Chapter 345: Chapter 344: Bounty Mission to Hunt Monsters and Exorcise Demons!

“A Demon King?”

Du Gang and the others were startled, “You have a Demon King here yet remain safe and sound?”

After inquiring, they have already learned about the capabilities of the Demon Suppression Office. They usually could only handle small demons, and a few individuals can deal with large monsters. However, they still may require aid from remarkable figures to succeed.

Every Demon King was a terrifying existence. Could Misty Mountain City withstand them?

Zhuang Nai smiled, “Senior brother, you worry too much. The influence of Misty Mountain City is indeed quite broad, stretching hundreds or even thousands of kilometers in all directions. There happens to be a Demon King about a thousand kilometers away, in a region midway between two cities. Thus, we’ve reported it to Misty Mountain City and the other cities as well…”

Du Gang was enlightened, a distance of over a thousand kilometers. If the Demon King had settled in one corner, it was indeed plausible that it wouldn’t invade Misty Mountain City.

He spoke, “Thank you, junior brother. If not for you, we would need to spend quite some time trying to understand what’s happening around this mountain…”

“In the future, if there’s anything you need, feel free to seek us four brothers. For now, we plan to focus on this bounty list for hunting monsters, take on some tasks, and gain experience!”

Zhuang Nai was overjoyed; he didn’t expect his senior brother, who had just descended the mountain, to be so understanding. Not only did he give him face, but he voluntarily owed him a favor.

Unable to hide his excitement, Zhuang Nai hastily replied, “Rest assured, senior brother. I will arrange for someone to accompany you all the way, running errands for you…”

Du Gang did not refuse. He was aware of the hierarchical notions in this world and knew that his refusal might lead to unnecessary speculation.

“Senior brothers and sisters, please take care. Due to my official duties here, I cannot leave Misty Mountain City at will. Therefore I cannot accompany you this time. However, rest assured, I have arranged for a clever person…”

At the city gate of Misty Mountain City, the Demon Suppression Office members, with Zhuang Nai leading them, once again bade Du Gang and the others a tearful farewell.

“Senior brothers and sisters, my name is Zhuang Zihan. I will guide you this time…”

On hearing this familiar surname, Du Gang shot a glance at Zhuang Nai.

Zhuang Nai’s face showed embarrassment, but he thick-skinnedly laughed, “Senior brother, Zhuang Zihan is indeed my nephew. However, rest assured, he is absolutely one of the best in our office…”

Du Gang slightly nodded, not blaming him, “In that case, junior brother Zhuang Zihan, we will rely on you to guide us from now on!”

Zhuang Zihan was taken by surprise and quickly agreed.

Thus, under Zhuang Zihan’s guidance, the group of four led by Du Gang set off for a place infested with a minor demon.

For their first task, they naturally didn’t overestimate their abilities and directly challenge the Demon King, instead they picked a small monster to test their strength before making further plans.

“Sir, the nearest minor demon to us is a ‘Brain-eating Demon’. It sucks human brains…”

“It frequently haunts Big Cow Village, Second Cow Village, and Three Cow Village. However, this Brain-eating Demon is cautious. It specifically targets people who leave the village, and it does not strike continuously…”

“Without a wandering magic practicer who spotted it, this Brain-eating Demon might have continued its atrocities…”

Du Gang nodded, asking, “Do we have a confirmed location for the Brain-eating Demon?”

Zhuang Zihan quickly responded, “Yes, we do. It lives in a cave on Little Witch Mountain. Usually, it eats only wild game and only descends from the mountain to feast on human brains when it craves…”

Du Gang nodded, “Alright, let’s go directly to its lair.”

Soon, the group of five arrived at Big Cow Village. This was not to gather information but to find a guide who could lead them to Little Witch Mountain.

Although Zhuang Zihan had been out once, he was unfamiliar with all the places. Despite having a map, there might still be discrepancies. If the Brain-Eating Demon managed to escape, then he would be seen as inefficient in the eyes of the four true disciples of the Five Elements Sect.

Therefore, even if it took a bit more time, he decided to err on the side of caution.

Upon reaching Big Cow Village, Zhuang Zihan asked Du Gang and the others to wait while he spoke with the villagers himself.

He mainly feared that villagers might offend the four true disciples.

After a series of negotiations.

“Great, people from Misty Mountain City are here…” The village chief of Big Cow Village was overjoyed after seeing Zhuang Zihan’s token.

“Don’t make a fuss!”

Zhuang Zihan held him down, “We are here to suppress the demons, you folks must not spread this around. If the demon learns about it and escapes, then you all…”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

The village chief was scared and hurriedly agreed, simultaneously instructing the surrounding villagers to calm down.

Zhuang Zihan was satisfied and continued, “Now, send someone who is familiar with Little Witch Mountain to accompany us to suppress the demons…”

“Ah?!!”

The villagers who had formed a circle immediately retreated in terror, creating a hollowed space in the middle.

The village chief was enraged and rebuked, “Why are you retreating? This is an opportunity to suppress the demon. If we miss it this time, we will fall under the tyranny of the Brain-eating Demon…”

Under the village chief’s lecture, the villagers regained their senses, and a tanned, straightforward man stood up.

“My wife was eaten by the Brain-eating Demon, I’m willing to lead the way!”

The villagers, although simple, were not foolish. They knew that if these demon-binding figures were not strong enough, the one leading them would also be buried with them.

Thus, only those who have lost relatives to the Brain-eating Demon would have the courage to undertake this task.

Zhuang Zihan smiled, “Village chief, judging from what you just said, you don’t seem like an ordinary person, do you?”

The village chief sighed, “I used to be a teacher, but later I ended up here and assumed the role of village chief…”

He didn’t continue, obviously, he too was a man with a story to tell.

“Er Han, you must guide the guests well. Suppressing the demon is a big task, and I will count that as a great merit. If you succeed, the village will reward you with a wife!”

Er Han was very happy, “What kind of wife?”

Without thinking, the village chief spoke, “The widow at the end of the village. If you succeed, the widow will be your wife!”

On hearing this, the other men and some of the villagers showed an envious look. Apparently, the character of the widow at the end of the village was quite renowned in the village.

Er Han smiled, repeatedly agreeing.

Zhuang Zihan quickly took out a map and handed it to Er Han, “Look, do you recognize the places on this map?”

Er Han took it and had only glanced for a few moments before confirming, “I recognize it. I often played on Little Witch Mountain when I was young. This used to be the cave of Old Blind Bear…”

Seeing his confident look, Zhuang Zihan breathed a sigh of relief. Having someone who knew the way was always better than him leading the true disciples around slowly.

Seeing this, he quickly came over to Du Gang respectfully, “Senior brother, everything is handled. The villagers will guide us!”

He had long observed that the other three were not talkative, only Du Gang, as the spokesperson, inquired often.

Du Gang nodded, revealing a rare smile, “Well done! As expected from Zhuang Nai’s nephew, you are capable!”

“Thank you for your praise, senior brother!”

Zhuang Zihan was overjoyed, thanking him repeatedly.

Du Gang turned serious, “Alright, enough of the chatting, let’s lead the way!”

Soon, under Zhuang Zihan’s coordination, Er Han quickly led to the mountains.

He moved fast without considering whether the people at the back could keep up with him, which was largely related to his simple-mindedness.

Of course, this wasn’t a problem for the five people behind him. Even the worst one, Zhuang Zihan, could single-handedly deal with a minor demon. Naturally, they had some strength.

Under the circumstance where Er Han was exerting full effort, the five had no trouble following him.

It wasn’t long before the group arrived in front of a cave on Little Witch Mountain.

Er Han showed a frightened face; he stopped a distance away from the cave, “Sir, this cave, it’s where the Brain-Eater demon resides. Earlier, another Sir went in, but he never came out…”

His unnecessary comments shocked Zhuang Zihan who quickly explained to Du Gang and the others, “An unstable human with barely enough power to deal with a minor demon rushed in here and was left behind!”

He was worried that Du Gang and the others would misunderstand and think he planned to create a big problem with a powerful demon or something.

Du Gang waved his hand, “No worry, let’s go in!”

“Yes sir!”

Zhuang Zihan immediately stood up. His eyes were cold as he looked at Er Han, “You go first, look inside!”

Er Han was stunned, but he dared not refuse, his face showed the color of panic and despair.

Widow Zhang, big butt, I haven’t even got a taste yet…

But then, Du Gang said, “No, you stay, Zhuang Zihan, you go first!”

He was not a true member of the Five Elements Sect. He had some compassion for ordinary people. As long as his safety was not compromised, he would save them if he could.

Zhuang Zihan, seeing this, could only hasten to comply, without saying anything he headed towards the cave.

Seeing this, Er Han quickly knelt down to thank Du Gang, his heart filled with joy.

Widow Zhang, big butt, I’ll get a taste tonight…

With Zhuang Zihan leading the way, Du Gang and the others quickly entered the cave.

Zhuang Zihan was not entirely unprepared; he pulled out a flint and steel, blew on it a few times and sparks flew up lighting the dark cave.

The illumination was dim, but it dispelled the darkness of the cave.

He was nervous, holding the flint in his left hand, a sword in his right. If it weren’t for Du Gang and others, he would have run away by now.

Although he had the power to deal with a small demon, as a member of the Demon Suppression Office, he was reluctant to risk his life.

The ones who really risked their lives for the bounty were those humans who lacked money.

Through his Divine Thought, Du Gang had already located the Brain-Eater demon, which was a black bear.

Thinking back on what Er Han had inadvertently revealed, the bear used to live in this cave.

He speculated that this bear was once an ordinary bear, strong but not a threat to humans.

However, by some chance, the bear ate a human corpse, gained intelligence with the brain, and its strength greatly increased, becoming the feared Brain-Eater demon.

Regardless, the bear would not escape death.

Du Gang hadn’t forgotten their second mission—completing ten tasks from the Bounty List.

Under Zhuang Zihan’s guidance, the group quickly moved deeper into the cave.

The bear, originally sleeping soundly, was awakened by the smell.

“Roar!”

It was overjoyed, not expecting food to come to its doorstep, saving it from having to go hunt.

Hearing the roar and the smell of blood carried over, Zhuang Zihan’s teeth began to tremble.

Seeing his behavior, Du Gang shook his head. Despite Zhuang Zihan’s power being stronger than the bear, due to his lack of guts, his power was wasted.

Ignoring Zhuang Zihan, Du Gang quickly drew his longsword, charging towards the bear while shouting, “Qisha Sword Technique!”

This was, of course, a random technique he made up on the spot.

However, it had power. After all, he understood that the disciples of Tian Lang or Qisha sect, had powers similar to larger demons when they descended the mountain.

This meant that, even the original Qisha could easily kill the bear.

“Roar!”

“Clang!”

“Ting!”

After a few exchanges, Du Gang successfully vanquished the Brain-Eater.

“Swoosh!”

After killing the bear, he decapitated it, keeping the head as proof of completing the task.

Only then did Zhuang Zihan realize what had happened and exclaimed, “Brother, you’ve already won?”

Du Gang, with a smile, replied, “Of course, this minor demon’s power is negligible, not even requiring the assistance of my fellow disciples!”

Seeing this, Zhuang Zihan opened his mouth in shock, once again feeling the power of the Five Elements Sect, and henceforth his attitude became more respectful.

“Brother, let me hold the demon-slaying proof for you!”

With that, he disregarded the filth, quickly stepped forward, and picked up the bear’s severed head from the ground, acting as if he would go through fire and water for the Five Elements Sect.

Du Gang was amused by his behavior, “At least find a cloth to wrap it up!”

Zhuang Zihan was stunned, then quickly acknowledged, and wrapped it up properly.

When everything was done, the group of five returned to the village.

In the village, an overly excited Er Han could not hold back and told all the villagers about the death of the Brain-Eater.

“Fantastic!”

The village chief was thrilled, thanking them again.

Then, Er Han foolishly said, “Chief, now Widow Zhang is mine, right?!”

The villagers were taken aback by this statement and realized that Er Han was only excited earlier because he could bed Widow Zhang.

“Thump!”

The village chief’s mouth twitched, he kicked Er Han’s butt, “All you can think about is sleeping. Get out of my sight!”

Even though he was kicked, Er Han was all smiles. He ran towards the end of the village, brandishing his staff.

Seeing his antics, some of the village children couldn’t contain themselves any longer. They didn’t care about the Brain-Eater’s death anymore and followed Er Han, planning to watch the “fun”.

On the other side, Zhuang Zihan was negotiating with the villagers.

“The Brain-Eater was killed by my brother from the Five Elements Sect, you will be safe from now on. Send someone to the other two villages to share the news, we have to go!”

After leaving, Du Gang and the others returned to Misty Mountain City. After dismissing the two from the Zhuang Family, they discussed further.

“It appears that these minor demons are magical creatures with power reaching the God Spirit Level.”

“According to them, larger demons are on par with God Spirit Level beings!”

The people they had caught earlier, the real disciples of Tian Lang and others, were also at the God Spirit Level.

Kou Yingwu frowned, “So, a demon king would be comparable to a True God? What about those famous demon kings? Are they even more powerful?!”