So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 21 Getting in through the back door

After washing away the sweat and grime and changing into dry clothes, Jiang Mu arrived at his government office feeling refreshed.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard the sound of wind breaking.

Zhang Xiaokui was practicing his swordsmanship with sweat pouring down his face when he saw Jiang Mu arrive. He quickly stopped his stance, clasped his hands in a salute, and said:

"grown ups."

Ever since he followed Jiang Mu and achieved some great merit last time, this young man's attitude has completely changed, and he now shows genuine respect.

As long as there's meat to eat, even if the leader is a husky, he must be a wise and mighty husky.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Daxiao quickly walked out of the hall and bowed, saying, "My lord."

Jiang Mu nodded slightly and looked at Zhang Xiaokui: "How is your cultivation progressing?"

Zhang Xiaokui could not hide his excitement:

"Reporting back to you, sir, progress is rapid. A breakthrough is certain within three to five days, or at most half a month!"

He exchanged a lot of auxiliary cultivation pills for his previous achievements, and with the third-tier demon core bestowed upon him by Jiang Mu, the medicinal power was immense after he cleansed and consumed them.

Now he just needs to get into the right mindset to break through the barrier.

Thinking of this, he felt even more grateful to Jiang Mu.

If he continues to rot in the third hall, he probably won't get this kind of opportunity in his next life.

Jiang Mu nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad. How did you know I'd broken through too?"

Zhang Xiaokui: "?"

I don't know.

On the contrary, the thoughtful older brother, Zhang Daxiao, reacted extremely quickly.

He carefully examined Jiang Mu's aura, his face showing surprise: "My lord, you have already broken through to the second realm?"

"What?!"

Zhang Xiaokui then belatedly realized what was happening, his face filled with horror.

Keep in mind that Jiang Mu only barely stepped into the first realm not long ago. How long has it been?

It hasn't even been a month yet, has it?

Master, isn't your progress a bit... absurd?

Although there are many prodigies in the world who are born with a divine body, they can travel a thousand miles a day in their youth.

But Jiang Mu, an older cultivator who only became a monk after reaching adulthood and whose natural talent is generally considered mediocre, doesn't seem to have this kind of potential at all.

Jiang Mu waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Just lucky."

He then drew his sword from his waist and smiled at Zhang Xiao Kui, "Come on, Xiao Kui, let's have a spar."

Zhang Daxiao's expression changed, and he quickly tried to dissuade him:

"My lord, you mustn't! Since you've just broken through, the most urgent task is to stabilize your realm and solidify your foundation. At this time, your qi and blood are still weak and unstable. If you act rashly, not only will you easily damage your foundation, but also..."

Zhang Daxiao didn't dare to say what came next.

And you definitely can't beat them!

One is a novice who has just entered the second realm, and the other is a veteran who has reached the second realm and has one foot in the third realm.

The difference between these two is immeasurable.

If we lose, where will the leader's face be?

How am I supposed to get by at work after this?

Jiang Mu didn't seem to mind: "It's nothing, just a friendly spar."

Zhang Xiaokui instinctively reached out to step forward.

Zhang Daxiao grabbed his younger brother's sleeve and whispered, "Take it easy, just use half your strength. Leave some face for the adults."

Zhang Xiao Kui, with his honest and straightforward nature, frowned and said with dissatisfaction:

"Brother, you're insulting me, and you're insulting the adults! Martial arts sparring cannot be done with cheating!"

Zhang Daxiao was furious.

My silly little brother!

You're almost at the third realm, wouldn't this strike send the master flying?

"What are you muttering about?"

Jiang Mu was already getting impatient. He brandished his knife and said, "Hurry up, I can't wait any longer."

Zhang Xiao Kui broke free from his brother's hand and strode into the field.

Zhang Daxiao sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

Jiang Mu flexed her wrists and, seeing Zhang Daxiao's worried expression, assumed he was concerned about his younger brother. She reassured him, "Don't worry, Daxiao, I'll be careful and won't hurt your brother."

Zhang Daxiao's mouth twitched violently.

He suddenly realized that although his master was a good person, he was just a little too trusting.

These words sounded particularly harsh to Zhang Xiaokui.

He was straightforward by nature, and in the third class, he was repeatedly ostracized because he did not know how to flatter.

I despise the hypocritical and insincere officialdom.

While he was grateful to Jiang Mu, weren't these words a sign of disrespect?

The battle of martial arts is all about fighting for one's spirit!

Zhang Xiao Kui clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "My lord, I apologize for any offense!"

boom!

Before he finished speaking, he had already drawn his sword and charged forward.

The sand beneath their feet exploded.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Daxiao, who knew his younger brother best, felt a chill run down his spine.

Oh no, this silly kid is serious!

Zhang Daxiao gritted his teeth, turned around and ran into the house to get medicine for the adults ahead of time.

He had just turned around and taken a step—

"Bang!!"

A muffled, loud bang exploded behind us.

Zhang Daxiao turned around in astonishment and saw a figure fly out and crash heavily into the sand pile, raising a cloud of dust.

The figure... was none other than his own younger brother.

And in the field.

Jiang Mu remained standing in the same spot.

They didn't even move an inch.

Jiang Mu flicked the blade and apologized to the dumbfounded Zhang Daxiao:

"Sorry, I couldn't control myself."

Zhang Daxiao: "..."

……

It was quite a struggle to dig my younger brother out of the sand.

Zhang Xiaokui's hair was disheveled, his mouth was full of mud and sand, and his eyes were glazed over; he was clearly stunned by the attack he had just received.

Fortunately, he did not suffer any internal injuries.

Zhang Xiaokui stared blankly at the broken sword beside him, then looked at Jiang Mu and murmured:

"My lord, what kind of swordsmanship did you just use?"

too fast.

too heavy.

He didn't even see how Jiang Mu drew his sword; he only felt an immense force strike him, and his proud sword technique shattered like paper.

"The Eight Forms of Heaven-Breaking"

Jiang Mu casually remarked, "Aren't you practicing right now?"

"?"

Zhang Xiaokui looked utterly bewildered. "But why does it feel completely different from what I've been practicing?"

"Your aptitude is average; you can't grasp the true meaning of this sword technique. You only understand its form, not its spirit."

Jiang Mu said in a serious tone, "This sword technique emphasizes the word 'break.' Once you understand it, you will naturally be able to unleash the same power as me."

Is that right?

Zhang Xiaokui was skeptical.

He had seen Master Yan, known for his fierce swordsmanship, unleash the "Eight Forms of Breaking the Heavens" at its perfect state.

Although its power was formidable, compared to Jiang Mu's previous strike...

I feel like something's missing.

He even had a vague feeling that even if they were to compete against each other, Lord Jiang would probably still be able to crush his opponent.

Zhang Daxiao looked at Jiang Mu, his expression complex and hard to describe.

A newly advanced second realm cultivator instantly killed a near-third realm expert with a single move.

The art style is quite disjointed.

Is anyone there?

A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out from outside the courtyard gate.

A woman dressed in black and wearing a mask walked in. Her tight-fitting clothes outlined her voluptuous and graceful figure. The front of her dress was bulging, seemingly larger than her head, which made her waist look slender and gave her a natural and voluptuous beauty.

Yet her temperament is as cold as ancient jade, keeping strangers at bay.

Who are you looking for?

Zhang Daxiao keenly sensed the cultivator's aura emanating from the other party, stepped in front of Jiang Mu, and stared warily at the newcomer.

The woman's gaze shifted slightly, her delicate brows furrowing slightly:

"The sign outside says it's the Eighth Branch of the Demon Slayer Division, so why are there only three of you? Where are the others? Did they all go on a mission?"

"And who are you?" Zhang Daxiao asked in a deep voice.

The woman, too lazy to waste words, flipped her hand and handed a token to him.

Zhang Daxiao stared intently, his expression changing drastically. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency the Inspector!"

Within the Demon Slayer Division, Demon Slayers are divided into two categories.

One type is like Jiang Mu, who is stationed in a fixed location to handle the demon affairs of their jurisdiction.

Another type has a special status and can freely patrol and slay demons throughout the country with their tokens, wielding considerable power.

These people are called "inspectors".

Each and every one of them is an elite who crawled out of a pile of corpses.

"My name is Ling Ye."

The woman retrieved the token, her tone still icy, her aura chilling. "I'm investigating a case in Huzhou. I need your cooperation. Go and summon your leader immediately."

Zhang Daxiao paused for a moment, then pointed at Jiang Mu:

"My lord, this is Lord Jiang, the head of our Eighth Hall."

"Um?"

Ling Ye was stunned.

She took a half step forward, her cold eyes scrutinizing him carefully from head to toe, her gaze filled with astonishment:

"You're not joking?"

"Second Realm? Hall Master? How did you get to this position?"

Jiang Mu remained calm and modest, saying:

"Your Excellency, I entered through the back door based on my merits."