Chapter 8

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Chapter 8: Monster

Long ago, it was said that the Demon Realm prospered for centuries because of the Divine Artifact Snowflake Glass. The Snowflake Glass was set in the Twelve Celestial Stones of the Demon Realm, shining brightly to protect it. Five hundred years ago, in order to save Xian Yue’s life, the Demon Lord removed the Snowflake Glass and embedded it into Xian Yue’s body. Although it saved Xian Yue’s life, it also caused Xian Yue to become completely corrupted.

Due to Xian Yue’s high level of cultivation, the Snowflake Glass could not fully unleash its power. Moreover, without being on the Twelve Celestial Stones of the Demon Realm, the Snowflake Glass lost its immense power. This is why it was shattered by Hua Qing. However, even though it was broken, the Snowflake Glass is not lifeless. As long as the Demon Lord finds it again, and it returns to the Celestial Stones, it will bring about a new catastrophe.

Suddenly, a sound rang out from Hua Qing, it was the only Guide Bell that could identify the Snowflake Glass in the world. With the ringing of the bell, the Snowflake Glass appeared.

Hua Qing’s expression changed, while Cancan was intrigued, "This little bell is so cute."

Hua Qing immediately wielded the Icebreaker Sword, becoming alert. This sudden action startled Cancan, who was highly sensitive to danger. She grabbed Hua Qing’s sleeve and whispered, "Is there a problem?"

Hua Qing remained silent, pursing his lips. Despite this, Cancan sensed that something was wrong from his expression. As expected, after a brief calculation, Hua Qing set off on his sword. Cancan covered her face, scared but dared not speak further.

In the following days, Hua Qing didn’t say much. Seeing Hua Qing’s serious expression, Cancan refrained from asking too many questions and obediently followed him.

Despite riding their swords for a few days, the two of them arrived at a deserted town. The town was very quiet, in stark contrast to the bustling town they had visited before. Cancan sighed, "There are so few people here. It looks very empty."

Hua Qing had no expression on his face, which made Cancan feel strange. She obediently followed behind him like a little assistant. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Hua Qing felt it and turned to look at her, speaking for the first time in a few days, "What’s wrong?"

Cancan swallowed and said, "Hungry."

Her stomach growled loudly. The reason she stopped was because she came across a food stand. Smelling the aroma, Cancan found herself unable to move forward. However, she quickly continued, "Let’s go, it’s okay." Missing a meal or two was nothing new to her. If she delayed Hua Qing’s matters and got left behind, it wouldn’t be good. How would she find her way back to Shu Mountain in this unfamiliar place?

Seeing Cancan trying to keep up her spirits, Hua Qing walked to the table and said, "Let’s have ten steamed buns first."

Cancan saw this and rushed over immediately.

After eating and drinking, Cancan burped, rubbed her belly, and laughed. The waiter saw that the man hardly touched his food, while the girl ate a lot, couldn’t help but ask, "Would you like anything else, sir?"

Hua Qing shook his head slightly, but Cancan replied, "He doesn’t eat much." With her big dark eyes looking around, she said, "It feels so empty here, hardly anyone around. Business seems very slow. Can you make a living like this?"

The shopkeeper felt a stab in his heart. More accurately, he was not a waiter but the owner. It was just him running the shop. Hearing the girl’s question, he angrily said, "It’s all because of that monster causing trouble."

Cancan felt guilty and asked nervously, "Monster? A monster?"

Aren’t monsters supposed to be timid like her and good at bragging like Brother Wild Wolf? Could they also be harmful? She thought carefully for a moment and asked seriously, "What kind of monster is it?"

There were hardly any people on the street now. Seeing the little girl asking, the shopkeeper decided to sit at their table and seemed ready to share his troubles. Hua Qing noticed and his eyes flickered slightly.

"Who knows what kind of monster it is. Anyway, it’s a monster. Our town is originally a coastal town with prosperity. Life here is quite good. But starting from last year, monsters have been causing trouble continuously. Like ships capsizing at sea, and people mysteriously disappearing. At first, no one paid much attention, but over time, everyone noticed something was amiss. You see, we rely on the sea for our livelihood here. Isn’t this a disaster! It’s inevitable to encounter maritime disasters when going out to sea. Some people have seen a monstrous creature causing chaos, but we are all ordinary people. Who dares to do anything? Look around, it’s broad daylight, there are fewer people on the streets, everyone is too scared to go out, otherwise, what if they get taken away." The shopkeeper grew more and more angry as he spoke, clearly frustrated.

Cancan also became angry, "Such a bad monster."

"There are no good monsters." The shopkeeper grumbled, then thought of something else and said, "I say, little girl, you two must be from out of town, right? Don’t wander the streets, find a place to stay as soon as possible, don’t mess around. Maybe the monster will find you attractive and take you to eat. Monsters are perverted, they definitely prefer good-looking men and women, after all, they are tender."

Cancan, "…"

Hua Qing, "I’m afraid it won’t come looking for me." With that, he stood up, exuding a cold aura.

The shopkeeper was stunned, then poked Cancan, "Is this young lad… not right in the head? How could a normal person hope for a monster to come for them? It’s crazy, take your medicine."

Cancan stood tall and proudly said, "He can catch demons." Feeling pleased with herself, she then felt something was not quite right. Scratching her head, she wondered what it could be. Suddenly, she felt embarrassed, realizing that she herself was a demon! Sobbing…

The shopkeeper said, "So, you can catch demons. But you mustn’t be careless. Many people who go demon-hunting never return. Demons are very scary, and this particular demon is incredibly powerful, capable of stirring up the sea waves."

Hua Qing placed the silver coins on the table and said to Cancan, "Let’s go."

Cancan quickly got up and followed them. Watching their backs, the shopkeeper sighed, "It’s really difficult to deal with a stubborn master. Poor girl."

Cancan didn’t hear the shopkeeper’s words. She nervously asked Hua Qing as they walked, "Are we really going to find that demon?"

Hua Qing simply replied, "Yes."

As they approached the seaside, the bells rang louder. Cancan found it quite mysterious, but she knew that any immortal usually had a few Divine Artifacts. With admiration, she asked Hua Qing, "What is this?"

Hua Qing replied evasively, "Find a place to hide."

Confused at first, Cancan soon understood. She cautiously asked, "Are you going to fight?"

Hua Qing nodded, "Yes!"

Cancan quickly ran away, tumbling foolishly. Hua Qing turned and went to the seaside. The sea was calm and peaceful. Hua Qing untied a bell, cut his hand, and a drop of blood fell on the bell, making it ring loudly. He threw the bell out, and it hung in the air. Suddenly, a strong wind blew over the sea, creating an illusion of an old turtle crawling with shards of crystal glowing on its back.

Hua Qing took back the bell and dove directly into the sea…

Cancan hid far away, curled up by a secluded small hole, hearing loud noises from outside. She was scared, not knowing what the sound was. She bit her lip, conflicted about whether to go help Hua Qing.

After much hesitation, she peeked out, but she was too far to see anything. Cancan bit her lip, "Although Hua Qing is a celestial being and seems cold, he has a warm heart and is actually very kind. Even knowing I’m a monster, he saved me, fed me, and didn’t mind. He even took me to bathe, gave me new clothes, and combed my hair." Thinking this, Cancan stood up immediately and ran back to help Hua Qing.

Though she had no magic powers, being a fairy herself might have some effect. With this thought, Cancan ran without hesitation. When she reached the spot where they had split up, she froze.

It was calm and Hua Qing was not there, as if nothing had happened. Cancan felt a sudden panic, searched around but found nothing.

"Hua Qing, Hua Qing…" Cancan shouted, but there was no response.

An old voice asked, "Little girl, who are you looking for?"

Cancan turned around in surprise and saw an old man with a white beard. She sighed, "Excuse me, have you seen Hua Qing? He’s wearing all white, very handsome, with a hairstyle similar to mine but with a touch of elegance. He’s holding a sword, very cold and serious. Have you seen him?" Cancan added, "He has a dead fish face."

The old man frowned and repeated, "A dead fish face?"

Cancan nodded and said, "Yes. Have you seen him?" Then she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no, sir, why are you wandering around here? There are fairies here. You should leave quickly, or else with your age, what if the monsters catch you!"

Cancan tried to pull the old man away, but he didn’t move. He said, "I’m old and tough. Nobody wants to eat me." He seemed cheerful and optimistic.

Cancan was speechless with this foolish man. She thought for a moment and kindly advised, "Even though your flesh may not be delicious, perhaps the monsters might like that taste! What do you think? Please leave quickly."

The old man with the white beard chuckled. He gazed at Cancan and said slowly, "Aren’t you a fairy yourself? Why pretend to be kind?"

Cancan was taken aback. She was indeed a fairy, but… Cancan said seriously, "I’m different. I am a good fairy. Wait, how did you know I’m a fairy?"

Finally, Cancan realized. She stared at the old man, took a step back, and cautiously asked, "Who are you? Are you the wicked monster harming people?" Seeing the smile on the old man’s face, Cancan knew she guessed right. She was furious, "Why are you so despicable? It’s because of monsters like you that fairies are disliked and accused of badness all the time. Why can’t you live peacefully and do good things? Tell me, why?"

Cancan kept talking swiftly, and the old man scratched his ear. Being of a certain age, he couldn’t hear everything she said amid her rant. He could only catch words like "harming others" and "being blamed unfairly," and it took him a while to understand.

It said, "Little fox, have you just gained wisdom?"

"No matter when I gained wisdom, my sense of right and wrong is still the same." Cancan put her hands on her hips, "If you can admit your mistakes, otherwise Hua Qing will catch you."

Although I’ve heard that Hua Qing is very powerful, Cancan has never seen Hua Qing’s power. But seeing how smoothly he goes to the underworld, she thinks he must be good. But then she remembers the situation with the sword, feeling a bit nervous. Oh, he’s a slow learner after all…

The old monster is here, but Hua Qing is not. Could it be, could it be… Has the old monster eaten Hua Qing? Thinking like this, Cancan’s face turns pale, and she shouts at the old man, "Where is Hua Qing?"

The old man looks calmly at Cancan and shakes his head, "I don’t know. Haven’t seen him."

Cancan roars, "Did you eat him, did you?"

The old man choked on his saliva, looking at Cancan as if she was a fool, then asked again, "Do you really think I ate Hua Qing?"

Cancan thought his expression was clearly guilty, he must have eaten Hua Qing, he must have.

"Give Hua Qing back to me, or I’ll fight you."

Thinking about Hua Qing bringing clothes for her, combing her hair, and giving her food, Cancan got really angry and charged at him. The old man was caught off guard and stumbled when she bumped into him, but he quickly pushed her away. Then a burst of water splashed onto Cancan, making her completely wet, but she didn’t care. She shook off the water and transformed into a fox, swiftly rushing towards him. Although she had no battle experience, she mimicked a big yellow dog she encountered before when stealing a chicken, growled, and tried to bite.

The old man quickly dodged, saying, "You’re a fox trying to learn dog skills. Aren’t you ashamed as a fox?"

Despite failing the first time, Cancan became even angrier and launched a second attack. With a swift move, the old man made Cancan tumble and whimper, falling to the ground. Feeling pity, the old man said, "Because you’re a fairy, I won’t fight back."

"Growl!" Cancan widened her eyes.