Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

’Foretelling danger...’

Jiang Mu murmured to himself, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

’Although it doesn’t sound as direct or domineering as an offensive Divine Ability, in a world fraught with crisis, it’s a life-saving skill.’

’With this thing, I wouldn’t have fallen directly into the Zombie Queen’s trap before.’

’A pity it can only be used once a day.’

’But it is a Divine Ability that comes with an Earth Demon Level Star Position, so I can’t expect it to be too powerful. All in all, it’s still very useful.’

Besides, pairing this Divine Ability with his Demon Shadow and Instant Teleportation was like adding wings to a tiger.

’If I want to plot against someone in the future, I can perform a divination first. It’s a surefire win!’

As Jiang Mu was absorbed in contemplating his Star Position, a slight commotion and a few joyful whispers came from outside the door.

"Lord Jiang, Lord Xu, Master Du is awake!"

Someone ran to knock on the door.

Jiang Mu and Xu Fu, who was now awake, exchanged a look. They rose at the same time and walked toward the room where the injured were being treated.

Upon entering the small room, the scene before them made them stop in their tracks.

The just-awakened Du Yuanfei was on his knees, pounding his blood-caked fists into the ground again and again as he cried out in anguish.

Tears streamed down his face, mixing with the blood and grime.

"My brothers... I failed you! It’s my fault you’re dead!"

"I’m useless... I, Du Yuanfei, couldn’t bring you all back..."

Beside him, You Dashan also wiped away tears.

Ming Cuicui and a few young Demon Slayer Envoys looked even more dejected, their eyes red-rimmed.

Watching this strapping man in his thirties cry like a helpless child, Tang Guixin sighed softly.

As a Hall Master, she understood Du Yuanfei’s current feelings all too well.

Living day in and day out with one’s men, going through hell and back together, they had long since become more than just superiors and subordinates. They were like family.

The sudden annihilation of nearly his entire team, and the heart-rending pain and guilt that came with it, was enough to break any tough, sentimental man.

After venting for a long time, Du Yuanfei’s sobs gradually subsided.

Tang Guixin asked the others to step outside, leaving the room to the Hall Masters.

"Master Du, all we can do is look forward..." Tang Guixin comforted him in a soft voice.

Du Yuanfei’s eyes were red and swollen, his expression gaunt.

He raised his head and gave a miserable smile.

"I must be a pathetic sight to you three. To be honest, I feel very little gratitude for being rescued."

"Instead... I feel that if I had died there with my brothers, perhaps... I would feel better. At least I wouldn’t have to carry this debt and shamefully continue to live."

"That’s a load of fucking bullshit!"

The moment Xu Fu heard this, he flew into a rage, pointing at Du Yuanfei’s nose and cursing,

"Du Yuanfei! Are you a fucking man or not? So many of your brothers are dead. You’re hurting, I get it! It’s not shameful to cry! Every real man is made of flesh and blood!"

"But when you’re done crying, you wipe your tears and start thinking about how to avenge your dead brothers! You take that fury and unleash it on the demons, not sit here whining like some woman!"

"As long as you’re alive, you have a chance to chop off those bastards’ heads and honor your brothers’ spirits! If you die, you’re nothing but a goddamn fool who brings grief to his friends and joy to his enemies!"

Du Yuanfei was stunned by the tirade. His face flushed with shame, and he lowered his head, clasping his hands. "You are right to scold me, Lord Xu. I was confused and couldn’t think straight."

He straightened his spine, the despair in his eyes receding, replaced by a touch of grim resolve.

"If I do not avenge them, I am not a man!"

Seeing that his mood had shifted, Jiang Mu cut to the chase.

"Master Du, what demon were you pursuing so deep into White Deer Peak?"

Du Yuanfei’s gaze hardened, and he spat out two words: "Horse Demon."

"A Horse Demon!?"

Jiang Mu’s heart jolted. He subconsciously exchanged a look with Tang Guixin.

The image of the vanished horse instantly appeared in both their minds.

But Tang Guixin immediately shook her head.

"No. That horse... both Xiaojiang and I were close to it, and we didn’t feel the slightest fluctuation of demonic energy."

Du Yuanfei was completely baffled. He asked tentatively, "You two... you’ve seen the Horse Demon?"

Jiang Mu briefly recounted what had happened.

SLAP!

Du Yuanfei slapped his thigh, so excited he nearly jumped to his feet.

"Lord Jiang, if I’m not mistaken, the horse you were leading down the mountain must have been that Horse Demon!

"That beast can normally change its appearance to look like any ordinary horse and can even disguise its aura flawlessly.

"I don’t know if it consumed some Spirit Treasure or has some special Divine Ability, but without a Cultivation Level of the Sixth Realm or higher, it’s impossible to see that it’s a demon!

"Our Yan City Demon-slaying Bureau paid a terrible price to uncover its ability to disguise itself!"

Jiang Mu was left speechless.

’Damn it. All my life I’ve hunted geese, only to get my eye pecked out by one today.’

’I’ve slain so many demons, only to be led around by the nose by a single horse? And I even led it by the reins?’

Du Yuanfei said, grinding his teeth:

"This Horse Demon has always hated the Demon-slaying Bureau because we wiped out its clan years ago.

"During the rebellion in Yan City, the Red Umbrella Sect colluded with demons to cause chaos, and this Horse Demon took the opportunity to stir up trouble, specifically targeting and killing lone Demon Slayer Envoys.

"Because its disguise is excellent and it can blend into a herd of horses, it’s very difficult to discover. Even after the rebellion in Yan City was quelled, it remained hidden in the city. For a time, it even infiltrated our stables and became one of our mounts.

"If the new Director-in-charge hadn’t noticed something was amiss in time, I’m afraid even more of our brothers would have died."

Hearing this, Jiang Mu and Tang Guixin understood everything.

It all made sense now.

The Horse Demon’s initial target must have been Yang Tianci’s group. It planned to use that spoiled heir as bait.