Chapter 923: Schoolmaster of the Demon Academy

As the mist completely dissipated, the sight before him left Chen Changsheng momentarily stunned.

How could this still be called a Demon Market?

Its scale rivaled that of a mortal town. Crisscrossing streets, neatly arranged dwellings, roads paved with bluestone slabs, and houses built from gray bricks and white tiles stretched before him. Trees planted at some unknown time stood quietly along the perimeter of the market town.

Framed by the surrounding mountain timber, the market town felt like an isolated utopia.

Looking ahead, an academy sat within the town, from which the bright, clear cadence of reading echoed. Through its windows, one could even spot several young demons who had yet to take human form—all minor mountain spirits.

Shaking off his brief astonishment, Chen Changsheng recovered his wits.

He murmured, "It's only been three years..."

This was entirely beyond his expectations.

Pondering for a moment, Chen Changsheng raised his hand and summoned dozens of fallen leaves. The foliage merged into a leaf mask in his grasp. Using a minor Dao art, he concealed his human presence and drew a wisp of the surrounding flora's spiritual essence, weaving it into the mask.

With that, he carried the unmistakable aura of a demon.

Donning the mask, Chen Changsheng stepped into this market town of demons.

From the outside, the market town had appeared rather modest, but walking its streets revealed it to be several times larger.

"A divine ability to expand the domain..."

Chen Changsheng glanced around, finding it rather novel.

He had no idea who had set up the formation, but their Cultivation base had to be quite profound.

Deeper in the town, the bustling noise was endless. Numerous demons roamed the streets; some had successfully taken human form, while others still bore their beastly shapes but wore clothes and mimicked human etiquette.

No one cast any strange looks his way; the atmosphere was calm and utterly ordinary.

Chen Changsheng approached a roadside tea stall.

The stall's owner was an old bear who had taken human form. He looked genial and honest, his white hair mingling with a white beard that only deepened his gentle, simple air.

A cup of tea was cheap, costing roughly two copper coins.

"Do you accept copper coins?" Chen Changsheng asked.

The stall owner chuckled. "I can tell right away you're an outsider who's never been here before. We started using copper coins here the year before last."

Chen Changsheng paused. "Wouldn't that be a problem? I'd imagine copper coins are very easy to counterfeit."

After all, demons possessed far more tricks than mortals.

"It's not that simple," the owner replied. "The authorities in the market town keep a close eye on things, so no one dares to forge them. Besides, isn't it all for convenience? Sometimes we have to head outside to purchase goods, and we need copper coins for that too."

Chen Changsheng nodded in understanding. Just then, another customer arrived, and the owner excused himself to greet them.

Sitting beneath the awning, Chen Changsheng took a sip of his tea.

After a brief rest, he continued on his way.

The Demon Market boasted everything one might need. Though not quite as developed as the mortal world, it lacked none of the essentials.

There were inns, taverns, tailor shops, and even a 'magistrate's office.'

However, it went by a different name here: the Demon Bureau.

Much like a mortal magistrate's office, the Demon Bureau governed the area and maintained the peace. If anyone caused trouble, the demon bailiffs from the bureau would immediately mobilize to apprehend the culprit. Furthermore, only demons who had achieved some success in their Cultivation could qualify to serve as bailiffs.

Strolling down the street, Chen Changsheng continually spotted demon bailiffs on patrol.

Law and order had gradually taken shape.

A sudden sense of gratification welled up within him. Perhaps it was because he had played a small part in these events, helping to lay the groundwork for this achievement.

Even so, this level of development still lacked many crucial elements.

Growing too fast was not entirely a good thing.

Just as a mortal market town inevitably harbored wicked men, a demon market town would be no different. This was a major hidden danger.

Continuing onward, Chen Changsheng eventually came to a halt outside an academy.

It was the very same academy he had spotted earlier from the edge of town.

"The gentleman says: those who are good..."

Inside, the schoolmaster was instructing a classroom full of young demons.

Chen Changsheng stepped into the courtyard and listened for a moment.

His gaze drifted toward the schoolmaster standing at the front of the room.

'He isn't a demon...'

Chen Changsheng felt a surge of curiosity.

As if sensing his gaze, the schoolmaster paused.

Their eyes met across the distance.

The schoolmaster studied the green-robed man whose face was half-concealed.

He hesitated, finished reciting another half-chapter, and then instructed the young demons, "Review your texts quietly. No making a racket. I need to step out for a moment."

The classroom obediently quieted down.

The schoolmaster then stepped out the door.

He offered a cupped-fist salute, which Chen Changsheng courteously returned.

"Wei Jingming, schoolmaster of Qishan Academy, greets you, sir."

"This Chen is named Changsheng. A pleasure to meet you, schoolmaster."

Hearing his introduction, Chen Changsheng instantly grasped the situation. He then asked, "I wonder, how did Master Wei see through This Chen's disguise?"

"You misunderstand, sir," Wei Jingming replied. "I know nothing of Cultivation, nor can I see through your disguise. It is simply that your demeanor is far too distinct..."

Chen Changsheng glanced down at himself. He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Could it be that This Chen carries the air of a bandit?"

Wei Jingming laughed. "You jest, sir. It is an elegant and easygoing aura, one that belongs uniquely to a scholar."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "Master Wei misspoke earlier. You indeed know nothing of Cultivation, but your heart harbors noble righteousness. That is what pierces through falsehoods—not my demeanor, but rather something closer to your own intuition."

Wei Jingming stared blankly for a moment. "Is that what it is?"

He had occasionally found it strange himself. In truth, a large part of how he had recognized Chen Changsheng came down to pure instinct. The moment he laid eyes on him, he simply felt that this man could not possibly be a demon.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "You simply weren't aware of it. This noble righteousness only requires a bit of deliberate guidance to display its true might."

"Are you a cultivator, sir?" Wei Jingming asked.

"You could say that," Chen Changsheng replied.

Wei Jingming nodded. "Then I had best leave it be. I have achieved little in this life, and my literary knowledge is shallow. I doubt I have accumulated much of this noble righteousness you speak of."

"Since you possess it, putting it to use is naturally for the best," Chen Changsheng advised. "Not to mention, Master Wei resides in a place teeming with demons. It would be wise to have a method of self-defense."

Wei Jingming offered a helpless smile. "You jest, sir. I am but a humble schoolmaster. If I were to practice Cultivation here, I fear it would only bring me trouble."

Chen Changsheng paused for a moment before sighing. "This Chen failed to consider that. Please forgive me, schoolmaster."

"Think nothing of it."

Wei Jingming waved the matter off with a gentle smile.

"I must ask," Chen Changsheng said. "Why does a schoolmaster like yourself teach in such a place?"

"I know what you are wondering," Wei Jingming replied. "I was not abducted. I am here of my own free will."

"Oh?"

"It all started when I wandered into this place by mistake."

Wei Jingming was originally a teacher of elementary learning down in a mortal town. Because his wife had fallen ill, he frequently ventured into the mountains to gather medicinal herbs, eventually stumbling upon this place by sheer luck and entering the realm.

His first instinct had been to flee, but a sudden spark of curiosity drew him deeper inside instead.

As fate would have it, he soon spotted a notice posted by the Demon Bureau looking to hire a teacher...