Ling Ji asked seriously, seeking answers.
If the mutation didn’t come from the mother, it must have originated from the father.
“I don’t think it’s due to its father,” Ming Ying, despite not being as experienced as Zhou Cen, wasn’t completely ignorant. He took out a sealed jade box containing the demon core. “I’ve always found this demon core peculiar.”
As he opened the box and handed the core to Zhou Cen, he instructed, “Take a sniff and tell me what you sense.”
Zhou Cen first caught a whiff of an unpleasant metallic scent and instinctively shut down his sense of smell. Following Ming Ying’s urging, he reopened his senses and took a cautious sniff, his brow furrowing immediately.
“Disinfectant?”
“Yes,” Ming Ying confirmed, noticing the serpent’s vertical pupils filled with hatred at the sight of the core. It seemed to teeter on the edge of madness. Ming Ying quickly resealed the core and added extra protective sigils.
“I suspect this serpent was artificially enhanced using unethical methods,” Ming Ying stated, revealing his hypothesis. “Moreover, we believe an organization is behind this.”
Ming Ying hadn't initially considered this until Zhao Jiong, drawing on his extensive investigative experience, proposed the possibility. Now, after Ling Ji’s remarks, it seemed increasingly likely.
No individual could possess the resources to transform a snake into a near-dragon.
“No wonder we’ve been seeing an increase in undocumented demons,” Zhou Cen mused, recalling previously overlooked anomalies. His gaze towards the serpent shifted to one of scrutiny.
“Balance of Heaven and Earth, Five Elements Align, Seal!” Zhou Cen's fingers danced in intricate patterns, summoning a glowing diagram that enveloped the serpent entirely.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
The serpent, sensing the impending danger, barely had time to react before the seal took effect, immobilizing it. Its massive eyes closed, and it fell silent.
“Retrieve,” Zhou Cen commanded, and the serpent, now shrouded in golden light, vanished, leaving only a deep pit filled with foul-smelling fluid.
“Lady Ling Ji, this serpent holds vital clues for our bureau. I must take it back immediately. Will you accompany me or follow separately?”
“You won’t be leaving now,” Ling Ji's narrowed eyes focused behind him. With a flick of her finger, a scream pierced the air.
Zhou Cen turned to see a black-clad figure materializing, face sliced open, blood pouring from the wound. The serpent-patterned mask split, revealing bone-deep cuts and a rapidly reddening face.
“Ahh!” The masked figure’s scream seemed to signal a response, as numerous black-clad figures emerged from the river, surrounding Zhou Cen’s group.
“Surrender the serpent demon, and we’ll spare your lives. Resist, and none of you will leave alive!” The leader, clutching his bleeding face, threatened.
Zhou Cen chuckled coldly, drawing a heavy sword. “And what’s so funny?” the masked leader snarled.
Zhou Cen sighed, pity in his eyes. “I’m laughing at your foolishness.”
Jin Hong, Xing Miao, and Ming Ying nodded in agreement. Challenging Ling Ji was indeed the height of folly.
Moreover, wearing all black and masks in broad daylight only solidified their villain status.
“Since you seek death, we won’t be merciful!” The leader barked orders, and his men attacked.
Zhou Cen’s heavy sword swept through the attackers, sending them flying. “Is this all you’ve got? Your organization is weak,” Ming Ying mocked, beheading one with a swift strike.
The masked leader, witnessing the skill of Zhou Cen and Ming Ying, wavered. “Capture the women!” he commanded, eyeing the seemingly vulnerable trio.
But his decision was his last. As his men advanced, they faced a swift and brutal retaliation. Jin Hong’s red silk ribbons danced, binding and immobilizing attackers. Xing Miao’s star charts paralyzed others mid-strike.
“Impossible!” The leader’s disbelief turned to terror as Ling Ji’s casual flick sent him flying, blood spraying. “How can you see me? I was invisible!”
“I’m not human,” Ling Ji’s calm voice stated. “I’m a demon.”
The leader’s mind reeled, the word “demon” echoing in his head. “D-demon...”
“Yes, a demon,” Ling Ji repeated, crouching to peer at him. “Your blood is plentiful. What do you eat to replenish it?”
The leader choked on his last breath, disbelief etched on his face as he died.
“Pathetic,” Ling Ji muttered, confirming his death. “He couldn’t withstand a simple hit.”
Star Miao, finishing off the last of the attackers, nodded sympathetically at the dead leader. “Dying by her hand is a rare fortune.”
As the leader’s soul left his body, it joined those of his fallen comrades, a spectral chain pulling them towards a ghostly ferryman.
“Well, well, not hiding anymore, are we?” the ferryman, White Wuchang, taunted his partner, Black Wuchang.
“If I didn’t come, how would you handle the aftermath?” Black Wuchang retorted, tightening the chains. “This month’s quota is unaffected.”
“But with all the lives she saved, our numbers still won’t balance,” White Wuchang sighed, seeing more names turning from red to black on his list.
“That’s not our concern,” Black Wuchang replied, pragmatic. “That’s for the King of Hell and the Ghost Emperor to deal with.”
Meanwhile, near the Clear Water River, Zhou Cen’s group faced another ambush. This time, the attackers were more skilled, wounding even Ming Ying.
Fortunately, the villagers had evacuated due to the flood, avoiding civilian casualties. “Deputy Director,” Xing Miao called, bloodied but smiling. “Shall we strike a deal?”
---