Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1388 - 621: Interception (Part 2)

The An Family Head's brow furrowed.

From whence did this individual appear, daring to confront me in such a manner? Could it be a rabid hound dispatched by rival families?

"Summon the Third Elder... Nay, fetch the Eldest Young Master."

"Understood!"

...

"Attack! Annihilate one, then move to the next!"

"Incredible! If only you had witnessed it! That enigmatic swordsman, *swish swish swish swish* with his blade. They called him the Martial Forge's Thousand Gold Hammer, Yang Jinchui, a master blacksmith whose hammer alone was worth a thousand gold! In mere moments, heads were severed! Can you fathom it? A Blood Mist! Yang Jinchui's very corpse detonated into a colossal Blood Mist, revealing he was, in fact... a demon!"

Listening to the individual on stage, recounting the tale with the fervor of a seasoned storyteller, Jinfang Zai's countenance darkened like a storm-laden sky.

As a Hall Master of the Foolish Underworld, within his established jurisdiction, he was compelled to intervene and address the situation, even if other pressing matters demanded his attention, and regardless of his personal inclination.

"...Within a mere handful of breaths, this Demon Slayer Hero had cleaved Yang Jinchui's demonic form asunder. The remains still hang mockingly in the Martial Forge!"

"Yet, the Demon Slayer Hero remained unsatisfied. After dispatching the fiend, he departed with two companions who had sustained injuries!"

"Mark my words, it shall not be long before we hear tidings of the Demon Slayer Hero vanquishing another demonic entity!"

The orator on the makeshift stage continued, the crowd's anticipation escalating, eliciting fervent cheers from the onlookers below.

"Magnificent! Demon Slayer Hero, he is our paragon!"

"A single sword stroke to fell a demon, such elegance! As practitioners of martial arts, is this not our ultimate aspiration?"

"Slaying demons within our city to safeguard the populace! This is true chivalry, this is genuinely ridding the world of harm for the common folk! Compassion for the citizens, empathy for all sentient beings!"

"Tsk, tsk, who could have possibly divined that the Thousand Gold Hammer was a demon? I was diligently saving my Silver Tael, harboring hopes of commissioning him to forge a superior weapon."

"Still dwelling on weapon crafting? Consider yourself fortunate he didn't consume you whole! Who knows how many unfortunate souls were devoured by that fiend! It’s no wonder individuals occasionally vanished from the Martial Forge; they must have all been consumed by the demon, Yang Jinchui!"

"By the by, does anyone possess knowledge of the Demon Slayer Hero's identity? Utterly formidable! Appearing abruptly, vanquishing demons with astonishing regularity, practically purging all hidden demonic presences within the city! Were it not for his intervention, I shudder to think how many demons were lurking unseen, truly terrifying!"

Amidst this hushed, speculative exchange, a sharp, distinct sound of footsteps approached from the exterior, halting directly before Jinfang Zai.

"Why orchestrate the dispersal of everyone? We already suffered a deficit of personnel for the investigation, and now you further deplete our ranks? With whom am I to find my master's murderer?"

It was Xing Xueman who spoke, her voice laced with frustration.

With the convergence of two Hall Masters from the Foolish Underworld, the assembled patrons of this teahouse, lacking deeper perception, would have inadvertently ignited an unprecedented uproar.

Nevertheless, the most fervent topic currently dominating all conversations remained the Demon Slayer Hero, the self-proclaimed benefactor who 'aids others for mere pleasure.'

Casting his gaze upward towards Xing Xueman, Jinfang Zai calmly articulated, "The Mansion Lord has commanded me to locate this Demon Slayer Hero."

"And for what purpose do we seek him? He has merely slain a few demons. Observe his renown; news of him permeates every corner."

Xing Xueman scoffed as she lowered herself onto a seat.

The preceding days had been consumed by her relentless pursuit of her master's assassin, yielding no tangible progress, a burning frustration simmering within her heart.

Jinfang Zai took a measured sip of his tea, remarking, "The extermination of a few demons is of minor consequence. However, the ability to pinpoint and precisely eliminate these lurking demons within the city suggests either this individual possesses an extraordinary gift that pierces demonic disguises, or his origins are far from ordinary. He might be a prodigy nurtured by a prominent family, absconding with their privileged intelligence to sow discord."

"In the former scenario, we of the Foolish Underworld must endeavor to recruit him. In the latter, our imperative is to apprehend him. This serves to assuage the concerns of the Ten Great Families."

Following Jinfang Zai's pronouncement, Xing Xueman fell into a contemplative silence.

The Foolish Underworld, to the uninitiated observer, presented an image of prestige and power. Yet, within their own ranks, they were acutely aware of their subservient role, akin to hounds nurtured and controlled by the Ten Great Families.

"He courts his own demise."

Xing Xueman declared abruptly, causing Jinfang Zai to momentarily falter.

"Who is it you refer to?"

"Who else but the Demon Slayer Hero."

Xing Xueman retorted with biting sarcasm.

"Indeed. If he absconded with crucial intelligence, he ought to exercise utmost discretion, perhaps plotting an escape from the city... Wait! I comprehend!"

Jinfang Zai surged to his feet with sudden inspiration and strode towards the exit.

"Where precisely are you headed?" Xing Xueman inquired, her voice tinged with surprise.

"To the city gates! This is the Demon Slayer Hero's elaborate stratagem to misdirect us! His ultimate objective is to flee Thunder City! His current ostentatious displays are all meticulously designed to divert the attention of ourselves and others!"

Xing Xueman nodded, acknowledging the apparent logic in his deduction.

Nevertheless, a profound reluctance to depart settled upon her. Beyond the urgent quest to unmask her master Shen Chenshui's true killer, she harbored no interest in any other individual or matter at this juncture.

While Xing Xueman might not have been actively seeking involvement, the situation found her nonetheless!

"Can you believe it? It seems the Demon Slayer Hero has also come looking for me!"

Xing Xueman felt a sudden shift, her gaze snapping upwards towards the performer on the stage.

Zzz!

An immediate flash of white, moving with incredible speed, streaked past the storyteller.

In an instant, the storyteller's body was bisected cleanly!

"What the—?!"

Xing Xueman's expression contorted, and she shot to her feet.

Bang!!

The very next moment.

The storyteller's severed body disintegrated mid-air, erupting into a mist of blood!

That storyteller, who had been so animatedly speaking on stage, was also a demon!

Xing Xueman's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't sensed any demonic aura from the storyteller; who could have possibly anticipated this...

"Aaaah! There's a demon!"

"Don't panic! Don't panic! It was the Demon Slayer Hero who just killed it!"

"Demon Slayer Hero! Demon Slayer Hero!"

"Demon Slayer Hero, allow me to assist you!"

Unlike typical encounters with demons, where chaos and panic ensue, the crowd below didn't scatter. Instead, they cheered as the white figure engaged the demon, with some even rushing forward, eager to join the fight against the monstrous entity!

Such an unruly populace, displaying such unity—it was a spectacle Xing Xueman had never before witnessed.

"Not bad skill."

While others might only perceive the blur of the white figure battling the demon, she could discern the finer details of the combat. Squinting, she quickly assessed the strengths of both combatants, Xing Xueman came to a swift conclusion.

A degree of skill, certainly, but not on par with my own.

"Insolent cur! How dare you cause trouble on the grounds of my Foolish Underworld! Surrender yourself at once!"

With a resounding shout, Xing Xueman charged directly into the fray!

"It's her! The Hall Master of Hundred Flowers Hall, the esteemed Lady Xing Xueman!"

"Hold on! Lady Xing Xueman isn't attacking the demon; she's targeting the Demon Slayer Hero!"

"What?! Could it be that Lady Xing Xueman is in league with the demon? Is the Foolish Underworld engaging in collusion with demons?!"

The onlookers erupted in a frenzy of shocking speculation, but Xing Xueman paid them no mind. Her priority was apprehending the individual first!

This person had obstructed my path in uncovering the truth behind my master's murder!

Xing Xueman launched her assault with lightning speed, her swordsmanship devastatingly fierce.

However, she soon perceived that the opponent's skill was steadily refining even within their brief confrontation! They found openings amidst the ebb and flow of defense and attack, even managing to decapitate the fleeing demon!

With a toss of the demon's head, the individual shattered the roof and made their escape!

"And just where do you think you're going?!"

Xing Xueman cried out, abandoning the demon's head and giving chase! The crowd was left in a state of stunned bewilderment.

"Another one! Another demon! The Demon Slayer Hero has slain another demon!"

"Undoubtedly the Demon Slayer Hero! One after another, they're practically clearing Thunder City of all demons!"

"This is madness! Utter madness! It turns out Thunder City is infested with so many demons! Who's to say there aren't more demons hidden within this very teahouse right now!"

"Why is the Hall Master of Hundred Flowers Hall pursuing the Demon Slayer Hero? The Demon Slayer Hero is eliminating threats for the populace! What are the intentions of the Foolish Underworld in this matter?"