Village Chief Li's Last Day

The demons exchanged glances, little question marks visibly popping up above their heads.

What’s this about locals and outsiders? Since when do demons bother with such distinctions?

But the "local" demon across from them spoke again, acting rather familiar:

"Decades ago, I snuck into this King’s Village and have been living here ever since. So calling myself a local isn’t too far off."

"You’ve been here for decades, yet the village still stands? Why haven’t you devoured all the humans?"

The serpent-headed leader narrowed its reptilian eyes.

It held its position not just because it was stronger, but also because the serpent-folk were notoriously cunning.

Though it sensed nothing unusual about Li Mo’s aura, something felt off.

Demons were born bloodthirsty—even it couldn’t fully suppress the urge to feed. Yet this serpent claimed to have lived in a human village for decades without harming anyone.

Something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

"Oh, that? It’s because I’m clever," Li Mo replied, not a trace of fear on his face. Instead, he wore a proud expression, speaking with conviction:

"I assume all of you share my fondness for eating children, right?"

"Absolutely."

The demons nodded in unison.

The older humans got, the worse they tasted. Was it because the longer they lived, the more suffering they endured?

"But children aren’t always easy to come by. You can’t just eat them whenever you want. So, I came up with a plan."

Li Mo adopted a mysterious tone:

"I keep the villagers under my thumb, terrorizing them just enough that they offer regular tributes. Sure, I don’t get to feast all at once, but having a steady supply beats gorging once and starving later."

"I call this method... sustainable human farming."

"Hiss..."

The demons leaned back slightly, their eyes gleaming with newfound wisdom.

That made sense.

The serpent leader pondered this.

If they launched a full-scale invasion of the human city, with so many demons feasting, wouldn’t the humans be wiped out too quickly?

The Celestial Clan was tough to crack, and the Earth City’s warriors were too few to satisfy their hunger.

Once the humans were gone, what would they eat in the future?

Suddenly, their gazes toward Li Mo turned appreciative. This serpent was clearly a ruthless, cunning genius.

Feeling intellectually outmatched and his position threatened, the serpent leader glared at Li Mo and snapped:

"This territory is ours now. Get lost."

"Come on, we’re practically family! It’s not right to turn away a fellow local without some hospitality. I’m an expert at preparing children—how about I cook a meal for you all?"

Li Mo was brimming with enthusiasm.

Hearing him boast about his culinary skills, the hungry demons grew ravenous, their mouths watering.

"I say we give it a try."

"You’d better not be lying."

"If it’s good, we might let you join us—specializing in preparing human delicacies."

"Fine, lead the way!"

With the group’s excitement rising, the serpent leader had no choice but to nod.

Li Mo gestured politely, then slithered ahead to guide them.

As they walked, he tried fishing for information, but the serpent leader kept his lips sealed.

Soon, they arrived at a pre-built altar in the village, where a crowd of humans knelt in submission.

Large stones had been arranged as makeshift tables and chairs for the demons.

It seemed Li Mo hadn’t lied—this village, after years under his tyranny, had become his personal playground.

The demons couldn’t help but feel envious. Owning an entire village with humans as slaves? What a luxurious life.

They silently resolved to learn from Li Mo and replicate his methods later.

"Let’s start with cold dishes first. The meat courses will take a bit longer," Li Mo announced.

He then ordered Er Niu and Tie Zhu to bring out a massive vat filled with fragrant sorghum liquor.

He took a hearty swig, then grabbed handfuls of peanuts and cold seaweed to snack on.

"What’s that you’re drinking?" a rat-headed demon asked.

"Oh, this? It’s alcohol—a human drink. Probably not to your taste," Li Mo replied, coughing lightly, as if reluctant to share.

"Hey, we’re family! Don’t be stingy—let me have a taste," the rat demon coaxed, rubbing its paws.

"I’m a snake, you’re a rat. How are we family?"

"Don’t humans say ‘snakes and rats share the same hole’?"

"...Fair point."

Convinced, Li Mo handed over a jar.

To humans, it was a full jar, but for the hulking demons, it was just a single gulp.

The rat demon finished it in one go, licking its lips in satisfaction.

"How was it?" another demon asked, swallowing hard.

"Sweet! Spicy! Even better than ambrosia!"

"Let me try..."

Even the serpent leader eventually gave in.

Li Mo sighed, feigning reluctance. "Fine, since we’re family, I’ll share my entire stash today. Drink up!"

Jar after jar was brought out.

But as they drank, something felt off.

"Why do I feel dizzy?"

"Drinking on an empty stomach will do that."

"Then where’s the food?"

"Coming right up."

Soon, the dizziness escalated. The world around them turned into a swirling kaleidoscope of colors.

"Old Wolf, why do you have three heads now?"

"Hahaha, Rat King, your head turned into a duck’s!"

"This liquor hits hard..."

"Wait—we’ve been poisoned!"

A spider demon, skilled in venomous bites, recognized the symptoms from accidentally poisoning itself once.

Panic erupted. The demons staggered to their feet, finally realizing the trap—but it was too late. The toxins had taken hold, leaving them powerless.

"Minor hiccup, but nothing serious."

Li Mo hadn’t expected the spider demon to resist the poison, but he’d prepared for some resistance.

The stash of toxins he’d dug up at home worked even better than he’d hoped.

Only the spider demon had slipped through.

"Now!"

Li Mo smashed his cup as the signal.

The villagers, who had been kneeling moments ago, suddenly dropped their act and drew weapons.

"What are you doing?!" the demons roared.

"Just a friendly reunion among locals..." Li Mo hefted his hammer.

The demons met their end peacefully.

......

"So brutal..."

Outside, onlookers gulped, some covering their children’s eyes.

Huang Donglai smiled approvingly.

"Brother Li’s preparations finally paid off."

"Pity I couldn’t join him inside—I’d have made it even more spectacular."

The crowd instinctively edged away from him.

"By the way, it’s been a while since we’ve seen Fairy Han."

"If she’s not in King’s Village, where did she go?"

The scene soon shifted back to the southern gate of the human city’s walls.

By now, hordes of demons had poured into the city. With no sign of resistance from the Celestial Clan, the Beast Hall’s forces began streaming through the gates.

"The Celestial Clan isn't all that impressive after all."

"Hey, does anyone else suddenly feel a chill?"

The demonic cultivators were chatting when they all shivered simultaneously.