Do Demons Have to Pay Taxes Too?

Cui Lang understood the moment he heard it. What Constable Li called leaving the city to intimidate demons was really taking him to meet demons.

He did not ask anything else and simply stood there waiting.

Half an hour later, a carriage drove out through the city gates.

Inside the carriage, Constable Li looked at Cui Lang's obedient manner and was very pleased.

"Cui Lang, no matter what you hear or see later, do not panic, and do not speak carelessly. Watch my signals and act accordingly."

"Some things may be hard for you to understand at first, but you will soon understand my painstaking intentions—and thank me for them."

Cui Lang nodded. "This subordinate understands."

An hour later, the carriage stopped before a large residence in a village.

After Constable Li got down from the carriage, the estate steward hurried over. "Constable Li, Master is waiting for you in the rear courtyard. Please, this way."

As they passed through the corridor and reached the entrance to the rear courtyard, Cui Lang caught a strong scent of blood.

The closer the steward came to the rear courtyard, the more violently he trembled. It was obvious that he knew what was inside.

"C-Constable Li, Master is in the rear courtyard. This lowly one will not go in and disturb him. Please."

When he saw Constable Li nod, the steward let out a breath of relief. Yet he did not dare leave, and his body continued to shake.

Cui Lang followed Constable Li into the rear courtyard and saw a black-robed figure eating mutton.

The mutton was clearly raw, blood still dripping from it. Even the bones were crunched apart directly, making sharp cracking sounds.

Hearing someone enter, the black-robed figure raised its head. It was, astonishingly, a leopard.

The leopard demon grinned at Constable Li, blood running down from the corners of its mouth.

"Constable Li, you're a little late today. Have you eaten? Want to join me for a bite?"

"We've eaten already. Thank you for the offer." Constable Li turned to Cui Lang. "This is Leopard Third Brother."

Cui Lang clasped his fists in greeting. "My name is Cui Lang. Greetings, Leopard Third Brother."

The leopard demon lifted its chin in acknowledgement, then grabbed a box from beside its feet and tossed it directly to Constable Li. "This month's are all in there."

Constable Li opened the box and took a glance before putting it away in his robes. "Leopard Third Brother, you still have some in reserve, right? I hope you can give one more."

The leopard demon threw the mutton in its hand onto the ground and stared coldly at Constable Li. "What do you mean? The rules say three every month. You want to raise the price? You think I'm easy to bully?"

"Or do you think that just because you brought someone along, I'll be afraid of you?"

A faint smile hung on Constable Li's face. "Leopard Third Brother misunderstands. Of course, we will not make you work for nothing. From now on, your monthly blood food can also be increased by thirty percent."

"You know there was a little accident this month. Some could not pay up, so we'll have to trouble you to make up the shortfall."

"If Leopard Third Brother does not wish to discuss this with me, then should I send someone else to discuss it with you tomorrow?"

The leopard demon's expression eased slightly. After hesitating for a moment, it said, "The additional thirty percent of blood food for this month must be delivered to me immediately."

"Fine. Someone will send it over shortly."

After Constable Li agreed, the leopard demon indeed fished another pill from its robes and flicked it casually into Constable Li's palm.

"Leopard Third Brother, the business is finished, so we will not disturb your meal any longer. See you next month."

After Constable Li and Cui Lang left, the leopard demon spat out the mutton in its mouth. "Pah. Disgusting. Two-legged sheep are still more fragrant."

Though it had to provide one more Blood Pill each month, it could have three more two-legged sheep. It was no loss.

"Steward, bring me the two-legged sheep from the cellar!"

Cui Lang followed Constable Li out of the estate and returned to the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Constable Li looked at Cui Lang. "Want to know what the leopard demon gave me? This is the benefit I mentioned: a Blood Pill."

"Blood Pills are refined by demons through secret arts. Every one contains rich essence of blood and qi. Swallowing one can greatly increase your blood and qi, and can also grow your true essence."

"After being intimidated by us, these demons live in the villages and ordinarily only eat chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep to fill their bellies. But the common folk all have to pay taxes. Since demons live in the villages, naturally they cannot stay for free. The price they pay is these Blood Pills."

Well, damn. This was the first time he had heard that demons had to pay taxes too. Constable Li and the people behind him really were talents!

Sure enough, Constable Li and the others gained other benefits from cooperating with demons. He had not expected the demons to be the ones refining pills for them.

Blood Pills contained the essence of blood and qi—so what were they made from?

Was the blood food Constable Li mentioned really just cattle and sheep?

Everything about protecting the common folk and preserving peace in Cloud Mountain County was nothing but an excuse to cover up their collusion with demons. Their true goal was to obtain Blood Pills and raise their own strength.

They said demons were vicious and cruel, but now it seemed that the hearts of certain evil men were even more venomous!

"I told you before that as long as I wished to help you, you would have a chance to enter the Essence Gathering Realm. What you lack is merely cultivation resources, so there is no need to worry now."

"From now on, you will receive one each month. Since you have also learned the Blazing Sun Technique, it will not be long before you can condense Blazing Sun true essence and enter the Essence Gathering Realm."

With a flick of Constable Li's hand, Cui Lang hurriedly caught the Blood Pill with both hands, his face filled with excitement. "This subordinate thanks Constable Li. In the future, please judge me by my performance."

Constable Li stared at Cui Lang. "Why aren't you taking it?"

Cui Lang quickly explained, "This subordinate wishes to save up three and take them together, to strike at the Essence Gathering Realm. At that time, this subordinate will surely be able to serve you even better and will never disappoint you."

He would not eat such filthy things refined by demons. Wouldn't that make him truly one of these people?

Besides, who knew whether there were side effects? What if taking one meant he had to keep taking them forever, or some expert saw through him at a glance?

Moreover, he did not need Blood Pills to increase his blood and qi or true essence. Demon blood essence refined by the little pot worked even better.

Constable Li burst into laughter. "You do have ambition."

"As long as you are obedient, there will be plenty of Blood Pills for you in the future. Forget breaking through to the Essence Gathering Realm—even condensing a martial Golden Core may not be impossible."

"The prerequisite is that these matters cannot be known by outsiders. There are always some people who misunderstand us, believing all demons are evil and should all be killed, that if we see demons and do not kill them, then we are in league with them."

"But what do they know of our painstaking intentions? Is it not better to intimidate demons in advance than to wait until they kill people and then avenge them?"

Cui Lang's face was full of agreement. "Only by increasing our strength can we better intimidate demons into not acting recklessly, even make demons work for us."

Constable Li patted Cui Lang on the shoulder. "Cui Lang, you are a smart man."

"Rest assured as well. If any demon dares disobey the rules, we will certainly not spare it lightly."

"Let's go. We still have several more places to visit tonight to collect Blood Pills. Starting next month, all these matters will be handed over to you."

Cui Lang nodded, wearing the look of absolute loyalty.

Wouldn't that reveal all the hiding places of the demons in the county?