a rabbit always running or a wolf feasting on the flesh of your enemies? The Scarlet Devil didn¡¯t hesitate n


    Chen Zhe remained silent. He had a family to think about. How was he going to convince them to leave with him without scaring them? If he just told them to go, they would not move. He needed a good reason, something that made sense and would not attract attention.


    As they continued forward, an eerie fog began to settle on the path ahead. The skull suddenly whispered, its voice different this time serious, almost nostalgic.


    "Boy¡­ something is out here be careful."


    Chen Zhe stopped. He could feel it too. A strange pressure in the air like a storm waiting to break.


    The skull hummed. "Ah, how delightful. The scent of old grudges and fresh blood. Perhaps this journey won''t be so dull after all."


    Chen Zhe narrowed his eyes and reached for his weapon. Whatever was ahead, it wasn¡¯t friendly and from the way the skull was humming like a satisfied beast, it wasn¡¯t going to be easy either.


    His way home had only just begun and already something is in his way.


    The skull giggled. "Oh, what fun we''re going to have."

 Chapter 7 - Ghost Chaser

    The skull in his bag suddenly spoke, the voice low and measured carrying the weight of eternity with it. "Boy, are you lucky? To get to meet a death spirit before heading home? Hehehe, fate''s got something prepared for you, whether


    The skull laughed, its voice warping into a crazed giggle. "Finally, After seeing you munch on all sorts of things. I finally get to eat something for once." The glee in the skull voice sent shivers down Chen Zhe''s spine. "Use your qi gently to capture it.


    Chen Zhe furrowed his brow. He concentrated his qi as he had been told reaching out with his enhanced senses toward the dim flickering figure moving through the mist. At first, it was elusive drifting like a whisper of smoke just beyond his reach but after


    "Ha ha ha. Run, brat, run faster.. The great Chen Zhe, the cultivator of fate, legacy was now reduced to a clumsy mortal chasing ghosts like a bird chasing after its food.


    "Shut up and help me by being quiet." Chen Zhe growled.


    "Oh, I am helping!! I am helping by laughing because who needs motivation when you can just laugh at yourself in your current state."


    The death spirit was an eerie sight.


    Death spirits only survived for longer than a week in extremely rare cases. The whole existence of these beings was short-term; they were only meant to last until dawn at the faint pale light, when they''d dissolve into nothingness.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    It took Chen Zhe three sweaty hours of labour but finally he managed to catch the spirit. Perspiring streaks dripping down his face, he shut the writhing heap of dark energy in his qi-enfolding hands. "Have these." he hurled it towards the skull.


    A soft groan in a laugh like sigh swallowed the spirit down in one sinuous motion in which the skull hovered a little in the air. No human bite was in evidence merely some odd force of tugging as the spirit of death slipped down into cracks of the fiery skull.


    A moment of silent air.


    Then the skull let out an exhilarated, bone-chilling laugh. "Ohhh ohh, it was refreshing. I feel like a brand new skull. Haha, Do I look younger to you now? Maybe I''ve regained some of my lost charm already?"


    Chen Zhe scoffed.


    "Churlish, but never mind. You don''t understand these things." The skull twisted slowly as if it was stretching. "Now, listen to me, brat. That death spirit up there was no trivial matter. It was not the ghost of one who lived and died in a common place.


    Chen Zhe''s expression grew somber.


    The skull chuckled low, wickedly. "Right and that means something far nastier is behind all of this Or maybe it can just be a rogue cultivator? A forbidden rite?


    "No, That is the most terrible thing. I have heard.." Chen Zhe whispered.


    "Pfft! You say that now but when you''re get deep into the blood and mysteries, you''ll thank me for keeping you sharp.


    Chen Zhe sighed and kept walking the way after keeping the skull in his bag. The night stretched out before him, timeless and silent with the stars shining in the sky.


    He chanced upon an old decaying building.


    Chen Zhe took a deep breath and decided to rest there for the night.


    As he stepped inside, the skull suddenly chuckled one last time. "Sweet dreams, brat. I do hope nothing else lurks in the dark tonight. He he he¡­"


    Chen Zhe sighed. He really hoped so too.