Chapter Twenty-Two: The Enraged Scarecrow

Hantian Yue and his companions had been following the Black Mountain Demon to the edge of the cliff, where the exit lay. They saw that the dark clouds had halted atop a nearby mountain, and surmised that the Black Mountain Demon had already caught up with Feng Shang.

“Quick, after him!” Sensing something was amiss, Hantian Yue shouted, and the group leapt from the cliff in unison.

A thunderous shockwave erupted from within the black clouds, sending a chill through them all for Feng Shang’s sake. Even Jin Di, Shui Xi, and Mao Xuanzi combined would be unable to withstand a single strike from the Black Mountain Demon; it was clear such a blast could only come from the demon’s own hand.

“Feng Shang is in mortal danger this time!” Fang Zhe, as a friend and companion, voiced his concern aloud.

Inwardly, Hantian Yue urged, “Feng Shang, you must hold on! We’re almost there!”

They quickened their pace.

Again, a tremendous sound echoed in their ears—a deafening boom! The shockwave swept through them once more, stronger even than the last.

“Feng Shang, hang in there!” Mao Xuanzi cried, his worry evident.

With a whistling rush, seven streaks of light shot into the black clouds. As the Black Mountain Demon unleashed his third attack, Hantian Yue and his party arrived. Landing on the ground, Hantian Yue glanced around and was relieved to see Feng Shang standing safe and sound.

“Feng Shang, are you all right?” Hantian Yue asked anxiously.

Seeing his friends, Feng Shang felt he had finally found his kin and hurried over, saying, “I’m fine!”

But just then, the Black Mountain Demon’s third attack came hurtling toward them.

On the ground stood the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow, singing and dancing as he declared, “I’m the scarecrow who can sing, oh scarecrow; I’m the scarecrow who can dance, oh scarecrow! Scarecrow Punch!”

His slender straw arms instantly transformed into a gigantic fist, clashing head-on with the Black Mountain Demon’s cloud palm. Another mighty shockwave erupted, rippling outwards.

From distant mountain peaks, several dark silhouettes watched. One of them remarked, “Such a shockwave—even from here, I can sense it!”

Another, with a sultry tone, replied, “The world is vast—there’s no telling what sorts of people you’ll meet!”

A third cackled, “Let’s hurry and find our target!”

With a whistling rush, the shadows vanished into the sky.

Of all this, Hantian Yue’s group knew nothing. What astounded them most was that the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow possessed such formidable power.

“I’ll kill you all!” The Black Mountain Demon was truly enraged.

“I’m the scarecrow who can sing, oh scarecrow; I’m the scarecrow who can dance, oh scarecrow!” the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow sang and danced, calling out, “Go, quickly! I can’t hold him off much longer!”

“But we can’t just leave you behind!” Feng Shang protested, troubled by the scarecrow’s plea.

For the first time, the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow felt happiness. He burst into song and dance once more: “I’m the scarecrow who can sing, oh scarecrow; I’m the scarecrow who can dance, oh scarecrow! I’m just a scarecrow—I won’t die. If fate allows, we’ll meet again!”

“Very well, we’ll go now!” Hantian Yue replied after a last glance at the scarecrow.

“Don’t forget the promise to our master!” the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow continued his song, “I’m the scarecrow who can sing, oh scarecrow; I’m the scarecrow who can dance, oh scarecrow!”

Hantian Yue nodded, gripped Feng Shang’s arm, and they all dashed into the distance.

“You’ll never escape my grasp!” the Black Mountain Demon roared.

The Thumb-Sized Scarecrow answered, “Old demon, your opponent now is me!”

The Black Mountain Demon stretched out both hands, striking madly. Cloud palms rained down upon the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow like a relentless storm.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, the whole world fell silent.

Far away, Hantian Yue looked back toward the mass of stormy clouds—

Feng Shang shouted, “Little One!”

Everyone turned to look that way—

“I’m the scarecrow who can sing, oh scarecrow; I’m the scarecrow who can dance, oh scarecrow!” sang the Thumb-Sized Scarecrow one last time, as his body was torn to pieces by the Black Mountain Demon, straw scattering through the air.

“I’ll kill you all!” The Black Mountain Demon’s furious roar echoed across the sky.

None of them dared linger any longer. Together, they fled toward the horizon at breakneck speed.