In all honestly, Lin Jin was hesitating now.
He only wanted to camp out here for the night and get some rest while cultivating the Exhale-Inhale Technique. Who knew he would come across trouble, and an excessively troublesome one to boot that involved a demon.
It was his first time meeting one and he could sense that it was much more powerful than the old dragon.
Despite being a Rank 5 dragon, the old dragon was badly injured and weakened so he barely passed for a Rank 5. However, this demon here was a solid Rank 5 and probably at the peak of a monster class Rank 5.
While she might not be able to overpower the old dragon effortlessly, she was still very much stronger. If he could afford it, Lin Jin didn’t want to provoke a demon of this class.
But speaking of which, Lin Jin had gotten much stronger too. If they were to actually fight it out, he could still hold his ground.
The Dharma body he condensed for Xiao Huo was not to be underestimated.
Lin Jin was also holding needles in his hand, ready to counterattack if the demon made a move.
Now, it was up to the demon.
Only a brief moment passed but it felt like an eternity to the others present. Lin Jin was still as a mountain, neither speaking nor moving. He was putting all pressure onto the female demon.
After her shock in discovering Xiao Huo’s Dharma body, she already felt inferior. Unable to take any more, the female demon took two steps forward and curtsied.
“Hu Yuzhen of Mount Cangliang pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir!”
This respectful behavior was shocking. The red lady no longer looked like a demon. Be it her countenance or voice, she seemed like a decent young lady, an educated and proper young lady.
Everyone in the yard got nervous. Other than Qingzhu, they had no idea what the demon was doing or who she was paying respects to.
At least none of them were shameless enough to assume they were that ‘Sir’ she mentioned.
Just as everyone was baffled and didn’t know what to do, Lin Jin undid the Camouflage. At that instant, everyone in the yard saw a man and a few beasts appear out of thin air. The most exaggerating part was how a coffin also appeared.
Mr. Li and his group then recalled Qingzhu’s words.
So Qingzhu was telling the truth after all.
There was someone there.
Only, how did this person disappear and reappear just like that?
Was he good or bad? Human or ghost?
Mr. Li and his group felt mixed feelings, unable to fully describe their experience. But they all hoped he was a good person so they could live through today.
Meanwhile, the North Ridge Duo and the remaining devils shared the same thoughts. They were much more experienced and had keen eyes to tell that the young man wasn’t a demon. As long as he wasn’t a demon, that was enough for them.
From Lin Jin’s perspective, since the female demon took the initiative to speak, he couldn’t feign dumb. Moreover, she was being respectful so she must be somewhat afraid too.
They might just be able to avoid a fight.
Lin Jin got up at once and saluted. “Lin Jin is just passing through here but I ended up disturbing you all.”
Mr. Li with his quick wits recalled Qingzhu’s advice and knew that their lives now depended on this expert.
He immediately stepped forward and knelt.
“We are from Xuyang City, heading for the royal capital to further our studies. We’re also just passing by but encountered a demon. Please save us, Sir, please save us.”
This Mr. Li was a bright one. After assuring this expert was a living breathing human, he knew that their survival would depend on whether Lin Jin took action.
As for whether the man was capable of rescuing them, that was easy to deduce.
Indeed that demon was terrifying. Those villains lost two of their comrades upon meeting while the others got injured. Almost all of their pet beasts died too but the female demon was unscathed. Just this one factor told him how fearsome she was.
Yet, this scary demon was stunned the moment she entered this yard.
Everyone clearly saw how dazed she looked earlier.
Then, this initially savage and malicious demon suddenly became a respectful and proper young lady, paying respects to that young man as if she turned into another person.
If she wasn’t apprehensive about provoking him, why would she behave this way?
Mr. Li came from a fairly prominent family in Xuyang City. He had exposure to society at an earlier age which allowed him to make prompt decisions.
The expert was visibly hesitant and seemed reluctant to get involved. If he just up and left, they would all die in the hands of this female demon.
Qingzhu and the others knelt as well.
Lin Jin had never experienced this situation before but he already planned to protect them anyway. Especially after he learned that they were apprentices of the Beast Appraisal Association, Lin Jin had a good impression of them. That Qingzhu even had great potential with gifted eyes. If she was given proper guidance, her future would be limitless. Dying here would be such a pity for her.
At this thought, Lin Jin saluted the female demon and said, “Being able to meet is also one kind of fate. You’ve already devoured two humans tonight but they were villains with tainted records so I hope not to get involved. I only wish that Miss Hu would stop here and refrain from killing any more. This won’t be beneficial for your cultivation.”
This advice sounded courteous but was laced with intimidation.
Lin Jin was no longer a nice guy. After slaughtering the guardian beasts of Jade Dragon Kingdom, a murderous aura grew on him. If the female demon refused, Lin Jin would just have to take action.
The female demon pondered before nodding. “You’re right, Sir. Every encounter is fate and since you’ve spoken, there’s no reason for me to refuse.”
Having said that, she turned to the villains and Mr. Li’s group. “All of you may leave, but remember, you best not tell anyone what happened here tonight. Don’t assume that this tiny little Jade Dragon Kingdom can protect you. If I want you dead, even if you hide inside the emperor’s palace, I’ll still see to it that you die.”
As expected of a demon. That decency was all an act. Being malicious and fearsome was their true nature.
The others broke out in cold sweat at this threat, nodding vigorously in response.
Lin Jin stopped Qingzhu and told her, “You have great potential and naturally gifted spiritual eyes, most suitable for the beast appraisal profession. Still, you will need a mentor to guide you. Remember, once you’ve entered the capital, seek Appraiser Tan Xun out, tell him that Lin Jin asked you to look for him. Appraiser Tan Xun will know what to do.”
“Appraiser Tan Xun?”
Qingzhu and her companions were shocked.
In Jade Dragon Kingdom, everyone in the beast appraisal community knew of Appraiser Tan Xun’s prestigious name. After all, he was one of the scarce few Rank 3 beast appraisers in the nation. Apprentices from everywhere in the country would learn of his name from day one.
Needless to say, a Rank 3 beast appraiser like Tan Xun was an incredible existence to apprentices. To think this man was personally acquainted with Appraiser Tan and even made an introduction for Qingzhu.
This was a chance encounter one could only dream of.
Mr. Li and her other friends stared at Qingzhu with great envy.
