The Storm Was Coming

"Constable Zhang, I've heard about what happened at Li Family Hamlet."

In the county magistrate's study, the magistrate stood with his hands behind his back, his expression grave as he looked toward Zhang Hu across the desk.

"Did Yang Xiao really kill that Pig Demon?"

"Yes, my lord." A bitter smile appeared on Zhang Hu's face. "Yang Xiao killed the Qi-Gathering Pig Demon on his very first day in Li Family Hamlet, resolving the hamlet's crisis."

The county magistrate looked pleasantly surprised, but then sighed.

"That child Yang Xiao... he truly surprises me more and more."

"In just a few days, he went from killing Body Forging demons to killing a Qi-Gathering great demon. Such a rate of progress is unheard of."

Zhang Hu sighed as well. "Indeed. With him around, the demon crisis in Xiangyun County can be greatly alleviated."

The county magistrate nodded, but his expression soon turned grave.

"But... Constable Zhang, do you know where that Pig Demon came from?"

Zhang Hu fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "The Back Mountain behind Li Family Hamlet is actually called Three-Demon Mountain. The Pig Demon ranked third. Above him are an Ape Demon and an Ox Demon."

The county magistrate nodded.

"Exactly. Now that the Pig Demon is dead, the Ape Demon and Ox Demon will certainly make a move."

"My lord, you mean..." Zhang Hu's expression darkened as well.

The county magistrate sighed. "The demons of Three-Demon Mountain possess unfathomable strength. The two ranked above him are likely even stronger."

"If they attack Xiangyun County, we won't be able to stop them at all."

Zhang Hu fell silent. He knew the county magistrate was speaking the truth.

The strongest martial artists in Xiangyun County were merely himself and Li Tie, both at the Ninth Layer of Body Forging.

Although Yang Xiao had killed a Qi-Gathering Pig Demon, he would still be hopelessly outmatched against demons of a higher realm, let alone able to count on them for any help.

With that thought, Zhang Hu asked anxiously,

"My lord, when will the people from the Demon Suppression Division arrive?"

"Two more days. I've already sent someone to urge them. Hopefully, they can get here sooner."

Zhang Hu let out a sigh of relief. "As long as the people from the Demon Suppression Division arrive, the demons of Three-Demon Mountain won't dare act recklessly."

"I hope so." The county magistrate nodded, then seemed to recall something and instructed him, "Have Yang Xiao stay in the County Yamen these next two days. Don't let him leave the city again."

"The demons of Three-Demon Mountain might come looking for him."

"Yang Dayong died defending the county seat back then. We can't let the son he left behind walk the same old road."

Zhang Hu answered solemnly, "Yes, my lord."

After leaving the county magistrate's study, Zhang Hu found Yang Xiao's small courtyard and got straight to the point.

"You've rendered an outstanding service this time, but... you've also caused trouble."

Yang Xiao's brows drew together slightly.

"Trouble?"

Zhang Hu said in a heavy voice, "The Back Mountain behind Li Family Hamlet is called Three-Demon Mountain. The Pig Demon was only the third-ranked one. There are two great demons above him, and their strength is only greater, never lesser.

"You killed the Pig Demon. They may not let the matter rest."

Yang Xiao remained silent for a moment after hearing this. "Constable Zhang, you mean...?"

Zhang Hu glanced into the distance, then spoke slowly.

"The people from the Demon Suppression Division will arrive in two days. Don't leave the county seat during that time, and stay especially alert."

"Once the people from the Demon Suppression Division arrive, those beasts won't be able to stir up much trouble."

Yang Xiao slowly closed his eyes. A few strands of gloom rose unbidden in his heart, but when he opened them again, they had vanished without a trace.

"Thank you for the warning, Constable Zhang."

"I'll be careful."

Seeing Yang Xiao's calm expression, Zhang Hu felt both comforted and worried.

He was comforted because Yang Xiao possessed extraordinary strength and was Xiangyun County's hope.

He was worried because Yang Xiao was too young and had no idea how terrifying the demons of Three-Demon Mountain were.

"Yang Xiao, I know you're strong, but the demons of Three-Demon Mountain aren't opponents you can handle. When that day truly comes, the County Yamen won't be able to offer you any help—in fact, it might even... drag you down."

"So you must wait until the people from the Demon Suppression Division arrive before taking action!"

Yang Xiao nodded. "I understand."

Zhang Hu patted him on the shoulder and smiled lightly.

"Get a good rest. Don't leave the city for the next two days."

"Got it."

Three-Demon Mountain was actually a stretch of rolling blue-green mountains joined together.

The tallest peak plunged deep into the heavens and was shrouded in white mist all year round. Meltwater streamed down from a gap in the summit, gathered into a small pool halfway up the mountain, and gave rise to another name: Cloudspring Peak.

An ancient tree stood on an isolated shoal in the pool, its branches twisted and gnarled.

Three fist-sized fruits hung from its crown. They were white and crystalline all over, radiating a faint spiritual light.

Condensed Essence Fruit.

This was the deepest secret of Three-Demon Mountain, as well as the opportunity that had created the Ape Demon and the Pig Demon.

Beside the ancient tree, a massive black ox lay sprawled on the ground, its eyes half-closed as though asleep.

Its body was the size of a house. Black fur, hard as iron armor, covered its entire frame, while thick Demonic Qi poured from its nostrils with every breath.

The Ox Demon, leader of Three-Demon Mountain.

The sun had climbed high into the sky. It baked the Ox Demon's back with fierce, scorching heat.

The Ox Demon slowly opened its eyes, its pupils glowing with a dim green light as they swept across the surroundings.

"The third brother still hasn't returned from going out last night?"

Its voice was low and resonant, like muffled thunder echoing through the mountains.

Three breaths later, a burly figure leaped from among the treetops and landed beside the Ox Demon.

It was far taller and more powerfully built than an ordinary person, its body covered in black-brown hair. Coarse cloth was wrapped around its waist to cover its lower body, while its arms were long, thick, and full of strength.

"Big Brother, that gluttonous third brother probably got so caught up playing around in Li Family Hamlet that he forgot the time."

The Ape Demon's voice was coarse, with a trace of impatience.

It loved looking for demons to fight in the mountains and had always looked down on the Pig Demon's gluttonous, lazy habits.

"It's been a day."

The Ox Demon's gaze turned toward the foot of the mountain.

"The third brother usually loves hanging around this Condensed Essence Fruit tree of mine, hoping to get another fruit. I haven't seen hide nor hair of him all day today. Something's wrong."

The Ape Demon bared its mouthful of sharp fangs. "Big Brother, you're worried that..."

"Go and see."

The Ox Demon cut it off.

"Go to Li Family Hamlet and see whether the third brother simply forgot the time. If not, go ask that human called Li Tie."

Hearing that he could go down the mountain for a look around, a flash of excitement crossed the Ape Demon's eyes. "I'll go right now!"

"The Condensed Essence Fruit will ripen in the next few days. Although the third brother is greedy, he has never neglected his duties."

The Ox Demon's voice remained calm, but an imperceptible chill seeped through it.

"If someone has tampered with things behind our backs..."

It did not finish, but the Ape Demon already understood its meaning.

"I'll teach them a lesson."

The Ape Demon slammed its fists together with a muffled boom, its eyes filled with battle intent.

"Perfect. I haven't had a little fun with those youngsters from the County Yamen in a long time either."

It leaped into the air, transformed into a streak of black shadow, and swept toward the foot of the mountain.

The Ox Demon watched the Ape Demon leave. A faint trace of worry flashed in its eyes. Then it glanced at the Condensed Essence Fruit before it and inhaled the scent of its nearing maturity. Only then did its heart settle somewhat, and it closed its eyes once more.