At the start of the game, you have one equipment slot; the effects of unequipping the equipment rema

Wujia Village is nestled between two low hills, with a clear stream meandering through its front.

From a distance, the village houses are scattered in an orderly fashion, with white walls and black tiles, and wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

It looks peaceful and serene, somewhat like the idyllic paradise of Liujiagu Village.

Qin Yuan and the others reined in their horses and surveyed their surroundings.

Mu Yang secretly activated his keen sense of smell.

The fragrance of soil mingled with the fresh scent of nature wafted into my nose.

There was absolutely no trace of demonic aura about it.

Mu Yang frowned slightly.

If what Yue Miao said is true, and the village chief of Wujia Village has been colluding with demons for many years, then the village will more or less be tainted by the aura of demons.

But right now, it's clean and there's no strange smell at all.

Either Yue Miao was lying, or the demon was naturally cautious and had never entered the village, or even approached it, always meeting in the wild.

But how did Yue Miao discover it if it was so far from the village?

Not only was Mu Yang puzzled, but Qin Yuan also frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the distant village.

Based on his years of experience in searching for demons and investigating cases, he knew that wherever demons roamed, strange phenomena would inevitably occur.

For example, there are few birds and animals, the chirping of insects is faint, or the vegetation is withered.

But right now, Wujia Village looks like an ordinary village.

It is even more peaceful than many villages without demonic afflictions.

"Zhou Yao, same as always, you take Lei Sai and let him act freely. Be careful not to be discovered. We'll meet again tonight," Qin Yuan instructed.

Those who dare to collude with demons have mostly taken steps to conceal themselves, so naturally, not all of them can be exposed in the open.

"Yes, Captain Qin!"

Zhou Yao and Lei Sai responded, tied the two horses to a tree trunk, left some food, and then disappeared into the forest.

Both were fourth-level Qi Condensation Realm martial artists, so they were as light as swallows and fell silently.

It disappeared in no time.

"Miss Yue, remember, only the three of us are with you," Qin Yuan instructed.

"I understand!"

Yue Miao nodded obediently.

..................

Led by Yue Miao, Mu Yang and his two companions soon arrived at the entrance of Wu Family Village.

An old woman holding a child had a complex look in her cloudy eyes when she saw Yue Miao, Mu Yang and the others leading their horses.

She lowered her head slightly and whispered a few words to her grandson in her arms.

The child then took off running and disappeared into the village.

Qin Yuan and Mu Yang both noticed this scene.

The two men exchanged a glance but said nothing, simply leading their horses and walking slowly.

As for Ma Xuan, he stayed by Yue Miao's side like a guard, completely unaware of the child who had run away.

After about half a cup of tea's time, a robust, ruddy-faced middle-aged man strode over.

Behind him was a young man who looked about 70% like him but was slightly thinner.

It was Wu Dehou, the village chief of Wujia Village, and his only son, Wu You.

"Oh, Miao'er, you're finally back!"

Village chief Wu Dehou arrived before he did, his voice preceding him. His hearty laughter and concerned tone were, "You silly child, you suddenly went out without a word! Your mother-in-law and You'er were so worried!"

As he spoke, he smiled and looked at Qin Yuan: "And who are these gentlemen?"

"Qin Yuan, Second-Class Demon-Slaying Captain of the Demon-Slaying Division."

Qin Yuan reached out and grasped Wu Dehou's large, rough hand.

He has cultivation, but it's not high; he's only at the third-tier Blood Marrow Realm.

"So it's the Lord of the Demon Slaying Division! Oh, what an honored guest! Please forgive my lack of hospitality!" Wu Dehou warmly pulled Qin Yuan along, and also invited Mu Yang and Ma Xuan to join him.

Wu Dehou was all smiles, while Wu You behind him looked like he'd lost his wife.

He glanced at Yue Miao and Ma Xuan, who was standing very close to her, with a gloomy expression.

"You'er, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and greet the adults!" Wu Dehou urged.

Wu You withdrew his gaze, forcing a smile: "Wu You greets you, esteemed officials!"

"My son is so devoted to his wife that he was a little slow to react. Please forgive him!" Wu Dehou said with a smile.

Qin Yuan nodded without saying anything more.

Ma Xuan kept staring at Wu You with an unfriendly look in his eyes.

Mu Yang secretly activated his keen sense of smell, but finding no unusual odor, he then used his tracking technique to look at the Wu family father and son.

The result was still the same.

"Gentlemen, you have come from afar. You must not have eaten yet, right? Come, come, come, have a seat in my house first. It's just a simple meal, nothing special." Wu Dehou warmly invited Qin Yuan and the others to go inside.

Qin Yuan did not refuse and took the lead, following Wu Dehou into the village.

Mu Yang and Ma Xuan also led their horses towards the village.

Yue Miao, on the other hand, didn't say a word from beginning to end. She just kept her head down and followed closely beside Ma Xuan, seemingly lost in thought.

Wu Dehou's home is located in the center of the village; it is a large courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles.

Several pomegranate trees were planted in the courtyard, and stone tables and benches were placed under the trees, all of which were kept very clean.

Wu Dehou's wife was a kind-faced middle-aged woman. Upon seeing Qin Yuan and the others, she quickly set about preparing a meal.

Wu Dehou led Qin Yuan and the others into the main room, pouring tea and water while exchanging pleasantries with them.

Yue Miao sipped her tea, oblivious to everything else.

Wu You and Ma Xuan exchanged glances, as if competing with each other, as they downed cup after cup of tea.

Only Mu Yang, after receiving the teacup, simply held it in his hand without touching it.

Before long, the table in the main room was filled with dishes.

There are various meat dishes such as stir-fried cured pork with garlic sprouts, stewed chicken with mushrooms, and braised crucian carp, as well as several dishes of seasonal side dishes and a pot of warm rice wine.

The presentation isn't particularly exquisite, but the smell is quite nice.

"It's a rural place, so we don't have much to offer. Please make do with what you have," Wu Dehou said with a smile as he poured wine for the group.

Qin Yuan picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, but didn't swallow it. He just held it in his mouth for a moment, then spat it onto his sleeve while wiping his mouth.

Mu Yang didn't touch his wine glass at all; he just picked up a few pieces of food that Wu You had eaten first.

"Village Chief Wu, I don't like beating around the bush."

Qin Yuan put down his wine cup and went straight to the point: "Your daughter-in-law, Yue Miao, reported to the Demon Slayer Bureau the other day that there were demons appearing in Wu Family Village. Do you know the specifics?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the main room instantly froze.

Ma Xuan and Wu You put down their chopsticks.

Yue Miao sat motionless in the chair.

Mu Yang casually placed his hand on the handle of his mace at his waist, and casually glanced at the distance between the group of people.

Wu Dehou put down his wine cup, his face showing no anger at being questioned, nor a trace of panic in his eyes. He simply shook his head with a rather helpless smile.

"Lord Qin is joking. My Wu family village has been farming here for generations. Although we are not rich, we have lived in peace and contentment for decades. Where would any monsters come from?"

"Perhaps Miao'er has been unable to conceive and is under too much mental stress, which has caused her to suffer from hysteria, thus disturbing you gentlemen."

"On behalf of my daughter-in-law, I beg your forgiveness, sirs!"