Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"News from the eyes of Jinzhou has it that this Zhu Gang was recently recommended to Li Xin by Shi Jin; apparently, he used to live by farming in the mountains," Hu Shengliang, as the grand steward of Yuzhou, included intelligence gathering within his scope of responsibilities.

"I doubt he was really a farmer. In today's battle, there was a brutal aura about Zhu Gang, and while it was obscured by the murderous air of the army and not clearly discernable, I can assure you he is not human," Chang Chunzi also offered his view.

"Are you saying that this Zhu Gang is a demon?" Lu Zhang also showed interest, as having a demon as a commander would surely be problematic for Li Xin if the word got out.

"But we have no solid proof, and the fellow is hiding within the army, using the malevolent aura of the troops to mask his own demon aura. If he doesn't reveal his true form, I fear no one will believe our words," Hu Shengliang cautioned.

"Haha, my lord, don't be impatient. I understand the nature of these demons the best. I sense that Zhu Gang's aura is violent, and I estimate he isn't the kind to follow rules. In a few days, he will likely expose his true nature. For the next few days, let's just drag it out with them and wait for changes," Chang Chunzi suggested.

"Lao Hu, do we have enough food supplies?" Since they planned to draw out the enemy's army, food supplies were of the utmost importance.

"Rest assured, my lord. In recent times, we have staunchly implemented the strategy of building high walls, accumulating grain, and acting slowly in declaring kingship. Currently, we have ample supplies, enough to last our army for a year," Hu Shengliang said, quietly admiring Lu Yu's wisdom, which was integral to Yuzhou's direction and its current development.

Upon Zhu Gang's return to the big tent, he was greeted with cheers from King of Pingnan's men, as Liu Qingyun had almost become a nightmare for them, wielding his Silver Spear and causing all generals under King of Pingnan to lose face.

"General Zhu is truly extraordinary. Liu Qingyun always prides himself on his bravery and has always looked down on us. Now that the general has clipped his wings, let's see how he can still swagger before us," several generals lavished praise, cultivating a good relationship with such a brave figure might prove beneficial later.

"I'm starving to death, Lao Zhu, I have an enormous appetite, and I hope my lord can satisfy it!"

"Of course, after fighting for a day, I will have someone prepare a meal for the general right away," Li Xin was naturally very generous at this moment, with a wave of his hand, a banquet was prepared. Today, Zhu Gang had managed to salvage his reputation, and he was very pleased.

However, once he witnessed Zhu Gang's eating behavior, he realized that what he claimed about his appetite was an understatement—it was like a bottomless pit. Food that would be enough for thirty people for one day was not even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth. He had to hurry and instruct his servants to keep bringing more dishes.

The soldiers around were also wide-eyed; they had never seen anyone with such an enormous appetite and marveled at the sight.

"General Zhu's unparalleled combat strength comes from his appetite," this remark spread throughout the Jinzhou Army after that night.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The next day, Zhu Gang still came forward to issue a challenge, and naturally, Liu Qingyun was unwilling to show weakness. The two fought to a standstill again, and by evening, the call to retreat was sounded.

That night was not as lively as the one before. After the initial excitement had passed, Li Xin also realized that his situation was still not optimistic. His distant campaign had failed to break the stalemate, and seeing his food supplies progressively dwindling, he felt an unspeakable urgency.

Zhu Gang's heart was filled with a boiling rage. He had originally thought that, with the declining influence of the Human Path's Fortune and Destiny during these tumultuous times, he would be able to blend into human society to enjoy wealth and honor, and later return to the mountains to boast to other demons.

However, he never expected to encounter such a troublesome character as Liu Qingyun in Yuzhou City, who, to his surprise, was not inferior in strength and whose strange Star Force seemed to restrain him somehow. After two days of fighting, Zhu Gang was extremely irate, feeling an inexplicable urge to tear apart each person who passed by.

In the following days, life was a repeated pattern with the two armies facing off in front of Yuzhou City. One night, Zhu Gang returned to his large tent and, seeing that half of his food was missing, could not contain his anger, "What's going on, why is there so little food?"

"General, our provisions are running low, and the next supply has not yet arrived. We had to make cuts," explained the personal guard attending to Zhu Gang, even though he inwardly sneered at the thought that, with the General eating so much every day, it was a question of how many more days they could last.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang's heart surged with tyranny. He thought to himself, "This Li Xin doesn't seem capable of accomplishing anything. A single Yuzhou City has him trapped to death. Perhaps it's better to have a full meal today and then return to the mountains."

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With that thought, his eyes glinted with a violent light, and he revealed his true form—a wild boar demon. His long tusks jutted out, his eyes blood-red, and his huge pig's mouth looked exceedingly ferocious.

The personal guard had never seen such a vicious demon before. Just as he was about to cry out, Zhu Gang grabbed his head and bit down. In an instant, flesh and blood flew everywhere in a gruesome sight. After devouring his personal guard, Zhu Gang felt even hungrier and tricked the several guards at the door into coming in, swallowing them all whole.

Chang Chunzi stood atop the turret of Yuzhou City's walls, gazing into the distance at Li Xin's camp. Suddenly, a surge of Demon Aura shot into the sky at the moment Zhu Gang revealed his true form, which made Chang Chunzi stroke his beard and laugh, "As expected, the nature of a demon is hard to tame. He couldn't hold back after all. Notify General Liu and our lord right away—the time is ripe."

At his command, all of Yuzhou City sprang into action like a massive war machine. Within moments, everyone was prepared and in position.

"Brothers, the time to make our mark is now!" Liu Qingyun mounted his horse and rallied his troops. Behind him, the soldiers of Yuzhou were filled with a feverish look in their eyes. They believed that with Liu Qingyun leading the charge, they would be invincible, a reputation he had built with each sword and spear strike during this time.

Meanwhile, Zhu Gang's transformation into a demon was eventually discovered, and Jinzhou Camp descended into chaos. The ordinary soldiers were already terrified by Zhu Gang's fierce appearance, and he, now driven by savagery, cared not that he was among his own army. Wielding the Wolf Fang Club, he fought and devoured, turning Jinzhou Camp into a veritable hell on earth.

Liu Qingyun charged into the camp with ease, and upon seeing the cannibalistic Zhu Gang, he was enraged and shouted, "Monster, meet your death!"

"Perfect timing. How else could I quench the hatred in my heart if not by eating you!" Zhu Gang's eyes shone with tyranny and a cold murderous intent.

The battle was on the verge of erupting, but this time Liu Qingyun was not fighting alone. A bolt of lightning struck from the sky, hitting Zhu Gang squarely on the head, making him shudder.

"Qingyun, make it quick—we have more important matters to attend to!" The voice of Chang Chunzi came from behind. It turned out he too had joined the battlefield this time.