I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 41 - 35: Heartbeat Like a Drum

When a Domain transforms into a channel connecting two realms, there is a buffer period.

During this time, a Demon Fiend—especially a Wise Demon—could easily cross county lines and relocate to another territory if it so chose.

In other words, the probability of the Lizard Race of Demon Fiends appearing in Baishui County was extremely high. The intelligence was correct.

"...We’re going to the Baishui County Magistrate’s Office."

Yan Hongxue decided aloud, "If anything is amiss in the city, the County Magistrate’s Office will surely know."

"Makes sense," Tao Liu said, nodding.

The group of nine immediately mounted their horses and rode unimpeded through the main street, arriving at the Baishui County Magistrate’s Office.

The government constable guarding the main gate saw the party from a distance and immediately ran inside the Government Office to report.

As a result, by the time Gu Zheng’s party of nine arrived, the County Magistrate and County Captain of Baishui County were already hurrying out in a light jog, leading a crowd of government constables and constables. Before they even came face-to-face, the Magistrate shouted out.

"This humble official greets Your Excellencies!"

The Baishui County Magistrate led the call, and the others behind him shouted in unison.

"Magistrate Zhou, there’s no need for such formalities."

Dismounting her horse, Yan Hongxue held the reins and led Gu Zheng’s party through the main gate. "I’m sure you already know why we’re here, Magistrate Zhou," she said, her voice clear. "This is about a Demon Fiend, so let’s dispense with the pleasantries. Just tell us the situation."

"Yes, of course."

Magistrate Zhou, looking slightly nervous, ushered Gu Zheng’s party into the main hall. He then waved over a tall, sallow-faced man and introduced him. "This is our county’s Chief Constable, Liu Baozi. He knows the most about the Demon Fiend situation, as he is the one in charge of the case."

"Liu Baozi greets you, my lords."

The sallow-faced man looked nervous as he bowed to Gu Zheng’s party, cupping his fist in salute. He then began his explanation. "It’s like this. About seven days ago, a mutilated corpse turned up in Changle Square, over in West City. The wounds were a jagged, chaotic mess. At first, we thought it was the work of vicious strays, so we... we didn’t pay it much mind and just glossed over it."

"But then the next day, another body was found in the north of the city..."

In front of everyone, Liu Baozi recounted the details of the Demon Fiend case.

Overall, the case had progressed much like the one in Qingshi County.

It started with confusion, then a process of elimination, which led to terror, and finally, the confirmation that it was a Demon Fiend.

Because the victims were either bachelors or widows, the Baishui County Magistrate’s Office had managed the situation promptly, keeping it hidden from the public. There was some impact, but it wasn’t significant.

Of course, the current calm was only temporary.

If the Demon Fiend were to strike again and kill an entire family, panic would inevitably grip Baishui County.

"According to... according to my investigation, the Demon Fiend’s most likely hiding place is inside the Zhao Mansion." Liu Baozi swallowed hard, his face tense.

"The Zhao Mansion?"

Hearing this, Yan Hongxue raised an eyebrow, her bright eyes turning to Magistrate Zhou.

"The Zhao Mansion has powerful backing," Magistrate Zhou said with a wry smile. "They have ties to the City Defense Deputy General. We don’t dare force our way in to search."

"City Defense Deputy General?"

Tao Liu shrugged. "A mere Deputy General can’t stand in the way of the Demon Slayer Bureau."

"Chief Liu, lead the way. We’re going to the Zhao Mansion now," Wu Kun said, even more direct. "The sooner we deal with this Demon Fiend, the sooner we can rest easy."

"Right," An Xiaoxue agreed.

Gu Zheng had no objections either.

"But..."

Liu Baozi glanced at the sky and hesitated. "Shouldn’t we wait until dark? I have a feeling this Demon Fiend won’t come out during the day."

"It doesn’t matter if we’re just searching," Wu Kun explained. "And if we do force it out now, it’ll be easier to kill."

"Oh, good."

Liu Baozi let out a breath. "Then... then let’s go," he said nervously. "I’ll lead you, my lords, to the Zhao Mansion."

"Let’s go."

Wu Kun jutted out his chin and followed Liu Baozi outside.

"Magistrate Zhou, would you mind seeing to our horses?"

Yan Hongxue led the Half-Demon Steed she had been riding to a corner of a courtyard within the County Magistrate’s Office.

"Of course, of course."

Magistrate Zhou replied hurriedly, "Your Excellencies can rest assured. This humble official will have someone bring the finest feed and water immediately."

"Thank you for the trouble," Yan Hongxue said.

The party promptly left their horses behind.

"Gu, what are you thinking about?"

As Gu Zheng walked out of the Government Office, An Xiaoxue, who was up ahead, turned to look back at him. "I saw you were lost in thought," she asked, curious. "What’s wrong? Is there a problem?"

"...No."

Gu Zheng shook his head and smiled. "I’m probably just overthinking things."

’But inwardly, he remained vigilant.’

’He had indeed noticed something. When Chief Liu mentioned taking them to the Zhao Mansion, the man’s heart had suddenly started to race.’ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

’Granted, Chief Liu had been nervous from the moment he started speaking, his heart beating faster than normal.’

’But when he spoke of going to the Zhao Mansion, his heart rate sped up and his breathing grew ragged.’

’That was clearly a red flag!’

’Was he just overly nervous?’

’Without more information, Gu Zheng couldn’t be sure.’

After a moment’s thought, he said quietly to An Xiaoxue and the two people behind her, "Everyone, stay sharp."

"Hey, man, relax. It’s not our first time killing a Demon Fiend," the dark-skinned young man replied with a carefree smile.

An Xiaoxue pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. "Gu, you’re playing the rookie again."

Gu Zheng was speechless.

...

「Zhao Mansion.」

Standing before the tall, heavy, padlocked main gate, a nervous Liu Baozi raised a hand to knock.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

The dull thuds echoed on both sides of the door.

But there was no sound from within.

"They don’t know what’s good for them."

Wu Kun snorted. "Yan Tou, wait a moment. I’ll hop the wall and open it from the inside."

With that, he pushed off his toes, took a running start, and used the wall to easily vault over.

A moment later, the heavy main gate swung open from the inside.

"There’s no one behind the door," Wu Kun said as he pushed it open.

"Are they pretending not to be home so they don’t have to open the door?" Tao Liu shrugged and was the first to stride inside.

Gu Zheng, An Xiaoxue, Chen Zhizhen, and the others filed in after him.

"Uh, I think I’ll just wait out here."

Liu Baozi said with an awkward smile, his face a mask of terror.

’But Gu Zheng could hear his heart. It was pounding even faster!’

"But—"

"Why don’t you join us, Chief Liu?"

Cutting in before Yan Hongxue could speak, Gu Zheng placed a hand on Liu Baozi’s shoulder. "The people of the Zhao Mansion don’t know who we are," he said softly. "When we start searching, they might mistake us for robbers. Having you with us would make things much more convenient. Wouldn’t you agree, Chief Liu?"

"I... I..." Liu Baozi’s body went rigid. His heart hammered like a drum, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Gu is right," Tao Liu nodded. "We do need an intermediary to do the talking." He then turned to the terrified Liu Baozi and reassured him, "Don’t worry, Chief Liu. I’ll watch your back. I won’t let anything happen to you."

"I..."

"Alright, that settles it."

Not taking no for an answer, Gu Zheng grabbed Liu Baozi’s arm and pulled him inside.

Liu Baozi tried to resist but was powerless, his body stiff as a board as Gu Zheng hauled him into the front courtyard.

The Zhao Mansion was vast.

The party made their way along a covered walkway toward the central courtyard without seeing a single soul.

It wasn’t until they rounded the Screen Wall at the end of the walkway and entered a garden...

"I smell blood!"

Wu Kun sniffed the air. "It’s thick... the smell of blood. This is bad! The Demon Fiend has killed someone!"

As soon as the words were out, he took off, following the scent of blood toward the central courtyard.

"Go!"

Yan Hongxue barked, hurrying after him.

An Xiaoxue, Tao Liu, and the others were right on her heels.

Gu Zheng, still dragging Liu Baozi—whose heart felt like it was about to leap out of his throat—brought up the rear.

"I’ve found the Demon Fiend! Everyone, quick—"

Wu Kun’s cry of alarm rang out for a moment before being cut off abruptly.

"What’s going—"

An Xiaoxue, Tao Liu, and the others who had caught up were also cut off mid-sentence.

Dragging Liu Baozi, Gu Zheng rounded a corner and saw what had silenced Wu Kun, An Xiaoxue, and the rest.

In a pavilion a dozen meters away sat three Demon Fiends. They had the bodies of lizards, the tails and necks of snakes, and ferocious reptilian heads. Standing bipedally, they were covered in black-and-yellow scales and measured two meters tall even while seated. Each held a human limb—an arm or a leg—and was stuffing it into a fanged maw, chewing with sickening relish. CRACK! MUNCH! CRACK! MUNCH!

"Well, well. You’re finally here."