Chapter 97: The Invisible Art of Killing

“Shopkeeper, how much for the heart and liver?” Su Ye’s smile was as radiant as a spring breeze.

The shopkeeper’s face was pale green, his sharp tri-colored eyes piercing as he scrutinized Su Ye standing across the counter.

Seeing his noble demeanor, he instinctively relaxed his guard.

“In my shop, there are two kinds of hearts and livers: one soaked in spirit liquid, the other… fresher,” the shopkeeper said in a sharp, delicate voice.

Unlike the shrill tone of Feng Yu’an, this was distinct.

The implication was clear: he could offer fresh, living organs.

Huang Bao stepped forward, tilting his head to examine the fetus immersed in the brownish spirit liquid.

This method was also pioneered by the Sword Demon Ouyang Zhi: at seven months’ gestation, pregnant women were forced to ingest poison brewed from human pig flesh.

The forcibly delivered fetus would carry an evil aura and resentment that cultivators found hard to resist.

As Huang Bao observed, the fetus suddenly opened its eyes within the spirit liquid.

Its pitch-black eyes fixed tightly on Huang Bao.

Caught off guard, the demon suppressor startled and cried out.

He took two steps back before regaining his composure.

Beneath the Sword Demon’s invincible reputation lurked countless human cruelties.

The perverse origin lay in the Great Transformation Creation Art, which demanded sacrificing one’s spiritual root.

Over many years roaming the three thousand worlds, he also developed terrifying alchemical methods.

Even now, their residual poison wreaked havoc in the region.

The shopkeeper shot Huang Bao a sharp glance and said coldly, “Friend, your companion here lacks manners.”

Su Ye laughed, “When I return, I’ll discipline him properly.”

The shopkeeper nodded, “If you want to torment him, this old shop has many satisfying magical treasures and tools… Sir, interested?”

Su Ye turned and looked at the spirit infant that had opened its eyes moments ago.

Though destined enemies of the Sword Demon, Su Ye had little interest in his story.

He gazed at the curled-up fetus in the spirit liquid, unaware this method was personally created by Ouyang Zhi.

“What is this in the jar?” Su Ye approached the transparent jar, peering inside like Huang Bao at the fetus.

“This thing is quite sinister,” the shopkeeper said proudly. “A small piece of its flesh added to a demonic pill can increase its potency severalfold.”

“Is this really a fetus?”

“Brother, if you’re in the underground black market, no need to pretend to be a gentleman,” the shopkeeper sneered darkly. “Everyone knows this method to boost pill strength was pioneered by the Demonic Ancestor Master…”

Upon hearing this, Su Ye turned toward the still-smiling shopkeeper.

More than one person had said he resembled the late Ouyang Zhi.

Both linked by the Great Transformation Creation Art… both unparalleled talents among sword cultivators… even their pioneering of magical methods bore similarities…

Their hearts divided starkly between light and darkness.

A sinister thought quietly took shape in Su Ye’s mind.

Huang Bao asked, “Shopkeeper, where do you source these fresh ‘treasures’?”

The shopkeeper, convinced Huang Bao was a follower, shot him a glare and did not answer.

“I’m interested too,” Su Ye spoke up.

The shopkeeper quickly forced a smile:

“Some come from minor neighboring countries, some are lowly slaves, and others are criminals sentenced to death.

If supplies run low, there are believers willing to sacrifice their kin.”

“Your business is truly booming,” Su Ye complimented warmly. “I wish to join the demonic cult—do you have any connections?”

The shopkeeper sized Su Ye up head to toe, pleased with his appearance.

“What skills do you have?”

“I’m not talented, but I know alchemy.”

“If you sincerely join, this old man can recommend you,” said the shopkeeper. “With real skill, you could become a leader.”

Huang Bao leaned forward and asked, “What about me?”

“You?” The shopkeeper’s smile vanished, his tone cold. “You can become a human pig.”

Huang Bao’s face darkened.

If not for Su Ye’s timely intervention, he might have struck the shopkeeper.

——

The shopkeeper summoned a pitch-black alchemy furnace, its surface carved with ferocious beasts and cloud-swallowing motifs.

“I’ve tested your skill before recommending you to the cult’s recruiter.”

The ulterior motive was clear to any fool.

Worried Su Ye might reveal himself, Huang Bao said:

“First find the recruiter, then my young master can start refining pills.”

The shopkeeper glared at Huang Bao with anger.

Su Ye waved him off and turned to the shopkeeper with a smile:

“If you’re helping, you should show sincerity. This visit was rushed, so no lavish gift.

Let me refine a batch of pills as thanks.”

The shopkeeper beamed:

“Once you join the cult, your follower will be the first to become a human pig.

Otherwise, his clumsy tongue will hinder your future.”

“What position do you think… I can reach?” Su Ye asked the shopkeeper with a smile.

The shopkeeper rubbed his gaunt cheek thoughtfully as he studied Su Ye:

“In ten years, you could become a captain… with more time, even the cult leader is possible.”

“Good eye,” Huang Bao added, “My young master is clever and skilled—he’ll thrive anywhere.”

Su Ye calmly replied:

“I don’t know what pill you favor, but here’s a recipe—please refine it as you wish.”

There were two ways to commission an alchemist.

One, let the alchemist work freely and take the pills he makes.

Two, the client provides the recipe and materials; the alchemist processes them, receiving half the materials as payment.

The shopkeeper’s jade gourd at his waist shimmered, revealing a scroll bound by red string.

Black mist swirled on its surface, radiating malevolence.

Huang Bao frowned subtly.

As a righteous demon suppressor, he earnestly advised Su Ye but truly could not tolerate sin.

Su Ye took the scroll calmly, smiling:

“Does this contain… a powerful pill?”

The shopkeeper went to the shelves and retrieved the jar containing the fetus.

“This old man hopes you can refine it into the most vicious poison pill in the world.”

“What is the purpose?”

“Secrets cannot be revealed,” the shopkeeper said mysteriously.

Su Ye had already learned the cult’s plans from the resentful soul trapped in the human pig’s skin.

Silently cursing the shopkeeper’s foolishness, his eyes flicked about.

He summoned an object from the jade gourd.

An octagonal wooden box made of peachwood, its front carved with a Taiji pattern to suppress nightmares.

The shopkeeper’s eyes glittered with greed as he saw the Eight Trigrams Prison Heaven Box in Su Ye’s hand.

His voice trembled with urgency:

“Will you sell this?”

“Ah,” Su Ye smiled without sincerity, “What kind of business relationship do we have to talk trade?”

The shopkeeper caught the hidden meaning and brightened:

“If you give me that box… I’ll speak well of you to the recruiter.

You’ll quickly become a favored disciple in the cult.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Su Ye discreetly cast a merciful soul-binding spell with his left hand.

He trapped the fetus’s resentful spirit inside the Prison Heaven Box.

Handing the sinister treasure to the shopkeeper, he laughed heartily:

“You can’t catch the wolf without losing the child.

For a grand future, I offer this spiritual treasure to you.”

The shopkeeper’s fingers trembled as he took the Eight Trigrams Prison Heaven Box.

Leaning close, he marveled at its exquisite craftsmanship.

Suddenly, a thick, nearly tangible black smoke of evil intent surged into his mouth and nose without warning.

He fell backward, eyes and orifices bleeding, dying on the spot.