Chapter 2: Volume 1: Mountain Ghost Rumor, Chapter 2: Demon Infestation

Zhao Chan jogged all the way, passing the Xizhao Inn.

The landlady, with her heavy bosom, was sitting with an outsider man he had never seen before, shouting loudly: "Little Toad, I didn't ask you to help out today, where are you going?"

Zhao Chan stopped, speaking softly: "Sister Wan'er, I'm going to the Demon Slaying Division."

"What are you going to that ghost place for?"

"A neighbor found me a job."

The landlady couldn't be called stunningly beautiful, but her bosom, which could crush a person, and her fiery red lips were eye-catching.

Zhao Chan's gaze was pure and clear, untainted by any emotion.

"Who is on duty today?"

"Brother Wang Huan."

"Him. Go on, come back to my place for a meal later."

"Sister Wan'er..."

"Don't be such a fuss. Sister Wan'er isn't short of your pair of chopsticks."

"Okay." Extremely rarely, Zhao Chan smiled.

Watching the youth run quickly toward the Demon Slaying Division, the red-lipped landlady deliberately jiggled her bosom and introduced him to the outsider with a sword scar on his forehead: "He is the Zhao Chan I mentioned to you. His parents unfortunately died of illness about six years ago, leaving only a dilapidated ancestral house. I find him pitiful, so I often call him to the inn for odd jobs."

The outsider knew what she was going to say next, his tone tight: "The spot was promised to Zhou Sheng's grandson long ago. That kid is a blessed person; he has countless good fortunes finding him even while lying down doing nothing. I understand what you're planning—seeing that you can go back soon, you want Zhao Chan to scout the path for you..."

"Help me once?" Sister Wan'er tried.

The outsider, who looked to be in his early thirties, said calmly: "I can't make the decision."

"Heh, don't say it's impossible, give me some face." Sister Wan'er rubbed her bosom against the outsider.

The outsider dodged the increasingly foxy landlady: "I advise you to have some conscience."

She puffed out her bosom: "Yo, A Ping, where do I lack conscience? Look, my conscience is very big."

The landlady glanced at Zhao Chan's receding figure, her red lips moving as she whispered: "You and I know the situation in the town—just a kid who is bound to die... Besides, I treat him quite well... If he leaves now, he might live a little longer."

Dark clouds full of rain surged from the northwest of Youju Town without warning.

The outsider stared deeply at the landlady with the proud bosom, sighing helplessly: "You still don't know how to repent."

With that, he walked toward the dark clouds.

The landlady shouted: "A Ping, I wish you a smooth journey! Remember to come home for dinner!"

A Ping couldn't be bothered to pay attention to her.

She looked up at the four characters "Xizhao Inn" for a while; a mold sore had grown on the corner of the plaque. She returned to the main hall, talking to herself.

The Demon Slaying Division was not only unimpressive but exceptionally dilapidated, with moss growing stubbornly in the cracks of the rented house's walls.

Someone was already waiting at the door with a sword, chewing on a blade of grass, a cloak with several holes hanging limply on his back. Seeing Zhao Chan approaching, he threw the iron sword to him and pointed to the bamboo basket at the door.

The iron sword was very heavy, about forty-some jin, but for Zhao Chan, who walked through mountains and forests to harvest lacquer, it didn't matter. He easily carried the sword on his back and slung the bamboo basket, which was stacked with yellow talismans, over his shoulder: "Yes..."

"Did Constable Sun ask you to come?" Wang Huan asked.

Zhao Chan probed: "Yes. Brother Wang, is it fifteen coins?"

"If you're willing to join the Demon Slaying Division, thirty coins. Want to consider it?" Wang Huan looked Zhao Chan over with appreciation, tempting him with words and spitting out the grass he was chewing.

"I've heard about Lao Liu's affair. Eren Mountain is a broken place; even we Demon Slayers wouldn't dare go there alone, but Lao Liu... Then again, you kid risked your life to grab back some bone fragments for Lao Liu—you have guts and luck. Don't consider it anymore; join the Demon Slaying Division. I can't guarantee anything else, but buying a good coffin won't be hard."

"Constable Sun has begged me time and again to take his son into the Demon Slaying Division, but I've refused. Do you know why?"

"I don't understand," Zhao Chan said softly.

"What does the Demon Slaying Division do?" Wang Huan was unkempt, with stubble on his face.

"Slay demons where there are demons, purge evil where there is evil."

"That's not it."

Zhao Chan carried the sword and the bamboo basket, his pace light. Following behind Wang Huan, the two, one big and one small, walked out of the town. The youth said honestly: "I don't know."

"Heh." Wang Huan straightened his cloak, as if waiting for this moment, raising his voice: "The Demon Slaying Division does the work of slaying demons and purging evil; it is to protect the people so they can live in peace. Those admitted into the Demon Slaying Division are mostly simple-minded people who are dedicated to the people."

"Sun He and his father are the same—unreliable, profit-seeking, and ambitious. If such a person joined the Demon Slaying Division, wouldn't he become a demon in human skin? Doing things that harm the people..."

"You are different!"

He said seriously: "You've lived a struggling life all these years, but you haven't lost a humble heart—this is called a bottom line. To survive, you hardened your heart to become a bitter lacquer harvester—this is a means. The Demon Slaying Division wants someone like you. Protecting the people and slaying demons is a great cause; it requires benevolence, but also ruthlessness."

"Brother Wang, I, I..."

"If you have something to say, say it. Don't stutter."

Zhao Chan said: "Let me buy a coffin for Lao Liu first so he can be buried in peace, okay?"

"What is there to hesitate about?"

"I'm afraid of death," Zhao Chan said softly. "Before my parents 'left,' they urged me again and again to live well."

The town's Demon Slaying Division had seventeen people last year; this year, only ten remained.

Wang Huan smiled bitterly: "When slaying demons and purging evil, the reason we Demon Slayers bring an assistant soldier who pays is not just to help with small tasks; the real purpose is to select people. In the entire Youju Town, I've kept my eyes open and picked, and only you are the most suitable. Forget it, forget it; some things cannot be forced."

Zhao Chan wanted to say something but stopped.

Youju Town was sandwiched between Qingmeng Mountain and Sanshui Mountain, with fertile fields and babbling streams all around.

The town relied on mountains and water. Every feng shui master who passed by said this place had an aura of wealth and nobility.

A merchant caravan was in a hurry. Coincidentally, someone had been escorted by Wang Huan before, so he waved and shouted: "Brother Wang, where is there another demon infestation?"

"Something happened in Shanniu Village, going over to take a look."

"You're going yourself; it must not be a small matter."

Wang Huan sighed: "No demon infestation is a small matter. You all take care when traveling."

"Many thanks for Brother Wang's reminder. The caravan has hired good men to escort us all the way; demons and bandits wouldn't dare act fiercely in front of us!"

Another troupe of actors was rushing toward the town.

Wang Huan stood by the road, observing the dusty troupe.

Zhao Chan noticed that among the troupe, there were two girls as beautiful as fairies in white and green clothes. The girl in green was about his age.

Shanniu Village was located ten miles northeast of Youju Town, nestled at the foot of a mountain. There were large pine forests on the mountain, with wild winds and constant pine waves. According to the town's census, there were eighty-nine households.

Wang Huan glanced sideways, disdainful: "Sneaky."

Sun He followed them from afar, thinking he was flawless.

Villagers were already waiting outside the village.

An old man with white hair and beard, looking robust, saw that the person who came was Wang Huan, with his tattered cloak and stubble. His turbid, numb eyes suddenly shone with brilliance.

Another person was about twenty years old, wearing farm clothes with patches, his facial features rugged.

"Heavens! The villagers are saved! It's actually Master Wang!" The old man ran forward and grabbed Wang Huan's hand. "That demon is too cruel! It kidnapped and cooked sixteen people, including Gouzi, Liu Si'er, Song Da, and Zhao Feng! Damn it, when the villagers rushed over, they only found some well-cooked scraps!"

Speaking of this, he beat his chest and stamped his feet, his heart aching.

"Old Man Li, since I'm here, I must give the villagers an explanation." Wang Huan knew the old man and said unquestioningly, "Any demon infestation, the Demon Slaying Division will definitely purge the evil to the end! I won't let any demon causing trouble go! Take me to see the scraps you found."

"Sigh, Master Wang, please follow me." Old Man Li shook his head and sighed.

Looking from here, the mountain full of green pines looked like a lying cow.

"This is..."

Old Man Li looked at the youth.

Wang Huan introduced: "His name is Zhao Chan, an assistant soldier following me to slay demons and purge evil."

"The money for an assistant soldier is not easy to earn." The old man sighed.

Although assistant soldiers helped Demon Slayers with chores and didn't face demons directly, there were exceptions. In these years, there had been more than a dozen, if not twenty, assistant soldiers who had died under the claws and teeth of demons.

The next moment, the old man pulled over a farm man: "Master Wang, this is Song Er, the first one to discover that Song Da was missing!"

Wang Huan looked him over a few times: "We'll talk after I see the things you found."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Sun He, who had been following them secretly, watched as several people entered Shanniu Village, hiding behind a tree and muttering.

Hearing that Master Wang from the Youju Town Demon Slaying Division had come, the villagers all came out of their houses.

Everyone's eyes were hopeful, their expressions tense.

Who didn't know that Master Wang was the top expert in the town's Demon Slaying Division!

Demon infestations were not unfamiliar to them, but this was the first time they had encountered a demon that kidnapped and cooked people without anyone knowing, causing every household to be panicked.

That demon also had a big appetite, eating sixteen people at once!

Heaven knows how many more it would eat when it got hungry next time?

"Master Wang, please this way."

They entered a farm courtyard.

Crying continued.

In front of the house, there was a table covered with a white cloth.

"Master Wang, the scraps we were able to find are all under the white cloth." Old Man Li pointed and said.

Wang Huan gestured to Zhao Chan with his chin: "Lift the cloth."

He put down the bamboo basket full of yellow talismans.

When he saw the so-called "scraps" they had found, Zhao Chan clenched his fists.

Cooked meat chunks, large or small, with traces of gnawing, and other scraps—presumably the remains of internal organs. It was impossible to distinguish which part it was, and even harder to know who these scraps belonged to...

Wang Huan looked at the scraps: "For this demon infestation, villagers, you don't need to worry. I'm here; the demon must die."

Old Man Li was full of anger, and now with Master Wang's support, he immediately shouted angrily: "An eye for an eye! Blood for blood!"

"Right! An eye for an eye! Blood for blood!" Song Er waved his fist and shouted loudly.

Wang Huan no longer had the unkempt look he had when he met Zhao Chan, his expression resentful yet compassionate.

There are countless demons in the world, and our human race is even more numerous. Sooner or later, we will kill all the demons and return a clear sky to all people!

The old man told the scene at that time in detail.

After listening, Wang Huan gritted his teeth: "Outrageous! If I don't kill this demon, I, Wang, am not worthy of being a Demon Slayer!"

Song Er helped out from the side: "Damn demon!"

"Your brother died in the demon's mouth; why can't I feel any sadness from you?" The topic changed, and Wang Huan asked him.

"I... I..."

"He and Song Da didn't get along. They were brothers, true, but they fought over the family property. Song Da went missing, and it was only when he made a scene at the door that it was discovered." Old Man Li explained, "The villagers all know about this."

"I hate the demon to death!" Song Er argued. "My father was injured fighting the demon. Although he survived by luck, his injuries never healed, and he passed away last September because he couldn't hold on. I hate the demon to the bone!!"

Old Man Li pulled Song Er's arm: "No need to talk too much, Master Wang has his own plans."

Wang Huan ignored him and walked out with Zhao Chan: "Go to the place where the demon cooked the people. I will use the Demon-Searching Talisman to search for the demon's tracks."

"I'll lead the way!" Song Er puffed out his chest and volunteered.

The villagers found double-reed wind instruments and gongs and drums, blowing and beating, sending them toward the mountain ridge behind the village as if sending off a bride.

Sun He hid in the crowd, eyes wide, carefully observing Zhao Chan, who was carrying the iron sword. Even if Zhao Chan had discovered him, he still looked him up and down.

He simply ran to his side and whispered: "Don't forget to give me the treasure book after you earn the money!"

"Remembered."

Since he hadn't found any clues about the treasure book after following them all the way, he wanted to return to the town quickly and stay away from the right and wrong place where the demon appeared.

Only.

As soon as Song Er, Wang Huan, and Zhao Chan left, the village suddenly became foggy. The fog drilled into every corner, thick and inseparable.

Sun He, who was about to reach the entrance of the village, was shocked to find that he had returned to the village.

The fog was fishy and nauseating. He ran toward the entrance of the village like a madman, sweating profusely. Clearly, the entrance was only a few steps away, but now he couldn't see or touch it.

In his ears, he could vaguely hear the double-reed wind instruments and gongs and drums of the villagers, as if they were welcoming a bride. ===== CHAPTER 3 =====