So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 90 Hey, you surnamed Jiang, give me your star position (Seeking first subscription, 6th update)

Seeing that Jiang Mu remained silent, Ling Ye stopped in his tracks.

She turned to look into the man's eyes, trying to glean a trace of genuine emotion: "Do you want me to show mercy, or—kill her?"

Jiang Mu met her gaze and said frankly, "I don't want you to get hurt."

Ling Ye was surprised by this answer.

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she awkwardly turned her head away, but her tone remained stiff: "She's no match for me. You—never mind, you definitely don't want her to die."

Jiang Mu did not directly defend herself, but instead said tactfully, "I heard that when the Demon Slayer Division was chasing her before, although she repeatedly escaped, she did not harm anyone else. This is indeed a bit strange."

Ling Ye remained silent for a moment, his robes fluttering in the night breeze: "If I can catch her, I will find out the truth. If she really is the murderer of your family, I will bring her here myself so you can take revenge."

This woman is really stubborn.

Jiang Mu wasn't sure if the other party was still testing his stance, so he simply shut his mouth and said no more.

"Let's go back," Ling Ye said softly.

Jiang Mu smiled and said, "It's alright, I'll walk you a bit further. I ate too much just now, a walk will help digest."

Ling Ye did not refuse.

The two walked side by side through the long street.

The lights on both sides cast long shadows of the two people, yet there was always a subtle distance between them.

After a while, Ling Ye suddenly spoke up: "Little Jiang, I want to ask you a question. What do you think—how do you distinguish whether someone is a demon or a human?"

Jiang Mu was taken aback, thought for a moment, and said, "If it can't be seen with the naked eye, and star power can't sense it either, then we can only rely on magical treasures like demon-revealing artifacts."

Ling Ye shook her head, the moonlight casting a soft silver rim on her cool profile: "You didn't understand what I meant."

Jiang Mu turned to look at her: "So you mean—"

Ling Ye stopped again, gazing at the dazzling lights of the bustling street ahead. His eyes held a hint of melancholy, and his voice was low and mournful: "Eleven years ago, there was a monster in the deep mountains of Hailing Prefecture. Whenever hunters or woodcutters accidentally encountered a ferocious beast, it would come to their rescue."

Occasionally, when villagers get lost in the deep mountains, it will quietly escort them out and protect them safely.

Then one year, a famine struck the nearby villages, and the dead lay everywhere. The demon then secretly delivered the spiritual fruits and wild game it had accumulated to the doorsteps of the poor, never asking for anything in return.

It did this because when it was a cub, its mother had been saved by a human. It wanted to repay that kindness.

At this point, Ling Ye's lips curled into a bitter smile: "Later, a cultivator from a reputable sect passed by this place, sensed a demonic aura in the mountains, and killed the demon."

He thought the villagers would be grateful and regard him as a hero, but to his surprise, the whole village cursed him.

The cultivator was enraged. In order to forge a magical artifact, he set up a grand formation in a fit of rage, sacrificing all the villagers from several nearby villages.

Afterwards, he framed the dead demon for the blood debt, and with the magical weapon he had created, he became a great hero who slew demons and monsters, revered by thousands.

She turned her head, her eyes clear and bright in the moonlight: "Even now, in many people's eyes, he is still a good person who slays demons and monsters."

Jiang Mu thought to herself.

It seems this person now holds a very high position and has achieved great spiritual cultivation.

Otherwise, given Ling Ye's personality, he would probably have dealt with him long ago.

Ling Ye looked at Jiang Mu, the night breeze ruffling the hair at her temples: "Now you tell me, which one is the demon?"

Jiang Mu remained silent.

He understood what Ling Ye meant.

One is a demon on the skin, the other is a demon in the heart.

Sometimes, the so-called "demons and monsters" are not literal creatures, but rather refer to a kind of evil that devours humanity.

In this situation where right and wrong are blurred, how should one draw their sword?

How can we distinguish between them?

Ling Ye didn't wait for his reply, turned around and continued walking, his voice sounding somewhat desolate in the night wind: "I've been a member of the Demon Slayer Division for over ten years now. Back then, I had no choice but to become a patrolman and travel around for the sake of more freedom."

At first, I really liked this kind of life because I truly hated demons.

But gradually, as I killed more demons and met more people, I became less able to distinguish them.

I started to feel weary and became quite negative. Sometimes, even when I encountered demons, I wouldn't attack them, afraid of killing the wrong one.

Ling Ye gently kicked away a stone at his feet: "Later, I met a very old inspector, almost eighty years old."

He told me that in this line of work, you either have to throw away your brain and stop thinking, then you'll feel like you're doing the right thing; or you have to become a demon, then you won't feel guilty.

She paused, then gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I asked him, 'How do you turn yourself into a demon?' He said it's simple, just throw away your morals.'"

Jiang Mu slowly said, "There's some truth to that, but not much. In fact, once we embark on the path of cultivation, in a sense, we've all become demons."

Ling Ye sighed softly and looked up at the dark night sky: "Yes. The higher you climb, the more you have to abandon humanity, the more ruthless you have to be. Only by walking the solitary path can you achieve immortality."

"Only by following the solitary path can one achieve immortality—"

As Jiang Mu pondered those words, she suddenly felt a chill in the night air.

The wind rustled the fallen leaves, the lanterns under the eaves swayed gently, and the faint sound of string and wind instruments drifted from a distant restaurant into the night.

The clamor of all things seemed to be separated by a membrane, becoming distant and blurred.

It evokes an indescribable sense of loneliness.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the entrance of the post station.

Ling Ye stood in front of the door, turned around and said, "I've been a bit long-winded tonight. I originally wanted to tell you some principles, but as I talked, I ended up getting confused myself."

Of course, I just wanted to tell you that I'm not that old-fashioned or heartless. If I really encounter your sister, I will try my best to discern the truth.

Jiang Mu said earnestly, "I'm really worried about you."

Ling Ye didn't respond, but simply raised his hand and gently patted a fallen leaf off Jiang Mu's shoulder, his tone returning to its usual capable and aloof manner: "I'll say it again, if you want to be an inspector in the future, come find me anytime. Because I think that sooner or later you will become like me."

They tried to steal him from Ran Qingshan, but that guy got anxious instead.

She smiled slightly and said, "In short, my back door will always be open for you, and only for you."

Jiang Mu nodded, a warmth spreading through her heart: "Thank you, Sister Ling. So—won't you invite me inside?"

"No, thank you."

Ling Ye turned and entered the courtyard, closing the gate behind him.

Jiang Mu:

Why does it feel like Sister Ling has leveled up for no apparent reason?

I thought they were down to low health, but then they suddenly activated the second phase, maxed out their defense, and even learned to dodge.

"broken."

Jiang Mu suddenly slapped his forehead, "I haven't even asked her why she kicked me under the table during dinner!"

The moon hangs like a hook, and frost sprinkles across the long street.

Jiang Mu walked alone on the road, Ling Ye's words echoing in her mind.

His attitude towards demons and monsters had always been somewhat ambiguous.

Although, apart from that "demon girl," every monster we've encountered so far deserves to die.

But that doesn’t stop him from thinking occasionally.

If we encounter demons that are truly benevolent, should the Demon Slayer's blade still be swung?

-

Slaying demons and eliminating evil seems to involve only black and white.

But this world is full of gray areas.

Perhaps this is the deeper meaning behind Qiu Yuexin's words before she left.

The girl understood in her heart that one day the two of them would stand on opposite sides. The sooner they cut ties, the sooner they would give up any lingering feelings.

When swords clash in the future, perhaps there will be less hesitation.

As Jiang Mu was pondering this, she paused in her steps.

In the middle of the street ahead stood a towering figure, as imposing as an iron tower.

He was a middle-aged, burly man, with his chest and belly exposed.

He carried a heavy, dark hammer on his shoulder, standing conspicuously in the middle of the road, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent.

The menacing aura emanating from it even seemed to chill the moonlight.

Jiang Mu narrowed his eyes, walked slowly forward with his hands behind his back, and said with a smile, "I hope you weren't waiting for me specifically."

The street was now completely silent.

But just as Jiang Mu finished speaking, the auras of several cultivators quietly appeared.

Some people are hidden under the eaves in the shadows, some stand openly in the shadows at the alley entrance, some squat on the wall, some lean against the doorpost—

Men, women, young and old.

There was even a dwarf monk, the size of a child, squatting on the stone lion, grinning.

These are clearly people from the underworld.

Their gazes were all fixed on Jiang Mu, filled with curiosity, awe, and undisguised greed and hostility.

"I really am waiting for you."

The burly man grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and slammed the giant hammer in his hand heavily on the ground, causing the ground to tremble.

Jiang Mu looked around and said calmly, "I don't quite understand. If it were the wilderness outside the city, it would be one thing if you wanted to ambush me."

But this is inside the city.

"How dare you openly intercept and kill officials of the Demon Slayer Division! Are you risking your lives, or did you drink too much fake alcohol last night?"

From the shadows, a hoarse, aged voice echoed softly: "Lord Jiang, you misunderstand. I am not one of you fellow practitioners; I merely happened to be here to watch the spectacle."

"good."

"Exactly. I don't want to be associated with that big idiot who only knows how to act recklessly; it would be beneath me."

The others echoed this sentiment, eager to distance themselves from the situation.

"Oh?"

Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow slightly.

He carefully observed the positions and aura of these people.

They were far apart, their auras did not connect, and their cultivation levels were mostly between the third and fourth realms.

Judging from their wary demeanor, they certainly don't seem to be working together.

So————

Jiang Mu understood.

He looked at the burly man in front of him and laughed, "You want to take my star position?"

"That's right!"

The burly man gripped his massive hammer, his voice booming like thunder, "My name is Chen Dachui, and I was born with superhuman strength! I'm currently at the late stage of the Fourth Realm, but if we really fight, I wouldn't be afraid of even someone at the peak of the Fourth Realm!"

A fanatical light ignited in his eyes: "I've heard that Lord Jiang has obtained the orthodox Earthly Hidden Star position, and I'm extremely envious. If I could seize your star position, not only would my strength increase greatly, but I would also have more confidence when vying for the Heavenly Star position in the future."

Even if I can't win the competition, just experiencing what it's like to be a legitimate star official in this lifetime is enough to make my life worthwhile!

Jiang Mu asked, "Who told you that I have a legitimate star position?"

Ling Ye made it clear that in order to stabilize the situation, Zai Qingshan had reached a deal with the Divine Sword Sect to strictly keep the news of his possession of the orthodox star position a secret.

But now, everyone in the martial arts world knows about it.

Who leaked the secret?

Divine Sword Sect?

They were just searched, so they shouldn't dare to cause trouble at this sensitive time.

However, it cannot be ruled out that they might be trying to use someone else to do their dirty work and disgust themselves.

Inside the Demon Slayer Division?

Although Ran Qingshan said it was a secret, several hall masters knew about it.

For example, that Wenhe guy from Biyang might secretly sabotage things.

Chen Dachui sneered, "That's none of your concern. In short, I'm determined to take your star position! I refuse to believe that I, a fourth-realm cultivator, can't handle a mere third-realm brat like you!"

He took a heavy step forward, causing the ground bricks to tremble slightly.

The massive black iron hammer in his hand, weighing several hundred pounds, hummed, and a layer of light rose on its surface, clearly indicating that it had been infused with powerful stellar energy.

The hammer felt as light as a feather in his hands; his innate superhuman strength was no exaggeration.

Jiang Mu laughed: "Haven't you heard that I killed over three hundred demons in Black Wind Valley all by myself?"

"I've heard about it."

"Can you do that?"

Chen Dachui was taken aback, then honestly shook his head: "I can't do it."

Jiang Mu asked, "If you can't do it, why do you dare to try and seize the star position? Who gave you the courage?"

Chen Dachui said in a deep voice, "Precisely because I can't do it, that's why I don't believe it. Someone must be bragging to you!"

Makes sense.

The logic is closed, which is correct.

Jiang Mu nodded, but unfortunately, he was just a fool being used as a pawn.

This guy was obviously tricked into coming here.

The battle for star positions must be a one-on-one duel, a fair and square contest.

Those who were hiding in the shadows watching the show wanted to use this big, clumsy guy as a litmus test to see what Jiang Mu was really made of.

If Jiang Mu is truly strong, they will naturally retreat quietly.

If Jiang Mu is merely a figurehead, then this pack of hungry wolves will come to seize his star position.

"Stop talking nonsense, come on!"

Chen Dachui, too lazy to waste any more time, roared, "Take three of my blows! If you can withstand them, it proves you're really capable. I'll turn around and leave, and never bother you again!"

boom!

Chen Dachui's arm muscles bulged, and with a swing of his giant hammer, a dull whistling sound arose.

The air was compressed, producing a popping sound.

Before it even landed, the strong wind had already made Jiang Mu's face sting.

Jiang Mu originally planned to use the "Mysterious Gang True Explanation" taught by Ling Ye to test how much force his protective qi could withstand.

But feeling that fierce, savage aura that seemed to split mountains and shatter rocks, he instantly dismissed the idea.

That's a bit too much; we can't afford to be reckless.

With a sudden, fluid movement, he moved like a slippery fish, dodging to the side.

"Boom!"

99

The giant hammer slammed heavily onto the ground.

The hard bluestone slab shattered like tofu, sending fragments flying and creating a crater half a foot deep in the ground.

This guy's innate superhuman strength is truly something else.

If his first attack misses, Chen Dachui changes his tactics very quickly.

Using the force of the recoil, he twisted his waist and swung the giant hammer out. Despite his imposing stature, he was surprisingly agile.

The hammer whistled, blocking Jiang Mu's space to dodge left and right.

Jiang Mu continued to dodge.

His figure drifted backward, the tip of the hammer brushing past his clothes.

After a few quick movements, Chen Dachui's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he roared, "Let's see where you can hide now!"

His arm muscles bulged, and his hammering stance suddenly changed.

In an instant, countless hammer shadows overlapped, like dark clouds covering the sky, engulfing Jiang Mu and leaving him no room to dodge.

Swish!

Jiang Mu's figure vanished into thin air without warning.

The next instant, they appeared ten zhang away.

This surprised all the cultivators watching the spectacle.

What the hell?

I've never heard of the Earthly Hidden Star possessing such teleportation abilities.

Chen Dachui was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and roared, "I told you to take three of my blows! What kind of man are you, constantly dodging? If you've got the guts, fight me head-on!"

"Can."

Having already prepared his attack, Jiang Mu said calmly, "I will only make one strike."

"If you can catch it, you can go. If you can't, you die."

Before the words were even finished, the knife was already drawn!

A crimson blade of energy rose into the sky like a crescent moon, soaring forth with an overwhelming aura capable of cleaving rivers and splitting mountains.

This strike cleaved through the night and cut off the sound of the wind.

"Okay! Come on!"

Chen Dachui looked excited, gripped the hammer with both hands, and leaped high into the air.

When it comes to head-to-head combat, no one can beat him!

The hammer suddenly expanded several times in mid-air, transforming into a phantom the size of a small mountain, carrying the force of earth-shattering and mountain-crushing as it crashed down towards Jiang Mu!

Boom!!

The blade and the giant hammer collided in mid-air.

The air surged and the sound waves spread out visibly, causing the roof tiles on both sides to rattle.

Jiang Mu slid back several steps to regain her balance.

The bluestone beneath our feet is cracked inch by inch.

Chen Dachui was sent flying backwards like a kite with a broken string, his giant hammer flying out of his hand.

With a loud crash, half of the earthen wall collapsed.

He fell heavily to the ground several meters away in the middle of the street, coughing up a mouthful of blood. His chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that he had suffered serious injuries.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

The only sound was the creaking of the lanterns under the eaves in the wind.

Jiang Mu sheathed her sword and stood there.

He looked around, the moonlight illuminating his calm face: "Who else?"