One Sword to Immortality - Chapter 6

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“Xu Liao! Why do you look like you’re in a daze?”

“It is none of your business how I look like!”

Xu Liao stared at Zhao Yan Qin.  He didn’t have anything against her; however, he was in a bad mood when she called his name.  Anyone who was around him could hear that he was somewhat annoyed.

Zhao Yan Qin didn’t bother with his attitude and stuck her tongue at him cutely. She gave a mischievous smile and giggled. “You have already awakened your demon blood pulse. Do you remember that I said I would take you down to the registration centre? I suggest you quickly make a trip down to the Kyoto Demons’ Affairs centre to register your existence. At the same time, we can find out what type of blood pulse you have. This step is extremely important for your growth in the future. Since you’re my classmate, I wouldn’t mind to be your Guide!” Zhao Yan Qin closed her eyes and grinned haughtily. Xu Liao was innately shocked. Her attitude was totally different from his impression before.  Despite her typical girl-next-door appearance, she seemed more playful and impish than before. Although she was behaving this way, he could tell that behind her young feminine facial features, she had a rather elegant demeanour.

(ED: Kyoto Demons’ Affair is the name of the registration centre)

Xu Liao was thoroughly confused every time Zhao Yan Qin added extra information he wasn’t aware about. He furrowed his brows and asked: “Kyoto Demons’ Affair centre? Do I really have to register? How will they test out my blood pulse? And what is a Guide??”

The Kyoto Demons’ Affair centre, demon registration and Guide are terms that Xu Liao knew nothing about.

Zhao Yan Qin laughed softly as she explained: “The Kyoto Demons’ Affair centre is part of the immediate Million Demon Clan which rules over every matter related to demons within the northern city, its four provinces and two cities. Their jurisdiction covers more than twenty times the size of the northern city. The Million Demon Clan’s demons use some sort of an identification card to identify each other. Only with it will you be considered a demon with identity. Without it, you will be considered as wild. Although the Million Demon Clan wouldn’t hunt down wilddemons and force them to register, those without the identification card could be killed or captured by Human practitioners and the Clan will not retaliate. The card is a measure to protect demons, especially the weak or new born ones as it is extremely easy for them to get killed by human practitioners.”

Zhao Yan Qin paused for a while. Then she blinked her beautiful eyes  and continued: “As for the Guide…”

“The Guide is responsible for registering and teaching the basics to newly registered demons. The Million Demon Clan will reward the Guide based on the results. For example, if I do my job as a Guide, I will receive recognition so I can upgrade the level of my demon identification card.”

Xu Liao looked slightly displeased. “Why would those human practitioners want to capture or kill me when I have not done anything wrong?”

Zhao Yan Qin looked at Xu Liao as if he asked a ridiculous question. She then laughed lightly and replied: “Humans… slaughter pigs, cows, goats, chickens, dogs, rabbits and all kinds of living creatures…. Do you think these innocent lives did anything wrong? This is because humans are on the top of the food chain! For the exact same reason, strong demons eat humans equally as much too; and the humans cannot do anything to stop them. So as the Million Demon Clan grows larger,  they were able to come into terms with the humans in order to protect newly registered demons. The other demon organizations around the world are not as formidable as the Million Demon Clan. In those countries, even if the demons join the organization, they would also be killed by the Human practitioners. Those without power will die, those with power will rule. There is no reasoning.”

Xu Liao was speechless. Apart from his Dark Aura Wall Piercing skill, he had no other fighting techniques. As a newly awakened demon, he could easily get killed like an ant if he met any of the strong human practitioners. The thought of this scared him.

Zhao Yan Qin thought she had successfully convinced Xu Liao to register for an identification card. However, Xu Liao suddenly paused and asked: “But aren’t we in the middle of class? We don’t have time to register now.”

Zhao Yan Qin laughed, her eyes forming a crescent shape similar to a fox. She then said: “No problem! The Kyoto Demons’ Affair centre is open around the clock, throughout the week. We can just head there after school.”

Xu Liao was finally convinced. He nodded and replied: “Alright. Thanks for your help.”

One of Qu Lei’s best friends smiled wryly to herself by the side. She then hastily wiped the smile off her face as she prepared for the next lesson. She is an extremely hardworking girl who focused a hundred percent for each lesson.  While she was packing her textbook, her gaze switched to the two. Her gaze grew stern as she watched Xu Liao and Zhao Yan Qin chatting as if they were close friends.

Her relationship with Qu Lei was great. She understood how much effort Xu Liao had put in when he tried to chase Qu Lei. She knew that Xu Liao doesn’t usually socialize with other girls, moreover this Zhao Yan Qin was particularly anti-social. However, when she saw the two of them having a conversation, they seemed as if they were very close, obviously not a relationship between classmates. This made her puzzled.

She sank deep in thought, muttering in her mind. “Qu Lei is such a beautiful girl but Xu Liao actually changed his target to Zhao Yan Qin who looked nothing more than average! I have to tell Qu Lei that Xu Liao is a flirt, and she must not fall into his trap!”

Never did Xu Liao know that his simple chat with Zhao Yan Qin would be contorted into a lie which would eventually bite him in the back.

The schoolbell rang. Xu Liao and Zhao Yan Qin separated and went back to their classroom. As Xu Liao sat on his chair, he felt as if someone was glaring at him. He swept a glance at the side and realized that the best friend of Qu Lei was staring daggers at him. Xu Liao’s heart sank a little. After thinking for a moment, he couldn’t think of any reason why would she be offended with him.

“She might have just merely looked at me for no reason. I must be thinking too much.” Xu Liao decided to drop his speculation as if trying to convince himself.

As Xu Liao was consoling himself, the English teacher stepped into class. Xu Liao dropped his remaining thoughts and concentrated listening in class.

Qu Lei hadn’t come back since morning till afternoon. Xu Liao felt worried despite knowing that Qu Lei often participates in extra activities and this wasn’t the first time she was missing.

Xu Liao did not have this feeling before, and for no apparent reason, he suddenly realized how far apart Qu Lei’s world was from his.

Every time Xu Liao gazed over at Qu Lei’s empty desk, he gave a light… … sigh!

… … … … … …

If Qu Lei was present in class today, Xu Liao would have considered to not register for the demon identification card with Zhao Yan Qin. He would simply gather all the guts in his body and shamelessly accompany Qu Lei home. However, there was no choice to consider since Qu Lei wasn’t even present in school today. After the class ended in the afternoon, Xu Liao met up with Zhao Yan Qin outside the school gate.

Upon meeting, Zhao Yan Qin did not bring Xu Liao directly to the Kyoto Demons’ Affair centre but instead, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to a hotel nearby their school. Xu Liao panicked inside as he couldn’t tell why she was doing this.

What Xu Liao did not realize was, when Zhao Yan Qin and him met at the school gate, the same girl who was Qu Lei’s best friend happened to be leaving as well. She frowned slightly and felt even more suspicious when she saw both of them walking together so intimately. However, when Zhao Yan Qin and Xu Liao entered the hotel, she reeled back in shock. She immediately whipped up her phone and snapped a few photos of them entering the hotel.