Ch 21: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

Zong Yu was stunned.

He watched helplessly as Jiang Lin turned and left, instinctively wanting to chase after him. But earlier, to appease Jiang Lin’s anger, he had obediently sealed most of his own demon power while being hung on the tree, and now he couldn’t break free from Jiang Lin’s spell.

By the time night fell and Zong Yu finally managed to get down from the tree, Jiang Lin had already entered seclusion.

Even as mischievous as he was, Zong Yu knew better than to disturb someone during their seclusion.

Zong Yu squatted in the courtyard, pulling out weeds while calculating in his mind. Based on Jiang Lin’s history, his seclusions could last anywhere from half a month to a full year.

Wouldn’t that mean he’d be starving for at least six months?

Zong Yu suddenly felt despairing about his demon life.

Just then, the bull demon Han Dong hurried over. Seeing Zong Yu, he asked, “Little Lord Zong, where is the Lord?”

Zong Yu replied, “He’s in seclusion.”

Han Dong acknowledged this with a simple “Oh,” not surprised at all. He then looked at Zong Yu and said, “Little Lord, a group of demons has come to White Tiger Ridge. One of them is quite strong; I can only fight him to a draw. Can you help me out?”

As one of the combat forces of White Tiger Ridge, Han Dong held a position similar to that of a security captain, leading a group of demons on daily patrols around White Tiger Ridge. In his spare time, he was also responsible for beating—oh, training—the subordinate demons.

Zong Yu, already in a foul mood, immediately stood up. “Let’s go!”

Right now, he was itching for a fight. If someone was offering themselves up as a target, why not take it?

Han Dong scratched his head. “I don’t know what’s going on lately, but more and more demons have been coming here.”

Han Dong had lived in White Tiger Ridge for many years and wasn’t aware of the situation outside, but Zong Yu and Jiang Lin kept a regular watch on the outside world.

Hearing this, Zong Yu said, “The human dynasty outside has collapsed. Now, various warlords are fighting over territories, and the land is in chaos.”

“In chaotic times, all kinds of demons and evil spirits arise. They find causing trouble among humans isn’t enough. White Tiger Ridge is a blessed land, so it’s only natural that it attracts envy,” Zong Yu said coldly.

He had lived in White Tiger Ridge for hundreds of years and felt that this place was different from anywhere he had been before.

The demons here retained their wild nature but were pure-hearted. The strong didn’t exploit the weak, and the weak didn’t have to worry about their safety, as they could sustain themselves through honest work.

Even though this was a land of demons, it was more orderly and beautiful than the human world.

And all of this wasn’t because the demons of White Tiger Ridge were different from those elsewhere, but because… of Jiang Lin.

He was a remarkable leader.

When Zong Yu first followed Jiang Lin, it was simply to get free meals. But after living here for so long, he actually started to feel like this place was home.

If that was the case, then Zong Yu didn’t mind teaching a harsh lesson to anyone who tried to disrupt the peace of White Tiger Ridge.

When Zong Yu arrived, he saw two demons with a single horn on their heads, laughing wildly.

Zong Yu took one look and felt his hands itching. The sight of them was truly unpleasant—these two demons hadn’t fully transformed, with sharp horns on their heads and black, bumpy skin covered in small warts.

It seemed that in the outside world, especially among powerful demons, it was considered an honor to display some demonic traits.

There were a few demons in White Tiger Ridge who used to think the same way, but Jiang Lin didn’t like it.

Following their lord’s example, the demons of White Tiger Ridge gradually started fully transforming into human form and came to appreciate the beauty of it.

When demons take human form, unless they have very unique tastes, they usually look quite appealing.

As a result, White Tiger Ridge was filled with handsome men and beautiful women, and every time Jiang Lin saw them, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

Zong Yu had gotten used to this over the years, so when he suddenly saw these two oddly shaped black rhinoceros demons, his desire to fight grew even stronger.

The two black rhinoceros demons were clearly skilled, having already injured several demons. They were feeling quite smug. When they saw Zong Yu approach and noticed he looked like a mere six- or seven-year-old child, they immediately mocked him:

“I thought you were getting reinforcements, but it’s just a little brat.”

“Hahaha, this White Tiger Ridge is destined to become our brothers’ domain today.”

The lesser demons under their command also chimed in:

“Our lord is wise!”

“Congratulations, my lord, on claiming this blessed land!”

“…”

The arrogant demons didn’t notice the look of pity in the eyes of the demons from White Tiger Ridge as they watched them.

Zong Yu also smiled, but it was out of anger.

He had never been the type to keep a low profile; wherever he went, he walked with his head held high, never bothering to conceal his powerful demonic aura. But after coming to White Tiger Ridge, he found that his overwhelming presence just made the young demons tremble in fear, preventing anything from getting done. Jiang Lin, seeing this, told him to tone down his aura.

And now, as a result, he was being looked down upon by two blind and ugly creatures.

He gestured to the demons of White Tiger Ridge, who immediately understood and backed away. Then, with a kick, Zong Yu sent a crack running through the ground from his feet, and before the two demons could react, he launched himself at them like a cannonball.

Unlike Jiang Lin, who preferred to conserve energy and focus on honing his magical abilities, Zong Yu relied on his powerful bloodline and terrifying strength—his true form remained a mystery—and fought with a straightforward, brute force approach.

In less than the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the two black rhinoceros demons were lying on the ground like sandbags.

Zong Yu gave each of them a swift kick, feeling refreshed after the fight. He nodded at Han Dong and said, “Tie them up, seal their demonic power, and decide whether to send them to the mines or to clear land.”

Han Dong, a well-built, upright young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, greatly admired strength, and Little Lord Zong was his lifelong idol. When he watched Zong Yu fight, his eyes practically sparkled with admiration.

Hearing Zong Yu’s instructions, Han Dong eagerly nodded. “Sure, these two look strong—let’s send them to clear land.”

They also tied up the frightened small fry and sent them to the Old Ape clan to tend to the fruit trees.

As he walked, Han Dong pondered: White Tiger Ridge was expanding rapidly, and there was always a shortage of labor. If it weren’t for the frequent arrivals of demons either too clueless or attracted by the delicacies made by the head chef, the land wouldn’t get cleared fast enough.

He thought about finding time to ask Little Lord Zong for some pointers and also wondered when the Lord would come out of seclusion this time.

Every time the Lord emerged from seclusion, his aura became even more unfathomable.

It was strange, really. Despite Zong Yu’s fiery temperament and his habit of bullying other demons, they seemed much more at ease around him and could even joke with him occasionally. But with Jiang Lin, it was the opposite—although he was always gentle and rarely punished anyone, the demons instinctively felt fear in his presence.

Except for the young, naive demons and those like the cat demon and pheasant who worshiped Jiang Lin blindly, the other demons didn’t dare to breathe loudly in front of him.

Meanwhile, the very Jiang Lin whom Han Dong was thinking about was at a crucial moment.

Two hundred years ago, the system, which had been sporadically going offline, suddenly reconnected and asked Jiang Lin if he wanted to try a different cultivation method.

He had been using other demons’ bodies to do tasks, and while he gained some benefits from cultivating, it was ultimately limited.

The system, however, had a technique that could transform the demonic power he cultivated into his own strength.