Chapter 464: Confront the Demon in Battle

Song You walked straight into the kitchen, scooped up a basin of clear water with a gourd ladle, and dropped the two fish inside to keep them alive.

After wiping his hands, he stepped back outside and faced the anxious crowd.

“Do any of you know where this man is now?”

“We’re not sure where he is during the day. But every night at sundown, he lingers around the area. And by midnight, he always appears at my house.”

“Oh? So he’s rather bold, then.”

“He’s probably coming to drain our yang energy...”

“Have you tried confronting him?”

“Of course we’ve tried. We’ve tried everything.” Li Hexi sighed bitterly. “We burned incense and prayed for jade pendants at the temple. We went to the Daoist monastery for talismans. We hired sorcerers and witches. We even reported it to the authorities.”

“Did any of it work?”

“Some things helped a little, some didn’t work at all. But even the ones that worked didn’t help much.”

“I see.” Song You nodded thoughtfully. “And how did the authorities handle it?”

“The officials sent constables to arrest him. But that demon ran incredibly fast—he could even scale walls and rooftops. The moment he leaped over a wall, he disappeared without a trace. Ordinary constables couldn’t catch him at all. Even when they managed to hit him with iron rods or staffs, he didn’t seem to feel pain. He’s not human.”

“So aside from causing stomach pain and using these yang-draining plasters, he doesn’t have many other abilities...”

“Sir, do you have a plan?”

“No need to rush.” Song You sat down at the stone table in the courtyard, lost in thought for a moment. Then, he looked up at them and asked, “Is everyone affected by this here?”

“Some of our elders couldn’t come because they aren’t very mobile. Some neighbors didn’t come either. There are also a few who, after hearing about our situation, chose to endure the stomach pain instead of using the plaster.”

“I see.” Song You pondered for a while before speaking again.

“As the saying goes, ‘Only the one who started the trouble can solve the trouble.’ Since this dark sorcery is connected to your eyes, and vision is at stake, you must not act recklessly.”

“Then what should we do?”

“I can prevent this demon from continuing to harm you through his plaster magic—so you may rest easy. But to completely remove the curse, we must capture him and force him to undo it.” Sitting on the stone stool, Song You slowly looked each person in the eye. “The question is—do you have the courage to fight this demon?”

“Huh?” The crowd was shocked, exchanging uneasy glances.

“This...”

“Um...”

“Fight a demon?”

“That’s a demon! We’re just ordinary people—we don’t know any spells. How could we possibly fight against it?”

The crowd was filled with panic and fear.

“Gentlemen, you are mistaken.” Song You smiled leisurely, looking at them one by one. “Demons and evil spirits are not necessarily stronger than humans. Even ghosts fear those with courage.

“More often than not, when demons and ghosts overpower people, it’s not because they are truly mightier, but because they exploit their strengths against human weaknesses—while people, out of fear, simply do not fight back.

“That creature fled when confronted by constables. That alone proves it’s not invincible. If you gather enough brave men, summon some fearless warriors from the

jianghu

, and set up an ambush along its usual path, you may well be able to capture it.”

“But... what if...”

“You fear it might use the plasters on your heads to harm you?” Song You chuckled. “If we cut off that connection and block its influence, then what is there to be afraid of?”

“Sir, can’t you deal with it yourself?”

“I still have to cook dinner in the evening.”

Song You laughed lightly and continued, “This world belongs to humans, after all. Humans didn’t conquer the world simply by relying on celestial gods in heaven or Daoist cultivators on earth. You all are no less capable than the constables. At worst, if you fail, it will simply escape again. Yangdu has been at peace for too long. In other, more rugged regions, a demon like this would have been beaten to death long ago.”

“...”

The crowd exchanged glances once more. Most of those who had come today were young men, full of youthful energy.

Though Song You’s tone remained calm, his words stirred something within them. Their initial hesitation gradually gave way to firm resolve. Their gazes grew sharper, fiercer.

“I am willing to fight it!”

As expected, Li Hexi was the first to step forward, cupping his hands in a determined salute.

Then, he asked, “But we saw it with our own eyes that day. The constables struck it with rods and iron rulers, but it was like hitting a sack of rice. It didn’t sustain any injuries—it didn’t even seem to feel pain. If it is truly such a monster, do you have any techniques or weapons to help us?”

Song You’s smile deepened. “Just because sticks and rods don’t work... doesn’t mean it’s completely immune to blades and swords.”

His gaze swept over the crowd, then he continued, “Besides, I have something I can lend you to deal with this demon.”

“What is it?” Everyone immediately turned their eyes toward him.

Song You raised his hand casually and gestured. Suddenly, a chilling sound echoed through the courtyard—

“

Whoosh

...”

A sudden whooshing sound sliced through the air.

It sounded like a staff swinging, cutting through the wind.

Everyone turned toward the source of the noise, only to see a staff flying out from the inner room. It spun rapidly in midair before swiftly landing in the courtyard.

“

Thud...

” The staff landed firmly in the Daoist's hand.

The crowd's eyes widened in shock.

Just from his earlier words, they had already suspected he was a true master. But now, witnessing such a casual display of ability, they had no more doubts—he was the real deal!

Previously, whether they had gone to temples and monasteries to pray to gods and Buddhas, sought out so-called great masters, or turned to shamans, sorcerers, and folk practitioners, they had seen all sorts of flashy, mystical performances.

Some played tricks with burning talismans and flying paper charms, while others merely uttered intimidating words to feign power. But none of them—none—had the ability to simply extend a hand and summon a staff from within a house. This was something truly tangible and real.

Looking down at the object, they realized it was not a club but a bamboo staff.

The staff stood as tall as a person, its bamboo joints neatly aligned. The entire surface was smooth, translucent, and jade-green in color—clearly no ordinary object.

The Daoist said, “This is the bamboo staff I use while traveling the world. It can strike down demons, ghosts, and evil spirits. Take it, and give it to someone brave and skilled in combat. When they encounter the demon, let them strike with this staff—it will surely fall in one blow. If you cannot subdue the creature, simply using this staff for protection will keep you safe.”

“Sir, can you guarantee that?” Someone asked hesitantly, full of caution.

“Ha ha...” The Daoist merely laughed heartily, reassuring them with a confident smile before handing over the bamboo staff.

The man surnamed Li hurriedly accepted it with great reverence.

Though a trace of apprehension still lingered in their hearts, none among them doubted the Daoist’s words any longer. As they exchanged glances, their emotions surged—not with relief, but with growing frustration.

“I know a few

jianghu

warriors!”

“I know one too!”

“We have to beat that thing to death!”

“...”

The crowd gritted their teeth, fiercely discussing their plan.

Meanwhile, the Daoist priest stood up again, walked into the kitchen, and scooped up a basin of water. With a mere flick of his hand, he scattered divine light—completely different from those who burned talismans into water, chanted scriptures, or performed ritualistic dances.

“Take this basin of water. Each of you, drink just one sip—more than that would be harmful. Those who have applied the plaster will be shielded from its curse. Those who haven't will be spared from the stomach pain. Whatever remains, take it back to your families and neighbors.”

Song You handed the basin to Li Hexi. “It's in your hands now.”

“...” Li Hexi carefully accepted it, a sense of responsibility and trust swelling within him. “Rest assured, sir. Leave it to me!”

“Then I'll be waiting for good news.”

“We take our leave!”

Li Hexi held the basin steadily and took the first sip himself. The water was exceptionally fresh and sweet, with no strange aftertaste.

Then, he passed it to the others. Once the water level was low enough not to spill easily, he carried it away—still stepping cautiously.

“...”

Song You shook his head, retracting his gaze.

Looking up at the swallows perched on the rooftop, he called out, “Mind flying over to check things out?”

“

Flap flap flap

...” The swallow immediately fluttered their wings and soared into the sky.

“Mmm...” Only then did Song You leisurely stroll back into the kitchen.

He reached into the water basin, pulled out the two fish, and took a kitchen knife. With two swift strikes, he knocked them unconscious, then skillfully scaled, gutted, and cleaned them.

Outside, the sky was already darkening.

“

Creak

!”

The backbone of the household returned, carrying an empty bucket.

“Mmm...”

The cat-like girl sniffed the air, her nose twitching. She glanced around, then headed straight for the kitchen, bucket in hand.

Standing at the doorway, she looked at the Daoist priest—who was still cleaning the fish—and asked suspiciously, “Daoist priest, why isn't dinner ready yet? Did you take another nap?”

“Got held up for a bit.”

She narrowed her eyes, sniffed again, then tilted her head. “Why does the courtyard smell like other people?”

“Someone came looking for me just now. That’s why I was delayed.” Song You kept working as he turned his head to look at his little companion. “Lady Calico, you sold your fish so quickly?”

“Those restaurants like buying fish from me. They see that I’m small, but my fish are good, so they’re happy to buy from me.”

“It must be because your fish tastes better.”

“They’re all the same!” The little girl gave him a worried glance, as if she truly believed her Daoist was getting dumber by the day.

“Then it must be because you've gotten cuter.”

“Mmm...”

“Since you’re back, would you mind going to the courtyard to pick some

suanqie

, a few chili peppers, and a handful of green onions?”

“Alright!”

The little girl stepped into the kitchen, set down the bucket, and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Song You patiently sliced the black fish into even, uniformly thin pieces, carefully ensuring their consistency. He then coated them with a light starch slurry, while chopping the fish bones into small sections.

Once the fire was lit, he used pork fat to sauté the sour tomatoes until they softened completely. A bit of ginger was all that was needed to remove any fishy taste before adding the fish bones to simmer slowly, allowing the broth to develop into a rich, golden-red, and flavorful sour soup.

After adjusting the seasoning, he carefully dropped the fish slices in, one by one. With just a brief swirl in the boiling broth, they turned snow-white. A sprinkle of chopped scallions finished the dish—a fragrant, tangy, and appetite-stimulating sour fish soup.

Lady Calico’s little crucian carp was barely two fingers wide, yet Song You dared not be careless with it.

He meticulously scaled and gutted the fish, then boiled it with scallions and ginger. Once cooked, he laid it on a bed of fresh scallions and other seasonings. Taking a metal ladle, he scooped a spoonful of hot oil and handed it to Lady Calico, who had been tending the fire.

“Heat it on the stove,” he instructed.

“

Sizzle

—”

As the scorching oil was poured over the fish, a burst of white smoke rose, instantly unleashing an irresistible aroma.

A miniature version of scallion oil crucian carp was now complete.

The little girl still held her fire-poking stick but had stopped tending the flames. Standing by the stove, she tilted her head up, watching his every movement without blinking.

“The people rely on grain as the foundation of their survival, and eating is life itself. The pursuit of food has neither a starting point nor an endpoint—it is continuous.”

“Cats too!”

“Extinguish the fire.”

“

Whoosh

!”

The little girl blew into the stove, and no matter how fiercely the flames had been burning just moments ago, they were snuffed out instantly. Not even a single ember remained.

One big and one small figure, each carrying a dish, walked toward the courtyard.

By now, night had fully fallen.

The Daoist priest went to fetch the leftover cold rice from noon, while the young Daoist girl grabbed a lamp and lit it.

The darkness made Lady Calico worry that the Daoist wouldn’t be able to see the food properly.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Even with the lamp’s light, it wasn’t as clear as daytime. She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly,

this Daoist priest is getting lazier with cooking.

She didn’t know what had distracted him this time. Either he was spacing out, sleeping, or getting tangled up in something else that wasted money.