The next morning, the morning mist had yet to disperse and a thin frost carpeted the ground, yet a stir gradually rose outside the Daoist temple.
A burst of barking came with the disorderly footsteps on the mountain path.
In the haze, more than ten Mountain Dwellers could be seen climbing over the wooded slope, carrying hoes, woodcutting knives, and hunting bows. Several fierce mountain dogs followed behind them. Their faces were tense and their eyes fearful, yet they forced themselves to stay calm as they closed in on the Daoist temple step by step.
"Just here!" a red-faced man said in a low growl, his eyes filled with vigilance. "My little brat came back yesterday burning with fever. He said he saw a Great Demon Beast, crimson all over with demonic light in its eyes, lying right in front of this mountain temple's gate—and it even spoke human words!"
"My girl too. She was so frightened she didn't dare sleep. She had nightmares all night, saying that demon beast was grinning at her and calling her an idiot!"
"This place... I'm afraid it really harbors disaster!"
"Slay demons! We can't let this demon creature ravage the mountains and forests!"
An elderly mountain dweller raised his heavy hunting bow. His voice trembled, but it was firm. "I heard that many years ago, demons once plagued villages. We can't let the old tragedy repeat itself!"
The crowd answered in unison, and the atmosphere abruptly tightened.
At this moment, before the Daoist temple gates.
Little Crimson was still sprawled there lazily, one hoof propping up his head. His bright lion eyes stared at the crowd as the corners of his mouth slowly curled upward, exposing two sharp fangs.
"Oh? Everyone came so neatly today." His voice was languid as he yawned.
"Motherfucker—!"