From a humble farmer to a great martial arts master

19. The Demon Hunter

Thinking of the book on the ground.

In the end, it all comes down to land and money.

With enough silver, one's vital energy and comprehension can be continuously improved.

Such miraculous effects...

It's almost as if wealth can influence divine intervention.

The monthly salary of five taels of silver for a silver-ranked guard in the Lu family was not small, enough to support his family, but it was really too little.

"Tsk, from a stable wage earner to an entrepreneur struggling to make ends meet..."

Ren Qingshan shook his head and smiled. Although he felt some pressure, he was also motivated.

No one gets rich without unexpected wealth.

Anyway, there's no going back now.

……

Having ascertained the location of the county government office, Ren Qingshan strode towards it.

Upon arrival, they stopped a yamen runner and questioned Ren Yaokang.

The other party said that Ren Yaokang had gone out to arrest criminals and was not at the yamen.

"When he comes back, tell him that his sixth uncle came looking for him. If he comes back tonight, I will come to the yamen gate to find him."

Seeing that the man was kind and honest, Ren Qingshan decided to ask him to pass on the message.

He agreed.

After saying goodbye and leaving, Ren Qingshan thought for a moment and headed straight for the Demon Suppression Division.

Ultimately, it's best to look at things from multiple perspectives to make a comparison.

The location of the Demon Suppression Office is not far from the county government office; it's just two streets away.

The area is heavily fortified with high walls and no residential houses nearby. The red bricks and stones enclose a large courtyard, with guards standing at every corner and intersection.

Beside a pavilion at the street corner, there were seven or eight people looking at the notice on the screen wall.

He walked away nonchalantly, letting Qingshan look at the screen wall.

More than a dozen notices were posted all over the place.

They were all bounty lists.

"At Shili Ferry, there is a giant snake in the water that is about to transform into a dragon. During the New Year, it capsized a boat and ate eight people... A reward of 300 taels of silver is offered to kill this demon."

"Two hundred miles south of the city, in Phoenix Mountain, there is a wild boar spirit weighing over a thousand catties... A reward of 200 taels of silver is offered."

—"On Phoenix Mountain in the south of the city, there is a red snake spirit, as thick as a water bucket and about three zhang long... A reward of 180 taels of silver is offered."

—"Three hundred and sixty li west of the city, there is a mass grave, and a weasel spirit has come to life... A reward of 100 taels of silver is offered."

—"Four hundred and ten li north of the city, in Tianfeng Valley, there is a giant ape king who has become a demon. He is bloodthirsty and extremely lewd, robbing and killing merchants and harming innocent families...A reward of 80 taels is offered."

Demon slaying is so profitable!

Kill one, and it's enough to eat for a year, or even several years!

Ren Qingshan's eyes lit up; he was extremely interested.

What is windfall wealth?

This is unexpected wealth!

Ren Qingshan looked at the reward notice while observing the movements of those around him.

With so much silver lying around, and instead of going out to slay the demon, they're all waiting here, which clearly indicates there's another reason.

The seven or eight burly men standing there were clearly all martial artists, each carrying a weapon and copper coins at their waists, the amounts varying, suggesting they were of varying strengths among folk demon hunters.

However, their actual strength is unknown.

Ren Qingshan was just about to ask...

Suddenly, a commotion arose among the crowd, and they all looked toward the main gate of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

A burly man, about fifty years old, with three copper coins on his back, stood out from the gate of the Demon Suppression Bureau. He was as tall as an iron tower, with a stubble beard and a particularly rugged appearance. He carried a large knife on his back and had a large iron gourd hanging from his waist.

"Brother Hu..."

"Are we almost there?"

"How much did you want?"

Everyone started asking questions all at once.

The swordsman surnamed Hu looked distressed as he weighed the money pouch in his hand: "I've given you half, twenty-five taels, and I'll give you the rest after autumn."

"Why……"

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately became somewhat agitated.

Some sighed, some were angry.

"We worked hard for over a month, not even going home for the New Year, to finally catch that black bear. We even injured two people in the process, and the medicine alone will cost five taels of silver. We only have twenty-five taels left, which isn't even enough for food and drink!"

"That's right, these officials of the Demon Suppression Division... don't they have any compassion for us?"

"Brother Hu, you..."

The swordsman named Hu Xiaofeng, seeing everyone's reaction, knew their disappointment, but the Demon Suppression Division had only given so much, what could he do?

"Alright! Quiet!"

"The officials of the Demon Suppression Bureau said they owe it, it's not like they refuse to pay!"

"When you were eating meat with me, Hu Xiaofeng, you didn't act like this!"

"Give each of you two taels of the twenty-five taels you have received. As for the rest, consider it a debt I owe you. Once I get the money, I'll give each of you two taels."

"We've been good friends for years. If you keep rambling on, don't blame me for getting angry!"

As he spoke, Hu Xiaofeng opened his money bag and began distributing the silver.

Two ounces each.

Ren Qingshan frowned slightly as he watched this scene, feeling a strange mix of amusement and disbelief.

—Will the Demon Suppression Bureau still delay paying the bounty?

—After working hard for over a month to catch that black bear demon, I only earned two taels? Even with what I owe, it's only four taels. Not even enough for a month's salary.

So, does that mean my job as a silver-ranked bodyguard in the Lu family is actually a lucrative one?

I thought there was plenty of money out there.

Unexpectedly, it seems even more difficult?

I watched for a while longer.

After the group divided the silver, they gradually dispersed.

Hu Xiaofeng stood in front of the screen wall with a worried look on his face, staring blankly at the reward notices.

"Brother Hu?"

Ren Qingshan had a sudden thought and asked aloud.

Hu Xiaofeng tilted his head, looking at him expressionlessly: "Who are you?"

"I used to be a silver-ranked bodyguard at the Lu Family Manor. Now that I'm out, I'm looking for another way to make money, so I'm trying to become a demon hunter."

Ren Qingshan said with a smile.

Lu Family Silver-Rank Guard!

Upon hearing this identity, Hu Xiaofeng was taken aback, a smile immediately appearing on his face, with a hint of obsequiousness in his eyes: "So you're from the Lu family, the salt merchant family from Lu Family Village? What's your esteemed surname, brother?"

"It's that Lu family."

"His surname is Ren, and his given name is Ren Qingshan."

Seeing the change in his expression, Ren Qingshan became even more certain that this silver-ranked guard's status was probably above his own.

"Brother Ren, it's a pleasure to meet you. My surname is Hu, Hu Xiaofeng."

"The Lu family's bodyguards are leisurely and highly valued, and with silver badges, they must earn at least five taels of silver a month, right? Why are you out here, brother?"

Hu Xiaofeng asked curiously.

If I were given this position, I could work myself to death!

"Everyone has their own ambitions. I've come out to gain some experience. Brother Hu, you can catch demons with just three coins? What kind of strength do you have?"

Ren Qingshan offered a casual explanation, trying to find out his background.

Hu Xiaofeng let out a long sigh.

"I... am in the mid-stage of Bone Tempering. Sigh, I'm getting old, and there's no hope of advancement. While I still have some strength, I'll come out and risk my life."

"Brother Ren has such a bright future, why bother with such a menial job?"

"Those demons are all troublesome. Not only is it time-consuming and laborious, but even if you kill them, the reward money will be deducted in every way. It's a real pain!"

"Brother Ren, listen to my advice. If you can go back, you should. Exorcising demons is not a job for humans."

Hearing him say that, Ren Qingshan couldn't help but laugh.

That's interesting.

Everyone hates what they do.

"Whether it works or not, we have to give it a try."

"Brother Hu, would you be willing to team up with me?"

"Shall we... go test the waters of this wild boar demon first?"

……

……