Chapter 24: Peach Blossom Village

The old woodcutter watched Xu Xuan with wide eyes, astonished by his courage—this young scholar dared to roast and eat even a demon! He was so frightened that his eyelids wouldn’t stop twitching.

“Elder, the fish is ready—crispy on the outside and tender within. Please, have a taste,” Xu Xuan said, picking up a piece of fish and offering it to the old man, inviting him to sample his cooking.

“Young master, but… this is a demon!”

“What’s there to fear? The demon is dead by my hand. If it could eat humans, why shouldn’t we eat it?” With that, Xu Xuan placed a piece of fish into his mouth. It was truly delicious.

A delicate fragrance rose from the fish, whetting the appetite. Yet the crowd of onlookers felt their stomachs churn as they watched Xu Xuan eat.

Just then, more villagers arrived, having heard the news. When they saw Xu Xuan, some immediately recognized him. After all, he had already dealt with two demon disturbances in Bluewave Town, and his reputation had long spread. Although the old woodcutter’s village, nestled at the foot of West Mountain, was rather isolated, the villagers often went to Bluewave Town to trade, and some had witnessed Xu Xuan’s heroic feats.

Now, as the later arrivals boasted of his deeds, the first group of villagers quickly understood Xu Xuan’s abilities, and their attitude toward him changed completely.

“Forgive my ignorance; I never imagined that Scholar Xu possessed such skill,” the old woodcutter said, bowing with embarrassment.

“Elder, there’s no need for such words. If you weren’t kindhearted, you wouldn’t have led your fellow villagers to find me. Today, I’ve slain the beast of Dragon Roar Pool—let’s all share this fish together.”

Unable to refuse such warm hospitality, the old woodcutter steeled himself and took a bite of the fish. To his surprise, the taste truly was as Xu Xuan described—crispy outside, tender inside, and full of lingering flavor.

With the old woodcutter taking the lead, the rest of the villagers overcame their reluctance and began to eat the black carp’s flesh. Before long, Xu Xuan’s roasted fish was completely devoured.

Seeing the crowd still unsatisfied, Xu Xuan smiled and divided the huge black carp, distributing it among the villagers. Whether they took it home for soup or braised it was entirely up to their preference.

With everyone receiving a portion of fish, the villagers enthusiastically invited Xu Xuan to their village. Seeing their genuine warmth, he could not refuse and followed them.

Peach Blossom Village lay at the foot of West Mountain, its people cultivating and selling peaches year-round, hence the name. Upon entering the village, one was greeted by a vast peach grove, with towering trees standing in rows.

Xu Xuan was welcomed with great hospitality. The village head himself, Zhang Zhiyuan—a white-haired elder leaning on a cane, his face deeply lined by time—personally accompanied Xu Xuan, inviting him to drink.

Meanwhile, word of Xu Xuan’s slaying of the black carp demon quickly spread among the villagers.

When the news reached Bluewave Town, people raised their thumbs in admiration—Xu Xuan had slain another demon. His previous exploits had already made him famous, but with this latest feat at West Mountain, his renown soared even higher. News of his three successive victories soon reached Wuliu County, causing quite a stir.

The teachers at the academy, in particular, were proud to hear of their student’s achievements.

The village head, Zhang Zhiyuan, wore coarse linen and bore the marks of age. When everyone was seated, Xu Xuan respectfully greeted him, “Student Xu Xuan from Wuliu County greets the village head.”

“Ah! Indeed, such talent and bearing!” The old village head, having heard the villagers recount Xu Xuan’s deeds, held the young man in high esteem. “You risked your life for others—truly admirable!”

“I dare not take credit. I merely did what was right.”

“Haha, Scholar Xu, may I ask—are you married?”

“I devote myself to study and have not yet wed.”

At this, one of the elders, eager to play matchmaker, was about to suggest his granddaughter to Xu Xuan. But before he could speak, the village head interrupted. Xu Xuan was not only a scholar but had also vanquished three demons in a row; even if he did not pass the imperial exams, his achievements would earn him an official post. And if he did gain a title, his future would be limitless. How could such a promising youth be matched with a village girl? The elder’s granddaughter was no beauty—she weighed at least one hundred eighty pounds, if not two hundred. With Xu Xuan’s slender frame, how could he withstand such a robust wife?

“Scholar Xu, it is an honor for Peach Blossom Village to receive you. Please, let me offer you a toast,” Zhang Zhiyuan said with a smile, raising his cup.

“Village head, cheers!” replied Xu Xuan, raising his cup in return. The others drank heartily as well.

After several dishes and rounds of wine, the village head sighed, “Young master Xu, I have a request that I hope you will not refuse.”

“What is it, village head?”

“Alas, to tell the truth, someone from our village encountered danger on West Mountain—at the hands of a demon. We reported it to the authorities three days ago, but the Demon Suppression Office has yet to send anyone. With no other recourse, I can only beg you to help us and save the people of Peach Blossom Village.”

“It’s a small matter, not worth mentioning. Just tell me where the demon is, and by this time tomorrow, it will be nothing but a memory.”

At these words, the elders were overjoyed.

“Young master Xu is truly righteous, but that demon is not easily defeated. Several of our herbal gatherers have fallen victim to its claws. It even appeared in my dreams, demanding three fresh offerings every month, threatening slaughter otherwise,” Zhang Zhiyuan explained, afraid Xu Xuan might act rashly.

“Village head, just tell me where to find this demon. To dare devour humans—this fiend must die!” At the mention of a man-eating demon, Xu Xuan was eager to act.

“That demon has long occupied Black Bear Ridge in West Mountain. As for its true nature, I cannot say. I am but a simple man and do not know such things.”

“Black Bear Ridge of West Mountain?” Xu Xuan’s heart gave a start. Perhaps fate had placed this fiend in his path—could it be that Bear Lord Two himself was the culprit? No matter—the nature of the demon made little difference. Any creature that harmed humans deserved death.

“Village head, there’s no time to waste. Please, have someone guide me to Black Bear Ridge. That demon’s end is near.”

Who knew what sort of fiend dwelled in Black Bear Ridge? If it truly was Bear Lord Two, perhaps he could enjoy a feast of steamed bear paw tonight.

The village head was impressed by Xu Xuan’s decisive action and immediately ordered a sturdy young man, Er Niu, to lead the way.

Black Bear Ridge was one of the peaks in the West Mountain range, some twenty or thirty miles from Peach Blossom Village. Following Er Niu into the mountains, traversing winding paths and a narrow log bridge, they finally arrived at Black Bear Ridge.

The ridge loomed steep and shrouded in mist. Er Niu, though simple-minded, grew hesitant upon arrival and refused to go any further—for with a demon lurking within, he dared not risk his life.