Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

A Buddhist chant echoed.

Hands came together in prayer.

The elderly monk of Tongshou Temple, who had long accepted his fate, calmly faced death.

Yes.

He was prepared to die.

In the monk's mind, his death was inevitable.

And it would be one of utter annihilation.

"I imagine it will hurt quite a bit?"

The old monk thought to himself with a hint of self-mockery.

However, the next scene made him slightly freeze in disbelief.

The raging tidal wave ceased its advance.

It was as though it had been frozen in place, suspended before his eyes.

No!

To be precise, time had stopped.

The tidal wave stood still like a sculpture.

Then...

It slowly abated.

As the monk had calmed the hearts of many, the massive wave, too, was pacified, transforming into a gentle stream and flowing downstream.

Under the faint golden radiance, a calming power soothed all.

Humanity.

Animals.

All living beings.

Harmony and serenity replaced chaos.

Yet, the enormous monstrous creature remained unaffected.

Aside from one head swaying, the other seven heads glared at the old monk intensely, with malice burning in their massive eyes.

"A detestable presence!"

"How can there still be such an abhorrent aura here?"

The thickest of the seven heads muttered in a low voice.

Though low-pitched, to the monster itself such a tone seemed mild.

To the people nearby?

It resembled deafening thunder.

Did a prior generation of Tongshou Temple's Master have a grudge against this creature?

The surrounding spectators weren't fools and quickly deduced such a possibility.

Then, Hui Lijing leapt directly into action, placing herself in front of the old monk.

"Master, be cautious."

The female detective wielded her dandelion weapon, her vigilant gaze fixed upon the colossal beast before her.

"Thank you."

The old monk smiled.

His gratitude came from the depths of his heart, and after a long exhale, a fleeting hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

What just happened?

Where did the tidal wave disappear to?

Was someone aiding me?

Or did something occur that I'm unaware of?

This golden radiance?

Am I about to reach nirvana?

The monk was filled with bewilderment.

Nonetheless, one thing the old monk did understand.

He had come to do his utmost.

And so, seating himself cross-legged on the muddy ground, he began reciting the Buddhist scriptures softly.

Peace and solace remained.

Yet, an unbidden sense of battle readiness and inspiration began to rise.

As the scripture was chanted, an intangible force belonging to the heart emanated outward.

The dispelled fear in everyone's hearts gave way to renewed resolve and fighting spirit.

"Stop it!"

"You wretched fools, stop it!"

"I demand you stop!"

The massive creature bellowed in rage.

Unlike ordinary beings, the soothing sound, which inspired courage within humans, was sheer torment to it.

It felt akin to being surrounded by three thousand incessantly buzzing flies—hum, hum, hum!

The aggravation was unrelenting.

An indescribable fury boiled within the creature.

Which drove it to launch an attack on the old monk.

Its gigantic snake head lunged downward swiftly.

The attack was brute and straightforward, as always.

Because, in the creature's eyes, for these insignificant ants, no method of attack was simpler or more effective.

And in truth, it was.

Aside from Hui Lijing, not one person present could withstand such an assault.

Hanakaiin Itsuki couldn't.

Hanakaiin Haru couldn't.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu couldn't.

Hu Qiandai couldn't.

Perhaps Hanakaiin Tōru had the power to resist, but during this critical moment, Hanakaiin Tōru was already gravely injured and being guarded protectively by Hanakaiin Ra.

As such, the only one who could confront the monster's attack head-on was Hui Lijing.

"Back off!"

With a low roar, Hui Lijing swung the dandelion in her hand.

Boom!

With an explosion akin to several tons of dynamite detonating, the massive snake head was struck away and plunged into short-term dizziness. Yet only one head was repelled—excluding the swaying one, six heads remained.

The six snake heads surged toward Hui Lijing almost simultaneously.

Teeth clenched, Hui Lijing braced herself.

In previous battles, she had faced similar dire situations.

Every time, she relied on her quick reflexes and agility to evade danger.

But this time!

She chose not to dodge.

Because the elderly monk of Tongshou Temple stood behind her.

"Get out of the way!"

Faces turned pale as shouts erupted from the crowd, with everyone rushing to her aid.

Especially the three individuals—Hui Lixiang and her companions—who had just arrived from afar.

Yuli and Kaoru were gripped with anxious worry.

Oddly, Hui Lixiang's face remained remarkably calm.

"Kaoru, aren't you worried at all?"

"Isn't she your sister?"

Yuli and Kaoru inquired curiously.

"Do you remember what I told you?"

"Lijing has a unique constitution. All those who appear around her are extraordinary individuals—this occasion is no exception."

"That old monk is the preceding Master of Tongshou Temple."

"And the current Master is none other than the newly crowned Sword Saint."

"Although I've only had limited contact with him, his strength is truly unfathomable in the truest sense of the word."

"Moreover, he adheres to principles and is benevolent."

"Therefore, I'm certain Lijing will be fine."

Hui Lixiang spoke with utmost confidence.

Her faith in the old monk was unwavering.

And the monk?

Though outwardly composed, his heart felt heavy.

Was I, who wished to aid, now reduced to being a burden?

What, what, what should I do?

This isn't what I wanted!

If possible, I would gladly exchange my own life for the safety of this young benefactor.

The old monk's mind was chaotic, rendered utterly frazzled.

All he could do now was recite scripture.

As he always did in moments of tension and helplessness, the old monk chanted softly.

Yet, without realizing it, his mind began to recall the secret techniques he had studied, searching for one that could resolve the predicament before him.