A Family of Seven

The courtyard was quite elaborately decorated, with rockeries and artificial water features, offering a pleasant view.

It was unlikely that many of the wealthy families in Qiulin County could compare to this place.

This was no simple landlord's doing; one could imagine this person's "business" was doing very well.

He wondered if his colleagues' past glorious achievements in slayers demons had been due to Old Master Bai's influence.

Lost in thought, they soon arrived at the study in the back courtyard.

Behind the desk, a thin, distinguished-looking old man stood up and said with a smile, "It's been a while, Head Constable Sun. How have you been lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Old Master Bai. I'm doing well!"

Sun Zhi clasped his fists, his expression serious.

He seemed a bit nervous, his right hand never straying far from the long saber at his waist.

Old Master Bai paid no mind to his demeanor and turned his gaze to Shen Lin.

Unlike Sun Zhi, Shen Lin had appeared very calm from the start, even having the leisure to admire the calligraphy and paintings on the walls.

"Those are replicas of works by the current Painting Sage. If you like them, young friend, feel free to take them."

As he spoke, he looked at Sun Zhi.

Sun Zhi immediately reacted and was about to introduce Shen Lin's identity when Shen Lin interrupted him.

"Interesting, interesting. Creatures like you actually understand how to appreciate human paintings?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent.

Cold sweat broke out on Sun Zhi's forehead, and he cursed Shen Lin inwardly.

This guy, hadn't he promised not to speak carelessly?

What the heck...

Fortunately, Old Master Bai on the other side didn't lash out.

He seemed merely surprised by Shen Lin's directness.

After a moment of stunned silence, he resumed his previous composed smile and said, "You jest, young friend. We Yao Clan (Demon Clan) are not unthinking beasts. Once we gain the ability to think, we naturally aspire to these elegant arts. Some powerful beings in the Yao Clan (Demon Clan) are no less skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting than your human masters."

"That's right, that's right. Old Master Bai speaks wisely."

Sun Zhi quickly smoothed things over, changing the subject to introduce, "This is Shen Lin, he just broke through to the Martial Artist realm. He's working with me now."

Old Master Bai stroked his beard and chuckled, "I trust Head Constable Sun's character. Please, have a seat!"

After ushering them to sit down, he called out, "Qianqian! We have distinguished guests, go brew a pot of good tea!"

Not long after, a beautiful young girl walked in carrying tea.

She had a delicate appearance and wore a light green dress, her curvaceous figure quite alluring.

From the moment she entered, Shen Lin stared intently at her backside, his eyes not blinking.

To be precise, it was her silvery-white fox tail, which swayed provocatively.

"Mas... Master, could you please stop staring at me like that..."

Being stared at by Shen Lin for so long, Qianqian's face flushed, and her voice carried a hint of shy anger.

Sun Zhi felt a bit helpless and nudged Shen Lin, whispering, "Brother!"

"Hahaha, it's alright. A gentleman appreciates beauty; it's only natural. In fact, it's not just humans; even we Yao Clan (Demon Clan) appreciate handsome appearances. Young Master Shen is also a fine-looking man. Would you like to marry my Qianqian? A talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match."

"Father!"

Qianqian shot Old Master Bai a glance and fled as if escaping.

Shen Lin didn't take the remark to heart and instead smiled, "Old Master Bai, please don't joke. Let's talk business."

Sun Zhi cleared his throat and said seriously, "We've come to see Old Master Bai about..."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Master Bai interrupted with a chuckle, "I understand what you mean, but you should also understand my rules."

Sun Zhi nodded and gestured towards Shen Lin with his eyes.

Clang!

Placing the cloth bag he had brought onto the table and pushing it over, Shen Lin showed no sign of heartache.

Old Master Bai picked it up. The cloth bag, filled with heavy gold and silver, felt as light as nothing in his hands.

He examined the contents and placed them back on the table, shaking his head slowly.

"Not enough!"

Sun Zhi frowned, confused, "I recall it was the same amount in the past..."

"Times have changed, Head Constable Sun!"

Old Master Bai took a sip of tea and sighed, "Things have been restless in the mountains lately. A new leader took over the stronghold. This one is different from the previous one; he doesn't like too much entanglement with humans. Creatures like me have been specifically warned by him. Besides, my..."

Before he could finish, the door was suddenly kicked open.

A sturdy young man with a tiger-like head ran in, shouting, "Grandpa, Grandpa! I haven't eaten enough, I'm hungry!"

If you only heard the voice, you'd think it was a child whining to their grandpa for food.

However, this child at the moment had bright red blood smeared across their lips, and in their hands, they held a steaming heart.

"Heh heh, you little brat, you've got your eye on the next prize while still eating what's in front of you. Don't you have another one in your hand?"

The child blinked, their voice milky and childish, "But this is the last piece. After I eat this, Sister Yuniang will die. Once she's dead, her flesh will get cold and hard, and it won't taste good anymore!"

Old Master Bai looked at Sun Zhi and Shen Lin with a hint of apology. "This kid, I've spoiled him rotten! Please wait a moment, gentlemen, I'll take this little one to his grandmother."

As he spoke, he stood up, cradled the child, and walked out, murmuring reassurances.

"Didn't Grandpa tell you to start eating from the edges? That way, your Sister Yuniang can live a little longer. The best parts, the organs, you eat those last..."

"But I couldn't help it..."

Shen Lin remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "I remember, the sister of that fellow outside the door, her name was Yuniang, wasn't it?"

Sun Zhi was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "In the nearby villages, five or six out of every ten girls are named Yuniang."

"So if it's someone else's Yuniang, then it's fine?"

Hearing Shen Lin's pointed question, Sun Zhi let out a cold laugh. "What else can be done? Their entire family of seven, apart from the child you just saw, are all demons who have cultivated demonic energy. I know you're talented and skilled with the blade, but even that young girl just now, you might not be able to handle her. Let alone that old thing who's over a hundred years old, and the others."

"A family of seven?"

Shen Lin murmured, his eyes flickering, lost in thought.