Chapter 81: Falling into Demonhood
The secret chamber was covered in blood-red stains. These police officers were well-trained, yet at this moment, they were completely immobilized, forced to watch helplessly as they were devoured, ultimately dying in excruciating pain.
Thus, the scene in the chamber unfolded like this: Mi Rong continuously feasted on flesh and blood, even absorbing the souls of those who tried to flee - completely mindless in his consumption. After finishing everyone in the room, he licked his lips, a sense of lingering hunger still present, before escaping the chamber.
Mi Shen received the news immediately. So many people had surrounded Mi Rong, yet he had still managed to escape—even wiping them all out. No one would believe such a thing if told.
Even if the police officers weren’t special forces, they were still well-trained. There was no way someone like Mi Rong should have been able to break free. The situation was beyond bizarre.
"Young Master Mi, the scene has been completely sealed off. It’s... unnatural. The chamber only has bones and dried blood left—no bodies. It’s likely they’ve met a terrible fate." The police chief nearly vomited upon witnessing the sight.
The scene was far too gruesome. Even battle-hardened veterans would feel a chill down their spines at such a horrifying sight.
Mi Shen frowned, thinking of the "expert" behind Mi Rong. "Stand guard. I’ll be there in an hour." This matter would likely require the intervention of the "cleaning company." As for Mu Lichuan, he was in seclusion, best not to disturb him.
Zhao Decheng and his team were employed by the state. They had just resolved the issue at the morgue when Mi Rong’s case erupted again. After preparing their tools, they followed Young Master Mi to the scene.
"This… This…" Zhao Decheng’s face paled at the sight.
Gu Yongsheng reacted similarly. Their expressions were grim.
Truthfully, the "company" only had the two of them as senior members, the rest were merely operational staff. After all, the "cleaning company" still needed to maintain a facade in the eyes of ordinary people.
Mi Shen frowned at their reactions. "What exactly happened?"
"D-Demon…" Gu Yongsheng stammered, his eyes filled with terror.
"What demon?" Mi Shen, unable to sense the horror in the air, instinctively knew things were bad.
"It’s likely that Mi Rong has fallen into demonhood. The altar itself was already steeped in heavy yin energy, requiring only the right trigger. A newly turned demon first feeds on flesh and blood. Even we are powerless against them, and they grow rapidly. Young Master Mi, we must find this demon as soon as possible, or the entire capital will descend into panic." Zhao Decheng’s expression was grave.
"We’ve never encountered a demon before, but records state that when one appears, devastation follows. A newly turned demon has no consciousness, only the instinct to devour."
Mi Shen’s face darkened further. He had thought the trouble was resolved, never imagining that the one who set up the array had even factored Mi Rong into their plans. The right time, place, and conditions—all had to align perfectly for a demon to emerge.
"High-level demons don’t feed on flesh, it’s too low in energy. Only newly turned ones do," Gu Yongsheng added.
"Is there a way to destroy him?" Mi Shen’s tone was calm, but a storm raged beneath the surface. They had been outmaneuvered at the last step.
Gu Yongsheng and Zhao Decheng exchanged glances. The former spoke, "Only someone with higher cultivation than the demon can eliminate him. For now, only Daoist Mu can handle this." They themselves lacked the capability.
To outsiders, they might appear highly skilled, but they knew the truth—they hadn’t even scratched the surface of true power.
"Is it similar to the cannibalism from the Ai Village incident?" Mi Shen pressed.
The two shook their heads. "A demon is different from cannibals. Even special forces would be helpless against one. Young Master Mi, we must find him quickly."
"Do you have any of Mi Rong’s belongings? We can use a tracking talisman, no need to search blindly," Gu Yongsheng suggested, resolved.
Using a tracking talisman on a demon would drain their spiritual energy, which wouldn’t recover easily. But they couldn’t ignore civilian safety. The sooner the demon was found, the sooner the crisis would end.
"Fine. Prepare it. I’ll fetch Mu Lichuan." Mi Shen knew there was no time to waste. If they waited for higher authorities, who knew how much the demon would grow by then?
____
Mu Lichuan had just replenished his lost spiritual energy when Mi Shen appeared again. "You…" What sin had I committed in a past life to deserve this? Not a moment’s rest since meeting this young man, is this my tribulation?
They shared no karmic ties, yet the nation’s fortune energy had inexplicably latched onto him, forcing him to repay debts he never owed. Now, every supernatural incident in the capital fell on his shoulders. Was this the burden of competence?
"Mi Rong has fallen into demonhood," Mi Shen stated bluntly.
Mu Lichuan thought he misheard. "Demonhood? A demonic cultivator? How? The conditions are nearly impossible!" Mu Xiaolin was a demonic cultivator because he already harbored demonic energy. But Mi Rong was an ordinary man. Without overwhelming resentment, yin energy, or an obsessive fixation, becoming a demon should have been unthinkable.
"He met all the criteria. The mastermind behind him has gifted us quite the problem. The two Daoists are preparing a tracking talisman, but eliminating Mi Rong falls to you." Mi Shen’s tone was calm, but urgency lurked beneath.
"A demon? Master, that’s a feast for us!" The Bloodvine’s voice was excited.
Mu Lichuan doused its enthusiasm. "Can you even handle a demon?" He knew the terror of demonic cultivators, just their miasma alone was deadly. As a newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivator, facing a demon was practically suicide.
The Bloodvine wilted. "Master, fortune favors the bold. If we don’t try, we’ll never progress."
"That’s your problem. Weren’t you just sated from absorbing energy earlier? How are you already hungry?" Mu Lichuan retorted mentally.
The Bloodvine boasted, "That measly amount? Long digested. Besides, Master, my growth strengthens you! Let’s go! With the power of faith and dragon light protecting you, even if you can’t kill the demon, you can escape unharmed."
It was curious, how did its master possess so many blessings? Likely due to his pristine soul. Mu Lichuan’s spirit was the purest it had ever seen. As for Mi Shen… his soul was tainted.
"What are you doing?" Mu Lichuan snapped back to reality, finding the young man staring intently at him—unnerving.
Mi Shen blinked, as if he hadn’t just been scrutinizing him. "Well? This could benefit your cultivation." His voice was low, almost coaxing.
"Fine. Let’s go." Mu Lichuan relented. Avoiding danger wasn’t an option. Besides, Xiao Mo wouldn’t abandon him.
Back when he’d been dragged into the Nine Banners Ghost Array, it was Xiao Mo who saved him. Without that intervention, he’d have been sacrificed—his life over.
___
Gu Yongsheng and Zhao Decheng set up an altar. They had to combine their strength to control the tracking talisman - a demon’s energy was too vast for either alone.
Mu Lichuan watched as a paper crane-like talisman lifted from the table, darting swiftly in a specific direction.
"Young Master Mu, follow it. The crane will lead you," Zhao Decheng called out. The two continued their ritual—without it, the talisman wouldn’t hold.
Without a word, Mu Lichuan pursued the yellow paper crane. To ordinary eyes, he’d look like a madman sprinting after nothing.
The tracking talisman was invisible to most. Mi Shen followed behind, though his frail body couldn’t keep up. He assigned others to tail Mu Lichuan, but they soon lost him—the talisman’s speed outpaced even special forces.
Mu Lichuan noticed they were moving farther from the capital’s center. The talisman halted before a mountain.
This was Mount Sheng, left undeveloped to prevent deforestation amid environmental concerns.
"Xiao Xue, clear the way." Mu Lichuan had no intention of arriving battered before even finding the demon. The talisman ignored the lack of a path, flying straight through, hardly considerate of his human limitations.
The Bloodvine manipulated the plants. A shocking sight followed—the mountain’s vegetation parted, forming a narrow path. Once Mu Lichuan passed, the plants returned to normal. He marveled, had he possessed the Bloodvine earlier, he’d have spared himself the embarrassment of hacking through foliage like a country bumpkin.
When the talisman stopped at a cave entrance, Mu Lichuan knew his target was inside. The overwhelming demonic energy was unmistakable—familiar, reminiscent of Mu Xiaolin’s aura.
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