Chapter 25
Luo Yiji held a report in his hand analyzing the demonic energy of Ye Xiyao.
Since this morning, he had already called Xing Xu more than ten times. Each time, the call went through, but no one answered. Luo Yiji’s face showed deep concern.
Last Friday, in the middle of the night, after receiving a message from Xing Xu, he arranged for someone to take the human who had been injured by demonic energy from Ye Xiyao’s house. For the past few days, they had been intensely researching and analyzing the demonic energy left on the injured person.
After a demonic entity attacks, as long as it’s timely, it’s theoretically possible to extract samples of demonic energy from the injured area.
If a demon had released a significant amount of power and invaded a human’s body, extracting a sample would be even simpler.
However, there was trouble from the start.
They discovered that the injury Ye Xiyao had caused to this human wasn’t as severe as they had expected.
Though the victim’s internal organs had hemorrhaged, and nearly every bone had been shattered, leaving the person on the brink of death, it was more due to the fragility of humans in the face of demonic power. A small amount of demonic energy could cause immense damage to a human.
In terms of demonic energy release alone, Ye Xiyao hadn’t really tried to kill him.
After repeatedly analyzing the injuries, the researchers informed Luo Yiji: “Given this demon’s power, he could have easily reduced the human’s body and soul to ashes. But this person survived, and there’s almost no demonic energy remaining on him…”
Luo Yiji asked, “What are you suggesting?”
The researcher replied, “I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I felt it important to inform you of this. After all, this demon is under Xing Xu’s responsibility.”
Luo Yiji frowned, “I understand.”
The situation the researcher mentioned could be interpreted in many ways.
Perhaps Ye Xiyao was low on power at the time, or maybe Xing Xu had interrupted before Ye Xiyao could finish off the human.
Without solid evidence, any explanation was plausible.
Yet, everyone couldn’t help but speculate in the same direction—they had a vague sense that Ye Xiyao might have spared the life of that psychotic stalker.
But since Xing Xu was handling this case, and he had a strict no-mercy policy towards demons, even objective analysis needed to be worded cautiously. Otherwise, Xing Xu might see it as defending the demon.
The researchers recalled some of Xing Xu’s famous lines:
—”Seriously, is there such a thing as a ‘good’ demon?”
—”Want to discuss justice and morality with a demon? Fine, I’ll send you over to talk with them.”
—”Anyone confident in taming a demon? Step forward and show me.”
Just thinking about Xing Xu’s relentless, merciless attitude sent a shiver down their spines. Until they had stronger evidence, they decided it was safer not to consider the demon in a positive light.
They continued to study the demonic energy.
After 48 hours of non-stop work by over a dozen top-tier researchers in demonology, they hadn’t been able to extract a complete demonic energy sample from the injured person. However, they managed to gather enough residual material to uncover some new data.
And the result they found was shocking.
Although the Bureau had anticipated the strength of Ye Xiyao’s power, seeing the actual data in the report still left them stunned.
Ye Xiyao’s power was unlike that of any other demon in human history. His demonic energy contained an anomalous energy field that humanity had never seen before.
This energy field, unlike typical demonic energy, suddenly became aggressive when it came into contact with other demon specimens, instantly devouring them.
In short, Ye Xiyao’s demonic energy wasn’t only dangerous to humans—it also posed a significant threat to other demons.
In fact, his energy seemed to be more aggressive toward other demons than it was toward humans.
It was as if his power was born to suppress other demons.
The researchers couldn’t figure out the purpose of this subconscious behavior in Ye Xiyao’s demonic energy, so they each proposed their own hypotheses.
One researcher, Yang Xiangchi, offered an optimistic interpretation: “When we extracted the part of his power that doesn’t belong to typical demonic energy and exposed it to other demon specimens, we observed that the two forces began to merge. After merging, the demonic energy in the specimen decreased significantly. I suspect that there’s a natural ability in his power to purify demonic energy.”
Purifying demonic energy.
Even Yang Xiangchi found his own conclusion hard to accept.
The idea that a demon’s power could purify demonic energy was as absurd as suggesting that a human could survive by consuming their own flesh.
“Is this possible?
“Rather than purification, it’s more like devouring,” said another researcher, Liu Chang, whose conclusion clearly fit everyone’s perception of demons better. “I tend to think that this demon is inherently violent and murderous, instinctively devouring any life, whether human or demon.”
Yang Xiangchi, however, said, “But you can’t explain why that power didn’t directly devour weaker humans like us, and only after two full days of our analysis and research did it suddenly attack the other specimens we used for comparison.”
Liu Chang responded, “It’s simple. We detected two different forces within Ye Xiyao’s demonic aura. Since one of the forces devours demonic entities, it’s possible that the force which devours human souls is the other one.”
Yang Xiangchi said, “Oh, so you’re saying that the powers from the same demon act independently? Or are you suggesting that the demon has schizophrenia? That’s a stretch.”
“And I think you’re dreaming when you say the demon’s power purifies demonic energy,” Liu Chang replied, and when he saw Yang Xiangchi still wanted to argue, he suddenly brought up Xing Xu to end the debate. “Why don’t you tell your conclusion to that exorcist Xing Xu, and see if he cheers for you or uses you as an experiment to see if that demon will purify or devour you.”
Yang Xiangchi’s face turned red with anger: “I’m merely discussing possibilities with you. There’s no need to bring up that rude guy!”
She still fumed when she thought of how last time Xing Xu had killed the artificial demon seeds she and other researchers had cultivated.
Liu Chang sneered, “I think Xing Xu is right. A demon is a demon. Expecting a demon to be harmless is like calling someone a ‘kind-hearted jerk.’ It’s contradictory—don’t you find it ridiculous?”
They continued debating whether Ye Xiyao’s other force was a ‘purification’ of demonic entities or an indiscriminate ‘devouring’ of everything.
Before they could reach a definitive answer, Ye Xiyao’s demonic aura dissipated entirely before dawn.
Thus, the composition of Ye Xiyao’s power became an unsolvable mystery.
However, there was one thing that everyone could agree on:
Ye Xiyao’s strength far exceeded any demonic energy sample collected by the institute so far.
Regardless of whether Ye Xiyao had shown mercy to humans, his power was real, and it was of an SSS-level threat—unprecedented and a significant danger to the harmony and stability of human society.
Luo Yiji held the report, pondering how to broach the next step of the plan with Xing Xu.
By noon, he figured it was Qiaoshou Technology’s lunch break, so Xing Xu should be free, and he called again.
This time, however, the call was directly declined.
Luo Yiji felt a sudden sense of foreboding. Could Xing Xu be in trouble?
–
“Are we moving now?”
Ye Xiyao stood at the door of Xing Xu’s office, holding his backpack.
“Come here,” Xing Xu beckoned him, and Ye Xiyao obediently walked in.
In the next moment, Xing Xu hooked a finger under the strap of the backpack and pulled it away from Ye Xiyao’s arms.
Ye Xiyao didn’t try to take it back; he just stood there, watching Xing Xu place his things on the large office desk.
The decision to move workstations was a spur-of-the-moment one.
The main reason was the colleagues from headquarters who kept trying to strike up conversations with Ye Xiyao. Somehow, they had gotten access to the elevator on the eighth floor, and throughout the morning, group after group squeezed in, using various excuses—one moment claiming to discuss new product experiences, the next to borrow a meeting room.
But everyone knew the real reason: they just wanted to catch a glimpse of Ye Xiyao.
Somehow, one person had even managed to get past Qiao Linchuan and the others guarding him and successfully cornered Ye Xiyao.
Before they could even get a word out, they were met with Xing Xu’s piercing gaze, which appeared behind Ye Xiyao like a ghost, causing their legs to give way and stammering an apology before fleeing.
On Monday morning, when the Product Experience Department was supposed to be holding its meeting, the constant interruptions by these people had derailed all the actual work.
Complaints had been made, but some people still held out hope.
A few stubborn ones even thought that being complained about was a good thing.
Most people were too scared of being reported, so they wouldn’t disturb Ye Xiyao. These persistent intruders, however, thought they might be the ‘golden nuggets’ that survived after the troublemakers were weeded out—quite a few people believed this.
In all the commotion, Ye Xiyao felt bad about it.
Even though no one in the department had said anything, he felt that he had disrupted their work, and he spent the whole morning feeling gloomy.
And so, Xing Xu made the decision.
Move Ye Xiyao’s workstation to Xing Xu’s office.
In fact, no one in the Product Experience Department had a fixed workstation. Although everyone had a desk, they often moved around depending on the product they were testing. Moving was just about finding a new spot for their computer and bag.
However, moving into Xing Xu’s office was a different story.
After all, Xing Xu was technically their leader, and Ye Xiyao’s position wasn’t as an assistant or secretary, so their day-to-day work rarely overlapped. It seemed unreasonable for Ye Xiyao to hang out in Xing Xu’s office.
Of course, if Xing Xu was only giving Ye Xiyao a temporary spot to help him avoid those who were harassing him, Ye Xiyao wouldn’t feel too much pressure.
But that wasn’t the case with Xing Xu.
Xing Xu directly gave his large desk to Ye Xiyao.
At first, Ye Xiyao was startled and declined nervously, saying, “How can I? If I use your desk, where will you work?”
Xing Xu gave a response that left him no room to refuse: “Boss’s relatives don’t need to work, you know?”
Ye Xiyao was speechless.
Xing Xu poked his forehead and said, “What’s that look for? Are you disgusted with me?”
Ye Xiyao shook his head and, in a playful tone, said, “I’m envious of you.”
“Getting bold, huh?” Xing Xu pinched Ye Xiyao’s nose. “Who taught you to talk back like that?”
Ye Xiyao grinned and pried his hand away. “It’s the honest feelings of the common people.”
He then walked over to Xing Xu’s desk and stretched out his hands to measure it. “Your desk is huge. Can I put all my stuff on it?”
“Do whatever you want,” Xing Xu shrugged. “You can even put yourself on it.”
Ye Xiyao assumed he was joking and played along with humor. “Where will I put you then?”
Xing Xu looked at him, raising an eyebrow unexpectedly. “Where do you want to put me?”
“Let me think,” Ye Xiyao pretended to ponder seriously before suddenly covering his chest and making a heart with his hands toward Xing Xu. “I’ll put you in my heart.”
Xing Xu was dumbfounded.
Ye Xiyao burst out laughing. “Sorry, sorry! That’s a cheesy line I learned from Sister Kou today. I thought it was so funny, I had to try it on you. Haha! So silly!”
Xing Xu didn’t laugh, though. He stared at Ye Xiyao for a while, then abruptly looked away.
Ye Xiyao stopped laughing and quietly scolded himself, “That was so awkward. I’m never telling lame jokes again.”
Xing Xu walked over to the break room and returned with a lunch in hand. He opened the box, making sure the hot food was still hot and the cold items were appropriately chilled.
When he placed it in front of Ye Xiyao, the look of disbelief on Ye Xiyao’s face was exactly what he had expected.
Calmly and with a hint of disdain, Xing Xu said, “It’s been sitting for a while, so it’s not as good. Make do with it.”
Ye Xiyao watched in amazement as Xing Xu placed a lunch he had made himself in front of him.
The lunchbox looked brand new, and Ye Xiyao boldly guessed that Xing Xu had probably bought it yesterday just to bring him lunch.
It made sense—Xing Xu didn’t seem like the type to pack lunch for himself.
This was made especially for him.
The meal wasn’t extravagant, given the size of the lunchbox, but just the smell made Ye Xiyao’s mouth water.
Ye Xiyao didn’t say any exaggerated words of praise, as he was too eager to taste it.
Once he took the first bite, he couldn’t stop, smiling with every bite, glancing at Xing Xu after each one.
Xing Xu leaned against the desk, looking down at him. “Hm?”
Ye Xiyao said nothing and just focused on enjoying a taco.
He chewed slowly, savoring every bite. The taco was packed with ingredients, and if he wasn’t careful, something would fall out. Ye Xiyao quickly stuck out his tongue to catch a piece of beef.
Xing Xu had been watching him for quite a while before their eyes suddenly met when Ye Xiyao looked up.
Xing Xu quickly looked away and muttered awkwardly, “Why is your mouth so small? You’ve been working on that taco forever, it looks exhausting.”
Ye Xiyao was bewildered by the sudden critique.
Xing Xu had a habit of being sharp-tongued, speaking harshly, and always looking fierce. He rarely conversed with anyone for long, which made people think he was scary and hard to approach.
After that comment, even Xing Xu felt a bit of regret.
Ye Xiyao was eating so happily—why did Xing Xu feel the need to say that?
He thought Ye Xiyao might get upset, but to his surprise, the next second, Ye Xiyao cheerfully responded, “You could eat it all in one bite, right?”
Before Xing Xu could answer, a fresh taco was brought right to his mouth. Ye Xiyao’s eyes were sparkling as he held the taco up to Xing Xu’s mouth and urged, “Show me how you eat it.”
Xing Xu was momentarily stunned. Normally, he’d make a casual comment to brush it off, but this time, he actually opened his mouth and took a bite from the taco in Ye Xiyao’s hand.
But he only managed to eat half of it, with sauce smeared across his mouth.
Ye Xiyao laughed, “See, it’s not just that my mouth is small, even you couldn’t eat it all in one go.”
He reached out to wipe the sauce from Xing Xu’s mouth.
Midway through, Xing Xu suddenly moved.
Before Ye Xiyao could react, Xing Xu bent down, grabbed him by the waist, and effortlessly lifted him out of the chair, placing him on the desk.
The desk was large and high, and once Ye Xiyao was seated, his feet dangled off the ground. Xing Xu stood right in front of him, pressing against his knees, his hands on either side of Ye Xiyao, leaning in close.
Ye Xiyao suddenly felt a bit nervous.
He heard Xing Xu say, “Feed me again.”
Ye Xiyao thought Xing Xu was trying to challenge himself to eat a whole taco in one bite, so he laughed, finding it amusing. He even coached Xing Xu, “You need to open your mouth wider.”
Xing Xu actually followed his advice and opened his mouth.
Ye Xiyao, playing along, pretended to feed the remaining half of the taco to him. But just as Xing Xu was about to bite, Ye Xiyao swerved his hand and fed it to himself instead, smiling mischievously at Xing Xu.
However, Ye Xiyao couldn’t finish the taco either. After one bite, it was falling apart. He couldn’t eat more, but throwing it away seemed wasteful, given the effort Xing Xu had put into making it.
At that moment, Xing Xu suddenly leaned in, and before Ye Xiyao could figure out what to do, Xing Xu lowered his head and caught the part Ye Xiyao couldn’t finish with his mouth.
Somehow, the two of them finished that taco together, and when Xing Xu stood up, he licked the corner of his mouth and, with a faint smile, asked, “Full yet?”
Ye Xiyao’s eyes darted around nervously. “Uh, yeah.”
Just then, the sound of people laughing and talking came from the office entrance. They knew Ye Xiyao was moving his workstation and had come to help. The door hadn’t been closed properly, so they knocked twice and walked right in without much thought.
And what they saw was the two of them in an awkward position.
Ye Xiyao was sitting on the desk with his back to the door, and Xing Xu was still leaning in close, hands on either side of Ye Xiyao, talking to him.
Qiao Linchuan dropped the files in his hand. “What the heck! My precious cabbage has been stolen!”
Lu Kou covered her eyes with a peace sign and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!”
Xu Xingyang drifted in, following the scent. “What are you guys eating? It smells so good!”
Qin Zai grabbed Xu Xingyang by the collar, pulling him back, and leaned against the door with an amused look. “Well, we’ve found the reason Xiaobao’s being forced to move his desk.”
Ye Xiyao quickly pushed Xing Xu away and jumped off the desk, hurriedly explaining, “No, no, we were just having lunch.”
He wasn’t sure why he felt so guilty.
Everything between him and Xing Xu had been just playful interactions between friends. Like that morning, Qiao Linchuan and Qin Zai had shared a spicy snack—there was nothing to hide.
But Ye Xiyao still felt nervous.
He sneaked a glance at Xing Xu.
Thank goodness.
Xing Xu looked even guiltier than he did, even pulling out his phone and pretending to be busy as he hurriedly left the room.
So it wasn’t just Ye Xiyao.
It turns out, even friends can get embarrassed sometimes.
“Don’t call me too often in the future. When I’m with him, it’s inconvenient to pick up.”
Xing Xu walked to the rooftop of the office building. Only after letting the hot wind blow over him in the empty space did he finally answer Luo Yiji’s call.
“I was too impatient this time. I’ll use a code to contact you next time,” Luo Yiji paused and then asked, “But you haven’t answered your phone since this morning. Have you been with him the whole time?”
Xing Xu had indeed been with Ye Xiyao since the morning.
At 7:00 AM, Ye Xiyao woke up. By 7:30, he had left for work.
At 7:45, Xing Xu “coincidentally” bumped into Ye Xiyao at the subway entrance and gave him a ride.
Since then, they hadn’t been apart.
Xing Xu summed it up simply: “Yeah.”
Luo Yiji, unaware of the details, naturally thought of something else and said, “You’ve really been working hard, tirelessly dealing with this task without even a moment to catch your breath.”
Xing Xu cut him off, “No problem. What do you need?”
Luo Yiji hesitated for a long time.
He started by vaguely explaining Ye Xiyao’s demonic energy test results, trying to be as objective and detailed as possible, without letting any personal emotions show.
After he finished, Xing Xu replied, “And?”
Only then did Luo Yiji continue, “Here’s the thing. Halfway through our research and analysis, his demonic energy dissipated, so the data isn’t precise yet. After discussing in our meeting, we still hope to analyze his power further and make thorough preparations.”
Xing Xu, tired of his roundabout speech, directly stated the conclusion, “You want more of his demonic energy for research?”
“Yes,” Luo Yiji quickly confirmed, then cautiously added, “Xing Xu, don’t get upset—let me explain first.”
“I know you’ve always believed that demons, regardless of their nature, pose a threat to humanity. But let me make my stance clear: I’m not saying Ye Xiyao is a ‘good demon.’ Objectively speaking, however, he did show mercy to that human this time. Plus, his power is very strange. The ability to purify demonic energy—this is something you’ve never encountered before, right? So… I hope you won’t outright reject this plan. If it turns out Ye Xiyao isn’t as hostile toward humans as we feared, then—”
Xing Xu interrupted: “Fine.”
Luo Yiji: “?”
Luo Yiji thought he must have misheard. He rubbed his ears and asked, “You agree? You’re willing to help us obtain more of his demonic energy and continue researching his powers?”
Xing Xu: “Why not?”
Luo Yiji cautiously added, “The power he releases can be considered the strongest humanity has ever encountered, with a danger level reaching 3S.”
Though Ye Xiyao was powerful, Xing Xu’s demon-slaying formation was also nothing a demon could easily withstand.
If Xing Xu really became fixated on a life-for-a-life approach to suppress Ye Xiyao, Ye Xiyao wouldn’t come out of it unscathed either.
That’s why Luo Yiji was so surprised by Xing Xu’s attitude.
He sighed, “I thought your first reaction would be, ‘Such a dangerous demon—we need to kill him immediately.’”
As soon as Luo Yiji said this, Xing Xu coldly and sternly replied, “We don’t even fully understand the situation yet. Why are you in such a rush? If it can be solved peacefully, there’s no need to keep calling for blood. I’m hanging up.”
After hearing the busy tone on the other end, Luo Yiji was left with one thought:
“Who is this? And what is he saying?”
No, wait.
Isn’t the one who’s always calling for blood… Xing Xu himself?!
