Ch 20: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

Jiang Lin quickly cast a spell to bring Qingluo down. The little girl, like a small candy ball, threw herself into Jiang Lin’s arms, wailing.

Qingluo had taken human form two hundred years ago and had appeared just like this: wearing green clothes, her hair in twin buns, with fair skin and a sweet, childish voice calling Jiang Lin “Master.” She was both obedient and adorable.

Jiang Lin was immediately charmed by her and felt that “Master” was too cold and distant, so he had Qingluo call him “Daddy.” Over the past two hundred years, he indeed treated Qingluo like a daughter.

Qingluo, a spirit born from plants, had a pure aura and a gentle personality. She was well-loved by all the demons of White Tiger Ridge, who had watched her grow up.

—Except for Zong Yu.

When Zong Yu first arrived at White Tiger Ridge, he was domineering and taciturn. Despite his young appearance, his immense strength and fierce demeanor—marked by furrowed brows and a cold gaze—intimidated the other demons, who were afraid to approach him.

But after following Jiang Lin, with good food, drink, and rest, Zong Yu’s temper improved significantly. As his temper mellowed, his true nature began to show.

He turned into a little troublemaker, perfectly fitting the description of a mischievous child. Almost every demon in White Tiger Ridge had been bullied by him at some point.

As White Tiger Ridge developed rapidly over the years, the adult demons became busy with their own affairs. Whenever Zong Yu disrupted their work, Jiang Lin would give him a good scolding, so Zong Yu started targeting the younger, less mature demons.

Though young demons could work, Jiang Lin, who had a soft spot for children—especially young demons still in the process of transforming, with their fluffy tails and furry ears—preferred to let them play happily. He even gave them designs and had Pheasant oversee the construction of various toys.

Zong Yu enjoyed teasing these young demons, not causing any real harm but making them cry nonetheless. However, he was too powerful for their parents to challenge, so they would complain to Jiang Lin.

As a result, over the past three hundred years, Jiang Lin had spent two hundred years cultivating and the remaining hundred years disciplining Zong Yu.

After Qingluo took on her human form, Zong Yu shifted his focus—going from bullying young demons to bullying Qingluo.

Every few days, he would make her cry.

Just like now—

Jiang Lin spent a long time comforting the little girl, using his wood-based magic to create many flowers and weave a garland for Qingluo. Only then did she smile through her tears.

Jiang Lin set Qingluo on a swing to play by herself and then went off to find Zong Yu.

He found him on the mountain managed by the Old Ape clan.

The eight mountains of White Tiger Ridge had been divided into different responsibilities. This particular mountain, overseen by the Old Ape clan, was dedicated to growing various fruit trees.

Zong Yu was sitting on a peach tree, swinging his legs.

Three hundred years had passed, and many of the young demons at White Tiger Ridge had grown from small animals into adolescent figures. But Zong Yu still looked the same as the first time they met.

He was still that six- or seven-year-old, pretty little boy, with delicate, almost sculpted features, who seemed harmless. His big, dark eyes sparkled as if they could see right through you.

In the past, his heavy aura made him seem unapproachable, but now he was like a sweet treat, soft and white on the outside, with a dark, hidden center.

Jiang Lin had completely seen through this little troublemaker.

Jiang Lin’s anger flared up. “Qingluo is still a child. Why are you bullying her?”

Zong Yu puffed out his cheeks like a little bun. “I’m also a child. Why are you yelling at me?”

Jiang Lin wasn’t buying it. He sneered, “A child that’s over a thousand years old?”

Zong Yu retorted confidently, “What’s wrong with being over a thousand years old? I’m still in my juvenile phase. You’re so kind to those other young ones, so why are you so harsh with me?”

As he spoke, he felt a bit wronged. “They’re not even as good-looking as I am. Every time you see them, you’re so gentle and patient, but with me, you’re cold and indifferent.”

He was indeed very handsome, and when he put on a pitiful, aggrieved expression, it could easily soften anyone’s heart.

But the person standing in front of him was Jiang Lin.

After three hundred years, Jiang Lin had seen through this little troublemaker’s true nature.

Jiang Lin let out a cold laugh. “Because you deserve a beating!”

Zong Yu glanced at him and then turned and ran.

Half an hour later.

At the entrance of the valley, on a large wutong tree, a delicate and pretty boy in black clothes was hanging upside down.

The boy was puffed up with anger, hanging from the tree while continuously talking. “Are you still mad, Jiang Lin?”

No one responded.

Zong Yu thought for a moment. “Brother Jiang Lin?”

Still no response.

After a while, Zong Yu became indignant. “Don’t think I really can’t beat you. I’m just letting you win!”

If I didn’t let you vent your anger, I wouldn’t have anything to eat for the next half month!

“Brother Zong Yu, Daddy said that since you hung me up for a night, you have to hang on this tree for a whole day before you can come down.” Sitting beneath the tree was a fair-skinned little girl, holding a bowl of osmanthus candy that the cat demon had made for her. Her cheeks puffed out as she spoke.

This was Qingluo. Jiang Lin had told her to watch over Zong Yu and make sure he stayed on the tree as a way to make Qingluo feel better.

It could be said that Jiang Lin was a very indulgent father.

Zong Yu felt a surge of irritation as he looked at Qingluo. This little girl was the reason he was hanging from the tree in the first place.

He rolled his eyes and emphasized, “Who’s your brother? You should call me Uncle Zong Yu.”

Qingluo blinked in confusion. “But you look…”

She gestured to his height and said earnestly, “Just a little bit older than Qingluo.”

Zong Yu declared proudly, “That’s because I have powerful bloodlines. My juvenile phase lasts longer than that of ordinary demons. In fact, I’m older than any of the demons in White Tiger Ridge.”

Qingluo thought it over, then finally nodded, her tassels swinging with the movement. “Alright then, Little Uncle Zong.”

Zong Yu felt satisfied. Hanging upside down didn’t seem so bad anymore, but when he remembered that this little girl was the reason he was up here in the first place, he felt less satisfied.

He took a good look at the well-behaved Qingluo sitting under the tree and said mischievously, “When I get down from this tree, I’m going to pluck all your leaves off until you’re bald.”

Qingluo froze, then frantically hugged her head. After a moment, she said, “But Little Uncle Zong, if you pluck all my leaves, Daddy will beat you to death.”

“I’ll beat you to death, you little brat!” was one of Jiang Lin’s frequently used phrases.

Of course, Jiang Lin had never actually followed through on that threat, but if Zong Yu really did pluck all of Qingluo’s leaves, that phrase might just become a reality.

Zong Yu thought about it and then huffed, “Hmph, I just let him win every time. Otherwise, he wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Oh, really?” A calm voice sounded from nearby.

Zong Yu was startled. When did Jiang Lin get here?

Jiang Lin had initially worried that this little troublemaker might feel humiliated being hung up in the valley and become enraged, but instead, Zong Yu didn’t seem to care at all and had even started chatting with Qingluo.

What a waste of worry.

Jiang Lin chuckled. “Since Little Zong is so powerful, I’m really frightened. I think I need to go into seclusion for a while to improve my skills.”

He turned on his heel with a flourish. “During that time, I’m afraid Little Zong will have to fend for himself when it comes to food.”