My Core is the Boss

The mountain was high and the forest stretched deep. The ancient temple stood atop the peak, half-hidden among the clouds. The mellow tolling of a bell occasionally drifted through the air, making the place seem like a paradise on earth. In fact, that was how anyone from Zhenyang City would have described the place three years ago.

Now, bones paved each step, blood staining every inch of it. At their wits’ end, the men tried to escape the city, but demons hunted them down on the steps. Within the ancient temple, weeds grew wildly and thorns covered the ground.

An old monk sat withered before a Buddha statue, his eyes closed as he chanted scriptures.

Tap, tap.

Footsteps echoed, unusually loud in the great hall.

Though he stopped chanting, the abbot’s eyes remained shut. "For what reason do you come, honored guests?"

Merely by listening to the difference in footsteps, he knew these were neither his disciples nor demons.

Qi Yuan looked calmly at the abbot. "I am Qi Yuan of the Demon-Slaying Bureau. I have come here to ask you something."

The abbot's legs appeared to be paralyzed, and his cultivation had reached the peak of Qi Blood realm. Qi Yuan estimated that if not for his leg condition, he would likely already have reached the Jade Blood realm.

The abbot remained composed, showing no fear despite Qi Yuan's affiliation. "What matter brings you here, benefactor?"

Qi Yuan wasted no words. "I want to know the Flower Demon Manluo's location."

The once-calm abbot showed a trace of pain. "She is in Fenghua Cave."

Qi Yuan studied him. "Your heartbeat tells me you're not lying, but this statement is false."

The abbot's heartbeat and micro-expressions suggested honesty, yet Qi Yuan's nose indicated deception.

The abbot stared at Qi Yuan in surprise. "You are rather unusual."

Qi Yuan said impatiently, "Whether I'm unusual isn't important. Give me the correct answer."

The abbot repeated, "The person you seek is in Fenghua Cave."

This time, Qi Yuan's nose did not react.

He showed an intrigued expression. "Interesting. This time it's true. 'The Flower Demon Manluo is in Fenghua Cave' is false, but 'the person I seek is in Fenghua Cave' is true. So that means... ah, I'd have to use my brain. Never mind. That's enough thinking."

The task sounded complicated but in reality, it wasn't hard. Just soul-search all the enemies, and the truth would become clear. It was much faster and more accurate than guessing.

The abbot said with deep helplessness, "If you have come to eliminate demons, please spare her life. She has suffered since birth. Those she killed deserved death."

According to the magistrate, the flower demon Manluo had been raised by the abbot like his own daughter.

Qi Yuan nodded politely. "Thanks for the information. I'll remember that."

He was still courteous. Asking for things was one thing, but gratitude was necessary. He soon vanished.

In the empty hall, only the abbot remained. Looking at the hall, he seemed to see a young man and woman embracing beneath the Buddha statue. He also seemed to see the tearful pleas of Old Master Tong and his wife. The paths of humans and demons were never meant to converge.

He murmured, "Parents who love their child plan for the long term."

***

Within Shuyao Mountain, the terrain was steep and treacherous, filled with cliffs and ravines. Led by Huo Mushi, the group moved along a narrow mountain path. The road was rough, riddled with thorns.

Suddenly, Qi Yuan stopped. "Bodyguard, your turn."

Inside a cave ahead, two rogue demons were sound asleep.

Huo Mushi had brought the group to hunt such lesser demons. After all, if they barged into a demon camp, even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.

Yang Guang roared in a booming voice, "Little brother, relax and enjoy your melon. I'll be back in a moment!"

Having agreed to protect Qi Yuan, he kept his word. As long as Qi Yuan got enough demon essence blood, Yang Guang would gain entry credentials to the Genius Alliance. It was well worth it.

Qi Yuan sat on a large rock and ate a watermelon. "Quick in, quick out."

He had taken the watermelon from a field. According to their estimation, the demons planted it, so they confiscated the “illicit goods.” The only regret was that the owner wasn’t around, or they could have obtained demon essence blood while at it.

Qi Yuan sat cross-legged, relaxed. Huo Mushi and three constables stood nearby, holding watermelons. Their pockets were filled with seeds they intended to plant back in the city.

Huo Mushi asked nervously, "Lord Qi, isn't it dangerous to let Lord Yang go alone? There are two pig demons inside and they are both late-stage Qi Blood realm!"

Late-stage Qi Blood demons already held positions in demon camps. Huo Mushi had assumed all of them would attack together.

Qi Yuan spat out seeds. "Relax. Yang Guang must be strong, or he wouldn't volunteer as my bodyguard. Small issue."

Huo Mushi was still uneasy.

Time passed.

Qi Yuan finished his watermelon and stared at the rind. "There's no trash can here. Where do I throw this?"

He had good habits, and that included not littering. If someone slipped on watermelon rinds and got hurt, he would have to pay compensation.

Huo Mushi blinked. The concerns of a capital person are so unusual...

An Qiao said, "It's fine. Besides demons, hardly anyone comes here. Even if someone slips, it'll be a demon."

Qi Yuan tossed the rind aside. "Good point."

At that moment, footsteps approached, and Yang Guang’s gruff voice could be heard. "Brother Qi, the two pig demons are dead. Is the essence blood enough?"

He returned while carrying a wild boar in each hand. Each boar weighed several hundred pounds.

Huo Mushi and the others' eyes lit up. So fierce! Did he just kill two late-stage demons in the time it took to eat a watermelon?!

Qi Yuan waved his hand, collecting a hundred drops of essence blood. "Not enough."

"No problem. There's still time. I'll go kill more," Yang Guang said, not even out of breath. "I keep my word!"

He actually felt a bit guilty as this deal benefited him too much. Qi Yuan, newly at the Jade Blood realm, couldn't possibly use that much essence. Meanwhile, the Genius Alliance credential was priceless.

Qi Yuan praised, "I trust your character. Good work."

Yang Guang tossed the boar corpses to the ground. "Take these back as food!"

Huo Mushi swallowed. Nearly a thousand pounds of meat! The people in the city could finally eat well!

The constables quickly lifted the carcasses.

Yang Guang said confidently, "Huo Mushi, lead the way. This time, find something stronger!"

There was a reason why he chose to hunt early-stage Jade Blood demons instead of late-stage Qi Blood ones. He wanted to demonstrate his strength. He wanted to tell Qi Yuan, “See? With me as your bodyguard, you can rest easily.”

More importantly, Qi Yuan could easily kill late-stage Qi Blood demons. If he didn't take down early-stage Jade Blood ones, wouldn't that make him seem useless?

It was like a department with only one employee. Yang Guang wouldn't dare take leave because once he did, the boss would realize the department functioned just fine without him.