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Chapter 122: A Message for Hei Shi Tan
Chapter 122: A Message for Hei Shi Tan
Having confirmed that there were no more achievements to be had in Yong'an City, the remaining demon-catchers quickly evacuated the premises.
After five days of rest, Jiang Chengyun had somewhat recovered his strength.
Deng Jianyuan prepared a carriage for him, and with his family in tow, respectfully sent him on his way back to Qingzhou City.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, the old man turned with a sigh. Compared to Jiang Chengyun, who looked at him with contempt, he actually preferred to treat the young man as an honored guest.
Unfortunately, the young man had left in too much of a hurry. Judging by the number of days that had passed, he was probably already out of Tingyang County.
The boundary between the Twelve Counties of Qingzhou and the demon territory was not clearly defined.
Instead, it was filled with a large number of "no-man's lands."
At this moment, in a dark and gloomy forest, a agile shadow suddenly leaped down from the treetops.
A three-foot ritual knife casually slashed, splattering blood.
Shen Yi sheathed his knife and stepped over the headless body of a small, intelligent demon, reaping over sixty years of demonic lifespan.
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble to make me feel that the price of this Mountain Lord's breath was worth it."
Xiao Qiangwei changed into a simple blue shirt, washing away her heavy makeup, leaving no trace of her former self except for her exquisite features, which still held a hint of allure.
She glanced at the young man helplessly. This was already the third time on their journey.
Although she tried to hide it, her erratic aura, due to her injury, was still slightly detectable.
What Xiao Qiangwei couldn't understand was why the young man, who wasn't injured, was also hiding his aura so carefully and deliberately walking behind her. Wasn't he tired of the trouble...?
Shen Yi glanced at her and didn't withdraw his Turtle Breath technique.
Even mosquito meat was still meat. If they happened to come across someone who knew a good deal, who knew what greater gains they might find?
It was better than doing nothing.
He had learned this trick from the demon-catchers.
"We're almost there," Xiao Qiangwei said. She really didn't want to be covered in more blood and took the initiative to walk beside the young man. "You probably haven't stayed in the Town Magic Office before. In places like this, where a close attendant of a general is stationed, there are rarely any powerful demons. It's not that they fear them, but the demons they guard are already the overlords of their domain, and they won't allow other demons to intrude."
"Liu Bin doesn't have a very good temper. In a moment, you don't need to say anything, just let me talk to him."
"Mmhmm."
Shen Yi nodded slightly. Compared to the close attendant general, he was more interested in the demon that was being guarded here.
Xiao Qiangwei, familiar with the area, led the way out of the dense forest, and a row of wooden buildings suddenly appeared before them. Several squad leaders wearing cloud-patterned ink shirts were huddled around a bonfire, warming themselves.
She slowed to a stop and called out to the men, "We bear a message from General You for General Liu. Please inform him of our arrival."
Shen Yi had thought that this would be the end of it, but to his surprise, the squad leaders didn't even lift their heads, responding in a calm tone, "Demon-catchers? General Liu has ordered that Hei Shi Tan does not receive demon-catchers. We bid you farewell."
This uniform response indicated that this was not the first time they had turned away visitors.
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Qiangwei's eyes. "Once claiming illness, twice saying he's on an outing, and now General You has invited me here, and you say General Liu doesn't receive demon-catchers? Please tell General Liu for me that there's a limit to using his age as an excuse."
There was a sharp edge to her words as she continued, "General You respects his seniority and treats him with courtesy, but he should not forget the distinction between superior and subordinate."
Shen Yi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a puzzled look on his face.
Even if the Town Magic Office and the demon-catchers were not part of the same system, it was unusual for squad leaders who didn't even have the Jade Liquid realm to treat a pill-condensing demon-catcher with such coldness. The squad leaders in Qingzhou City didn't have this kind of attitude.
"General Liu said he doesn't receive demon-catchers."
As the words left their mouths, three battalion commanders led over a hundred squad leaders out of the house, their eyes cold as they blocked the way forward.
"Hei Shi Tan is a forbidden area. Without a written order from General You, anyone who dares to trespass will be considered a demon!"
Seeing the gleaming blades, Xiao Qiangwei finally smiled. She took a step forward, walking towards them. "I don't have a written order, but I do have a letter for Battalion Commander Liu. However... I'd like to see how you plan on treating me like a demon."
Apparently, even demon-catchers who frequently dealt with demons had their bottom lines that must not be crossed.
Even the battalion commander with the highest cultivation among them was only at the Jade Liquid perfection stage, but as Xiao Qiangwei approached, not a hint of hesitation appeared on their faces as they instantly raised their long swords.
This was the difference between personal subordinates and ordinary town magic officers.
They only listened to one person—the one who guarded this place, Liu Bin.
In an instant, a cold and stern spear made of refined steel tore through the air, piercing the ground three inches in front of Xiao Qiangwei with pinpoint accuracy.
A hoarse voice sounded from inside the house.
"I, Liu, have guarded this place for many years, and you are the first to dare to intrude."
"If General You has business with me, he would send one of his personal subordinates with a letter. What gives you, a mere demon-catcher, the right to meddle in the affairs of the Town Magic Office?"
As the words left his mouth, a tall figure stepped out, pushing the door open. He had white hair, a long beard that hung down to his chest, and a golden dragon pattern on his collar.
A fierce wolf cloak hung from his shoulders, and his eyebrows and eyes carried the aura of one who had experienced countless battles.
He walked calmly towards Xiao Qiangwei, pulled out the refined steel spear, and looked down at her. "If you were at your peak, you might have had the qualifications to fight this commander. But now that you're injured, don't throw your life away."
Xiao Qiangwei bit her teeth together tightly and took out the envelope from her silver chime. "According to the rules, you've missed your report three times. General You has given you face and hasn't suspected you of colluding with demons. You should at least take a look at this letter."
"This old man's eyes are blurry, and I have no interest in reading letters from people of unknown identity. I can't even tell if it's real or fake."
Liu Bin slowly turned around and said coldly, "Take your people and scram."
This cold rebuke completely tore away any pretense of civility. The hundreds of Town Magic squad leaders all pointed their blades at Xiao Qiangwei.
The woman took a deep breath.
She glanced at the young man behind her. "We agreed to escort me and deliver this confidential letter. Are you still up for it?"
Shen Yi calmly observed the group of Town Magic officers.
He wasn't interested in Liu Bin, nor was he interested in the letter Xiao Qiangwei was delivering. However, he was very interested in the idea of colluding with demons.
Unexpectedly, the hoped-for surprise gain seemed to be right in front of him, involving a group of colleagues.
Shen Yi casually took a step forward and replied softly, "I am."
Their simple exchange finally caused the squad leaders' faces to change drastically. They never expected that the two demon-catchers would actually go through with it and dare to intrude on a place guarded by a battalion commander and his personal subordinates!
In this place, Liu Bin bore all responsibility and also had the greatest authority, fully representing the Qingzhou Town Magic Office.
"How audacious!"
Amidst the chorus of rebukes, Liu Bin abruptly turned, his sharp spear lunging forward. Xiao Qiangwei gritted her teeth against the pain and moved swiftly, easily dodging the spear tip. With a powerful momentum, she slammed her palms onto the spear.
Astonishingly, both of them used their full strength from the start, clearly both members of the court, yet their first move was a life-or-death struggle!
The two forces converged on the refined steel spear, and Liu Bin seized the opportunity to divert the spear tip, aiming it straight at the young man behind Xiao Qiangwei!
The spear gleamed with a silver light, like a white dragon emerging from a canyon, piercing to the eyes and ears with a deafening whistle!
(End of Chapter)
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