As they were speaking, a commotion came from a courtyard not far away.
A rank smell drifted out on the night breeze. Heavy footsteps crossed from the main room into the middle of the courtyard. Then came two muffled thumps. Through the not-too-high courtyard wall, they saw a skinned muntjac being hoisted onto a bamboo pole propped up on a frame.
Blood trickled slowly down the muntjac, and the fresh, coppery scent of blood wafted through the air.
Creak!
The courtyard gate suddenly swung open. A man in ragged short clothes, whose manner was nevertheless remarkably refined, came out carrying a wooden basin. He poured the steaming dirty water beneath an old tree outside the gate.
From his attire, he was clearly a hunter from the town. He had returned from the hunt, but processing his catch had taken a long time, so he had yet to turn in for the night.
Zhong Kui Jingyi and Qiao Ciguang stopped in their tracks, staring at the hunter in astonishment.
The many members of the Demon Race behind them also halted. Seeing that the Fourth Princess and Fairy Qiao were interested in the mortal, they turned to look at him as well.
In the next instant, the Demon Race members were all stunned. One of them, a demon with wings growing from his ribs, cried out, "Daoist Fu!"
At the sound of his voice, the hunter, A Niu, who had just finished pouring out the water and was about to return inside and shut the gate, looked over. He saw Zhong Kui Jingyi, Qiao Ciguang, and the many demons standing not far away. He paused in surprise, then instinctively grabbed the hunting knife at his waist.
At the same time, he immediately called toward the courtyard next door, which was about the