Demon

Upon hearing Mister Li's agreement, the One-Eyed Youth burst into laughter.

"We lost twelve brothers today—that's one thousand two hundred taels of silver. Any problems?"

The smile on Mister Li's face grew stranger as he said, "Let's go, Commander. We'll head to my home to collect the silver now."

Gesturing for his men to follow, he set off toward Dongsheng Town.

By the time the group reached the Li Family estate at the eastern edge of Dongsheng Town, the sky had fully darkened.

Standing outside the courtyard, under the moonlight.

Gazing at the imposing mansion before him, the One-Eyed Youth and the brothers behind him began to harbor other thoughts.

Mister Li led the way into the estate and shot a glance at his attendant.

Once everyone was inside, the attendant closed the main gate.

Seeing this, the One-Eyed Youth felt a foreboding chill rise in his heart.

But thinking of the one thousand two hundred taels of silver and this vast mansion, his greed overpowered his fear.

He followed Mister Li into the rear courtyard's treasury, ready to order his men to strike and loot every last coin.

"Husband, you're finally back! I've missed you so much."

The voice had barely reached the courtyard when a young Noblewoman, draped in silk and satin, her chest rising in two high peaks, her face delicate and alluring, swayed her hips out from the side chamber.

"Damn, a baby face with a bombshell body," the One-Eyed Youth muttered, his groin instantly igniting with an unquenchable fire.

The men behind him stared at the woman's face and figure, their eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

The Noblewoman walked up to Mister Li and said in a voice dripping with seduction, "Husband, with so many guests today, why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Then she turned her gaze to the One-Eyed Youth and the soldiers behind him, looking at them as if they were already dead.

Mister Li said to the Noblewoman, "My lady, these aren't guests. They're carefully selected food I've prepared for you—deserters who came from Qingzhou recently. Even if they die, no one will investigate. Please, enjoy them at your leisure."

Hearing Mister Li's words, the One-Eyed Youth's hair stood on end. Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead, and a warm trickle ran down his leg.

He spun around and bolted for the courtyard exit.

The Noblewoman's once-delicate features twisted: her body swelled and grew, heads of different women sprouted from her neck, and her mouth split open all the way to her ears.

With a single leap, she blocked the fleeing men. Opening her gaping maw, she lunged at the One-Eyed Youth's head.

Facing the monster bearing down on him, the One-Eyed Youth's vision went black, and only the lower half of his body thudded to the ground.

"Ah!" "Ah!" "Ah!"—screams of utter agony rang out endlessly from Mister Li's estate.

Inside the outer courtyard, the maids and servants trembled in terror at the sounds.

About a quarter of an hour later, the screams faded. The Noblewoman returned to her normal form and walked over to Mister Li.

"You did well this time, bringing so much blood-meat at once. But the quality of this batch is too poor." She tossed out a pitch-black pill. "This is the 'Longevity Pill' you wanted. It extends your life by one year."

"I need to refine the blood-meat. Don't disturb me unless it's important." With that, she headed toward the side chamber.

At the chamber door, she suddenly remembered something: "Oh, and about the Extremely Yin Maiden born in the Year, Month, and Hour of Yin you promised to offer by month's end—when will she be delivered?"

"In a few days, just a few days," Mister Li said, snatching the pill from the ground and swallowing it whole.

The Noblewoman nodded and retreated into her room.

Looking at the bloodstains splattered across the courtyard, Mister Li shouted, "Steward! Steward!"

"Master!"

Soon, an old man with graying hair and wrinkled skin entered, bowing to Mister Li.

Kneeling on the ground, the Steward stole a glance at his master and noticed that several more wrinkles had vanished from his face, his skin growing tighter, like a man in his forties.

Knowing that his master was actually older than himself, the Steward felt a strange unease.

"Have someone come in and clean up the bloodstains. Every servant who stayed in the estate tonight gets a reward of five hundred copper coins."

"Tell them to keep their mouths shut. Nothing happened tonight. No one is to go out and talk nonsense."

"And you—find someone to keep watch. If anyone can't hold their tongue and lets something slip..."

"Snap." Mister Li made a throat-slitting gesture.

By the time they returned to Dongsheng Town in the afternoon, the sky had darkened.

Several hunters who had gone to the county town with them wanted to treat Luo Yi to dinner that evening, thanking him for saving their lives twice.

Considering he'd been busy all day in the county and that his younger sister would have to cook after returning—too much trouble—he nodded in agreement.

The group went to the town's finest restaurant, the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, ordered a full table of dishes, and asked Manager Chen to bring out several jugs of fine wine.

Seeing their unusual enthusiasm, Luo Yi felt something was off and glanced at Wang Meng.

Meeting Luo Yi's questioning look, Wang Meng nodded.

They'd always come to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to sell their game, but this was their first time eating here.

Eyeing the lavish spread on the table, Luo Yi didn't stand on ceremony and dug in heartily.

After several rounds of food and drink, amidst the flattery of the crowd, Luo Yi merely smiled and nodded, acknowledging everyone's praise.

"Big brother, you're amazing!"

His younger sister Luo Xi, seated beside him, gazed at him with adoration.

"These are all fleeting clouds. Only true personal strength is the foundation." With that, he ruffled her head.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, Luo Yi glanced at the few still drinking and remembered he hadn't trained today after going to the county town. He could only take the tonic medicine twice a day—no point wasting it.

"Uncle Wang, Brother Chen Liu, and all you brothers, take your time and enjoy yourselves! My sister and I still have things to do, so we'll head back first." With that, Luo Yi took his sister's hand and walked out.

After Luo Yi left, Wang Meng began observing the changes in the remaining men.

"Pah!" A hunter grumbled in displeasure. "Who does he think he is? Just an Entry Realm Martial Artist. We brothers went out of our way to flatter him today, and the main man leaves early—what's that supposed to mean?"

No sooner had he spoken than two other hunters chimed in, "Brother's right. He acts like we're all begging him for something. This is a real slap in the face."

"Captain Wang, don't you think so?"

Hearing this, Wang Meng shook his head at the three men and walked out.

Chen Liu, seeing this, quickly followed.

Back home, Luo Yi set the tonic medicine to simmer in a pot, knowing it would take at least a quarter of an hour to brew.

He took out his bow and began practicing in the yard.

He'd barely started when a knock came at the door.

"Who is it?"

Unsure of the visitor's identity, Luo Yi gripped the Dao he'd seized that afternoon and cautiously approached the gate.

"It's me! Wang Meng and Chen Liu. Open up—we've got something to discuss."

Recognizing Wang Meng's voice, Luo Yi unlatched the door and welcomed them into the yard.