novelapdf Chapter 23 My Master is a Madman
Chapter 23 My Master is a Madman
"Based on preliminary assessment, this snake demon's cultivation level is around the sixth rank," Ling Ye said.
A sixth-order demonic serpent?
Everyone's expression changed drastically.
A sixth-tier great demon would be a local overlord anywhere; for demon slayers of their level to go there would be nothing short of suicide.
"Don't worry, I can handle this monster."
Ling Ye's voice was indifferent, "The main reason is that this snake demon has been entrenched here for many years, and its snake offspring have multiplied greatly, so we asked you to join forces to wipe it out."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Ling Ye's cold gaze swept across the village, pointing towards the villagers:
"Furthermore, these people have lost their minds and their actions are unpredictable. When slaying the demon, if they make any unusual moves, be sure to stop them and do not let anyone approach the well."
A young demon slayer from the third hall spoke up:
"Why not just kill them? It would save us the trouble. They're already zombies anyway; keeping them around would only cause more harm."
Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell silent.
The people around him looked at him as if he were an idiot.
Zhang Daxiao explained in a deep voice:
"They have only had their minds corrupted by the 'King of Hell's Food,' they have not been transformed into demons or monsters. To slaughter civilians would be a grave crime of massacring an entire village, and no one can bear that responsibility."
There were some reasons that Zhang Daxiao didn't elaborate on.
With public sentiment currently fluctuating, everything is being amplified.
Demons were watching, rebels were watching, and officials from various factions in the imperial court were also watching.
Once it ferments, it will inevitably involve many people.
The court needs the support of the people. The line between right and wrong is very blurred. Once it is elevated to a certain level, then it is your fault.
Ling Ye's beautiful eyes were like knives:
"If you want to kill, I won't stop you. Just don't drag me into it if anyone investigates afterwards."
The young demon slayer's face flushed red, and he stammered, not daring to say another word.
Ling Ye ignored them and pointed at the crowd: "Wang Ershang, you, you, and you... come down the well with me."
She selected six people in a row, including Zhang Daxiao.
They are all the most skilled cultivators here.
"The rest of you, patrol the village. If you see any snakes or their offspring escaping, kill them immediately if you can."
"The village's perimeter has been coated with 'Blazing Sun Sulfur Powder,' preventing any snake demons below the third rank from escaping. These lesser demons are all your doing; how much you manage to loot depends on your luck."
Finally, Ling Ye's beautiful eyes fell on Jiang Mu, and her tone became indifferent:
"As for you, you've only recently broken through to the second realm. In this situation, your presence would only cause trouble. Besides... your identity is special, and if anything were to happen to you, I wouldn't be able to explain it. You may leave now."
Jiang Mu remained calm:
"No need, I'll patrol with them."
"Actually, my master is very powerful..." Zhang Xiaokui couldn't help but say from the side.
Ling Ye assumed it was just a subordinate trying to save face and didn't take it seriously, coldly tossing out a remark:
"Suit yourself, don't blame me if you die."
With that, she waved her hand and, leading Zhang Daxiao and the other elites, leaped into the dry well.
Beside the well, there were only about ten Demon Slayers from the Third Hall remaining.
They exchanged a few glances, then dispersed in twos and threes to patrol in their respective teams.
Clearly, no one wanted to be with Jiang Mu and his group.
"Master..."
Zhang Xiaokui was somewhat indignant.
Jiang Mu patted his shoulder and laughed, "Just keep a good watch."
……
The village was lifeless.
Those villagers who had eaten the food of the King of Hell wandered around like ghosts.
They watched as Jiang Mu and his group walked by, swords and knives at their sides. They showed neither fear nor attempt to approach them; their eyes were mostly numb and cold.
As Jiang Mu passed the woman holding the baby, she paused slightly.
Jiang Mu remained silent for a moment, then took out a pastry wrapped in oil paper from her bosom.
This was made by Bai Xiang this morning, and it has a faint osmanthus fragrance.
He handed it over.
The woman's eyes were vacant, and she did not respond.
At this moment, Jiang Mu noticed a flatbread and a water bag next to the woman—he remembered that Ling Ye carried a water bag of this type, which was obviously left by her.
Jiang Mu gently placed the pastries on the baby's swaddling clothes and turned to leave.
Until Jiang Mu walked away.
The woman then used her withered fingers to pick up a small piece and carefully break it off, attempting to feed it to the baby.
"Eat...eat..."
She murmured to herself.
The baby remained motionless, letting crumbs of pastry pile up at the corners of its mouth.
……
Time passed slowly in silence.
There was no sound coming from deep inside the well.
This made Zhang Xiao Kui increasingly anxious, and he frequently looked at the dark well opening, worried about his brother.
Before I knew it, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.
At first, nobody paid attention.
But the rain intensified, soon turning into large raindrops that pattered against the dirt road.
Jiang Mu's expression changed drastically: "Oh no, that sulfur powder!"
Zhang Xiaokui and the other members of the Third Patrol also realized what was happening, and their expressions changed.
They rushed out of the village.
The sulfur powder that was originally sprinkled in circles had developed several gaps after being washed away by the rain.
"There's a monster!"
A scream rang out.
Everyone turned around abruptly.
In the distance, on the roof of a collapsed building, a three-meter-long green-scaled snake demon was raising its head and flicking its tongue, staring intently at the group.
"Stop it quickly!"
The members of the third hall drew their swords and roared as they rushed forward to attack.
Just as Jiang Mu was about to follow, a sudden thought struck her.
He subconsciously summoned the magic gauge.
Beside the magic tank, the demonic figure of "Huang Silang" was emitting wisps of black energy.
As if drawn by some force, the black mist stretched westward toward the village.
"What is this?"
Jiang Mu was filled with surprise and doubt.
Seeing Zhang Xiaokui about to rush towards the east of the village, he grabbed him and said, "Come with me!"
"Master? There's a demon over there..." Zhang Xiaokui asked, puzzled.
"Enough talk, let's go!"
Without giving him a chance to explain, Jiang Mu grabbed him and ran quickly toward the west of the village.
Zhang Xiaokui was full of doubts, so he had no choice but to follow closely behind.
Guided by the black mist, the two passed through dilapidated village houses and arrived at a low earthen slope in the west of the village.
The black mist grew even denser here, drifting down the slope.
"Sir, what are we doing here...?"
Before Zhang Xiaokui could finish speaking, Jiang Mu grabbed his head and forcefully pressed it into the damp grass.
"Shh!"
Jiang Mu made a shushing gesture and pointed downwards.
Zhang Xiaokui wiped the rain off his face and cautiously peeked out.
Upon seeing this, I immediately gasped in shock.
The walls of the pit below were covered with countless holes, resembling a giant honeycomb briquette.
At that moment, venomous snakes of varying sizes and colors were crawling out of those holes.
Some are as thick as buckets, their scales chillingly sharp.
Some of them have fleshy crowns, and although they are only half the length of a human body, they exude an aura of oppression.
A rough count reveals over fifty entries.
Among them, there were no fewer than twenty second-tier demonic creatures!
"A feint to the east while attacking in the west..."
Zhang Xiaokui's pupils contracted sharply as he instantly realized, "That snake on the roof was bait; this is the main force for breaking through."
He pulled out a bamboo tube firework from his pocket and was about to pull the fuse.
"What are you doing?"
Jiang Mu reached out and pressed down on his wrist.
Zhang Xiaokui said, "Warning! There are so many snake demons! We need to get the Third Hall's people here to help!"
"What warning?"
Jiang Mu snatched the bamboo tube from his hand.
"The fireworks will surely alert these beasts. By the time they arrive, these demons will probably have already fled."
Zhang Xiaokui was taken aback at first, then his eyes widened:
"Master, you wouldn't be thinking... there are over fifty snake demons down there, more than twenty of them are second-tier. And there are only two of us!"
Jiang Mu slowly drew his sword.
"What are you afraid of?"
"Two against fifty, the advantage is on our side!"
Zhang Xiaokui: "?"