Chapter 6: The Old Man's Story
Ryujin thought to himself while preparing to leave, "The Demon Hunter Department has a really good method. It's like having a renewable source of library. Since the tree bark can be used to make talismans, it should be worth something." He felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him as he contemplated the value of the tree bark.
Just as Ryujin was about to leave, the old man spoke up, his voice filled with a hint of desperation. "Young man, I wonder if you're in a hurry to report back. If not, please, can you keep this old man company? I haven't had someone to chat with in a while." The old man's eyes pleaded with Ryujin, his gaze filled with a deep longing for human connection.
Ryujin stopped in his tracks, intrigued by the old man's request. He turned to face the old man, his expression softening. "I have been locked up in here for ten years, and I haven't been able to talk to someone in years," the old man continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "I feel like my life is soon coming to an end, and I just wanted to chat with someone before I die. I just want to relieve my inner frustrations."
Ryujin's expression softened further, and he walked back to the prison door. "Sure, what do you want to talk about?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
The old man's face lit up with a warm smile, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Let me tell you about my story," he said, settling into a comfortable position. He took a deep breath, and began his tale.
"A hundred years ago, in Jixian County, there was a small village called the Zhang Family Village..." The old man's voice trailed off, lost in thought. He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing.
Ryujin's curiosity was piqued, and he leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on the old man. "I love stories," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
The old man's eyes sparkled with delight, and he continued his tale. "The village was secluded from the outside world, and there was a small boy named Zhang Heng, who accidentally planted a small locust tree..." The old man's voice was like a gentle breeze on a summer day, soothing and calming.
As the old man spoke, Ryujin noticed that he seemed to be stalling, as if waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a purple-haired boy walked in. The old man's eyes widened in surprise, his face pale.
"You...you...you! Why are you coming inside my cell? I'm a demon, and I could eat you!" The old man's voice trembled with a mix of fear and anger, his eyes flashing with a fierce inner light.
Ryujin continued walking into the cell, his eyes fixed on a vine-like swing in the corner. "Listening to a story behind a closed door just doesn't feel real, and I can tell you're a good demon. That's why I came in," he said, settling into the swing.
The old man's expression changed from fear to surprise, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated Ryujin's words. "Why isn't this reckless boy following the rules? I haven't finished my story yet," he thought to himself.
Ryujin began to swing gently, his eyes fixed on the old man. "Continue with your story. I want to know what happened to the locust tree," he said, his voice filled with curiosity.
The old man's eyes sparkled with delight, and he continued his tale, his voice weaving a spell of enchantment around Ryujin.
Seeing Ryujin swinging like a child, the old man was perplexed, his eyes narrowing in confusion. "What's next? Should I continue with my story or take action directly?" he thought to himself, his mind racing with possibilities.
The old man stood up, his eyes glinting with a hint of malice. "When the locust tree grew up, it became a tree demon and killed the entire village," he continued, his voice dripping with malevolence. He stamped his walking cane on the floor, making a loud thud that echoed through the prison cell. The vines in the prison cell began to stir, wrapping themselves around Ryujin and attacking him.
"Is that it? Is that your story?" Ryujin asked, still swinging on the vine, his voice laced with amusement and a hint of sarcasm.
Some of the vines started to wrap around the old man's body, binding him. "That's all," the old man growled, his voice rough and menacing. "What's the point of telling you a story when you're right in front of me? I'll just swallow you whole."
The old man transformed into a tree-like monster, his body a mass of twisted branches and leaves. He turned around, making a scary groan that sent shivers down Ryujin's spine. But before he could attack, a fist came flying towards his face.
The impact was tremendous, sending the tree demon crashing to the floor. The sound of the impact echoed through the prison cell, a loud thud that seemed to shake the very foundations of the cell.
"Can't you have some professionalism?" Ryujin exclaimed, his voice tinged with frustration and annoyance. "Can't you at least finish the story before taking action?"
The tree demon stood up, rubbing his jaw. "What's the difference between you and those who cherry-pick information?" he retorted, his eyes flashing with anger and indignation.
The tree demon leaped back, his hands outstretched. "Human, you even dare to try and fight back in the face of absolute death instead of begging. I will make you become my nourishment!" he shouted, the vines rushing towards Ryujin like snakes, their tendrils wrapping around him like a living shroud.
The vines wrapped around Ryujin, holding him up in the air and immobilizing him. He felt a surge of pain as the vines constricted, squeezing the air out of his lungs. The pressure was intense, making it hard for him to breathe.
Just as the tree demon was about to deliver the final blow, the system message appeared: "Attacked by Tree Demon. Strength +5."
The tree demon walked over to Ryujin, who was still tied up with the vines. The demon used his fingers to touch Ryujin's chest. "Is this all you've got?" Ryujin taunted, trying to coax the tree demon into attacking him. "Your vines are so weak."
The tree demon's face twisted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. "You dare to mock me?" he shouted, his voice like thunder. "I'll show you my true power!"
Annoyed, the tree demon said, "Still trying to be tough, huh?" His voice was laced with disdain, and he turned to walk away, raising his thumb and index fingers to make a snapping sound. The vines completely wrapped around Ryujin's entire body, including his head, squeezing him extra hard. Undoubtedly, a normal human would have had all their bones broken, their body crushed by the intense pressure.
.....
Attacked by Tree Demon
Strength +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5
......
Congratulations, host! Your strength has exceeded the limit, gaining the power of [The Strength of Nine Bulls and Two Tigers].
.....
The next moment, Ryujin burst out of the wrapped vines with his newfound strength, landing on the ground with a thud that shook the prison cell. The tree demon suddenly turned back, his eyes wide with fear as he saw Ryujin freed from his strong vines. Sweat dripped down the tree demon's face as he took a step back, his eyes fixed on Ryujin's powerful physique.
Ryujin slowly stood up from the floor, a sly smile spreading across his cold-looking face. The tree demon's fear intensified, his eyes fixed on Ryujin's menacing grin. The air was thick with tension as the two enemies faced off, their powers locked in a struggle for dominance.
"Don't come any closer to me!" the tree demon cried out, moving backwards slowly. His voice trembled with fear, and his eyes darted wildly around the prison cell, searching for an escape.
Ryujin chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You may scream all you want, but nobody is coming in here to save you," he said, cracking his knuckles. The sound echoed through the prison cell, a stark reminder of Ryujin's newfound strength.
"Feel fear, my precious," Ryujin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, as he leaped into the air towards the tree demon. His movements were fluid and powerful, his body a blur of motion as he closed in on his enemy. The tree demon's eyes widened in terror as Ryujin's fist came flying towards him, ready to deliver the final blow.