A Storm Was Coming

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

In the County Magistrate's study, the County Magistrate stood with his hands behind his back, looking gravely at Zhang Hu across the desk.

"Did Yang Xiao truly kill that Pig Demon?"

"Yes, sir." Zhang Hu gave a wry smile. "Yang Xiao killed the Qi Gathering Pig Demon on his first day at Li Family Hamlet and ended the hamlet's troubles."

Surprise lit the County Magistrate's face, but he sighed.

"That child Yang Xiao... he never stops surprising me."

"In just a few days, he went from killing Body Forging Demons to killing a great Demon at Qi Gathering. I've never heard of progress like it."

Zhang Hu sighed in admiration too. "Indeed. With him here, the Demon threat to Xiangyun County could ease considerably."

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 saying slowly, "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 a Bull Demon."

The County Magistrate nodded.

"Exactly. The Pig Demon is dead. The Ape Demon and Bull Demon are bound to make a move."

"Sir, you mean..." Zhang Hu's face darkened too.

The County Magistrate sighed. "The strength of the Demons on Three-Demon Mountain is unfathomable. Those two ranked above him are likely even stronger."

"If they attack Xiangyun County, we simply can't stop them."

Zhang Hu fell silent. He knew the County Magistrate spoke the truth.

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

Yang Xiao had killed the Qi Gathering Pig Demon, but he would still be outmatched by Demons of a higher realm. Nor could they offer him any real help.

At the thought, Zhang Hu asked with concern,

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

"In two days. I've already sent someone to urge them on. I hope they come sooner."

Zhang Hu breathed a sigh of relief. "Once the Demon Suppression Division arrives, the Demons of Three-Demon Mountain won't dare act rashly."

"I hope so." The County Magistrate nodded, then seemed to remember something. "Have Yang Xiao stay at the County Yamen for the next two days. He mustn't leave the city again."

"The Demons of Three-Demon Mountain may come looking for him."

"Yang Dayong died defending this county town. We cannot let the son he left behind walk the same old road."

"Yes, sir," Zhang Hu answered solemnly.

After leaving the County Magistrate's study, Zhang Hu went to Yang Xiao's courtyard and got straight to the point.

"You've done a great service this time, but... you've also stirred up trouble."

Yang Xiao frowned slightly.

"Trouble?"

Zhang Hu said gravely, "The Back Mountain behind Li Family Hamlet is called Three-Demon Mountain. The Pig Demon was only the third-ranked. Two great Demons stand above him, and neither is any weaker.

"You killed the Pig Demon. They may not let it go."

Yang Xiao was silent for a moment. "Constable Zhang, are you saying...?"

Zhang Hu glanced into the distance, then spoke slowly.

"The people from the Demon Suppression Division will arrive in two days. Until then, don't leave the county town, and stay alert."

"Once the Demon Suppression Division gets here, those beasts won't be able to raise a storm."

Yang Xiao closed his eyes briefly. A wave of pent-up frustration rose within him unbidden, but by the time he opened them, it was gone.

"Thank you for the warning, Constable Zhang."

"I'll be careful."

Looking at Yang Xiao's calm expression, Zhang Hu felt both reassured and worried.

He was reassured because Yang Xiao's exceptional strength made him Xiangyun County's hope.

He was worried because Yang Xiao was too young to know how terrifying the Demons of Three-Demon Mountain were.

"Yang Xiao, I know you're strong, but you can't handle the Demons of Three-Demon Mountain. If that day comes, the County Yamen won't be able to help you. We might even... hold you back."

"So you must wait for the Demon Suppression Division before taking action!"

Yang Xiao nodded. "I understand."

Zhang Hu patted him on the shoulder and smiled faintly.

"Get some rest. Don't leave the county town these next two days."

"Got it."

Three-Demon Mountain was, in fact, a rolling range of verdant peaks.

The tallest peak rose deep within the range, shrouded in white mist year-round. Meltwater flowed through a notch at its summit and gathered in a small pool halfway down the mountainside. It was also known as Cloudspring Peak.

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

Three fist-sized fruits hung in its crown, pale and crystalline, giving off a faint spiritual glow.

Condensed Essence Fruits.

They were the deepest secret of Three-Demon Mountain, and the opportunity that had made the Ape Demon and Pig Demon what they were.

Beside the ancient tree lay an enormous black bull, its eyes half-closed as though asleep.

Its body was the size of a house, covered in black hide like iron armor. The breath from its nostrils carried a dense Demonic Qi.

The Bull Demon, foremost among the Demons of Three-Demon Mountain.

The sun was already high, beating down fiercely on the Bull Demon's back.

The Bull Demon slowly opened his eyes. His pupils, glowing a dim green, swept the surroundings.

"The third went out last night and still hasn't returned?"

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

Three breaths later, a hulking figure leaped from the treetops and landed beside the Bull Demon.

He was far taller and broader than an ordinary man, covered in dark brown fur. Coarse cloth was wrapped around his waist to cover his lower body, and his long arms were thick with muscle.

"Big brother, that glutton probably lost track of time having fun at Li Family Hamlet."

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

He loved seeking out Demons to fight in the mountains and had always looked down on the Pig Demon's gluttony and laziness.

"It's been a day."

The Bull Demon looked toward the foot of the mountain.

"The third usually loves circling my Condensed Essence Fruit Tree, hoping I'll give him another fruit. I haven't seen a trace of him all day. Something's wrong."

The Ape Demon grinned, baring sharp fangs. "Big brother, are you worried..."

"Go and see."

The Bull Demon cut him off.

"Go to Li Family Hamlet and see whether the third simply lost track of time. If he isn't there, find that human named Li Tie and ask him."

Excitement flashed in the Ape Demon's eyes at the chance to go down the mountain. "I'm going now!"

"The Condensed Essence Fruits will ripen in a few days. The third may be a glutton, but he never neglects important matters."

The Bull Demon's voice was calm, though a barely perceptible chill ran through it.

"If someone has been pulling strings behind our backs..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but the Ape Demon understood.

"I'll teach them a lesson."

The Ape Demon slammed his fists together with a dull thud, his eyes blazing with the urge to fight.

"Besides, it's been a long time since I played with those little fellows at the County Yamen."

He sprang into the air, became a dark blur, and sped down the mountain.

The Bull Demon watched him go, a hint of worry crossing his eyes. Then he looked at the Condensed Essence Fruits before him. Their nearly ripe scent steadied his heart, and he closed his eyes again.