If exorcists are afraid of harming ordinary people, they will become even more hesitant and dare not act rashly.
This is the domain of demons, and they are almost powerless to stop them.
"But... why is it still here?"
Gu Zhong ran his fingers along the mahogany railing, tapping out a rhythmic sound, and murmured a sentence.
The severely injured demon did not flee immediately, but instead lingered in the same spot, which is contrary to the nature of all living beings to seek advantage and avoid harm.
"Unless—it has a reason to remain here—"
These words were like a spark of light, suddenly illuminating the fog of confusion in my thoughts.
Chapter 135 Swordsman and Exorcist (Part 21)
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The demon's condition for devouring women was that one of two women with whom it had an extremely close relationship must be chosen. The deaths of the others were merely sacrifices to achieve its goal.
Why is this condition necessary? It's a condition that Gu Zhong and Ling Yan can perfectly meet.
Moreover, these tragic events occurred suddenly after they arrived at the brothel.
It's as if—this demon was originally looking for them?
Why are we looking for them?
—Someone is manipulating it.
That explains why it is still wandering here; it is waiting for the person behind the scenes to arrive.
"There!"
Despite the myriad thoughts swirling in her mind, Gu Zhong did not let up her observation of the area downstairs, which led her to discover the demon's trail.
Chu Cheng and Ling Yan also approached the railing and looked at the spot she was pointing to. They saw a woman on stage playing the pipa with mechanical and stiff movements that were completely out of sync with the rhythm of the entire performance, which had already drawn a chorus of protests from the audience.
The demon's possession technique is clearly still very immature; the person possessed by it will move extremely slowly and strangely.
"But how can we bind it—"
Before Lingyan could finish speaking, Chu Cheng's golden seal was already flipped out and pressed directly onto the people below the stage.
Seeing this, Gu Zhong realized he had already alerted the enemy, so he had no choice but to immediately turn and leap down, his cold blade aimed directly at the strangely shaped demon on the stage.
They were not wrong.
Sensing Gu Zhong's approaching sword, a wisp of black mist burst forth from the woman's body. The previous sword strike had clearly left it with lingering fear, and it did not want to be subjected to a second baptism.
The possessed woman immediately collapsed to the ground, withering away instantly. The others on stage screamed and scrambled off the stage.
Just as it was about to crash into the crowd and escape into someone else's body again, Gu Zhong intercepted it with the fastest speed he had ever used.
To her surprise, a barrier seemed to have appeared in front of the demon, making it difficult for it to advance any further.
It immediately changed direction and fled in other directions, but kept hitting obstacles—it was trapped.
Gu Zhong looked up and saw Chu Cheng's golden seal shimmering with golden light at the top, and the area covered by the golden light was the prison.
Looking at the golden seal, Gu Zhong's eyes filled with endless joy. Her gaze towards Chu Cheng suddenly became much more amiable.
The enormous golden seal slowly pressed downwards, while the black mist bumped around within a limited area, its speed and frequency increasing as it desperately tried to find an exit.
If it were a person, they would probably have been battered and bruised, but considering the golden seal's destructive power against demons, the pain would likely be even greater.
"Please take heed!"
As the demons charged desperately, the golden seal trembled slightly, and Chu Cheng shouted from upstairs.
—Although Chu Cheng's golden seal has the power to restrain and kill demons, it is ultimately only a means of control. If the demons struggle desperately, Chu Cheng will find it difficult to control the golden seal again.
The current situation is probably the limit for Chu City.
That's enough.
Seeing this, Gu Zhong stopped watching and immediately unleashed a sword, completely annihilating the black mist.
The demon left behind a final, piercing scream, and as the black mist dissipated, it shook many objects from mid-air.
There was a woman's sachet, a handkerchief stained with blood, a hairpin carved with peach blossoms, and—a purse embroidered with two women.
I don't know why this demon left these things behind. But now, they are a final memorial to the departed.
Gu Zhong stepped forward, picked up the purse, and sighed deeply.
Lingyan and Chucheng came to her side.
"We should go."
Looking around at the still terrified crowd, the commotion tonight was so huge that even if the dead demons hadn't sent out their message, it would still attract soldiers and officials. The government and the Imperial Preceptor's residence were practically the same place.
"Please pass this on to Miss Rain."
Gu Zhong handed the purse in his hand to Miss Lin, who was sandwiched in the crowd. Perhaps she was the only one here who cared about Miss Yu.
Miss Lin looked at Gu Zhong with a mixture of fear and reverence, her hands trembling as she took the purse, unable to utter a single word.
Lingyan and Chucheng stood at the door and glanced warily outside, then turned around and silently urged Gu Zhong with their eyes.
Gu Zhong sheathed his sword and strode towards the door.
She detached herself from the decadent allure of the brothel, like a sharp sword slicing through the darkness.
A disheveled guest got up from the drunken table and staggered after him.
Where are we going now?
Lingyan asked, somewhat confused.
"The Imperial Preceptor's Residence".
Gu Zhong answered decisively.
"But didn't you say it wasn't the right time yet?"
"We've arrived."
Gu Zhong glanced at Chu Cheng.
"However, we still need Mr. Chu's help with this matter."
This "sir" was probably the most sincere way Gu Zhong addressed him.
——
The men, dressed in black and red, completely blocked the flower-lined street, conducting a thorough search for what they called the wanted criminals.
However, the outcome was destined to disappoint them; their target had already left and gone back to where they had come from.
Chu Cheng stood in front of the Imperial Preceptor's mansion, raised his head, and looked at the gilded plaque with sadness and inner turmoil, murmuring softly.
"Master—do you know that the Imperial Preceptor's residence has become like this?"
"Senior Brother Chu?"
The gatekeeper looked at him strangely and called out.
Where is Senior Brother Lu?
"Some things happened tonight, and he should be handling matters at the Demon Slayer Hall right now."
Situation – Apprehending the so-called demons?
If everything matches what Gu Zhong said, is Senior Brother Lu still his senior brother now?
Or perhaps his senior brother was already different a long time ago?
With growing doubts in his heart, Chu Cheng hurried towards the Demon-Slaying Hall.
Even without his earnest request, he still insisted on getting an answer today.
"Junior Brother Chu? What's the matter so late?"
As Chu Cheng stepped onto the cold stone bricks inside the hall, Senior Brother Lu was hunched over his desk, writing furiously, seemingly overwhelmed by the daily trivialities of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
He saw Chu Cheng, glanced at him casually, and then continued with his own business.
"I heard there was another incident tonight?"
His heart pounded in his chest. Chu Cheng swallowed his question and instead asked the gatekeeper disciple what he had just said in a roundabout way.
"Yes, we've found traces of that demon and Miss Ling."
Senior Brother Lu answered casually without looking up.
"Is Gu Zhong really a demon, or someone else?"
Chu Cheng slowly climbed the steps, approaching him step by step.
Senior Brother Lu paused for a moment, and a drop of ink fell onto the paper.
"Junior Brother Chu, what makes you say that? Weren't you a witness at Qingxi Taoist Temple that day?"
He finally raised his head, squinted, and looked at Chu Cheng seriously.
"Could it be someone else?"
Chu Cheng also stared intently into his eyes, not missing a single suspicious sign.
"What's the meaning?"
Senior Brother Lu chuckled jokingly.
"Is Master really still alive? And, Senior Brother, would you dare to undress so I can take a look?"
Standing on the third step below the stage, Chu Cheng did not respond to him, but continued to press him relentlessly.
"...Junior Brother Chu, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Senior Brother Lu's face tightened, and he remained silent for a long time before looking at Chu Cheng with concern.
"Today in that red-light district, I encountered a very interesting type of demon that can possess people. However, it has a distinctive feature: the person it possesses will always have a red thread around their waist."
Chu Cheng's hands, which were behind his back, glowed with golden light, and the golden seal was already flying between his palms.