Chapter 826: Gray World

Inside this small realm belonging to demons, although the various "human-livestock nations" were considered important assets of their respective demonic forces, no demons came to inspect for three days after the horse demons were killed by martial artists in one city after another.

Apart from a few demons of moderate cultivation in some large cities they passed through, it was only when Ji Yuan and the old beggar's escape light crossed the borders of the so-called human-livestock nations that they saw any patrolling demons. This suggested that the history of these nations must be very long, and a tacit understanding had formed among them, leading to the phenomenon where demons rarely appeared before humans.

Of course, there were also things that inevitably made the inhabitants of the realm understand their plight. For example, when the people of Tianyu Continent were abducted to form new nations, some original inhabitants would pull carts loaded with food, carried by demonic winds to specific locations to deliver grain. It was only at such times that these numb people could recall the fear etched into their souls, though they would self-anesthetize upon returning home.

After flying for about an hour, Ji Yuan and the old beggar arrived at one of the original human-livestock nations. From above, looking down at the land, the vitality of the people in various towns seemed very low; it wasn't that the population was sparse, but rather that their spirits were dim.

The two landed in what appeared to be the largest city along their route. It was the busiest time just before noon, and the streets were bustling with people. Shops were open for business, and vendors hawked various small goods. People's faces showed a range of expressions, unlike the blank numbness they had displayed when delivering grain to the new nations. Instead, they seemed to be chatting and laughing.

"Hmph, living in a false dream."

The old beggar sneered, and Ji Yuan shook his head with a sigh.

"Humans possess all seven emotions and six desires, encompassing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness; this is inherently normal."

As the two walked down the street, many common folk frequently cast curious glances at them. Not only did people facing them stare, but even passersby would constantly turn their heads. Some faces showed curiosity, while others, upon realizing who they were, revealed fear, yet dared not hurry away, instead pretending to leave in a routine manner.

"Interesting, Mr. Ji, what do you think?"

Both the old beggar and Ji Yuan naturally observed the people's reactions. The former asked Ji Yuan with amusement, while the latter pondered for a moment before quietly saying,

"Old Mr. Lu's attire isn't particularly conspicuous, but my clothes, while not overly luxurious outside, certainly stand out here. If someone dresses like me in this place, what do you think the common folk will imagine after their initial curiosity fades?"

The old beggar also sighed.

"Man-eating demons."

Unlike the millions newly abducted from Tianyu Continent, these original inhabitants had lived here for generations. Their clothes were vastly different from those outside; many were barely clothed, and even the coarse linen garments from outside were several grades brighter than what was worn here.

Ji Yuan and the old beggar paid no mind to the people's fear. As they observed the streets and everything they encountered, they discovered more and more aspects that differed from the outside world.

Besides their attire, there was little adherence to etiquette here, and no classical texts were visible. Even the shops lacked signs, with only the proprietors calling out their wares. There wasn't a single book or written character anywhere they passed, and monetary transactions were almost nonexistent. Instead, bartering was common, sometimes involving "impractical" stones or even gold, but the true hard currency was medicinal herbs.

Food, however, did not seem scarce. It was likely that the demons ensured good harvests and favorable weather here.

After walking through a small part of the city, Ji Yuan and the old beggar seemed a bit tired and sat down at an open-air stall. Their act of sitting down, though seemingly minor, terrified the grandfather and grandson who managed the stall, yet they dared not pretend not to see them. Meanwhile, pedestrians nearby instinctively moved away from the stall or simply avoided walking in that direction.

The old man, looking at Ji Yuan and the old beggar, felt his scalp prickle. Even Ji Yuan's approachable demeanor, which usually made people feel at ease, had no effect. He pulled his grandson, who was playing nearby, and whispered to him.

"Hide behind the cart. Your parents will come for you when it gets dark. Remember, you must hide here and not come out until your parents arrive, boo hoo..."

As the old man spoke, he wiped away tears. His grandson, bewildered, tried to help wipe them, but the old man hugged him tightly. After a brief moment, he stood up, picked up a tray with a teapot, and walked to Ji Yuan and the old beggar's table. With slightly trembling hands, he placed the teapot on the table.

"S-sirs, please, please have some tea..."

The old man's voice trembled as he spoke. Ji Yuan looked up at him, seeing that he was utterly terrified. The old beggar frowned, then shook his head.

"Do you think we are demons here to eat you? Well, at your age, according to the rules of this human-livestock nation, it's almost time for 'natural selection.'"

The old man's body suddenly trembled, and his face turned ashen with fear. Over the years, he had certainly experienced life's joys and sorrows, but a death warrant had always hung over his heart. To have reached this point in life safely, his luck could not be considered bad.

Seeing the old man so terrified, Ji Yuan couldn't bear to scare him further and gently offered words of comfort.

"Elder, you needn't worry. Old Mr. Lu and I are not demons. We are simply resting at your stall today, and we have no intention of harming you. You can take your grandson home when you close up for the evening."

"Thank you, sirs, thank you, sirs! This humble old man bows to you, bows to you, thank you, sirs!"

As the old man spoke, he was about to kneel, but the old beggar stopped him with one hand.

"Hey, Mr. Ji has already said we aren't demons. You don't need to kneel. Just prepare some food for us."

The old man wiped the sweat from his face, repeatedly agreed, and then busied himself frantically by the cart stove, pulling out all the meat he could find, determined not to let vegetables be the dominant portion.

"Living in self-deception, one day they will ultimately be awakened by a nightmare."

Ji Yuan sighed this lament, then arranged the teacups and poured tea for the old beggar and himself. After a sip, Ji Yuan frowned slightly but continued to drink, and the old beggar did the same. However, Ji Yuan did not pour a second cup, and the old beggar likewise had no desire for a refill.

"Mr. Ji, when we first met in Yunzhou, I had already traveled all over the human world and lamented its harshness. Today, my horizons have expanded. If we speak of hardship, there are many places more arduous than this, but if we speak of being treated as less than human, then there is none worse. Tell me, when this realm breaks apart and the human-livestock people see the light of day again, how will they cope?"

"Naturally, there will be those who enlighten them. The people here have been persecuted for centuries, even millennia; the deeper the suppression, the greater the potential rebound. Didn't those who delivered grain to the new nations feel a burning passion after witnessing Zuo Wuji and the other two repeatedly slay demons?"

As Ji Yuan and the old beggar spoke, they neither used telepathy nor lowered their voices. The old man at the stall, while preparing food, listened in. His fear gradually subsided, and as he watched the two sitting, he felt his heart calm down more quickly just by looking at them.

Soon, the old man heated and cooked the meat. Here, the best seasonings were salt and a meager amount of spices. He carried a tray to Ji Yuan and the old beggar's table. On the tray were two large bowls: one filled with meat, and the other containing meat broth with vegetables. The remaining space on the tray was packed with numerous steamed buns.

The old beggar looked at the lavish meal and chuckled, shaking his head.

"So much food! Who would have thought that you and I would ever benefit from the demons' blessings?"

Ji Yuan raised an eyebrow and said calmly,

"It needs to be paid for."

"I'm a beggar, so of course, I'll be eating at Mr. Ji's expense."

The old beggar, unfazed, took a pair of chopsticks from the holder and helped himself to a large piece of meat.

Ji Yuan, feeling a bit helpless, also took chopsticks and began to eat. Perhaps because he hadn't eaten much for a while, he found the taste quite decent.

"Elder, has this life been comfortable?"

The old beggar, chewing a piece of meat, asked the old man with a smile. This question startled the old man again, but his reaction wasn't as exaggerated as before; he merely nodded.

"With a son and grandson, it's... it's quite comfortable..."

"Then do you wish for your children, grandchildren, and their descendants to continue living like this forever?"

The old man didn't know how to answer. He looked down at his grandson, who was still hiding under the kitchen cart, remaining silent for a long time. Ever since he could remember, he had often had nightmares. Throughout his life, peers had disappeared, elders had passed away, and he had heard many, many "normal" things. There were some things he never dared to say, but now, after a long silence, he inexplicably whispered,

"Our fate is just like this... What's the use of wishing otherwise?"

The old beggar tapped his bowl with his chopsticks.

"Clink."

"There's still hope for salvation."

"If there was no hope, would you want these millions of people to go to Yunzhou?"

Ji Yuan chuckled at the old beggar, then looked at the old man at the stall.

"Elder, we are not from around here. We came from a very distant place, and the money we carry might not be suitable for circulation here..."

The old beggar muttered at this point.

"Mr. Ji has gold, right..."

However, Ji Yuan pretended not to hear and continued slowly and softly.

"How about this: I'll tell you a story to cover the cost of the meal?"

How could the old man refuse? He repeatedly agreed, and Ji Yuan began to speak.

"Between heaven and earth, myriad things are born. Flowers and trees grow towards the sun, birds and beasts find their own habitats, and humans, residing among them, are the most sentient of all worldly beings..."

Ji Yuan's voice was not loud, yet it carried far. Slowly, more and more people gathered around the old man's stall, listening to Ji Yuan tell strange and wondrous tales from beyond this world.

In the stories, people experienced joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness; there was harmony and happiness, as well as natural disasters and man-made calamities. Life had its ups and downs, its partings and reunions. There were poetry, literature, rituals, music, and various trades. Not everything was perfect, but it was a colorful world…