"The devil of the world "

By ELLEN EISBRENNER

These are the worst of times, but not the best of times.

This is the age of idealism, the age when materialism is defeated by idealism.

Evil spirits rise, evil spirits appear, this is the devil's world.

No Maoshan Taoist, no gods, no demons.

Only a ghost can fight a ghost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ELLEN EISBRENNER
• Release date: Aug 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088261477

Book preview

Chapter 1

Ten miles fragrance restaurant. The largest restaurant in Leoxia City, the place where people gather the most.

When it comes to it, the first thing people will think of is wind peach blossom and devil King.

The former is breathtaking, the latter makes people gnash their teeth.

At this time in the hall, the seats were full, the drinkers were in groups of three or two, and the deafening applause came one after another, mixed with the noisy cheers, and the roof was blown over.

Jerrick Jenkins peered into the hall, where Kamilah Bravo, with the same smile as ever, was busy serving food and wine to the boy and greeting guests.

On the stage, after the white gauze curtain, the pink figure danced, the long dance sleeve fell together, the peach blossom flew all over the sky, that inadvertently a turn to bring the breeze, blowing the light yarn, pink peach blossom flap through the gap to the hall, and instantly ushered in the full applause.

Jerrick Jenkins shakes his head dully, flattens his mouth, and no one has to guess that Bodie Ericksen is dancing behind the veil.

She and Bodie Ericksen were both orphans, adopted as children by Kamilah Bravo.

Talking about Bodie Ericksen, she had to feel ashamed of herself. It is rumored that the amazing wind up peach blossom is said to be Bodie Ericksen, and the demon king is said to be himself.

Bodie Ericksen likes to dance since childhood, and no teacher, what is more surprising is that every step of the dance, always peach blossoms around the body, those peach blossoms magical like scattered from her body, everywhere, there are peach blossoms where Bodie Ericksen.

At this time, Bodie Ericksen jumped on the stage is her most famous wind up peach blossom.

Jerrick Jenkins pursed his mouth and shook his head in a dull way, his sly light twinkling in his eyes. He could sneak back into the room while his mother was busy, or he would be caught and scolded again.

She this demon king is very unpopular.

Jerrick Jenkins was sitting on his back, and before he had even taken a few steps, Kamilah Bravo quickly moved to her side, grabbed her ear, and scoffed: Did the little brat get into trouble again? Trying to get away while I'm not looking?"

'SHH! Jerrick Jenkins reflexively turned his head and made a silent motion toward the person behind him, but after seeing the half-old face of the Xu Niang, Jerrick Jenkins froze, his index finger kept the action on his mouth, and pulled out a stiff smile: It was second Niang ah!

Kamilah Bravo grabbed Jerrick Jenkins by the ear, dragged her to a less crowded area, grabbed a bamboo stick, pointed at her, and began to scold: I tell you, ever since you walked in the door, I have been watching you all the time, and shush, shush!

Oh, second Niang, you let go first, it hurts! Jerrick Jenkins stiffens her neck and wriggles awkwardly away from the bamboo stick that falls on her body.

Pulling her ears was used specifically by Erniang to deal with her. She boasted that she was not afraid of anything, but what she was most afraid of was Erniang's two-finger magic.

Kamilah Bravo was clearly not going to let her go, and with a push of his hand, Jerrick Jenkins immediately let out a pig-killing scream: Second mother! Gently! Gently! whoosh It hurts...

Kamilah Bravo gave a mouthful, let go of his hand, sat down leisurely, crossed his legs, grabbed the melon seeds in the fruit bowl, and took it a little, squinting at Jerrick Jenkins and sneering: You know it hurts? If you know it hurts, you still dare to make trouble for me outside all day!"

Jerrick Jenkins rubs his wrenching ear and tears roll in his eyes. His mother is not soft.

Jerrick Jenkins bowed his head and looked like he was about to cry, complaining to himself about Kamilah Bravo's cruel hands.

Kamilah Bravo seemed to see Jerrick Jenkins' mind, the action of eating sunflower seeds stopped, glancing sideways, glancing at Jerrick Jenkins's right ear, which was covered with red, and saw Jerrick Jenkins' eyes with tears, Kamilah Bravo can't help but regret having gone too far.

Even though Jerrick Jenkins was an orphan she had picked up, she had treated her like a daughter for 16 years and was not willing to actually beat her. Usually it is just to make a show, symbolic punishment, who knows today is a miss, no wonder this girl will be wronged into this.

Although it is remorse, Kamilah Bravo can not pull this face apology, Jerrick Jenkins keenly caught Kamilah Bravo's remorse in the face, and immediately worked harder to act poor, sucking his nose, blinking hard, and finally succeeded in squeezing out a tear.

The tears added to Kamilah Bravo's remorse. Jerrick Jenkins' dark eyes flickered and the corners of his mouth curled as Kamilah Bravo was moved by his pathetic appearance.

Finally unable to pull back his face, Kamilah Bravo was upset and threw the melon seeds back into the fruit bowl, flicked his hand, cleared his throat, did not open his face, and said with a straight face: What? Wronged? Think the second Niang's hands are cruel?"

While speaking, he looked sideways at Jerrick Jenkins, Jerrick Jenkins was pitifully sobbing, and Kamilah Bravo's heart suddenly burned a fire, which could not be vented in the heart, and could only curse in a hateful whisper: Little brat, always take this set to deal with my mother! Don't think I don't know you're faking it!"

While scolding Jerrick Jenkins, Kamilah Bravo scolded herself even more, clearly knowing that the girl in front of her grievance and poor appearance was pretending, but she did not have the heart to expose it. Often scold her, always be deceived by her pathetic appearance, wait until the girl ran without a trace, only to realize that this girl is completely pretend, more hateful is, in front of themselves, this move that girl has tried.

With a slightly agitated wave of her hand, Kamilah Bravo's head ached: Go down! I'll question you this evening!

After receiving the pardon, Jerrick Jenkins felt his whole body loose, immediately rubbed the soles of his feet, and ran out of sight.

Back in his cabin, Jerrick Jenkins plunges himself into his cozy little bed, his face unnaturally red with shame as he recalls what happened last night.

Last night, it was the annual lotus festival in Lioxia City, and she was pitifully locked in the woodshed to feed mosquitoes.

Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, poured into the woodshed, Yingying like a puddle of water, Jerrick Jenkins lying on the broken window, staring at the moonlight outside the window and sighing, secretly regretting that he had made too much trouble these days, which directly led to the anger of Erniang to shut her into the woodshed.

If she had been a little clever these days, she would not be feeding mosquitoes in this dilapidated woodshed at this time.

Jerrick Jenkins leaned against the window and thought bitterly, If only someone could sneak her out.

Perhaps it was her sincere confession that moved heaven, and a petite figure sneaked to the side of the woodshed and whispered to the woodshed: Stream, stream...

Jerrick Jenkins heard the noise. He grunted quickly to his feet. He put his hands on the windowsill, stuck his little head out the window, and peered around.

Bodie Ericksen…… Bodie Ericksen…… When Jerrick Jenkins saw them, he waved to Bodie Ericksen, thinking he was saved.

'SHH! Bodie Ericksen made a silent motion, motioned for her to keep her voice down, looked around a few times to see that no one was there, then carefully pulled a key from his sleeve, and with a clang, the lock was unlocked.

Jerrick Jenkins rushed out the door, hugged Bodie Ericksen, and said sweetly, Bodie Ericksen, I knew you were the best!

Bodie Ericksen, frowning, neatly broke free of Jerrick Jenkins' clutches and whispered, I knew you'd be busy tonight, remember! Go early and come back early, don't let Erniang find out!"

"Uh-huh! Jerrick Jenkins nodded, waved excitedly at Bodie Ericksen and ran off into the night.

Chapter 2

Under the cover of darkness, Jerrick Jenkins successfully slipped out of the restaurant, and once out of the door, Jerrick Jenkins was happy like a bird escaping the cage, loudly Shouting, and ran all the way to the nine-tune lotus pond.

The Nine-curve Lotus Pond is the place where the annual lotus festival is held in Lixia City.

The reason why the lake is named Nine lotus pond is because the whole lotus pond is irregular, the outer winding and convex, from a distance, like nine rings together, along the path of the lake, without boating, you can directly walk into the middle of the lake.

Lotus pond, bright lights, pool side willow, ribbons floating.

By this time, the shore was already full of people, and the crowd was so busy that the water around him was blocked, and Jerrick Jenkins struggled to get into the crowd.

In the lotus pond, a series of lanterns floating on the water, the pink light will shine the whole lotus pond as bright as day. Jerrick Jenkins shudders as the lotus leaves appear eerily green against the light.

Jerrick Jenkins clutched his chest, frowned slightly, flattened his mouth, shook his head away from the feeling, and joined the crowd with enthusiasm.

Tonight, the Lord of the city will be there to preside over the pageant, do the math, how long has it been since she saw him? Jerrick Jenkins tilted his head, snapped his fingers, and muttered, as if he hadn't seen the Lord in over six months! Since the last time the city master went to the restaurant to see the wind up peach blossom, I never saw it again.

I do not know this time, the Lord will not recognize her, think of here, the small face of the color of depression swept away, Jerrick Jenkins smile curved, it does not matter, anyway, she is just an unknown small person, the Lord does not remember her, it is normal. As long as she remembers the Lord!

A loud gong was struck and the official shouted, The Lord of the city is here!

The sound fell, the crowd of onlookers brush a spontaneous release of a road, a light yarn sedan, carried by four people, slowly into the deep crowd has long built a good high platform.

The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent, people opened their eyes, quietly waiting for the appearance of the people in the car.

The Lord of Lexia City, in the hearts of the people, is a God-like existence, Jerrick Jenkins opened his eyes wide, staring at the gauze sedan, his heart surging.

In the expectation of everyone, the light gauze car curtain slowly pulled to both sides, a black dignified figure walked out, holding a folding fan in one hand, a hand behind his back.

Clear and handsome face without any expression, as if the nine days above the God, dressed in black, looks not angry, slender back in the moonlight pulled very long.

The breeze blew up his long sleeve, revealing the pink peach blossom mark on his left wrist. The peach blossom mark unexpectedly fell into Jerrick Jenkins' eyes, Jerrick Jenkins inexplicably felt a blockage in his chest.

In the loud voices, cloud Guizhong slowly came to the stage, gently raised his hand, and the previous silence was restored under the stage. The cold eyes swept across the audience, the eyes suddenly fell in the crowd a little, cloud GUI Chong cold mouth hook up a slight arc.

Jerrick Jenkins opened his head and shook his head, jumping in and out of the crowd until he was pushed to the back. Jerrick Jenkins stomped his foot, blaming himself for being too short, an oversight that quickly pushed him to the periphery.

Unable to get in, Jerrick Jenkins looked back unwillingly, shook his head in frustration, and shuffled away from the crowd.

The stream... The stream... A panting voice stopped her behind him, and Jerrick Jenkins looked back dejected to see Kayla Reyes running toward her like a mountain, sweating like a rain.

Jerrick Jenkins stopped, tilted his head and looked at Kayla Reyes. Fat man, he quipped, I haven't seen you in days. How did you get fat again?

Kayla Reyes ran to Jerrick Jenkins, waved casually wipe the sweat on her forehead, and did not care about Jerrick Jenkins's jokes, silly smile: You... Don't make fun of me. I don't want to get fat, but... But there's no way...

If you continue to be so fat, you will not find a wife! Jerrick Jenkins squints, and Kayla Reyes stinks in bad taste.

Kayla Reyes smiles shyly and scratches her head. Well... You don't have to worry, heh heh!

Jerrick Jenkins sees the clue, steps forward, squinting, step by step and ask: There is something wrong, say! Which girl is interested in you?"

"Alas! Kayla Reyes stomped sheepily and suddenly Jerrick Jenkins felt the earth shake beneath him and stumbled and nearly fell.

Kayla Reyes quickly supported Jerrick Jenkins, Fat, please pay attention to the future, don't make the mountain fall apart at every turn! Jerrick Jenkins looked at the fat man and said angrily.

Kayla Reyes grinned, approached Jerrick Jenkins and said mysteriously, Little brook, Miss Lin is throwing hydrangea today, let's go and see?

Jerrick Jenkins becomes interested, squints at Kayla Reyes and asks, Is that true? How do you know?

Kayla Reyes lifted her face, thumped her chest and said proudly, Of course it's true. Come on, let's go see... Saying, make a gesture to pull Jerrick Jenkins, Jerrick Jenkins a rousing, reflexively jump three steps away, dry smile: Just talk, don't move your hands. Fat man doesn't even think about his strength, because Jerrick Jenkins, with his little body, with this claw, will break her bones.

Kayla Reyes pulls her hand back in embarrassment, scratches her head habitually and mutters, Are you going or not?

Jerrick Jenkins stared at Kayla Reyes, a little scared nodded, Go, go, you don't move, I this small body, can not stand your collision!

The two ran all the way, laughing and laughing, and finally came to the front of Lin Fu.

In front of the Lin Fu gate, the building is high, the crowd is surging, most of them are young men, and the nine-curved lotus pond is a young woman, the two places form a sharp contrast.

Behind the bright red curtain, is today's protagonist, Miss Lin.

The crowd of onlookers had already been unable to bear it, and they shouted at the platform, and the noise formed a piece. The big Miss Lin, standing behind the curtain, holding the hydrangea in her hand, knitted her eyebrows together, with a faint expectation in her heart.

I wonder if he'll come?

Jerrick Jenkins and Kayla Reyes managed to squeeze into the crowd just in time to see the curtain being pulled back and Miss Lin strode softly, her eyes lowered and her face shy. Eyes in the crowd under the audience secretly swept a circle, the appearance of a thick disappointment.

He, after all, did not come!

The noisy crowd was suddenly quiet down, the crowd repeatedly erupted out of the air-conditioned sound, I do not know who coaxed a sound, the whole quiet crowd immediately boiled up like boiling water. Each of them beckoned to Miss Lin and shouted, trying to attract the attention of beauty, Miss Lin collected her mind, glanced at the people under the audience, closed her eyes and breathed deeply, and when she opened her eyes again, the color of joy appeared on the lonely Jiao, and the Angle of her lips slightly split a curve, and in the periphery of the crowd, there were people waiting for her.

He, sure enough, came! Although she did not know the purpose of his visit, she was glad that he showed up.

Such a man as a graceful immortal, this is not she can cobble, the heart of his love can only be collected, today his appearance, really let her overjoyed.

Jerrick Jenkins keenly caught the change in Miss Lin's look, looking back along Miss Lin's line of sight, saw standing on the periphery of the crowd, a man dressed in white, slender body shadow ah moonlight is very long, suddenly looked, independent.

The handsome face was colorless, the long hair was dancing in the wind, and the man had a green flute in his hand. From so far away, Jerrick Jenkins was surprised that he could see the jade beads hanging from the tassel.

In the wind, the green beads shook a shake, in the air to draw a beautiful arc, that together with a fall between the emission of light suddenly shone into her heart.

Jerrick Jenkins stood in the noisy crowd, so far away, staring at the crowd outside the white man, chest inexplicable gush of sour, suddenly, a red eye.

The man in white stopped looking at Miss Lin for a moment, and suddenly, as if he were stimulated by something, his eyes searched the crowd urgently, and finally, the anxious eyes mixed with thick surprise stopped on Jerrick Jenkins.

Chapter 3

Jerrick Jenkins put his head in his hands and crouched down. Headache a few want to burst, that scene is how familiar, but she just can't remember.

The stream? Creek? What's the matter with you? See Jerrick Jenkins squatting in the crowd in a painful look, Kayla Reyes worried, now, Miss Lin will soon throw hydrangea, the restless crowd is more violent, chaotic, the stream is so squatting in the crowd, it is very dangerous.

I'm fine... Supported by Kayla Reyes, Jerrick Jenkins shakes her head and stands up feebly. These images shouldn't be in her head. Why do they keep coming to her mind?

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Miss Lin on the stage. Her eyes were always staring out of the crowd, and she looked blankly along her line of sight. Suddenly, Jerrick Jenkins looked like he was struck by lightning, and his mind was blank.

The complex eyes let her calm down the heart and chaos. Jerrick Jenkins quickly looked away, grabbed Kayla Reyes, and said, Let's go, Fat...

Ah, brook, did we not come to see the noise? Why leave when it hasn't started yet? Kayla Reyes shook Jerrick Jenkins' hand and asked.

Jerrick Jenkins felt a severe headache, casually perfunctory, I don't feel well, go first, you see for yourself! After saying that, he pushed out of the crowd without looking back.

The eyes of the man in white have always gathered on Jerrick Jenkins, the black jade eyes, revealing the color of panic, with Jerrick Jenkins leaving the back,