However, even more terrifying things followed. She began to see demons hidden in various shadows and corners.
She first went to the hospital for a check-up. The X-ray showed a large shadow similar to cancer cells at the site of her heart.
The edges of the shadow had spread to her throat and were still expanding. According to this trend, it would spread throughout her body in another half year. The hospital recommended immediate hospitalization. The doctors estimated that if it spread to her whole body, her life would be in danger.
She stayed in the hospital for a month, but various treatments had no effect. In fact, the shadow on her chest grew even faster.
Seeing that the situation was becoming irreversible, she chose to be discharged. She suddenly realized that the shadow in her body wasn't cancer cells, but an unknown type of demon.
During her hospitalization, she once took a walk in the hospital square and accidentally killed a demon that was about to harm a child. The child was saved, and the Vine Mark on her neck moved slightly, feeling cool.
Huangfu Jun hurried home to check. The Vine Mark had indeed shrunk half an inch, and she even coughed once. Although the Vine Mark grew back a few days later, this incident pointed to a possible path to survival.
Since the hospital had given her a death sentence, she decided to treat the dead horse as alive. She would go out and catch demons, to see if she could save herself!
Facts proved that her guess was correct. After much effort, she caught a second small demon, and the Vine Mark shrank again for a few days.
Although she had no magic spells and couldn't even draw talismans, she developed a unique method to exorcise demons, one that only a contemporary college student could come up with.
She wasn't afraid even of life-threatening danger. Whether she caught demons or not, she was in danger of death. When defeat was inevitable, failure wasn't scary.
Perhaps influenced by Huangfu Jun's determination, the powerful demonic energy field that had been there suddenly disappeared.
Huangfu Jun took one last look back at the flower garden behind her, and her gaze instantly turned cold.
Even if it was an informant from the Monster Bureau, she wasn't afraid. This time, she was here to put on an act, not to actually catch any demons. Even if the Monster Bureau showed up, they couldn't catch her in the act of "unlicensed demon catching." Since it was an official organization that would talk about "holding a license to work," she had room to defend herself.
Calming down, Huangfu Jun took a deep breath, turned around, and followed Ai Lin into the villa.
When their figures completely disappeared inside, the previously abnormal flower garden suddenly emitted a white mist.
Amidst the mist, a young man in white appeared. White fog obscured his face, making it impossible to see his features clearly.
He lifted his eyelids slightly, looking at the building. His pitch-black eyes shot out icy arcs of light. "Huangfu Jun, you owe me. It's time to repay."
Meanwhile, Huangfu Jun passed through the luxuriously decorated Chinese-style hall and followed Ai Lin to the second floor, finally stopping in front of a mahogany door.
"This is my dad's study," Ai Lin explained with a smile at Huangfu Jun. She raised her hand and knocked. A male voice from inside responded with one word, "Come in."
Pushing open the door, a tall book wall came into view. Facing the bookshelf, two men sat opposite each other at a desk.
Huangfu Jun had already done her research. The middle-aged man in a suit sitting in the main seat, slightly overweight, was Ai Lin's father, Ai Huwei.
Opposite Ai Huwei sat an old man in a white modified Chinese-style Tang suit.
Though his hair and beard were white, his posture as he gently stroked his beard was relaxed and elegant, giving off the air of a true hermit.
Huangfu Jun blinked, just catching a sharp, cold gleam that flashed in the old man's eyes as he turned his gaze.
Huangfu Jun pressed her lips together.
Seeing Ai Lin, Ai Huwei's face immediately broke into a smile. He waved at Ai Lin. "Linlin, come quickly. This gentleman is the junior disciple of Master Xuanqing. He came specifically to help us. Come and get to know him."
Ai Lin's face instantly darkened. She grabbed Huangfu Jun's hand and looked straight at her father. "Dad, I've already hired a demon catcher. It's Miss Huangfu. She's very formidable. I don't need anyone else!"
Although Huangfu Jun still had a smile on her face, her eyes also turned cold.
She observed the master a few times but didn't find any super strong energy field beam around him, nor even the magnetic field of her own ability eyes.
So, he was a complete fraud.
Ai Huwei's brows were almost knitted into a "川" shape. He scrutinized Huangfu Jun with a probing gaze.
This girl looked even younger than his daughter, soft and delicate, appearing more fragile than an ordinary high school student. She might pass as a playmate for his daughter, but as a demon catcher? She didn't seem reliable at all. Probably just a little swindler trying to extract some pocket money from his generous daughter.
Ai Huwei leaned back slightly, resting against the chair back, his expression turning somewhat stern. "Linlin, don't be willful. Dad has no problem with you playing with your little friends. But Master Xuan Ze has traveled a long way to see you. Don't be rude."
"Master Xuanmai?" Ai Lin glanced at the master with contempt. "If you're really powerful, can you tell what kind of demon is pestering me?"
Xuan Ze raised his hand and stroked his beard, smiling amiably without getting angry, replying in a very good-tempered manner, "A fox spirit."
Ai Lin frowned, pretending to be scared and hiding behind Huangfu Jun. "This master is a bit... a bit scary..."
She was only hiding to conceal the smile she couldn't suppress.
A fox spirit was just a rumor she had spread. This charlatan, no matter how well he acted, was just a low-level swindler.
"Linlin!" Ai Huwei angrily interrupted his daughter. "Where are your manners!" He then turned to apologize to Xuan Ze. "My daughter is spoiled. Please don't mind her, Master."
Xuan Ze smiled and nodded. "President Ai, you flatter me. Your daughter is straightforward and sincere. She will surely achieve great things in the future. She is no ordinary person. I am very fond of her."
Ai Huwei couldn't help but sneer, but quickly suppressed it and changed the subject. "Master is indeed extraordinary. Thank you for your kind words. If Linlin can get through this ordeal smoothly, I, Ai Huwei, will do my best to provide financial support for the establishment of the Supernatural Research Branch."
Huangfu Jun's brows moved slightly.
Earlier, the titles like Xuan Ze, Master, and Junior Disciple of Xuanqing all followed a folk classical style. Now, why did a postmodern new term like "Supernatural Research Branch" suddenly appear?
Such a chaotic mix was laughable. Did swindlers these days not care about logic when trying to cheat money?
Ai Huwei glanced at his daughter holding Huangfu Jun's hand, and the furrow between his brows deepened. "Linlin, Master Xuan Ze is here to protect you. His skills are profound. With him here, I'll feel at ease. Once this trouble is over, you can play with your little friend then."
Ai Lin's face suddenly reddened. She glared at Ai Huwei with inexplicable anger. "Miss Huangfu is very formidable. Please let her stay."
Ai Huwei's face turned very ugly. "Linlin, don't be willful! Apologize to Master Xuan Ze immediately!"
But Xuan Ze laughed, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "It's nothing, it's nothing. President Ai, please don't be angry."
He lifted his eyes, and his gaze swept over Huangfu Jun with a hint of chill. "Since Miss Huangfu is so highly regarded, let me have a little contest with her. If Miss Huangfu truly has the ability to catch this demon, I will leave immediately. I will cover all my expenses myself. President Ai won't have to pay a single cent."