Demons Beside You

“You heard? From whom? Probably no one even goes in there, or that no one even comes out alive.”

Chen Zhao wasn’t a kid. He wouldn’t believe everything people said, let alone such unreliable words. Medicine of immortality?

Where did that come from?

“This…uh…” Carlo had thought that Chen Zhao would at least be a bit interested.

But Chen Zhao didn’t believe him at all. His tone was filled with suspicion.

“Alright, Chen,” Carlo said. “I just really wish you’d consider my words seriously.”

He knew that he couldn’t force anything. He could only leave.

At least, he didn’t have anything that could tempt Chen Zhao.

When the three returned to their hotel, someone knocked on their door.

“Tyler, open the door.”

Tyler did so. He opened the door to see a thin man with a hoodie.

“Who are you looking for?” Tyler asked.

“Professor Carlo.”

“Professor, do you know the man who’s looking for you?”

Carlo peered outside the door. “Let him in.”

The man walked into the room and stood before Carlo.

“Syla recommended me.”

Carlo looked at the hooded man. Thinking for a bit, he asked, “What skills do you have?”

“I can kill you all.”

In an instant, Fannity and Tyler pointed their guns at him at the same time.

“Put it down. Put the guns down.” Carlo waved his hand. “Don’t say that, even if you have the ability. They may become your partners in the future. Of course, you have to display your skills first.”

“How do you want me to display it?”

“Here,” Carlo said. “If you can go to the house I point out and get a painting, I’ll accept you into the team.”

“Sure. Where’s the painting?”

“In a house at the bank of Mirror Lank in Mountain Town. It’s a Chinese painting.”

“Okay, I’ll bring the painting here at this time tomorrow.”

“Oh, I don’t know your name yet.”

“Murphy,” the man said without looking back.

“Then, good luck, Murphy.”

Tyler closed the door. “Professor,” he said meaningfully. “You’re sending him to die. Chen can’t be offended.”

“He’s from a special family. They’re all very strong, like superhumans. If he wants to prove his value, he has to do some superhuman things.”

“Are you sure this won’t anger Chen?”

“Fine, I’ll return the painting after I get it.”

…

After Murphy left, he took out his phone. “Dad, I already met with Professor Carlo, but your trick didn’t seem to work. He wants me to steal a painting from someone’s home. They’ll only accept me after I get this painting.”

“Murphy, did you not act cold enough?”

“No, I was already cold. I even watched Hitman: Agent 47 three times for this.”

“Did you change into the suit that the main character wears?”

“I don’t have money. I wore the hoodie I bought last year.”

“That’s the problem.”

“What do I do now?”

“Follow Professor Carlo’s requests and steal that painting.”

“I haven’t stolen before.”

“There’s a first for everything.”

“But I don’t want to do it.”

“Then do you want to make money?”

“Yes,” Murphy replied instinctively.

“You can return the painting’s money after you get rich.”

“Fine…But…”

“What else do you need?”

“I don’t have money for a taxi.”

…

Murphy came to the other side of Mirror Lake. Looking at the extravagant house across from him, his eyes were filled with envy.

“So rich,” he mumbled. “I want to make a lot of money and live in a house like this too.”

He loosened his muscles. “Okay, swim over there. I should get to the other end by nighttime.”

He started taking off his clothes and went into the water.

“The water here is so cold.”

He was pretty fast at swimming. The sky gradually darkened.

When he got to land, he saw a man and a pretty woman. They were grilling barbecue and drinking in the yard.

“So jealous of rich people’s lives.” Murphy’s face was filled with envy. “I want to become a rich man too. I want to be as successful as that man.”

Suddenly, something seemed to tug on Murphy’s foot.

“Is it a big fish?” Murphy didn’t take it seriously. But soon, the thing wrapped around Murphy’s legs and pulled him down.

“Hel…blub, blub…Help…”

…

Fali looked at the lake. She seemed to see something splashing in the water, but it was too dark. She couldn’t see clearly. “Chen, is there someone in the water?”

“No, you saw incorrectly,” Chen Zhao said. “It’s a big fish. Are you full?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Chen Zhao snapped his fingers. Three or four inferior demons flew out and fought each other to clean up the yard.

“The breeze is a bit cold. Let’s go sit inside.”

“Yeah.”

Chen Zhao looked back at the lake. He already knew when the person entered the water.

As for who it was, it wasn’t important.

What was important was that the man had broken into his territory. He must not have good intentions.

Whether Chen Zhao would kill or spare him, he’d punish the man first.

Chen Zhao waited until Fali fell asleep before going to the second basement.

He saw a thin man with only his underwear, curled up in the corner, hugging himself.

The three-headed dog and Little Nine were on either side of him. “Did you two strip him?” Chen Zhao asked.

They shook their heads, expressing that it had nothing to do with him.

“Whatever. Whether he’s a good guy or not, I’m sure he’s a pervert. Eat him.”

“Huh?” Murphy yelled in horror. “Aren’t you going to interrogate me? Like who sent me or why I came?”

“No need. I can see you won’t tell me and it’s getting late. I need to sleep.”

“No, you can ask. You can pry open my mouth easily.”

“Really?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Okay, then tell me.”

“If I tell you, will you let me go?”

“If I say yes, will you trust me?”

“Yes,” Murphy answered earnestly.

“Yeah, I’ll let you go.” Chen Zhao nodded. “So, tell me who sent you and for what.”

“Professor Carlo sent me. He wants me to help him steal a Chinese painting in your house.”

“Professor Carlo? You’re sent by Professor Carlo?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Do you have proof?”