Chapter 277: The Foolish Pig Demon’s Incompetence

Bai Ziqiu had left behind that faceless mask, along with that big bundle of odds and ends. He left them all in the valley.

Chen Changsheng carried the large bundle to the Demon Market. After setting it down on the ground, he sat quietly beside it.

Qing Tianyou sat down beside him, asking, “Are you going to sell all this stuff?”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, then said, “Originally, I thought about burning it. But then, I figured it’s better to help him sell it. Who knows how many years he’d been setting up this stall just to end up with these worthless things.”

Qing Tianyou glanced over the items on the stall and remarked, “There are some interesting bits here.”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Just little trinkets from the Mortal World.”

Since there was nothing else to do, filling the time was better than sitting idle. He didn’t really care if anything sold.

Chen Changsheng sat by the stall. After a long while, he rested his chin in his hand and dozed off.

He really couldn’t understand how Bai Ziqiu had endured such agonizing years.

Gou’er had not been in the Demon Realm long before he was caught.

For someone to foolishly enter these mountains, that outcome was inevitable. Before, he’d had the protection of the white fox, but that was different now.

These were crucial times in the Demon Realm.

It was nearly impossible for a human to sneak inside.

Gou’er had chosen a more secluded path, but trouble found him halfway.

The one who caught him was a pig demon.

Zhu Wuneng giggled, holding the unconscious boy. “Tender meat. The Great King will surely like this.”

He shuffled back to his hiding place.

The Toad Demon King blinked in surprise when he saw the pig demon carry in a human.

“Why did you bring back a human?” the Toad Demon King asked.

Zhu Wuneng explained, “Great King, I found this child on the path. Tender meat. Very nourishing.”

The Toad Demon King furrowed his brows and grabbed the unconscious Gou’er.

“A Cultivator from the Divine Domain.”

Zhu Wuneng’s eyes lit up. “Even better!”

The Toad Demon King laughed dryly. “Right, right. This king will devour him now.”

He opened his blood-filled maw wide, ready to swallow Gou’er whole.

But he hesitated. His eyes shifted to Zhu Wuneng beside him.

Zhu Wuneng asked, “What’s wrong, Great King?”

The Toad Demon King lowered Gou’er with a sigh. “This king reached the Eighth Realm long ago. Eating this child wouldn’t do any good. Since you caught him, he’s your reward.”

Zhu Wuneng shook his head frantically. “No, no, Great King. This old pig, he… I…”

“Just eat him! Stop blabbering!” snapped the Toad Demon King.

Zhu Wuneng dropped to his knees, kowtowing so hard the thuds echoed. “This old pig thanks the Great King for his generosity.”

The Toad Demon King grinned. “Out of all the thousands of demons on the Ninth Peak, you’re the only one still willing to follow this king. Now I truly see how cold the world had become. Ah…”

Tears welled up in Zhu Wuneng’s eyes. “Please, Great King, don’t say such things. This old pig has no skills. He relies on the Great King for his meals.”

“You have a kind heart,” said the Toad Demon King. “When this king rises again, the entire Thirty-Six Caves will tremble beneath my grasp!”

“Then, this king shall grant you your own mountain. All the glory you could want.”

Zhu Wuneng spoke quickly, “Great King, this old pig has no talent. Being a Mountain Lord? He couldn’t handle it. I’d rather just follow you.”

The Toad Demon King let out a bark of laughter, waving his hand dismissively. “Enough.”

“This king must go back into seclusion for several days. Stay out of sight. The whole Demon Realm is hunting us. Be careful.”

Zhu Wuneng wiped his tears. “Yes, Great King. Great King, you be careful too! Call if you need anything! This old pig will shield you with his own body. I wouldn’t hesitate to die a thousand deaths!”

He picked up Gou’er and scurried off, not wanting to bother the Great King further.

Left alone in the cave, the Toad Demon King sneered to himself.

“That pig demon is very foolish.”

He believed whatever he was told.

The Toad Demon King hadn’t kept Zhu Wuneng around out of appreciation. These were perilous times, and extra eyes and ears were necessary. Once things settled, the dim-witted pig demon would be useless.

And yet, there Zhu Wuneng was, still faithfully serving the Toad Demon King.

Carrying Gou’er outside the cave, Zhu Wuneng looked at the boy in his grip. “The Great King is very kind…”

But Zhu Wuneng did not eat Gou’er.

To the pig demon, this was a gift from his Great King. But since he was only a Fifth Realm monster, eating the boy wouldn’t help him much. Better save it for when the Great King might need it.

Such was this foolish demon, loyal only to his king.

Gou’er’s head throbbed as he woke up. The first thing he saw was the round, hairy head of a pig demon.

He lay there, tied up tight. A rag was stuffed in his mouth, leaving him only able to make muffled noises.

Zhu Wuneng grunted. “Stop squirming. Once the Great King finishes his seclusion, I’ll cook you into soup as an offering to him.”

Gou’er’s eyes went wide. His thrashing renewed with desperate intensity.

Lightly humming to himself, Zhu Wuneng kept watch near the cave entrance, his little legs swinging as he scanned the area.

Gou’er struggled helplessly for what felt like forever. Frustration mixed with fear in his eyes. But he was powerless.

The Demon Realm gradually calmed from its earlier chaos.

The remaining twenty-two peaks saw no further disturbances. Previously rebellious Demon Kings wisely kept themselves quiet, tails firmly tucked.

It took effort, but Tu Hu finally managed a moment of rest.

Yet one worry still gnawed at him.

The Toad Demon King had vanished without a trace.

Tu Hu still didn’t know whether the Toad Demon King still had the support of the Heavenly Dao. If yes, it would be a terrible problem.

He sent numerous demons searching repeatedly. Still, nothing.

“The Demon Realm isn’t that big. How could he not be found?”

Tu Hu frowned. He personally patrolled the realm once more but found absolutely nothing.

Though he didn’t locate the toad demon, another familiar face did catch his attention: among the stalls of the Demon Market.

Chen Changsheng was dozing when someone’s shadow blocked the light above him.

He looked up to see Tu Hu standing before him.

Chen Changsheng asked, “What brings you outside the Demon Realm?”

Tu Hu countered, “I could ask you the same. Why are you setting up shop here?”

Chen Changsheng waved a dismissive hand. “Just killing time.”

Qing Tianyou, seated beside him, had woken up. He cupped his hands respectfully. “Greetings, Mountain Lord.”

Tu Hu studied him. “You’re Qing Tianyou. I’ve heard about you. He went to considerable lengths to help you.”

Qing Tianyou looked at Chen Changsheng.

Chen Changsheng just shook his head. “An old matter. Are you here for something?”

“Nothing too urgent…”

Tu Hu sighed. “I’m hunting that toad demon. Can’t pin down his hideout. Just happened to find you here instead.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a second. “That might not be such trouble. Find me something he used. I might be able to find him.”

“Really?”

“Just maybe.”

Chen Changsheng let out a drowsy yawn. “After all, I remain an outsider. Certain matters… I can’t always promise results.”