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Chapter 39 : The Devil Comes to the World
Jiang Shiqiu furrowed his brows, his exquisite face taking on a frosty demeanor that made one feel strangely hesitant to look directly at him.
The Demon Division members who had entered paused their steps. They quickly cleaned up the aftermath of the battle, reinforced the remaining structure of the half-collapsed temple to prevent it from collapsing completely, and then swiftly went outside to keep watch through the night.
At this moment, the only person who dared to meet Jiang Shiqiu’s gaze was Ji Yu.
Her eyes, glistening like water, reflected the moonlight from the horizon. They were as clear as the moonlight and carried an indescribable chill.
Jiang Shiqiu adjusted her blanket and stayed by her side, his voice gentle “Ji Yu , don’t be afraid!”
She smiled, extending her hand from under the blanket to grasp his warm hand.
“I’m not afraid.”
Whether it was being dragged into a dream by the demon or seeing the demon he had slain upon waking, there was really nothing to fear. She just wanted to understand why these demons wanted to kill her.
Jiang Shiqiu lay down beside her and held her close.
Her soft body fit perfectly in his embrace. His arms felt like a small world, safe and secure, shielding her from all the harshness and danger of the outside world.
Ji Yu’s face turned slightly red, realizing that there were other people present.
“It’s alright. They’re all outside,” he said softly, kissing her cool ear.
Ji Yu didn’t refuse, burying her hot face in his embrace.
In the end, Ji Yu didn’t hear what Jiang Shiqiu said.
The next morning, while Jiang Shiqiu prepared breakfast for her, she took the opportunity to ask Qin Du about the situation.
Qin Du was polishing his demon-slaying knife and couldn’t help but look at her. There was a subtle expression in his eyes as he slowly replied, “Actually, I’m not entirely sure either. It’s likely related to the conflict among demons.”
Ji Yu, not lacking in intelligence, quickly pieced together the information.
She said with certainty, “Those demons don’t want the demon ghosts to descend into the mortal world, do they?”
Qin Du put away his knife, his face showing a hint of approval. It was clear that the young Master of the Ji family was no fool; she understood quickly, which explained why she could hold the position of Ji family’s young Master despite her frail appearance.
“Demons and evil spirits are different from humans. Their world is even more cruel and bloody, with a clear hierarchy, stronger demons devour weaker ones, and weaker ones consume those even weaker… creating a twisted and dark world.” Qin Du snorted, “From ancient records, we know that the powerful demon ghosts from the underworld are not allowed to descend in their true forms. They can only manifest in the mortal world through a vessel.”
He glanced at Ji Yu again.
She was the vessel chosen by the demon ghosts. It was unclear whether this was fortunate or unfortunate for her.
Or perhaps, it was more unfortunate.
“If one day, a demon ghost were to descend into the mortal world, not only would humans face catastrophic disasters, but the demons would as well. In fact, the demons might face even worse fates than humans.”
The mortal world was not only the realm of humans but also home to many demons and evil spirits that remained here.
Most of these demons and evil spirits could not or would not enter the underworld. They had their own territories and were unwilling to be suppressed by a stronger existence above them.
Thus, they would not want the demon ghosts to descend into the mortal world. The best way to prevent this was to kill the vessel chosen by the demon ghosts.
Qin Du expected to see fear, panic, or avoidance on her face, but she remained calm and even appeared serene.
It seemed that no matter how the world turned, she remained composed and unperturbed. Either she was truly fearless, or it was her nature to be so serene and open-minded.
“Aren’t you afraid?” Qin Du asked her curiously, then nodded to himself as if realizing something, “With Jiang Shiqiu around, you really don’t have to be afraid of anything.”
No matter how powerful those demons were, encountering Jiang Shiqiu was like sending a dish to the table.
From the way Jiang Shiqiu had killed the thousand-year-old demon python the night before, as easily as slicing through vegetables, it was clear how formidable he was.
Ji Yu smiled and didn’t refute him.
There was indeed nothing to fear, not because Jiang Shiqiu was present, but because she had understood from a young age that life and death were predestined. Even without the curse of the demon ghosts, with her frail body, she would eventually die one day.
She had long since come to terms with life and death.
When a person is unafraid of death, what else is there to fear?
If one day the demon ghosts truly descended into the mortal world using her body, she would choose to end her own life before their arrival.
After breakfast, the group set out again.
In the following days, they encountered demon attacks almost every night. The demons came one after another, trying to eliminate the vessel of the demon ghosts to prevent their arrival in the mortal world.
The demons’ intentions were in line with many humans who feared the arrival of the demon ghosts.
Unfortunately, whether it was assassins sent by humans or the endless stream of demons, they all failed here.
The task of the Demon Division was to escort Ji Yu into the capital, so they could not allow assassins to harm her; not to mention Jiang Shiqiu, whose thunderous methods were terrifying. All the demons that came at them died in the most tragic ways.
Ji Yu looked at the man slaying demons in the night, his demeanor cold and fierce, with red demonic patterns appearing at the corners of his eyes. He looked like a demon or ghost, with an aura of dread and malevolence.
At this moment, the aura from the underworld was undeniable.
Qin Du and the others turned pale, their faces filled with fear and horror.
However, by the next day, they would forget Jiang Shiqiu’s abnormality. Their expressions would return to normal, continuing to respect Jiang Shiqiu as the Commander of the Demon Suppression Division and following his orders.
Despite the continuous assassinations and attacks along the way, they arrived smoothly in Yunjing after nearly a month.
If Jiang Shiqiu hadn’t insisted on traveling only four hours a day, they might have reached the capital even sooner.
“Master Jiang, Young Master Ji, we’ve arrived in Yun Jing,” Qin Du’s voice announced.
Ji Yu lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw the towering city walls ahead, standing majestically between heaven and earth.
Looking at the immense and grand capital city, Ji Yu’s mind drifted to an ancient city nestled in endless darkness, seemingly drifting in the cosmos.
It was an even more mysterious and ancient city.
Dangerous and eerie, it was too daunting to look directly at.
“Ji Yu , what’s wrong?” Jiang Shiqiu touched her face, noticing her distracted expression, and wondered if she was feeling unwell.
Ji Yu came back to herself and shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just suddenly thought of another city.”
“What city?”
“An ancient city in the underworld.”
As she spoke, her eyes never left him. Seeing the slight tremor in his eyes, she understood.
She smiled and said, “Jiang Shiqiu, I hope that one day, I can enter the underworld with you while I’m still awake.”
Jiang Shiqiu was silent for a moment, then smiled and replied, “Yes, that day will come.”
With Qin Du and the other Demon Division members present, their carriage was not obstructed and entered the city smoothly.
After entering the city, the carriage did not stop and continued on.
After traveling for about half an hour more, the carriage finally came to a halt.
Qin Du and the others dismounted from their horses and addressed those inside the carriage, “Master Jiang, Young Master Ji, we have arrived.”
Jiang Shiqiu lifted the curtain of the carriage, stepped out first, glanced around with an ambiguous smile, and then turned to help Ji Yu out of the carriage.
As soon as Ji Yu stepped out, she saw a tall building ahead and her pupils slightly trembled. “What is this…?”
“That is the Star Observation Tower,” Qin Du explained calmly. “It is where the National Master usually practices.”
Ji Yu looked toward the Star Observation Tower and then at her surroundings, her mind suddenly clearing.
It seemed this place was the National Master’s residence.
At this moment, a young boy in Taoist robes approached.
“Master Jiang, Master Qin!”
The boy bowed to Jiang Shiqiu and the others, then looked at Ji Yu. After bowing, he said, “This must be Young Master Ji? The National Master requests your presence at the Star Observation Tower.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Du and the others were taken aback.
The National Master wanted to see Young Master Ji at the Star Observation Tower? What could he want?
Ji Yu’s current identity was too sensitive. They had expected that upon bringing her into Yun Jing, she would be confined, but instead, the National Master wanted her at the Star Observation Tower.
Ji Yu’s gaze flickered slightly, but she did not refuse, nor could she.
She nodded to the acolyte and said, “Please lead the way.”
The boy responded and took a few steps, then noticed Jiang Shiqiu accompanying Ji Yu. He reminded him, “Master Jiang, the National Master only wishes to see Young Master Ji.”
There was no intention to see Master Jiang.
Jiang Shiqiu nonchalantly replied, “Is that so? Just in time, I also have business with the National Master. Let’s go together.”
With that, he took Ji Yu’s hand and headed directly toward the Star Observation Tower.
The boy was stunned.
As a servant in the National Master’s residence, he was used to dealing with respectful officials. No one behaved as casually as Jiang Shiqiu, who seemed to follow his own rules.
This was the first time he had encountered someone like Jiang Shiqiu, and he was at a loss, forgetting to stop him.
“Master Jiang, wait…”
Before the boy could finish, someone covered his mouth and pulled him aside.
He mumbled and tried to pry off the hand covering his mouth, glaring at Qin Du with a face full of accusations.
Once Jiang Shiqiu and Ji Yu had gone far, Qin Du finally released him.
“Master Qin, how can you be so reckless?!” the boy scolded, his face filled with anger.
Qin Du casually shrugged, “What did I do? I just told you not to disturb Master Jiang. Be careful not to offend him, even the National Master won’t be able to save you then.”
The acolyte was so enraged he nearly cried. “The National Master didn’t request to see Master Jiang. If he goes, it’s disrespectful to the National Master, and he will be angry…”
“Not afraid! Where Master Jiang wants to go, no one can stop him,” Qin Du said nonchalantly. “Even the National Master cannot.”
This was exceedingly arrogant, so much so that the acolyte was truly enraged to the point of tears.
Indeed, the Demon Division’s members were as despicable as ever.
—
The Star Observation Tower was located at the center of the National Master’s residence, where he usually practiced.
It was said that the National Master spent most of the year at the Star Observation Tower, making it quite difficult to meet him.
The Tower was surrounded by heavily armed guards who watched Jiang Shiqiu and Ji Yu with sharp eyes as they approached.
“Master Jiang, please wait!” A guard stepped in front of them. “The National Master did not request to see you.”
Jiang Shiqiu, with a gentle smile and dressed in a scarlet robe that added an element of enigmatic charm, casually pushed the blocking guard aside as if he were a puppet.
The other guards who tried to obstruct them met the same fate, being tossed aside.
The two of them successfully entered the Star Observation Tower.
They climbed the stairs all the way to the top, finally reaching the National Master.
The National Master was sitting cross-legged, with the fierce wind howling around him and curtains made of meteorite fluttering incessantly. Despite the chaos, his hair and robes remained smooth and undisturbed.
Ji Yu’s skirt billowed with the wind, and the stray hairs at her temples brushed her eyes, blurring her vision.
In the next moment, a hand rested on her shoulder, and the fierce wind suddenly ceased.
Ji Yu could see the National Master clearly now. His face looked quite young, appearing to be in his early twenties, though his hair was already frosted white, matching his white Taoist robe.
The National Master opened his eyes and, upon seeing the two, was not surprised. He gazed at them calmly.
After a brief glance, he seemed puzzled by something, his brows slightly furrowing as his eyes moved between them.
Ji Yu felt his gaze and had an unsettling feeling of being seen through. She slightly moved her fingers and lowered her gaze.
After a while, the National Master spoke, “Master Jiang, what brings you here?”
Jiang Shiqiu’s expression was indifferent. “National Master, you jest. Since my wife was summoned here by you, it’s only natural for me to accompany her.”
The National Master reluctantly said, “Master Jiang is overthinking. I only requested Young Master Ji to come over to ask a few questions.”
“Then let’s get on with it,” Jiang Shiqiu said bluntly. “We need to rest afterwards. My wife’s health is not the best, she mustn’t be overworked.”
The National Master was at a loss for words.
He shifted his attention to Ji Yu, nodding slightly. “Young Master Ji, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Ji Yu responded with a polite smile.
The National Master’s expression was cold and detached, his white attire resembling drifting clouds in the sky. “I have troubled Young Master Ji to come here. Please stay in the National Master’s residence for now.”
Ji Yu courteously replied, “Thank you, National Master.”
They left the Star Observation Tower, and servants who had been waiting took them to the residence’s courtyard.
The courtyard was planted with numerous peach trees, bearing a lot of green fruit that looked quite pleasant.
The servants of the National Master’s residence respectfully said, “Young Master Ji, you will be staying here from now on. Please see if this is to your liking. If there is anything unsatisfactory, we will arrange for changes.”
Ji Yu glanced around casually and nodded. “It’s fine.”
Then two maidservants arrived, assigned by the National Master’s residence to attend to Ji Yu.
The residence had prepared abundant meals, clean water for washing, new clothes, and various pieces of jewelry for her.
Ji Yu changed into a summer dress that was recently popular in Yun Jing, a light and airy robe with layers of lake-blue chiffon that fluttered gracefully, resembling butterfly wings in the sunlight.
Jiang Shiqiu stood behind her, arranging her hair and complimenting, “My wife, you look truly beautiful.”
Ji Yu smiled slightly and asked, “Jiang Shiqiu, are you staying here as well?”
“Of course,” he said without hesitation. “Wherever you are, I will be there too.”
Ji Yu looked at her vanity and said, “I thought they would confine me or fabricate charges against me, but instead, they sent me to the National Master’s residence…”
Jiang Shiqiu snorted, dismissing the idea. “What charges? What crime could my wife possibly have?” He was quite dissatisfied and felt that the National Master’s residence was treating her poorly. “If you’re uncomfortable, my wife, we can move to the Jiang family’s other residence.”
“The Jiang family’s other residence?” Ji Yu was first surprised, then remembered his identity in the mortal realm.
He was not only the commander of the Demon Division but also a disciple of the Jiang family in Yunjing, just like the previous commander, Jiang Chaoshan.
She found it somewhat amusing. “There’s no need for that. Let’s see what their purpose is first.”
The court’s invitation to her to enter the capital likely had more behind it than just confining her to the National Master’s residence.
Jiang Shiqiu had no choice but to give up. For him, there was no place in the mortal realm that he couldn’t go; as long as he was by her side, it made no difference whether it was the National Master’s residence or the Jiang family’s other residence.
—
Star Observation Tower.
As night fell, the wind grew increasingly fierce.
A dim star appeared in the sky, its light weak, as if it would soon be swallowed by the drifting clouds.
Watching the star on the verge of being extinguished, the National Master murmured, “It’s wrong. The demons has come to the world…”
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