Chapter Sixty-Four: Killing the Demon 4
Everyone was startled, thinking it was some kind of animal from the mountains.
They all wanted to kill it to avenge their fellow villagers.
Little did people know that it was impervious to swords and spears, and human weapons could not harm it in the slightest.
This only fueled its ferocity, and it killed several people.
The villagers were terrified and scattered. The monster did not chase after them. Later, the anonymous author encountered several more similar incidents.
As time passed, demons lurked everywhere, growing in ever larger hordes, attacking villages and then cities. He was terrified; these creatures had no weaknesses, could not be killed, and fed on humans. One day, humanity would be wiped out.
When he reached middle age, he went to an ancient city that was thriving and bustling with people. He was surprised that it had not been attacked by demons. However, the moment he stepped inside, everyone on the street tore off their human skin and turned into that terrifying demon.
They were all looking at him.
Demons possess the ability to change their appearance, and they especially enjoy disguising themselves as humans.
He was afraid, he was terrified, he wished he could flee the city immediately, but the demons were incredibly fast and arrived in front of him in an instant. The leader was the demon he had first encountered when he was young, because it had a pair of black wings on its back. In all those years, he had only seen one demon with wings on its back, and now it looked no different from when he first saw it. His last thought before he died was that demons live much longer than humans.
Upon reading this, Lu Cen paused to think.
If this author was killed by a demon, who recorded what he saw and heard?
The travelogue that Alvin discovered recorded the appearance and characteristics of demons. How did he manage to survive so many close encounters with demons?
Before he died, he unexpectedly discovered the astonishing fact that demons live longer than humans.
It has to be said that this is too much of a coincidence.
Lu Cen wasn't particularly clever, but he clearly sensed that the author of this travelogue was lucky to an excessive degree. He pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out a clue. However, he didn't pay much attention to the descriptions, which were of unknown authenticity. What caught Lu Cen's attention more was the description of the demon having wings. So, this demon was extremely ugly and could fly.
"It's getting late, you..."
The sudden sound rang almost against his ear, and the heat penetrated his earlobe. Lu Cen was startled, his spine went numb for a moment, and then he was so frightened that he took a few steps back. One shoulder bumped into the bookshelf, and the other fell into half of the warm chest. The book in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and the pages turned, landing right on the illustrated page. The oil lamp flickered in the air, the flame shining and dimming.
Ados steadied Lucen by the arm, helping him regain his balance, and said with annoyance, "Sorry, I spoke too suddenly..."
Lu Cen's face was a little pale. He clutched his chest to calm himself down, saying, "I'm fine..."
Ados took the oil lamp from his hand, then bent down to pick up the autobiography. The illustration of the demon was incredibly lifelike, with a high, broad forehead that protruded slightly forward, taking up most of the face, and tentacles two body lengths long, winding around him like vines. He closed the book: "Interested in these legends?"
"It's alright, I just found it very interesting to write."
Ados handed the book forward, then stopped and tucked it into the gap between the books, smiling as he said, "I should have given this book to you, but I don't have the authority to dispose of these books, and they're not easy to lend out. However, I can decide whether to let others see them. If you're free these days, you can come and sit for a while."
Lu Cen had only read part of the content, but he was determined to finish reading the rest no matter what. He hesitated for a few seconds: "If it won't bother you."
"Don't bother me. It's getting late. Let me take you home."
There were only two windows in the study for ventilation, and it was stuffy to stay there for too long. You couldn't see the scenery outside either, so Lu Cen couldn't tell what time it was. When he got to the hall on the first floor, he found that it was already completely dark. The men and women from earlier were nowhere to be seen. Ados took two oil lamps and handed one to Himi. The small yellow light was barely enough to see the path under his feet. It would take about twenty minutes to walk from here to the manor.
The night was hazy, and the forest in the distance looked like a huge, dark beast, adding a touch of gloom to the town.
The alley was narrow, with high and thick walls on both sides. Three figures moved slowly forward. In the distance, Lu Cen heard low voices ahead.
The two guards had their backs to them and did not notice their arrival.
"Should we go and fetch the captain?"
"That's not a good idea. We don't know exactly what happened inside."
"Shall we go in and take a look?"
"After you've read it, then go tell the captain. If you report something rashly without knowing anything, you're bound to get a scolding."
"You're so smart."
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Ados asked as he stepped forward.
"Young Master Ados, Young Master Inlai, good evening." One of the guards said, "We were patrolling here when we smelled a very strange odor. We found that it was coming from this town's house, and we were just about to go in to check."
A strange smell?
What's that strange smell?
Lu Cen sniffed the air and, after the guard's description, realized that it did indeed have an indescribable smell, like the astringent taste of crushed grass mixed with the fishy smell of blood, or like red wine that had been sealed in a wooden barrel for years and mixed with some scraps of meat. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was very strange and unfamiliar.
The guards are directly under the temple, but the mayor also has the right to mobilize them. As the mayor's son, he sometimes participates in these affairs. After all, the mayor's son will most likely be the next mayor. So, Ados gave a polite smile and said, "If it's not too much trouble, I can accompany you two on this trip."
From here, he could see the manor gate and watch Lu Cen walk through it and then go inside.
Lu Cen wasn't about to miss this opportunity. She looked up at the man who was a head taller than her and said, "I'll go with you. You can take me home when you're done."
Ados pondered, bowing his head slightly. His father had chosen a sweetheart for him, and she seemed to be a little timid.
She can't walk more than a few steps without him, and she wants him to take her everywhere.
Even before marriage, he already felt a sweet burden. He was a little troubled, not wanting to reject him for fear of hurting him, but also afraid that he would be in danger if he stayed with him.
Lu Cen had no idea what he was thinking; he was just waiting for Ados's answer.
His eyes were like pools of water, clear and affectionate when he looked at people. Ados's heart softened, and he couldn't help but reach out and touch his chestnut hair: "Then you stay by my side obediently."
Lu Cen, who was inexplicably touched, was speechless.
Oil lamps are precious, but each guard on night patrol carries one. The base is wide, with two handles forming an arc from bottom to top. There is a horizontal bar on top for holding, and the oil lamp is placed in the middle. The lampshade is made of hollowed-out wood, and the surrounding area is dimly lit. The guards first knocked on the door politely, but no one answered.
The group stood in front of the door and waited for a while, but no one came out. The guard climbed over the wall to the side, removed the bolt, and opened the door. The smell, carried by the wind, became even more pronounced.
This family's property is not large; there is only a small yard in front of the house, and the house is behind it.
The guard pushed open the door, and a strong smell of blood filled his nostrils. Lu Cen twitched his nose and found it unpleasant, but it was still better than the hellish scene in the previous script. He endured his nausea and peeked inside. He saw that the room was in a mess, with five or six corpses lying on the floor, and scarlet liquid flowing from different directions.
There was also a little boy who was under ten years old.
Lu Cen wanted to go forward to see the cause of their deaths, but Ados covered her eyes and dragged her back, saying, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Lu Cen's heart raced, but she wasn't frightened.
"One of you stay here, and the other go find the captain of the guards." Seeing that Lu Cen was struggling fiercely, Ados grabbed him with one hand and led him toward the manor.
When they arrived, the Countess was feeding birds on the estate's lawn.
"Good evening, Madam."
Good evening, Ados.
“Madam, things have been a bit dangerous in town lately. It’s best not to let Inlai and Luna go out at night.”
Thank you for your advice.
After Ados left, Lucen, feeling pressured by the Countess's gaze, reluctantly returned to his room.
Himi clutched her chest, filled with righteous indignation: "Young Master, how terrifying! I don't know who is so heartless as to kill their entire family."
"Then go to town tomorrow and ask around to see who did it."
Himi nodded, turned and left: "Young Master, you rest for a while, I'll go and have someone get you some hot water."
This murder was most likely committed by a demon. It could no longer bear its hunger and began to prey on humans. However, Lu Cen keenly noticed a suspicious point: if the demon was after food, why were most of the corpses intact? Although it was just a fleeting glance, he could still see that the corpses had limbs and heads intact.
It wasn't the work of a demon?
Lu Cen shook his head. It was definitely the work of the devil. All the events here were related to the mission, and there was no need for a murder without any reason to occur.
He was deep in thought and didn't even notice when several maids brought in hot water until a soft hand came to his chest. Lu Cen came back to his senses and saw that Ximi was helping him remove the green gem. He straightened up to make it easier for her to move. Ximi put the green gem back and then came back to help him undo his belt.
"You can go out now, I can do it myself."
Himi tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling: "Will the young master take it off?"
Lu Cen: "......."
He really didn't know; the clothes and shoes of that era were very complicated.
Himi smiled and said, "Young master, I am your personal maid, so it is only right that I do these things for you."
She was so close, and there was a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance about her, like the scent of flowers growing in the snow. It was so intoxicating that it made him feel completely relaxed. Lu Cen sat down in a red lacquered chair as if he had no bones. He leaned back, his eyes half-closed, and thought to himself that girls always smelled wonderful, like his mother and the girl in the next bed. You could smell their unique scent when you got close.
It smelled good, it was soft, and it even made the air feel warmer.
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