The Seventy-Two Demons of Solomon are seventy-two demons recorded in the first part of the occult book "The Lesser Key of Solomon" (phonetically transliterated as "Lemegeton"), each with their own rank (ruler, duke, marquis, count, etc.), retinue, and seal (also called a pillar). It is said that they can be summoned to grant abilities, assistance, or knowledge. The appearance of the seventy-two demons varies, some resembling animals (crows, wolves, etc.), and others being grotesquely strange (such as hybrids of creatures).
In the most ancient record, "The Book of Revelation," it was stated that one-third of the angels became fallen angels (the original text reads "a third of the stars lost their light"), meaning their numbers exceeded thirty thousand. One legend claims that according to the book of magic compiled by King Solomon, he signed a covenant with the Seventy-Two Demons, inscribing their names on seventy-two pillars.
The true master of the Seventy-Two Pillars of Demons was Bael, one of the Seven Princes of Hell. He was the one who signed the covenant with King Solomon, lending the seventy-two demons to him, and in return, receiving Solomon's soul after his death.
I pondered the content above for a moment, thinking that this Bael had a broad, monstrous face, with milky white tentacles protruding from its mouth, and long elven ears. On its left was a head with curved ram's horns, and on its right, the head of an old goat. Its hands were like steel pillars, and it rode a beast like a lion beneath it, with demonic wings on its back. In its hand, it held a weapon resembling a steel trident.
In this book, Yue Mingde had even used his excellent sketching skills to depict its true form.
It could be said that Yue Mingde truly had a talent in this area. If he hadn't strayed from his path and become a priest in a church, his fate might have been entirely different.
I sighed, put away this final masterpiece, and returned to the courtyard. I burned the midnight oil, making detailed revisions with the same fervor as Gao E from "Dream of the Red Chamber." As a fellow author, I would not let Yue Mingde's work be buried.
Finally, after a period of meticulous refinement, I made some necessary changes to the undesirable content in "The Key of Solomon." Two days later, I called the publisher, paid some money, and had the book published.
It is worth mentioning that this book later achieved high sales and was hailed by posterity as the "Original Blueprint for the New Bible," profoundly influencing the history of Western Christianity and vampire royalty.
When people saw the authors were Yue Mingde and Mr. He, some asked if Mr. He was me. I simply shook my head and joked, "I don't believe in Christianity..."
I kept the original manuscript for myself. Later, Yue Mingde was sentenced to death. On that day, I went to the prison, intending to return the book to him. However, he tightly grasped my hand and said with a pious smile, "He Sheng, keep this book with you. Remember, don't let Solomon's story be forgotten by the world, understand? Because without him, there would be no Bible, and no God. Ahahahahahaha!! Humans are so foolish, believing God created the Bible, ahahahahaha!!"
Yue Mingde laughed somewhat maniacally at the time, tears streaming down his face. But I squeezed his hand tightly, and for some reason, I felt as if I had received some kind of inheritance from him just before his death.
But I did not harm others as he did. Once, Jesus forgave Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus's most devoted disciples. Legend has it that she was originally a prostitute who, moved by Christ, repented and abandoned her decadent life, becoming a loyal follower of Christ. In the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., there is an oil painting titled "Penitent Magdalene," which depicts Mary Magdalene sitting by candlelight on a dark night, deeply repenting her past sins.
This proves that Jesus ultimately guided her towards the path of goodness. Yue Mingde, I hope you understand this principle in the world beyond.
I remember joining Christianity on August 12, 2022. I met a priest at the Huahui Church in Guangming City, and he led me into the faith. That day, I sang hymns with the other believers and completed a mass. Father Raynald placed a Polaris pendant on me: "He Sheng, today you are one of us in Christ. I hope you will come for worship regularly as scheduled!"
"Yes, Father."
Making the sign of the cross over my chest, I knelt devoutly before the priest.
My name is He Sheng. I am the head of the Sin Punishment Team in Guangming City, a graduate of the forensic medicine academy, and my ancestors were coroners. Recently, I joined Christianity.
On the 31st day of being a believer, I returned to the provincial department. Later, I discovered that Gao Mingqiang, who had just returned, also had a Polaris symbol drawn on his arm. He told me that Father Raynald had encouraged him to recover and walk the path of light.
"I thought you would never come back. You look quite spirited now, like the character Wuqing played by Lin Feng in the Four Great Constables!"
"You can say that. If it weren't for that incident, I wouldn't have completely transformed. Sigh, thinking about it brings tears to my eyes!"
"Don't bring up the past. I hope you can live on with new hope!"
"I will. After all, it's also my mother's wish."
"What about your sister?"
"She's fine now, just a little shaken earlier."
"That's good. Mingqiang, welcome back! A formal welcome!"
I heartily embraced his shoulder, and he patted my back with a smile.
Little did we know that many years later, we would...
One stormy late night, an urgent call came into our provincial department's 110 emergency center. The call was taken by our duty officer. It turned out that two wandering beggars near the Haotao River in Langfei Town, Guangming City, had discovered a pair of human eyes!!
My colleagues and I immediately drove to the scene. Due to the stormy weather, we could barely move, but with the help of raincoats and boots, we managed to approach the riverbank.
Several police officers were searching the area. The eyes had been dug out of the mud by Xie Chuchu and Zhang Keying. They were indeed a pair of eyes. From their appearance, it was difficult to determine if they belonged to a male or female, but they were undeniably human.
I don't know if it's because I joined Christianity, but now when I see such scenes, I can't help but make the sign of the cross over my chest and say "Amen."
I knelt beside the eyes and shone my shadowless reflector on them. I found that their surface was relatively intact, but the nerve tearing at the back was severe, indicating they had been forcibly removed. The victim was likely in grave danger.