Chapter 296 – The Fiend Family, Neither Human Nor Demon—This World That Devours People

Caihua County, early morning, at the estate of the landlord, Master Chu.

“Oh, what a rare guest! Constable Xu, instead of investigating the recent murders outside the city, what brings you here?”

“There are no demons you’re looking for here.”

The old constable Xu Jiali listened to the landlord Master Chu Zonghui’s teasing and smiled. “Master Chu, the investigation is almost complete, but there’s a small issue now, and I need your help.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Zonghui picked up the tea brought by a maidservant, rinsed his mouth, and spat it out to the side.

He didn’t rush to answer the old constable Xu Jiali’s question but instead waved his hand at the servants nearby.

Seeing this, the servants immediately helped the obese Chu Zonghui to a seat in front of Xu Jiali.

After sitting down, Chu Zonghui narrowed his eyes and looked at the old constable.

“Something that makes Constable Xu ask for help must not be simple, right?”

“Let me guess—do you want me to fund hiring a cultivator family to deal with the demon in the suburbs?”

Xu Jiali nodded, indicating that was exactly what he meant.

“Why should I do that?”

The old constable Xu Jiali was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Chu Zonghui to say such a thing.

Seeing the old constable’s reaction, Chu Zonghui immediately began counting on his fingers, laying out the costs.

“Look, just the travel expenses to hire a cultivator family are a significant expense.”

“If you add the cultivator family’s fee and some follow-up work, it’ll easily cost over ten thousand taels of silver.”

“Do you think those lowlifes in the suburbs are worth my spending over ten thousand taels?”

The old constable opened and closed his mouth several times, wanting to refute.

But he had to admit that Chu Zonghui made a valid point.

Although the demon in the suburbs had killed two or three tenant farmer families in the past half-month,

if those tenant farmers were converted into silver, each was only worth a little over sixty or seventy taels.

Not to mention, besides the tenant farmers, there were many refugees in the suburbs.

Rationally speaking, spending over ten thousand taels to save these people’s lives was indeed not worth it.

Thinking of this, the old constable’s expression turned dejected.

Because he couldn’t think of a reason to persuade Chu Zonghui to act.

Just as the old constable thought he would return empty-handed, the landlord Master Chu Zonghui suddenly spoke.

“Although this deal seems unprofitable no matter how you look at it… I’ll take it on.”

“Huh?”

The old constable stared at Chu Zonghui in astonishment, seemingly not expecting him to actually agree.

“What, did you think I’m such a miser that I’d rather watch those lowlifes perish in the Underworld than lend a hand?”

The old constable looked somewhat embarrassed, as if Chu Zonghui had seen right through him.

Chu Zonghui didn’t mind.

Supporting his waist, he struggled to stand up from his seat and came before the old constable.

Master Chu looked down at the old constable and said with a smile, “I truly don’t care about the lives of those lowlifes, but I also don’t want an unknown demon lurking in the place where I live.”

“I do love money, but I also value my life.”

“That demon may only be active outside the city for now, but who’s to say it won’t come into the city someday?”

“Go and contact the cultivator family. I’ll cover the silver.”After speaking, Master Chu had the maids assist him to a rattan chair in the courtyard and sat down.

His leisurely demeanor and the way he was waited on hand and foot made the old constable beside him quite envious.

He couldn’t help but wish he could trade places with Master Chu.

However, though Master Chu was wealthy, he was not without benevolence.

Thinking this, the old constable immediately stood up, bowed deeply to Master Chu, and then left the estate.

After the old constable departed, Master Chu’s steward couldn’t resist stepping forward and asking, “Master, are you truly going to spend tens of thousands of taels of silver to hire a Cultivator Family to deal with that demon?”

“You must know, it’s easier to invite a god than to send one away. Although I haven’t had much experience with Cultivator Families, I’ve heard many stories about their ways.”

“At times, those Cultivators… can be even more monstrous than demons themselves.”

Hearing this, Master Chu casually ate a grape handed to him by a maid and said with a smile, “If Cultivators are hard to deal with, is the demon any easier?”

“Old Li, you still haven’t grasped the essence of our Xia Dynasty.”

“What does having money matter? If you have wealth but lack the ability to protect it, you’re merely preparing a dowry for others.”

“I’m not afraid of Cultivators being greedy—I’m afraid they aren’t greedy enough.”

“After all, with my health, I don’t have many years left to live.”

“Rather than taking endless wealth to my coffin, I’d rather use this money to buy a peaceful remaining life from that Cultivator.”

“Learn from this, Old Li. Money that can’t be spent… isn’t money at all.”

With that, Master Chu said no more.

He continued basking in the sun while enjoying the attentions of his maids, utterly content.

Meanwhile, in a desolate wilderness outside Caihua County.

An illusory gate materialized out of thin air in this uninhabited place.

Then a figure slowly emerged from within the gate.

The newcomer scanned his surroundings as if observing something.

Then he closed his eyes, and an imperceptible ripple began to spread.

Moments later, he opened his eyes.

‘Such dense Ancient Fiend Power—this is indeed the Ancient Fiend Nine Realms.’

After confirming he had arrived at the right place, Lu Chen closed the Nine Realms Gate and looked at his game panel.

[Main Quest (3/10): Explore the Nine Realms]

[Quest Description: Find the Nine Realms Gate and enter it through a Heretical Avatar (Completed)]

[You have received quest rewards: 10 million EXP, Soul Crystal Shard (Gold)1, Random Great Divine Power… Divine Weapon Refinement]

[Great Divine Power: Divine Weapon Refinement (Non-upgradable)]

[Realm: Transformation Dao Realm]

[Effect: Using all things as roots and heaven and earth as a furnace, refine all things into weapons]

[You have unlocked a new main quest]

[Main Quest (4/10): Stealing the Dao of Heaven]

[Quest Description: The Ancient Fiend Nine Realms harm heaven to benefit themselves. Please slay ten Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators and seize a complete Ancient Fiend Great Dao]

[Quest Rewards: 50 million EXP, Enlightenment Fruit1]

[Name: Enlightenment Fruit]

[Effect: After consumption, greatly increases the success rate of ‘Enlightenment’.]

[Note: Cannot be consumed by non-Nascent Soul Cultivators]

Lu Chen looked at the newly appeared main quest.

His expression instantly turned serious.

This was because the difficulty of this quest was far greater than he had imagined.

Although the quest only required Lu Chen to slay ten Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators,

Lu Chen knew very well that things were not nearly that simple.Upon reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, cultivators rarely fought alone.

Moreover, he was currently operating in hostile territory.

The difficulty of slaying a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator was undoubtedly multiplied by having to travel back and forth.

Fortunately, this mission had no time constraints.

And he had only entered the Ancient Fiend World through his Heretical Avatar, so his true form faced no danger.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to rashly ambush a Great Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage.

After all, if he were to do so, he would likely face not just one cultivator but multiple old monsters at the Nascent Soul Stage ganging up on him.

Did they think cultivators had no friends?

“It’s always better to err on the side of caution. There’s no rush to complete the mission. I should first investigate the surrounding situation.”

“Figure out the distribution of cultivators in this world and their faction divisions.”

“Only then will there be an opportunity to complete this main mission…”

After saying this, Lu Chen disguised himself as an ordinary traveler and headed toward the nearest mortal town.

His destination was Caihua County in the Xia Dynasty.

Arriving at the outskirts of Caihua County, Lu Chen first saw a group of tenant farmers busy working in the rapeseed fields.

Strangely, these tenant farmers all looked listless and terrified.

It seemed they hadn’t slept well for several days.

With just a brief observation, Lu Chen roughly deduced the reason.

He had sensed some residual demonic energy in the outskirts.

There must have been demons moving about nearby.

The source of the tenant farmers’ fear was undoubtedly related to these demons.

Thinking this, a plan immediately formed in Lu Chen’s mind.

Since both demons and mortals coexisted here, there must correspondingly be Human Race cultivators present.

Otherwise, mere mortals wouldn’t be able to deal with demons.

In less than half a year, the entire town would be deserted due to fear of demons.

Therefore, by staying here, he would definitely be able to detect traces of cultivators.

Firmly believing this, Lu Chen immediately headed toward the city gate.

Perhaps because the outskirts had become unstable recently, Caihua County was strictly restricting refugees from entering the county town.

This might also harbor the sinister purpose of using them as bait to attract demon attention, sparing the people inside the county town from demon persecution.

Although Lu Chen knew nothing about this world, entering the city was as easy as pie for him.

The county soldiers guarding both sides of the city gate seemed not to see Lu Chen at all, allowing him to directly enter the county town.

Once inside, Lu Chen immediately felt the stark contrast in Life Qi compared to outside.

If not for the Ancient Fiend Power permeating the air everywhere,

He might have suspected he had merely arrived at an ordinary mortal town in the Central Province.

After some exploration, Lu Chen quickly detected a peculiar aura within the county town.

The next moment, his figure vanished from the spot, heading toward the source of that aura.

Inside Master Chu’s residence.

Unlike three days ago when only the old constable Chen Jiali had visited alone,

Today, Chen Jiali had brought along an old man wearing Daoist robes with a sharp, rat-like face.

Upon entering Master Chu’s residence, the old man’s eyes darted around everywhere.

When he saw some young and beautiful maids in the residence, the old man’s expression immediately turned excited.

This caused many maids to instinctively quicken their pace, not daring to linger.The old constable nearby showed a flicker of displeasure in his eyes, clearly dissatisfied with the old man’s vulgar demeanor.

However, not only had he been the one to invite this person, but the man was also crucial to resolving the current crisis in Caihua County.

Shortly after the old constable and the old Daoist arrived in the main hall, Master Chu, his large belly leading the way, approached the two.

“My respects, my respects. You must be the Black Cloud Daoist that Old Chen mentioned in his letter, I presume?”

“I never expected the Daoist to possess even more of a Cultivator Family’s aura than Old Chen described. Look, even the maids in my residence are so captivated by you they can’t tear their eyes away.”

Hearing this, although Black Cloud Daoist knew Master Chu was merely flattering him, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Interesting, you Mortals are interesting. No wonder you have the wealth to hire me, Old Daoist. You’re quite the character.”

“Not at all, not at all. That I could invite you, Daoist, is merely due to the blessings of my ancestors. It has little to do with me.”

“Whereas your current abilities, Daoist, are entirely the result of your own talent and hard work.”

“I understand well which is superior and which is inferior.”

“Daoist, please follow me. I’ve already had the chefs prepare a grand feast, awaiting only your presence to begin.”

“Hahaha! Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way.”

Watching how Master Chu had managed to make Black Cloud Daoist laugh heartily with just a few words, the old constable, Chen Jiali, was utterly stunned.

When he had first encountered Black Cloud Daoist, the latter hadn’t so much as cracked a smile, nor had he even properly looked him in the eye.

It was as if, in Black Cloud Daoist’s eyes, he, the head constable of Caihua County, was no different from an ant on the ground.

One could only say that Master Chu’s current wealth and status were no accident.

Just his ability to interact with people and read situations was something Chen Jiali couldn’t hope to learn in ten years.

Unbeknownst to all three, on the other side of the hall, a man clad entirely in black was silently observing them.

Yet, whether it was the old constable, Master Chu, or even the cultivated Black Cloud Daoist, none seemed to notice this person’s presence.

Lu Chen watched the retreating figures of the three, his brow slightly furrowed.

Because from this so-called Black Cloud Daoist, he sensed a familiar aura.

This aura was none other than the residual energy left behind by the Demon in the outskirts.

There were only two possibilities for such a situation.

One was that the old Daoist had been to the Demon’s location and thus picked up some of its Demonic Qi.

The other possibility was that the Demon and the old Daoist were intricately connected.

And Lu Chen leaned toward the latter.

Because in his Azure Lotus Eyes, which could see through almost any disguise, the so-called Black Cloud Daoist was actually a partially demonized being, half-human and half-rat.

Thinking this, Lu Chen immediately found the situation becoming interesting.

A Mortal constable and a Mortal master had invited a Daoist with half-demon aura to exorcise a Demon.

Was this driving away a wolf only to let in a tiger, or inviting the wolf into the house? Who could say for sure?

From the brief exchange he had just overheard, Lu Chen also gleaned some understanding of this world.

Cultivators in this world seemed to move among Mortals under the guise of “Cultivator Families.”

Moreover, they placed significant value on Mortal wealth.

After all, although Black Cloud Daoist was unremarkable in appearance, he was a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If this were in the Central Province, mere Mortal silver would hardly be enough to hire someone of his caliber.There must be some hidden secrets he didn’t understand.

Otherwise, Lu Chen couldn’t figure out why a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator would be driven by mortals for mere mortal wealth.

With such curiosity, Lu Chen immediately followed the group and listened to what they were saying…

(End of Chapter)