Killing instinct. This specifically referred to the killing awareness and pre-battle response that demon hunters involuntarily had in the face of unusual creatures. Demon hunters regarded it as a useful talent, because killing instinct allowed them enter into combat mode extremely fast. This made them merciless and unhesitant when faced against the unusual creatures. More importantly, killing instinct is fundamental to many of the demon hunters' perceptive abilities; 80% of their ability to identify and predict the movements of unusual creatures are based on killing instinct.
Of course, skilled demon hunters could smell any strange odours from the crowd even if they lose this instinct, just like Liu Sheng and Zhao Xi. They could sense the presence of unusual creatures, but they could neither accurately perceive their opponent's race or strength, nor trigger any pre-combat response.
Hao Ren frowned as he looked at Liu Sheng. "What happened before the killing instinct disappeared?"
"Without any warning, it just began to fade suddenly. And to tell the truth... We are not even sure when it first began. We can only judge it roughly a month ago." Liu Sheng crossed his hands resting them on the table, and seemed worried. "Killing instinct would only arose when faced with otherworldlings."
"Why you come to me?" Hao Ren asked, as he was curious that though they had reached a truce, demon hunters were more suspicious to his tenants, he did not know why Liu Sheng did not turn to his organisation but him.
Liu Sheng did not hide his own thoughts though. "I know your background and you surely know a lot of things. I'm afraid that finding help from you is better than from our own people. Besides, we did look for the regional senior demon hunter, but..."
After a moment of hesitation, Liu Sheng said, "The vanishing of killing instinct is not an isolated case... I am afraid it is out of our own control."
Hao Ren eyes wide open. "Not only your killing instincts?"
"The regional senior did not elaborate, but he mentioned that 'the situation isn't good'. As far as I know, many elderly people in the race suddenly went active and began to travel a lot. I'm afraid all of them are having the same problem," Liu Sheng's brows knit tightly together. "I had actually hesitated for a long time before I came to you. After all, I didn't want the interests of the collective demon hunter group be compromised. Now it seems... I am afraid that this is the time to worry about that. Only the one behind you can help solve this problem."
Hao Ren sucked his teeth; Liu Sheng must still misunderstood him. "Firstly, I'm not hostile to demon hunters, so what make me want to hurt the collective interest of the demon hunters? Secondly, the one is behind me is indeed all mighty, but I wonder if she will want to get involved in your problem personally… But I'll try to investigate, don't worry. You'd better tell me everything about the reactions after the killing instinct vanished. Oh, by the way, also your estimate of how many demon hunters you think are affected."
Liu Sheng and Zhao Xi exchanged a look. They then nodded to each other before telling the details to Hao Ren. While they were talking, Lily came up holding an extra-large tray ready to serve the food. Her face happy. "Yeah! Your food is ready! Mr. Landlord, move your arm, and the casserole is hot... Besides Battie also let me bring you a bowl of rice. Too many guests today, we're not going home but having lunch here."
Apparently, Lily had got into the groove now. She swiftly served up three big bowls of rice and a hot casserole and two cold dishes on the table while happily explaining to the guests. "This casserole chicken is ours signature dish, let it bake for a minute upon served, you can smell the aroma several blocks down the street when you open the lid... By the way, these two cold dishes are free of charge. Enjoy the food."
Hao Ren looked down and saw two identical cucumber slices on the table. "...Didn't you say two kinds of cold dishes? Did you get it wrong?"
Lily shook her hand carelessly. "The portion is too large, so I split them into two plates. Let's just treat it as two dishes. If you really can't accept it, then treat one of them as cucumber slices, and the other one as sliced cucumber…"
When the husky finished talking, she turned around and walked away without even giving them a reaction time. After a while, Hao Ren heard her entertaining guests at a nearby table. "...this butterball is our signature dish, you can smell its aroma several blocks down the street…""This tomato scrambled egg is our signature dish; you can smell its aroma several blocks down the street…""This... Mr. Zhao, you don't want anything else? Okay... this peanut is our signature dish..."
Liu Sheng stared at the werewolf maiden who was happily running around in the restaurant but talking like she was drowning in a verbal Niagara Falls. "Oh, she is a specialist—knowing only one catchphrase?"
Hao Ren buried his face in his hand. "I guess this restaurant will soon be famous far and wide, and this style of operation is a special feature."
Liu Sheng shook his head with a smile, and reached out to open the lid of the casserole. "This is not bad, so much better than what I thought... this dish is rather out of my expectation, it is quite authentic and aromatic, it smells—""Bang!"
Before he could look inside the pot, the lid had quickly closed again. Hao Ren was dumbfounded. "What's wrong?"
Liu Sheng's face stiffened. "I was too nervous recently. Probably it's hallucinations."
Zhao Xi looked at her senior. Feeling weird, she reached and lifted the lid and quickly took a glance. The lid closed back again. "...something weird."
"What's wrong?" Hao Ren's brows pulled together. He opened the lid of the casserole, and saw Lil Pea holding a green garlic said hello to him happily. "Dad-dee...""Bang!"
Hao Ren closed the lid and took the casserole back to the kitchen. "You guys wait for a minute, I get it replaced. The chef stewed the wrong thing."
Liu Sheng and Zhao Xi looked at each other, speechless.
The kitchen looked like a dog's breakfast. Vivian and Ayesha were busy inside. It was not that they could not cook but rather not used to the rhythm of cooking in a restaurant. There were the jingling of the pots and pans, and the shouts of the women. "Vivian, give me the salt...""Doggie, take the two dishes to the table near the entrance.""Where is your brother, Wuyue?""Hey, where's my chopper... Wudi, bring me your silver dagger. Nonsense! Didn't you use it to peel apple yesterday?""Y'lisabet, did you see Lil Pea? Was she not in this pot just now..."
Hao Ren put the casserole aside. "Lil Pea's here. You guys stewed her?"
Vivian turned and looked. Her jaw dropped to the ground.
The little mermaid might have jumped into the pot herself during such hectic moment. Hao Ren did not want to add more chaos to the scene. He took Lil Pea to the sink himself and rinsed her. She still smelled aniseed after three times of rinsing…
Lily passed by. She sniffed at the tail of Lil Pea. "I can eat two bowls of rice while licking her. You should using the detergent, Mr. Landlord."
"You're kidding me. She will get gippy tummy when swallow." Hao Ren looked at Lily. He quickly placed Lil Pea in the fish tank and shoved it into the dimensional pocket. "I'd better not let her out and add more chaos. I was thinking to let her catch some fresh air, as it's grand opening today. Apparent I couldn't stand the pace."
"Business is good today," Nangong Wudi said, looking at the hive of activity. "At first, I still thought what if there were no customers, what would we do? Now looks like we are ill-prepared."
"It's first day of opening, it should be lively. At least neighbours from several blocks away have also come to show us support," Nangong Wuyue said, grinning. "But today we're not going to earn much. Grand opening promotion notwithstanding, Lily is giving away side dishes…"
"Well, if she can remember to collect money for the food, it will be fine," Ayesha said, her arms akimbo. "We won't be losing money anyway. But also not going to have stellar profit too."
Demons running a restaurant—it was a hell of a mess.
At this time, Vivian sudden took Hao Ren to the side. "I heard Lily said that the two demon hunters have come."
"Yeah, they have things to discuss," Hao Ren whispered. "After the lunch rush hour, let us sit down and talk. I suspect that it may be related to the phenomena of innate hostility of otherworldlings on Earth."
Vivian leaned forward and checked the corner of the restaurant outside. Liu Sheng and Zhao Xi looked up and nodded back politely.
"You keep them company. Let me finish my job first," Vivian pushed Hao Ren a little, and then laughed. "Running a restaurant really needs a serious amount of elbow grease, it's tiring. We can't have lunch together today but I will make something special tonight."
"You take care," Hao Ren said, pointing at Y'lisabet, who was squatting in the corner, before leaving the kitchen. "And don't let her play around here. Did you not see she is dismantling the freezer?"
"...Wang, come look after your daughter!" everyone said.