Chapter 56: The Melting Demon and the Schemer’s Gaze

The following day, within the confines of the Demon Hunter Guild’s Fengling City branch base.

All the dim lights flickered on, illuminating a sealed cell where a demon, bound securely with ropes, seemed to have been provoked, beginning a violent struggle.

However, the branch’s specially designed restraint device was not something a low-level demon like her could break free from; such scenes unfolded multiple times daily.

“She looks a bit scary, doesn’t she?”

“Only scary enough to scare people.”

Outside the cell, members of the branch conversed while observing the demon within.

Despite having slept little the previous night, their expressions remained remarkably spirited.

Ever since the demon hunter from the Midsummer Night Restaurant returned with the demon Bai Chen had defeated, many were so thrilled they couldn’t sleep a wink all night.

Such fortunate occurrences were rare.

The combat prowess of demons was often unpredictable, and capturing them alive after defeat was exceedingly difficult, frequently resulting in significant personnel losses for little gain.

“She’s weaker than an average demon; her stats are half that of the weakest demon in our archives.”

“We thought a demon that could be solo-killed by a hunter was already the weakest, but who knew there were even weaker ones.”

“So, can we infer there might be even weaker demons?”

“It’s hard to say. Perhaps the truly weak ones hide in the shadows, only appearing before people after they’ve grown to a certain extent.”

As their lively discussion continued, an impatient voice abruptly cut them off.

“You all had your fun, but what about us?”

The head of the Research Department strode over, his hands tucked into his lab coat, flip-flops slapping against the floor.

“You told us to bring our best equipment, only to lock up *this* kind of specimen?”

Confronted by the Research Department head’s accusation, the branch members could only hold their noses, retreat, and offer a fawning laugh.

“Doesn’t this just prove the quality of your finished products?”

“Bah! This kind of trash could be tied up with any old belt found on the street. Our devices are meant for demons capable of threatening all of humanity; you have no idea how many days I’ve gone without sleep for this thing…”

‘If only you could really pick up such belts on the street,’ the branch members thought, barely listening.

Whenever the department head spoke of their department’s research products, he would launch into an endless monologue, extolling the greatness of the Research Department and proclaiming that without them, there would be no hope for humanity’s future.

Even if they glorified themselves as saviors of humanity, in the eyes of others, they were merely a bunch of slovenly recluses who loved to hole up in the research lab.

Just as the branch members were pondering how to silence him, the cell alarm suddenly blared.

“What’s going on? Has the demon broken free?”

“Impossible. Not even a god could escape my device.”

“Look, everyone.”

The crowd gathered, their gazes fixed on the demon.

She was convulsing painfully, her entire body spasming, her waist arching.

As if witnessing something horrific, she let out a hair-raising wail.

“Quick, do something, she…”

Before the quickest-thinking member could finish their sentence, the demon, right before their eyes, melted like an ice cream cone into a puddle of putrid slime.

Everyone stood dumbfounded, remaining motionless for a long while.

****

The news of the demon’s self-dissolution quickly spread throughout the entire branch, reaching Bai Chen and his companions who were still waiting.

“What? Something like this happened?”

Su Wanghai stretched his neck.

“Could it be a hidden backup energy source… Ouch, that hurts, why did you poke me?”

“Be serious; this isn’t the time for jokes.”

Manager Cheng Xuan withdrew her finger from his waist and walked off with the other branch members.

They had originally received news and come to see the demon, only to arrive and be met with such grim tidings.

While others discussed incessantly, Bai Chen sat alone, seemingly lost in thought.

“Do you know something we don’t?”

Su Wanghai settled beside him.

“How could I possibly know?”

“Then why do you look like a great philosopher?”

“It’s nothing; I’m just as surprised as all of you.”

His words were half-truths.

What truly concerned Bai Chen wasn’t the demon’s melting, but rather his regret at not being able to see her again.

After handing the demon over to the branch yesterday and returning home, a peculiar thought had surfaced in Bai Chen’s mind.

‘I feel like I’ve seen that demon’s face somewhere before?’

Bai Chen was certain his premonition wouldn’t be wrong; if he had another chance for a closer look, he would definitely remember.

But precisely at this moment…

‘A coincidence?’

Bai Chen’s expression grew solemn as he gazed at the floor tiles.

‘The timing is so precise; am I being overly suspicious, or is there another reason?’

Not long after, he abandoned his thoughts; with the demon gone, an answer to that question would naturally be impossible to find.

****

“The timing was perfect, not a second off.”

“Hehe, you flatter me.”

Within the black palace where demons held their meetings, Mo Qiu, now masked, wore a satisfied smile as she regarded her colleague.

Xinleit, seated opposite her, offered a guileless smile, like an innocent child.

“You’re unlike Saluk; you’re incredibly reliable.”

“Why the sudden mention of Saluk?”

“To be honest, I sought his help before, but he never gave me a satisfactory answer.”

“Is that so? That’s quite a shame indeed.”

Mo Qiu twirled a strand of her deep blue hair, her star-pupiled eyes fixed on Xinleit, and suddenly asked,

“Speaking of which, why were you in the old district?”

Had she not encountered Xinleit at that time, Mo Qiu truly couldn’t have completed the step she desired in such a short period.

As for the outcome, Bai Chen’s reaction had pleased her greatly.

Yet, some doubts still lingered in her heart, particularly regarding Xinleit before her.

In response to her question, Xinleit merely shrugged.

“I was just coincidentally looking for prey.”

“Your ability is quite unique; you can almost turn people into demons?”

“No, I merely ignite their desires, allowing them to transform into monsters that match those desires.”

Xinleit smiled guilelessly once more.

“But what about you, Libelle? Why were you in that place, and with a human at that?”

Mo Qiu’s reply was straightforward.

“I’m nurturing him.”

“What do you mean?”

“When that person discovers the truth, his emotions are sure to be delicious.”

Xinleit blinked, then realized.

“I see! You’re even more playful than us pure demons. I’m truly impressed, utterly impressed.”

“There’s no need to be so respectful towards me; you are my senior.”

“No, no, no, to me, all the demons here are worthy of my study.”

Xinleit paused before adding, “Even if you were once on the human side, Libelle.”

The girl’s eyes crinkled with a smile, seemingly delighted.

“Then I look forward to your guidance, Xinleit.”

‘This type of individual can prove immensely useful at critical moments,’ she thought.

Returning to her room, Mo Qiu removed her mask, all traces of her smile vanishing as her face reverted to its usual impassive state.

So many unpleasant things had transpired yesterday, but thankfully, the ending had been rather satisfactory.

The girl sat before her computer, subconsciously touching her lips.

‘That Bai Chen fellow, is he really that shy from just this much?’

If they had truly kissed, she couldn’t even imagine what his reaction would have been.

At that moment, Mo Qiu had genuinely almost leaned in for a kiss, but at the crucial instant, she had held back.

She felt that giving away her first kiss so easily would be too cheap; she needed to find the perfect moment to make it unforgettable for Bai Chen.

Of course, there was another reason: the thought of kissing a man’s lips still made her feel a surge of nausea.

Deep down, she still believed herself to be a man, this physical shell merely a necessary prop for her deception.

However, there was another point that greatly concerned Mo Qiu.

That was Bai Chen’s power.

Despite her numerous calls, Bai Chen hadn’t managed to regain consciousness at that time, a result that was truly unexpected.

This simply wouldn’t do; with Fengling City on the brink of destruction, Bai Chen still couldn’t control his own strength.

A dignified hero meant to save the world, yet he was afraid of his own power? What a joke!

Recalling the punch Bai Chen had almost landed, Mo Qiu inadvertently bit off her thumbnail with excessive force.

She had believed her arrangements were perfectly flawless, yet she still couldn’t make Bai Chen obedient.

The next time such an accident occurred, the outcome might not be so fortunate.

Mo Qiu lifted her knees, resting her chin upon them, her dead-fish eyes fixed on the computer screen.

Bai Chen *must* overcome this fear.

‘If you can’t do it yourself, then I will give you a push.’