Chapter 335: Initial Exploration of the City of Ten Thousand Demons

The towering black city walls stood behind them, blocking out a large portion of the light, with ancient beasts clinging to them as silhouettes. Interconnected houses formed various shades of black, their roof ridges sharp and skeletal, making the entire view resemble a mountain cliff bristling with black barbs.

Ning Changjiu stood in the shadow of an eaves, as the blind dog demon guided them along the street.

"In our Myriad Demon City, we don't have much else, but we certainly have many temples. There are dozens, big and small. If you want to go to the largest one..." the blind dog demon mused, racking its brain.

Noticing its slow speech, Ning Changjiu asked, "What's wrong?"

The blind dog demon sighed. "The largest one should be the Southern Demon Palace, but that temple has been closed recently and isn't accepting incense. Young master, you've come at an inconvenient time."

Ning Changjiu pondered for a moment before asking, "What deity is mainly enshrined in the Southern Demon Palace?"

The blind dog demon replied, "How would I know that? Such a sacred place, a stick of incense there would cost me a month's worth of silver. How would a small demon like me dare to enter?"

Ning Changjiu asked again, "Are there no other famous temples besides that one?"

The blind dog demon grew a bit displeased. Gripping its staff, it tapped the ground and said, "Didn't you say you'd only ask me one question? I've answered it now, shouldn't you hire me as your guide?"

Ning Changjiu looked at it, puzzled. "Can you really be a guide?"

The blind dog demon pointed to its sightless eyes and declared righteously, "I am a professional guide dog!"

"How can a guide dog be blind itself?" Ning Changjiu asked, still confused.

The blind dog demon looked distraught. "Doesn't that show even more resilience despite a disability? If you had any conscience at all, wouldn't you be moved?"

*Where would he get a conscience?* Si Ming thought to herself.

Just as Ning Changjiu was about to speak, several more demons surged forward. Most of them were short, including a cat demon, a fox demon, a tree demon, and a monkey spirit with half its tail missing, bouncing along at the back.

Ning Changjiu didn't know what they were doing, but the blind dog demon reacted as if facing a great enemy.

"This is my customer! Don't you understand the rules?" the blind dog demon yelled, brandishing its cane, trying to drive them away.

A silver-furred cat demon with long ears grabbed its hand and sneered, "Hahaha, you only fool new customers. Last time you led someone into a dead end, nearly ruining a major plan, got your leg broken, and ruined your reputation. And now you dare to come out and make a fool of yourself again?"

The blind dog demon shouted back, "You wild cat who can't even catch a mouse, stop slandering me! Weren't you a thief yourself? You must be raking in plenty of benefits from guiding a customer!"

"Enough! Don't you two fight like cats and dogs! Let me do it. I can tell you the story of every street, every cave dwelling, every mountain here. I'm highly knowledgeable, and no customer I've guided has ever been dissatisfied." The monkey spirit, bringing up the rear of the group, hopped and raised its hand.

It was a brown-furred, long-armed ape. It wore a wooden ring on its head and wooden bracelets on its neck. It tucked in its broken tail, smiling broadly at Ning Changjiu, promoting itself.

A demon with tough, wooden skin immediately blocked it, scoffing, "Ha, what knowledge do you have? Which of those stories isn't something you made up? You change the story for every person! Get lost! When it comes to being a native, no one here can surpass me!"

The demons continued to argue, but then they looked around and realized the couple was gone. The demons exchanged glances, their combative expressions suddenly softening, all looking dejected.

Ning Changjiu and Si Ming's figures appeared on another street.

They walked forward along the street.

"These little demons here are truly annoying. They have little ability but are very noisy," Si Ming complained softly, her fox demon mask covering her face.

Ning Changjiu said, "They're just trying to make a living. Don't be too hard on them."

Si Ming gazed around at the street's scenery, her eyes deep.

"Where do we go now? That so-called Southern Demon Palace?" Si Ming asked.

Ning Changjiu replied, "Since we've just arrived, there's no need to rush. Let's first get a clear understanding of Myriad Demon City's situation and ensure our safety."

"Mm. As you wish," Si Ming replied.

The two continued forward, passing a large area of low, emaciated-looking wooden tile houses. Ahead lay a solemn, high-platform temple. Outside the temple, many demons in ancient robes stood upright, walking inside. Some carried incense burners, others held jade tablets, looking as if they were attending a royal court.

They circled around the temple standing in the center. Next to the temple with its square walls and pointed spire was a three-sided pool. The water's surface, shimmering with silvery light, floated with eerie mist and was dark, with bubbles occasionally gurgling up, giving one the constant feeling that demons were imprisoned deep within.

By the river stood several stone turtles, their inscriptions ancient and profound.

Ning Changjiu and Si Ming came to the riverbank, looking at the lake water.

Si Ming said, "The yin energy in this lake is too heavy; it must be filled with countless sunken corpses."

Ning Changjiu remarked, "There are quite a few fish in the lake, though."

Si Ming frowned. "Feeding fish with corpses, then fattening the fish to eat them? It feels a bit redundant."

Ning Changjiu stood in front of Si Ming, a sudden chill running down his spine, feeling as if Si Ming might push him in to feed the fish.

He watched for a while, then asked, "Is this related to the Underworld?"

Si Ming replied, "No. Do you really think you're the Son of Destiny? That you can easily find anything you're looking for?"

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "Of course I don't think that, but perhaps you are?"

"I am absolutely not the Son of Destiny," Si Ming declared firmly. "What I command is destiny itself."

Ning Changjiu looked at her proud eyes, recalling the dream she had last night, and smiled.

Si Ming snorted and continued walking forward.

Though it was early spring, the wind in Myriad Demon City was colder than outside. If the outside world was a colorful landscape painting, Myriad Demon City was a decaying city depicted in black and white ink wash.

The first layer of this city wasn't very large. After passing through the dense buildings, there was a wasteland of rammed earth. The rock faces on both sides were covered in white grass, like an old person's hair.

Several tribes were scattered across the wasteland. These tribal demons were mostly low-status spirits, looking scrawny and sharp-featured. Behind their houses, many chickens and ducks were cooped up, restlessly flapping in their cages, as if resisting something.

"Today seems to be the Spirit Testing Day for Myriad Demon City's temple," Si Ming said.

Ning Changjiu had indeed heard people discussing this on the way.

"What is Spirit Testing Day?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Si Ming explained, "It's like with humans; very few can become cultivators, most are ordinary people. So, before disciples enter a sect, there's always an assessment. It's the same for demons. For them to transform from wild beasts or poultry into demons, it also requires a process."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Do all those chickens and ducks have to undergo spirit testing?"

Si Ming nodded. "Yes, those who pass the test stay; those who don't are killed. That's all there is to it."

Ning Changjiu sighed, "Being human is truly a stroke of luck."

Si Ming countered, "And aren't humans also beasts? Cannibalism is history that occurs constantly. Alas, all living beings of the mundane world are birds of a feather!"

Ning Changjiu retorted, "Are you gods then perfect?"

Si Ming said, "As you say."

Ning Changjiu looked at her perfect figure and said, "Then you gods truly bless humanity."

"Shameless wretch!" Si Ming saw through his vulgar thoughts and ignored him.

She crossed her arms, continued walking forward with a cold face, shrinking the distance with each step, their figures almost flickering ahead.

After passing many randomly growing trees, the figures in black robes and white robes appeared at the end of the road.

The end was a deep abyss.

The abyss was shrouded in ghostly mist. According to the local demons, those imprisoned beneath these abysses were criminals who had betrayed the demon race.

"Don't go any further ahead," an old woman warned kindly from outside a house on the cliff edge, where she was drying ragged clothes. "Beyond this point, you'll be close to the inner city, where countless old and powerful demons reside. If you don't possess extraordinary abilities, you'd best turn back soon."

"Is that the inner city ahead?" Ning Changjiu asked.

The old woman replied, "Yes, it's just past this mist."

Ning Changjiu said, "Thank you for the warning, old woman."

The old woman scoffed slightly. "Young people are all the same; none can be persuaded."

Ning Changjiu offered a slightly apologetic smile. Then, the old woman stopped speaking, squatted by her door, and transformed into an ancient tree.

Ning Changjiu paused before the cliff. He gazed for a while, then he and Si Ming followed a nearby plank path to the side.

Though named a city, Myriad Demon City was essentially a treacherous natural stronghold enclosed by walls. Beyond the initial city, which was only the size of a human imperial capital, lay towering peaks and abysses. Huge, fractured rock formations on these peaks faintly bore the appearance of buildings. These mountains, varying in color, clearly delineated boundaries, like a succession of kingdoms.

Si Ming instinctively tried to conjure an illusory sword to fly, but Ning Changjiu pressed her hand, gently shaking his head to stop her.

"It only said no carrying swords, not no using sword techniques. Why be so cautious?" Si Ming was a bit displeased. "Also, take your hand off me!"

Ning Changjiu released her hand. "It's not too late to use swords once we understand the strength of the demon kings here. No need to invite unnecessary trouble."

He knew that those demon kings had all fought alongside saints; those who survived must possess demon magic of immense power.

Si Ming snorted, quite displeased with Ning Changjiu's constant instructing.

"Fine, have it your way," Si Ming said coldly. "If it delays Xiaoling, don't regret it then."

Ning Changjiu looked at her icy gaze, and couldn't help but recall the spring dream she had last night, her slightly pained expression and soft moans between her lips... *Hmph, tough talk, soft heart.*

Si Ming, seeing the sudden smile on his face, felt a chill in her heart. "What nonsense are you thinking now?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Nothing, just thinking that fox mask suits you very well."

Si Ming scoffed in response, "Your human face and your beastly heart are quite a match too."

"..." Ning Changjiu was speechless.

Si Ming finally claimed victory, a faint curl on her lips, as she slowly walked onto the plank path.

The light was dim beneath the sky, and ghostly mist pervaded the mountain path. With her fox demon mask tied on, she walked deeper into the mist.

Ning Changjiu watched her retreating back and followed, but for some reason, he had a persistent feeling that she was drifting further and further away.

He pushed away the distracting thoughts.

The two walked along the plank path by the sheer cliff. The ghostly mist before them was sometimes thick, sometimes thin. Dark moss covered the mountain walls, and dark green geckos occasionally scurried across them. The ghostly mist periodically twisted into human faces, staring spookily at the two outsiders.

These mist demons weren't lethal; they merely absorbed a bit of spiritual energy from people, like plucking feathers from a passing goose. But instinctively, none dared to approach Si Ming.

At the end of the plank path was an open woodland with several centuries-old trees. The lower parts of these ancient trees were almost dead, yet their upper portions still bore dark "night." A python hung from a tree, like a hanged ghoul.

Beneath a tree, an old man was playing chess with himself. Apart from his straw hat and rain cape, the rest of his body was formed from black mist. He stared at the chessboard, deep in thought.

As Ning Changjiu and Si Ming passed, the old man was startled. He looked up at them.

"Who are you?" the old man asked.

Ning Changjiu replied, "Guests of Myriad Demon City."

The old man shook his head, brusquely saying, "In recent years, fewer and fewer guests have come to Myriad Demon City. You must have some ulterior motive, don't you?"

Ning Changjiu assented, "We're looking for someone."

The old man asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Si Ming interjected, "Who are *you*?"

The old man said, "I am the Mist Demon King, in charge of the ghostly mist here, an official post of moderate importance."

Si Ming asked, "Is there anyone here who calls himself the Ghost Emperor?"

The old man frowned. "Ghost Emperor? I haven't heard of such a person. Perhaps a powerful demon in the inner city..."

Ning Changjiu hadn't expected a definite answer, so he thanked him and left with Si Ming.

The Mist Demon King sat beneath the ancient tree, looking up at the python hanging above. He casually placed a chess piece, sighing softly, "Order is only observed when playing on a chessboard. Affairs of the world don't follow such rules. If this chessboard has no power of deduction, what use is it?"

As he spoke, he slapped a chess piece onto the board. The piece shattered, transforming into a shriekingly, bleeding sparrow. The sparrow straightened its wings, then died.

The mist was a trap; those with insufficient cultivation would be ensnared, always returning to their starting point.

But such a petty trick could never trap Si Ming.

After crossing the cliff, Ning Changjiu looked ahead. The ghostly mist had thinned considerably, and under the sunlight, several majestic peaks rose imposingly, like swords piercing the clouds.

"Seven Absolute Cliffs," Si Ming murmured, turning back to look at the large characters etched into the cliff face, twisted like crimson snakes.

Ning Changjiu was about to continue forward, but Si Ming spoke. "I'm tired."

"Hmm?" Ning Changjiu turned back, very confused.

Si Ming then took a step, directly riding a cloud over the mist to the opposite mountaintop.

Ning Changjiu plucked a cloud and rode it like a sword, arriving by her side a few breaths later.

"We're not here for sightseeing," Si Ming said. "First, let's find a place to stay, then catch a demon and interrogate it about this place. Getting a topographical map would be best. Otherwise, at our current pace, Xiaoling might be cold and dead by the time we return."

Although Ning Changjiu had his own considerations, he agreed with Si Ming's point. "Mm, but let's skip catching a demon. This is Myriad Demon City's territory, after all; it's not good to incur public wrath."

Si Ming asked, "Then will you go seduce a female demon?"

Ning Changjiu thought seriously for a moment, then said, "I'm not into that."

Si Ming said, "Then why do you constantly obsess over fox tails?"

Ning Changjiu argued, "That... that's different!"

Si Ming scoffed, "Lord Ye loves dragons."

Ning Changjiu sighed, feeling that Si Ming had used many allegorical idioms to mock him these past few days. *Hmph, showing off before a master!* He secretly plotted, thinking of a day when he could return those idioms to her openly.

Ultimately, Ning Changjiu failed to seduce any female demons. However, the cities located on the peaks were quite orderly. After entering one, Ning Changjiu and Si Ming purchased a complete topographical map from a shop. This map marked the names of all major peaks and the small towns gathered beneath them. The shop's only rule was that the map was not allowed to be taken out of Myriad Demon City; otherwise, it would break the rules.

"This map was drawn with a spirit brush," Si Ming said.

"Spirit brush?" Ning Changjiu asked, puzzled.

"The drawings on it can remain on the paper, but they cannot remain in your memory," Si Ming explained. "In short, it's 'read and forget'."

Ning Changjiu put away the map. The two did not rush to search but first found an inn to settle down. Although the inn's colors were a bit dark, it was clean. Ning Changjiu and Si Ming walked down a corridor lined with dim, painted murals and reached the end of the hall, opening their room.

Si Ming removed her mask, hooking it onto her waist. She walked to the window, opened it, and looked down.

"Myriad Demon City has quite a few humans too," Si Ming said.

"Humans?"

"Mm, didn't you sense it when we arrived? Many people here don't have demon energy."

Ning Changjiu had indeed sensed it but had thought they were just good at concealing it.

Si Ming said, "Myriad Demon City is a pure land for demons, but within this grand city are many deep mountains, making it an excellent escape for human criminals. As long as they don't break Myriad Demon City's rules, they won't be expelled and can live out their lives in peace."

"So that's how it is," Ning Changjiu nodded instructively. "If I'm ever chased, I could escape here."

Si Ming responded coldly, "Don't delude yourself. Gods sit high and see all. If I were to pursue you, it would be useless even if you fled to the ends of the earth."

Ning Changjiu smiled.

Si Ming turned from the window, looking at the dressing mirror on the table, and frowned slightly. A fruit bowl was placed in front of the mirror.

"This is a Heart-Reflecting Mirror," Si Ming said. "It's a rare treasure outside, but quite common here."

"What is a Heart-Reflecting Mirror?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Si Ming sat in front of the mirror, picked up a fruit, and said, "If you peel the fruit perfectly with a knife, completely removing the skin in one piece, you can see the image of your beloved in the mirror."

Ning Changjiu asked curiously, "Why peel a fruit?"

Si Ming explained, "Because fruit skins are easy to break, people become exceptionally careful and focused. Your spirit then concentrates in the mirror and is perceived by it."

Si Ming finished speaking, raised the fruit knife, and asked with a smile, "Want to try?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Do I even need to try?"

Si Ming asked, "Are you perhaps afraid?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "Besides oneself, can others see the person in the mirror?"

Si Ming said, "Don't worry, they can't. I won't tell Lu Jiajia or Zhao Xiang'er on you."

Ning Changjiu still declined, "Then I'll pass."

"Why?" Si Ming asked.

Ning Changjiu calmly replied, "I'm afraid the mirror wouldn't be able to fit so many people."

Si Ming's face darkened. "Shameless!"

Ning Changjiu asked, "Do you want to try it?"

Si Ming snorted coldly, "I don't need to try. Gods simply do not love mortals. How could a crudely made mirror reflect my heart?"

They had an unspoken understanding; neither of them used the mirror.

Ning Changjiu took out the topographical map and said, "Let's discuss our route first."

Si Ming sat beside him, looking at the map. On the scroll, all the peaks, big and small, were marked with names. Although the map was drawn with a spirit brush, it wouldn't be difficult for Si Ming to memorize it. However, she didn't, because the innermost, most core area of Myriad Demon City was smudged black.

"Hmm, we are here now, Baoxiang Mountain, hmm... the mountain lord should be an elephant," Ning Changjiu said.

"The closest one is Lion Camel Mountain. It doesn't sound like it holds the authority of the Underworld Lord. But didn't that Spirit Turtle want you to find the Nine-Headed Green Lion? You could go take a look," Si Ming said.

"Mm, there's no rush for that. If we encounter the Nine-Headed Green Lion, we will; let fate decide. No need to spend time deliberately searching," Ning Changjiu said.

Si Ming praised him, "You truly are a man of your word."

Ning Changjiu ignored her sarcasm and continued, "After Lion Camel Mountain is Wuji Mountain, then Chechi Mountain, Zhuzi Mountain, and then this one..."

"What is it?" Si Ming asked, noticing his expression, and her gaze dropped to the map.

"Daughter Mountain?" Si Ming's expression shifted slightly.

Ning Changjiu feigned seriousness. "We could certainly go take a look at that one."

Si Ming scoffed. "Just by the name, it doesn't sound like a proper mountain. If you go there, you'll probably come out skin and bones."

The two meticulously reviewed the topographical map, planning a route that would take seven days to traverse all the peaks and valleys of Myriad Demon City. If they still couldn't find what they sought, they would then figure out a way to enter the true core of Myriad Demon City.

After putting away the map, dusk gradually fell.

"Why is there only one bed?" Si Ming asked, dissatisfied.

Ning Changjiu asked, "Do you want to sleep on the floor again?"

"Never!" Si Ming said coldly. She took a red string and stretched it across the middle of the bed, saying, "Tonight, I'll give you a chance to share the bed with me, but you are not allowed to cross this line. If you transgress..."

Ning Changjiu watched her with a smile, asking, "Then what?"

Si Ming knew that with the slave mark on him, harsh words held little meaning. She said coldly, "Then I'll tell Zhao Xiang'er!"

Ning Changjiu's heart tightened, but his face remained normal. "Childish."

The two lay down on the bed, Ning Changjiu on the inside of the line, Si Ming on the outside.

That night, Si Ming did not have any strange dreams; perhaps due to tension, her sleep was very light. Ning Changjiu, however, slept unusually soundly.

Ning Changjiu seemed to be having a nightmare.

His body was curled up, his lips tightly pressed, his fingers clenched, and his eyelids constantly fluttering.

"Jiajia... Xiang'er..." he murmured softly in his sleep.

Si Ming opened her eyes, staring at his sleeping face, bewildered.

*What kind of dream is this?*

"Xiang'er... Jiajia..." Ning Changjiu repeated in his dream.

Si Ming watched his brows furrow and relax, then suddenly understood, murmuring sarcastically, "I thought he was having a nightmare, but he's having a wet dream. Hmph, calling two names at once, is he enjoying polygamy in his dream?"

Si Ming wasn't sleepy, lost in thought.

"Xue... Xueci." Ning Changjiu's words were blurred, and his body began to tremble.

Si Ming's face darkened.

*What does Xueci have to do with me, Si Ming?*

"Si Ming!" Ning Changjiu called out again.

Si Ming was slightly startled. *Is he faking sleep to tease me?*

As she thought this, she reached out and placed her hand on Ning Changjiu's forehead... His spirit was very deep, very chaotic. *Is this demon possession? No, how could anyone cast such a spell without my knowledge? Unless their realm surpasses the peak of the Fifth Path! No demon in Myriad Demon City could be that powerful!*

Ning Changjiu softly repeated several names, his words strained.

As Si Ming was thinking, her hand was caught. She struggled for a while but couldn't pull it free. Ning Changjiu seemed to be grasping a lifeline. Si Ming watched his face calm down and stopped struggling.

Ning Changjiu woke up the next morning.

He opened his eyes and found the red line beside him still perfectly straight.

*Hmm... I really do sleep neatly.*

Ning Changjiu rubbed his forehead, muttering to himself, *Strange... why did I dream of Master? Why did Master stab me again... It felt so real, I thought I was going to die again... Is this a heart demon? It's impossible to get rid of.*

*I seem to have called out many names in my dream... because I didn't actually shout them out loud, right?*

As Ning Changjiu thought, he looked up and saw Si Ming doing her makeup in front of the Heart-Reflecting Mirror.

Ning Changjiu's mind was clear.

For some reason, he clearly noticed that there was one less fruit in the fruit bowl in front of the Heart-Reflecting Mirror.