187. Moon City Demon Hunters

In a dimly lit chamber, adorned with swords, beast skulls, and demon heads, eleven people sat around a large blackwood table. The walls, dyed in deep black, absorbed the flickering candlelight, casting long shadows across the room. 

At the head of the table, a burly man sat in an imposing stance. His bald head gleamed under the light, and his bronze-colored skin was marred with open wounds, scars layered over old battle marks. 

This was Commander Wu. 

Unlike the others, who wore Demon Hunter uniforms, he was clad in a plain white robe, yet his presence alone dominated the room. 

Seated on either side of the table were ten Demon Hunters—five men and five women, each with long hair, tied in different styles. Over their uniforms, they all wore black snake-scale vests, signifying their elite status. 

Commander Wu rested his right arm on the table, his fingers tapping idly against the surface. 

His deep voice cut through the silence. "Tell me—what have you all found about the Cult of the Moon Spirit Goddess?" 

A female Demon Hunter spoke up. "Sir, the cult deceives people using a mysterious liquid called Moon Spirit Liquid. It heals injuries and relieves hunger. Most of the east side of the city has already fallen under its influence." 

Commander Wu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you found where this Moon Spirit Liquid is coming from?" 

The woman shook her head. "Sir, we've only managed to capture some messengers distributing the liquid, but we still haven't traced its source." 

A heavy silence fell over the room. 

Commander Wu's fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, his expression calm—but his voice carried an unmistakable edge. 

"I go into retreat for a short while… and in my absence, you allow a cult to rise in the city." 

His gaze swept across the room, sharp and unreadable. 

"And now, after all this time, you still can't locate the cult's headquarters?" 

All the Demon Hunters present held their breath, their expressions downcast. 

They weren't just nervous—they were afraid. 

Commander Wu was known for being boisterous and free-spirited, but when he spoke calmly, it meant only one thing—he was truly angry. 

A male Demon Hunter hesitantly broke the silence. "Sir, I believe the reason the cult has remained hidden for so long is because some influential figures in the city are protecting them." 

Another male hunter quickly added, "Yes, Sir. I went to investigate the Golden Goose Restaurant, but I was blocked from entering. The manager claimed we needed the Noble Council's permission to search." 

A female Demon Hunter spoke next. "The same thing happened to me when I tried to check Misty Garden." 

Another hunter followed. "I faced the same situation at Quiqi Treasure House. They refused to let me investigate without approval from the council." 

One of the Demon Hunters muttered grimly, "Of the four most powerful families in Moon City… three have interfered with our investigation." 

Their frustration was palpable. 

Why would these families go so far to protect the cult? Did they not realize they were putting themselves in danger? 

A female hunter hesitated before speaking. "Sir, I suspect the Tang Family is involved as well. Today, while patrolling my sector, they summoned me to their estate, claiming a demon was hiding there." 

She exhaled sharply before continuing. "After searching the entire estate, I found nothing. But while I was there, a fire broke out in my patrol area, destroying a building." 

The first female Demon Hunter who had spoken clenched her fists. "So all four noble families are involved…" 

Her voice turned bitter, her frustration evident. "They must know that a Great Demon is behind the cult. But why would they willingly shelter one?" 

She turned toward another Demon Hunter. "Mie'er, you're from the Song Family. Do you know anything? Why would they do this?" 

All eyes shifted to Song Mie, whose face darkened with frustration. 

Her father and uncle, the head of the Song Family, had been acting strangely ever since the cult appeared in the city. 

She had seen them holding secret meetings, speaking in hushed voices, meeting with shady figures—and whenever she questioned them, they refused to answer. 

She had even confronted them directly, telling them the so-called god behind the cult wasn't a divine being but a demon. 

And what had they done? 

They asked her a question in return. 

A question she couldn't answer. 

Song Mie clenched her fists. 

She looked toward Commander Wu, hoping he might understand something she didn't.

"I told them the cult wasn't serving a god but a demon. But instead of denying it… they asked me a question. They said that if I could answer it, they would tell me why they were helping the cult." 

The female Demon Hunter leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity. "What was the question? Tell us. One of us might be able to answer—or if not, Sir Commander surely can." 

The other Demon Hunters echoed her, eager to hear. 

Commander Wu let out a gruff chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "Tell me the question. Let's see what kind of nonsense your nerd of a father and that idiot Song Jie came up with." 

Song Mie took a deep breath before speaking. 

"They asked me: Why does the Moon Spirit Liquid heal humans instead of harming them like demon energy? If the one behind the cult is truly a demon, then why does their power help the human race instead of corrupting or destroying it?" 

Silence fell over the room. 

No one had an answer. 

Commander Wu's expression hardened, and his emotions visibly conflicted. 

He knew the answer. 

But… should he say it? 

Some of the more experienced Demon Hunters, those who had followed Commander Wu for decades, immediately recognized the look on his face. 

A younger hunter finally spoke, hesitant. "Sir… do you know the answer?" 

His words sparked a ripple of murmurs through the group. 

Another Demon Hunter stepped forward, more insistent. "Yes, Sir. If you know, please tell us. Understanding this could help us uncover the true identity of the demon behind the cult." 

Commander Wu suddenly burst out, his voice like a thunderclap. 

"Never try to find the demon! Your goal is the cult members! Now go and track them down!" 

The Demon Hunters froze, stunned by the sudden outburst. 

No one moved. Instead, they exchanged uncertain glances, clearly unwilling to leave without answers. 

Commander Wu's eyes darkened. 

"I SAID GO!" 

This time, the hunters snapped to attention, quickly filing out of the room without another word. 

The moment they were gone, Wu Ziki let out a long sigh. 

Now alone in the empty room, he slumped into his chair, rubbing his temples. 

He hadn't wanted to tell them the truth—but if they ever came face to face with the demon, they would find themselves against a Great Demon just one step away from becoming a Demon Lord. 

And then? 

They would be crushed into powder. 

At this moment, the Great Demon wasn't a threat to them. 

Why? 

Because demons of that caliber had already escaped the instincts that forced them to consume human flesh, blood, and souls. 

Yet, despite this, he had no choice but to target the cult. 

The Flower God had ordered it. 

"Damn it!" Wu Ziki muttered, slamming a fist onto the table. 

He hadn't wanted to get involved in this. 

He was already 38 years old—only two years away from 40. 

Once he hit 40, his strength would begin to decline unless he broke through to Innate Master Warrior. 

And now, instead of focusing on his own path, he was stuck chasing ghosts in the dark. 

His frustration was interrupted by a knock on the door. 

Wu sighed. "Come in." 

The door opened, and Ming Hao stepped inside, closing it behind him before taking a seat across from Wu. 

Wu leaned back, his voice flat. "How was it?" 

Ming Hao was another Innate Warrior, just like him. However, while Wu was at the limit of the Innate Realm, Ming Hao had only recently broken through. 

Because headquarters hadn't yet learned of his advancement, Ming Hao had not received transfer orders to a more prestigious branch. 

Ming Hao exhaled, rubbing his temples. "They came to ask for help in hunting down the Great Demon." 

Wu snorted, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Hunt down the demon? More like publicly announce themselves that they chase away the Great Demon." 

Ming Hao chuckled. "I don't think Wan Cai is capable of that level of craftiness." 

Wu smirked. "He's not. But his father, Wan Hui, certainly is. And who did he bring along? None other than that idiot Zhou Sen." 

Ming Hao suddenly clutched his chest in mock horror, dramatically widening his eyes. "Not Zhou Sen! You have no idea how afraid I was when I saw who came with Wan Cai." 

Wu raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh? Who?" 

Ming Hao leaned forward slightly, his tone serious. "Divine Warrior Zhen Li Si. I think she's really here to hunt down the Great Demon who deceived her little sister." 

Wu burst into laughter, shaking his head. 

"If I was 50% sure that Wan Hui sent his son for fame before, now I'm 100% certain." 

Ming Hao gave him a questioning look. 

Wu smirked. "Wan Hui's mother was the previous Divine Warrior of the Goddess of the Lake. He may have asked the Goddess to send Zhen Li Si to accompany them." 

Ming Hao's expression shifted as realization dawned. "Zhen Li Si… the elder sister of the Great Demon's lover. They sent her to remind the Great Demon not to kill Wan Cai." 

Wu nodded. "Exactly." 

Then, his expression turned serious again as he shifted the topic. 

"Did Zhen Li Si realize that you've broken through to the Innate Realm?" 

Ming Hao shook his head. "No, I don't think so." 

He then added with a grin, "We should thank Pian Ran for giving me her hair to conceal my breakthrough—and for telling you about the realms beyond Innate." 

Wu nodded in agreement. "Indeed."