So it turns out I'm the demon!

Having both a son and a daughter?

Upon hearing those four words, Chu Lingzhu felt a buzzing in her head.

Her rosy cheeks flushed a rosy hue, the color spreading from her ears all the way down to her delicate neck, even her small earlobes were flushed.

She didn't look at Jiang Mu and hummed:

"I knew they were just spouting nice-sounding nonsense to scam money."

Whether it's right or wrong is a matter for the future; who knows if you're all in cahoots!

She muttered to herself as she grabbed Jiang Mu's sleeve and pulled it back:

"Let's go, let's go, don't waste money here."

Jiang Mu said, "I haven't paid the divination fee yet."

"I'll give it to you!"

Chu Lingzhu took a copper coin from her sachet, tossed it generously onto the stall, and pulled Jiang Mu along, quickly heading towards the clinic.

Jiang Mu was half-dragged, half-pulled away by the girl.

But the monk Kuhai maintained his smile.

He stared at the copper coin on the table, still spinning and making a crisp sound, and gradually fell into deep thought.

"In this world... all living beings suffer."

After a long while, when the copper coin finally stopped spinning and lay quietly on the table...

The monk from the Bitter Sea raised his head, gazing in the direction Jiang Mu had left, his eyes becoming incredibly deep:

"Does this humble monk truly have no right?"

……\

Chu Lingzhu led Jiang Mu all the way back to her bamboo hut.

As she walked, her rosy lips kept chattering away like spilling beans:

"Let me tell you, stay away from those fortune tellers and charlatans from now on. They all talk a good game, but it's all just a scam to swindle money. I even suspect that guy is a fake monk."

Jiang Mu sighed, feigning regret:

"Alas, it seems the fortune teller's prediction that you could give me a son and a daughter was false."

Chu Lingzhu blushed, raised her fist and punched Jiang Mu's chest, then lightly spat out in embarrassment and annoyance:

"Bah! Don't flatter yourself. Let me tell you, Young Master Jiang, even if I were to shave my head and become a nun, I would never give you a son or a daughter!"

Jiang Mu seized her soft, boneless hand, raising an eyebrow and saying, "Oh? Not a son and a daughter? How many are you planning to have for me?"

"Of course we'll have them... Pshaw, not a single one!"

Chu Lingzhu stomped her feet in anger, like a ruffled kingfisher, and stormed into the courtyard without looking back.

Inside the courtyard, Lan Rou'er was pounding medicine in a stone mortar.

When she saw Jiang Mu walk in, this naturally timid and easily bullied girl trembled all over in fright.

Like a baby rabbit seeing a tiger.

Those misty eyes were filled with timid vulnerability.

She glanced at Jiang Mu, then quickly lowered her head, mechanically pounding the medicine in her hands, desperately pretending she was invisible.

However, Lan Rou'er inexplicably recalled the words her best friend Chu Lingzhu had whispered in her ear.

Speaking of the master's broadsword.

It's many times stronger than the stone pestle we use to pound medicine.

Thinking of this, Lan Rou'er looked down at the white jade pestle in her hand.

Then, his eyes darted furtively towards Jiang Mufei as if he were a thief, before quickly averting his gaze as if he'd been electrocuted.

"That can't be..."

The girl swallowed hard, her mind racing.

If it's really that terrible...

Wouldn't that literally pound someone's stomach and liver to pieces?

The more Lan Rou'er thought about it, the more horrified she became. Her gaze fell once again on the pestle in her hand.

In a daze, she felt as if the white jade pestle in her hand had changed its appearance.

It transformed into a hideous and terrifying weapon.

"ah!"\

The girl gasped in fright, her hand trembled, and the pestle slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground.

It hit her squarely on the instep.

A piercing pain struck, and Lan Rou'er's eyes reddened. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls, and she curled up into a ball, feeling utterly wronged.

Jiang Mu witnessed this entire scene and was utterly speechless.

No, do I look like a demon king who eats children alive? Am I that scary?

One look at me and you're out of your mind; you can't even hold a pestle steady.

He couldn't be bothered with this pushover who was always crying her eyes out, and casually glanced around the yard.

"Huh? What's this?"

Jiang Mu's gaze fell on a round stone on one side of the bamboo house wall.

It looks like a button.

He pressed it instinctively.

"Don't press it!"

Chu Lingzhu, who had just come out of the house carrying tea, screamed upon seeing this.

A soft "click" sounded.

The next second!

"Shuashuashua——!"\

From the hidden gaps on both sides of the bamboo building, countless fine, hair-like silver needles burst forth in an instant.

Like a torrential rain of pear blossoms, it rained down relentlessly towards the outside of the courtyard.

The silver needles, when inserted into the soil and tree trunks outside the courtyard gate, immediately emitted a hissing, corrosive sound.

The ground was immediately corroded, creating numerous small pits and holes.

Acrid, white fumes rose into the air.

Chu Lingzhu quickly grabbed a bag of white powder from outside the door and scattered it into the air, suppressing the spreading poisonous smoke.

"Why are your hands so irritating?!"

Chu Lingzhu glared angrily at Jiang Mu with her bright eyes, wishing she could pounce on him and bite him.

Jiang Mu touched his nose and chuckled dryly twice:

"A mistake, a mistake. How was I supposed to know that there were hidden weapon mechanisms concealed in the walls of your bamboo house?"

"But then again, you're quite capable, aren't you? You've managed to concoct such a powerful poison needle array."

As he spoke, Jiang Mu took out a large pile of pills and talismans and handed them to the girl:

"Here, these good things are all for you. If you ever need any more materials for making poison in the future, just go to the Eighth Hall's storeroom and mention my name."

Jiang Mu then added,

"Also, that 'Karmic Fire Burning Heart Powder' you kept mentioning last time, once I'm done with this busy period, I'll personally go to the Divine Sword Sect and get you a few bottles."

Looking at these resources, the girl's previously gloomy face instantly brightened.

Her big eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she chuckled:

"I still think my employer is the best."

Jiang Mu snorted inwardly.

That brat, she changes her mind faster than turning the pages of a book.

Jiang Mu had originally planned to find some medicinal dates to try, but after wandering around, she didn't even see a single date pit.

I guess this girl hid it.

Seeing that there wasn't much good food, he left dejectedly.

……\

Leaving the bamboo grove courtyard, Jiang Mu went straight to the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters.

I plan to have a serious talk with Ran Qingshan about that Prince Sheng, and also share my theories about the murderer.

As soon as he reached the outside of the signing room, he saw several guards standing watch like gatekeepers.

Only after asking a familiar colleague did he learn that Prince Sheng had actually paid a personal visit to Ran Qingshan today.

The two are currently having a private conversation in the signing room.

Unable to get in, Jiang Mu simply strolled around the courtyard outside while waiting.

Not far away, a figure was leaning crookedly against a tall bamboo pole.

This was another distinguished guest invited by Prince Sheng, the Taoist priest who drank wine.

The old Taoist priest, dressed in a tattered robe, carried a yellow gourd of wine, chugging and belching as he drank.

It wobbled precariously, as if it might fall off the bamboo pole at any moment.

Seeing Jiang Mu strolling around the courtyard, the Taoist priest swayed and landed lightly beside her.

He let out a burp, grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and said:

"Kid, I've heard you've been making quite a stir in Huzhou City lately, pretty impressive, huh?"

Jiang Mu glanced at him sideways, crossed her arms, and said in a nonchalant tone:

"It was alright. In 1974, when I was fighting in Southeast Asia, I won the championship. People in the martial arts world respected me and called me 'Devil Muscle Man.'"

"Huh...what is that?"

The Taoist priest was completely bewildered.

He waved his hand and got to the point:

"Forget it, what nonsense are you spouting, kid? I don't understand. But, seeing your extraordinary talent, how about we spar in swordsmanship?"

"With your ruthless demon-slaying prowess, if you were to learn the supreme sword path from me, you would surely secure a place among the world's top sword cultivators!"

Jiang Mu's gaze towards him became strange.

Did this old man drink fake alcohol?

Are you just running around on the street randomly recruiting people as apprentices?

"Not interested."

Jiang Mu decisively shook her head and refused.

The Taoist priest leaned closer and said mysteriously with a smile:

"You probably don't know who I am, kid. I used to be a formidable figure in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect."

When it comes to swordsmanship, you can count the number of people in the world who can surpass me on one hand!

Ten Thousand Swords Sect?

Upon hearing those three words, Jiang Mu's heart skipped a beat, and he thought of the unfortunate wandering swordsman Yan Zixiao, who was being chased by the Imperial Guards.

I wonder if that guy escaped the Imperial Guards' pursuit.

He asked with a half-smile:

"You used to be? And now? How did you fall so low, becoming a lackey of the imperial court like me?"

The Taoist priest nearly choked on his drink.

Why does this kid talk so meanly? He gets so ruthless he even insults himself!

The Taoist priest's face darkened, and he coldly snorted:

"I am by nature carefree; how could I possibly be a lackey of the imperial court? I am merely here to lend a small favor to Prince Sheng."

Getting back to the point, are you going to become my apprentice or not?

Don't worry, I'm not one to follow many rules. I won't let you go to another place. You can continue being an official in the imperial court.

I have only one request—

You need to help me develop my unique and unparalleled swordsmanship!

"I'll show those blind old fools who looked down on me and drove me out of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect who truly possess the unparalleled swordsmanship in this world."

Seeing the old Taoist priest puffing out his beard and glaring at him, Jiang Mu remained unmoved:

"I've never believed in free lunches. If there were, it would definitely be poisoned."

Of course, if you have a young and beautiful wife, I might consider it.

To be honest, I've had a hobby since I was a child—

I love my teacher's wife.

"..."\

The Taoist priest's lips twitched, and he snorted coldly:

"This brat is utterly hopeless!"

With a light tap of its toes, it "whooshed" back onto the bamboo pole, lay down pretending to be dead, and ignored Jiang Mu completely.

……\

After a while, the door to the signing room finally opened.

Surrounded by his guards, Prince Sheng walked out chatting and laughing with Ran Qingshan.

Seeing Jiang Mu waiting in the courtyard, Ran Qingshan waved and introduced him to Prince Sheng with a smile:

"Your Highness, what a coincidence! This is none other than Jiang Mu, the God of Slaughter of Huzhou City, the Eighth Hall Master."

"This humble servant, Jiang Mu, greets Your Highness."

Jiang Mu stepped forward and bowed with her hands clasped in greeting.

However, just as he bowed his head and clasped his hands, his gaze happened to sweep over Prince Sheng's hands, which were clasped in front of him.

Jiang Mu's pupils suddenly contracted.

The jade thumb ring worn by Prince Sheng...

A storm raged within Jiang Mu's heart.

No wonder he felt a sense of familiarity when he took the jade thumb ring from the corpse of the Left Envoy outside the city.

He absolutely cannot be mistaken.

The jade thumb ring that Prince Sheng is wearing right now is exactly the same as the one worn by that snake demon!

What happened?

How could a prince of the Great Qing Dynasty, the current emperor's uncle, be involved with the Painted Skin Lady?

And they're even wearing the same kind of token?

Could it be that this high and mighty Prince Sheng is secretly colluding with demons?

Jiang Mu felt a tingling sensation on her scalp.

Prince Sheng did not notice Jiang Mu's unusual expression; his smile remained gentle and warm.

"Hall Master Jiang is exempt from the ceremony.\

We already met at the teahouse. Master Jiang, at such a young age, possesses such courage and skill; he truly is a young hero.

"Your Highness flatters me."

Jiang Mu tried to calm herself down.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Prince Sheng, accompanied by the Taoist priest and his guards, left the Demon Slayer Division.

After everyone had left, Ran Qingshan looked at Jiang Mu and asked:

"You've come all this way to see me, but is there any new lead on that serial murder case?"

Jiang Mu nodded: "Yes."

Ran Qingshan had only asked casually, but upon hearing this, he was overjoyed: "Oh? Come on, come on, let's go inside and talk in detail!"

Oh dear, I'm getting to fleece Xiao Jiang again. I feel a little embarrassed.

The two returned to the signing room.

Ran Qingshan personally poured Jiang Mu a cup of hot tea and impatiently urged, "Tell me quickly, what new clues have you discovered?"

Jiang Mu said in a deep voice, "I already know who the murderer is."

"What?!"

Ran Qingshan was startled.

He stared at Jiang Mu with the look of someone who was looking at a monster.

You've got some kind of third eye, kid!

"Who is it?"

Ran Qingshan asked anxiously.

Jiang Mu put down her teacup and said seriously:

"There's a young monk named Kuhai by Prince Sheng's side. I'm certain it's him."

Upon hearing "Promoted to Prince Sheng," Ran Qingshan's previously excited expression froze, and his brows furrowed deeply.

"Are you sure? Do you have solid evidence?"

Ran Qingshan asked.

Jiang Mu shook her head: "There's no concrete evidence, but it's definitely him."

Ran Qingshan paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, his expression grave:

"It's difficult... If it were an ordinary martial arts cultivator, even if it meant killing the innocent, I would have sent someone to capture them directly."

But that monk was a distinguished guest of Prince Sheng.

"Without irrefutable evidence, if our Demon Slayer Division dares to send troops to the Prince's residence to arrest someone, not only will the Prince be furious, but we'll also have a hard time explaining ourselves to the Capital Command."

Ran Qingshan pondered for a long time, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Alright, I'll send someone... no, I'll go myself to secretly monitor that monk Kuhai. If he dares to commit another crime, I'll catch him red-handed."

Jiang Mu remained silent.

Anyway, he's already identified the culprit. As for how to catch him, that's your job, Commander.

His mind was completely occupied by that jade thumb ring.

After much hesitation, Jiang Mu still didn't tell Ran Qingshan about this clue.

The water is too deep.

Prince Sheng suddenly came to Huzhou City for sightseeing at this critical juncture.

Even a ninth-tier demon like Lady Painted Skin has traveled thousands of miles to this place with her subordinates…

All of this seems to be weaving into a spider web.

Jiang Mu had a vague premonition that something big might be about to happen in Huzhou City.

Fortunately, when the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up.

After all, General Shangguan, the 12th-level garrison commander, was still in charge of the city, so the situation wasn't too bad.

……\

……\

Night fell.

The second quarter of Hai hour.

Jiang Mu, who was lying in bed resting with her eyes closed, suddenly felt a familiar pulling sensation.

The next moment, he appeared inside the temple's main hall.

Lady Peach Blossom is even more aloof than before tonight.

She had specially changed into a light peach-colored long dress, her snow-white chin held high, like a proud peacock.

His cool, purple eyes held an indifferent detachment, as if looking down upon all living beings.

She has recovered from her previous embarrassment.

Tonight, I'm determined to regain the initiative and show this man what a true strongman and a formidable opponent really are.

Three hours later.

The proud peacock was completely transformed into a plucked quail.

The defeated Shangguan Hou has logged off.

A pair of majestic and cold purple eyes were now completely unfocused.

All that remained was an unconscious eye-rolling.