Ch 18: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

The next morning, Jiang Lin cooked another bowl of noodles. After having breakfast with Zong Yu, he started to leisurely stroll around the city.

The Surveillance Division had been secretly keeping an eye on them, and when they observed the harmonious interaction between Jiang Lin and Zong Yu, they were shocked.

“What did you say? He’s getting along well with that little tyrant?” Chen Yu was astonished.

The person reporting the situation to Chen Yu mentioned how Jiang Lin even bought Zong Yu a candied hawthorn like he was really taking care of a child while they were out in the streets. And surprisingly, the little tyrant obediently accepted it.

Chen Yu: “…”

His expression flickered between anger and resignation before he finally let out a frustrated breath: “Forget it.”

It’s just a bit of humiliation. Given how strong the other party is, being bullied by such a demon isn’t too disgraceful.

Jiang Lin was aware that the Surveillance Division had sent people to secretly follow him. But since he had no hidden agenda, openly trading with merchants for things like pepper and rice seeds, he didn’t mind.

The people from the Surveillance Division saw him buying a bit of everything and merely assumed that this great demon was inexperienced and unfamiliar with the human world, so they didn’t pay much attention to it.

Huaiyang City wasn’t large, and Jiang Lin had explored it in just a few days. He decided to move on to another place. When he informed the Surveillance Division of his plans, they were more than happy to send this mighty presence on his way.

However, what Jiang Lin didn’t expect was to discover a small tail following him outside Huaiyang City.

“Zong Yu?” Jiang Lin looked at the black-clad boy with small horns on his forehead, puzzled.

Zong Yu said, “Aren’t you going to visit other cities?”

Jiang Lin nodded.

Zong Yu, with a serious expression, said, “I’ve traveled every inch of Dazheng’s land. I think I can be your guide.”

Jiang Lin looked at him suspiciously, “You’re being this kind?”

Zong Yu didn’t hide his true intentions at all: “In exchange, you have to cook for me every day.”

He had previously found a top chef and asked him to make noodles the same way Jiang Lin did. The chef had specially prepared a bowl of chicken soup noodles with a rich broth, exquisite in both flavor and appearance.

But Zong Yu couldn’t bring himself to eat it.

He even had others try some of the other dishes Jiang Lin had made, finally confirming: He liked Jiang Lin’s cooking not because it was new or novel, but because it was made by Jiang Lin himself.

Zong Yu couldn’t understand the reasoning behind this, but it didn’t stop him from deciding to follow Jiang Lin.

However, Jiang Lin rejected him without hesitation: “No way, I’m not here just to cook.”

Zong Yu, annoyed, said, “Everyone else spoils me. Why don’t you?”

Jiang Lin retorted, “Why should I?”

Zong Yu was stunned and replied, “Because I’m very powerful.”

Jiang Lin laughed, “You just said it yourself—others spoil you because they want something from you. But I don’t need anything from you.”

Zong Yu frowned, troubled.

He suddenly recalled the previous day when Jiang Lin was pulled by a three- or four-year-old girl in front of a sweet soup stall.

The little girl, with chubby cheeks and pigtails, sucked on her finger while holding onto Jiang Lin’s robe and calling him ‘dad.’

—She had probably mistaken him for someone else.

Zong Yu thought it looked silly, but Jiang Lin had smiled happily, even bought the girl a bowl of sweet soup, and sat with her until her family came to find her.

Zong Yu thought he might have figured out something about Jiang Lin’s preferences.

With this in mind, he pondered seriously for a moment, then suddenly reached out and grabbed a corner of Jiang Lin’s robe.

Jiang Lin: ?

He looked down in surprise. The black-clad boy tilted his head up, looking at him with big, pleading eyes: “…Brother Jiang Lin.”

Jiang Lin: ???

He stared at Zong Yu, expressionless.

Zong Yu looked up at Jiang Lin for a few moments, expecting a different reaction. When he realized that Jiang Lin’s response wasn’t what he anticipated, he let go of Jiang Lin’s clothes and frowned in confusion, “Don’t you usually like this kind of thing?”

In truth, Jiang Lin was briefly charmed. Despite Zong Yu’s quirky personality, his appearance was undeniably adorable, like a little jade statue. Having such a cute child call him “big brother” made Jiang Lin feel that not being moved would be inhuman.

But he was also very clear-minded. He knew that Zong Yu, this little devil, wasn’t genuinely like this; he was only acting this way to achieve a certain goal and make Jiang Lin give in.

With a stern face, Jiang Lin replied, “Others are genuinely cute; you’re just trying to act cute. It’s not the same.”

Zong Yu didn’t quite understand what it meant to “act cute.” Feeling a bit dejected, he asked, “Then what do I need to do for you to take me along?”

His expression grew somber, and his eyes lowered, casting long, feather-like eyelashes over his pale face, creating a small shadow.

Jiang Lin sighed, “Fine, let’s go.”

Zong Yu, surprised, asked, “Huh?”

He quickly raised his head, only to see Jiang Lin’s back as he walked ahead.

Joy surged in his heart as he hurried to catch up. “Jiang Lin?”

Jiang Lin replied, “…Call me brother.”

Zong Yu hesitated, but Jiang Lin had already spoken again, “No food if you don’t call me that.”

Zong Yu quickly said, “Brother Jiang Lin!”

By the time Jiang Lin returned to White Tiger Ridge, it was already late autumn. Although he initially planned to stay away for only a month, he ended up visiting dozens of cities with Zong Yu, who acted as his little guide. They experienced the local customs and bought a lot of things.

Zong Yu noticed that Jiang Lin was always buying things, yet he never seemed to carry any baggage, and he never asked about it either.

Jiang Lin also realized that while Zong Yu seemed difficult and temperamental, he was actually straightforward and had no hidden agendas. Jiang Lin suspected that Zong Yu had figured out he had some kind of spatial artifact, but Zong Yu never showed any greed.

Moreover, Zong Yu’s bad temper was largely due to his inability to find satisfying food. Since traveling with Jiang Lin, although Jiang Lin couldn’t cook for him three times a day, he didn’t mind cooking to satisfy their cravings whenever they had some free time.

With access to delicious food every few days, Zong Yu’s temper had improved considerably. Originally a beautiful little child, without his previous bad temper, he became even more likable.

So, when Zong Yu proposed to visit White Tiger Ridge with him, Jiang Lin didn’t refuse.

Before leaving, Jiang Lin gave the pheasant and cat demons seeds and taught them a few more recipes. The demons had also learned how to build houses, so Jiang Lin knew that White Tiger Ridge might not be the same as it was before he left.

But thinking about it was one thing, and seeing it was another. When Jiang Lin returned to White Tiger Ridge, he was still taken aback.

From a distance, he could see that many small houses had been built outside the valley where his courtyard was located. The houses had different styles but were all neatly separated by flowering plants, arranged in an orderly fashion. A small river had even been dug, with a row of evergreen trees growing on both banks.

It looked like a cluster of modern villas.

He had only been gone for a few months—had some architectural master arrived at White Tiger Ridge?

Zong Yu was also stunned. “Brother Jiang Lin, your White Tiger Ridge is nothing like the other demon territories I’ve seen.”

Zong Yu had encountered many demons before, some newly emerged from the forests and others who had lived among humans for a long time. It was easy to tell the difference between the two.

Having interacted with them, Zong Yu had a fixed impression of the places where demons and monsters gathered: primitive, closed off, and beastly, without any signs of civilization.

But this White Tiger Ridge was completely different from what he had expected. If he hadn’t known beforehand that it was a place where demons lived, he might have thought it was a noble’s vacation estate.

No, a human estate could never have such rich spiritual energy—places where groups of demons were born were often blessed lands, far superior to ordinary regions.

As they talked, they got closer and heard the voices of children.

Jiang Lin looked over and saw that there were many swings hanging from the trees near the houses, with some unshaped little demons playing on them.

Finally, some of the demons noticed Jiang Lin’s arrival.

Immediately, several flashes of light darted over, with the cat leading the way.

The slender girl’s eyes sparkled. “My lord, you’re finally back!”

The pheasant was also there, more reserved in her demeanor, but her expression showed excitement.

Other demons also came over to greet Jiang Lin. Most of them weren’t very familiar with him and were a bit reserved and awed in his presence.

Suddenly, Zong Yu, who had been silent, stepped forward.

He had been hiding behind a tree, observing these White Tiger Ridge demons. Now, as he stepped out, his aura burst forth without restraint.

The demons of White Tiger Ridge immediately felt a terrifying pressure emanating from this great demon and retreated several steps, looking at him in fear.

Seeing this, Zong Yu felt satisfied. This was the normal reaction—other demons used to react to him the same way.

Only Jiang Lin, this weirdo, seemed completely unaffected by his bloodline’s suppression.

Zong Yu was feeling proud when, out of nowhere, his head was lightly tapped. “You’re getting bold, bullying little demons?”

Zong Yu covered his head, glaring at Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin casually said, “What did you promise when you asked to come to White Tiger Ridge?”

Zong Yu thought back: to be obedient, not to cause trouble, not to bully the little demons, and to help out when necessary.

He suddenly doubted himself—why had he agreed to such unreasonable conditions?

But he was a demon who kept his word, so since he had agreed, he had to follow through.

Reluctantly, Zong Yu withdrew his pressure and obediently stood to the side.

With Zong Yu dealt with, Jiang Lin turned back to see the adoring eyes of the demons.

They didn’t care about the deal between Jiang Lin and Zong Yu. They only saw that with one word from their lord, the terrifying demon had obediently complied.

What did this mean?

It meant their lord was even more powerful than that great demon!

In the world of demons, power commanded respect.

Jiang Lin didn’t even realize that Zong Yu’s first visit to White Tiger Ridge had solidified his status among the demons.

Jiang Lin dismissed the other demons to go about their business, keeping the raccoon and the pheasant to inquire about some things.

As he listened to their explanations, Jiang Lin marveled at how White Tiger Ridge was truly filled with talented individuals.