The Record of Unusual Creature

Raising her eyes and glancing at the door, Vivian asked, “Who’s that?”

Hao Ren found it inconvenient when visitors dropped in. The strange occupants of the house had gotten used to discreetness and privacy. They did not have to hide their identities. Back home, Lily’s tail and ears could get out for some fresh air; during the summer time, Vivian would revert to her original form to cool down the house; during the cold days, it was Y’zaks’ turn to warm up the house with his demon flames and Nangong Wuyue would raise the humidity with her power. No matter which one, it was not a scene appropriate for public display. Yet when someone did drop by, Hao Ren had no choice but have Lily retract her ears and tail, put the little mermaid back into the pot and have Nangong Wuyue keep an eye on her after which he would only open the door.

But the moment he opened the door, he realized he was just being too nervous: the person who stood outside was none other than Nangong Sanba.

He was still wearing his black wind coat and a harmless smile on his face. “Haha, it’s me again. I’ve come to say goodbye to my sister, I’ll be off this afternoon. The Russian client wants me there quick.”

Hao Ren thought the dude’s timing was too perfect but he did not say it. He let Nangong Sanba in and said, “Vivian, we’ve got another guest joining our lunch. And Lily, you can keep wagging your tail.”

“I’d prefer you just calling me Nangong…” Nangong Sanba said awkwardly as he followed Hao Ren in. He remembered telling Hao Ren the same thing the day before. He came to realize that today was very lively with two strangers in the midst. He nodded at them. “It seems I’ve come at a bad time.”

“Oh come on, stop pretending.” Hao Ren could almost read his mind. He patted Nangong Sanba on the back. “I didn’t act as a good host last night. If you don’t mind, please join us today. Treat this as a farewell lunch. You may sit next to your sister.”

Right when Nangong Sanba marched towards them, Bluphlei suddenly slammed the table and jumped to his feet. He transformed into a blanket of black fog and re-emerged from a corner of the living room. His voice was like thunder. “Demon hunter?!”

The loud bang frightened Lil Pea. She jumped out of her pot and into the arms of Nangong Wuyue, letting out a shrill cry. Nangong Wuyue tried to comfort her as she waved her hand.

Blushedt had also transformed into a blanket of black fog, retreating into a corner. In an instant, they turned into beasts, ready to pounce on Nangong Sanba. Nangong Sanba was stunned for a moment before a sense of aggressiveness hit him. With years of experience under his belt, he drew out a rune card and a mini crossbow from under his coat, swiftly as if out of instinct. Vivian saw the impending conflict; she quickly shapeshifted into a vampire and intervened. Things quickly went south: Lil Pea cried non-stop while Lily choked on a mouthful of food. Hao Ren pulled Nangong behind him — he realized that he had neglected something: the two werewolves had not been informed yet.

The whole house was in chaos. Lil Pea’s cries had turned into what sounded like a four-beat aria. What a musical talent from a week-old mermaid. But who the f*ck cared now? Cold sweat trickled down Hao Ren’s back like ice water. Everything was fine before Nangong and the two werewolves met. He did not see it coming. He yelled out loud, “Stop! Calm down! He’s not an enemy!”

Vivian kept exhaling a draft of chill air mixed with ice flakes into the living room. The temperature instantly dropped to minus zero territory. The extreme cold was not harmful. It only cooled the heads of the two werewolves—it was a trick Vivian used to divert their attention. Meanwhile, Y’zaks pointed at the two werewolves and Nangong Sanba respectively using his finger. As three faint beams of grey light hit the three of them, the werewolves’ Dark Fog and the rune card in Nangong Sanba’s hand lost their shine. It was the demon’s signature skill, ‘One-Finger Crippling Touch’—it could disable, remove, or weaken magic and cause short-term unconsciousness. Although it would not last, it was the best for the circumstance.

Y’zaks knew what he was doing. He would not f*ck up by using ‘One-Finger Death Touch’ instead.

Cold wind was still blowing in the living room but, both sides had now calmed down. Y’zaks looked at them with a broad smile on his face. Then in a mild tone, he said, “Let’s sit down and eat. Landlord you gotta introduce them to each other.”

His voice was calm as usual as if nothing had ever happened. He was always the one with the coolest head around.

“He’s a demon hunter.” Bluphlei was still a little dazed. “He even drew his rune card and crossbow… What’s going on here?”

The two werewolf elders tried to break free from the demon’s crippling spell. Their strength was remarkable. They recovered and got back on their feet in just a few seconds despite still feeling a little wobbly. It seemed that their Dark Fog magic would be rendered useless for a while.

Nangong Sanba sat still on the floor, his body felt as fragile as a tofu. Obviously, his strength was below the two werewolf veterans. Y’zaks noticed it. He removed the spell from Nangong Sanba or else he would likely struggle to get rid of it. As the spell was removed, Nangong Sanba staggered to his feet and breathed heavily. “I’m a demon hunter but… I’m on your side.”

The two werewolf elders were of course, flabbergasted.

“Everyone, sit down. Vivian, switch off the ‘air-conditioner’. The food is getting cold. Elders, please put down your claws, you’ve scared the child.” Upon seeing that the crisis was averted, he let out a sigh of relief and ushered everyone back to their seats. After Bluphlei and Blushedt sat down with a sense of confusion still in their head, Hao Ren began to formally introduce Nangong Sanba. “This is Nangong Sanba, brother of Nangong Wuyue. He’s not living with us but, still counted as one of us in this shelter—umm, he’s a peripheral member.”

Hao Ren’s chief concern was alleviating the fear in the two old werewolves. He conveniently gave Nangong Sanba a peripheral membership as cover, knowing that Nangong Sanba would not object—he would be torn to pieces because of his demon-hunter identity.

“A peripheral member…” Bluphlei glared at Nangong Sanba, sizing him up before turning his eyes to Nangong Wuyue. “Brother of the siren…how? How could it be possible?”

How could it be possible? He could not wrap his head around it.

Hao Ren thought for a moment, looking for a cover-up story. “We have members from all over the world. And we have our own men in various organizations.”

His voice was solemn and his face was like that of a guy from the old Shanghai Triad. Of course the old werewolves did not buy the story but, what they saw was confusing. Their expression was filled with marvel and disbelief. “Unbelievable! No one has ever infiltrated the world of demon hunters before. That’s impossible! The incubus tried to invade the minds of the demon hunters and they failed before the whole race was slaughtered. The mind of the demon hunters are as solid as steel!”

“We’re not talking about mind control here.” Hao Ren patted Nangong Sanba on the shoulder. “He has been our man since 100 years ago. He has received advanced ideological education since day one and he’s well-versed in the concept of the great unity of the world…”

Vivian kicked him under the table. “Spare the crap. Get to the point.”

“In short, he’s our man. And you don’t need to know how.” Hao Ren spread his hands. “Let me tell you, even though our shelter’s small, the fact that we’re able to establish an outpost in the midst of humans is telling….”

The two old, senior werewolves kept nodding. “That’s one hell of an ability!”