Chapter 44: 044: Is It Getting Under My Skin?

Wang Gu Lin.

"I'm back!"

After returning home, Wang Wu's first action was to go to Shu Niang's house, because her house is the closest to his and he has to pass by it on the way back to his own home.

But he didn't find Shu Niang in her nest, which left him a bit puzzled.

The Shi Keng is that far from three demons—ah no, actually four, counting Wang Wu himself. The distance from their four nests is very remote, roughly nearly fifty kilometers in a straight line.

No demon would place a human‑processing Shi Keng close to its own lair. Only a lunatic or a mind‑lost devil would be so careless.

Two or three hours later, the ominous aura in Wang Gu Lin that strongly attracts demons had been greatly weakened compared to when the formation was still active. Yet perhaps because many people died there, the surrounding forest's ominous, or blood‑aura, remained quite strong.

But that doesn't matter; the ominous aura shouldn't affect the place where the few demons reside.

Moreover, before leaving home Wang Wu had already told Zhu San Niang about this; before he returned, the three demons should avoid the Shi Keng area. If any special situation arises there, they shouldn't investigate or act rashly.

The Shi Keng hasn't been used much by the four demons; the last time was three years ago.

Wang Wu needs no explanation; he never eats humans.

Shu Niang has never eaten a person, and Wu Er Niang isn't interested in cannibalism, but if there's no food she won't be picky.

Zhu San Niang does eat, but now, because of Wang Wu, she says she won't. Previously she didn't like it either, but when the opportunity arose she wouldn't let it go.

After all, something hard to eat is still better than nothing.

The place where Wang Wu and the demons have settled is an ancient ruin, which, according to the world‑wise Zhu San Niang, appears to be a 'sanctuary'.

The so‑called 'sanctuary' was actually the residence of nobles and clergy during the blood sacrifices held by the Great Shang Dynasty in Tongtian City.

Thus its safety level is naturally higher than other spots in Wang Gu Lin; one could say not a hundred ghosts can invade, nor ten thousand demons fear it.

Alright, that's an exaggerated claim; in reality it isn't that effective. Still, compared with deeper parts of Wang Gu Lin, this place is indeed relatively safe.

Places like this exist throughout Wang Gu Lin, since Si Hun Shan is said to have once been one of the Great Shang Dynasty's sacred mountains.

Shu Niang's nest is in the lower half‑body area beneath a toppled half‑human statue in the ruin; a hole was dug there, and Shu Niang lives inside.

Three rooms and a hall; the environment is fairly decent. As for bathroom facilities, there are none; Shu Niang bathes at Wang Wu's house since it's close.

As for defecation, there's a fixed latrine outside the door. Of course, she also has a bucket for nighttime trips.

After circling Shu Niang's house, aside from a few tattered clothes and some jerky, Wang Wu saw nothing else.

Leaving Shu Niang's house, Wang Wu shook his head. The girl is generous; her home isn't locked, so anyone can walk in at will.

Activating the visual enhancement of his technique, Wang Wu quickly located Shu Niang's trace; judging by its freshness, it was around the time he had just left He Dong Xian that morning.

I must admit, Assassin Brother truly lives up to being a transcendent from the 'modern society'; the cultivation manual they use is very readable for Wang Wu, a 'modern person'.

The terminology and annotations are full of modern‑society style.

Based on the traces left on site, Shu Niang likely followed Zhu San Niang; as for the destination, Wang Wu tracked them and found the two had paused at his own cave entrance before heading toward Zhu San Niang's spider nest.

Wang Wu quickened his pace and soon arrived at Zhu San Niang's spider nest, a damaged trapezoidal stone structure in the center of the ruin.

It appears to be a temple, since Zhu San Niang's usual sleeping platform is a sacrificial altar, and the mural on her bedroom wall clearly explains its function.

She also has a cauldron, likely the same kind the Shang people used to boil humans.

At the temple entrance there are many jade round pillars; some still stand, but most have fallen to the ground.

However, whether these pillars or the temple itself, they are now covered by thick spiderwebs, with only a small portion exposed.

Zhu San Niang's home is about ten kilometers from Wang Wu's; her house is in the central temple, Wang Wu and Shu Niang reside in the upper‑right residential area, while Wu Er Niang occupies the upper‑left.

"Zhu San Niang! Wu Er Niang! Shu Niang!"

Stepping into the temple area, his foot landed on Zhu San Niang's spiderweb, and Wang Wu called out.

He didn't really need to shout, because when he stepped on the web, Zhu San Niang could already sense his presence.

"Wu Lang!?"

Moments later, familiar voices of Wang Wu echoed from the temple ruins ahead, and three figures rushed out together.

"Zhu San Niang! Wu Er Niang! Shu Niang!!" Seeing the three women, Wang Wu laughed heartily and spread his arms toward them. Before he could run toward the three demonesses, they leapt onto him.

"Wu Lang!!"

"Wait!! My clothes!!"

【This process mainly shows the three female demons, angry about the ominous aura at the Shi Keng this morning, grabbing him and giving him a beating—not for any other reason.】

In short, the time is now six p. m.

Wang Wu definitely can't return to his own cave tonight, but it doesn't matter; he'll just sleep here, and he's stayed overnight here before.

Zhu San Niang's bedroom is a spacious area of about three hundred square meters, with jade pillars identical to those outside the temple entrance, some broken, some toppled.

Like the outside, everything here is covered by spiderwebs.

Wang Wu and the few demons, including Zhu San Niang, sat in a large pool—originally thought to be a blood pond—in the bedroom; a luminous orb above cast orange‑red light, giving the room a somewhat...

Nothing.

Wang Wu lay in Wu Er Niang's arms, holding a piece of persimmon cake bought in the city; after taking a bite, he fed it to Wu Er Niang behind him. Then he turned his head toward Zhu San Niang on his right, smiling:

"How is it? This human salted beef tastes pretty good, right?"

"Indeed," Zhu San Niang nodded, her face flushed, holding a wine cup, with a large serving of salted beef on the stone table before her.

"Er Niang, how's the persimmon cake?" Wang Wu then looked up at Wu Er Niang behind him.

"So sweet, Wu Lang," Wu Er Niang giggled, lowering her head, hugging Wang Wu, pressing her face tightly against his.

"Wu Lang is really great, bringing me so many things. I feel I'll never forget you in this life."

"Er Niang, what are you saying?" Wang Wu patted her delicate hand, "You're so good to me, of course I must be good to you too."

"Wu Lang~~~"

The three female demons had already changed into the new clothes Wang Wu brought them; each has over a dozen outfits, including shoes and accessories.

As a steel‑straight man, Wang Wu has never dated women before, so he just buys things by looking at them.

I must say, jewelry is damn expensive. Of the three thousand taels the Wang Clan gave him, a thousand taels went on those accessories.

"Shu Niang?"

Afterwards, Wang Wu looked ahead at Shu Niang again, but Shu Niang outright ignored him, still keeping her head down while eating.

"Alas." Wang Wu sighed.

This girl is indeed rather restrained and naturally not fond of talking. After all, I've been gone for several days; it's no fault of hers, I can only let her be.

"What is Wu Lang sighing about?" At this moment, Zhu San Niang leaned over again and asked. She placed the beef she had on her chopsticks into Wang Wu's mouth. After he swallowed it, she took a sip of wine and poured half of it to Wang Wu.

"I also recalled those two compatriots from He Dong Xian, especially Miss Wu Lian."

"That fox spirit really is a bit foolish." Zhu San Niang refilled the wine cup, took a sip, and said:

"But that's no one's fault; even a monster like me would likely make many mistakes if I went to a human city. Human towns are different from those under a demon king's command; they're far more complicated."

"On the contrary, Wu Lang, on your first visit to a human town you were so quick-witted, not only bringing so many supplies, but also building connections; I, San Niang, truly admire you."

"Even my late Great King, I think, is not even a fraction as good as you, Wu Lang…"

Saying that, Zhu San Niang looked at Wang Wu, and Wang Wu saw genuine reverence and a blazing flame in her eyes.

"Wu Lang…"

She straightened up and leaned toward Wang Wu.

In short, time jumps to noon the next day.

It can only be said that Wang Wu's physical condition now far exceeds that of ordinary people, and even surpasses most human cultivators and warriors.

But even so, at noon the next day, while returning to his own cave, Wang Wu still felt his legs a bit weak. Human society is simply too dangerous, and the mental pressure it brings him is overwhelming.

Don't be fooled by his seemingly carefree demeanor there; in reality, the mental pressure he endures is unimaginable to other monsters.

Back home, relieved of his burden, he finally could drop his disguise.

"Damn, it's only been a few days…" Returning home, Wang Wu grimaced and flopped onto his rough, simple straw bed, recalling the soft beds of human society; in this stark contrast, two clear tears slid from his eyes.

"My mother, it's like a starving ghost being reborn…"

(End of Chapter)