A Peaceful Black Water Village

Yin Mountain County.

After He Fenghua's group arrived, they rested briefly before the Yellow-rank Demon Hunters were assigned to patrol their respective areas to familiarize themselves with the environment.

Gu Qingfeng took Wang Fatty and Xu Daizi directly to Black Water Village.

On the road, Gu Qingfeng rode his horse at the front, with Wang Fatty and Xu Daizi following closely behind on their own horses.

Wang Fatty watched Gu Qingfeng riding ahead, the weapons at his waist jingling and clanking, feeling bewildered in his heart.

"Lord Gu, aren't you tired carrying four weapons?"

Without turning his head, Gu Qingfeng replied, "Aren't you weighed down wearing two sets of armor?"

"Uh..."

Wang Fatty was left speechless, but continued making small talk: "My Lord, we're almost at the outskirts of Black Water Village. Why don't we just circle around the area and head back to report?"

"Enough nonsense. If you don't want to go, you can head back first."

That single sentence silenced Wang Fatty. Though he wasn't one to care about face, deserting a mission was something he couldn't bring himself to do.

Especially fleeing before even encountering any demons - after that, he might as well quit the Demon Suppression Bureau altogether.

He could only steel himself and continue following Gu Qingfeng.

About two hours later, as dusk approached, the light grew dim. Shadows flickered in the surrounding forest, tree leaves swaying in the gentle breeze, as if monsters lurked in the darkness.

Wang Fatty was visibly tense, sweat beading on his forehead despite wearing two layers of armor.

Finally, after passing through the forest, Black Water Village appeared before them.

Unlike the desolate and eerie scene they had imagined, from a distance, the village houses were neatly arranged, with wisps of cooking smoke rising from their roofs. Children could be seen playing in the fields.

The faint sounds of crowing roosters and barking dogs could be heard.

It was a perfectly idyllic and harmonious scene, like a paradise removed from the world.

Gu Qingfeng stared wide-eyed for a good while before saying, "Are there really demons in Black Water Village?"

Wang Fatty also relaxed slightly: "Perhaps the Earth-rank Demon Hunter was right, and the demon moves around to commit its crimes?"

"Let's go take a look first," Gu Qingfeng strode forward leading the way.

The children playing in the fields cast curious glances their way.

After entering Black Water Village, they soon encountered scattered villagers who looked at Gu Qingfeng's group with reverent gazes.

Because they recognized the official uniform Gu Qingfeng wore.

Gu Qingfeng casually asked a villager: "Where can I find your village chief?"

"Sir, you're looking for the village chief? Please wait a moment, I'll go call him for you."

With that, the villager ran off.

Shortly after, an elderly man walking with difficulty and leaning on a cane slowly approached.

"This humble one is Hu Liang, paying respects to the three officials from the Demon Suppression Bureau."

"No need for formalities, elder. I am Yellow-rank Demon Hunter Gu Qingfeng from the Demon Suppression Bureau. From now on, I will be handling all demon-related matters in your Black Water Village."

Gu Qingfeng showed his badge and official documents to confirm his identity.

Village Chief Hu Liang grew even more respectful: "Lord Gu, you've become a Yellow-rank Demon Hunter at such a young age - truly an outstanding youth. Having such a pillar protecting our Black Water Village is truly our village's fortune."

Gu Qingfeng didn't engage in excessive pleasantries, but directly shifted the topic to the demon situation.

Hu Liang naturally told everything he knew as they walked through the village talking.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Gu Qingfeng finally understood the whole story.

It went like this: a month ago, children suddenly started disappearing from Black Water Village. At first, people didn't pay much attention, assuming wild animals had taken them.

But in the following days, more children went missing from the village, some even disappearing from inside their homes. Witnesses claimed they saw a black wind sweep through, making it impossible to keep their eyes open, and when they could see again, the children were gone.

The village chief had traveled far and wide in his youth and had seen demon techniques before. He immediately determined it was the work of demons and quickly reported it to the Yellow-rank Demon Hunter responsible for Black Water Village. After investigating, the Yellow-rank Demon Hunter reported it to Lord Yang, a Mysterious-rank Demon Hunter.

Then came the story of Lord Yang's team being completely wiped out.

According to the village chief, Lord Yang had tracked the demon's trail and determined it was in the Dead Bone Forest behind Black Water Village. He went in, and then died.

Later, when the Earth-rank Demon Hunter came, he searched the Dead Bone Forest for days but returned empty-handed. Not only did he fail to find the demon, but he couldn't even find Lord Yang and his team's bodies.

Strangely though, after Lord Yang's team was wiped out, children stopped disappearing from the village. It seemed as if the demon had truly moved on, just as the Earth-rank Demon Hunter had suggested.

After understanding the course of events, Gu Qingfeng sent Village Chief Hu Liang home for dinner, as he wanted to check out the Dead Bone Forest. Such a place heavy with yin energy wasn't suitable for the elderly to visit.

By now, Wang Fatty had completely relaxed after hearing the village chief's account, even removing one layer of his armor.

"That's wonderful, Lord Gu! There hasn't been any demon activity for many days. It seems the demon really has left. Why don't we head back to report?"

"Shut up. If you want to leave, go by yourself. I'm staying in Black Water Village tonight," Gu Qingfeng said irritably.

For Gu Qingfeng, he wasn't afraid of encountering demons - what he feared most was not finding them.

Demons preferred to act at night, so he decided to stay for one night.

Seeing Gu Qingfeng's anger, Wang Fatty dared not say more.

He still held some reverence for this superior who was only at the fourth level of Qi Gathering.

Because he knew of Gu Qingfeng's battle achievements - defeating those half a step into the Internal Energy realm.

Such strength was far beyond what a mediocre eighth level Qi Gathering practitioner like himself could compare to.

The three wandered through the village, heading toward Dead Bone Forest.

Gu Qingfeng carefully scanned every corner of the village but couldn't spot anything unusual.

"Candied haws! Cheap and delicious candied haws!"

Suddenly, a vendor's call caught Gu Qingfeng's attention.

The vendor stood with his back to the setting sun, his whole body illuminated by the dim light, making his features unclear.

Not far from him, in a corner by the wall, several five or six-year-old children were running and playing.

Gulp.

A swallowing sound came from beside Gu Qingfeng - it was Wang Fatty.

The large, round candied haws coated in sugar looked truly appetizing, appearing golden in the sunset's glow.

"My Lord, would you like one?"

Gu Qingfeng was also tempted and nodded.

Wang Fatty then looked at Xu Daizi: "How about you?"

"The books say that eating sugar..."

"Alright, alright, forget I asked."

Then Wang Fatty walked toward the candied haw vendor.

The vendor seemed to be preparing to pack up and head home for dinner. Being too far away, he hadn't noticed Gu Qingfeng's group, and was busy packing up his stall before turning to leave.

Wang Fatty's hunger got the better of him - he wouldn't be satisfied until he got some candied haws today. He called out while running: "Hey! Wait up, candied haw vendor!"

Whether the vendor was hard of hearing or not, he didn't turn around, instead turning into a small alley.

Though Wang Fatty was fat, he was genuinely at the eighth level of Body Tempering. With one burst of energy, he reached the alley's entrance.

At this moment, the vendor's figure had just turned into the alley, with Wang Fatty following almost immediately behind.

Gu Qingfeng shook his head helplessly: "I didn't expect this fatty to run so fast when food is invol..."

Before Gu Qingfeng could finish speaking, suddenly! A piercing scream came from Wang Fatty in the alley!

Ahhhh!!!