https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-128-Imprisoning-the-Demon-Within/12554048/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-130-The-Coming-Calamity-in-Qingzhou/12554065/
Chapter 129: First Encounter with You Longtao
Chapter 129: First Encounter with You Longtao
Upon returning to Tingyang County, Shen Yi procured over twenty horse carriages from the local Demon Suppression Squad.
These were no ordinary horses; they were formidable demon steeds with incredible speed and stamina.
After just three days of travel, the group arrived at Tingyang City, a bustling metropolis that served as the county seat, no less impressive in scale than Qingzhou City.
Among the various architectural marvels, the most striking was not the magistrate's office, but the majestic and imposing headquarters of the Demon Suppression General.
As the carriages approached, two high-ranking officers of the Demon Suppression Squad, their eyes cold and piercing, swept their gazes over the approaching convoy. Recognizing their fellow comrades, their expressions softened slightly.
Xia Qiangwei alighted from her carriage, and upon seeing her, the two officers' faces broke into smiles as they strode forward to greet her. "It's been a while since you last visited. The General has often spoken of you."
Contrary to the warmth in their voices, Xia Qiangwei's brows furrowed slightly. "What are the two of you doing here, guarding the gates? Has something happened in the city?"
Not every Demon Suppression General had a reputation like Jiang Qiuluan, capable of striking fear into the hearts of demons and evil creatures simply by residing in the county seat.
General You usually stationed himself on the outskirts, rarely returning to the city unless absolutely necessary.
"Well..."
The two officers exchanged a pained glance, seemingly embarrassed. They lowered their voices and explained, "We had a thief break into the compound."
This statement caused an involuntary twitch on everyone's faces.
The esteemed headquarters of the Demon Suppression General, instead of being plagued by demon lords, had been burgled by a petty thief.
Xia Qiangwei froze for a moment, as if realizing something. "Yan Xingkong?"
"That damn thief!" The officer grit his teeth, his anger palpable. "Instead of stealing from the Prince's collection, he comes to create trouble in Tingyang County. I'll break his legs one day."
Obviously, his words were more of a frustrated vent than a serious threat.
Yan Xingkong, the Thief King of Pingsha Valley, was the most notorious figure in the first-class powers, doing as he pleased in Tingyang County and even Qingzhou City.
Yan Xingkong... his steps cover eight thousand li, and no place is off-limits to his thievery.
"Enough, there's no need to be so worked up. He knows his limits," Xia Qiangwei waved her hand dismissively. This Thief King had managed to stay alive thanks to his unparalleled agility and his habit of never making a situation worse than it needed to be.
He always returned what he borrowed... of course, what he returned it with was another matter entirely.
One thing was certain: he never touched what he shouldn't.
The two officers sighed but didn't continue the topic. General You had investigated the incident and didn't seem too concerned, but for them, it felt like a slap in the face.
Changing the subject, they turned their curious gazes toward the carriages. Xia Qiangwei politely murmured something to the occupants inside, and a sense of surprise flitted across the officers' faces.
Given Xia Qiangwei's status, especially in her own territory, there was no need for her to be so courteous to others.
Then, a young man in black emerged from the carriage.
When the officers spotted the silver bell at the young man's waist, the confusion in their hearts lessened.
Such a young demon catcher indeed deserved this level of courtesy.
"Why aren't you keeping it in your belt anymore?" Xia Qiangwei glanced at Shen Yi with a puzzled expression, and her movements stuttered slightly.
This guy had been introduced as a member of the Demon Suppression Squad back at Black Stone Pool, but now he seemed to be taking credit for the demon catcher's achievements.
It seemed no one was allowed to question him.
In contrast to the relaxed atmosphere among this group, the various school captains and officers in the carriages were deathly pale. They had thought that General You was not in Tingyang City, and they could buy themselves some more time. But now, they had accidentally run straight into the tiger's mouth.
Until Liu Bin tumbled out of the carriage with a loud thud.
The two gate-guarding officers stared at him in confusion before recognizing his face and exclaiming in shock, "Brother Liu?!"
The once proud and formidable veteran now looked utterly miserable.
"You two can catch up later," Xia Qiangwei interjected, a serious tone entering her voice. "Go and inform General You that the demon catcher has important matters to report."
The officer hesitated, a bemused expression on his face. "Reporting? When we're at home?"
Noticing the woman's serious demeanor, he quickly responded, "I'll go at once."
Seeing this, Xia Qiangwei turned back, intending to remind Shen Yi to tone down his aloof attitude. Even if it was an act, it would be beneficial for him to hide that haughty demeanor. General You Longtao was actually a very amiable person, and it would be in the young man's best interest to establish a good relationship early on.
Forget it, she thought. I might as well keep quiet. He doesn't seem to be trying to take advantage of the situation to curry favor with the higher-ups.
"... "
Shen Yi still felt uneasy about standing defenselessly next to someone he couldn't match in a fight. It had been the same with Ah Qian before, and now it was the same with You Longtao.
Even knowing they were on the same side, he still felt slightly uncomfortable.
This habit could be easily changed; he just needed to become stronger than the other person.
Soon, several school captains hurried over and gestured for them to follow. "This way, please."
Led by the captains, the group quickly entered the mansion and arrived at a separate courtyard.
A middle-aged man with a tall and straight silhouette stood to greet them. Dressed in a dark green robe, his face was angular and carried a scholarly air. His eyebrows and eyes were not sharp, and his voice was clear and gentle.
He bowed respectfully. "Thank you, both of you, for capturing the demon."
Xia Qiangwei returned the gesture. "General You."
After a few breaths, she noticed the lack of movement beside her.
She looked over and saw Shen Yi standing calmly, his gaze fixed on General You, who was also looking at the young man's waist, specifically at his left hand resting on the sword sheath, rather than the silver bell on the right.
Noticing this, Xia Qiangwei quickly explained, "That's just Shen Yi's personality; he's not targeting you, General."
You Longtao snapped out of his daze and smiled casually. "My apologies, Miss Xiao. It seems you're quite familiar with this young brother of yours."
Xia Qiangwei subconsciously bit her lip, immediately realizing her slip-up. She raised her eyebrows and replied calmly, "You've become bold enough to tease me now, haven't you?"
She rarely saw him make such jokes while on duty, but since he had already brought it up, there was no point in pretending anymore. Everyone in the Demon Suppression Squad knew about their relationship.
With a casual remark, the atmosphere shifted from that of an official office to a more relaxed, homely setting.
"There's no need for such formality, Shen brother. Please, take a seat."
You Longtao smiled gently. As a powerful cultivator who had reached the Golden Core Realm, he seemed to carry no airs at all.
Shen Yi returned the bow politely. "Shen Yi greets General You."
He was certain that from the moment he had walked in, You Longtao's gaze had been fixed on the ink sword, and it had nothing to do with his actions.
Although he didn't know the reason, since You Longtao had chosen to avoid the topic, Shen Yi also acted as if nothing had happened. After all, he had obtained the sword from the ape demon in Boyun County; it wasn't stolen.
After some pleasantries, Xia Qiangwei brought up the main issue, explaining the reason for Liu Bin's three absences from his duties.
You Longtao listened attentively, then fell into thought for a moment before lifting his head to glance at the elderly man being held captive in the distance. His voice remained gentle as he spoke. "Liu Lao has done quite a few things for Qingzhou. Even if there is no merit, there is still hardship. I will give you a dignified end."
Hearing this, Liu Bin remained silent, his cloudy eyes fixed on You Longtao's scholarly face. The pupils that had once held a sharp glint now gradually lost their focus, and his mouth, devoid of a tongue, opened and closed slightly, but no sound escaped.
After a moment, he seemed to resign himself to his fate and lowered his head.
Noticing Liu Bin's expression, You Longtao closed his eyes briefly. In the next breath, a gentle breeze seemed to sweep through the courtyard.
Liu Bin's body suddenly collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
At that moment, the hundreds of school captains and deputy captains from Black Stone Pool all knelt down with a thud, their faces dripping with sweat. Not a single one of them spoke up to explain, and the entire courtyard was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
You Longtao opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over them, his expression thoughtful as if weighing each decision carefully.
After a moment, he nodded. "Remove your waist badges and cloud-patterned shirts. Your salaries will be stopped, and you will find honest work in the city. You will guard this place for the Demon Suppression Squad for ten years. If you perform your duties without fault, you may leave or rejoin the Demon Suppression Squad as regular school captains if you so wish. If you achieve merit, you may also rejoin and start from a higher position."
"However, if you still don't mend your ways and commit another mistake..."
In the brief silence that followed, several school captains drew their swords and held them to their necks. Their voices shook as they declared, "We will sever all ties with the Demon Suppression Squad! We will not hesitate!"
You Longtao shook his head slightly. "That's unnecessary. I may not be good at other things, but I am efficient when it comes to killing. There's no need for you to trouble yourselves."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
