Chapter 40: "Demon"

“When did this happen?” Ji Huo’s face was dark, his hand gripping a blood-stained scrap of cloth and the Killing Heart Sword Manual. On the cloth, someone had scrawled the character for “Demon” in twisted, uneven lines, as though written hastily between breaths.

“Three days ago,” Twenty-Three replied quickly. “Qian Ten and the others waited outside Hong Prefecture for a long time. In the end, all they received was this cloth and the manual, delivered by carrier pigeon.”

“When Eleven saw it, he ordered everyone to withdraw ten more miles, then immediately sent word. Fifth Brother’s fate is unknown—they didn’t dare risk sending anyone into Hong Prefecture.”

Ji Huo nodded. “They did well.”

He learned the Killing Heart Sword Manual directly.

[All Rivers Flow to the Sea: Master one hundred martial arts, cultivate them to perfection (91/100).]

Twenty-Three spoke anxiously, “Boss, should we send word to Brother One, or call those ruthless killers from the Earth Fiend Squad for backup? With Fifth Brother missing, if we wait too long, I fear—”

Ji Huo rose, calmly gathering his things. “There’s no time. Brother One and Kun One are scattered across the provinces. I only told them to rendezvous in Hong Prefecture in a month; even if we send a pigeon now, it’ll be a while before they receive the message. By then, Fifth Brother may have already met his end.”

“So,” Ji Huo finished packing and stowed everything away in the system’s space, his tone steady, “I’ll go myself.”

The character “Demon” carried too many meanings.

On the surface, anyone in the martial world who practiced internal arts too recklessly or impatiently could suffer from fire deviation—at best, they’d be severely injured, lose their progress, and need long recovery; at worst, they’d become violently deranged and kill indiscriminately.

On a deeper level, it referred to cultivators succumbing to demonic obsession. There were plenty of cultivators in the world—oddly, they were the most prone to this, each possessed by fierce obsessions, and once demonic, they became terrifyingly powerful and bloodthirsty.

Deeper still, it hinted at something on another level altogether.

But no matter the context, anything connected to “Demon” spelled danger, and those afflicted always fought with astonishing strength—as if darkness made them ten times more powerful.

Ji Huo considered carefully. If he sent the Sky Gang and Earth Fiend squads, they could handle the matter, but the risk was too great. Who knew how many would fall? Better to go himself.

Twenty-Three was instantly overjoyed, visibly relieved. “If you’re going, that’s for the best! I’ll arrange a team to accompany you.”

“No need. I’ll go alone.” Ji Huo ordered, “Tell everyone else not to come to Hong Prefecture. The mission to destroy the Assassin Hall is canceled—let them return to their usual business. Also, Sky Gang Squad should watch Hong Prefecture closely and send me updates without delay.”

“Yes.”

“And,” Ji Huo handed him the manual, “Copy this, circulate the full text to all 108 members of Sky Gang and Earth Fiend squads. Others receive portions based on merit.”

“Yes!” Twenty-Three hesitated, then asked, “Boss, just you alone? What about Little Red Sugar—won’t she go?”

“She’s off at the academy,” Ji Huo replied offhandedly.

“Really?” Twenty-Three blinked.

“Mhm.”

“Then I’ll call the others to visit her at the academy!” Twenty-Three said excitedly, rubbing a swollen patch on his face—Little Red Sugar’s handiwork a few days prior.

The two chatted as they walked, quickly leaving the small courtyard and heading for the main gate of the Duke’s Mansion. They hadn’t gone far when they saw Ji Junhong approaching, arms full of portraits.

“Second Brother, what’s this?” Ji Junhong glanced at Twenty-Three, then turned to Ji Huo.

Ji Huo introduced him, “This is Qian Twenty-Three, manager of Qian Duoduo Bank, an old acquaintance.”

Twenty-Three bowed. “Qian Twenty-Three greets Young Master Ji.”

“So you’re Manager Qian—pleasure to meet you.” Ji Junhong nodded in understanding.

Qian Duoduo Bank spanned the continent, wealthy enough to rival nations, with branches in all four kingdoms. It was said every manager bore the surname Qian, wishing for riches upon riches. Yet the bank’s background was deep and mysterious—no one knew the true owner, and many powers had tried to uncover it, all to no avail.

“Brother, I need to travel far for a while. Tell Father for me—I may not return for ten days or half a month,” Ji Huo said quickly.

Ji Junhong was straightforward. “Alright. If Father asks, what should I say?”

He was helping Ji Huo fabricate an alibi.

“Make something up,” Ji Huo replied, glancing at the stack of portraits in Ji Junhong’s hands. “Looking for me?”

Ji Junhong waved the bundle with a smile. “Matchmakers have arranged portraits of potential brides for you. I used to worry you’d reject all these noble ladies—now it seems there’s no need.”

Ji Huo’s lips twitched. “That’s unnecessary. I dislike matchmaking.”

“It’s Father’s command,” Ji Junhong laughed.

Truth be told, since Second Brother arrived, much of Father’s pressure had shifted to him. With Ji Huo as the family’s troublemaker for comparison, Ji Xiaoxiong now found Ji Junhong much more pleasing—or perhaps he had given up hope of pushing Ji Junhong into marriage, and was pinning it all on Ji Huo.

If that’s the case, I’d best spend a few months away... Ji Huo grumbled inwardly, but said aloud, “Brother, time is short—I’m leaving.”

“Alright.” Ji Junhong nodded, then recalled something. “By the way, stay away from Hong Prefecture. A murderous villain has slaughtered the region.”

Ji Huo’s head snapped up; even Twenty-Three, usually reserved, looked at Ji Junhong.

“What sort of villain?” Ji Huo asked.

Their expressions did not escape Ji Junhong, who explained in detail, “Not sure—just that many have died, and the culprit is missing. It’s likely nearby villages will be wiped out as well. The court should receive news in a couple days and will probably send experts.”

Wait, the news I received came from Fifth Brother the moment it happened—how did you know? And how did you get word of Hong Prefecture’s massacre before I did?

We all use carrier pigeons. Did your pigeons fly faster than mine?

Or does Brother have a swifter channel for information?

Ji Huo pondered quietly, but smiled, “Alright, Brother, I won’t go to Hong Prefecture.”

Ji Junhong nodded, adding, “Be careful on the road. If you run into officials, the military, or local authorities, show them the token I gave you—they’ll give me some respect.”

“Got it!”

With that, Ji Huo hurried off with Twenty-Three.

“Have them investigate higher-end carrier pigeon methods, or find better quality pigeons,” Ji Huo said suddenly to Twenty-Three.

“Yes, Boss!” Twenty-Three looked troubled—all Sky Gang dealt in intelligence, so how could others have received the news of Hong Prefecture’s massacre first? And to be shown up right in front of their boss—how humiliating! It shouldn’t have happened.

Ji Junhong watched their backs as they departed, seeing Ji Huo whispering something while Manager Qian nodded repeatedly.

He knew he could listen in if he wished, but he did not.

“Interesting.”

Ji Junhong glanced at the portraits in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the bundle turned to dust and drifted away on the wind.

“Better destroyed—otherwise Father will look at them and try to arrange my marriage as well.”

“Judging by Second Brother’s demeanor, he won’t be back soon. What excuse should I give?”

“A headache, truly a headache…”