Chapter 38: Beat Them Into Submission First!

"So, it is the Second King. I have come today specifically regarding the matter of Huangfeng City. Might you be able to introduce me to your brother? I wish to speak with him."

"Talk? What is there to talk about?! When you humans hand over the thief and return what was stolen from my brother, we will immediately withdraw all our forces!"

Yang Qingyuan frowned slightly at these words. Indeed, Jin Linglin's personality was exactly as described in the chronicles: hot-tempered, irritable, and quick to ignite. It would be no exaggeration to call him a man of simple mind and brute strength. When dealing with a martial artist whose head was filled with nothing but muscle, there had always been only one direct and effective method: beat him into submission first! Only after he was truly subdued would he be willing to sit down and hear what one had to say.

Thinking this, Yang Qingyuan stopped wasting his breath. "It seems there is indeed nothing to discuss. In that case, let us settle this with our strength!"

"My thoughts exactly!"

With that, Jin Linglin transformed into a black blur, charging toward Yang Qingyuan. Yang Qingyuan remained calm, gripping his three-pointed, double-edged spear. He took a stance and, anticipating where Jin Linglin would strike, swung the spear down with all his might. As Yang Qingyuan channeled his spiritual energy into the weapon, its weight increased exponentially, and the speed of his strike quickened significantly.

*Clang!*

Jin Linglin crossed his arms high above his head, attempting to force his way through the blow. But the moment the spear struck his arms, his expression shifted violently. "Damn it! So heavy!"

*Whoosh!*

The force of the strike sent the caught-off-guard Jin Linglin crashing into the ground like a cannonball, creating a massive crater upon impact. In the center of the dust-filled pit, Jin Linglin slowly climbed out. Although the commotion had been great, it had barely injured him, given his thick hide and sturdy flesh. Moments later, he flew back toward Yang Qingyuan as if nothing had happened.

"Are you from the Mu family of the Taoist League?"

In Jin Linglin's experience, only members of the Mu family possessed such terrifying physical strength, capable of matching demons with human bodies. However, looking at the "Heavenly Eye" on Yang Qingyuan's forehead—which remained closed—Jin Linglin's mind struggled to keep up. He recognized that eye as the mark of the Yang family. Why would a member of the Yang family possess physical strength that rivaled, if not surpassed, that of the Mu family?

"No, I am just a common member of the Mask."

Yang Qingyuan took out his unique purple mask, wore it for a moment, then found it cumbersome and tucked it away.

"The Mask..." A flicker of confusion crossed Jin Linglin's eyes. As the activities of the Mask had been concentrated within the territories of the Taoist League, it was not unusual for demons in this region to be unfamiliar with them.

"No matter, you will have heard of us soon enough."

Yang Qingyuan lunged forward with his spear. As the weapon cut through the air, a flash of lightning tore across the sky, striking like a bolt of electricity. Jin Linglin dodged with incredible agility and countered with a heavy punch. His demonic energy, surging even more fiercely than that of Tushan Yaya nearby, seemed to threaten to shatter the heavens.

Yang Qingyuan withdrew his spear to block, his mind shifting. Suddenly, without warning, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking directly at Jin Linglin.

*Boom!*

A thunderbolt as thick as a water barrel enveloped Jin Linglin, the immense energy pinning him down and rendering him temporarily immobile. Seizing the opportunity, Yang Qingyuan thrust his spear toward Jin Linglin's chest. But just as the attack was about to connect, Jin Linglin let out a roar, and his body instantly transformed into a giant python hundreds of meters long.

The massive serpent coiled in the sky, its body like a sprawling mountain range, its flickering tongue carrying a scent of rot and malevolence.

"Damn human!!!"

Jin Linglin's eyes gleamed with ferocity. Had he not transformed into his true form, that last strike would have pinned him to the ground!

"Oh? Finally showing your true form?" Yang Qingyuan’s gaze remained indifferent. He twirled his spear and gestured for Jin Linglin to continue. "Come, let us proceed."

The intensity of their battle was so great that even Tushan Yaya and Wang Quanzui, who had been locked in their own confrontation, paused to watch.

"Qingyuan..." Wang Quanzui looked at the massive serpent, a flicker of worry in her eyes. The strength of Jin Linglin’s demonic power was among the greatest she had ever witnessed. Could Yang Qingyuan truly handle such a powerful demon?

"To think he could trade blows with this mindless brute... when did such a powerhouse appear among humans? And he looks like a child, too." Tushan Yaya watched as Yang Qingyuan stood his ground against the serpent, even gaining the upper hand with his spear. She was astonished. She knew all too well what Jin Linglin was capable of.

In the Tushan territory, the demons of Huangfeng Ridge were the most rebellious, taking advantage of their remote location to defy authority. Jin Linglin, in particular, was vehemently opposed to her sister's philosophy of peace with humans. Tushan Yaya had clashed with him many times. As for the results, she would only say that while she could kick him flying in a test of pure strength, her own leg would be left numb for quite some time.

That was the primary reason she called him a "mindless brute"—though whether he was truly mindless was debatable, given that the one who coined the nickname perhaps didn't have much brainpower herself. Yet, for the proud Tushan Yaya to acknowledge his raw strength, it was clear just how formidable Jin Linglin truly was.