Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

Demons?

Hearing Ji Hongyuan’s words, Jiang Mu didn’t show much surprise.

The Yan City Demon-slaying Bureau was as leaky as a sieve. Forget about Demons; he wouldn’t be surprised if a few pure-blooded Demons popped up.

Still, since they were nearby, he had to be on guard.

But right now, Jiang Mu had something else on his mind: an orthodox Celestial Spirit Level Star Position.

Although he was only in the initial stage of the Fourth Realm, he was boosted by the Earth Spirit Star. With his three Demon Shadows power-leveling for him day and night, it was only a matter of time before he reached the Great Perfection of the Fourth Realm.

If he didn’t have a suitable Celestial Spirit Star Position by then, he’d be stuck at a bottleneck, staring helplessly. Now that would be frustrating.

It was always better to plan ahead and prepare early.

And as it happened, he did have a lead on a Celestial Spirit Star Position.

Back in Hu State City, a few Loose Cultivators from the martial world had tried to steal his Star Position.

But one of them, an old man named Dong Wanhai, had done the opposite. He had begged Jiang Mu to help him get revenge, promising information about an easily obtainable, orthodox Celestial Spirit Star Position as a reward.

At the time, Jiang Mu hadn’t accepted, finding it too troublesome.

But thinking about it now, maybe he should go and check it out.

’Once things are settled here in Yan City, I’ll go find that old man and ask for the details.’

Jiang Mu mused to himself.

...

「The next morning.」

Jiang Mu had just finished washing up when there was a soft knock on his door.

He opened the door to see Shui Miaozheng standing there, holding a food box.

"Xiaojiang, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Aunt Shui made you something to eat."

Shui Miaozheng said gently.

The woman had changed into an apricot-colored long dress today, which was more vibrant and captivating than yesterday’s pale blue one. It made her already gentle and beautiful face seem even more radiant.

Jiang Mu froze for a moment, then quickly stepped aside to let her in. "Aunt Shui, you made this for me yourself? I’m so embarrassed..."

"What’s there to be embarrassed about?"

The woman walked into the room and placed several exquisite side dishes and a bowl of hot congee on the table. "You were so exhausted yesterday. I had nothing better to do, so what’s the big deal about making you a meal?"

Jiang Mu looked at the breakfast spread, feeling rather conflicted.

’This Water Director...’

’Isn’t she getting a little too into character?’

’Does she really see herself as my godmother?’

’Or is she just fulfilling her duty to Aunt Tang by taking care of the younger generation?’

Shui Miaozheng sat down on a wooden stool beside him.

The plush, soft flesh of her bottom spread evenly under her weight, like a pool of rich cream forming a crescent on the stool, spilling slightly over the edge before softly settling.

The woman picked up her chopsticks, served Jiang Mu some food, her eyes filled with affection. "Hurry and try it. See if it’s to your liking."

Jiang Mu had no choice but to go over and eat.

He picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks, chewed, and swallowed.

How should he put it? Her cooking was more than a notch below that of his Little Chef back home, Bai Xiang.

But it wasn’t so bad that it was inedible.

"How is it? Does it taste alright?"

Shui Miaozheng asked softly, her dewy eyes gazing at him with anticipation.

"It’s great. Really good. Delicious," Jiang Mu praised insincerely, stuffing another mouthful into his mouth.

Hearing this, Shui Miaozheng’s eyes curved into crescents and her smile grew even gentler.

"If you like it, then eat up. A young man like you is still growing; you can’t neglect yourself."

Just as she was speaking, footsteps sounded from outside the door, and Xu Fu poked his head in.

"Old Jiang, get rea—"

He stopped mid-sentence, freezing when he saw the scene inside the room.

Xu Fu’s mouth twitched as he cursed inwardly:

’This kid really is a ladies’ man! Everywhere he goes, there’s a woman taking care of him. From eighteen to eighty, he gets them all, doesn’t he?’

Jiang Mu caught Xu Fu’s strange look but paid it no mind. He asked while drinking his congee,

"You’re here so early. Did a mission come down?"

Xu Fu first greeted Shui Miaozheng before saying with a serious expression,

"Yeah, Elder Tian and the others have finalized a preliminary plan. They want us to sweep the area southeast of the city.

That area was originally the Golden Roc Demon’s territory. Although the main Demon Fiend forces withdrew after the rebellion in Yan City was suppressed, they left behind many remnants and scattered Demons. This tough nut is for us from Hu State to crack.

Elder Tian has already gone to survey the site himself with Yan Fenghuo and Wen He. We’ll head out of the city in a bit to meet up with them and then decide on a concrete plan."

Jiang Mu nodded.

It seemed this area was assigned to them as a matter of course because he had slaughtered the Golden Roc Demon in its lair.

As for Tian Wenjing going to scout personally, he was probably spooked by all the messy intelligence from Yan City.

For one thing, the traitors were impossible to guard against.

For another, he could only be confident in what he saw with his own eyes, which would allow for more thorough planning.

Jiang Mu finished his breakfast in a few quick bites, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and asked,

"Are there any Great Demons?"

Xu Fu shook his head. "According to current intelligence, there shouldn’t be any powerful figures left. At most, just some Tier Five chieftains."

Shui Miaozheng chimed in from the side,

"The area our Yunzhou City team is responsible for clearing is adjacent to yours. If you run into any trouble, you can send a signal anytime. We’ll provide support as quickly as possible."

After saying this, she collected the bowl and chopsticks and rose to leave.

Watching Shui Miaozheng walk away, Xu Fu retracted his gaze and leaned in close to Jiang Mu with a teasing expression.

"Old Jiang, not to meddle, but Water Director Shui has no shortage of suitors. Young masters from the Capital City, young heroes from the martial world... they’re all lining up to woo her.

If any messy rumors start spreading about you and her, those lovesick hornets will drown you in their spit. You’d better watch your step."

Jiang Mu shot him a look, not bothering to engage with this guy whose head was full of garbage.

...

After breakfast, Jiang Mu and Xu Fu each gathered their subordinates and left the city.

As they passed the entrance to the Yan City Demon-slaying Bureau, Jiang Mu made a point to glance over, but he didn’t see any sign of Yan Wu.