Chapter 17: The Main Course

To uphold justice and vanquish demons is the conviction of every hero. Hao Meili’s own strength was limited, but seeing the marriage proposal notices plastered all over the streets made her long to escape into the world of martial arts. She decided to go out and stir up some trouble.

Rushing into the lobby of the Huiyou Inn, she found the Second Grandmother and broke the news of her brother’s death. “Second Grandmother,” she said, “your brother did not return from the dead; he was struck by a curse.”

“I knew he wouldn’t return,” the Second Grandmother replied. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Hao. I have prepared a banquet for the Seven Devils. Once they are fed and satisfied, they will cause no more trouble and leave the inn in peace.”

Hao Meili protested indignantly, “Are you not going to avenge your brother?”

The Second Grandmother glanced around with watery eyes. “Miss Hao, say no more. Please go home; it is dangerous here. If any harm comes to you, my sins will be truly unbearable!”

The Second Grandmother was timid, but seeing the Seven Devils finishing their meal and stepping out—accompanied by Zhang Gou and Niu Er—Hao Meili’s fear vanished. Like a tigress, she blocked their path. “With me here, you wicked demons had best surrender at once!”

Pan Yingjun chuckled. “Little girl, move aside, or we shall capture you and serve you as meat paste to the Demon King.”

Niu Er, still somewhat sober, stepped in front of Hao Meili. Reeking of wine, he said, “In a few days, our young lady will hold a contest to choose a husband. Do not threaten her; if you have a grievance, take it up with me.”

Hao Meili despised the idea of a marriage contest—she would rather run off with the Seven Devils. “I’d rather meet the Demon King than undergo that contest,” she declared. “I’m going with them.”

Hu Jiao, who had long been annoyed by Hao Meili’s spoiled attitude, raised a hand to strike her neck in warning. Hao Meili did not flinch; instead, she linked arms with Hu Jiao and whispered something in her ear. To everyone’s surprise, Hu Jiao agreed and took Hao Meili with them.

The Seven Devils vanished into the clouds, leaving the drunken Zhang Gou and Niu Er stunned. Xiao Bugui, who had been in the lobby listening to a lecture from Ma Zengsan, saw Hao Meili being abducted and transformed into a small bird to pursue them. Worried, Ma Zengsan shouted, “You must keep Miss Hao safe!”

By dusk, the Seven Devils were flying through the sunset clouds. The bird-shaped Xiao Bugui was struck by a flick of the finger from the Raven, who cursed, “Once struck by my finger-flick, you shall be dead or crippled.”

Ma Zengsan, a master of deception, had been hiding in a cloud. He caught the injured bird and asked, “Are you alright?”

Xiao Bugui resumed human form. “The Raven’s technique is formidable, but luckily I possess the Thirty-Six Transformations and can heal quickly.”

“The Raven is not the most dangerous,” Ma Zengsan warned. “Fang Dabai is the true expert—the seventh-ranked martial artist in the *Records of Jianghu Demons*. He wields a white-tasseled bird spear and has impaled many a hero.”

***

“What shall we do?” Xiao Bugui asked.

“We track them and act as the situation demands,” Ma Zengsan replied.

The Seven Devils landed in a reed marsh swaying in the cold wind. They had hidden a large boat there, manned by a fish demon. They gathered around a large table on deck. Hao Meili, fearless, found herself a seat. The Pig Demon, having transformed into a pig-headed human, sat down as well.

Wu Ke’ai asked, “Gao Dazhuang, why take the form of a pig today instead of your true face?”

“It is more comfortable being a pig than a demon,” the Pig Demon grunted.

“Then why bite off Liu Zhu’s head and invite such trouble?”

“I wanted to give that arrogant brat a kiss, but my mouth opened a bit too wide. Do you believe me?”

At a loss for words, Wu Ke’ai turned to Hao Meili. “Miss Hao, do you truly know the whereabouts of the Magic Cube Treasure Box?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I was guessing.”

“Guessing? Then tell us, where is it?”

Hu Jiao interjected, “She already told us on the way—she wants us to look in the black market.”

“The Black Market at Wen Family Manor?” Wu Ke’ai pressed.

Hao Meili explained, “Most treasures in the world end up in three places: the Treasure Tower of Qinglian Manor, the Pavilion of Forgotten Sorrows on Mount Dabie, or the black market at Wen Family Manor. Since you lost your treasure here, it naturally must have ended up in the black market.”

“We will wait for news from the bugs,” the Pig Demon said, “and once confirmed, we shall head to Wen Family Manor.”

***

Xiao Bugui and Ma Zengsan lurked in the dry reeds, watching the boat. The Raven, having detected them, snapped his fingers and tossed a spark into the reeds, which ignited instantly.

Xiao Bugui reacted quickly, but Ma Zengsan’s sleeve and backside were singed. He jumped onto the boat, extinguished the flames, and stood behind Hao Meili, smiling at the Seven Devils. “I am the young lady’s bodyguard. Please, heroes, show mercy.”

“You are an annoying tag-along,” Wu Ke’ai sneered. “I should kill you, but for the sake of Miss Hao, I will spare you.”

Wu Ke’ai did not realize that more tag-alongs were approaching. These, however, were more agile; dressed in green, they leaped onto the boat carrying food boxes, jars of wine, and tableware. Hu Jiao tried to strike one with her white silk ribbon, but the figure dodged gracefully and placed a food box on the table. Yu Datou tried to strike another with his mallet, but the figure evaded him while setting out four dishes.

Zhang Gou had arranged this to show the Seven Devils that he knew their location and that they should accept his hospitality rather than invite trouble. Hao Meili watched the figure—who was actually Xiao Bugui in disguise—with admiration.

Pan Yingjun looked at the spread: sweet and sour carp, braised pig trotters, stewed goose, and boiled quail eggs. “Yu Datou is the carp, Gao Dazhuang is the trotters, Fang Dabai is the goose... are these quail eggs meant to imply that we Seven Devils look fierce but are actually soft-boiled?”

The three green-clad men set out the rest of the meal: peanuts, orchid beans, cold tofu, and bone marrow soup.

“These are substantial dishes,” Yu Datou noted. “Very well, since Miss Hao treats us, we must give her face.”

The men left, leaving only Ma Zengsan and Xiao Bugui. Hao Meili said, “Seven elders, for my sake, please let these two sit and join us for a drink.”