Chapter 12: Tracking the Source
In this martial world, demons, like humans, are divided into good and evil. Good demons live among humans, earning their keep through honest work and using their hard-earned silver to improve their lives. Evil demons commit all manner of atrocities, some even devouring humans. Some join demonic cults, while others are wild beasts preying on travelers in desolate wilderness. Certain heroes of the martial world make a living by hunting these evil demons, seizing their spirit pearls. By doing so, they perform righteous deeds and can either keep the pearls for themselves or sell them to improve their livelihoods. No matter how powerful a demon is, when hunted by a group of people, survival is a rare feat.
Xiao Bugui was now a small bird, soaring freely in the sky. From above, he saw the crowd that had been chasing him scatter in disarray. Flying over several rows of houses, he spotted a kind soul.
On the towering Star-Picking Pavilion, a window opened. Hao Meili rested her chin on her hands by the window, her bright, expressive eyes gazing at the blue sky and white clouds like a painting, captivating Xiao Bugui. The little bird flew right to her.
Hao Meili stretched out her hand, and the bird hopped into her palm. Innocently, she said, “Such a lovely little bird!” The bird then flew into her room and transformed back into Xiao Bugui.
Surprised, Hao Meili asked, “Are you here to see me?”
Xiao Bugui smiled upon seeing her, but soon grew shy and explained, “I was hunting demons with my master just now. That demon was so cunning it convinced everyone that I was the demon. The whole street chased me, so I had to transform into a bird. When I saw you admiring the view by the window, I came inside.”
Hao Meili returned his smile warmly, “So, you came to catch demons with me?”
Scratching his head, Xiao Bugui replied, “No need to trouble yourself. Just seeing you is enough. I have to find my master now—I’m afraid he might be in danger.”
Determined, Hao Meili insisted, “No, I’m coming with you. Transform into a big bird quickly, and we’ll leave through the window.”
“All right then!” Xiao Bugui jumped out the window, transformed into a large crane, and Hao Meili nimbly climbed aboard, sitting with her knees hugged, riding the crane through the clouds.
The crane spoke in human language, “Does the Palace of Eternal Joy not have any cloud-walking lightness skills?”
Hao Meili replied, “We are mortals, not immortals. Don’t you mind me sitting on your back?”
The crane said, “You smell nice. I wouldn’t mind no matter how long you sit.”
Hearing this, Hao Meili blushed and shyly asked, “What if I sat forever?”
Xiao Bugui answered honestly, “I have to return to the heavens. That wouldn’t be possible.”
Pouting, Hao Meili fell silent.
Meanwhile, Ma Zengsan, clever and perceptive, noticed that as everyone chased Xiao Bugui, Wang Dafang took the opportunity to escape amidst the chaos, so he pursued Wang Dafang.
Wang Dafang’s home was remote, accessible only by crossing a river to reach a small thatched hut surrounded by earthen walls. Pushing open the bamboo gate, his elderly mother was washing clothes in the yard.
Seeing her son return, her first question was, “Son, have you found work?”
Wang Dafang replied, “No, everyone says I’m too weak, with no strength to even bind a chicken, and that I can’t do hard labor.”
His mother wrung out her wet hands and said, “We have a distant relative named Jia Renyi. He’s like family and now runs several shops, living comfortably. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to ask him for help.”
Wang Dafang said, “His surname is Jia, ours is Wang. How can we be relatives?”
His mother explained, “Son, you don’t know. Among our kind, those surnamed Wang and Jia belong to the same clan. Jia Renyi is a turtle demon.”
Hiding outside the wall, Ma Zengsan overheard their conversation and realized he had arrived at a turtle demon’s lair, unable to suppress a chuckle.
Wang Dafang quickly ran outside and grabbed Ma Zengsan’s sleeve, “You old man, chasing me here can’t be for good, right?”
Ma Zengsan replied, “You little turtle, you don’t know right from wrong. If you can’t find work, why not be my disciple?”
Wang Dafang was unimpressed and retorted, “I can tell you’re a fraud. I won’t be fooled.”
Ma Zengsan said, “I thought you were a harmful wild demon, but you’re actually a decent one. I’ll let you go.”
Wang Dafang asked, “Are you really a demon-hunting hero?”
Puffing out his chest, Ma Zengsan said, “What’s the matter? Are you scared?”
Wang Dafang said, “Half a year ago, a fox demon came to our village. It loved eating chickens and devoured every chicken in the village. Isn’t that infuriating?”
Ma Zengsan said, “Eating chickens isn’t excessive for a demon.”
Wang Dafang replied, “True, but when the chickens were gone, it began eating children. That’s too much.”
Ma Zengsan asked, “How do you know it ate children?”
Wang Dafang said, “Recently, three children have gone missing from our village.”
Ma Zengsan thought to himself that this fox demon must be practicing by eating humans, which meant it had high cultivation and its spirit pearl would fetch a good price. He said, “If you know where the demon is, show me the way.”
Amidst vast green fields intersected by a dirt road, two men traveled together. Xiao Bugui flew high above, spotting Ma Zengsan and Wang Dafang’s trail. Descending to about a meter above the ground, Hao Meili had already leapt down ahead. So, upon landing, Xiao Bugui transformed back into his human form and, seeing Wang Dafang, scolded, “Why are you so cruel to cause a whole crowd to chase me?”
Wang Dafang replied, “Just joking, brother, don’t be upset.”
Xiao Bugui asked Ma Zengsan, “Old man, where is the demon?”
“Let him lead the way; we’re going to kill the demon,” Ma Zengsan said, noticing Hao Meili and asking, “Miss Hao, what brings you here? Did Xiao Bugui come to the Palace of Eternal Joy to find you?”
Hao Meili bowed respectfully, “Senior, I met Xiao Bugui at the Star-Picking Pavilion. When I heard he was hunting demons, I came to help.”
The four of them were going after a fox demon. Ma Zengsan’s confidence soared as he boasted to the three young people, “Back in the day, when I was eighteen, I wore a chrysanthemum on my head and wielded a demon-slaying sword. I was quite a dashing figure. Today, under my command, you will surely defeat this evil demon.”
Wang Dafang said, “Don’t count me in. I’m just the guide.”
Ma Zengsan cursed, “You’re such a cowardly turtle.”
Offended, Wang Dafang retorted, “Watch your language, old man. If you keep this up, I won’t hold back from cursing you!”
Ma Zengsan said, “You demon turtle sure have a temper. Fine, I’ll just call you by a nickname.”
Wang Dafang shot Ma Zengsan a glare, pointed ahead, and said grumpily, “Keep going along this road for another ten miles, and you’ll reach the demon’s lair. You’re brave, so go on your own. I’m scared. I’m going home first.”
Ma Zengsan wanted to make a sarcastic remark but saw Wang Dafang turn and run. Knowing mockery was useless, he said to Xiao Bugui and Hao Meili, “That Wang Dafang is truly a cowardly, worthless fellow.”
Xiao Bugui, who usually disliked gossiping, and Hao Meili, who found Ma Zengsan a bit too harsh but was reluctant to speak up out of respect for his age, fell silent. The three continued onward.