Chapter 38: The Monkey Demon

"Go!"

Liu Dianli waved his hand, and a group of people marched down the long street.

"Shen my lord, please lead the way."

The Thin Monk stood with his hands behind his back, smiling amiably.

Shen Yi casually closed the door, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

This group had clearly come prepared—not only had they found an excuse, but they’d also assessed his strength.

More than a dozen constables carried swords at their waists and ten-foot spears in hand; the soldiers each bore powerful bows and crossbows. These were nothing to demons or martial masters, but with the Thin Monk lurking to distract and restrain...

Even two more yellow devils would end up lying there.

"I’d like to see what tricks you’re playing," said Zhang Butcher, his face dark as he stepped forward and stood behind Shen Yi.

Seeing this, the Thin Monk’s expression shifted slightly, but he made no move to stop him, only raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Do as you please. I’m merely here on orders to accompany him."

When minds don’t align, not a word is worth saying.

The three walked in silence, under the startled gazes of passersby on the street, heading toward the city’s edge.

About thirty li outside Baiyun County lay Shilin Village.

Liu Dianli was clearly desperate, striding hastily with a grim face; each time he glanced back at Shen Yi, the killing intent in his eyes grew heavier.

"Is this about exterminating demons—or exterminating us?"

Even Zhang Dahu sensed something was wrong and struggled harder.

Two spears immediately shifted toward him, their sharp tips pressing against his neck, drawing two bloody lines.

"Wait, where are we going?"

The Niu brothers didn’t struggle, but watched as the group passed through Shilin Village without so much as a glance, turning straight into a narrow path.

"If you go any further, you’ll enter wasteland. Aren’t you afraid of encountering demons?"

At this, the Thin Monk smirked and halted.

Almost simultaneously, everyone stopped. The constables and soldiers parted to form a path, then kicked hard at the men’s shins, forcing them to stumble to their knees, where cold blades instantly pressed against their necks.

One colleague sighed and looked away.

At the edge of sight, beneath the dim moonlight, a thatched shed had appeared beside the road.

A tall figure stood beside the table, dressed in plain cloth, black fur covering his sleeves and arms, carefully pouring wine into a bowl.

The seated figure was small and thin, draped in a straw raincoat and wearing a conical hat, his back turned to them, as if enjoying a late-night snack.

"Damn it, these are tough targets."

Zhang Butcher regarded them with growing gravity.

He finally understood why his brother didn’t mind him coming—before them were two primordial-level demons.

The seated one carried a restless aura, clearly having just broken through, yet the depth of his power was unmistakably primordial peak.

The standing one was slightly weaker, but roughly equal to himself—even their builds were similar... not to mention his brother beside him, and the thirty or forty constables and soldiers.

Zhang Butcher had roamed for many years; his experience was immense.

In a single breath, he made his decision: "Go!"

Preserve the green hills; don’t suffer defeat before your eyes.

"I’ve brought you the people."

Liu Dianli stepped forward, gathering courage to approach the shaded shed: "I didn’t kill those monkey demons. I’ve covered up your abduction of the children... I know you’re trying to lure him out... Elder Monkey, I’m over fifty and only just had a son—give me back my boy..."

"Shut up," said the tall cloth-clad monkey demon, setting down the wine jug and glancing at him coldly.

"Yes, yes, I’ll shut up," Liu Dianli bowed with a nervous smile, then waved his hand behind him.

The soldiers’ crossbows instantly aimed at Shen Yi in the crowd.

A dozen spears simultaneously lowered, blocking his escape.

At that moment, the straw-hatted old monkey let out a satisfied belch, neatly stacking the bones he’d finished gnawing to one side.

He stood, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and under the moonlight, thirteen small skulls lay on the table, polished gleaming clean, their eye sockets hollow and chilling.

After wiping his lips, the old monkey turned his head, nodded politely, and spoke in a hoarse voice: "Thank you."

Pleased by the praise, Liu Dianli’s face lit up—then his gaze fell on the table, and he began counting the skulls with trembling fingers.

Instantly, his face turned deathly pale.

His body shook like a sieve, his legs buckled, and he collapsed helplessly to the ground.

Liu Dianli’s Adam’s apple bobbed, unable to speak, only emitting a mute, guttural cry:

"Aaah! Aaah! Aaah!"

Looking at the pile of skulls, Zhang Butcher’s face twisted in pity; he whirled to glare at the Thin Monk: "You bald-headed toad, have you gone mad?"

"What’s it to me?" The Thin Monk frowned, spreading his hands. "I did nothing. I merely followed the county magistrate’s orders to accompany Liu Dianli tonight and investigate this matter."

"If you’re going to blame anyone, shouldn’t you ask Shen my lord how he handled things?"

The Thin Monk smiled faintly, turning his gaze toward Shen Yi.

"Bullshit! Only four people were assigned! You’re supposed to protect two hundred thousand people in Baiyun County, yet you helped the demons suppress the news! If I were from the Demon Suppression Office, I’d have cut off the heads of these beasts first!"

Zhang Butcher, furious, opened his mouth to curse again—then noticed someone beside him was gone.

He looked up.

Shen Yi had walked away in silence, ignoring the spears and crossbows around him.

He approached Chen Ji, bent down, and drew his sword.

"Go first! There’ll be other chances!" Chen Ji hadn’t finished speaking when someone slapped him down.

The constable who struck him stared at Shen Yi’s profile, unable to utter a word.

Soon, the young man reached the shaded shed.

The two monkey demons regarded him coldly; the tall young one sneered: "If you kneel now like he did, you might still keep a whole corpse."

"Kill them! Idiot! You love showing off—now I order you, kill them!"

Liu Dianli, insane, tore at his robe, howling like a beast.

But his lament lasted only an instant before turning into a gurgle of rushing blood.

With a flash of the blade, the white-bearded head tumbled to the ground.

Shen Yi stared at the two monkey demons; while Liu Dianli’s body still hadn’t fallen, he casually wiped the blade on the man’s blue collar robe.

Far away, the constables’ palms gripping their spears suddenly grew damp with sweat.

The soldiers swallowed hard; their crossbows had long been aimed at the slender figure, arrows drawn but none daring to release.

"How bold!"

The Thin Monk froze for a moment, then roared in fury and charged forward.

He’d been sent tonight not to ambush Shen Yi, but to protect Liu Dianli and merely provide backup.

Who knew this madman would stand before the two demons and kill the magistrate first—and worse, the two old monkeys just watched calmly!

Anyone else would think Liu Dianli was the target of tonight’s ambush.

As he raged, a thick arm swept through the air, striking his chest without mercy.

The Thin Monk staggered back several steps, barely steadying himself, and roared: "You stupid dog, didn’t you see him kill?"

Zhang Butcher’s face twisted in fury; he drew his cleaver and slashed forward: "Fuck you!"

At the same moment,

The two monkey demons’ cold gazes finally stirred.

(End of Chapter)