EBE Chapter 12 There's Always a Demon Trying to Harm Me
Chapter 12 There's Always a Demon Trying to Harm Me
Ning Ziqing took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and faced the bailiff distributing the steamed buns, clutching a few taels of silver tightly in his hand.
He forced a smile and said to the constable, "Sir, you must be tired from your journey, and it's so cold outside. I'd like to get some hot water for my family to drink and warm them up." As he spoke, he covered the silver in his sleeve and placed it in the constable's hand. "I hope you can do me a favor and let me go to the campfire to heat up the water in my water bag."
The constable glanced at Ning Ziqing, then at the silver in his hand, a slight smirk playing on his lips, a hint of disdain and arrogance in his expression: "Hmph, you exiles have quite a lot of trouble. That's not a place you can just casually approach the campfire. If something goes wrong, I can't afford the consequences."
Ning Ziqing quickly stepped forward, speaking cautiously: "Officers, we will be very careful and will not dare to make any mistakes. As you know, in this weather, my family members are weak and my sister is young. We have been traveling through wind and rain, and if we could have some hot water, it would alleviate their pain and not cause any trouble for you officers."
The constable was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, then grasped the silver Ning Ziqing handed him and squeezed it in his hand: "Alright, I'll let you off this time since you're somewhat sensible. But you can't go over there, give me the water bag."
Ning Ziqing breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, officer, thank you, officer." He then quickly handed the water bag to the constable and asked, "Officer, would you like me to distribute the steamed buns for you?"
The constable didn't take the water bag. He looked at Ning Ziqing's fair and slender hand holding the water bag and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Your hand, which is good for writing and writing, can do such rough work?"
Ning Ziqing's eyes flickered, but he didn't care. He smiled and stretched his hand forward again. "It's freezing cold. It's kind of you to help me heat the water bottle. How could I dare to delay your work? Of course, I'll do my best to help you."
The constable stared at Ning Ziqing for a while before finally taking the water bag and handing the bag of steamed buns to Ning Ziqing. "One for each of you." After saying that, he took the water bag and walked towards the campfire.
Ning Ziqing carefully carried the bag and began distributing steamed buns to everyone. This time, no one refused the dark, coarse buns. Those who hadn't eaten breakfast were now filled with regret; the hunger and cold of the morning had almost driven them crazy.
From a distance, Zhou Liangwu, the military officer, quietly watched Ning Ziqing. He had witnessed the Ning siblings' behavior from last night to this morning. As someone who had climbed the ranks from a lowly soldier to a military officer, he naturally knew some ways to survive away from home. However, having just been demoted and exiled, he didn't want to be too conspicuous at this time in order to conceal his abilities.
The boy who took the initiative to ask for a spoon this morning was his youngest son, Zhou Xin, and it was also the first step he had taken. Now, seeing Ning Ziqing actually willing to bow down to the constable, he was even more moved.
Zhou Liangwu and Ning Shi had no connection. Even though they served in the same court, Zhou was only a fifth-rank military officer, stationed at a post outside the capital, and rarely returned to the city to attend court. This group of exiles included officials from the Ministry of Rites responsible for presiding over sacrifices, unremarkable physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy, military officers like him with no powerful backing and no chance of advancement, and even a historian compiling records of the royal family's activities—not a single one held a rank higher than fifth grade. This group, by all accounts, seemed like a pawn to be discarded.
Ning Xiaoxi had already stood up when her brother got up to greet the constable. Watching her brother, who was always so aloof and proud in her memory, bow his head to the constable, she couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. Would she ever see her brother, as clear as the bright moon, again?
When Ning Ziqing returned with the warm water bottle, the family of three was waiting for him with steamed buns in their hands, which instantly lifted his somewhat gloomy mood. He put on a smile and quickened his pace.
Taking the bowl of water from her brother, Ning Xiaoxi smiled broadly, "Thank you, brother." But she caught a glimpse of cold air out of the corner of her eye and instinctively reached out to pull her brother back.
Caught off guard, Ning Ziqing stumbled slightly as Ning Xiaoxi pulled him along. Just as he was about to speak, a gust of cold air rushed past his ear.
"Quack~"
Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing followed the sound and saw a black crow disappearing into the distance amidst billowing white mist. Its cold cry sounded particularly eerie and terrifying in the open wilderness.
[The Raven Messenger, resembling a giant raven, exudes a chilling aura. Its cries are eerie and terrifying, capable of instilling fear in those around it. It can fly at high speeds, utilizing frigid air currents. The Raven Messenger can also spread cold curses, plunging cursed individuals or places into a prolonged state of freezing. In cold climates, the Raven Messenger's flight speed increases, and the power of its curses intensifies, as the cold environment amplifies the yin energy it carries. It lives in groups, can create clones, and eliminating its main body can resolve a crisis.]
A clear introduction once again appeared brightly above the gradually receding crows.
The black lines on Ning Xiaoxi's forehead were almost clearly visible. She murmured softly, "This, is this demon so arrogant?"
"A demon?" Ning Ziqing frowned, watching the departing dark figure with her sister. "Little sister, you think that was a demon?"
"Ah, ah, it's just a crow." Ning Xiaoxi opened her eyes wide, looking at her brother with a confused expression, and pretended to be dumbfounded. "I was just too nervous." As she spoke, she steadily sat down with the bowl of water in her hand.
The brother and sister had moved and talked very quickly. Ning Shi and Ming Luoying only saw a crow fly by and didn't notice their conversation. "Ziqing, Xiaoxi, sit down and rest. We still have to travel this afternoon," Ming Luoying said gently.
Ning Xiaoxi slowly ate her steamed bun while mentally asking the unreliable system, "[Tuanzi, what's going on? Why are there so many demons?]"
[The host has embarked on the path of demon catching, naturally accompanied by the Fuwa physique. Otherwise, how could he hone his skills and improve his strength to catch those great demons and demon lords?] The little dumpling came out to explain. It also sensed that after catching that three-tailed cat demon last night, its master seemed to be a little less fond of it. But its mission was to catch demons and exorcise evil spirits. This was a process programmed into the system and could not be bypassed.
[Fuwa?] Ning Xiaoxi was speechless. Was this some kind of system designed to torment children? [But do you think I have time to catch demons in my current state, wearing shackles and constantly on the move? Do I have time to improve my strength? Won't those constables beat me to death?]
"Don't worry, Host, Tuanzi will help you unlock the Survival Skill, allowing you to gain help from those around you in dire situations, improve your living environment, and gain loyal friends." The little dumpling explained happily, "You've already unlocked the Social Charm skill, the basic level of Affinity and Friendliness. This will allow you to radiate an approachable aura, making it easier to establish initial trust with strangers. As long as you persevere, your current situation will change quickly."
Ning Xiaoxi drank the water in her bowl unconsciously, listening to the little dumpling's rambling explanation, completely numb. Was this about to activate a forced monster-catching mode?
The prisoners who had gradually recovered from their rest were no longer scattered about sitting or lying down; instead, families gathered together again.
Zhou Liangwu's eldest son, Zhou Xi, following Ning Ziqing's example, bought some hot water from the constables. They used the same rough earthenware teacups that Zhou Xin had given to the family at the post station that morning. Although the amount was small, it was enough to soothe the family and prepare them for the long journey that afternoon.