Chapter 26: The Demon Hunter Yue Wenying

Blades and spears clashed.
Almost at the same moment, both of them thought to themselves, “What tremendous strength.”
Immediately, they each retreated half a step, facing each other across the empty space.
Yue Wenying cast a glance at the iron spear in the gray-dressed maiden’s hand and sensed the faint flow of power within her.
“As an Other, do you too wish to consort with demons?”
Bai Xian’s gaze flickered toward He Shan in the pavilion, her lips moving slightly as she uttered just two words:
“Proof.”
By this time, Yang Xian, having regained his composure, was already standing by Bai Xian’s side, spear in hand. The two long spears formed a defensive angle, pointing toward the demon catcher.
If this demon catcher’s target had been only He Shan, Bai Xian might not even have blinked, for the Dragon-Slaying Sword had warned her last night that this man was trouble.
But since he’d attacked Yang Xian, Bai Xian could not simply stand by.
Yue Wenying’s face darkened.
He truly had no evidence to prove that the other was a monster; all his firm assertions amounted to nothing more than an instinct honed from years of dealing with demons and ghosts.
Though that sixth sense had allowed him to escape many mortal dangers, it was hardly convincing to others.
By habit, when faced with such dilemmas, he would usually kill first and explain later.
But today, these two people...
The man, for one, was clearly no ordinary fellow—his spear play was masterful, calm and unflinching, the bearing of one seasoned by countless battles. Though he knew no magic, he was not one to be trifled with.
And the striking young woman in the gray dress—her strength was such that she’d nearly disarmed him with a single blow.
Though his skills went beyond mere swordplay, she too was an Other; if it came to a true fight, he would have to put forth considerable effort.
And then there was the one lying in the pavilion.
He could sense a demonic aura, yet it held little danger—likely a minor threat, not worth undue attention.
With this in mind, Yue Wenying slowly lowered his blade.
“Then what do you propose we do?”
Inside the pavilion, the two also lowered their spears.
“I see you’re headed toward Jinjiang County as well,” Bai Xian paused, then continued, “Why don’t we travel together? Once we reach the county, we’ll turn He Shan over to the authorities. A few days in custody will reveal his true nature, be he man or monster.”
The demon catcher turned away, unstrapping the saddle and a large bundle from his fine steed, then handed the horse a handful of dry beans.
“As you wish.”
With that, he sat grandly by their campfire, utterly unguarded.
“Have you any food? I’ve been on the road for days—my rations and water are all gone.”
Bai Xian found this man amusing.
Only a moment ago they’d been crossing weapons, and now here he was, sitting empty-handed on the ground, even asking for a bite to eat.
“There is food—but do you dare eat it?”

The demon catcher caught the compressed biscuit Bai Xian tossed over.
“Why wouldn’t I?” he said, taking a large bite. “My name is Yue Wenying, a Demon Catcher of the Bronze Bell rank from the Office of Enforcement.”
“Yang Xian, bodyguard of the Shunfeng Escort Agency.”
“Bai Xian... just passing through.” Bai Xian settled across from him. “What is a Bronze Bell Demon Catcher?”
Yue Wenying unfastened a bronze bell from his belt, not bothering to conceal anything.
“We demon catchers are ranked gold, silver, and bronze—I am of the bronze bell.”
After all this commotion, the moon had risen high and it was well past midnight.
Knowing they still had a full day’s journey ahead, the three exchanged no further words, each clutching their weapons as they drifted into deep sleep.
The night passed peacefully.
The next day.
Four horses trotted down the narrow path, and Yue Wenying had to rein in his pace, lest his warhorse outstrip the pack animals.
A half-day’s journey for a blood-sweat steed stretched into a full day’s travel for the group.
But they managed to arrive outside Jinjiang County just before sunset.
In the distance, the city walls and high towers came into view.
The dull gray bricks exuded an air of desolation; there was no sign of bustling lights or thriving prosperity, only crowds of gaunt refugees clustered outside the walls.
Their glazed eyes watched as the four riders pressed through the mass toward the city gate.
The weapons and burly men on horseback quickly stifled any hint of unrest in those looks.
“It’s only been five days—how are there so many more refugees?”
Yang Xian gripped his spear, his face full of disbelief.
Five days earlier, he’d left Jinjiang County with the escort team; back then, peddlers still lined the roads, and only a few beggars lingered by the wayside.
Now, the refugees outside the city numbered in the thousands.
Though the crowd was less than ten thousand, the county’s population barely exceeded forty thousand, with just over ten thousand households.
If the refugees—nearly a quarter of the city’s population—were let in, Jinjiang County would be overrun.
Thus, the city gates remained firmly shut, leaving the refugees to camp outside.
“There’s fighting in the east—these people must be fleeing the war.”
“War?”
The human race was in decline, monsters rampant.
That anyone would wage war at such a time was beyond comprehension.
At the mention of fighting in the east, Yang Xian’s expression shifted, knuckles turning white around his spear.
Yue Wenying replied, “Who says war is only between humans?”
Bai Xian started, realizing the “war” referred to the army’s campaign against monsters.
“You’re here for this as well?”
Yue Wenying shook his head, then nodded.

“Battles with monsters fall to the Demon-Slaying Captains of the Office of Enforcement. I’m a demon catcher from the Demon Suppression Tower. We demon catchers roam far and wide, hunting monsters at the decree of the court—but I do plan to take a look at the situation.”
To follow the decree but not the command meant demon catchers obeyed the Office’s orders, never shirking from eliminating monsters, but their methods and habits were beyond the Office’s control.
Some demon catchers, in purging evil, even caused collateral damage among innocents.
Yet only the most formidable warriors became demon catchers—without them, monsters would run more rampant still.
As for why demon catchers did not fight on the battlefield, it was because armies in war numbered in the tens of thousands.
No matter how strong, a demon catcher thrown into such chaos was like a lone boat on stormy seas—disaster was but a moment’s inattention away.
Hence, even when battles worsened, the court seldom summoned demon catchers from across the land to the front lines, and largely tolerated their unruly ways.
“Miss Bai, be careful. Don’t let compassion lead you to help these refugees at will—the court will have relief stations set up in Jinjiang.”
“I understand.”
Bai Xian was no fool.
She knew that even if she emptied all the food from her “little treasury,” it would do little more than a drop in the ocean, and might even provoke a riot among the desperate.
If she tried to help only the women with children, it would bring them even greater harm.
Yue Wenying’s gaze flickered as he looked at Bai Xian.
This woman was not like ordinary girls, soft-hearted and indecisive.
And so, the four of them approached the county city without incident.
The gates were closed tight, soldiers on the towers nocking arrows, watching the riders with wary eyes.
“I am Yang Xian of the Shunfeng Escort Agency. Which officer is on duty today? Please, let us in—Shunfeng will see you well rewarded.”
The Shunfeng Escort Agency was a known power in Jinjiang County.
Any other day, their name would have opened the gates at once.
But these were not ordinary times—the county captain had ordered that no one open the gates without his command.
Yang Xian’s shouts were met only with silence.
The soldiers on the wall acted as if they hadn’t heard a thing.
A snort of laughter sounded behind, as Yue Wenying rode forward, tossing a token up onto the wall.
“For your captain of the guard.”
The soldier hesitated briefly, then took the token and hurried down the wall.
Soon after, the gate creaked open just wide enough to admit the group.
“Your humble servant greets you, sir. We didn’t know the Captain was visiting—please forgive us.”
The Office of Enforcement held independent authority in the imperial court, but both its captains and demon catchers also held military rank, most at the third degree or higher, with command over local armed forces.