"Is that really so?"
Chong An was somewhat surprised.
"Far more than that."
The old Daoist was quite advanced in years. As the outward-facing temple master, he normally had to maintain a dignified bearing, but with no one to talk to, he was now deep in the mood for conversation. "I heard of an old crane demon ancestor who claimed his flesh was delicious. Every day, he cut off three jin of meat and sold it to the highest bidder. Those three jin of meat supported a household of several hundred."
Hearing this, Chong An found it utterly incredible. Demons actually had to cut off their own flesh to make a living? Still, it was better than eating people. Not to mention a few jin of meat, even if the entire body of a great demon were flayed away, as long as its cultivation was sufficient, a turn of its magic power would make it grow back. But he soon realized he had been mistaken.
The old Daoist said eagerly, "That was not the end of it. Once this method spread, pig demons and deer demons began following suit in droves. The fashion of cutting flesh became more and more prevalent, and the amount of flesh being cut grew ever greater, while prices became cheaper and cheaper—yet no one could stop..."
Chong An's heart jolted. If this continued, what demon could endure it? He asked, "And now?"
The old Daoist suddenly fell silent. With a chuckle, he said, "Many things can be learned once the temple master descends the mountain. There is no need for this junior to explain them."
Seeing him play coy, Chong An did not grow annoyed. He nodded. He himself was interested in the state of the world today. "It is indeed time to walk around