There is a Demon in Mist Mountain

A token of identification, a command to kill without mercy. Instantly, the city guards' faces changed drastically. Holding Lin Baichuan's token, their hands felt like they were burning, and cold sweat streamed down their faces.

The weight of the words "Demon Suppression Division" was too great. Even if he was just a Demon Slayer Guard, he was not someone a mere county city guard could offend. He truly felt like crying without tears, cursing inwardly.

Damn it, if you were a Demon Slayer Guard from the Demon Suppression Division, you should have said so earlier! Why hide it, deliberately setting a trap?

"So, you're a Demon Slayer Guard from the Demon Suppression Division. This... this is a misunderstanding. Please, come in..."

The city guard's mouth twitched repeatedly. He quickly returned the token to Lin Baichuan and then shouted to his companions behind him, "What are you all standing around for? Let the lord pass..."

Lin Baichuan didn't make things difficult for these city guards. He took back the token, gave it a meaningful glance, and said in a deep voice, "You just said there were demons rampaging outside the city at night. Is that true?"

"This..."

The city guard was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, "My lord, I didn't lie to you. For some time now, there have indeed been demons causing trouble outside the city. Several villages have suffered, and even the city has experienced abnormalities.

I heard the demons came from Mist Mountain..."

"Came from Mist Mountain."

Lin Baichuan's eyes narrowed, and a sharp glint flashed in them. It seemed Mist Mountain was not simple at all, with demons coming out to wreak havoc in Fengle County. Perhaps tonight, he could play the waiting game.

However, after thinking about it, Lin Baichuan dismissed the idea. Fengle County was neither very large nor very small. Who knew where the demon might appear? It would be more practical to go directly into Mist Mountain tomorrow morning to investigate.

After retrieving his token, Lin Baichuan did not leave. Instead, he continued to ask, "I heard that a constable from Fengle County came out alive from Mist Mountain. Is that true?"

"Replying to my lord, it is indeed true."

The city guard quickly answered, "This person's name is Du Feng. He is an ordinary constable from the county yamen. About a month ago, he went into Mist Mountain with a team to investigate the situation. In the end, only he came out alive, but this Du Feng has gone mad..."

"Do you know where he lives?" Lin Baichuan asked in a deep voice.

"I do, it's in Qiaotou Ward."

The man glanced at Lin Baichuan and quickly added, "My lord, if you want to see Du Feng, I can lead the way."

"Mm!"

Lin Baichuan nodded with satisfaction. He had to admit that although this guy was a bully who picked on the weak, he had some foresight. But then again, if he didn't have the ability to adapt to circumstances, he wouldn't have been assigned to collect city entry fees at the city gate.

He glanced at the man and said in a deep voice, "What is your name?"

"My lord, this humble one's name is Wu De..."

The man replied with a fawning smile, his face full of obsequiousness.

"Wu De... Heh, good name!"

Lin Baichuan's mouth twitched. He wondered if there were puns in this world. Wu De, meaning "no virtue," combined with his actions, was quite fitting.

"Lead the way!"

Lin Baichuan waved his hand and said in a deep voice.

"Alright, my lord, please..."

Wu De responded and immediately led Lin Baichuan into Fengle County. The two rode their horses, one in front of the other, passing through more than half of Fengle County before finally arriving at Qiaotou Ward, as Wu De had mentioned. They then appeared before a somewhat dilapidated small courtyard.

"My lord, this is Du Feng's home. He is his parents' only son. I heard they spent a considerable amount of savings to get their only son a position in the county yamen. Who would have thought that less than two years later, he would become like this? Alas... fate plays tricks on people."

Wu De sighed and then strode forward, knocking on the courtyard gate.

Knock, knock, knock...

After three knocks, the somewhat dilapidated courtyard gate creaked open a crack. An old man, dressed in a coarse cloth shirt and with a face full of wrinkles, poked his head out. He looked at Lin Baichuan and the other man with a wary and timid expression, trembling as he asked, "So, it's an adult from the city guard. N-no, what business do you have?"

"Old Man Du, this is a Demon Slayer Guard from the Demon Suppression Division. He's specifically here to see your Du Feng." Wu De's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Open the door and let us in."

"Demon Suppression Division!"

Upon hearing the words "Demon Suppression Division," the old man trembled all over, his fear intensifying. The Demon Suppression Division held immense authority in the Great Xia Dynasty. Ordinary people both respected and feared them.

However, after a slight hesitation, Old Man Du directly opened the courtyard gate.

Although he deeply respected the Demon Suppression Division, he also knew very well that the Demon Slayer Guards of the Demon Suppression Division would not harm ordinary citizens like them.

"Old sir, there's no need to be afraid. I'm just here to see your son." Lin Baichuan said in a deep voice, dismounted, cupped his hands towards Old Man Du, and then walked into the courtyard.

The courtyard was not large and looked quite old, but it was kept very clean and orderly. It was evident that the owner was someone who understood frugality and good housekeeping.

As soon as Lin Baichuan entered, his gaze swept across the courtyard. Immediately, in a corner of the yard, he saw a young man squatting on the ground, playing with a piece of wood.

If he wasn't mistaken, this person should be Du Feng.

Du Feng was currently sitting on the ground, incessantly tapping a piece of wood in his hand, muttering to himself. His eyes were red, and his face was filled with panic and fear. It was clear that he had been terribly frightened, and his mind had completely lost its sanity.

"My lord, this is my son. He's been like this since he came out of Mist Mountain."

Old Man Du walked over, trembling, and said, "It's been over a month. He mumbles the same thing every day, saying there are demons in Mist Mountain."

"There are indeed demons!"

Lin Baichuan's gaze was sharp, and he said in a deep voice, then turned to leave.

He could confirm that there were demons in Mist Mountain because he sensed a faint trace of Demonic Aura from Du Feng. Du Feng's madness was not just due to being frightened; he had also been infected by the Demonic Aura, which had eroded his mind.

He had initially thought he might be able to get some information from Du Feng, but now he realized it was unnecessary. Asking would be futile, as Du Feng, in his current state, wouldn't be able to provide any answers. However, this trip was not in vain. At the very least, he could confirm that there were indeed demons in Mist Mountain.

And, this demon's strength was not low.

Because although the Demonic Aura on Du Feng was weak, its quality was very high.

The stronger a demon, the higher the quality of its Demonic Aura, this is an eternal law.

Turning and walking to the courtyard entrance, Lin Baichuan suddenly stopped again. He took out a hundred tael silver note and handed it to Old Man Du, saying, "Take this money and go to the apothecary to get a few doses of medicine to calm the spirit, nourish the soul, and expel evil and banish the demonic. As long as the Demonic Aura within him can be expelled, there's still great hope for recovery."

"Thank you, sir..."

Old Man Du was stunned. After trembling as he took the silver, he suddenly knelt down before Lin Baichuan, tears welling up in his eyes.