So it turns out I'm the demon!

It was already sunset when Jiang Mu returned home. He first took a comfortable hot bath to wash away the blood, changed into some clean clothes, and then took out the handbook written by Jiang Chaoxi.

Previously, this booklet was completely blank, without even a single ink dot.

But at this moment, one of the pages was covered with writing.

When Tian Wenjing gave it to him, he said that it contained only snippets of the daily life of the great demon Jiang Chaoxi.

But Jiang Mu still harbored a sliver of hope.

He wondered if this thing might be hiding some incredibly powerful martial arts technique, perhaps even the ultimate secret weapon of a great demon.

As a result, expectations were dashed.

It was really just some idle gossip.

"Who keeps a diary? This Jiang Chaoxi is obviously not a decent villain. He's a disgrace to the Jiang family."

Jiang Mu grumbled irritably, but still patiently read on.

"The cycle of life and death continues endlessly. To defy fate is an arduous path. Today, another has died..."

The first half was filled with a lot of sentimental reflections and complaints, all in a rambling and confusing way. Jiang Mu could only understand half of it, and kept yawning as she read it, wanting to close the book several times.

However, the last few words on the corner of the paper made him suddenly stop looking.

"I haven't seen Honglian for quite some time. Perhaps I've angered her; she's probably still hiding at Broken Sun Cliff..."

red lotus?

Jiang Mu was very familiar with this name.

One of the three leaders of the Red Umbrella Cult.

I've met him twice, and each time I left him with a terrible impression. You could say we've become sworn enemies.

"It seems that Honglian is indeed Jiang Chaoxi's former subordinate, and their relationship is extraordinary. Otherwise, she would be throwing a tantrum and disappearing like this with the big devil boss, and the grass on her grave would probably be several feet high by now."

Jiang Mu stroked his chin and muttered, "Broken Sun Cliff... I need to remember this place name."

Jiang Mu read it over and over again, and only after confirming that there was no other hidden information did she put the booklet away with some disappointment.

Afterwards, as usual, he took out his notebook and recorded and sorted out the bizarre events that happened today in Lüxiang Mountain and the Corpse-Dissolving Immortal Secret Realm, as well as the clues about the "Sun-Facing Spirit Bamboo".

What bothered him most was that mysterious area where he could see the future.

He was eager to know what was hidden there.

But deep down he had a strong premonition that if he rashly went to explore that place that touched the laws of time and cause and effect before his cultivation had reached a higher level, he would definitely die.

"Never mind, we'll investigate again later."

After putting away the notebook, Jiang Mu took out the piece of translucent Sunflower Bamboo and began to study it.

"Although I don't know what specific use this thing has for me right now, it is still a divine object of creation that requires human lives to be paid for. I'll keep it for now, and it will come in handy someday."

Jiang Mu thought to herself.

After playing with it for a while, he took out the [Star-Locking Egg], his palm surging with demonic energy, preparing to seize Shangquan's star position.

On the other side, in front of the hut.

Duanmu Li soaked her black dress and undershirt, which she had changed out of, into the wooden tub all at once. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing her two slender white forearms, and began to scrub them vigorously.

The girl still looked somewhat unhappy.

Yuan Aqing moved a small stool and sat opposite her, propping her chin on her hand, blinking her bright almond-shaped eyes, and asked curiously:

"Sister Li, are you sure you didn't wet your pants? But to me it looks like..."

"Shut up!"

Duanmu Li glared at her irritably, scrubbing so hard that the water in the basin splashed like rain. "What do you know, you little brat?" "I'm not a child anymore."

Yuan Aqing pouted, looking somewhat aggrieved, and protested softly.

Duanmu Li glanced at the bulging cleavage on her chest and couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

They usually ate about the same amount, so how come this girl's figure seemed to have been secretly fertilized, almost twice as big as hers? She grumbled in a muffled voice as she vigorously rubbed the clothes in her hands:

"Sooner or later, you'll wet your pants too!"

Yuan Aqing immediately shook her head: "No way, I'm not a child."

Don't believe me?

A mischievous smile appeared on Duanmu Li's lips.

She suddenly grabbed a large clump of fine, sparkling soap bubbles and flicked them onto the other person's pure and charming face.

Yuan Aqing gasped softly and quickly raised her little hand to wipe it.

A few tiny, glistening drops of water playfully tricked down the girl's pointed chin, meandering along her collar and disappearing deep into her clothes. The sudden chill made the girl shudder.

She also grabbed some foam and threw it at the other girl, and the two girls immediately started playing around, letting out clear and melodious laughter.

It took a long time before the two stopped their playful fighting.

Yuan Aqing, on the other hand, was covered in more water, her thin white dress clinging to her skin, exuding a youthful charm amidst her innocence.

Especially with a few strands of hair clinging to her cheeks, her eyes and brows looked as clear and bright as if they had been washed clean, like a fresh fruit just hanging on a branch, so youthful it was dazzling.

Duanmu Li was a little envious, inwardly cursing her as a "little vixen," when a mischievous glint suddenly appeared in her eye: "How about we give it a try?" "How?"

Yuan Aqing was completely confused.

Duanmu Li wiped the water off her hands, pulled the girl into the house, and closed the door behind her.

"Come on, take off your clothes."

"what?"

Yuan Aqing blushed and instinctively took a step back. "Why are you taking off your clothes?"

"Just take your clothes off, stop arguing. If you don't want to take them off, you can at least lift up your skirt."

Seeing the girl's hesitant manner, the usually decisive female swordsman simply took matters into her own hands.

She dragged Yuan Aqing onto the bed, took off her shoes, and then lifted Yuan Aqing's skirt, pulling down her underpants a bit. The girl's legs were long and straight.

At first glance, it looks like a crisp and tender lotus root that has just been picked and washed from the mud, white and translucent, without any blemishes.

Even the creases at the knees had a faint pinkish hue.

Yuan Aqing used to be so thin and frail because she couldn't get enough to eat.

Since following Jiang Mu, not only has her diet improved, but she has also consumed a lot of various pills with Chu Lingzhu, resulting in a fuller figure and a qualitative transformation of her skin.

Her whole body radiated a vibrant and healthy glow, a result of being well-nourished.

"Sister Li, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Yuan Aqing unconsciously curled up her legs and looked at the other person timidly.

A pair of cute little feet also tucked behind her, and ten round, pink toes curled up unconsciously due to nervousness.

In the past, when the two of them massaged each other, they had been quite honest with each other. Although she felt embarrassed, she was used to it.

But for some reason, the atmosphere was unusually strange today.

Duanmu Li leaned closer, staring into the girl's wet, clear eyes, and suddenly blurted out:

"Ah Qing, you like the master, right?"

Yuan Aqing nodded her little head:

"Yes, Master is the best person in the world to Ah Qing. Ah Qing loves Master the most."

"So, how many children do you plan to have for him in the future?"

Duanmu Li's question was surprising and blunt.

"what?"

Yuan Aqing was dumbfounded. Her beautiful eyes blinked twice, then she blushed and lowered her head, whispering, "I...I'm the master's maid, how can I have a child..."

"Which rule says maids aren't allowed to have children?"

Duanmu Li rolled her eyes playfully, then extended a finger and gently brushed it across the other person's delicate thigh.

Yuan Aqing's body trembled, and she shook as if she had been electrocuted.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, on the verge of tears, Duanmu Li finally sighed, abandoning her intention to continue teasing her, and instead helped her straighten her skirt.

"Alright, when I have the chance, I'll secretly take you to see some good things."

"What good stuff?"

Yuan Aqing hurriedly straightened her clothes and asked curiously.

Duanmu Li stepped forward and pulled her best friend's soft body into her arms, laughing, "Guess?"

The two young girls, in the prime of their lives, stood close together, like two flowers growing side by side.

One was bright and pretty, the other was pure and lovely; the whole room was filled with the sweet atmosphere of youth in full bloom.

"I can't guess?" Yuan Aqing shook her head.

Duanmu Li leaned close to her ear and whispered with a sweet, orchid-like breath:

"I won't tell you yet. Anyway, I feel that as your best friend, I have an obligation to let you know in advance and learn some practical skills."

"So that you, silly girl, won't be so clueless that you won't even get a proper title or any favor in this house."

Yuan Aqing was completely confused.

But she had a feeling that what the other person said wasn't anything good. She was about to refuse, but she felt bad about going against her best friend's good intentions.

The two women walked out of the house, just as the orange-red sunset was sinking below the eaves.

Duanmu Li suddenly stopped, looking up at the fiery red sunset. A strange sadness welled up in her eyes, and something seemed to be churning within them. The girl remained lost in thought for a long while before murmuring:

"Ah Qing, do you think I sometimes act like a fool?"

Yuan Aqing was taken aback, staring at her best friend's profile.

The gentle orange-red light fell precisely on Duanmu Li's face, casting a translucent warm gold hue on the girl's delicate profile, making even the fine, soft downy hairs clearly visible.

"Sister Li, you're so beautiful..."

Yuan Aqing sighed in admiration.

Duanmu Li came back to her senses and looked into the other person's clear eyes, which were free of any impurities. Suddenly, most of the gloom in her heart dissipated.

She quickly kissed Yuan Aqing on the cheek, her eyes crinkling with joy:

"You have such a sweet tongue. Well, let's make a deal then. You'll help me with the promotions, and I'll help you with the promotions next time we have the chance."

"Push what?"

Yuan Aqing still looked completely bewildered.

"You'll see when the time comes. Come on, pinky promise. Promise me you'll help me push!"

Duanmu Li smiled mysteriously and extended her slender little finger.

Yuan Aqing, still a little confused, hooked her little finger around it and said, "Okay, I'll definitely help push."

The next morning.

As soon as Jiang Mu stepped into the Demon Slayer Division, Shui Miaozheng told him an important piece of information.

"You mean, there's still someone in Qishan remaining in the city? His name is Zhou Yao?"

Jiang Mu stared at the beautiful woman in astonishment.

Shui Miaozheng nodded slightly.

Yesterday, Meng Zhen reported on Lü Xiangshan's matter. After learning that Jiang Mu had killed several disciples of the Qishan Sect, she immediately used the intelligence network of the Demon Slayer Division to check whether anyone from Qishan was staying in the city.

As it turned out, they actually managed to find a key figure for her.

The beautiful woman parted her full lips slightly and spoke slowly:

"Zhou Yao is a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Eighth Realm. He was also a member of the Demon Slaying Division in his early years. Later, he left the court and his whereabouts became a mystery for a time."

I never expected him to join the Qishan Sect and even become an elder.

Jiang Mu excitedly pumped her fist: "That's great!"

The intelligence he had previously obtained from Xun Xiaozhi indicated that the target, who belonged to the same star system, was Zhou Yao.

Unfortunately, this guy's whereabouts were too secretive, even the Imperial Guards didn't know him.

He also thought that if Jiang Chaoxi appeared in the world by chance, she would probably come to Yunzhou City to try her luck.

Surprisingly, he actually arrived.

It seems it's time to plan how to snatch the Star Pill.

"Where is Zhou Yao staying now?" he asked.

Shui Miaozheng replied:

"We'll stay at the Mingyun Inn in the west of the city. However, the inn has recently taken in quite a few unfamiliar cultivators, a real mixed bag. If we rashly make a move there, it might cause unnecessary commotion."

Or... should I just summon Zhou Yao under the guise of investigating a case with the Demon Slayer Division and set a trap?

After a moment's thought, Jiang Mu decisively shook her head:

"That's not appropriate. Shang Quan and the others just died. Even if Zhou Yao doesn't know it was us who did it, he'll definitely be on guard."

If we take the initiative to send a message at this critical juncture, he will most likely hide and dare not come easily.

Moreover, he's staying at the Mingyun Inn, surrounded by so many cultivators, including hidden experts. If he deliberately drags others into the mess once we make a move, it will be very difficult for us to recover.

"Then how should we proceed?" Shui Miaozheng frowned.

Jiang Mu's eyes flashed, and a plan formed in her mind:

"How about this, I'll disguise myself as a wandering swordsman from out of town, go and investigate, find out his strengths and weaknesses before I make a move."

Although he is invincible among those of similar strength, in the current complex situation, it is best to be absolutely certain before making a move.

To avoid alerting the prey and scaring it away.

After all, obtaining the Star Pill is extremely difficult.

Shui Miaozheng nodded to Zhen: "Yes, be careful in everything."

Just then, Ming Cuicui rushed in from outside, looking somewhat anxious: "My lord, the Imperial Guards have arrived, saying they are looking for Lord Jiang."

Internal guard?

Shui Miaozheng's expression changed slightly as she looked at Jiang Mu: "Could it be...?"

Jiang Mu had confided in her on the bed before, saying he wanted to kill Xun Xiaozhuang. She had been keeping this matter weighing on her mind. The fact that the imperial guards arrived so quickly—could it be that they had discovered something?

Jiang Mu patted Shui Miaozheng's hand reassuringly, her tone relaxed:

"It's alright, let's go take a look. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Do you think they'll eat me alive?"

The two arrived at the front hall of the Demon Slayer Division.

Three people were waiting inside the hall.

The man at the head of the group, who was about forty years old and had a rather heroic appearance, was sitting in a chair, leisurely sipping his tea.

Two burly guards stood behind him, exuding an imposing aura.

"Hai Baichuan?!"

Upon seeing this person, Shui Miaozheng's bright and pretty face immediately changed expression.

The Imperial Guards were the emperor's most ferocious henchmen.

Besides important figures like Quan Shanhai and Yang Qintian, there were several others who struck fear into the hearts of court officials and even martial arts practitioners. The man before them was one of them.

He's known as a "wax figure"!

Because this person was ruthless and skilled in torture and interrogation.

In any case that passed through his hands, the criminal always had only two possible outcomes.

Either sign it or die.

His favorite thing to do was to skin a living person, then cast them in hot wax using a secret recipe, and display them as works of art in his mansion.

"Lord Jiang, I've long admired you."

Hai Baichuan put down his teacup and looked up at Jiang Mu.