A Compendium of One Hundred Demons: My Path to Immortality in a World of Demons and Monsters

The atmosphere in the main hall of the Northern Camp of the Demon Suppression Division was as still as lead.

After Zhou Yuanqing left with his two disciples, Lei Zhen remained seated at the head of the table, his expression calm and composed.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, producing a rhythmic thud, a habit he had when he was thinking.

Xiao Yunhan stood beside Xu Yuan, his gaze sweeping over the people in the hall before finally settling on Xu Yuan, his eyes filled with a complex scrutiny.

"Xu Yuan," Lei Zhen suddenly spoke, "tell me honestly, is Liu Qingyun's death truly unrelated to you?"

Xu Yuan raised his eyes and met Lei Zhen's gaze.

The commander of the Northern Camp had a gaze as sharp as a hawk's, as if he could see right through people's hearts.

But Xu Yuan's eyes were as calm as a bottomless ancient well, without the slightest ripple.

"Commander, if I had killed him, I wouldn't be standing here today," Xu Yuan said slowly. "If the Liu family wants to investigate, let them investigate."

Lei Zhen stared at him for three breaths, then suddenly laughed.

The smile was faint, yet it conveyed a hint of appreciation.

"Alright." He stood up, walked over to Xu Yuan, and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, as long as you're in the Demon Suppression Division, the Liu family won't be able to touch you. Their influence won't even reach my Northern Camp!"

Xiao Yunhan also breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward, saying, "Commander, that Liu Ruyan is an inner disciple of the Green Mountain Sect and the eldest daughter of the Liu family. If she insists on clinging to Xu Yuan..."

"Bite?" Lei Zhen sneered. "What does she have to bite? Evidence? Witnesses? Just because Liu Qingyun went to the west of the city before she disappeared? There are at least eight hundred to a thousand people going in and out of that place every day. Are they all the murderers?"

He paused, then looked at Xu Yuan: "But on another note, you should still be careful lately. The Liu family might not dare to touch you openly, but they are certainly capable of causing trouble behind the scenes."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, Commander."

After leaving the Northern Camp, Xiao Yunhan accompanied Xu Yuan for a while.

"Xu Yuan, tell me the truth," Xiao Yunhan said in a low voice, "Are you really completely unaware of Liu Qingyun's affairs?"

Xu Yuan paused slightly and turned his head to look at him.

Xiao Yunhan's eyes were full of concern, but also a hint of worry.

"Uncle Xiao, do you believe me?"

Xiao Yunhan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly: "You brat... fine, believe it or not, you're one of my people. If the Liu family dares to touch you, I, Xiao Yunhan, will be the first to object."

Xu Yuan felt a warmth in his heart, but his face remained calm: "Uncle Xiao, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Xiao Yunhan nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then left.

Xu Yuan stood there, watching his figure disappear around the street corner, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Xiao Yunhan treated him well, but he still couldn't tell the truth.

It's not that I don't trust them, but there are some things that are safer to know the less you know.

"The Liu family... Liu Ruyan..." Xu Yuan murmured to himself, a smile curving his lips. "Well done."

He turned and walked towards the east of the city.

A moment later, Xu Yuan reappeared in a secluded alley, now transformed into the Blood Hand.

In the backyard of Yongchang Pawnshop in the south of the city, in a secret room.

"Blood Hand" sat cross-legged on the futon, closing his eyes to rest.

Half an hour later, the door to the secret room was pushed open.

The old man in black robes walked in slowly, this time without Liu Ruyan following behind him.

"Bloody Hand," the old man spoke, "how's the investigation into Xu Yuan going?"

Xu Yuan opened his eyes and respectfully said, "Elder, I have investigated. Xu Yuan was originally from Shuangshan Village in Qingyang County. Before joining the Demon Suppression Division, he was just a hunter in a mountain village. Two months ago, when the Xiongnu invaded the south, during the battle to defend Qingyang, he single-handedly burned the Xiongnu's grain supplies, destroyed their siege equipment, and finally killed the Xiongnu shaman Guza, becoming famous overnight. Now he has joined the Northern Camp, is in the early stage of Qi Condensation, and is highly regarded by Lei Zhen."

He presented the intelligence he had prepared beforehand with both hands.

The old man took it, glanced at it, and nodded slightly: "Very detailed. How strong is this person?"

"I have secretly observed him. Although he is only at the early stage of Qi Condensation, his true essence is abundant and his foundation is solid. Moreover..." Xu Yuan paused, showing some hesitation.

"And what?"

"Moreover, this person seems to be skilled in some kind of technique to conceal his presence. I tried to follow him several times, but he easily shook me off each time." Xu Yuan lowered his head. "I am incompetent. Please punish me, Elder."

The old man waved his hand: "It's alright. He must have some skill to shake you off at the early stage of Qi Condensation. But since Miss Liu wants his life, none of that matters."

Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive: "Does the elder mean... that I should take action?"

"No rush." ​​A cold glint flashed in the old man's eyes. "Miss Liu has her own arrangements. You just need to do your job. Also, the Lord has ordered that there may be some big moves in Cangzhou Prefecture soon. Your 'receivers' should be alert and not cause any trouble at this critical juncture."

"Understood."

The old man nodded and turned to leave.

The secret room returned to silence.

Xu Yuan sat on the futon, his eyes gleaming.

Big move?

What exactly does Youyinglou want to do?

He took out the black jade slip and probed into his soul once more.

The records about Youying Tower in "The True Explanation of the Demon Contract" have now revealed new information.

"...Since taking over as the leader of the sect, Shan Xiongfei has been searching for the entrance to an ancient ruin. Legend has it that the ruin contains the legacy of the 'True Lord of the Netherworld,' which grants access to the underworld and the attainment of immortality. To this end, he has not hesitated to collude with the Xiongnu, exchanging blood offerings for the support of various tribes on the grasslands..."

"The Netherworld True Lord?!"

Xu Yuan was startled.

This wasn't the first time he'd heard that name.

The Netherworld Palace mentioned by the golden-eyed servant, the ancient ruins mentioned in the jade slip left by the master of the Shadow Pavilion, and the Netherworld Guide that merged with his soul...

All the clues are pointing in the same direction!

"The Shadow Pavilion is also looking for the Underworld..." Xu Yuan's eyes flickered, "and they already know its approximate location?"

He continued reading, only to find that the content had become incomplete again.

"The Netherworld Palace will open in three years..." Xu Yuan put away the jade slip and slowly stood up. "There is still time."

He left the secret room, circled the city a few times, and after confirming that no one was following him, he changed back into his original form and returned to the villa.

…………

In the following days, Xu Yuan's life became extremely regular.

During the day, he served as a demon-suppressing envoy in the Northern Camp, occasionally taking on small tasks to kill low-level demons, accumulating practical experience while also collecting demon materials.

At night, he would transform into "Bloody Hand" and wait at Yongchang Pawnshop in the south of the city to secretly observe the movements of Youying Tower.

Running two lines in parallel is like a fish in water.

On this day, Xu Yuan was reviewing files in the Northern Camp when he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps.

"Brother Xu! Brother Xu!" Meng Hu rushed in, panting. "Quickly, the camp commander wants to see you; there's an urgent mission!"

Xu Yuan put down the dossier and followed Meng Hu to the main hall.

Inside the hall, Lei Zhen was talking quietly with Xiao Yunhan, both of them with somewhat solemn expressions.

Upon seeing Xu Yuan enter, Lei Zhen cut to the chase: "Recently, several merchant caravans have disappeared from 'Cloud Mist Mountain,' located thirty miles north of the city. The county government sent people to investigate, but they never returned. According to one of the travelers who escaped, they encountered... a demon."

"A demon?" Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Based on initial assessments, it's likely a ghost general-level evil spirit," Xiao Yunhan said in a deep voice, "and there's more than one."

Lei Zhen looked at Xu Yuan: "Xu Yuan, you will lead the team for this mission. Meng Hu and Zhou Yuankai will accompany you, and you will also be assigned twenty demon-suppressing guards."

Xu Yuan's heart stirred.

Zhou Yuankai?

That weirdo at the welcome banquet that day, is actually going on a mission with him this time?

"Commander," Zhou Yuankai's voice came from outside the door, "I have just arrived."

He strode in, saw Xu Yuan, and a hint of unease flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

Lei Zhen nodded: "Yuan Kai, this mission is dangerous. You and Xu Yuan work together, so please be careful."

"Understood, Your subordinate." Zhou Yuankai clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Xu Yuan understood.

Lei Zhen is giving him a chance, and also giving Zhou Yuankai a chance.

Since they were both in the Northern Camp, if the two continued to be at odds, trouble was bound to arise in the future.

If this mission can resolve past grievances, that would be ideal; if not, it will at least allow us to see Zhou Yuankai's true intentions.

"When do we depart?" Xu Yuan asked.

"Immediately," Lei Zhen said. "Cloud Mist Mountain is quite far; we must arrive before dark. If anything unexpected happens, send a signal for help."

"yes!"