[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-why-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars":3,"chapter-why-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars-why-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars-chapter-222":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Why Do All These Monsters Have Health Bars?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1557819,2023,"Chapter 222 - 221: Hidden Great Demon, Jiu Li Calls","why-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars-chapter-222",222,"\u003Cp>The North City Dark Alley was actually a quite old alleyway, with a history of nearly a hundred years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the unfinished modern project in Old City West, the Dark Alley had a long history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, its environmental conditions were not in the same league.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole Dark Alley was filled with quite classical old-style earthen houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they were decades-old and had been neglected for many years, these old houses were now mostly dilapidated beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some houses even collapsed in places or had walls or even roofs missing, standing precariously as if they might crumble any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Jing transitioned to this world, these houses of the dark alley were considered extremely dangerous to live in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>North City was a suburb in its own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark alley was located on the border of the North City, which no real estate developer would bother with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People aim for higher ground, water flows to lower ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the outside world developed rapidly, the original residents here gradually moved out, leasing or selling their old houses at extremely low prices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, the dark alley was a dwelling place for low-level migrant workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, no one knows when it started, but the dark alley became a playground for all kinds of dubious characters in North City, and it turned into a lawless land where all sorts mingled together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you could say this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people mixed up in the dark alley had a strange kind of understanding amongst them and conflicts hardly ever broke out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that these underworld figures lacked a temper, but the place simply couldn’t stand too much trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was already so rundown that any more damage would make it uninhabitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Similar to the Old City West, most of the houses in the alley were used for businesses—specifically, ones not too reputable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the directions given by Yi Xiuzhu, Li Jing entered the alley from the outer streets. He soon located the adult goods shop, located deeper into the alley entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he reached the door, he saw Yi Xiuzhu, his face as expressionless as ever, sitting behind the counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire store: only him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing someone enter, Yi Xiuzhu nodded in acknowledgement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing responded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then glanced back at the dark alley outside, which was occasionally traversed by passers-by, then looked at a doll by the shop entrance. Its inner stuffing seemed to be leaking, and he wasn’t sure if it got that way from rough treatment or poor quality. Li Jing walked up to the counter, making an effort to seem surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiuzhu, so you’re the only one here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Dark Alley is quite large. We’ve got just over thirty in our group, the others are elsewhere trying to gather information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yi Xiuzhu spoke, he added in an almost incantatory tone,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of this shop is an acquaintance of mine. I’m helping her look after it while I’m trying to find some clues. She’s not in at the moment, and I don’t know when she’ll...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, there was a series of thuds from a cabinet behind him, followed by muffled \"ummm\" noises, seeming to come from a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing, upon hearing this, gave a slight start and frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi Xiuzhu turned to look, then turned back, his expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry about it, there are lots of rats in this damned place. There’s probably just one in the cabinet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi Xiuzhu really was terrible at lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he said that he had an acquaintance somewhere else, Li Jing might have believed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Yi Xiuzhu’s business was booming, and he had connections everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to claim that he had an acquaintance in the Dark Alley, Li Jing absolutely wouldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people who hung around the dark alley were typically low-lives who wouldn’t cross paths with someone like Yi Xiuzhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Li Jing’s understanding of Yi Xiuzhu, the woman presumably locked in the cupboard was most likely the \"acquaintance\" and shop owner he mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was very much Yi Xiuzhu’s style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a man of few words with a penchant for the unconventional and a unique way of thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most operatives would not resort to ’imprisoning’ the shop owner and commandeering her shop – a location perfect for surveilling incoming and outgoing patrons of the alley. But it wasn’t beyond Yi Xiuzhu to do so, if he felt it was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Li Jing was still speechless, Yi Xiuzhu asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why the sudden visit to the Dark Alley, Boss Li? Is it because of the Demon Beast Union?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I visited the Intelligence Department this morning and heard from Yang Cheng that you were in the dark alley. So, I decided to come over and then do some investigation on my own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi Xiuzhu’s thinking was unconventional, but not abnormal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to what Li Jing said, he immediately understood that a certain someone was not acting in the capacity of the Serious Crimes Unit’s patrol, but was investigating secretly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a bit of silence, he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only came here last night and haven’t gathered any relevant information yet. However, I heard from a guest about an interesting thing, there’s a fifth boundary big monster who’s an expert at disguise and has been living here for over fifty years, undetected even by other monsters. I still haven’t figured out who it is. I’ve asked quite a few people about it, but they’ve only ever heard rumors and can’t confirm anything. If we could find this big monster, perhaps we could gain some useful information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Li Jing’s brow furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A big monster who has been living in the dark alley for over fifty years, he was practically a veteran here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything about the dark alley, he would undoubtedly know well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could find him, perhaps they could learn something useful from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, being such an expert at disguise that even other monsters could not detect him, that seemed a bit too mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters can sense each other without facing each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the gap of their cultivation level isn’t too large, they can even clearly sense each other’s cultivation level and species.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t something that could be deceived by disguise alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were there monsters in the world that could hide their presence from other monsters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing was somewhat uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without giving it much thought, he looked at Yi Xiuzhu and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will go for a walk, see if I can learn anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi Xiuzhu nodded and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m on a mission, currently using the High Precision Dynamic Detector to collect data on the physical features of the people entering and leaving the dark alley, so I won’t accompany you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine, I can go alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing smiled, then glanced at the deflated doll at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had felt that something was amiss with this doll. Despite being deflated, it had not fully collapsed. Seems like it had a High Precision Dynamic Detector stuffed inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bidding farewell to Yi Xiuzhu, Li Jing walked alone deeper into the dark alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t walked more than a few steps when his pocket phone began to vibrate continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting instinctively, he took out the phone, his brow knitted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screen showed a video call from Jiu Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did Jiu Li suddenly call?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t she say she would be arriving tomorrow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this call came at a rather opportune moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently at a loss as to whether there was a monster in the world that could hide its presence from other monsters, he could ask Jiu Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the monsters Li Jing knew, there was no doubt Jiu Li had the most knowledge and experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, her cultivation level was high, and she had lived for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters usually cultivate much slower than humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A normal fifth boundary big monster would conservatively be at least a hundred years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Jiu Li who was in the late six realm, she was probably approaching two hundred years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a different matter for carnivorous monsters which can quickly level up by eating the flesh and blood of the same level monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters living in human society seldom have the opportunity to buy the blood and flesh of the same level monster, only a very few individual ones could afford the blood and flesh of high-level monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for hunting them themselves, the risk is too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A careless mistake could result in being killed instead, not to mention making too much of a commotion that would alert the patrol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting all this aside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing a video call on his phone, Li Jing chose to cancel the call and made an audio call instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call was answered as soon as he dialed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Jiu Li’s displeased voice came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you hang up on my video call? Ashamed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not in a position to do so at the moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well that’s a shame, I even specially dressed up for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scoffing, Jiu Li continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve booked my flight; the plane leaves at 10 am tomorrow. I should reach Jianghai Shangcheng Airport around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. You promised to show me a good time, so remember to pick me up then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Li Jing could not help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such high expectations...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they were not that familiar, this sly fox demon had a certain wise superior air about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once there came to know each other a little, she completely shed her pretense, didn’t she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, Li Jing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have confirmed the existence and expansion of a Chapter of the Demon Beast Union in Jianghai, and I will be involved in the investigation tomorrow, so I may not have the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Li clicked her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, you’re saying you don’t have time to entertain me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I just might not have time to pick you up from the airport. I’ll definitely make time for Brother Jiu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing responded, saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Jiu, just tell me the address of the hotel you booked and I’ll be there when I can...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Jiu Li interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t book a hotel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hotel booking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could collect his thoughts, Jiu Li giggled and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know how expensive it is to book a hotel in Jianghai? I may be an artist that earns quite a bit, but my salary is on par with average standards. With the current situation in the city, I am expecting to have to stay in Jianghai for at least two or three months. Can you even comprehend the expenses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said that, she added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you have promised to take care of me, of course, I’ll be staying at your place when I arrive. There’s no need to book a hotel, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing was at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sly fox demon first cries poverty, then casually mentions she will be staying at his place. His head was spinning from her manipulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did have a spare room at his place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was no longer sharing different rooms with Liu Sisi. They were sleeping in the same room now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the two rooms were right next to each other!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t it cumbersome?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiu Li were to stay just one or two days, he would manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if she were to stay for two or three months? Who could bear that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Li Jing proposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Jiu, I’m a family man. It’s not suitable for you to stay at my house. How about this? Why don’t I buy you a house instead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Li huffed, then her tone changed to one of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, what? You just said you want to give me a house, not let me stay in a hotel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I’ll give you one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him at this stage, a house wasn’t a big deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the pieces of demon beast flesh that he intended to give Jiu Li were much more valuable than a house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give one set to Jiu Li, save her the trouble of fussing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Jiu Li makes it sound like she’s in dire straits, Li Jing absolutely doesn’t believe she can’t afford hotel accommodation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her plain apartment in the capital, located in the city center near the spiritual object market, is worth at least a hundred million, to say the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this sly fox be short of money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other end of the phone, Jiu Li let out a cheerful laugh when she got a positive answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my, how embarrassing this is? But since you’re so generous, I’ll reluctantly accept. Remember to make the house close to yours, I want to live comfortably. Might as well sign a peace treaty and settle down in Jianghai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she giggled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, I can’t use my male identity card in the capital, it might be more convenient to register a new identity at a different place. If you have tricky cases in the future, like another Six Realm Great Demon to kill, you can call on me for help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he heard that, the corner of Li Jing’s mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had caught on to Jiu Li’s game from the start, but he didn’t bother to guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment though, she revealed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tasted the sweet life and shamelessly wanted to settle down in Jianghai to take advantage of him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Li Jing didn’t know what to feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mainly because Jiu Li was so blatant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a fox demon of the same level, Yulian is also very pleased with the benefits he gave, but she at least waits for him to reach out to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one, on the other hand, is \"on the offensive\", planning to settle in Jianghai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiu Li really wanted to move to Jianghai, Li Jing wouldn’t mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox demons are quite useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although compared to Yulian who mainly relies on Charm, Jiu Li is a bit less capable in this respect, but she could still be of great help when necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Yulian lives in East City, and it would be quite a hassle to go there every time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was a Late Six Realm fox demon nearby and ready to go anytime, it would definitely be a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On second thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he gave Jiu Li the promised demon flesh and blood, she might be able to step into the Seventh Realm soon, and at that time, he would have a Seventh Realm Monster at his disposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This deal seems favorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem lies with explaining it to Chen Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s one thing to harbor a fox demon, but it’s another to acquire a Seventh Realm creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a level is fine in the capital, but for the suburban North City, even signing a peace treaty poses a threat that can’t be overlooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping this in mind, Li Jing spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Jiu, you’re only one step away from the Seventh Realm, and with the demonic flesh and blood I promised, you’d be able to break through after some hard cultivation. I wonder if you’re prepared for the tribulation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking, Jiu Li responded, sounding speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I were prepared for the tribulation, why would I be shamelessly moving to Jianghai depending on you to feed me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, she continued grumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our demon tribulation is much more dangerous than your human cultivation, after all, we can’t rely on external objects, spells or even formations like you human cultivators do. We have to tough it out during the tribulation, the chance of us dying is many times higher than yours. Without thorough preparation and accumulation, which Six Realm Great Demon would dare to say they are ready for the tribulation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Jiu Li’s \"relying on you to feed me\", the corner of Li Jing’s mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one, totally not holding anything back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening to her later words, Li Jing understood the reason why she is insistently pushing to settle down in Jianghai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Li didn’t have the confidence to pass the tribulation, she wanted to accumulate wealth from him who’s known for fattening up demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he understood the key point of this, Li Jing didn’t ponder over it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without letting the conversation continue, Li Jing began to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Jiu, I want to ask something. Among you demons, are there any who are proficient in disguise and can conceal their identities from other demons?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, there are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Li responded, speaking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our demonic talents are diverse, with various strengths and weaknesses. To a certain extent, the talents of demons are similar to the spells of you cultivators, except that our talents cannot be learned but awakened. Talents are not just restricted to our innate abilities which are comparatively powerful. Over the years of cultivation, new talents could be awakened anytime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long explanation, she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The kind of imitation ability you mentioned is relatively rare. If it is innate, it often occurs in demons who naturally have a strong ability to disguise themselves, like chameleons. If you consider the factor of awakening talents in later life, it’s unpredictable. What I can tell you is that, if such ability is refined into a highly advanced state, it can even disguise the demon qi within the body as Spiritual Qi, making it difficult to distinguish between what’s real and what’s not. If this type of demon doesn’t admit he’s a demon, no one can tell he’s a demon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2977,"2026-06-06T07:41:35.216Z",1,"novelbin.me","a4b72791463ae9f83c826d51766552704e4d75d8c252f58fd43b6711323313b1","why-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars-chapter-223","why-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars-chapter-221",719,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwhy-do-all-these-monsters-have-health-bars-cover.jpg"]