With someone else footing the bill, Li Zhi was naturally in excellent spirits—especially when the fabled prospect of a lucrative deal was on the horizon.
Chen Mo didn't waste time with pleasantries. He launched straight into a detailed account of the demon-expelling endeavor at the Lei residence, not forgetting to dramatize Lei Ying's suffering to the brink of turning it into a Qiong Yao melodrama.
"I see! As it happens, I once had a chance encounter with Lei Zhen in my younger years. It was a twist of fate that I offered him some guidance." Upon hearing the tale, Li Zhi's smile faded, his demeanor shifting to solemnity. "But tell me, why do you need my help now? Hasn't the pig demon already been subdued?"
"Old Li, you really are slow on the uptake." Chen Mo sighed, exasperated, then pulled Li Zhi aside and whispered a few words into his ear.
Yet after merely two or three sentences, Li Zhi's face contorted in fury. "Outrageous! That swine dares meddle in mortal affairs with its demonic powers? I showed great mercy by sparing it, and now you want me to assist in its misdeeds?"
Before his words fully settled, the miniature Linglong Pagoda in his palm floated into the air, its golden light swelling several feet in an instant.
Startled, Chen Mo grabbed his arm and muttered, "Enough—it's only trying to help its master. Besides, who doesn't have a few flaws? Even you..."
Recalling a certain juicy rumor Xun'er had shared, and glancing at the now indignant Li Zhi, Chen Mo nearly burst into laughter.
Sensing something odd in Chen Mo's grin, Li Zhi's stern expression briefly reddened. Still, he composed himself swiftly. "Brother Chen, there's no room for negotiation here. Even if you try to strong-arm me with that… thing…"
"Tsk. This fellow's stubborn as a mule." Chen Mo sighed inwardly, realizing his intimidation plan had fallen flat.
Yet within seconds, his eyes gleamed with sudden inspiration. "Of course, I wouldn't dare mention that again. However… Heaven on Earth recently gifted Miss Jiadi a VIP card. Yes, that Heaven on Earth—the city's most upscale nightclub. You've heard of it?"
"Never. What's a nightclub?" Li Zhi's face was a picture of innocence; all he needed was a halo to pass for an angel.
"No worries. A few visits and you'll understand." Chen Mo gave him a sly smile. "With that VIP card, one gains access to the top floor—beautiful women from around the globe, American pole dancers, and some say… specialty performances in themed uniforms."
"Pole dancers? Themed uniforms?" Li Zhi's Adam's apple bobbed conspicuously, and a glint of longing appeared in his eyes.
Chen Mo exhaled in relief. Gotcha. He mused how disciplined these cultivators must be—not abusing their powers to run rampant among mortals. With Li Zhi's capabilities, he could easily command harems, not merely visit a nightclub.
"So…" Li Zhi's curiosity had reached its limit. Seeing Chen Mo remain silent, he finally blurted out the prompt.
Startled from his thoughts, Chen Mo slung an arm around his shoulders and whispered, "Well, Heaven on Earth also gifted Jiadi ten prepaid cards—don't ask me why they give women these things. But let's say you agree to help—I'll hand you…"
He extended five fingers with a wide grin, watching Li Zhi expectantly.
"Outrageous! Do you take me for a man of such low integrity?" Li Zhi bellowed, his voice trembling with fury. "Five paltry cards to buy my honor? Absurd! Though I am a humble figure in the cultivation world, I have walked the righteous path for centuries!"
"Eight." Chen Mo cut in with a wink. "And there will be monetary compensation as well."
"Deal. And the VIP card is mine," Li Zhi declared without hesitation.
A firm clap of hands sealed the deal, and the two tricksters exchanged equally wicked smiles.
Yet just as the grin lingered, Li Zhi's face grew solemn once more. With a sigh of cosmic pity, he said, "Boundless Sovereign! Indeed, that pig demon's plight is pitiable. As such, this poor Taoist shall reluctantly lend a hand."
"Are you trained in Sichuan opera face-changing?" Chen Mo grumbled to himself, then retrieved Pighead III from Lei Ying's arms and whispered into its ear.
Seconds later, Pighead III pushed up its sunglasses and snorted, "Really? Would that suffice?"
"Yes—as long as you cooperate," Chen Mo replied, beaming. He took a few steps toward the mansion, turned back, and snapped his fingers.
Pighead III was still gnawing on its hoof when Li Zhi gave a disapproving snort. Jolted, the pig demon rolled over hesitantly and resumed its true demonic form, towering several meters tall.
Chen Mo nodded with satisfaction, then let out a bloodcurdling shriek and bolted. "Foul beast! Our enmity shall not end until one of us lies dead!"
Though his tone was valiant, his retreat did little to match his words.
Pighead III exhaled frosty breaths in dismay before giving chase, thus commencing another round of the man-vs-swine saga.
Moments later, they crashed through the gates of the mansion.
Li San and the others were still dazed at the ruins when the demon burst back into view, sending them fleeing in terror.
Lei Zhen had twisted his ankle during the earlier escape and stood frozen. Only Ye Rong and Lei Ying supported him, wide-eyed as the demon charged forward.
"Move!" Chen Mo barked, summoning streaks of blue lightning from the sky before sprinting ahead once more.
At that moment, Lin De appeared from nowhere, trembling as he clutched two talismans and cried, "Brother Chen, take them and go! Even if it costs me my life—"
"Oh, shut up." Chen Mo pushed up his glasses in exasperation. Stick to your villain role—don't steal the spotlight.
Thankfully, Lin De hadn't fully channeled the spirit of a martyr. Seeing the monstrous pig barreling toward him, he screamed and barely dodged.
Chen Mo sighed in relief, but quickly remembered the part he was playing. He dashed toward Lei Zhen, only to trip over something unseen and crash to the ground.
Ye Rong gasped as Pighead III, unable to stop in time, trampled directly over him—its several tons of weight crashing down like an avalanche.
Hearing bones crunch and feeling searing pain in every limb, Chen Mo let out a wail—this time not part of the act.
"I didn't mean to!" Pighead III exclaimed, horrified, lowering its head in apology.
"Not your fault," Chen Mo groaned through clenched teeth. "But if you don't move now, it will be your fault!"
"Oh!" Realizing he was still atop him, the pig demon rolled away with urgency, as though struck by an invisible force.
Ye Rong rushed over, shielding Chen Mo with her arms, her face pale yet resolute.
Even knowing it was only an act, Chen Mo was moved—though this was hardly the moment for romance.
Fighting through the agony of fractured limbs, he forced himself to his feet, formed a hand seal, and shouted, "How dare you! Monster, your insolence knows no bounds. In the name of the Great Supreme Lord, appear now, O righteous ally!"
Raising both hands to the heavens, he looked less like a mage and more like someone summoning Ultraman.
"Raargh!" Pighead III, knowing the climax was nigh, let out a fearsome roar and charged once again.
As the ground shook with its stampede, Ye Rong steadied herself, gazing at Chen Mo's face, then bit her lip. "Mo Mo… I must tell you—I've always…"
A confession? Chen Mo perked up, ears attuned.
But just as the moment hung on her words, thunder boomed across the sky. Li Zhi descended in divine form, now towering as a celestial being.
Amid gasps from the crowd, the seven-tiered Linglong Pagoda flared with radiant gold and plummeted with a whistling roar. "Vile demon! Daring to wreak havoc here—meet your doom!"
"Damn it… I hate you!" Chen Mo muttered, glancing from the imposing god above to the blushing Ye Rong beside him, fists itching to lash out.
The trembling Pighead III was instantly subdued by the falling tower, transforming into a streak of green light as it was sealed within.
In the stunned silence that followed, everyone still conscious dropped to their knees.
From afar, Lin De's voice trembled with awe, loud enough to echo for miles:
"Master's spirit has descended! Master has returned! Praise be to the divine master!"