Chapter 1 : Waste Beauty

The spring rain fell continuously and densely, and the raindrops were like smoke and fog, covering the green mountains in front.

On a quiet mountain path, a black lacquered carriage with a flat top slowly emerged from the hazy mountain fog, accompanied by several guards in dark armor riding tall horses on either side.

The carriage moved steadily and did not sway much.

Suddenly, the urgent sound of galloping hooves came from behind. A group of riders sped towards the front. The path was narrow, and the carriage was right in the middle of the road, leaving no room to maneuver.

As they were about to come close, the leading rider pulled on the reins, and the horse let out a whinny as it reared up, managing to stop just a foot away from the carriage.

The rest of the riders also came to a halt. The dark-armored guard beside the carriage quickly drew his sword, his expression stern as he looked at the newcomers. Their imposing presence and cold aura indicated that they were not ordinary guards. Especially notable was one female guard, who wore a red jade belt hook and had a tall, powerful figure. Her pitch-black eyes darted with an electric sharpness, and her menacing aura made even the drizzling spring rain seem more forbidding.

The arriving group wore cloaks and conical hats, the wide brims shielding them from the falling rain while casting large shadows over their faces. Seeing the dark-armored guards draw their swords, the newcomers’ expressions slightly tensed.

The atmosphere became tense.

The leading rider first glanced over the carriage, which appeared quite ordinary, like a simple vehicle used by common folk, unadorned with any embellishments. Only a subtle symbol, resembling a slanted jade hook, was faintly visible on the carriage wall.

Recognizing the symbol, the leader seemed to understand and called out, “Is that the young master of the Ji family from Wuhuwan mountain?”

The guards beside the carriage remained unmoved, keeping a vigilant watch.

The man raised his hat slightly, revealing a handsome face with sword-like brows and starry eyes. He exuded a clear and upright aura, appearing quite righteous. His gaze shifted to the stern female guard beside the carriage, and he offered a slight smile.

Politely, he introduced himself with a cupped fist gesture: “I am Xu Xiujue from Cangzhou.”

Cangzhou Xu family?

At this moment, a faint and weak cough was heard from within the carriage. Even to someone unversed in medicine, the frailty of the person coughing was evident.

Hearing the movement in the carriage, Xu Xiujue realized he had guessed correctly, though he was somewhat surprised.

The Ji family of Wuhuwan had long been known for their role in slaying demons, and were renowned alongside the Xu family of Cangzhou, the Chen family of Qingyu, and the Pei family of Yufuya as the four great demon-slayer families, having significant influence among the people.

However, that was twenty years ago. It was well known that the Ji family had declined in recent years, with a sharp decrease in talent and population. Their current young master was frail and had poor talent, leading people to shake their heads in anticipation of the family’s downfall.

Yet, even a withered camel is still bigger than a horse. Despite its decline and the young master’s inadequacies, the Ji family still had its foundation, and with the matriarch of the family in place, they were not to be underestimated.

After a while, the coughing ceased, and a weak but clear and pleasant voice emerged.

“It turns out to be Brother Xu.”

The carriage door quietly opened, and the female guard in red silk who was standing beside it quickly stepped forward. She lifted the thin curtain of the carriage and held up an oil-paper umbrella.

A slender figure descended from the carriage, moving gently and gracefully, like drifting clouds and clear springs.

She wore a pale green dress, adorned with few embellishments, yet exuding an unparalleled grace. As she slightly raised her head, a face as white as jade was revealed, with eyes and brows like the moon, radiating a soft, ethereal glow.

The mountain mist lingered around her feet, reluctant to leave, and her green dress fluttered slightly, resembling a fairy poised to ride the wind.

Xu Xiujue’s gaze momentarily faltered before he quickly composed himself, though a hint of unease was still apparent.

Even the Xu family disciples behind him could not hide their astonishment. Rumors had it that Ji Yu, the young master of the Ji family, though frail and lacking in talent and ability, possessed an extraordinary beauty that people spoke highly of.

Previously, they had been skeptical, even dismissive, thinking the Ji family had fabricated such praise to boost the reputation of their young master.

Demon hunter value strength and talent, and beauty alone is considered superficial. Since only the young master’s beauty was known and nothing else was notable, it was evident that the Ji family was in decline.

Now they realized the rumors were not exaggerated.

Dressed in a green gown, with a refined and ethereal demeanor, she resembled a clear moon in the mountains, or a celestial being by a pine-clad spring, making one forget the mundane.

Unfortunately, her complexion was overly pale, with a noticeable sickness. It was evident that her longevity was compromised, not a sign of longevity.

Although demon hunter rarely meet a good end, they also seldom die young. With diligent practice, slaying demons, and protection from their powers, their lifespans are generally much longer than that of ordinary people.

Xu Xiujue dismounted his horse.

After exchanging greetings, he asked, “Is Young Master Ji here for the matter concerning Yanyue Villa?”

Ji Yu nodded slightly, “Indeed, Brother Xu, you are here for the same purpose, I presume?”

This mountain path led to Yanyue Villa, so anyone traveling this route was likely headed there.

Thinking of the Yanyue Villa affair, Xu Xiujue took another look at Ji Yu and the dark-armored guards from the Ji family standing beside her, feeling a bit surprised.

Was it really necessary for the Ji family to send their young master for this? Were they not concerned?

As Xu Xiujue pondered this, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. Everyone appreciates beauty, and the thought of such a lovely person meeting misfortune at Yanyue Villa was regrettable.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they did not linger, as they needed to continue on their journey.

Since both parties were headed to the same destination, Xu Xiujue suggested traveling together.

Ji Yu politely declined and explained, “My health has been frail since childhood, and I cannot endure jolting. Thus, I travel very slowly, so I wouldn’t want to delay Brother Xu.”

Demon hunter possess magical powers, and typically, they would travel swiftly on horseback across lakes and seas, rarely using carriages, as carriages are too slow and not conducive to their practice.

Xu Xiujue, accustomed to traveling quickly on horseback, found Ji Yu’s mode of travel somewhat unusual. However, given her poor health, it was understandable.

Xu Xiujue did not mind. Both the Xu and Ji families were exorcist clans, and it was common for them to look out for each other when traveling.

As Yanyue Villa was near, even if they were to rush, it would not be at this moment.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yu did not insist further and replied politely, “In that case, I’ll trouble Brother Xu.”

Despite her calm demeanor, her every action and word were marked by politeness and courtesy, and her beautiful face was pleasing to the eye, making it hard not to look at her repeatedly.

The Xu family disciples couldn’t help but glance at her repeatedly.

Seeing Ji Yu’s change in address, Xu Xiujue also responded with a relaxed, “Junior Sister Ji is too polite.”

The four great families were originally closely related, so it was common to address each other as senior and junior brothers or sisters when they met.

The group set off again.

Ji Yu’s carriage led the way, with Xu Xiujue and his party following behind.

Unlike their previous brisk pace, the Xu family disciples now trailed slowly behind, as if casually strolling through the misty mountains, which felt somewhat out of place.

Occasionally, faint coughs from within the carriage could be heard. Though subtle, exorcists’ keen senses picked up on them clearly.

Thinking about the sickly beauty in the carriage, everyone present, regardless of gender, felt a pang of sympathy.

Although there are many beauties in the world, someone with Ji Yu’s ethereal beauty is quite rare. If she were an ordinary person, it wouldn’t be so remarkable, but as a member of an demon slayer family, particularly the Ji family of Wuhuwan, she bore the responsibility of continuing the family line, which made her situation more poignant.

As the mountain mist thickened, the previously quiet mountain became filled with rustling sounds, resembling the slithering of cold, sinister creatures in the underbrush or ominous entities lurking in the fog.

Within the mist, it felt as if invisible eyes were watching, like a damp, chilling steam clinging to one’s body.

Yanyue Villa is located deep in the mountains, which are also called Yanyue Mountain. The mountain is known for its malevolent spirits, but in the past, Yanyue Villa’s presence kept things under control.

Recently, however, something had gone wrong at Yanyue Villa. It was said that the atmosphere of the mountain had been changing subtly, and evil filth is frequent (evil or corrupt energy).

The group traveled in silence, feeling the sticky and cold gaze from the mist. They were intent on reaching Yanyue Villa before nightfall and preferred not to engage in any unnecessary trouble.

Unless they are dealing with demons or monsters, demon hunter rarely take the initiative to handle ghosts and malevolent spirits.

Perhaps because of the large number of them and their status as demon slayer, or maybe due to some caution on the part of the spirits, no hostile entities attacked them.

By evening, they finally arrived at Yanyue Villa. 

From a distance, they saw the villa standing amid the dense mountain mist, with two red lanterns hanging at the entrance, swaying slightly in the wind. The lanterns cast eerie red glows, stirring up an ominous atmosphere in the gusty night wind.

Before he got close, Xu Xiujue felt a heart-pounding ominous aura and looked at the villa bathed in twilight with a dim gaze. The group stared anxiously at the villa in the mist, the atmosphere becoming tense and oppressive. Just then, a sharp, distressed cough came from within the carriage, breaking the uneasy silence and snapping everyone back to reality.

Xu Xiujue hesitated for a moment before urging his horse forward to the carriage window and asked, “Junior Sister Ji, are you alright?”

Hearing her cough so painfully, it was clear that the atmosphere at Yanyue Villa had affected her health, and she might not be able to withstand it even before reaching the villa.

“I’m fine,” Ji Yu replied softly. “Brother Xu, its getting dark. We should go in.”

Her reminder made everyone realize that the sky had indeed grown darker, with nightfall approaching rapidly.

One of the Xu family disciples stepped forward and knocked on the villa’s door.

After a short while, the door was opened from the inside.

An old gatekeeper, looking thin and bony, with a gloomy and unsettling expression, appeared. His presence was quite eerie.

All those present were experienced demon hunters, and they were not frightened by him. They just felt that although the old man was alive, his blood and energy were gone, and even his soul fire was as if it was nowhere to be found. They couldn’t help but frown secretly.

It seemed that the situation at Yanyue Villa was more dangerous than imagined.

The old man did not speak but held a lantern and gave a cold, sweeping glance over the visitors before silently opening the door for them to enter.

After entering the villa, the group found the villa eerily quiet, with the unsettling atmosphere gone. Even the wind had stilled, giving the impression of no signs of life.

It wasn’t until the villa’s housekeeper arrived in haste that the oppressive silence was broken.

The housekeeper greeted them warmly, saying, “Thank you all for coming from afar. Please excuse any shortcomings on our part. The guest rooms are ready. Please freshen up, and we have prepared wine and food for you…”

After traveling for several days, even demon hunter felt exhausted and did not refuse the offer.

However, Xu Xiujue did ask, “May I know how many people have arrived so far?”

The housekeeper replied, “The Chen family disciples from Qingyu arrived just yesterday, as well as disciples from Bixin Pavilion, disciples from the Demon Elimination League, and…”

Upon hearing that the Chen family from Qingyu had also arrived, Ji Yu’s expression shifted slightly as she got off from the carriage.