https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-130-Catastrophe-Approaches-Qingzhou/12941066/
Chapter 129: First Encounter with You Longtao
Chapter 129: First Encounter with You Longtao
Upon returning to Tingyang Prefecture, they requisitioned over twenty carriages from the local Demon Suppressing Bureau.
All of them were top-quality demon horses with astonishing strength.
In just three days, they arrived at Tingyang City with the group.
As the capital of the prefecture, the city was not much smaller than Qingzhou City, and everywhere you looked, there was bustling prosperity.
Among the various buildings, the most eye-catching was not the county magistrate's office, but the majestic Demon-Suppressing General Manor.
A group of carriages approached.
The two Assistant Generals at the entrance had cold eyes that swept over, and only after seeing that it was their own carriage did their expressions slightly relax.
Xiao Qianwei stepped down from the carriage.
Upon recognizing her, the two Assistant Generals' faces lit up with smiles, and they slowly walked forward to greet her: "You actually have time to come back and visit. The General has been thinking of you for a long time."
Unlike the smiles on their faces, Xiao Qianwei slowly furrowed her brows: "Why are you two in Tingyang City, and why are you guarding the entrance? Has something happened in the city?"
Not every Demon-Suppressing General had a reputation like Jiang Qiulan's, where just sitting in the prefectural capital was enough to deter demons in all directions.
You General usually guarded the outskirts and rarely returned to the city to rest unless it was necessary.
"Hiss."
The two Assistant Generals exchanged a slightly embarrassed glance, as if feeling ashamed, and whispered: "There's a thief in the manor."
This statement made everyone's faces twitch involuntarily.
The grand Demon-Suppressing General Manor was not plagued by Demon Kings, but instead, it was burglarized by a petty thief.
Xiao Qianwei was stunned for a moment, as if realizing something: "Yan Xingkong?"
"This damn thief!" The Assistant General clenched his teeth, wishing to devour the thief's bones: "Instead of going to enjoy the prince's fine wine, he came to cause trouble in Tingyang Prefecture. I'll cut off his legs sooner or later."
Obviously, he was just venting his frustration.
As a top-tier force in the notorious Ping Sha Valley, Yan Xingkong was a man who did as he pleased, not only in Tingyang Prefecture but also in Qingzhou City.
Yan Xingkong... Eight Thousand Miles of Travel, Never an Empty Step.
"Alright, no need to be so anxious. He knows his limits."
Xiao Qianwei waved her hand. This thief king had managed to survive until today not only because of his swift movements that rivaled Qingzhou but also because he never escalated matters.
He always returned what he borrowed... Of course, what he returned was a different story.
One thing was certain; he never touched things he shouldn't.
The two Assistant Generals sighed but didn't continue. After You General returned to investigate, he didn't think the matter was as serious as they made it out to be. However, for these subordinates, it was as if they had been slapped in the face.
Changing the subject.
They curiously looked at the carriage, and Xiao Qianwei politely whispered something to the person inside, causing the two Assistant Generals to feel a hint of surprise.
Given Xiao Qianwei's status, especially in her own territory, there was no need for her to be so courteous to others.
Immediately after, a young man in a black robe descended from the carriage.
When the Assistant Generals saw the silver bell on the young man's waist, their doubts were slightly alleviated.
For such a young Silver Bell Exorcist, it was indeed worth this level of courtesy.
"You used to hide it in your belt, didn't you?"
Xiao Qianwei glanced at Shen Yi in confusion, and her movements paused slightly.
What a surprise! In Blackstone Pool, it was a Demon-Suppressing Bureau matter, but in the General Manor, it became the Exorcist's achievement.
No one else could ask about it.
Unlike the relaxed atmosphere of these people, the many captains and Assistant Generals in the carriage were all pale-faced. They had thought that You General wasn't in Tingyang City, and they could delay matters for a while longer. But as luck would have it, they had run straight into his path.
Until Liu Bin fell from the carriage with a loud thud.
The two gate-guarding Assistant Generals stared at him in confusion for a good while before recognizing him and exclaiming in surprise: "Brother Liu!"
The once majestic old general now looked so pitiful.
"You two can wait a moment before calling each other brothers."
Xiao Qianwei's expression turned serious: "Go and inform You General that the Exorcist has an important matter to report."
The Assistant General was taken aback and smiled: "Who would report something like this when returning home..."
Noticing the woman's expression, he quickly responded: "I'll go right away."
Seeing this, Xiao Qianwei also turned around, wanting to remind Shen Yi to tone down his personality. Even if it was an act, he should hide his aloof demeanor. You Longtao was actually a very easygoing general, and it would be beneficial for the young man to establish a good relationship with him in advance.
At this moment, she noticed the young man's hand calmly resting on the hilt of his waist, and she couldn't help but recall the exquisite Tortoise Breath Technique he had displayed earlier.
Xiao Qiangwei's lips curled up helplessly, "Tsk."
Forget it, I should keep my mouth shut. It seems he doesn't intend to take advantage of the situation to curry favor with his superior.
"..."
Shen Yi still wasn't used to being completely defenseless, standing next to a target he couldn't overpower. It was the same with Ah Qian before, and now with You Longtao.
Even knowing they were on the same side, he still felt slightly uncomfortable.
This problem could be easily solved; as long as his strength surpassed the other party, it would naturally be resolved.
Soon, several captains rushed over and extended their hands in greeting, "Please, this way, sirs."
Led by them, the group quickly entered the mansion and arrived at a separate courtyard.
A middle-aged man with a tall and straight silhouette stood up to greet them. He wore a green robe, and his angular face had a scholarly air. His eyes weren't sharp, and his voice was clear yet gentle.
He solemnly cupped his hands, "Thank you for your hard work, exorcists."
Xiao Qiangwei also extended her hand in return, "General You."
After a few breaths, she didn't hear any sound from her side.
She looked over curiously and saw that Shen Yi's expression was calm. Then, she glanced at General You and noticed that he, too, was calmly looking at the young man's waist, not at the silver bell on the right side, but at the hand resting on the scabbard on the left.
Seeing this, Xiao Qiangwei quickly explained, "That's just Shen Yi's personality; he's not targeting you, General."
You Longtao snapped out of his daze and laughed casually, "Aunt Xiao, you misunderstood. But from what you said, it seems you're quite familiar with this young man."
Xiao Qiangwei subconsciously pursed her lips, immediately realizing her slip-up. She raised her eyebrows and said calmly, "Now you've got the guts to tease me, huh?"
It was rare for her to see him make such jokes while on official business, but since they had already come this far, there was no point in being overly formal. Their relationship was well-known to most of the Demon-Slaying Bureau.
With a casual remark from this Demon-Suppressing General, the atmosphere suddenly felt more like a home than a government office.
"Brother Shen, there's no need to be so polite. Please have a seat."
You Longtao smiled, and as a strong cultivator in the Essence Condensation Realm, he seemed to have no airs at all.
Shen Yi cupped his hands respectfully, "Shen Yi greets General You."
He was certain that from the moment he had entered, the other party had been staring at the Ink Saber, not because of any particular movement.
Although he didn't know the reason, since the other party had already avoided the topic, Shen Yi naturally treated it as if nothing had happened. This saber was given to him by the Monkey Demon in Baiyun County; it wasn't stolen.
After a few more polite exchanges, Xiao Qiangwei brought up the main issue and explained Liu Bin's three absences from his official duties.
You Longtao listened carefully, pondered for a moment, then lifted his head to look at the elderly man being held at a distance. With a gentle tone, he said, "Old Liu has done a lot for Qingzhou; even if there's no merit, there's still hard work. I'll give you a dignified end."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bin silently stared at his scholarly face. His already cloudy pupils gradually lost focus, and his tongueless mouth moved slightly, but no sound came out.
After a moment, he seemed to resign himself and lowered his head.
Seeing his expression, You Longtao slightly closed his eyes, and with each breath, it was as if a gentle breeze blew through the courtyard.
Liu Bin's body suddenly collapsed to the ground, not a trace of life left in him.
At the same time, over a hundred captains and assistant generals from Blackstone Pool fell to their knees with a loud thud, drenched in sweat. Not a single one spoke up in explanation, and the entire courtyard was so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.
You Longtao opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over them, and he carefully considered each decision he had made.
After a moment, he nodded, "Remove your tokens and cloud-patterned robes. Your salaries will be suspended. Find honest work in the city, and guard this place for the Demon-Slaying Bureau for ten years. If you perform well, you can rejoin the bureau as ordinary captains. If you make mistakes..."
The middle-aged man remained silent for a moment, and many captains drew their swords and held them to their necks, shouting with lingering fear, "We'll end our lives here! Not a moment's hesitation!"
Hearing this, You Longtao shook his head slightly, "That's not necessary. I might not be good at other things, but I'm efficient at killing. There's no need for you to take my place."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
