Why Is The Demon Lord Unhappy? - Chapter 1

It was night.

The sky was clear, the moon resting obliquely on the roof beam against the clouds.

Strangely enough, despite such weather, a mist rose in the night. The faint purple mist drifted quietly between the burning incense and precious cauldrons. The orange lanterns hanging in the long corridor cast a warm, flowing light on the ground due to the mist.

Outside the main hall, three thousand cultivators were still kneeling.

Looking out, the vast square was packed with kneeling figures, many of whom were Venerables in the Nascent Soul stage. Though kneeling, their sense of dominance was overwhelming.

The low-ranking monks in the monastery dared not approach this area at all, and the sweeping had been suspended for several days.

The elders of the monastery had tried to persuade these cultivators several times, but to no avail; they refused to leave.

Towards the rear of the crowd, two figures sneakily blended in. The taller one immediately squatted at the very end of the line, her hem resting on her knees. Relying on the deep night and her dark attire, she managed to slip through undetected.

The girl following her watched in astonishment. She already had a pair of round, almond-shaped eyes, and this surprise made them even brighter and larger, glistening like a clear spring, with a pure, bright light seemingly fallen from the moon.

She opened her mouth to say something but was stopped.

The girl thought for a moment and then reluctantly squatted down with her.

The first woman to squat down was not idle. With slight movements, she looked around, then whispered to a cultivator kneeling not far away: “Fellow Daoist…”

The person she called was a male cultivator, who initially did not want to pay attention to others in such a solemn setting. However, he inadvertently looked up and paused significantly.

Appearing before him was a female cultivator, estimated to be at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Her appearance was exceptionally striking, like a crimson poppy intensely blooming in the night, or a momentary burst of fireworks. A beauty of unrestrained artistry, it struck his eyes like a flash of light suddenly appearing from deep darkness.

Her skin was extremely pale, like unshattered snow, but her lips were scarlet, as if she survived by drinking bl00d. The most impressive feature was probably the gorgeous red shadow at the slightly upturned corner of her eye, wildly flamboyant like the spread wings of a phoenix.

He seemed to smell a rich fragrance, feeling slightly drunk without having touched wine, and disoriented without having run.

The male cultivator was momentarily stunned before regaining his senses. He lightly coughed to ease the awkwardness, glanced around with his peripheral vision, and seeing no one had noticed his lapse, he softened his expression.

In such an occasion, many cultivators were doing their utmost to appear humble, and no one used spiritual power here. Even the elders refrained from using their divine sense to probe the surroundings, which was why the two women successfully mingled with the crowd.

The male cultivator did not answer directly but transmitted his divine sense: “What is it, Fellow Daoist?”

This was safer, preventing them from being too conspicuous in the crowd.

Hearing the transmission, Gu Jingmo slightly curled her lips and also replied via transmission: “Excuse me, what are you kneeling for?”

The male cultivator was taken aback by the question and couldn’t help but frown: “If you don’t even know the reason, why are you here?”

“I came to the monastery to…” Gu Jingmo thought for a moment, knowing she couldn’t tell him she was there to capture a monk for dual cultivation. After some thought, she answered, “I came to the monastery to pray for a good marriage. When I entered, I saw so many cultivators kneeling, I thought it was some grand sacrificial ceremony, so I joined in the kneeling.”

The male cultivator scanned her again, seemingly doubtful. After pondering for a moment, he replied: “Then you’d better stay away.”

“Why?”

“We are petitioning the Ancestor to leave seclusion and eliminate a demon.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingmo understood. She looked at the kneeling crowd again and asked: “Are you pleading with the Daoist Ancestor, the Heavenly Venerable Jiajing?”

“Yes.”

The Heavenly Venerable Jiajing’s story was known throughout the cultivation world to be peculiar.

Although his age had long exceeded his lifespan limit, he had never perished nor ascended through tribulation, only because he was trapped by an inner demon. This ability to surpass his lifespan limit had already earned him the status of a legend in the cultivation world.

To smoothly overcome his inner demon and successfully ascend, he came to Qingyou Temple to study Buddhist Dharma and cultivate inner peace.

These cultivators, having come to Qingyou Temple, were naturally pleading with the Ancestor, the Heavenly Venerable Jiajing.

Gu Jingmo asked again: “May I ask if the demon to be eliminated is one of the Three Demons or the Seven Ghosts?”

Those who opposed Daoism and Buddhism and were referred to as demons were inevitably cultivators from the Demonic Sect.

Among them, the Demonic Sect was most famous for the Ten Demon Cultivators: the Three Demons and the Seven Ghosts. The person who could cause so many cultivators to kneel and petition the Ancestor to leave seclusion must be a difficult figure.

“It is the current Demon Venerable, Silver Bell Bl00d Sacrifice Gu Jingmo.”

Gu Jingmo, the last of the Three Demons, was the female devil who became famous the latest in the Demonic Sect but was the earliest to commit monstrous crimes and be full of wickedness.

In merely over two hundred years, she had already advanced to the Soul Transformation stage. Her natural talent and the ruthlessness of her combat skills made the entire cultivation world terrified.

Furthermore, she had become the Demon Venerable of the Demonic Sect at a young age.

Hearing her own name, Gu Jingmo was not flustered. Instead, she let out a sigh of relief, then chuckled flatly: “That person should indeed be killed.”

At the mention of this, the male cultivator was even more indignant: “Having committed so many evils, she must die!”

“You’re right,” Gu Jingmo actually agreed and nodded repeatedly.

Having gotten her answer, she intended to leave. It was then that a Nascent Soul stage Venerable suddenly spoke aloud: “The Demonic Sect cultivator Gu Jingmo has five major crimes, and her other murders are countless. She is black-hearted, vicious, and tyrannical. The entire cultivation world cannot tolerate her. Venerable Xiuzhu of the Yinchen Pavilion also perished at Gu Jingmo’s hands not long ago. If she is left unchecked, more cultivators from renowned righteous sects will likely die by her hand. We implore the Ancestor to leave seclusion and eliminate the demon for the Dao!”

This voice, amplified by spiritual power and full of strength, traveled far, echoing between the deep valley and the monastery. The Heavenly Venerable Jiajing would surely hear it clearly.

After the transmission, the entire place fell silent. All the cultivators nervously awaited the Ancestor’s response.

The Heavenly Venerable Jiajing was the cultivator with the highest cultivation level in the current cultivation world, at the peak of the Soul Transformation stage, closest to the realm of ascension.

The oldest in age, highest in seniority, and deepest in cultivation.

In front of him, even the sect leaders of the major factions dared not act rashly. They could only kneel properly, waiting for a response.

The girl beside Gu Jingmo was stunned when she heard what the Nascent Soul stage Venerable said. Realizing the meaning, she immediately became indignant but was restrained by Gu Jingmo’s hand, preventing any action, though her expression was full of resentment.

Gu Jingmo, however, was more alert than her.

After the transmission ended, Gu Jingmo shuddered all over, as if a cold wind had swept past her face, causing her forelock to sway slightly.

In just a moment, she returned to calm.

Something seemed to have happened, yet it also seemed to be just a cold wind.

Nevertheless, Gu Jingmo’s inner vigilance did not diminish, and she had the intention to leave.

Just then, a man’s voice suddenly came from the mountain, cool and clear, like thousands of years of accumulated ice, carrying a bone-chilling coldness: “What concern is your life or death to me?”

This cold remark, even with the slight diffusion of the transmission echoing through the valley, was surprisingly pleasant to the ear.

The three thousand kneeling cultivators instantly burst into an uproar.

They had been kneeling for over a month, and the first reply they received from the Heavenly Venerable Jiajing was this answer?

Could the Heavenly Venerable Jiajing truly be as the rumors described?

They had thought that after centuries of secluded cultivation at Qingyou Temple, the Heavenly Venerable Jiajing might have changed his temperament somewhat. Why was he still the same as before?

What… should they do now?

Gu Jingmo slowly stood up, supporting the girl beside her. Taking advantage of the chaos, she quickly led her away, simultaneously transmitting: “Huang Tao, follow me.”

The two of them seemed to have low cultivation levels, but their movement technique was extremely strange. They came and left unnoticed by others, no one perceiving their presence.

Gu Jingmo rushed away with Huang Tao and stopped in a secluded spot.

Qingyou Temple was filled with straight green pines. Occasionally, other trees stood tall, and looking out, everything was verdant green.

In the mountains, glimmering glazed tiles and boundless moonlit scenery could be vaguely seen. The two women stood in the forest, adding a splash of brilliance to the deep green landscape of Qingyou Temple.

Huang Tao confirmed there was no one else around before tearfully saying: “Daoist Xiuzhu was not…”

Gu Jingmo didn’t seem to care. She stretched lazily, found a random tree, and leaped up, leaning against the trunk in a relaxed manner as she answered: “What does the truth matter? Will they believe it if it’s told?”

Huang Tao was still very displeased, clenching her fists. Her slightly fleshy fists looked like two small steamed buns, completely lacking in deterrent power: “Begging Daoist Jiajing to leave seclusion, do they truly think Daoist Jiajing will be your match?”

“That old man Jiajing has profound cultivation and might be able to contend with me a little. If I weren’t injured, it would be fine, but now that I have injuries, it would indeed be tricky if that old man Jiajing truly leaves seclusion.”

Huang Tao finally remembered the important matter: “I thought the entire cultivation world knew you were here to capture a monk for dual cultivation, and that’s why so many cultivators were dispatched to protect the monks of Qingyou Temple. Turns out they just want to kill you. I’m relieved then.”

Gu Jingmo leaned against the tree trunk, her body seeming boneless. One arm hung down, like a cat extending its paw.

Initially, she didn’t think there was anything wrong with Huang Tao’s words and nodded in agreement, then she paused.

What did she mean by, she was relieved they just wanted to kill her?

In the end, Gu Jingmo just chuckled a few times, then sighed: “I’d be a little shy about capturing a monk in front of so many people. Let’s just stake out here for a lone one.”

“Okay! I’ll keep watch for you,” Huang Tao immediately became excited.

Since following Gu Jingmo, what hasn’t Huang Tao done?

When Gu Jingmo murdered and set fires, she cheered. When Gu Jingmo performed acts of chivalry, she cheered. When Gu Jingmo abducted monks as cauldrons, she naturally applauded.

In short, whatever Gu Jingmo did was right.

Gu Jingmo helplessly waved her hand: “No one will come if you stand there openly. Come here, hide.”

“Oh, oh, oh!” Huang Tao quickly hid behind the tree, peeking out nervously.

Time passed quickly.

As dawn broke, a fine, misty rain began to fall. The raindrops wove a slanted net, stretched long in the air.

Gu Jingmo lightly tapped her finger, setting up a barrier that shielded her and Huang Tao. She also changed her posture, hanging onto the tree trunk as if she had no bones. Her dark robe gently drooped, swaying slightly in the wind.

Huang Tao leaned on the tree trunk, straining her eyes. She finally saw a monk fetching water in the morning and excitedly transmitted to Gu Jingmo: “Demon Venerable, Demon Venerable, there’s a monk!”

“Not him, too fat.”

After waiting a while, Huang Tao asked again: “Demon Venerable, Demon Venerable, what about this one?”

“Too short.”

“Why are you so picky about a mere medicine cauldron?”

“Well, I’ll have to use him for a while, so I need to find someone pleasing to the eye.”

“Demon Venerable, Demon Venerable, here comes another one.”

A monk dressed in a silver-gray cassock approached from a distance. He held an oil-paper umbrella, the surface of which was adorned with a smoke blue cloud and bamboo forest pattern.

The clear rain dotted the green screen, dripping onto the umbrella’s surface like blooming transparent flowers, diffusing a hazy mist that gently surrounded the person.

The person in the misty rain walked unhurriedly, their steps seemingly specially trained, each one correct, with perfectly consistent stride length.

The fingers holding the umbrella looked as if they had lost bl00d, possessing a strange pallor. As the umbrella moved up, a face of unmatched handsomeness was revealed.

It turned out that someone truly could embody the phrases “immortal-like, dignified and majestic.”

A pair of sword-like eyebrows, bright, starlit eyes. His eyes seemed like greedy taotie, absorbing the vast starry sky and all the beautiful stones in the world; otherwise, how could they be so brilliant? A straight nose and thin lips, clean and cold, as if untouched by wind and snow or the smoke of human life.

He walked out of the misty rain, holding the umbrella, with the scenery of pine wind and water-moon behind him, and the curved path of blue stone beneath his feet.

Like a fleeting dream, inviting three thousand gentle breezes.

Gu Jingmo gazed at him for a long time, feeling her spirit sway.

She transmitted to Huang Tao: “He’s the one.”