"We're almost at the borders of Tushan. From here on, you'll need to walk the rest of the way on your own."
"Kei-oniichan, aren't you coming back with us?"
"No, I still have other places I want to visit. My next destination is the Northern Country."
Kei hadn't been practicing medicine today; instead, he was strolling through the mountains with Tushan Honghong and Tushan Shanshan. At this point, they were less than half a day's journey from Tushan.
"Thank you for taking care of us during this time."
Honghong sincerely thanked Kei, "Are you sure you don't want to come back with us? Sister Kongling might really want to see you."
"I'll pass. Just help me deliver a message and say, 'I'm doing great. No need to worry about me.'"
Most of the messages Kei asked others to deliver were just that one simple sentence. No elaboration, only a brief statement that he was fine.
"Onii-chan, will we be able to meet again in the future?"
Shanshan grabbed the hem of Kei's clothing, eyes filled with reluctance.
"Maybe."
Kei rubbed her head. The soft fluffiness felt really good. "Once you're back, train well. Don't run around recklessly. Be careful not to get caught again."
"Mm, I will. But I believe if I do get caught, you'll definitely come save me, right?"
"I'll do my best. If I come across it, I'll definitely help."
"Alright, the road ahead is yours to walk. I won't go any further."
Standing atop a mountain peak, Kei looked into the distance. He could already see the sorrowful giant tree—the Tree of Bitterness—grown from the tears of the backward-flowing giant.
The Tree of Bitterness also seemed to sense something, making slight movements that startled the fox youkai beneath it.
Receiving the information passed down, they began rushing toward the location where Honghong and the others were.
[On the way, Tushan Honghong and Shanshan encountered the fox youkai who had rushed to meet them. The group embraced, crying in excitement.]
[At that moment, Honghong turned back to look at the mountaintop. You had already turned and left, leaving only the empty mountain behind.]
[Back in Tushan, Honghong found Kongling and told her about meeting you, then delivered your message.]
"Kongling-neesan, he asked me to tell you that he's doing well now, so you don't need to worry."
"Mm, I know. That child is very strong. He can survive no matter where he is."
"Miss, thank you for helping deliver the message. Here's a candy for you."
Kongling skillfully took a candy from her pocket and placed it in Honghong's palm, then gave her a warm smile.
"It should be us thanking you. Without your help, who knows what might've happened."
Honghong accepted the candy. After exchanging a few more words, she left—determined to work hard and train!
Once Honghong left, Kongqing appeared inside the room.
"The child you took in is quite famous now. Not only did he save our lady, he also saved countless youkai."
"Do you know what the youkai outside are calling him?"
Kongqing sat on the stool next to Kongling, lifted a teacup and took a sip before speaking.
"I don't know."
Kongling looked at the now-empty cup and reached out to refill it for him.
Watching his younger sister's calm demeanor, Kongqing shook his head helplessly and continued,
"They're calling him the Human-Demon King!"
"Human… Demon King!"
For the first time, Kongling showed a moved expression. She had assumed it was a simple title—but "King"?
Could a human really be called a youkai king?
Before she could ask, Kongqing continued,
"Nothing like this has ever happened in history. Everyone knows that a youkai king must be a high-level youkai. But now, a human is being called one—it's laughable."
"But what's even more laughable is that many youkai are willingly following a human! They're traitors among youkai!"
Kongqing slapped the table in frustration.
"Sister, have some tea to calm down," Kongling said softly. "You're much smarter than me, but you've let your obsession cloud your judgment."
"In recent years, there have been more and more reincarnated humans and youkai with lasting ties. More and more people are growing weary of the war between humans and youkai."
"Many are pursuing peaceful coexistence. It's not that they're following Kei; they're chasing the life they desire."
"A life without war—peace between humans and youkai."
Tushan fox youkai stand at the top of the world thanks to their peerless power, unmatched charm, and supreme wisdom. Though gentle, Kongling lacked none of these three.
She was only more easily swayed by her emotions, and often failed to make the most logical decisions.
"Even if what you say is true, that kid won't stay proud for long. Neither humans nor youkai will accept him!"
"Sooner or later, a battle targeting him will begin!"
Kongqing said sternly.
At the same time, within the Yiqi Taoist Alliance, the major clans had gathered to discuss Kei.
"A human by day, a youkai by night. Helping both humans and youkai—what is he trying to pull?!"
"To me, he's clearly a youkai sympathizer! There's no need for discussion—just attack and kill him in public!"
"That's right! Let everyone see what happens when you help youkai!"
"I think we're overreacting. These are just rumors. Besides, is that guy even really human…?"
"I've already looked into it. He's been healing people for years, saving countless lives lately!"
"He absolutely cannot be labeled as a youkai sympathizer!"
Within the Yiqi Taoist Alliance, some immediately labeled Kei a traitor and called for blood. But there were others who disagreed.
Kei's actions were plain to see—he had saved too many people. That alone proved he wasn't someone acting for evil.
The two factions argued endlessly, each unwilling to yield. This reflected the internal divisions within the alliance:
One side harbored deep hatred toward all youkai and wanted complete extermination.
The other side believed that not all youkai were bad, and some were worth saving.
(Continuing to the next part immediately...)
Meanwhile, the center of all this debate—Kei—had already left Tushan and was heading toward the Northern Mountain.
On the way, he encountered a human and a youkai being hunted down. He casually saved them both.
"Alright, the pursuers are gone. You're safe now."
Kei healed their wounds and was about to continue toward the north, but was stopped.
"Lord Demon King, we want to follow you!"
"Demon King? Are you talking to me? I'm just a wandering doctor. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"No mistake. Your name has already spread through this whole region. Please, let us follow you!"
The youkai was a "Great Strength Youkai"—physically powerful but mentally fragile.
The human wore Taoist robes, looking like a practitioner.
"There's no point in following me. I heard the Northern Region already achieved basic human-youkai coexistence?"
"Why were you still being hunted?"
The Northern Mountain Youkai Emperor had already used his immense power to establish a foundation for peaceful coexistence.
"Yeah… even though the Emperor made that decree, there are countless youkai nations under the Northern Mountain."
"Many of them were once enslaved and oppressed by humans. Real peace isn't possible…"
"Everything is just being suppressed by the Emperor's strength. Any discord is being hidden under pressure."
The Strength Youkai said helplessly,
"They hate humans and despise youkai who befriend them. They might even kill them."
"We had no choice but to flee from the north."
"Lord Demon King, where are you going now?"
"The Northern Country. If you want, you can come with me."
After listening, Kei didn't change his destination. He continued heading north.
The Strength Youkai hesitated at Kei's back for a moment…
Then gritted his teeth and followed!
Not long after, Kei arrived at the first city in the Northern Country.
Upon entering, he saw the streets filled entirely with youkai.
"Definitely different from the east."
Kei walked through the city streets, the eyes of countless youkai falling upon him.
The Strength Youkai behind him swallowed nervously.
"L-Lord, maybe we should come back at night? It's too dangerous now!"
"If we wait until night, no one will be around. A doctor's job starts in the morning."
Kei strode confidently through the streets, ignoring the hostile glares.
Holding up a sign, he shouted his services every few steps.
In no time, he was surrounded by several groups of youkai.
"We don't welcome humans here!"
"Oh."
"Get lost!"
"Nope."
"You got a death wish?!"
The youkai bared their fangs, surrounding Kei with hostile intent.
"If I beat you all up, does that mean I can do business here?" Kei asked calmly.
"If you're really that strong, not only can you do business—we'll even be your dogs!"
"Aren't you guys canine youkai to begin with?"
"I'm a wolf youkai! A noble snow wolf huskie!"
Kei's comment enraged them. They revealed their true forms and prepared to attack—
"Acupoint Strike."
In an instant, Huskie froze in place, fully conscious but unable to move.
"Acupoint Strike."
"Acupoint Strike."
"Million Acupoint Strike!"
Kei's hands released countless golden threads of Hamon energy, piercing the bodies of the youkai and paralyzing them like puppets.
"So strong!"
The Strength Youkai exclaimed in awe.
"No wonder they call him a Demon King! This strength is incredible! I need to cling to his thigh tightly!"
"Well, can I start practicing medicine now? Oh right, you guys can't talk."
Kei patted one of them on the shoulder.
"The acupoint will wear off in about half an hour. If you're still not convinced, feel free to come find me."
After speaking, Kei walked off and began hawking his services.
The other youkai, seeing his strength, didn't dare cause trouble again.
Some even secretly sought him out for treatment.
And so the day passed into night—
"Quick, get to the north side of the city!"
"A bunch of humans just attacked!"
"It's the Yiqi Taoist Alliance! Damn bastards, let's fight back!"
Suddenly, chaos erupted in the city.
Fighting broke out everywhere—the alliance had launched a surprise attack on the youkai nation.
They were only a group of twenty or so, but each one elite.
They'd hit and retreat, and by the time the youkai kings arrived, the attackers had already retreated to human territory.
"Damn it!"
"Brother, don't die, hang in there!"
"My love, please! Stay with me!"
After the alliance retreated, all they left behind in the youkai city was—
Only death and pain. Countless people screamed in agony.
Some had already become numb, expressionlessly gathering corpses.
"So tragic!"
A powerful bear youkai couldn't help but speak. "Humans are just too despicable!"
"I'm still here, you know."
"I didn't mean you, sir! I was talking about those damn people from the Yiqi Taoist Alliance. They're so cruel!"
Kei walked along the street. Many youkai glared at him with anger, some even looking like they wanted to attack.
But others held them back.
"Calm down! Can't you see that man is helping to heal innocent people?"
"But he's human! All of this was caused by humans! He's just pretending to be kind!"
"Others may be, but not him. Haven't you heard the rumors about the Human-Demon King?"
The Polar Sumo King stood on high ground, watching Kei help the innocent below.
"You're saying this guy is the wandering doctor everyone's talking about?!"
"That's right. Someone can only pretend for so long. He doesn't just help youkai—he helps humans too."
"During the day, he saves humans. At night, he helps youkai. As long as someone asks for help, he doesn't refuse, whether it's human or youkai."
"You call him merciful, but he doesn't preach peace. He even tells injured youkai to take revenge if they have grudges. But it has nothing to do with him."
"You call him cruel, but whenever someone truly needs help, he'll lend a hand if it's within his power."
"All in all, he's a strange guy."
The Polar Sumo King shook his head, unsure of how to judge Kei.
"Please, save my brothers!"
"I beg you, please!"
The wolf youkai Huskie, who had previously caused trouble, now came pleading to Kei. Several of his brothers had been severely injured in battle.
"Alright."
"I know I offended you this morning. You can hit me or kill me as long as you save my brothers… Wait, what did you say?"
"I said no problem. Let me check their injuries."
Huskie looked at Kei in disbelief. He hadn't expected Kei to agree so easily.
Shouldn't Kei be making things difficult for him? Torturing him even? They had just fought this morning!
Kei proceeded to stop the bleeding, realign bones, stimulate cell regeneration, and finally bandage the wounds.
"All done. Come see me later to pay the fee—ten copper coins."
After finishing the treatment, Kei turned and continued to heal others.
"He… he's nothing like the humans we know!"
"Take care of the brothers. I'm going to thank him. I always repay kindness! From now on, I'll be his dog!"
Huskie declared passionately.
"Big bro, you saved us! We'll be dogs with you!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
Huskie's ten or so brothers all agreed to follow him and serve Kei.
"Alright! Let's show them the pride of our brotherhood! Vengeance for grudges! Repayment for kindness!"
"Awooo!"
"Damn it! Now more people are trying to cling to his thigh!"
The powerful bear youkai felt a crisis approaching.
(End of Chapter)
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