So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 161 focuses on one thing: a clean break!

Inside the small courtyard of the temporary headquarters of the Demon Slayer Division in Huzhou.

Tian Wenjing, with a full head of white hair, stood in front of his desk, staring at the map spread out in front of him, his brows furrowed.

The continuous rain that had lasted for several days finally stopped.

Tian Wenjing keenly realized that the rain must mean that Shui Miaozheng had made progress.

Fortunately, he had already heard from his subordinates who had retreated from the perimeter that they had seen Shui Miaozheng returning safely in the distance, which eased his anxiety somewhat.

However, another thing made him extremely upset.

The Yuancheng Demon Slayer Division, located on the right flank, actually retreated into the city ahead of schedule.

This retreat completely exposed their flanks to the demon army, creating a huge gap.

If they relax their guard even slightly, the demons will be able to take the opportunity to encircle and completely trap the troops of Huzhou City.

But Tian Wenjing also knew in his heart that this matter was not the fault of the people in Yuancheng.

Previously, Xue Bayuan, the hall master of Yuancheng, was exposed as a demon by Jiang Mu in public and even killed on the spot. This incident dealt a devastating blow to the morale of the Demon Slaying Division of Yuancheng.

As the person in charge, Lin Anchang will certainly face accountability and punishment from the General Manager afterward.

With morale so low, expecting them to fight to the death and never retreat is simply unrealistic.

"Sigh, it's tough..."

Tian Wenjing sighed and rubbed his aching brow.

"Tian Lao!"

Just then, Xu Fu's loud shouts suddenly came from the courtyard.

Tian Wenjing, who was analyzing the map, paused slightly and turned to look at the door. He saw Xu Fu and Yan Fenghuo walking into the main hall side by side. Tian Wenjing's face immediately darkened, and he questioned them sharply:

"Why did you two retreat so early? Aren't you going to abandon the defense zone?!"

"that……"

"This is utterly ridiculous!!"

Tian Wenjing's face turned ashen, and he began to curse loudly.

"Even if the demon army's offensive is fierce and you can't hold on, you should send out a distress signal in advance so that the brothers in other defense zones can prepare and retreat in an orderly manner."

You just ran back without saying a word, are you trying to kill everyone?

"Yan Fenghuo! Where did your usual fighting spirit go? What, now even you've become a coward who fears death?!" Yan Fenghuo shrank back, looking helpless and aggrieved, and said with a bitter smile:

"Mr. Tian, ​​please don't get so angry."

It's not that we're afraid of death and want to retreat; it's that the demons over there have all been wiped out. Our defense zone is temporarily free of demonic threats, so we've returned to report."

"Eliminate completely?"

Tian Wenjing was taken aback at first, then his brows furrowed even deeper, and he asked in a deep voice, "How many troops has the demon army sent over there?"

Yan Fenghuo answered truthfully:

"At first, three hundred lesser demons led the charge, and later two hundred more demon soldiers were added as reinforcements, led by three fifth-tier great demons."

Upon hearing this, Tian Wenjing flew into a rage:

"Do you really think I'm a three-year-old child? Five hundred demon soldiers, and three fifth-tier great demons! With your small group, you think you can wipe them all out?"

Who do you think you are?

Does he think he's some kind of brat like Jiang Mu?

"How could one person single-handedly fight their way in and out of a horde of demons seven times?! You can't even come up with a plausible excuse for lying!"

However, faced with Tian Wenjing's thunderous rage, Xu Fu and Yan Fenghuo were not afraid at all. Instead, they lowered their heads and shrugged their shoulders, as if they were suppressing laughter.

Tian Wenjing became even angrier, her face turning bright red, and she grabbed the teacup on the table, ready to smash it on the ground.

"You're still laughing? I..."

"Old Tian,"

Just then, a light, familiar voice, tinged with a hint of mockery, came from outside the door.

"Look at you, you're so old and you still have such a temper."

As people get older, they need to cultivate their character and temper, and avoid getting angry, lest anger harm their health.

Upon hearing this, Tian Wenjing's arm, which was holding the teacup high, froze in mid-air.

He seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move.

Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped aside with smiles.

A tall, slender figure, hands behind his back, strode across the threshold with an air of nonchalance.

That handsome face, with a hint of a mischievous smile, suddenly appeared in Tian Wenjing's field of vision without warning.

Tian Wenjing stared blankly at the young man who had "come back to life" in front of him, like a statue, even his breath stopped.

"Clatter".

The teacup slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor tiles.

The old man's lips trembled violently.

He took a step forward, extending a hand that trembled with excitement, wanting to touch Jiang Mu's shoulder.

I've confirmed that this isn't a hallucination I'm having.

But halfway through reaching out, he withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted.

It seemed as if it feared that the slightest touch would shatter this illusion like a bubble.

"You...you..."

Tian Wenjing made a gurgling sound in his throat, a thousand words stuck in his chest, but he couldn't utter a single complete sentence.

Finally, the trembling hand landed on Jiang Mu's shoulder.

He squeezed the firm muscles hard, feeling the real warmth and strength under his palm, and then slapped them twice.

My eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Looking at the deputy head in front of him, Jiang Mu felt a surge of indescribable emotions.

Back then, because of a misunderstanding about his spoiled behavior at the night market, he was extremely annoyed by this stubborn old man.

He even believed the rumors that he was mean and petty, and never gave them a kind look.

It wasn't until a series of events occurred that the relationship gradually improved.

Seeing Tian Wenjing's haggard appearance and the genuine emotions she had just displayed, Jiang Mu was also moved. He coughed lightly, breaking the slightly heavy atmosphere, and put on that smug smile again, vividly recounting the same story he had told Shui Miaozheng earlier.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Tian, ​​for making you worry."

I just got back from danger and couldn't come to let you know I was safe right away.

"Mainly because when I came back I saw that the demon army had already started attacking, and I couldn't resist the urge to go and chop them down first."

Tears welled up in Tian Wenjing's eyes.

He turned around, his back to Jiang Mu, and rubbed his old face vigorously to hide his loss of composure.

After a long while, he mumbled in a low voice, repeating:

"It's good that you're back...it's good that you're back..."

You little rascal, you're as tough as a rock in a latrine! I knew you wouldn't die so easily!

Jiang Mu smiled slightly, then turned and gave Xu Fu and Yan Fenghuo, who were standing aside watching the commotion, a meaningful look:

"Old Xu, Yan Fengzi, you two go out and keep watch. I have some extremely important things to discuss with Old Tian privately."

The two didn't ask any further questions, nodded, and turned to leave the house.

Only two people remained inside.

Jiang Mu suppressed her smile, walked up to Tian Wenjing, and told him everything about Yuan Qianfan.

Although Yuan Qianfan had instructed him not to spread the news of his death to avoid undermining morale, Jiang Mu had nothing to hide from Tian Wenjing. Hearing Jiang Mu's words, Tian Wenjing was deeply shocked.

His face turned pale.

Previously, due to Jiang Mu's misleading information, he had always suspected that Yuan Qianfan was the one secretly manipulating everything, Heishan.

But to his utter surprise, things turned out to be far more serious than he had imagined.

The dignified garrison commander of the eleventh realm is dead!

"Tian Lao,"

Jiang Mu looked at Tian Wenjing, whose expression had changed drastically, and asked in a deep voice,

"Yuan Qianfan said the imperial court is negotiating with external forces from the martial arts world. Do you think the imperial court can really mobilize reinforcements and get here in time?"

Tian Wenjing closed his eyes and pondered for a long time.

When he opened his eyes again, the panic in them had vanished, and his tone was firm:

"They will definitely send them!"

Yancheng is very important to Daqing, and they won't give it up so easily.

Moreover, although the situation is perilous, it's not hopeless yet. If we can hold out for a few more days, reinforcements will surely arrive.

Jiang Mu breathed a sigh of relief and grinned:

"Alright, let's hang in there for now. With me here, it shouldn't be a big problem."

Tian Wenjing was amused by his confidence, but then she straightened her face and pointed to the map, saying:

"Don't be careless. According to the latest intelligence, two defense zones outside the city have been completely lost, and the remaining troops have been forced to retreat back into the city."

The early withdrawal of the Yuancheng defense zone, located on our right, has had a significant impact on our flank.

I plan to shift our entire defense line in Huzhou City to the right to fill the gap in Yuan City.

Then, the defensive perimeter is contracted inward to concentrate forces.

"No matter what, even if it means sacrificing my old bones, I'll hold on for two more days until reinforcements arrive!"

Jiang Mu pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"Mr. Tian, ​​I think... how about we try a different strategy?"

"Oh?"

Tian Wenjing raised his graying eyebrows, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "What strategy? Tell me about it."

Jiang Mu's gaze was intense, and she uttered a startling statement:

"Don't just hold out indefinitely. Prolonged defense will inevitably lead to defeat; this is common military knowledge."

"Since those demons are preparing a powerful attack, instead of passively taking a beating, why don't we take the initiative and wreak havoc on their stronghold!" Tian Wenjing's expression froze, then his mustache bristled with anger as he roared:

"Are you planning another adventure, kid? Let me tell you, this time it's absolutely not going to happen!"

What do you mean by "taking the initiative to attack"? I think you're just asking for death!

Do you think that monster's stronghold is a den of stray dogs outside the city, where you can just barge in as you please? Going there is like throwing meat buns to a dog—you'll never come back!

"Old Tian, ​​I'm not going to my death, I just want to get something..."

Jiang Mu still wanted to argue her point.

"No need to say anything more!"

Tian Wenjing waved his hand, and a gust of wind rose from his wide sleeves, causing the edges of the map to flutter slightly.

"No means no! From this moment on, you stay obediently in the defense zone. That's an order!"

Seeing the old man's stern expression, Jiang Mu knew that arguing was pointless at this moment, so he could only shrug helplessly.

"Alright then, I'll stay here as planned."

"Mr. Tian, ​​I'll go rest for a bit first, so I won't bother you any longer. If you need anything, just send me a message."

After saying that, Jiang Mu turned to leave.

He secretly plotted in his mind:

If I can't afford to offend her, can't I at least avoid her? Anyway, my nominal boss is Aunt Shui now, so I might as well talk to her; maybe there's still a chance.

"Wait a moment."

Just as Jiang Mu was about to step out the door, Tian Wenjing suddenly called out to him.

Jiang Mu stopped and turned around: "Is there anything else you need, Elder Tian?"

Tian Wenjing stood behind the desk, his weathered face twitching slightly, his lips moving again and again.

In the end, all the words I wanted to say were reduced to just one piece of advice:

"Don't be reckless. Remember... staying alive is more important than anything else."

Jiang Mu was slightly taken aback, then nodded solemnly: "Yes, I've got it."

Then he walked out of the house.

Inside the room, Tian Wenjing stared silently at the empty door, remaining motionless for a long time.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and slapped himself hard.

The crisp sound echoed in the room.

"This isn't a dream... this kid is really still alive."

Tian Wenjing muttered to himself.

He lowered his head again and turned his gaze to the map.

As he watched, his tense face suddenly relaxed, his lips gradually parted into a smile, and finally he couldn't help but tilt his head back and burst into hearty laughter. "After all, God does have eyes!"

After leaving Tian Wenjing's command post, Jiang Mu went to catch up with Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu for a while.

Then they returned to the small courtyard where Shui Miaozheng was stationed.

Perhaps because Jiang Mu's appearance disrupted the demon army's plans, this area experienced a rare period of calm.

The second wave of attacks from the demon army was delayed.

This eased the tense atmosphere at the outpost somewhat.

Shui Miaozheng has also returned.

Seeing Jiang Mu covered in blood and looking travel-worn, the woman frowned slightly, and her gentle, bright eyes immediately filled with deep worry and heartache. She quickly stepped forward to greet him and gently scolded him:

"Xiao Jiang, you should rest more. Nobody's made of iron; everyone gets tired eventually. Come on in and have some porridge. I had someone else make it; it's still warm."

Jiang Mu smiled and followed her into the house, placing the sword on the table.

He picked up the bowl of porridge, eagerly took a swig, and then asked, "Aunt Shui, how's the situation on your end?"

Shui Miaozheng sat down opposite him, tidied her slightly disheveled hair, and looked solemn:

"The situation is not very optimistic. I vaguely sensed traces of one or two sixth-tier demons on the outskirts of the southern defense line."

However, their movements were elusive, and I feared it was a trap set by the demon army specifically for us commanders, so I didn't rashly pursue them. "Aunt Shui, I have an idea."

Jiang Mu put down his bowl of porridge, looking intently at her, and then recounted in detail the plan he had just told Tian Wenjing. As expected, the plan was immediately met with opposition from Shui Miaozheng.

"No, absolutely not!"

"Xiao Jiang, you've already died once. No one can guarantee that you won't be so lucky to come back alive the second time you go on an adventure." Seeing her so agitated, Jiang Mu could only patiently explain:

"Aunt Shui, you've misunderstood. I'm not going to fight those powerful demons head-on; I don't have the ability to do so."

What I mean is, using my agility and stealth skills, I can sneak in and cause some damage, set a fire, kill a few low-level leaders, or something. As long as we can throw their headquarters into chaos, we can disrupt their offensive rhythm and buy us some breathing room.

As you can see, given the current passive situation of only defending and not attacking, the Yuancheng Demon Slayer Division has already retreated, and the other defense zones certainly won't be able to hold out for long either.

"We and Tian Lao will eventually be worn down too."

"That won't do either!"

Shui Miaozheng's attitude remained firm and unwavering, leaving no room for negotiation.

In the past, she would have accompanied him on his adventures.

But now there are level 10 demons watching from afar; going there would be suicide.

As they were talking, Shui Miaozheng, who was getting a little agitated, suddenly swayed slightly.

She instinctively reached out and grabbed the edge of the table. Her cheeks, which were already slightly flushed with anger, were now covered with an unusual redness, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her smooth forehead.

"Aunt Shui, what's wrong?"

Jiang Mu reacted quickly and immediately stood up to support her swaying body.

The moment Jiang Mu touched her arm, she felt an astonishing heat.

Seeing the woman's seemingly dazed eyes, Jiang Mu immediately understood something, and her expression changed slightly: "Aunt Shui, the dragon poison in your body... has it not been completely cleared away and has it relapsed?"

The situation was too urgent at the time, and there was no time to completely clean the dragon poison from her.

Now that this woman has been traveling so much, her blood and qi are churning, and the dragon poison that remains in her body has been stirred up again and started to cause trouble.

"No... I'm fine..."

Shui Miaozheng bit her red lips hard with her pearly teeth, trying her best to stay awake.

She broke free from Jiang Mu's embrace, took two steps back, and pushed the bowl of hot porridge towards Jiang Mu, her voice trembling slightly:

"Come on, let's not talk about this anymore. You should eat something first, otherwise it won't taste good when it gets cold."

"Okay."

Jiang Mu gave her a deep look, but didn't expose her. He obediently sat down, picked up the bowl, and began to eat heartily.

Shui Miaozheng, struggling to maintain her somewhat weak body, sat down beside her.

However, whether it was psychological or because Jiang Mu was too close, the unique masculine aura emanating from the man kept wafting into her nose.

Shui Miaozheng's breathing became increasingly heavy, and she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

The bowl of porridge was quickly emptied.

Jiang Mu put down the empty bowl and casually picked up a cloth from the table to wipe her mouth.

Then, he stood up and walked straight to the door.

"Bang!"

To Shui Miaozheng's astonishment, he slammed the door shut behind him, even locking it.

Shui Miaozheng froze, staring blankly at him, her heart pounding, her voice tinged with panic:

"Xiao Jiang, why...why are you closing the door?"

Jiang Mu turned and walked up to her, looking at the woman's beautiful face, and said softly:

"Aunt Shui, this kind of thing can be resolved whether it happens once or twice."

Anyway, the demon army outside hasn't launched an attack yet, and everyone else is resting.

If you don't mind...

"How about I help you completely remove this poison?"

Well, Old Jiang's main approach is to be straightforward.