The day of the Black Mountain Old Demon's wedding to Nie Xiaoqian had finally arrived.
During daylight hours, the Water Residence remained its usual desolate ruin, but as darkness fell, the transformation was remarkable. Lanterns blazed from every surface, casting flickering shadows across ornate decorations. "Guests" streamed back and forth through the courtyard - a bustling celebration that would have seemed festive if not for the distinctly supernatural nature of the attendees.
Since their strategy had been decided, Xiaoqian offered no resistance, waiting quietly for the Black Mountain Old Demon to claim her as his bride.
"Sister, I truly envy you," Xiaoqing said in Nie Xiaoqian's chamber, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. "Being favored by Lord Black Mountain and marrying him - you'll rise to the top in a single step."
Nie Xiaoqian sat silently on her bed, offering no response to the taunting.
Seeing she was being ignored, Xiaoqing snorted with disdain and sauntered out leisurely.
Alone now, Xiaoqian's thoughts drifted constantly to Ning Caichen. Considering what had transpired between them that night in the bathtub, she couldn't help but wonder if the Black Mountain Old Demon was about to be... well, cuckolded before the marriage even began.
Meanwhile, at the Water Residence entrance, the tree demon grandmother played hostess to the various demon kings who had come to attend the wedding, her manner resembling nothing so much as a brothel madam entertaining important clients.
"Tiger Crack Demon King! I never expected you to honor us with your personal presence!"
"Brother Black Wind, you're too kind bringing servants!"
"Snake Abyss Demon King, your attendance alone is gift enough. Why bring such generous presents? You're far too thoughtful!"
The tree demon grandmother's smile threatened to split her face as she examined the treasures the demon kings had brought. As Xiaoqian's "family," all these wedding gifts would naturally fall into her possession.
"Haha, marrying that little brat Xiaoqian to the Black Mountain Old Demon really is profitable!" she muttered to herself, mentally cataloging the various precious items. "I'll get all these gifts, and when those four fools fight the Black Mountain Old Demon until both sides are exhausted... hahaha!"
She was already imagining the glorious scene where both the Black Mountain Old Demon and Gustave's group would defeat each other, leaving her to finish off the survivors, absorb their magical powers, and establish her own dominion.
High above the Water Residence, Gustave and his companions maintained their aerial vigil.
"This place is absolutely crawling with evil spirits - every type of demon and monster has gathered here!" Gustave observed with a low chuckle as he surveyed the scene below.
"Buddha preserve us, I never imagined demons would run rampant to such an extent in this world!" Fahai's voice carried deep dismay at the corruption before them.
"I think it's perfect," Shanks said cheerfully, drawing Griffin to wipe the blade clean. "The more monsters there are, the better. This way we can catch them all in one net, right?"
He could already sense his sword's eager anticipation for the coming battle.
"Brothers, with so many monsters gathered down there, can you really handle them all?" Yan Chixia asked with obvious concern. At most, he could deal with the Tree Demon Grandmother alone. With Gustave's group's help, he felt confident they could defeat the Black Mountain Old Demon. But now they faced not just those two threats - countless demon kings had assembled below.
"Brother Yan, you might not trust us, but surely you trust Gustave? He has the backing of a saint!" Shanks clapped the demon hunter on the shoulder reassuringly.
At the mention of the saint, Yan Chixia fell silent. Though he'd never seen the Moral Lord with his own eyes, the name commanded absolute respect. As a Taoist himself, he might doubt anyone else, but never the founder of his tradition!
As for Ning Caichen, he was covering his eyes and trembling. Being brought into the sky had terrified him completely. When Gustave had suggested looking down, he'd simply squeezed his eyes shut and refused. Apparently, the scholar suffered from severe acrophobia.
Suddenly, dramatic movement erupted below.
Not far from the Water Residence, a massive crack split the earth. Yin energy rushed skyward in a tremendous column as the passage between the mortal world and underworld tore open!
"Here we go, everyone!" Yan Chixia gripped his sword tightly and fixed his gaze downward.
At his words, Ning Caichen finally dared to remove his hands from his eyes and look below.
The underworld gates gaped wide, and a procession of ghost soldiers emerged from the depths. They wore crimson robes, played haunting melodies on traditional wind instruments, and carried an ornate wedding sedan chair toward the Water Residence with full ceremonial fanfare.
"I don't see the Black Mountain Demon anywhere," Shanks noted after extending his Observation Haki to scan the ghostly procession. None of them possessed particularly strong auras.
"The Black Mountain Old Demon must have sent subordinates to escort Xiaoqian back to the underworld. He's waiting for her in his own domain," Gustave reasoned.
As the demon king who controlled part of the underworld, he would never leave his territory casually. Especially on such an important day, he would remain in his stronghold to guard against potential attacks.
"So we're actually going deep into the underworld?" Ning Caichen's voice trembled noticeably. The underworld was where the dead dwelled, according to all the legends.
"Brother Ning, are you frightened?" Gustave asked directly.
Ning Caichen swallowed hard, glanced toward Xiaoqian's chamber in the Water Residence, then spoke with forced determination: "I'm not afraid!"
"Don't worry, Brother Ning. We'll keep you completely safe and rescue Xiaoqian from both the tree demon grandmother and the Black Mountain Demon," Gustave assured him with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"The underworld... I haven't been there yet. This should be interesting!" Shanks mused aloud, remembering his time aboard Roger's ship when they'd encountered that peculiar skeleton guarding a lonely vessel in unknown waters. He wondered if the underworld's inhabitants would be similar to that strange fellow.
"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva once vowed not to become a Buddha until hell was empty," Fahai declared, his voice ringing with righteous determination. "Today, Fahai has the opportunity to enter the underworld. Though I cannot make such a great vow as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, I must clear out these demons and bring peace to this world!"
The sight of so many gathered demons had ignited the fighting spirit in his heart beyond all suppression.
Down at the Water Residence, the tree demon grandmother felt some surprise that the Black Mountain Old Demon hadn't come personally to collect his bride.
"That Black Mountain old coward is really afraid for his life, sending lackeys to fetch Xiaoqian!" she muttered to herself.
"Once they reach the Black Mountain Old Demon's territory in the underworld, I'm afraid even those four troublemakers combined won't be able to defeat him there."
She began to worry that her plan of playing mantis and oriole might backfire completely.
"Grandmother, where is my king's bride? His Majesty awaits the wedding ceremony," one of the Black Mountain Demon's subordinates inquired impatiently.
"Xiaoqian! She's waiting in her chamber!" the tree demon replied quickly.
"Please, everyone follow me. I'll summon Xiaoqian immediately!"
The tree demon grandmother waved her silk handkerchief and led the Black Mountain Demon's retinue to Xiaoqian's room.
Inside the chamber, Xiaoqian waited with mounting anxiety.
"Xiaoqian, why are you still sitting here? The Black Mountain King has sent his people to escort you. Come, follow grandmother to the bridal sedan. From now on, you belong to the Black Mountain King!"
The tree demon grandmother seized Xiaoqian's hand and began dragging her toward the waiting sedan chair.
"Yes, grandmother," Xiaoqian replied obediently.
Though her heart raced with fear, she dared not reveal any suspicious behavior. If the tree demon detected something amiss, it would spell disaster for Ning Caichen.
Thus Xiaoqian was delivered by the tree demon grandmother into the elaborate sedan chair sent by the Black Mountain Old Demon.
The ghost soldiers resumed their ceremonial music, creating a tremendous racket as they prepared to escort Xiaoqian to the underworld. The various monsters, demons, and the tree demon grandmother who had come to attend the wedding all followed the ghostly procession toward the underworld passage.
"Let's go! The underworld gate is about to close!" Gustave called urgently.
He, Ning Caichen, and the other three plunged downward, racing to enter the underworld before the passage sealed itself shut.