The day of the raid arrived earlier than the villagers expected.
In the early hours of the morning, the demons came in hoards , surrounding the village and leaving no route for escape, their mouth salivating at the thought of loot.
The villagers stood outside in fright , their shoulders shook despite holding heavy sticks , farm tools and stones.
The commander of the demons was a grey wolf demon , unlike the part animal , part human form of his fellow demons , his form appeared to be a young man in his twenties with grey hair. He looked bored and even yawned from time to time.
The mortals were insignificant ants , it's been 30 years since they have been raiding this village and they didn't even try moving to another spot. It's either they're stupid, unwilling or they have no where else to go.
It was none of his business.
He was about to wave his hands to signal the attack when he saw a young woman walk leisurely into the village.
She was wearing coarse peasant clothes and her hair was packed into a bun, there was a small stalk in her mouth and it swayed slightly, she was carrying a basket of berries covered with dried skins.
The wolf demon suddenly straightened up , the face of this villager was really beautiful almost ethereal like.
White skin , red and thin lips and a healthy blush , the most stunning thing was her eyes ; it was bright and starry , like she would look at you with all the adoration of the world.
He heard a gulp and he tightened his fists.
The other demons also have an eye on her too.
A old woman looked at her in shock " What are you doing here ?!"
She blinked in confusion and tilt her head , the stalk moved with her.
"Didn't you say I can come here to trade goods ?"
"Can't you see that demons are right in front of the village?!! " She looked at the demons and then started to push the young woman inside the house "They have their eyes on you now !!!"
Bei Shang really appreciated this woman contribution towards Taohua safety, if only she was half as considerate towards Nick, a bonafide villager of their community, than she was towards a stranger.
Taohua blinked again then stopped the woman from pushing him , he put the load into her hands and pat her shoulder.
"I will deal with them , tell the rest of the villagers to enter inside …"
"This is not the time to act like an arrogant young mistress, this demons are ruthless, you have a long life ahead of you and…"
"Just stay here , don't let it fall okay? It took me hours to convince Hong Jin to give the food , he doesn't even know I have left the house so I have to give him something to calm him down and…"
The wolf demon could hear their discussion. he couldn't help it, The voice of the young mistress was quite spoiled with a hint of childishness. It made him really want to sit down all day and listen to it.
A shiver ran through his spine and he covered the back of his neck , he looked around but he saw no one looking at him , their attentions were captured by the beautiful villager.
He rubbed his neck , he had not had his instincts stroked since he was 10 years old, what could arouse that instinct wasn't a little demon. He was sure that something just stared at him with murder intent but he have no idea what it could be.
The girl took a stick and then weighed it , she frowned but she didn't drop it . She looked at him then pointed it at him.
"Are you their general?"
He blinked and pointed at himself " Yes … Yes I am their general "
"But you're not a fox demon "
The grey wolf raised a brow " How did you know the former general was a fox demon?"
Most higher ranked demons look so mortal it's hard to know their animal characteristics without them transforming, Unless the person perceiving them was a shaman or a demon.
The girl don't smell like a demon so she's obviously a shaman.
Taohua didn't say a word but Bei Shang could guess the rest. Nick said that his biological father was a higher ranked demon , probably the former general leading the raids.
Despite Nick tried his best to hide it , Taohua could guess his demon characteristics through his behavioral characteristics.
Warm, protective , physical but also have a jealousy streak , possessive attribute and a manipulative nature.
Characteristics specifically known for fox demons.
He had justifiably went to the village to start his tribulation, however at the back of his mind he wanted to see the man , the man who caused suffering for Hong Jin for over 28 years.
Turns out the man wasn't here.
"It is because you smell like mango" Taohua rubbed his nose " I hate mangoes"
"Come with me willingly and I will tell you " the grey wolf suddenly felt an influx of bravery and he skipped over to the front "If you come with me , I promise I will let go of all these villagers and not attack today"
Taohua didn't seem impressed " if I go with you , Hong Jin won't be happy "
"Who is this Hong Jin anyway? I have been hearing his name since I got here …is he your husband?"
Bei Shang looked around to investigate the surroundings and he almost jumped out of his skin when his eyes came in contact with Nick's familiar figure.
He was hiding in a tall tree in between the leaves , his body hidden in a cloak as always. He must have come to look for Taohua when he sneaked out this morning.
"He is not my husband"
"Lover ?"
Taohua shook his head " No …he's my savior"
" Well he won't be here to save you this time " he said with a soft voice before jumping into a run and stretching his arm to grab Taohua neck.
Taohua raised the stick…and smacked him so hard , he flew in a arc and hit Nick's tree. If not that the tree was strong and sturdy , he would have broken it into it and then flew some more distance before landing heavily on the ground.
Bei Shang felt electricity move through his limbs and he suddenly felt the urge to stretch.
The wolf demon groaned on the ground, and Bei Shang couldn't help but admire Taohua's strength.
He had thought only Huli Jings were capable of smacking people to death with a kick , who knew that all Taohua needed was a stick?
Nick, still hidden in the tree, observed with wide eyes. He suddenly felt stupid for trying to climb down and expose himself to help Taohua.
Delicate and spoiled? Dainty and mischievous? How stupid was he to think that after saving Taohua, he will break his ankles and then put him in chains?
The grey wolf demon, stood up slowly, his lips were covered in blood and his eyes spinned. He raised his head up.
"Who are you ?"
Taohua pressed a foot to the ground then jumped right in front of him , then he pushed his fingers into the demon chest and brought out a beating red heart.
His voice was indifferent as he threw it aside.
"I hope you get reincarnated into a better life"
The place went quiet , both the demons and villagers seemed to be too stunned to say a word or react.
Then the demons turned and ran like someone was chasing them , they even stepped on each other if they fell.
And just like that the demon raid was amicably solved ?
Bei Shang felt the same electricity run through his body , this time he couldn't stop the tingle and he closed his eyes.
Cool air gathered around him then rushed into his body at a speedy rate , they settled on his meridians and core , becoming denser and denser.
Taohua seemed to also feel it too , he stopped and allowed the dao to fill his body.
The warrior tribulation have started.