An Existence Like a Grandfather

"Fang Mu is here! Quick, quick, clear the way, get the tables, benches, tea, and snacks ready!"

As soon as he stepped into the main hall of the Demon Slayer Division, Fang Mu was the center of attention, walking like a VIP to a private tea table and sitting down.

All the Demon Slayers in the hall were incredibly enthusiastic, almost to the point of rushing forward to hug him.

However, everyone only dared to think about it. When Fang Mu entered the hall, they all retreated to a corner like a receding tide.

Everyone was afraid of being contaminated by the Demonic Energy on Fang Mu.

It couldn't be helped. Fang Mu had killed too many demons during this period; it was impossible not to be afraid.

Fang Mu ignored everyone in the hall and sat at the tea table, eating pastries and drinking tea by himself.

He wasn't worried about being poisoned at all, because these pastries and tea had gone through layers of checks.

If anyone dared to poison them, Fang Mu wouldn't have to lift a finger; the Demon Slayers in the Demon Slaying Hall would beat that person to a pulp.

Thanks to Fang Mu killing demons during this period, everyone else had been incredibly idle.

He had practically taken on all the four-star and above demons in the Mortal Prison by himself.

To all the Demon Slayers, Fang Mu was now a hot commodity.

As long as Fang Mu lived one more day, they could enjoy one more day of leisure.

Therefore, during this time, everyone treated him like a VIP.

Many people privately gave him elixirs to enhance his strength, fearing that his strength would be insufficient and he would die while killing demons.

As a result, Fang Mu's cultivation had openly broken through to Martial Artist Seventh Rank during this period, and he had received plenty of benefits from elixirs in private.

The reason for this change was all thanks to Tu Qing.

In the beginning, Tu Qing would send various demons every day, and the quantity would gradually increase.

Every time Fang Mu killed a demon, he deliberately made himself look extremely battered, but he was still resilient, like an unkillable cockroach.

Many of Tu Qing's demons were caught by others, and he had taken them to deliberately torment Fang Mu.

As Fang Mu killed more and more demons each day, the others in the Demon Slaying Hall gradually had nothing to do.

Fang Mu was like a cockroach, always appearing battered and as if he could die at any moment, but he just wouldn't die.

Tu Qing didn't care that Fang Mu wasn't killed.

He was just looking for entertainment anyway; as long as Fang Mu was alive, he could come and watch the show every few days.

It was only later that Qi Zhu couldn't stand Tu Qing's behavior and couldn't stand Fang Mu being bullied.

She indignantly stormed into the Demon Slaying Hall, questioning Tu Qing and wanting him to stop troubling Fang Mu.

But Fang Mu didn't appreciate it; instead, he cursed Qi Zhu soundly, making her cry and run away.

Fang Mu had no choice. If he didn't curse Qi Zhu, his demon-slaying plans would be disrupted, and how could he rapidly improve his cultivation and strength?

During this period of demon slaying, his cultivation had soared like a rocket. Now, he didn't even know how strong his physical body was.

If he continued to fight for a while longer, Fang Mu felt that he would have the strength to beat down Tu Qing's father.

Just as Fang Mu finished his tea and snacks and snapped out of his thoughts.

He was a little surprised. Why hadn't he seen Sun Hou, the lackey who always assigned him tasks, today?

At this moment, Fang Mu saw Sun Hou following Tu Qing, slowly heading towards the Demon Slaying Hall.

A hint of suspicion flashed in Fang Mu's eyes. Tu Qing hardly ever came to the Demon Slaying Hall in the mornings during this period.

His sudden arrival now made Fang Mu frown inwardly and become vigilant.

"Everyone get out."

After entering the Demon Slaying Hall, Tu Qing coldly ordered everyone inside.

"Fang Mu! You damn well sit there obediently!"

Seeing Fang Mu get up to leave, Tu Qing's face darkened with annoyance.

"Damn it! He's really after me!"

Fang Mu cursed inwardly and could only obediently sit back on the bench.

"You get out too! Close the door!"

Seeing everyone leave, Tu Qing instructed Sun Hou behind him.

Watching the door being closed behind him, Fang Mu immediately became vigilant. He was somewhat surprised if Tu Qing had some unhealthy fetish.

Just as Fang Mu was lost in thought, Tu Qing suddenly spoke, "I'm not letting you slay demons this time. I'm giving you a few days off to help me complete a task!"

Fang Mu was stunned for a moment, thinking, You'd be this kind? I don't believe it.

So he quickly shook his head, feeling that demon slaying was more reliable.

"Hmph! Fang Mu, I'm not here to discuss this with you."

"I'm a Demon Slayer, not a Demon Exorcist, so I don't need to go out on missions!"

Before Tu Qing could finish speaking, Fang Mu interrupted him.

Fang Mu was being stubborn, and Tu Qing was getting annoyed. He said in a deep voice, "Whether you go or not isn't up to you!"

"I can't force you to do anything against the rules, but you do have a sister, don't you?"

"She's not part of my yamen. I can easily have her thrown out."

"You—"

Hearing Tu Qing's threat, Fang Mu instantly stood up in anger, but he managed to restrain himself and didn't make a move against Tu Qing.

"What do you want me to do?"

Finally, Fang Mu relented, his expression grim as he asked.

"Heh heh! You're a smart person. As long as you behave, I won't make things difficult for you."

Tu Qing smiled triumphantly, enjoying Fang Mu's suppressed rage.

"The mission this time is simple. You'll go to a village outside the city to investigate the truth behind why all the residents died overnight."

"Just investigate?"

"Yes!" Tu Qing said with a smile, looking at the suspicious Fang Mu.

Investigating was indeed just investigating, and the mission was simple, with generous rewards.

However, it wasn't without danger. This investigation mission required leaving the city.

Without the protection of the Divine Wall, even the strongest individuals would die if they encountered the Darkness Invasion.

Tu Qing was unwilling to give up the mission's substantial rewards, which is why he wanted Fang Mu to complete it for him.

As long as Fang Mu could help him complete the mission, he could reap the benefits without taking any risks himself.

"This is your chance to prove yourself. If you complete the mission, I'll give you your own small courtyard. How about that?"

"It'll be much more comfortable than your current place. Even if you don't care, you have to think about your family, right?"

Hearing Tu Qing's enticing words, Fang Mu was somewhat tempted.

But he didn't agree immediately. Instead, he requested the freedom to enter and exit the county office.

After Tu Qing agreed, Fang Mu accepted the investigation mission.

Outside the county city, it wasn't as terrifying as outsiders claimed. Instead, it was filled with lush green grass and a vibrant scene.

"Brother! It's so beautiful outside the city!"

Watching Fang Jing run and play in the grass, Fang Mu couldn't help but smile.

He was worried about leaving Fang Jing alone at the county office, so he brought her out of the city.

"Xiao Jing! I'll carry you. It's getting late, and we need to reach the town before dark."

Fang Mu called out to Fang Jing, then, carrying her on his back, he activated his movement technique and turned into an afterimage, speeding towards the distance.

As he left the county office, Fang Mu unexpectedly encountered Qi Zhu, who blocked his path.

Qi Zhu reminded him that the county office was very far from the town.

If he didn't ride a horse, it would be difficult to reach the town before dark, and once swallowed by the darkness, even an immortal couldn't save him.

After delivering her warning, Qi Zhu left in a huff, clearly still upset that Fang Mu hadn't appreciated her good intentions earlier.

Carrying Fang Jing, Fang Mu ran at full speed. He hadn't bought a horse in the city.

His full-speed sprint was much faster than a horse, and he could even practice his movement technique while running, though it was a bit tiring.

As he traveled, Fang Mu noticed black ash on the ground in many places.

In some wild mountain forests, there were strange mountain shrines.

Fang Mu even saw many peculiar stone statues. These statues were bizarre in appearance, not human, but in the shape of demons.

The stone statues were extremely sturdy. Even when Fang Mu attacked with all his might, leaving many nicks on his long sword, he couldn't damage the statues at all.

Seeing the sun gradually setting, Fang Mu dared not delay any longer.

He followed the route marked on the map, channeling his movement technique and running at extreme speed.