Thunder magic unmatched, the fierce deity slays with merciless force.

Seeing them return to their rooms, Zhuge Liuyun stood up and said coldly, “So it was indeed Judge Lu who murdered Miss Deng. Such an evil deity deserves to die.”

Now that Miss Deng’s head had been found, and there was ample evidence pointing to Judge Lu as the culprit, all that remained was to report to the authorities, who would surely send officers to suppress the demon and destroy the wicked temple.

Thinking this, Yi Fan nodded. “The evidence is in hand. To avoid unforeseen complications, let’s apprehend Zhu Erdan and his wife and turn them over to the authorities.”

Just then, a soft noise was heard from inside the house. The two were startled and looked over, only to find that the statue of Judge Lu had vanished. In the next instant, they sensed a fierce wind rushing toward them.

Both rolled on the ground and leapt aside, evading the attack. When they looked again, they saw that the Judge Lu statue, which should have been inside the house, now stood where they had just been, its face twisted with malice, staring at them with a pair of huge, bronze-like eyes.

“You wretched Taoists dare to seek this deity’s death? I’ll seize your souls, boil them in oil for a hundred years, then cast you into the eighteenth level of hell, never to be reborn!”

As the statue spoke, its wooden form gradually faded, transforming into its true body, growing taller in the blink of an eye, while a cold wind swept the surroundings, chilling to the bone.

In moments, the entire courtyard seemed plunged into winter; frost appeared on the ground, and the faint wailing of ghosts echoed all around, even the cold moon hidden behind the gathering gloom.

Yi Fan sneered. “You, who deceive the people and slaughter the innocent, dare to call yourself a god?”

As he spoke, he shook the Demon-Slaying Sword, and more than ten “Minor Demon-Slaying Talismans” flew from his hand, falling to the ground and glowing with a faint yellow light. Instantly, the rampant yin energy was suppressed, and the wailing souls shrieked and fled, not daring to come closer.

“What’s the point of talking? Now that the fiend has shown himself, let’s take him down!” Zhuge Liuyun leapt forward, stepping deftly as he formed a hand seal. “Draw!”

With a metallic clang, a gleaming greatsword leapt from the scabbard on his back and landed in his hand, descending with thunderous force.

Judge Lu flung out his sleeves, sending seven or eight streams of black smoke swirling to the ground, where they transformed into yaksha demons wielding iron forks, who charged at them in a frenzied assault.

Then, with a wave of his hand, clusters of green fire the size of human heads appeared, more than ten in the blink of an eye, sweeping through the air toward Zhuge Liuyun with a biting chill.

Seeing Zhuge Liuyun beset by enemies, Yi Fan stamped his foot and raised his sword, laughing. “If it’s numbers you want, can you outdo me?”

With that, he untied a cloth pouch from his waist and pulled out dozens of talismans, channeling his power through them and sending them flying, each one blooming with pale yellow light that pressed forward to suppress the evil spirits.

Not stopping there, he drew out even more talismans in batches. In just two or three rounds, the entire courtyard was filled with “Minor Demon-Slaying Talismans,” driving back the sinister winds and evil spirits at every turn.

Occasionally, a talisman would combust on its own, but compared to the hundreds that filled the yard, it was negligible. Judge Lu’s face, already tinged green, grew even more ashen at the sight.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Liuyun had already dispatched four or five yakshas, and Judge Lu, unable to offer support, grit his teeth and growled menacingly, “You two dare to challenge this deity? That is to make enemies of the entire underworld. Are you sure you wish to do this?”

Across the courtyard, Zhuge Liuyun spat in contempt. “You call yourself the underworld’s representative, demon? Even if your title is real—which I doubt—at best you’re just a minor ghost in the City God’s temple. Killing you is of no consequence; not even the local City God would dare object.”

“Zhuge is right. You, demon, have committed countless atrocities and preyed upon the people. Even if you did seize a divine title, it’s as an evil god, and you must be purged.”

Yi Fan slashed with his sword, dispersing another cluster of green fire, then advanced step by step toward Judge Lu.

Judge Lu’s expression darkened, his eyes filled with murderous intent. “Do you really wish to cross this deity? Know that this is but one of my incarnations. Even if you destroy it, I’ll only lose some yin energy. As long as my true body endures, I’ll be unharmed. You, on the other hand, will have to live in fear of my vengeance. Is this really worth it?”

But Zhuge Liuyun only laughed. “You think us fools? This statue is a manifestation of your power, crafted through the devotion of your followers. If destroyed, your very foundation will be shaken—perhaps even your soul will be scattered.”

Judge Lu’s tone turned icy. “You have sharp eyes. This statue, my golden body, was established by my followers when they built the temple, and has received the incense and worship of many, acquiring a sliver of spirit and becoming one of my foundations.”

“However, once established, such a statue cannot leave the spiritual realm unless aided by someone. Thanks to that scholar Zhu, who carried me out, I gained freedom. Shouldn’t I reward such a benefactor? If you two leave now, I’ll forget all offenses—and might even grant you a boon.”

Yi Fan rebuked him. “Repaying kindness does not mean murdering the innocent or deceiving the people. Did you truly think we didn’t know of your origins and the evils you’ve wrought in Huizhou?”

Judge Lu’s expression changed. “So that’s why you’re here. In that case, you’ll never leave alive.”

As he finished, countless streams of yin energy surged up from nowhere, green flames flickered across the ground, and Judge Lu, wading among them, flung his sleeves to send dozens more black smokes swirling to the earth, which instantly transformed into yakshas.

Not stopping there, his face twisted with fury, his body began to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye, in the blink of an eye towering over two zhang tall.

At that moment, the room’s door opened. Zhu Erdan stumbled out in terror. He was stunned by the scene before him, but when his eyes fell on Judge Lu, his face lit up with joy. “Lord Lu?”

At the sound, Judge Lu glanced over, grinned wickedly, and strode forward, his huge hand reaching for Zhu Erdan, who turned pale as death.

Yi Fan was alarmed. He realized Judge Lu meant to silence witnesses and destroy evidence—if he succeeded, the authorities would have no reason to send soldiers or destroy the temple.

Without hesitating, Yi Fan leapt into the air, forming a sign with his palm. “Thunder Palm!”

A bolt of lightning crashed down from nowhere, striking Judge Lu’s arm. Judge Lu screamed in agony, staggering back several steps. Yi Fan pressed his advantage, unleashing a barrage of thunderbolts that fell like rain.

Judge Lu, realizing the danger, dodged repeatedly and dragged several yakshas to shield himself. The yakshas were instantly reduced to ash, leaving Judge Lu trembling with fear.

Yi Fan’s furious assault allowed Zhu Erdan to recover his wits and scramble away. Judge Lu’s eyes flashed with murderous light as he lunged forward, reaching again for Zhu Erdan.

“Monster! Still you dare commit murder?” Yi Fan, seeing Judge Lu’s intent, wasted no time. In a flash, he was beside Zhu Erdan, his palm once again pressing down.