I Am Your Natural Enemy

After years of the Scorching Sun Department’s steadfast strategy against demons, those with slightly above-normal intelligence—even if occasionally drinking and cursing the department in private—agree that the current situation is the best, the ideal for the vast majority of demons.

Those Great Demons who have status, power, and normal intelligence understand that one rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel.

Individual cases are impossible to completely control, and the Scorching Sun Department won’t implicate other demons over such matters, nor do demons believe these individual cases can bring about significant change.

These issues can only be considered public security cases, at most reaching the level of criminal cases.

The demons resent most the kind who secretly stir up trouble, always plotting major incidents.

Such cases are extensive, involving a large number of demons, and are bound to face a crackdown.

If things go wrong, it can affect the lives and even survival of all demons in an area.

This incident involves experts from the Scorching Sun Department executing a major mission, and a demon is implicated, with various clues suggesting a strong likelihood of prior involvement.

Even considering only the nature and priority of Wen Yan’s mission, according to standard procedures, all demons connected to the deceased Carp Demon must be screened.

But this time, the Scorching Sun Department doesn’t want to make a big fuss, so demon intelligence is naturally deployed.

The effect is superb, much more efficient than the Scorching Sun Department’s field agents investigating alone.

This Money Leopard Monster, a National First-Class monster, lives in a nature reserve, with insurance even for injuries or illness, enjoying a peaceful life.

Poachers dislike Central Plains County because the likelihood of failure approaches one hundred percent.

A populous commandery means if you pass a village, villagers might report you if noticed.

Sometimes, when the weather is bad, or disasters strike and food is scarce, these Money Leopards might visit villages for food. Villagers don’t mind; they can eat chicken or duck as they please, and someone reimburses them later.

Over decades, these creatures have become even more devoted to maintaining the current order than the Scorching Sun Department employees.

For this intelligence task, the seasoned Money Leopard Monster volunteered immediately.

With a steady meal, it won’t mind trying every edible thing, leading to more friends with a better life.

Everything is interconnected.

In the past, a Money Leopard and a Carp Demon becoming friends was impossible.

The Scorching Sun Department’s field agent first presented a box and secured the Gold Nugget.

Then, he listened to the recording, which mostly matched the report; fish undergoing demon transformation is difficult, requiring long life, and even when enlightened, they generally have lower intelligence.

Carp Demons are a type needing special attention because regardless of the slim chances, they indeed have opportunities to evolve.

Although their intelligence isn’t high now, if they evolve, it will certainly improve.

After preliminarily confirming the situation, the Carp Demon code-named 079 became a low-risk target, and the original audio recording equipment was taken away.

Considering the typical intelligence of Carp Demons, disguising well enough that experts miss anything is practically impossible.

Scorching Sun Department has interrogation experts, micro-expression specialists, and audio experts. These top professionals can judge emotions and veracity from sound alone.

Were it not for the risk to intelligence agents, 4K video capturing would be better.

The field agent retrieved the previous equipment and casually handed the Money Leopard Monster a new phone with a high-standard annual plan, considered perks beyond standard subsidies.

To make a horse run, you must feed it—an eternal truth.

After initial confirmation, finding nothing problematic, the field agent smiled.

”You worked hard, sticking to the old rules, subsidies based on a single task. After next month’s settlement, the subsidy will be credited to your card.”

”Anything else to investigate? I know quite a few demons in Central Plains County.” The Money Leopard Monster asked eagerly. Income opportunities are scarce for it, though what’s crucial is earning merit—it values this as access to many Scorching Sun Department resources require merit.

”Whom else do you know?”

”I’ve met quite a few demons over the past two years while wandering around.” The Money Leopard Monster rattled off a list of names and locations.

The field agent could barely contain his delight, finding the task even simpler than expected.

He pondered and asked, ”You’ve spent this year wandering and meeting those demons?”

”Pretty much.”

”Alright, keep running around. Rest assured, the Scorching Sun Department’s rules are strict; your earned merits won’t be cheated from you.”

”By the way, with the merits I’ve earned, can the government now provide me with two wives?”

”Uh...” The field agent’s eyelid twitched.

”One would be fine!”

The field agent smacked his lips, surprised by the request.

”In principle, the current policy encourages free love and unions; the government can’t issue wives.”