1.2

Qu Xiaoxing hastily acknowledged her and did not speak with the eunuch again. He gave him a few gestures of apology then turned around to catch up with Ji Yunhe. Qu Xiaoxing sighed.

"Master Warden, how many times do I have to say this, these people bringing demons to our valley might be just servants of the royalties and noble families, but they all have a mouth that can be heard by important ears. You cannot keep offending them like this… This is the eunuch around Princess Shunde, if he decides to say some damaging words about you..."

"Mhm mhm, I've done a thankless deed." Ji Yunhe casually brushed him off. "So you better go back to him and lift the talisman. If you make him travel all the way back mute, god knows how big of a grudge he will hold." Ji Yunhe gave him a side eye. "Qu Xiaoxing, we want to please their masters, not them. And the way to please their masters is to tame the demons well. Everything else is frivolous." Qu Xiaoxing sighed again. "You have a point. Also it's unfortunate that today's world is so unfavorable for us demon masters. I heard fifty years ago, before the Grand Master developed the poison against us, our tribe was very powerful. We called the wind and rain at will, and demons came to our bidding. Hard to believe that we have fallen so far in just fifty years. Even a court eunuch can yell at us like this..."

"Come on, you talk as if you were there fifty years ago." They arrived at wide open gates to the Demon Valley. Heavy fog filled the air. Ji Yunhe digressed, "The demon brought in today seems quite special. Let's go to the dungeon and watch the unboxing." Qu Xiaoxing nodded.

Inside the Demon Valley dungeons were black iron cells densely engraved with spells and seals, blocking the power of demons. The black iron box was sent to the largest cell. The top of the box had a black iron hook. Demon masters hooked it to a chain hanging from above and the engravings around the cell started to glow with power.

This lockbox had been developed by the valley to be convenient for dignitaries to catch feral demons and transport them in. The hook on top of the box was actually from inside. It was attached to the chains used to subdue demons, so they could be easily hooked and connected to the chain in the prison cell.

Once connected, the magic spells from the cell would then be transmitted through the chain onto the demons, strengthening the force of the seal. This had been designed to keep demon masters from harm as demons often grew excited upon seeing the light of day during their unboxing.

After the hook and chain were in place, a demon master inserted a key into the lockbox. Click. The box immediately made a series of knocking and trembling sounds. The demon master did not even have time to withdraw the key yet when the lockbox suddenly exploded from inside, every shard covered with talisman. Along with the scattering of debris, a giant white and blue fish tail fell out.

Ji Yunhe stood just outside the dungeon. Before she could shout "watch out," a powerful force swept across the prison cell. The demon master who unlocked the box let out a miserable cry as his blood splattered everywhere.

Ji Yunhe held Qu Xiaoxing's head and pushed him down onto the ground with her, narrowly avoiding the demonic aura from the fanning tail. She looked up from the ground and saw the lockbox was now in pieces.

A demon hung from the chain with his hands bound, completely naked, and the lower half of his body was a huge fish tail. But different from the others, his tail was blue and white and formed layers and layers like a giant lotus. More surprisingly was his face... Jiaoren was a race known for their beauty, but Ji Yunhe never thought there would be a face like his. So stunningly beautiful that it was breathtaking... This demon was a... Male jiaoren.

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Jiaoren is a mythical creature with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish. They are similar to mermaids except jiaoren are believed to inhabit the South China Sea. Many different versions of half human half fish creatures are found among ancient chinese literature with jiaoren first appearing in "In Search of Gods" written by Gan Bao (280 - 336 AD).

Legend has it that jiaoren specializes in weaving dragon silk that stays dry underwater, shed tears that turn into pearls, and possess an enchanting singing voice.