Ang had carried out the demolition operation with great anticipation. He personally led a streamlined team of thirty men and quietly entered the area near the canyon while the demons were out hunting. They carefully placed wooden barrels filled with gunpowder at key points in the canyon, lit the fuses, and swiftly withdrew.
At a safe distance, Ang and his team held their breath and waited for the explosion. Before long, a dull boom came from the canyon, seemingly heralding the success of the blast. However, when the smoke cleared, Ang found that the canyon had not suffered the large-scale collapse he had expected. Instead, it had only trembled slightly.
Just as Ang was feeling disappointed, a group of demons appeared above the canyon, apparently alerted by the explosion. Ang's team immediately stopped what they were doing and quickly found places to hide, afraid of being discovered by the demons. At that moment, he realized that the blast had not achieved the desired effect. The gunpowder was still not powerful enough to completely destroy the demons' hiding place.
The team waited silently in hiding, watching the demons' every move. Fortunately, the demons did not notice Ang and the others. After patrolling the area above the canyon once, they left.
Although the demolition operation had not produced the expected results, Ang was not discouraged.
Inside the canyon
The demons caught the sulfurous scent lingering in the air. Excitement flashed in their eyes, followed by deep, joyful cries. The smell was both unfamiliar and familiar to them, as though it had awakened instinctive memories buried deep within them. Although the explosion had not caused them any real harm, the sulfurous smell in the air had stirred memories long hidden away.
The demons did not understand the source or meaning of this smell.