Chapter 70: A Little Discipline Does a Child Good

It had to be admitted that Master Seymour did have some skills. Despite nearly suffering a concussion from the collision, he stubbornly climbed back to his feet, picked up the fallen black crucifix, and once more tried to press it against the boy.

But just as he approached the bedside, the struggling boy suddenly erupted with wild fury. A series of sharp snaps rang out as the restraints holding him—all the leather belts—were torn apart by a tremendous force.

The boy leapt at Seymour, his small fists aiming straight for the man’s eyes. One punch landed, and a panda-eyed bruise instantly blossomed. Within that small body was a strength comparable to a professional boxer’s.

The Burham couple tried to intervene, but at this moment, their dear honey recognized no one. His fists flailed like a machine gun, battering them both into matching panda-eyed sufferers, forcing them to clutch their faces and cry out in pain.

Seymour raised the black crucifix, his incantations tumbling forth faster and faster. A streak of black light shot from the cross’s tip, coiling into the shape of a long serpent, which darted toward the boy, attempting to bind him.

Unexpectedly, the boy’s mouth opened wide and he inhaled with force. The black serpent was sucked into his mouth and swallowed in one gulp. He gave a satisfied burp, and his body stretched, growing a full five or six centimeters taller.

“What—how is this possible? My Black Serpent Spirit! You’re a demon, you truly are a demon!” Seymour’s face drained of color as he stumbled backward in terror. The black crucifix exploded in his hands with a sharp crack.

The boy grinned wickedly, licking his lips. He leapt from the bed and delivered a flying kick that sent Seymour crashing across the room once more.

This time, Seymour collapsed to the floor and could not rise again. He stared at the boy in horror, never having imagined that even his signature spell would fail. This child was indeed the true spawn of a demon.

Regret overwhelmed him. Had he not chased those two young people away in his haste for business, perhaps there might have been hope for success. But now, all was lost.

The boy advanced step by step until he stood over Seymour, looking down with malevolent eyes. He beckoned, and a fruit knife flew from under the bed into his hand.

Seymour scrambled backward until his back hit the wall. Helpless, he raised his hands, begging for mercy.

The boy showed no intention of stopping. He raised the fruit knife, aiming straight for Seymour’s jugular.

At the critical moment, a large foot swung in from the side, catching the murderous boy and kicking him into the opposite wall.

“A child who doesn’t listen needs a little discipline for his own good. Son of a demon, is it? Let’s see which is tougher—your hide or my fists?” Lin Xiao declared, raising a fist the size of a casserole pot. Zoe, who had entered with him, couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth in delight. So this man had a sense of humor after all.

Saved from death, Seymour scrambled up and, without a word, dashed for the door. He dared not linger; with these two present, he was outmatched and would surely die if he stayed.

“Pah, what a character. No wonder your fees are so low—you run like a professional,” Lin Xiao sneered. The Burham couple, now terrified, hurried behind Lin Xiao and Zoe for protection, but unlike Seymour, they didn’t flee in panic—for after all, this was still their child.

“A yacht, was it?” Lin Xiao turned with a smile. The Burhams exchanged a glance and agreed without hesitation. Money was no object—so long as Honey was safe.

The battered boy climbed to his feet. His eyes were now a deep, shining black, intricate patterns slowly emerging across his skin.

“That fool. By letting him swallow the spirit, he’s only fueled the demon’s power. Now, even I cannot guarantee I can drive the demonic force from within him,” Zoe said angrily, extending a hand. An invisible force flew toward the boy, intending to subdue him.

Sure enough, the boy opened his mouth and began to exhale plumes of black smoke. The smoke coalesced in the air, forming a three or four meter long black serpent, which flicked its tongue at them menacingly.

“Be careful! That’s the Black Serpent Spirit he just swallowed—a spirit refined with secret arts. Nourished by his demonic power, its strength has grown at least three or four times. Don’t let it bite you!” Zoe shouted a warning. The Burhams stared, dumbfounded. Their entire understanding of the world was overturned. Was their son truly vomiting up such a monstrous thing?

In this moment of crisis, Lin Xiao also dropped all pretense. He pulled the Interstellar Annihilator Battle Axe from his inventory. Though it couldn’t kill the boy, the flat of the axe was more than enough to teach him some manners.

“I’ll handle the Black Serpent Spirit—you subdue the boy. I need to set up a magic circle to expel the demonic force from his body,” Zoe instructed rapidly. Lin Xiao didn’t object, grinning with anticipation. He’d disliked this little brat from the start—finally, he had an excuse to lay down the law.

The Interstellar Annihilator—specially designed for unruly children. Just what you need.

Zoe withdrew a wand as long as her arm from her pocket, chanting as she gestured. A white owl flew from the wand’s tip, swooping toward the black serpent.

The two spirits clashed in midair, tumbling and writhing. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xiao leapt before the boy, swinging the battle axe upward—his intent was merely to knock the boy unconscious.

“Careful with my Honey! Don’t hurt him!” Mrs. Burham shrieked. Lin Xiao ignored her—this wasn’t his child, after all. He was already being merciful by not using the axe blade.

The boy reacted with astonishing speed. Pressing down on the axe’s flat with both hands, he vaulted into the air, somersaulted, and kicked hard at Lin Xiao’s face.

“Well, now!” Lin Xiao exclaimed, impressed by the boy’s agility. He bent backward in a move straight out of Chinese kung fu—the Iron Bridge. Ever since his body had been transformed, his flexibility was extraordinary; high-level maneuvers came as easily as breathing.

The boy’s kick missed. He landed on the bed and launched himself again, aiming a savage kick at Lin Xiao’s back. His combat instincts were frighteningly sharp.

But Lin Xiao was a seasoned fighter—he’d slain monsters, burned fiends, and fought mind flayers. His reflexes now far surpassed ordinary humans.

He twisted aside, dodging the boy’s kick, then lifted his right knee, driving it into the boy’s abdomen. His right elbow followed, smashing down and slamming the boy to the floor.

The Burhams shrieked, begging Lin Xiao to stop, but he only laughed. In a flash, he stomped on the boy’s knees, perfectly dislocating the joints without causing lasting harm.

Since acquiring his extraordinary constitution, Lin Xiao’s control over his own body was near perfection. With daily practice, he could now easily take down a dozen Delta Force soldiers barehanded.

Let alone a child—even a demon’s spawn, if he hadn’t fully grown, simply couldn’t unleash overwhelming power.

Of course, perhaps all the boy’s strength was being used to control the Black Serpent Spirit.

Zoe was still waving her wand, guiding the white owl as it darted and struck at the serpent. The two spirits battled fiercely in the air.

With Lin Xiao pinning the boy to the ground, the Black Serpent Spirit faltered, soon overwhelmed by the owl, which tore it to pieces with its beak, scattering its essence into the air.

Seeing Lin Xiao standing with one foot on the boy, Zoe could only laugh and shake her head. She had asked him to restrain the child—not to abuse him! Even a demon’s son was still a child.

“I need to set up a magic circle to expel the demonic force from his body. You two must leave and make sure no one comes in or interrupts us. If we’re disturbed, the consequences could be dire—your child’s life will be at risk,” Zoe told the Burhams. They gazed at their son with aching hearts, but in the end, gritted their teeth and left, unwilling as they were.