Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

The next morning, Jiang Mu arrived at the Demon-slaying Bureau and headed for the Logistics Office.

Along the way, he ran into quite a few colleagues from the Bureau.

Whether it was the ordinary Demon Slayer Envoys hurrying past or the clerks and assistants from the various halls, the looks they gave him were completely different from before.

Evidently, news of Jiang Mu going to the countryside to slay a Demon had already spread.

There was curiosity, doubt, and confusion...

But the disdain that was usually present was now largely gone.

Jiang Mu arrived at the Logistics Office and found Chief Clerk Zhou, who was in charge of resource distribution.

"Lord Zhou, the Lord Chief ordered me to come collect my identification token, this month’s resources, and also to exchange my saber."

Jiang Mu handed over his Hall Master Token.

Chief Clerk Zhou had a gaunt face and a long, three-pronged beard, appearing to be around forty years old.

Seeing Jiang Mu arrive, a warm smile spread across his face.

"Lord Jiang, please wait a moment. The Lord Chief has already given his instructions. I’ll go get your things right now."

He turned and entered the inner storeroom.

A moment later, he came out holding a tray.

First, he picked up a palm-sized white jade porcelain bottle and handed it to Jiang Mu.

"Lord Jiang, this is the Tiger and Leopard Marrow Cleansing Pill. Its medicinal properties are potent and overbearing, making it perfect for a First Realm martial artist to temper their bones and cleanse their marrow. There are ten pills in this bottle. Remember to take one every three days. Otherwise, the medicinal power will be too fierce and may damage your meridians."

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Zhou. I’ll keep it in mind."

Jiang Mu accepted the porcelain bottle.

Chief Clerk Zhou then took out a thick booklet, opened it to a specific page, and handed it to Jiang Mu.

"Lord Jiang, this is the current catalog of Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques available at our Hu State branch. Brief descriptions are included. You may choose one technique from this page to practice. Once you’ve made your selection, I will go to the storeroom and retrieve a copy for you."

Jiang Mu took the booklet and browsed it carefully.

The catalog listed over twenty different Martial Arts suitable for First and Second Realm martial artists, divided into categories like Fist and Palm, Saber and Sword, Spear and Staff, and Body Techniques.

After looking for a while, Jiang Mu pointed to a Saber Skill called "Heaven-Breaking Eight Skills" and said to Chief Clerk Zhou:

"I’ll choose this one."

’That name sounds powerful. Edgy and intense enough for me.’

’Since I’m using a saber now, it’s only natural that I should practice a more aggressive Saber Skill.’

Chief Clerk Zhou nodded and went back into the inner storeroom.

Before long, he returned with a brand-new, thread-bound booklet and handed it to Jiang Mu.

It was clearly a freshly transcribed copy.

At the same time, he took out a token and placed it in Jiang Mu’s hand.

"Lord Jiang, according to the Bureau’s regulations, all Demon Slayer Envoys who have officially stepped into the First Realm are issued an engraved identification token.

"With this token, you can exchange it for cultivation resources corresponding to your rank, consult certain case files, and even request assistance at any Demon-slaying Bureau branch in the world.

"The higher the token’s rank, the greater the authority and allotment. This is decreed by the Court—an ironclad rule."

Jiang Mu took the token.

The token felt heavy in his hand. Its surface was a dark yellow with a coarse texture, as if it had been fired from a mixture of fine sand and some other material. It faintly emitted a weak fluctuation of Spiritual Power.

Aside from a carved beast, it also bore the name Jiang Chen.

This was the most basic status symbol in the Demon Slayer Envoy system: the Sand-Carved Token.

Jiang Mu stroked the token, grinning with satisfaction.

"Starting today, I’m officially one of the ’sand-carved’."

Carrying his new saber, Jiang Mu walked out of the Logistics Office and ran right into Ran Qingshan.

The man seemed to have been waiting specifically for him.

"Sir."

Jiang Mu saluted.

Ran Qingshan chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, Xiaojiang, on becoming one of the ’sand-carved.’ Come on, there’s something I need to talk to you about."

...

They arrived at the Lord Chief’s office.

The room was simply furnished, with only a few branches of winter-blooming red plum blossoms arranged on the desk.

Ran Qingshan didn’t put on any airs. He personally poured Jiang Mu a cup of hot tea, a teasing smile on his face.

"The rumor mill says that you, the dashing Eldest Young Master Jiang, have been spending your nights in revelry, drunk in the arms of beautiful women.

"Who would have thought that you, kid, could actually be patient enough to lock yourself away and train diligently? And you actually managed to achieve something—reaching minor completion in Body Tempering. That’s worthy of congratulations."

Jiang Mu accepted the teacup with both hands, his expression solemn as he said humbly:

"You praise me too much, Sir. Now that I have joined the Demon-slaying Bureau and put on this uniform, I can no longer just think about coasting by.

"My father went to great lengths to secure this path for me before he passed, hoping I would make something of myself. I must naturally do my utmost not to betray my late father’s wishes, and I dare not fail to live up to your guidance and expectations, Sir."

A flash of admiration appeared in Ran Qingshan’s eyes, and he nodded.

"It’s good that you have this resolve and ambition. I believe your parents’ spirits in heaven will also be gratified. Keep up the good work; your future is boundless."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Sir."

Jiang Mu knew Ran Qingshan hadn’t summoned him just for idle chat and encouragement, so he steered the conversation to the main topic. "Sir, what exactly was the situation with Elder Wu yesterday?"

The smile on Ran Qingshan’s face gradually faded.

He gently stroked the rim of his teacup and sighed.

"According to the testimony of his mother, Granny Yuan, Elder Wu’s youngest son was gravely ill. He took a lot of medicine, but there was no improvement.

"Elder Wu heard about a folk remedy from somewhere—that a ’Blood Ganoderma’ that could cure all illnesses grew deep in the mountains. He ignored everyone’s advice and went to look for it alone.

"But after he left, he was missing for several days. He only returned home three days ago.

"When he came back, something was wrong with him. His whole body was burning up, and he was coughing up black blood. His mother had seen a Demon before, so she had a good idea of what was happening, but she didn’t dare report it to the authorities, afraid of alerting us."

Ran Qingshan shook his head and said helplessly,

"So she tied Elder Wu up in the kitchen and secretly went to a Daoist temple to ask for some Talismanic Water, which she forced him to drink, hoping it would drive out the evil spirit. You saw what happened after that."

At this, Ran Qingshan glanced at Jiang Mu with some relief: