Chapter 56: Refugee Woman

Regarding the origins of Demons, there are many different opinions.

Some say that if you break down the character for "Demon," it is "ghost" and "not yet," so Demons are peculiar existences that are neither human nor ghost.

Some say that mountains, forests, plants, and trees have life just like living people, and the vital energy they emit gives rise to Demons.

Others say that Demons come from another world, descending into the human realm through unknown means.

In folk legends and stories, traces of Demons often appear; sometimes they are old hags who abduct children, sometimes they are enchanting women who suck the vital energy of strong men, and sometimes they are man-eating ghouls with fangs.

The countryside outside the city, remote mountain paths, and waterways—places where people are scarce—are often the haunts of Demons.

The emergence of cities is for humans to live in groups for self-preservation, resisting the invasion and sneak attacks of Demons.

Ordinary people rarely come into contact with Demons, because once encountered, death is certain.

The authorities cover up the news precisely to avoid sparking massive panic.

"The Soul-Repelling Pill is, in the final analysis, a shortcut."

"Medicine cannot eliminate Void Demons, but martial arts can; Qi-blood martial artists can deal with low-level Void Demons."

The lowest level... Void Demons?

Zhou You almost died at the hands of a Void Demon back then, yet he learned from Hua Youxing that Void Demons are only the lowest level among Demons.

Void Demons have not even condensed a physical form; they are a wisp of vital energy drifting with the wind, only able to grow stronger by attaching themselves to living things.

Fang Guiqi was the one who lost his life when a Void Demon invaded him on the road while fleeing.

As for those Demons that have condensed physical bodies, they are even more ferocious and powerful; even if a Qi-blood martial artist encounters one, the outcome is a narrow escape from death.

According to Hua Youxing, the Soul-Repelling Pill emits a medicinal fragrance that masks the scent of human flesh and blood, which is equivalent to wearing a shielding layer in front of a Demon.

When facing multiple people, Demons often ignore the target wearing a Soul-Repelling Pill and turn to attack other humans instead.

"Diverting the disaster."

The function of the Soul-Repelling Pill is to sacrifice companions to gain a glimmer of survival.

Zhou You has no psychological barriers regarding this; he only wants to protect the safety of his parents.

At 100 taels each, it is truly too expensive.

Zhou You exhausted his family's savings and carried a bag of silver to Xingren Tang, leaving with nothing but the cloth wrapper.

Hua Youxing saw him to the door, very enthusiastically, "Come again next time."

Zhou You thought to himself that unless he had money, the next time was a remote and indefinite prospect.

He left Xingren Tang and went straight home to find his parents.

"Mother, why has the house changed so much?"

As soon as Zhou You entered the main gate, he saw that the environment had become unrecognizable, and the furniture had all been replaced with brand new ones.

The cotton-padded jacket his mother was wearing was made of silk, with a novel pattern; one look and it was clearly a seasonal style.

"You'er, you've come back just in time. Mother made you a few new sets of clothes, come and try them on."

Zhou You thought to himself, why bother trying; the clothes his mother made were sure to fit.

He couldn't help but ask, "Mother, did the family strike it rich, or did Father pick up money on the road?"

After finishing at Xingren Tang, he still had some loose silver on him and had intended to leave it at home to improve their lives, but he didn't expect it would be of no use.

"It's your father; he was promoted at the firm and is now the head of the shop assistants."

"The things replaced in the house were all bought from the firm at cost price."

"The fabric for the new clothes was also stock imported by the firm itself; it's cheap."

Father got a promotion?

Zhou You suddenly realized; it must be because of Senior Brother Shen. Calculating the days, it was right around the time of the banquet at Zhaijin Lou.

His father has been diligent and conscientious, working for the firm for so many years; this treatment is what he deserves.

"The jewelry you brought home last time, Mother only wears it at home and takes it off when going out."

"It's not peaceful outside. When the third aunt of the Liu family across the street was buying groceries, she had half her ear torn off by a refugee just to snatch her earring. Damn them, it wasn't even gold; it was a copper earring wrapped in a layer of gold leaf."

"There is fish and chicken tonight; you must eat your fill."

As the mother and son were chatting, a soft, sweet female voice came from outside the door, "Master of the house, may I beg for a drink of water?"

His mother patted her lapels with both hands and got up to go to the water vat, "You wait, I'll be right back."

She carried a water ladle to the door, lifted the cloth curtain, and greeted, "Drink slowly, come over here and sit down for a rest."

Zhou You looked through the door frame and saw that the one begging for water was a young woman wearing peach-red clothes.

The accent he heard just now seemed to be from the direction of Su Cheng.

Another refugee, though the clothes on her body were quite clean, unlike the others who were filthy.

"Hmm?"

Zhou You's gaze landed on the other person's face, and his brain went "boom"—could there really be a woman in this world as beautiful as this?

A warning signal surfaced in his heart.

Whenever anything exceeds common sense, it approaches danger.

A beauty like Hua Youxing was still within the scope of common sense, but the appearance of the woman before him already transcended common sense and was approaching danger.

Zhou You's mother looked the woman over, "Miss, you are so beautiful, like a fairy in a painting. Where have your family members gone?"

The woman said softly and weakly, "We got separated on the road while fleeing."

"Ma'am, I am thick-skinned, but I would like to beg for a bite to eat from you."

"I'm too hungry; I'm even hungrier after drinking the water."

Zhou You's mother took two more pancakes for her, and the woman began to eat ravenously.

Zhou You sat inside the house watching quietly; this was his mother, a kind and upright woman.

"Miss, what are you doing?"

After the woman finished the flatbread, she suddenly knelt before Zhou You Niang, grabbing her hands and begging.

Zhou You Niang panicked and tried desperately to help her up, but she could not pull the other person up.

"Ma'am, I can see you are a good person, please save me!"

"My family in Su City was well-off; we had three tile-roofed houses, a shop in the city, and fields outside the city."

"I am literate, skilled in needlework, and a chaste maiden."

"If you take me in and give me a bite to eat, I will work like an ox or a horse for your family."

Zhou You Niang felt somewhat moved as she listened, sizing up the woman's figure and appearance, then looking around the room.

It seemed her son was at the age to be married, and this girl's conditions were not bad.

"Mother, give her two more pieces of flatbread and drive her away."

Zhou You's voice was cold and resolute.

Although Zhou You Niang was reluctant, since her son had spoken, she had no choice but to comply.

"Girl, I am sorry, you should go!"

The woman cried out in sorrow, clutching the two pieces of flatbread and looking back repeatedly, taking a step and turning her head each time.

Zhou You Niang returned to the room and complained incessantly, "You child, why are you so heartless?"

"Mother, say no more; I cannot see through this woman, and our family cannot take in someone of unknown origin."

Zhou You's attitude was firm; in such chaotic times, for a woman to come to Gongliang City all alone, the matter was suspicious.

He stared outside the door, and only after the woman's back disappeared did the feeling of trepidation finally vanish.

"Girl, why are you crying?"

Mou Laoyao stared at the woman's face, his mind going *boom*, and he became utterly spellbound.

He had seen the woman leave Zhou You's house and, filled with curiosity, had chased after her to ask; upon seeing her, he thought, "Oh my god, she is too beautiful."

The woman turned around, her pretty face looking pitiful, "Uncle, can you take me in?"

"I am lonely and helpless; as long as there is a place to eat, I am willing to do anything."

Mou Laoyao was just worrying about finding a wife for his son, so he immediately asked, "How about marrying my son?"

The woman nodded shyly, "As long as I can eat my fill, that will do."

"Rest assured, my son will definitely be able to keep you fed."