jdhmnovel Chapter 6: Arrest or not?
Chapter 6: Arrest or not?
Ning Xiaoxi closed her eyes weakly. [Big brother, are you kidding? We've run into a powerful demon?]
[What good thing are you thinking? Are powerful demons so easy to encounter?] The black and white dumpling rolled its eyes rudely. With its tiny eyes, Ning Xiaoxi didn't even notice it rolled its eyes.
[This is just a lowly demon, meant for you to practice on. Do you really think your current small frame can withstand fighting a powerful demon?]
【Wait, didn't you say there were only six demons and eleven monsters?】
Those were mission objectives. As long as humans have desires, they cannot completely eliminate demons. Capturing and sealing the six demons and eleven monsters was merely to ensure the continued existence of this world.
Ning Xiaoxi wanted to cry but had no tears.
How can I catch him when I can't even lift my legs? And if I do catch him, how can I prove he's a demon? How can I prevent those guards from arresting me?
Just as Ning Xiaoxi was complaining, a bright black and white interface popped up in front of her.
[Activate the demon-catching and monster-slaying skill?]
What is this? A cheat code for me?
[Host, if you want to catch demons, you'll need some skills to rely on, right? I'm your sweet little dumpling.]
Ning Xiaoxi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. [Activate]
[Congratulations, host, you have unlocked the low-level demon capture skill and received a beginner's gift pack. Would you like to open it now?]
Ning Xiaoxi stared at the glaringly obvious words "low-level demon," and thought, "Damn it, is this some kind of insult? 'Low-level demon,' what does that mean? Is this how they classify demons? Are they trying to play this monster-slaying leveling-up game with me?"
[Open] Ning Xiaoxi could no longer describe her current feelings.
[Open the Beginner's Gift Pack to obtain one Intermediate "Lucky Star" card, effective for one hour. Using it will increase the host's Luck attribute during demon-capturing operations; and grant the Beginner "Spiritual Insight: First Glimpse of Demonic Shadows," allowing the host to sense fluctuations in demonic energy within a certain range and gain initial awareness of monsters' presence. It also allows the host to distinguish the shapes of various beginner demons, helping to identify their attributes and facilitate capture.]
As the little dumpling's innocent voice faded, a simple card with only the four characters "Good Fortune Shines Brightly" and a blue-covered thread-bound book appeared before Ning Xiaoxi's eyes.
[Please choose whether to use cards or learn the First Glimpse of the Demon Shadow]
[A First Glimpse into the World of Demonic Shadows]
A faint white light flashed across the thread-bound book, then transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into Ning Xiaoxi's brow. A warm current flowed into Ning Xiaoxi's mind like a stream into a river. The words from "First Glimpse of the Demonic Shadow" entered her mind, and strange knowledge and images flooded her brain.
The light faded, and Ning Xiaoxi rubbed her temples before opening her eyes again.
[Li Nu, a three-tailed cat demon, was born with three fluffy tails, a rarity even among cat demons. Unlike other cat demons, he showed little interest in cultivating magic or seducing humans, instead brimming with curiosity about human business dealings. He not only opened a shop in the town specializing in various unique items but also established trade relations with merchants from other regions, greatly facilitating the comings and goings of merchants and travelers. Due to his obsession with business, his demonic power was weak, preventing him from breaking through to the intermediate level. However, his demonic power was solid, and his movements were agile.]
The blatant description was displayed clearly above the shopkeeper's head. It seemed this initial glimpse of the demonic aura wasn't just about perception; it could also display the names and abilities of demons. Could it be that what had just merged into her mind was an encyclopedia of low-level demons?
Ning Xiaoxi looked at the cat demon's description with suspicion. It was just a cat that hid in the human world doing business; it hadn't harmed anyone. Why would she want to capture it? [Can I give up on capturing it?]
"Those who are not of our kind are bound to have different hearts," the system's cold voice carried an undeniable air of authority.
This was the first time Ning Xiaoxi had sensed the system's emotions. Although the system hadn't been very reliable before, it had at least always had a gentle feel to it. Suddenly switching to this cold and detached mode, Ning Xiaoxi felt that her system wasn't the chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) mode it displayed.
But even if she now knew this cat demon, she had neither the ability to catch cats, nor a reason to do so, and what identity would she have to catch a demon in? The resistance rising from the bottom of her heart almost made Ning Xiaoxi collapse. What kind of situation was this?
Tap tap~ tap tap~~
Just as they were pondering this, a series of rapid and chaotic hoofbeats came from afar, clearly indicating that a caravan was galloping past the post station at high speed.
Just as the sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, suddenly, a black shadow swept past Ning Xiaoxi. Then, Ning Xiaoxi felt an external force wrap around her waist and fling her out the door.
Ning Xiaoxi's body was propelled far away to the outside of the post station by the force of the movement.
The moment Ning Xiaoxi landed, several dark figures staggered and fell to the ground simultaneously.
"what happened?"
"what happened?"
"What happened?"
Several voices sounded beside her, and Ning Xiaoxi realized that it was her older brother who had just been shopping at the general store and his three servants.
"Big brother." Ning Xiaoxi took a few steps closer to Ning Ziqing and saw that Ning Ziqing was carrying a stack of baskets, which were piled with many things.
"Xiao Xi, don't be afraid, it's Lord Di Sha."
As soon as Ning Ziqing finished speaking, the constable who had been guarding the entrance of the general store came over and said, "Lord Di Sha is on a mission. Cancel the purchase and return to the post station immediately."
Ning Xiaoxi followed closely behind Ning Ziqing, not daring to utter another sound, and quickly followed the constable back to the post station.
The once bustling post station was now deserted. The postmen, who had been preparing supplies, led the horse-drawn carts quickly into the courtyard and tied them in a corner. The guards stood watch at the entrances of different prisoner bunks, ready for action.
Ding You stood at the door and waited for the group to enter before quickly closing the door and bolting it shut.
Ning Xiaoxi followed Ning Ziqing quickly into the dormitory. The two guards who followed them in also quickly closed the door, drew their swords, and stood guard by the door with serious expressions.
Ning Ziqing put the basket he had been carrying in the corner and pulled Ning Xiaoxi's wrist closer to her parents.
Ning Shi and Ming Luoying looked at Ning Ziqing with suspicion.
"It's Lord Di Sha's business," Ning Ziqing said solemnly.
Ning Shi and Ming Luoying both gasped and fell silent. Ming Luoying pulled Ning Xiaoxi into a tight embrace, nestled close to Ning Shi. Ning Shi also held Ning Ziqing close to him, and the family huddled together.
The others nearby also heard Ning Ziqing's words. In an instant, the room, which had been filled with whispers, fell silent, as if everyone had heard something terrifying.
Although Ning Xiaoxi was full of doubts, seeing the silence and oppressive atmosphere in the room, and feeling the subtle trembling coming from Ming Luoying, she shut her mouth and snuggled up to her family.