socalfunplaces Chapter 11 is and isn't
Chapter 11 is and isn't
As expected, when the storyteller finished telling the story, he didn't win applause. Instead, the onlookers gasped in astonishment.
"Hiss, this fox demon disguises itself as a human and eats people, it's damn insidious, doesn't the Demon Extermination Bureau do anything about it?"
"Heh, relying on that bunch of useless trash to slay demons and monsters is less effective than praying that the fox demon won't sneak into the inner city!"
"Hey, that's actually quite possible. After all, what our inner city has no shortage of is beautiful women with delicate skin. That fox demon might really sneak in to buy some."
"Hey guys, I have some things to take care of at home, I have to head back now."
"Haha, you little rascal, we're talking about a beautiful, delicate woman. Why are you worried about your tigress?"
"Damn it, you shameless old scoundrel, you deserve a beating!"
……
Despite the jokes and banter, those who deserve a tip should still do so.
The storyteller took the money, thanked them, and left the teahouse, and the others gradually dispersed as well.
People leave, and the tea grows cold.
Li Qingchen remained seated, pondering the matter of the fox demon.
Having read countless ghost stories in my past life, I naturally wouldn't be terrified by the idea of a fox demon eating people.
However, Li Qingchen was extremely interested in the art of skin-changing.
"From what I've heard, the martial arts schools in Liaocheng don't have any superior lightness skills, but the Demon Subduing Bureau does have a few of the Demon Slaying Division's unique techniques."
"However, in order to obtain such a unique skill, one must join the government office, become a servant, and work like a beast of burden."
"Working is impossible, absolutely impossible in this lifetime."
Li Qingchen was only willing to work for himself.
"I have a talent called 'Plunder,' which allows me to refine what I kill. If I kill a fox demon and refine its skin-changing technique, then I can take a piece of the living dead's skin from the mass grave and wear it, wouldn't that allow me to blend in?"
A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle. If you can't beat them, join them!
Once I become a member of the undead army, I can go wherever I want in this mass grave.
"This method is worth a try, waiter, the bill!"
As soon as Li Qingchen left the teahouse, he bumped into a constable posting a reward notice.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that there was a fox demon among them.
Li Qingchen was overjoyed, thinking to himself that someone had just delivered a pillow to his head when he was about to fall asleep.
He immediately accepted the reward, spent a lot of money to buy a fine horse, and went out of the city gate alone to return to Baipin Village.
…………
Baipin Village, at the west end of the village, is Liujia Village.
At noon, the villagers gathered together, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Another person has died. This is the ninth person this month."
"The last person to die was just two days ago. Sigh... the frequency of deaths is getting higher and higher lately. Who will be next?"
"That demon can transform into human form; it's impossible to tell the difference!"
"What should we do? Shall we run away?"
"Run? Where to run? Don't forget that there are not only wild beasts and monsters outside, but also bandits. We'll probably be eaten alive before we even get there."
"How about going to the inner city?"
"There's an entrance fee to go into the inner city. Can you afford it?"
"Damn it, nothing works, nothing's acceptable, how are people supposed to live in this dog world?!"
The villagers were filled with sadness, anger, or despair.
The elderly village chief sighed, tapped his cane, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"Quiet down, all of you!"
The crowd gradually quieted down, their gazes focusing on the somewhat hunched old man.
"I have received news that the bounty issued by the Demon Extermination Bureau in the inner city today has been accepted by a master. If nothing unexpected happens, he will come to our village today to slay the demon."
The village chief's voice wasn't loud, but it ignited a glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts.
However, some people have raised questions:
"Does anyone really want to come to this godforsaken place to exorcise demons?"
"Where are those lazy demon-slaying constables?"
"I'm afraid what's coming isn't a master, but a hot-blooded wanderer. He won't be able to exorcise the demon, and we'll have to collect his corpse instead."
"If only the legendary demon hunters were the ones accepting the bounty..."
Legend has it that demon hunters possess supernatural powers and have many unique methods for exorcising demons; they are an organization dedicated to dealing with demons.
However, it is different from the Demon Slaying Division, which is bound to the Azure Dragon Dynasty.
Demon hunters are always paid a hefty fee for exorcising demons, a fee that is simply unaffordable for poor people like them.
Seeing that these people were going further and further astray, the village chief rebuked them:
"Stop shouting! Don't go out unnecessarily lately, just stay home and wait. Whether this demon is eliminated or not isn't up to you!"
In the crowd, a handsome young man turned to the woman behind him and excitedly said:
"Mother, perhaps when that expert arrives, we can avenge Father and my younger siblings!"
The boy's name is Liu Yi. A week ago, his home was attacked and killed by a fox demon.
Of the five members of his family, only he and his mother survived.
Overwhelming hatred, like an evil dragon coiled in Liu Yi's heart, made him wish he could tear that fox demon to pieces.
But he hated himself even more for his powerlessness, for being unable to save his family or avenge them.
The woman patted the boy's head, her eyes filled with heartache.
"Mother also wants revenge, but Mother wants Yi'er to live even more. Let the exorcism be handled by a master. Yi'er, don't be foolish and do something stupid."
The woman knew that Liu Yi was impulsive and would do anything to seek revenge.
Her son is now her only family.
If she were killed by that demon again, she would have no reason to live.
Liu Yi nodded: "Mother, don't worry, I won't do anything foolish."
Suddenly someone shouted:
"Look, someone's coming!"
The villagers all looked toward the village entrance, where a young man rode in on horseback, his back ramrod straight, like a sturdy pine tree.
Although he was dressed in simple clothes, his face was extremely handsome, and his expression was indifferent, unlike that of an ordinary person.
The visitor was none other than Li Qingchen.
The village chief, seeing Li Qingchen's extraordinary bearing, was convinced that he was the one who had come to exorcise the demon.
He dared not delay, so he leaned on his cane and jogged all the way, panting, to Li Qingchen's side.
He respectfully handed over a money pouch, first introducing himself, then showering the man with flattery, and finally saying:
"We beg a master to vanquish the demons and monsters from Liu Family Village!"
Li Qingchen accepted the money pouch without ceremony, nodded, and said calmly:
"Please tell me about the recent situation, village chief."
Before the village chief could speak, another villager suddenly shouted:
"Village chief, look, another one is coming!"
Li Qingchen was surprised, thinking to himself, "Why is there a competitor after I came out?"
Looking back.
A young man was seen sitting on a fine horse.
He was dressed in a black close-fitting outfit, with a short, dark-colored robe over it.
The cuffs and waistbands were trimmed with dark red, resembling blood and fire, extremely eye-catching and glaring.
This is precisely the uniform of the demon-slaying messenger.
Everyone was astonished to learn that the newcomer was none other than the demon-slaying constable, whose reputation was in utter disarray.
He couldn't help but wonder: What's this constable doing here? Didn't the taxes just come in?
Could it be a demon-slaying ritual?
But if it's about exorcising demons, why is there only one person?
Isn't it said that the constables of Liaocheng are all cowards and often travel in groups?
The young constable was thin and had a solemn expression. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he swept them across the crowd.
Those being stared at by him unconsciously lowered their heads and turned their faces away to avoid his scrutinizing gaze.
Except for Li Qingchen.
The village chief, who was standing to the side, was surprised to see people from the government office.
Thinking that all the money she had prepared had been given to this handsome young man, she suddenly felt uneasy, afraid of upsetting the police officer.
Fortunately, the officer's attention was entirely on the young man.
Lin Bufan looked the young man who was meeting his eyes up and down.
Seeing that his weapon was a sword, I couldn't help but think of the "Buddha's voice dispelling ghosts" that happened last night.
"Was it you who got rid of that sickly devil?"
"Yes."
Li Qingchen answered readily; there was nothing to hide.
"You came to Baipin Village to exorcise demons?"
"Yes."
"You came here to exorcise demons, is it to rid the people of this scourge?"
Li Qingchen was slightly taken aback, thinking that people who could ask such a question were probably out of their minds.
It was clear that he asked the question seriously, seemingly wanting a definite answer from me.
So he answered just as seriously:
Yes and no.
…………