NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78 - The Soft-Hearted Demon Slayer (2)
He Dongchen was in a bad mood. The two little demons dared not act out of line and immediately continued to lead the way. Soon after, he captured three more demons. One was killed on the spot, and the other two, who were irritable and unruly, were bundled up by He Dongchen and stuffed into a seal talisman he had casually folded from leaves.
The Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon exchanged glances, swallowed nervously, and clung tightly to their trembling selves, behaving as obediently as possible.
The next morning, with the first light of dawn, He Dongchen finally stopped to head toward a nearby city.
Since he had bought a map casually in the last city, he didn’t need to ask for directions this time. Once inside the city, He Dongchen ignored the curious gazes of the people around him and found an inn to rest.
Before entering the city, He Dongchen had cast a spell on the Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon so that they were invisible to both ordinary people and demons, except for other demon slayers.
After resting, He Dongchen bought some food and drinks, stuffing them into his spatial pouch. His clothes were magical garments that automatically kept off dust, so they didn’t need changing. However, it’s worth mentioning that the history of demon slayers in the mortal world was brief and sudden.
The magical garments and tools were gifts from the Heavenly Dao, used by the demon slayers during the time they were bestowed upon them.
For example, He Dongchen’s ancestors, being wandering warriors, had a long sword as their magical tool, along with various small copper coins.
Some demon slayers’ ancestors were fishermen, so their magical tool was a fishing net, also known as a demon-locking net. If their ancestors were beggars, their magical tool was a dog-beating stick.
The Heavenly Dao made great efforts to prevent demon slayers from killing each other. Only those with the same bloodline could use their magical tools. The magical tools displayed in the He family’s ancestral hall were relics left behind by departed allies and were merely ornaments.
Speaking of magical tools, the demon slayer’s magical garments were the clothes they wore at the time. Demon slayers were passed down through generations, wearing the same set of magical garments for a thousand years, through many ancestors.
Thinking of that, He Dongchen suddenly felt uncomfortable in his clothes. He turned around and entered a clothing store, picked out a few ready-made outfits, and changed into one in the fitting room. While changing, He Dongchen took off his sword and casually placed it on the table.
The Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon exchanged looks, eager to act. With this demon slayer having changed his magical garments and without his magical tool, maybe this was the chance to launch a sneak attack…
Unfortunately, as soon as this audacious thought crossed their minds, their necks tightened. The demon lock glowed, causing them to fall to the ground and almost reveal their true forms.
He Dongchen came out in his new clothes, put the magical garments into his spatial pouch to be passed down to his children later, and then cast a dismissive glance at the two demons feigning death on the floor. With a contemptuous tone, he said, “So what if I’ve removed my sword? When I captured you, I didn’t use a sword.”
Flying Pig Demon and Rat Demon: “…”
They felt insulted.
***
He Dongchen settled the bill, strapped on his sword, and left the clothing store. As he walked out, a man and woman approached him. The man was portly with a large belly, dressed in luxurious clothes that indicated he was wealthy, though his complexion was pale and somewhat unhealthy. The woman was graceful, with a complexion like peach blossoms, smiling and linking arms with the man. Her water-red outfit was so bright it was almost dazzling.
An intoxicating fragrance of flowers also wafted through the air, captivating everyone, especially the man, who was drooling with a grin.
Wherever they went, they drew considerable attention.
The man proudly puffed out his chest. His newly acquired eighteenth concubine had truly brought him great honor!
The woman smiled flirtatiously, her tinkling voice seductive and enchanting.
The Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon had somehow hidden behind He Dongchen, trembling in fear. “A Peach Blossom Demon that can shapeshift! At least 500 years of cultivation, wuwuwu.”
When demons shapeshift, their lineage and cultivation time are considered. Demons with noble bloodlines, like the Peony Demon, the King of Flowers, can shapeshift as soon as they gain intelligence. However, demons with lower bloodlines, like these two, need at least 5 to 800 years of cultivation or, by sheer luck, consume some extraordinary spiritual item.
“Sir, we should leave quickly,” the Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon urged anxiously.
As small demons themselves, they had only led He Dongchen to small demons before. They weren’t sure how powerful He Dongchen was or if he could handle this Peach Blossom Demon. They hurried him along, terrified that the Peach Blossom Demon might defeat He Dongchen and then casually consume them as a snack.
He Dongchen pondered for a moment and decided to pass by the Peach Blossom Demon without looking sideways. The Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon thought he was frightened. They exchanged a glance with gleaming eyes, then tiptoed along, careful not to breathe too loudly as they passed the Peach Blossom Demon.
In fact, He Dongchen intended to wait until evening, when there were fewer people, to deal with the Peach Blossom Demon discreetly.
Behind them, the Peach Blossom Demon suddenly frowned, glanced back at the young man who had just walked by, and murmured in confusion, “How could a man escape my charm?”
This was said with a great deal of confidence.
Just as He Dongchen had walked a dozen meters away, a woman in peculiar black clothes, her hair standing upright and swaying as she ran, appeared. She was holding a green flute and spoke urgently, “Master Qian, she is really a demon! A Peach Blossom Demon!”
She quickly ran past He Dongchen and headed straight for the door of the clothing store, or rather, toward the smiling woman in pink.
Upon hearing the word “demon,” the crowd around stopped to watch the commotion.
Master Qian, who had been smugly proud, showed a flash of impatience in his eyes and cursed under his breath.
He reassured his eighteenth concubines and shouted at the incoming crowd, “What Peach Blossom Demon? This is my Mu Dan. What exactly do you want, little girl? Are you jealous of Mu Dan and trying to make me, Master Qian, deal with you too?”
The crowd burst into laughter.
The Peach Blossom Demon, who had been preparing to take action, relaxed again. Leaning languidly against Master Qian’s chest, she said sweetly, “If that’s the case, Mu Dan would be very willing to serve the master alongside this little sister.”
Bai Ling, blushing, tried to explain, “She really is a Peach Blossom Demon. The Peony is the King of Flowers, with noble blood. So she’s named Mu Dan. In reality, she’s just a Peach Blossom Demon!”
(T/N: Mudan = Peony.)
The Peach Blossom Demon harbored a grudge against anyone mentioning her lineage. With a cold smile in her heart and a pitiful expression on her face, she only made Master Qian more sympathetic. He glared at Bai Ling and said, “Get lost, or I’ll report you to the authorities! I’ll have them arrest you and put you in jail for a few days!”
Bai Ling pleaded earnestly, “Humans and demons are on different paths. The Heavenly Dao doesn’t allow the offspring of demons and humans to be together! Also, the Peach Blossom Demon has illegally crossed into the Human Realm. I must send her back.”
Others listened with great interest, but none took it seriously.
Was there really such a thing as demons in this world?
Had this young lady become delusional from reading too many storybooks?
He Dongchen stood among the crowd, observing the novice demon slayer desperately explaining to everyone, looking just as foolish as his original self.
He sighed softly, grabbed the Flying Pig Demon who was trying to escape, and threw it toward the Peach Blossom Demon.
***
“Ah!!! Why is it always me!!!”
Tears from the Flying Pig Demon flew through the air.
The previously leisurely Peach Blossom Demon suddenly saw a small demon flying toward her, carrying a massive amount of spiritual power. She could no longer afford to put on an act. She quickly grabbed the plump Master Qian and used him as a shield, shouting, “Which demon slayer is hiding in the shadows? Come out and face me!”
The sudden appearance of the flying pig and the changed demeanor of the Peach Blossom Demon startled the onlookers. The crowd screamed and scattered, leaving the street largely empty in a short time, littered with debris.
Master Qian, who had been held by the fragile eighteen concubines, was so terrified that he lost control of his bodily functions. He changed his attitude entirely, crying out for the master to save him.
Bai Ling was also stunned. She hadn’t expected to see a fellow demon slayer at the scene!
She turned abruptly and looked around, spotting a man in white not far away, carrying a long sword on his back. With sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, he had an extraordinary presence, resembling a celestial being descended to earth.
With a relaxed gesture, he halted the Flying Pig Demon, which had been about to crash into Master Qian. He tossed it aside, and the demon rolled on the ground, yelping in distress.
This action earned Bai Ling’s admiration, while the Peach Blossom Demon felt a sense of dread.
The Peach Blossom Demon, now no longer so arrogant, released Master Qian and spoke with a seductive gaze, “Sir, I am just a minor demon and have never taken a human life.”
He Dongchen stepped closer, casually picking up a piece of oiled paper from a nearby stall and spoke calmly, “You may not have taken any lives, but you have consumed human vitality and disturbed households, taking pleasure in it. That is truly vicious.”
Master Qian, now free, scrambled to the trembling ground and regretted his decisions. Because of this demon, he had divorced his main wife, hastily married off his daughter, and grown distant from his son; indeed, his household had been disturbed.
And the consumption of human vitality! No wonder I’ve been feeling unwell lately!
Fury surged within Master Qian. Relying on the presence of a powerful expert, he pointed at the Peach Blossom Demon and said, “Master! Quickly deal with this demon!”
However, He Dongchen didn’t even spare him a glance. The Peach Blossom Demon covered her mouth with a light laugh, her expression disdainful, “I’m a demon with principles. If a man doesn’t have any ill intentions toward me on our first meeting, I won’t touch him.”
Bai Ling frowned and asked, “What kind of principle is that? If a man has malicious intent toward you, you can take your revenge on him. Why harm his poor wife and daughter?”
The Peach Blossom Demon narrowed her eyes and said, “Those women only rely on men; they are useless and deserve what they get.”
Bai Ling glared and was about to respond when He Dongchen, unwilling to waste any time, immediately threw the piece of oiled paper in his hand. The Peach Blossom Demon, caught off guard and unable to resist, let out a scream as she was sealed inside the paper, transforming into a wilted peach blossom tree.
The oiled paper glowed briefly before slowly drifting to the ground, returning to calm.
Bai Ling, who had been ready to help, was stunned! As a demon slayer herself, she was astonished at the vast difference in skill.
She had struggled with the Peach Blossom Demon for so long without making any headway.
The Flying Pig Demon and the Rat Demon, witnessing how effortlessly He Dongchen had dealt with the Peach Blossom Demon; without even drawing his sword, were completely defeated and no longer harbored any other thoughts.
Gradually, many curious onlookers appeared on the street, all fearful and gossiping.
Under the gaze of the crowd, He Dongchen raised his hand slightly, collecting the oiled paper from the ground. The Peach Blossom Demon, now in her true form, swayed on the paper, seemingly begging for mercy.
He Dongchen remained unmoved. He reached out and pulled a petal from the Peach Blossom Demon, twirled it in his hand for a moment, and then threw it, hitting Master Qian’s forehead.
Master Qian cried out and frantically clawed at his forehead, panicked and bewildered, “What is the master priest trying to do??”
“This is the vitality the Peach Blossom Demon siphoned from you,” He Dongchen explained.
Master Qian’s eyes brightened, and he stopped clawing at his forehead. Slowly getting to his feet, he pointed angrily at the oiled paper and said, “This demon is too wicked! Master, burn her!”
Bai Ling frowned, feeling uneasy.
He Dongchen glanced at the now arrogant Master Qian and said slowly, “I haven’t finished. I have sealed the petal with a spell. For each act of kindness you perform, you can gain a thread of vitality. For each wrong you atone for, you can gain a thread of vitality. How long you wish to live depends on your choices.”
Master Qian was incredulous and then enraged, “That vitality originally belonged to me! How dare you seal it!”
He Dongchen shook the oiled paper in his hand, releasing a few sounds of the Peach Blossom Demon’s pleas, and smiled, “Perhaps because my fists are bigger.”