Chapter 74: Demon Lord (19)

Upon entering the Wanxi County region, the roads suddenly became much smoother.

The villages they passed through didn’t shut their doors and windows. The locals were warm and welcoming to outsiders, and children played at the village entrances, their laughter ringing through the air.

The children were clothed rather than running around bare-bottomed, their faces rosy and full of life, a clear sign that the people here lived in peace and prosperity.

Qian was being carried by Huai You Nong, her chin resting on his shoulder as she gazed at the children playing outside the carriage, unable to look away.

“If you’re feeling unwell, don’t even think about running out to play with them,” Huai You Nong said, pressing a hand to her back, using his demonic energy to pacify the Gu worms in her body.

Taking advantage of the fact that he couldn’t see her, Qian pouted and stuck out her tongue.

She didn’t want to be carried like this, but since Daddy-Bro was treating her illness and making her feel better, she had no choice but to behave.

At her request, the carriage curtain was kept open so she could watch the scenery outside.

Occasionally, passersby would curiously glance inside. When they saw two identical children, their faces would fill with astonishment before breaking into amused smiles.

From their clothing, they looked like a brother and sister. The older one was holding the younger one, patting her back as if comforting her, though his expression was rather grim.

Meanwhile, the other child was pouting unhappily but obediently hugging her brother, secretly playing with his hair.

The sight of two children bickering in their own way made passersby smile.

The mighty Demon Lord, feared in the Demon Palace, where few dared to even meet his gaze, now found himself sitting in a carriage with his daughter, receiving countless kind and affectionate smiles from mortals along the way.

The more this happened, the darker Huai You Nong’s expression became. He finally shut his eyes, deciding that ignoring it was the best course of action.

After a while, he couldn’t stand it anymore and coldly said, “Pull out my hair one more time, and see what happens.”

Qian quickly tossed away the dozen or so strands she’d “accidentally” plucked out of boredom, disposing of the evidence out the window. Then, she tucked her hands away, tilted her head, and pretended to be asleep.

She even added a few exaggerated “guruguru” sounds to mimic snoring.

Upon entering the city, the roads were paved with large blue bricks, the streets were clean, and the pedestrians walked at a leisurely pace, unhurried and at ease.

The city had a large elderly population, and there were many apothecaries.

Under a large tree at the street corner, a group of old men sat on small stools, chatting idly.

They barely paid attention to the newcomers, only making a few casual remarks when they saw the carriage heading toward the outskirts.

“Looks like they’re headed for Little West Mountain.”

“Yeah, out-of-towners usually come here either to collect medicinal herbs or to seek treatment from the Medicine Monks.”

Everyone in Wanxi County knew about the Little West Mountain, home to the Xishan Monastery, where Medicine Monks resided, said to possess miraculous healing abilities. Many had traveled from afar in search of a cure, clinging to a sliver of hope.

Of course, the most frequent visitors were herbal merchants, as the herbs here were of exceptional quality. The ones cultivated by the monks were particularly prized.

Rumors once circulated that they were growing legendary immortal herbs capable of granting eternal youth. After all, why else would some of the monks at the monastery remain unchanged for decades?

Huai You Nong had never heard of the Medicine Monks, but his reason for coming was indeed to find a monk.

The Bodhi Mountain of the Spirit Realm was home to Wuxin, the Heartless Buddhist Disciple.

He frequently traveled the mortal world to train. Huai You Nong had heard that he had been staying at Xishan Monastery for the past few years, which was why he had come.

The monastery was situated on a small, low-lying mountain. At the base of the mountain were vast medicinal fields, where many shirtless, bald-headed monks toiled under the sun, weeding, catching pests, watering, and tilling the soil.

Huai You Nong stepped down from the carriage with Qian, making his way across the path that ran through the fields, heading straight for the long staircase at the foot of the mountain.

The moment Qian saw the steps, she flopped onto them, looking up at Huai You Nong.

He knew exactly what she was thinking—this lazy brat didn’t want to climb.

He stood in front of the staircase without saying a word.

Qian instantly got up, climbed a few steps, and then pounced onto his back.

A child carrying another child up the mountain quickly caught the attention of the monks in the medicinal fields.

One of them put down his tools, wiped the sweat off his sun-darkened, muscular body with a cloth draped around his neck, and swiftly caught up to them.

As Huai You Nong climbed, he lectured Qian, who was listening intently—or rather, listening to the cicadas chirping in the trees.

“Zzz… zzz…” she mimicked the sound.

Adorably mischievous, she nearly drove her father-brother to the brink of tossing her off.

Sensing a sudden gust from behind, Huai You Nong instantly threw the child off his back, grabbed her by the collar, and pushed her behind him, turning to face the approaching figure.

A burly monk, tanned and muscular, ran up the stairs. He was surprised by the child’s agility but didn’t dwell on it.

“How can a child carry another child? You’re heading up the mountain, right? Let me carry you both.”

Before they could refuse, he grabbed one in each arm and bolted up the steps.

The last time the Demon Lord had been carried like this was in his early childhood.

This monk was no ordinary man. Even in his injured state, Huai You Nong should not have been so easily grabbed.

He suspected that the monk, like Wuxin, came from Bodhi Mountain and was quite formidable.

Since he was here to seek help, it wouldn’t be wise to lash out, so he held back his temper and said, “Put m— put me down. I can walk on my own.”

The monk, looking simple and honest, chuckled. “It’s fine. I’ll carry you up so you don’t have to climb.”

Huai You Nong felt utterly humiliated. He was about to protest again when he noticed Qian covering her mouth, barely suppressing her laughter.

This little idiot wasn’t afraid of a stranger picking her up—she was actually enjoying it.

The monk was incredibly fast. With each step, he covered three or four stairs, racing up the mountain in no time, not even giving Huai You Nong a chance to finish his sentence before they reached the monastery gates.

After setting the two children down, he remained calm and composed, showing no signs of exertion. “Alright, we’re here. If you want to enter the temple and look around, you can go in by yourselves.”

“Mingde, I’ll take care of the guests here. You should head back to the medicinal fields.”

The medicine monk looked up and saw someone walking out from the temple gate. He called out, “Senior Brother Mingzhen,” then quickly turned and ran back down the mountain.

Mingzhen was also a tall and robust monk, but unlike his junior brother, who wore short work attire, he was clad in proper monk robes, giving him a more refined appearance.

His gaze slowly swept over Huai You Nong and Qian before he performed a Buddhist greeting toward Huai You Nong.

“You have traveled far, honored guests. Please, come in.”

Xishan Temple was not a grand monastery but a modest mountain temple. It looked quite old, with visible signs of restoration everywhere.

The courtyard was not large, but incense offerings seemed to be thriving.

Mingzhen led the two of them straight to the rear courtyard. With the pilgrims left behind in the front, the place became much quieter.

Huai You Nong got straight to the point. “Is Master Wuxin here?”

Mingzhen did not beat around the bush and answered truthfully, “My Martial Uncle Wuxin has gone traveling and has yet to return.”

“Then do you know where he is now?”

Sensing his impatience, Mingzhen replied, “Please be patient, honored guest. My Martial Uncle will be back in a couple of days. Why not wait here for him?”

His gaze shifted to Qian beside Huai You Nong, and he suddenly smiled, inviting them, “Why don’t you both rest here for now?”

Huai You Nong found this monk rather odd. Though he had some connections with Master Wuxin, this monk did not know his identity. He should at least be able to tell that something was off about him, yet he was being so welcoming.

“No need. We’ll wait at the inn at the foot of the mountain. I’ll return once Master Wuxin is back.” Huai You Nong refused outright.

Qian was not particularly interested in the subtle exchanges between adults. She kept staring at Mingzhen’s smooth, round head.

As Mingzhen escorted them down the mountain, the sunlight reflected off his shiny bald head, and Qian couldn’t stop turning her head to look.

Mingzhen smiled. “Shall I accompany you both down the mountain?”

Huai You Nong refused again and turned Qian’s head away, preventing her from staring at the monk’s head any longer.

They settled into an inn at the foot of the mountain. From the window, they could see vast medicinal fields, Little West Mountain, and the eaves of the mountain temple.

Once Qian’s stomachache subsided, she regained her energy and started wandering around. Huai You Nong lost sight of her for a moment, and she had already run outside the inn.

Outside, a small stream flowed. Downstream, local women were washing clothes, while upstream, a group of children played in the water.

Qian crouched by the bank, leaning against a rock as she watched the children play.

Huai You Nong saw that she wasn’t doing anything dangerous, so he let her be.

Sitting in the second-floor guestroom, a trace of weariness appeared on his face. Once his usual sharp expression faded, his young, childlike features looked strikingly pale.

He closed his eyes and meditated for an entire afternoon, occasionally opening them to check on Qian.

She was still wandering nearby, drifting toward the medicinal fields.

On the path leading there, she spotted a man sitting by the roadside drinking water. When he removed his straw hat, revealing a smooth, round bald head, Qian’s gaze was immediately drawn to him.

He was a monk who had clearly traveled a long way. Over his monk robes, he wore a simple shoulder cape, with plain hemp cloth and straw sandals. Beside him lay a polished, pitch-black staff.

He took a sip from the gourd at his waist and, at that moment, noticed Qian.

Qian paused for a moment, watching as he set down the gourd and gave her a smile.

This monk was different from the medicine monks at Xishan Temple. His skin was fair, though he was neither as tall nor as burly as them, nor even as tall as Huai You Nong. His features were plain, yet there was something special about him—an aura of warmth and familiarity.

“Qian, come here.”

Hearing him call her name, Qian widened her eyes in surprise and ran over without thinking.

“How do you know my name?” she asked.

“You told me,” the monk said.

“No, I didn’t. I don’t know you.” Qian tilted her head.

“But I know Qian.” Wuxin patted her head.

In his past, her future.

To him, their fate was about to end. But for this child, their fate had not yet begun.

His skin was fair, but his fingers were rough. Qian covered her forehead to block his touch, so Wuxin merely chuckled and withdrew his hand.

Noticing that she was still staring at his head, Wuxin lowered it slightly. Qian instinctively reached out and touched it.

“Hahaha! Your head is so shiny!” she laughed.

Wuxin lifted his head. “And very round too, right?”

“Right!”

Behind Qian, Huai You Nong’s figure appeared.

Sensing that the child had run too far, he had come looking for her, only to find Wuxin here.

“Master Wuxin.”

Faced with this monk of indeterminate age, Huai You Nong uncharacteristically lowered his head in a show of respect that would shock everyone in the Demon Palace.

After becoming the Demon Lord, Huai You Nong forbade the demons from casually leaving the Demon Realm. This decision was widely criticized—many believed he feared the cultivation world. But the real reason was that he had once made an agreement with Wuxin to prevent the Demon Realm from invading the Mortal Realm.

The reason he showed Wuxin such deep respect was because the monk had saved his life twice.

Even before that, when his mother fled the Demon Realm while pregnant with him, it was Wuxin who had helped treat her, ensuring his safe birth.

“Master, I’ve come to you this time to ask if there’s a way to remove the Demon-Devouring Gu in her body. It comes from the Ancient Heavenly Demon Secret Realm.”

Wuxin replied calmly, “I cannot save her.”

Huai You Nong frowned. “Have you examined her?”

Wuxin: “What if I told you that saving her would cost your life in exchange?”

Huai You Nong was silent for a long time before he finally said, “She is merely a descendant.”

Not worth exchanging his own life for.