In that world shrouded in darkness, the Seven Demons joined forces once again, wielding their mighty magic to banish Shendu back to the depths of the Netherworld.
This was a clash of might and intellect, a moment when the demons' power reached its absolute peak.
"Shendu, try not to disappoint us."
Their magic intertwined in the air, weaving dazzling beams of light that finally swallowed Shendu whole.
Once Shendu was cast away, Zhongsu found a secluded spot and began to sort through the memories of his past life. He sat upon a smooth boulder, closing his eyes to let his thoughts drift across the long river of time and space. The most vital memories were those of the spells—incantations the other demons might have forgotten. But Zhongsu, bearing a human soul within the Thunder Demon, could recall them all. He knew these spells were the wellspring of his power and his greatest asset for challenging the forces of Chi in the days to come.
*The demons might forget, but a human soul remembers—and that makes sense.*
The thought echoed in Zhongsu's mind. He knew this set him apart and gave him the upper hand. Knowing the plot meant possessing the power of foresight.
As time drifted by, the demons behaved with unusual restraint. Zhongsu figured their release must be drawing near, giving him peace of mind to recall those ancient spells. He began to recite them quietly in his heart, every word heavy with power, every syllable brimming with mystery.
Before long, Shendu announced to all the demons that Pong Kong would be the first to be released.
"Why Pong Kong?" Tso Lan asked with displeasure.
"Who knows?" Shendu replied with an air of authority.
Knowing the progression of events by heart, Zhongsu felt no surprise at Shendu's words. He simply observed the man Shendu was possessing very closely. He saw a man with long golden hair, handsome features, and deep eyes, dressed in a striking green suit.
*That long-haired blonde man, could that be Valmont?* Zhongsu pondered to himself.
Just as expected, Shendu possessed Valmont, and Valmont's run of bad luck appeared to remain unchanged. Zhongsu could not help but sigh. This truly was an era steeped in Chi, where even possession could go wrong. He knew this would make for an interesting turn of events.
When the day of Pong Kong's release finally arrived, the entire world seemed to boil over with excitement. All the demons swarmed toward her portal, every face radiant with anticipation.
"The Portal to the Netherworld is opening."
"Freedom is within our reach."
"Why isn't it my portal opening?!"
Their eyes flashed with brilliance as they secretly wondered how this liberated demon would rule the world.
Right at that moment, an enigmatic green light flashed, piercing the surrounding darkness.
*Thud, thud, thud.*
Straining their eyes, the crowd saw a green doorframe carved with rich ancient patterns quietly materialize before them, radiating an aura of antiquity and mystery.
Immediately afterward, Pong Kong's massive, mountain-like physique burst forth from the Portal to the Netherworld.
"Freedom! Food! I'm back!"
Pong Kong's voice instantly captured everyone's attention. Her silhouette appeared unimaginably huge within the doorway, as if she meant to shatter the very heavens. Her eyes burned with an endless yearning for freedom, a sight that stirred a deep craving in all who watched.
"After thousands of years, I can finally get out of there."
"Ah, the air of freedom!" Pachu stood before the portal, taking a deep breath to drink in the refreshing breeze. Her voice overflowed with excitement and joy, as though she were completely intoxicated by the sensation and unable to pull herself away. Her exaggerated and comical movements moved Zhongsu to a suppressed chuckle.
Watching Pachu's rapturous expression, Zhongsu the corners of his mouth twitching upward, nearly bursting into laughter. He could not resist teasing her:
"Ha! Pachu, the way you're inhaling, you look just like a vacuum cleaner, desperate to suck every last shred of freedom right into your lungs."
Hearing this, Pachu glared fiercely at Zhongsu, though without any real anger. Instead, she retorted with a hint of smugness:
"Hmph, what do you know? This is the taste of freedom, and I'm going to savor every bit of this moment!"
With that, she closed her eyes and resumed her deep breathing, as if determined to etch the feeling of freedom forever into the depths of her soul.
Zhongsu shook his head with a smile and dropped the argument.
After lingering briefly by the portal, Zhongsu turned and walked away. The other demons wore puzzled expressions; they glanced at him, then remained in place, pondering their demonic lives.
"Zhongsu, why are you so calm?" one demon could not help asking.
Zhongsu stopped in his tracks, cast a look back at the demon, and said cryptically:
"Naturally, I'm just getting my preparations ready so I can walk right out when my own portal opens."
The demons exchanged glances, failing to grasp the meaning of Zhongsu's words. Yet they knew Zhongsu must have his reasons.
What followed unfolded strictly according to the original plot: Pong Kong was soon dragged back down to the Netherworld.
"No!!"
"I refuse to return to that boundless darkness!"
"Jackie Chan, you scoundrel, I curse you!"
In a desolate corner of the Netherworld, a Demon Portal suddenly ripped open, accompanied by a succession of desperate cries.
Lifting his gaze, Zhongsu caught sight of a green, mountain-like figure being slowly dragged by a mysterious force toward the depths of the Netherworld. Pong Kong's eyes were filled with terror and fury, her limbs flailing wildly as she tried to catch hold of anything that might stop her from being pulled away.
"No, I won't go back."
Her roars echoed through the empty expanse of the Netherworld, but no force answered her call.
The other demons gathered around, some wearing sneers of mockery, others relishing her misfortune.
"Pong Kong, stop struggling. This is your fate," Tso Lan the Earth Demon declared.
"No! I won't accept this! I refuse to be imprisoned like this!" Pong Kong roared.
"Hmph, did you really think you could escape? The power of this Demon Portal is invincible," the Sky Demon Xiao Feng mocked.
Pong Kong's body was gradually swallowed by the Demon Portal, her struggles growing weaker and weaker. Well over half of her body had already slipped back into the Netherworld.
"I won't give up just like this!" Pong Kong bellowed with her very last ounce of strength, though her voice had already turned hoarse.
The power of the Demon Portal proved merciless, dragging her relentlessly into the endless dark. At last, Pong Kong's body vanished completely on the other side of the portal. The Demon Portal slowly clicked shut with a heavy clash of metal.
As the final seam sealed shut, Pong Kong's portal was permanently locked, condemning her to eternal imprisonment in the depths of the Netherworld.
Pong Kong was thoroughly cut off from the human world, her feeble echoes lingering within the Netherworld.
"Alas, imprisoned once more," sighed Zorzal the Moon Demon.
"Another human sorcerer... is this truly to be our fate?" Zorzal murmured to himself.
The remaining demons in the Netherworld watched the scene in silence. They knew this could easily be the end awaiting any one of them. Slowly, they dispersed, returning to their own domains with hearts heavy with uncertainty for the future and an insatiable hunger for freedom.
........................................
"This Pong Kong is far too weak; she got sent right back to the Netherworld in no time," Zhongsu muttered to himself. "If you didn't know any better and just looked at her size, you'd think she could actually make some waves."