Chapter 28: The Demon-Catching Agent of the Monster Suppression Bureau

Xu Xuan dragged the bear’s corpse behind him, leading the rescued villagers back toward Peach Blossom Village. The road was rough and winding, but nothing untoward happened along the way.

Within Peach Blossom Village, many villagers had already gathered at the entrance, craning their necks in expectation, awaiting Xu Xuan’s triumphant return.

Just then, a mounted party approached the village in a rush. They rode warhorses and wore armor, banners fluttering in the wind, exuding an air of grim authority. The flags were embroidered with cloud patterns and bold script; at a glance, the villagers recognized these as the Celestial Masters and demon hunters from the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Among them, those clad in armor radiated an aura of battle-hardened violence, their vital energy billowing skyward like wolf smoke—clearly martial experts. Others wore Daoist robes, their demeanor ethereal, a ripple of mystical power about them—obviously accomplished cultivators.

As this group entered Peach Blossom Village and saw the villagers standing at the entrance, they assumed the crowd was there to welcome them and were quite self-satisfied. But after learning the truth of the matter, their faces darkened, inwardly cursing Xu Xuan for meddling in affairs that weren’t his concern.

“A mere scholar, instead of studying the sages' books, he tries to hunt demons like an expert—utter folly!”

“Hmph, does he deserve to hunt demons? Catching turtles, killing fish—what’s there to boast about? This time, daring to go alone to Black Bear Ridge, he’s certainly doomed.”

“It’s our fault, I suppose. We were busy these past few days and couldn’t come to suppress the demon, and now the scholar’s fate is sealed.”

“He went seeking death himself—who can he blame? Hunting demons is our duty; how dare he overstep his bounds? If he dies, it’s no loss.”

Several demon hunters from the Bureau, knowing Xu Xuan had gone alone to slay Master Bear, were quick to mock and ridicule. Their gloating tone greatly displeased the villagers. Xu Xuan was the benefactor of Peach Blossom Village, risking his life to save them from harm. These demon hunters had not come to their aid, and yet now stood here speaking ill—truly contemptible and shameless!

The old woodcutter could endure no more, and shouted in fury, “You demon hunters are truly unreasonable! Young Master Xu is a man of great virtue, ridding our village of evil, and you not only refused to help but now slander him—what is your intention?”

“Hm? How dare an old man like you speak to us this way?”

“Oh? Do you mean to strike me? Lay a finger on me and I’ll go straight to the county office and accuse you all.”

No sooner had the old woodcutter spoken than some of the village youths also stepped forward: “You’re just jealous that Young Master Xu has achieved merit in demon slaying. Just you wait; he is blessed by the heavens and will surely return victorious.”

“That’s right! We won’t allow you to curse Scholar Xu like that. It’s disgraceful!”

The villagers of Peach Blossom Village were filled with righteous indignation, their resentment toward the demon hunters plain to see. Only days before, they had pleaded for help, but the demon hunters had delayed. Now, with Xu risking his life alone, these men sneered from the sidelines—what else could they be but petty and mean?

The demon hunters were left speechless, never expecting Xu Xuan to win such popular support. Now they had incurred the wrath of the crowd—truly, misfortune born of careless words. For all their outward glory, with the authority to slay great demons and receive rewards, they were forbidden to disturb the local populace; one complaint to the authorities from the villagers would be enough to trouble them greatly.

Seeing the villagers’ anger unyielding, the leader of the demon hunters stepped forward, cupping his fists in respect. “I am Wei Yun, a junior officer of the Demon Suppression Bureau. I apologize for our earlier rudeness and will be sure to strictly discipline my men. Young Master Xu’s ability to drive off three demons proves his extraordinary talent. This journey to Black Bear Ridge to rid us of evil will surely end in triumph, delivering the people from peril.”

His words were at least polite, and the villagers’ expressions softened somewhat. As for the rest of the demon hunters, their faces turned stony and they held their tongues, fearing to provoke another outburst from these “ignorant peasants.” Inwardly, however, they laughed coldly, waiting for Xu Xuan to be devoured by the black bear demon—then the villagers would come crawling to beg for their help.

The crowd waited from daylight until dusk, the sun sinking behind the mountains, yet there was still no sign of Xu Xuan. Now even the villagers grew anxious, fearing that some misfortune had befallen him. The demon hunters, meanwhile, smirked, certain their predictions would soon prove true. Village head Zhang Zhiyuan looked up at the sky, frowning and shaking his head. In the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, night would fall completely. Xu Xuan’s prolonged absence from Black Bear Ridge was truly worrisome.

“Look! What’s that?” someone suddenly shouted, pointing down the road.

All eyes turned to see an enormous black bear, three zhang tall, slowly making its way toward Peach Blossom Village. Yet its gait was strange, and several shadowy figures trailed behind it—half human, half ghostly forms.

“Not good! The demon’s here—it’s attacking the village!” cried a terrified villager.

“Fear not, all of you! With us demon hunters here, you’ll be safe!” Wei Yun shouted, ordering his men to form ranks, ready for battle.

But as the black bear reached the village entrance, all stared in amazement. A frail-looking scholar carried the massive bear corpse, leading a group of ragged villagers behind him.

When they saw Xu Xuan unharmed, the villagers erupted in cheers. Zhang Zhiyuan let out a great sigh of relief—Xu Xuan’s safe return was a stroke of fortune.

“Scholar Xu returns unscathed—heaven has truly protected us!”

“Those demon hunters just claimed the bear demon was invincible, possessed of great strength and dark magic. Judging by this corpse, it must be the very fiend! That Young Master Xu managed to slay it is proof of his skill.”

“Scholar Xu is greatly blessed—I knew he would return victorious. There are some, however, who lie through their teeth, their hearts deserving of reproach.”

“Indeed—those who lack ability themselves cannot bear to see others succeed. Shameless!”

The villagers were elated, venting all their earlier anxiety and frustration. The demon hunters flushed with embarrassment, unable to offer a word in retort. Xu Xuan’s slaying of the black bear fiend was plain for all to see—now their previous ridicule seemed laughable, a stinging slap in the face.

Before long, Xu Xuan was surrounded by villagers. None had ever seen a bear so huge; they circled the corpse in awe, speechless with amazement.

“My goodness, so this is the black bear fiend!” The old woodcutter stared in wonder, circling the massive beast, his face full of shock. The corpse was three zhang tall, lying on the ground like a small mountain; its head as large as a vat, its paws broad as basins. If this creature had wanted to eat people, it could have swallowed one in a single bite.

Xu Xuan stepped forward with a smile. “I am pleased to announce success. This is the demon that plagued Black Bear Ridge—a five-hundred-year-old spirit who called itself Master Bear. It captured villagers to harvest their blood for elixir-making. Its death is just and well deserved.”