Zhou Dao was stunned.
Ever since he joined the Demon Control Department, he had kept a low profile, almost nonexistent except for his work.
In fact, no one would pay attention to a mere Demon Sealing Master like him.
He didn't expect Chen Qinggang not only to recognize him but also to remember that he had been in the Demon Control Department for two years already.
"Could I have been exposed?"
The so-called guilty conscience made Zhou Dao immediately think of the worst possible outcome.
"Half a year ago, when you were encircling and killing that Mastiff Demon, only you and Liuli, that girl, survived, right?" Chen Qinggang seemed to see his confusion and stopped his actions.
"So that's why."
Zhou Dao secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Half a year ago, that was the only time he encountered a High-Level Evil Class Monster since joining the Demon Control Department.
A dog had become a demon, and the whole village had been devastated.
The ''Demon-resisting Agency Work Manual'' states that if dogs are not kept on a leash, they will eventually harm humans. After living on the essence blood of human beings for a long time, they will become demons.
Although ordinary dogs rarely become great demons, there are exceptions. Once they taste human blood, live for thirteen years, and feed on it, they will surely become demons.
If they eat Mountain Spirit Grass, the danger is even greater, and they can become Mastiffs.
Half a year ago, that Mastiff Demon was as big as a tiger, with its sharp tusks like knives, and its skin could not be pierced by swords or halberds.
At that time, the villagers were all trapped under the influence of its demonic energy, in a daze, like living dead.
The Mastiff Demon treated them as livestock, taking some of their essence blood every day.
For half a month, no one from the village came out, as if it was completely sealed off, which then alarmed the Demon Control Department.
The situation at that time was somewhat similar to yesterday's, but the scale was not as large.
Only seven Demon-slaying Guards and two Demon Sealing Masters went there, but in the end, only Zhou Dao and Lin Liuli survived.
"That woman..."
Thinking of the past, a silhouette appeared in Zhou Dao's mind, a graceful figure swaying, with a three-foot Green Peak, stern and cold.
"That was pure luck." Zhou Dao whispered, not elaborating much.
"You're right, if that girl wasn't from the Lin family, she might not have had the strength to repel that Mastiff Demon and save you." Chen Qinggang sighed.
Half a year ago, when Lin Liuli first arrived in Peace Town, Zhou Dao knew that this woman had an extraordinary background.
The Lin family is a prestigious family, and it is said that Peace Town is their ancestral land, so every year, disciples come to practice in the Demon Control Department.
At that time, Lin Liuli was indeed outstanding, only sixteen years old but already at the Refining Realm Fifth Transformation, possessing the Expelling Charm of Annihilation. Unfortunately, she had bad luck and encountered that accident shortly after her arrival.
"You really should be grateful to the Lin family for surviving that ordeal." Chen Qinggang continued.
Zhou Dao let out a soft hum, his eyes full of reminiscence.
The truth of that year was probably only known to him alone.
That was the first time Zhou Dao had truly witnessed the cruelty of this world and the danger of demon beasts since joining the Demon Control Department.
"Idiot, get out of here, there's more than one Mastiff Demon!"
That time, as soon as he entered the village, Zhou Dao felt something was wrong, and when he tried to warn others, it was too late.
There were not just one, but three bloodthirsty Mastiff Demons.
Fearful screams echoed in the sky above the mountain village. When Zhou Dao hurried over, only Lin Liuli was still struggling. The others had already been dismembered, their flesh and blood a mess.
Even his fellow Demon Sealing Master had met an unfortunate end.
Human lives at this moment were worthless, and the once-proud Demon-slaying Guards had now been reduced to nothing more than food for those Mastiff Demons.
"Run..."
When Lin Liuli, leaning on her three-foot Green Peak, swaying and staggering, looked at Zhou Dao in front of her.
Her bloodstained eyes showed surprise and urgency.
"Stupid humans, a mere Demon Sealing Master daring to come here to die."
The three-headed mastiff demons laughed menacingly.
For them, this was a rare feast, as the flesh and blood of the Demon-slaying Guards were even more delicious than ordinary people.
"Ah, to be honest, I quite like dogs," Zhou Dao sighed. "Especially in hot pot."
The lingering sigh echoed through the mountain village.
The next moment, a terrifying blood energy burst forth from within Zhou Dao's body, faintly lingering like smoke and clouds, never dissipating.
At that moment, Lin Liuli covered her lips, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.
The three mastiff demons couldn't believe it.
In their eyes, the seemingly ordinary young man transformed into a Devil King in the blink of an eye.
Awe-inspiring blood energy roared like dragons and tigers, vibrating incessantly, and evolving into the shapes of weapons.
"Refining Realm Sixth Transformation, Thoughts Turned Into Weapons!"
That battle was quietly annihilated, witnessed only by Zhou Dao and Lin Liuli.
Three mastiff demons - two dead, one escaped; one of them was directly crushed by Zhou Dao, not even having the chance to be sacrificed.
After that incident, Lin Liuli left Peace Town.
When she left, she didn't say anything, but just hurriedly glanced back, her eyes filled with doubt, curiosity, awe, and an indescribable radiance as she looked at Zhou Dao.
"You have survived the catastrophe and managed to hold onto your position in the Demon Gathering Room, which is quite impressive," Chen Qinggang's voice brought Zhou Dao back to reality.
"I love this job," Zhou Dao forced a laugh.
Truthfully, he loved it my ass! The salary was meager, the work dirty and tiring, and on top of that, he had to work overtime every now and then. In his previous life, working 996 hours was already unbearable, but here, he had to be on call 24 hours a day.
If it weren't for the sacrifice to the Ancestral Master, Zhou Dao would have quit a long time ago. Who wants to deal with this crap?
"A gentleman falls on hard times. Such a rare state of mind," Chen Qinggang said softly.
What a pity, in this world, no matter how good-hearted one is, it can't compare to talent.
Someone as arrogant and domineering as Xu Qian, dismissive of others, would have been viciously ridiculed by Zhou Dao's keyboard in his previous life.
But in the Demon Control Department, Xu Qian was a White Feather Forth Rank Demon-slaying Guard, enjoying a generous salary and the awe of the common people.
"Do you want to be transferred to another department?" Chen Qinggang suddenly asked.
A diligent, hardworking young man willing to silently contribute to the cause of exorcising demons and defending the Tao is truly rare.
"What the fuck, do you have too much time on your hands?" Zhou Dao thought, but his facial expression didn't change, and he replied indifferently,
"Lord of the Capital Guard, although the role of a Demon Sealing Master may be insignificant, I am willing to shine on this ordinary post."
"To give oneself up selflessly, neither seeking fame nor profit, is truly admirable!"
Chen Qinggang sighed once more, couldn't help but stop his actions, and glanced at Zhou Dao.
坦Benevolence is like water, humbly dwelling among the people, never striving against the world, offering guidance like the sage.
This young man named Zhou Dao has something about him.
"Keep up the good work!"
Having said that, Chen Qinggang lowered his head and continued to focus on his work.
Zhou Dao breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this.
As he stood to the side, helping out, he couldn't help but admit that, as the Lord of the Capital Guard, Chen Qinggang's skills in dissecting and sealing demons were unparalleled, leaving Zhou Dao with much to learn.
One day quickly passed, and the evening enveloped the earth like a tide.
Peace Town shed its daytime hustle and bustle, becoming quiet.
Chen Qinggang seemed like a workaholic, showing no intention of stopping.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Zhou Dao frowned and couldn't help but look towards the door.
At this moment, a red-clothed woman walked into the Demon Control Bureau Main Hall.