Chapter 224: The Duchess's Fury, the Desolate Songzhou (4000)

Chapter 224: The Duchess's Fury, the Desolate Songzhou (4000)



In the Imperial City, at the Ji Wangfu.

The Duchess sat before a dressing table, gazing at her graceful and noble face in the mirror, adorned with exquisite makeup. However, the smile on her lips gradually faded.

She toyed with a jade bracelet in her hand.

As her fingers clenched, the bracelet shattered with a bang, but the shattered jade fragments did not harm her fair skin.

"You're saying the Governor of Qingzhou hasn't come to visit the palace?" The Duchess turned her head, her voice calm yet chilling.

After eagerly waiting for a day and a night, she had already planned how to mock General Jiangan.

But even now, the palace gates remained empty.

The maid knelt on the ground, trembling all over. "Your Highness... the Governor who came to the capital this time isn't the one you know... it's the Armored General who visited the palace last time."

"... "

The Duchess raised her eyebrows slightly.

If Qingzhou had a new governor, then what about General Jiangan?

Dead?

If so, the current crisis in Qingzhou might be far more severe than she had anticipated.

"Hmph."

She gave a cold laugh. General Jiangan's obedient disciple didn't come, but instead, he sent that young General Shen to visit. He was unwilling to bow down to her.

Thinking of this, the Duchess of Ji waved her sleeve lightly. "If he comes to visit, just say that I'm not in the palace. Where in the world is there such an easy deal? Without the main person, a subordinate comes to the forefront."

Did he really think that giving a young man the title of governor would make her treat him as a governor?

"Your Highness..."

The maid's frail body trembled even more, and she whispered with fear and trepidation, "That General might not come to the palace."

As her attendants, they knew best how to guess the thoughts of their mistress.

Even before they saw the Governor of Qingzhou last night, they had already sent people on behalf of the palace to inquire at the Martial Temple.

When the group of guards returned today, their expressions were extremely peculiar.

"What do you mean?" The Duchess's fingers paused slightly as she stroked her hair.

"General Shen has been promoted to Governor, and he didn't come to the capital to seek help..." The maid raised her head, and then her face was kicked, causing her entire body to roll out in four or five circles, and her cheekbones caved in.

She covered her face in fear, but she still struggled to swallow the blood.

"Are you playing dumb with me?" The Duchess slowly stood up and walked towards her.

The maid suppressed her sobs and gasped, "General Shen has been promoted again, and he's now the Deputy Patrol Commander of the Demon Subjugation Bureau! There's also no news of a demon disaster in Qingzhou."

Upon hearing this, the Duchess of Ji was stunned.

The Patrol Commander of the Demon Subjugation Bureau?

She suddenly realized that she might have guessed wrong.

Could it be that the demon disaster in Qingzhou has already been resolved? But even so, how did this Patrol Commander get promoted?

Even if he personally killed the Demon King, he wouldn't be qualified for this position.

"General Shen! General Shen has entered the Armory of the Martial Temple! He's now a disciple of the Martial Temple."

The maid dared not hesitate anymore and blurted out all the information she had, then covered her face and bowed again.

"Hmm."

The Duchess's body stiffened for a long time before finally exhaling and sitting back down.

If the identity of the Patrol Commander had merely surprised her, the significance of being a disciple of the Martial Temple was entirely different.

In name, the Martial Temple was on par with the Radiant Light Cave and Paulownia Mountain.

Even though it had declined, there were still Transcendent Incarnation Realm cultivators residing within.

The Duchess's arrogance stemmed from her disdain for the mortal dynasty due to her immortal sect background, but now that Shen Yi had entered the true Martial Temple, she was a genuine immortal sect disciple.

Moreover, the Martial Temple had specifically prepared a vacant position for the Patrol Commander, indicating their high regard for him. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a direct disciple.

In terms of status, he might even surpass her, the Duchess with some connections to the Radiant Light Cave.

After deep contemplation, she managed a smile. "Send someone to choose a treasure from my collection, something that nourishes the soul, and deliver it to the Martial Temple to congratulate General Shen on his promotion."

The guards outside the door nodded in agreement.

Before they had gone far, the Duchess spoke again, "Forget it, prepare a carriage. I'll personally go and congratulate him."

If her memory served her right, there was no grudge between her and General Shen.

It was never wrong to establish connections with such a young prodigy in advance. Don't let General Jiangan and his disciple cause any misunderstandings or unnecessary barriers between herself and Shen Yi.

The guards were all startled, and their hearts silently criticized her.

She had just said to refuse him at the gates, but now she was going to the palace to congratulate him.

However, they dared not show any disrespect on the surface. "We will prepare the carriage immediately."

About an hour later.

The luxurious carriage of the palace slowly drove out of the long street and soon stopped in front of the Martial Temple.

Inside the carriage, the Duchess of Ji opened the box beside her and looked at the deer antlers within, which resembled jade. She gently caressed them for a moment, confirming that the gift was substantial enough, before nodding in approval.

Two maidservants alighted from the carriage and headed towards the central office of the Demon Suppressing Bureau.

Liu Kun had just finished a day's work and was rubbing his sore wrists when he heard a gentle voice from the cabinet.

"The Duchess of Ji is here to visit. Please help pass on the message."

At this, Liu Kun lifted his head in confusion, "Who is she visiting?"

A Duchess, and one with a notorious reputation at that, what business could she have at the central office of the Demon Suppressing Bureau?

"Could she be here to visit you?"

The younger maidservant scanned the area, not finding the person she was looking for, and frowned.

The slightly older one patted her arm and said gently, "The Duchess has come to congratulate the newly appointed Shen Yi. They are old acquaintances."

Another old acquaintance? Liu Kun inexplicably thought of Jiang He from the morning. With the Duchess of Ji's status, she wouldn't be making empty boasts.

However, if they were truly good friends, why would they come to this place to ask a lowly officer about Shen Yi?

Moreover, with the Duchess's reputation, tsk, did she really think he was a fool?

He shook his head and politely said, "I'm sorry, Shen Yi is not here. Please return, ladies."

The younger maidservant was slightly taken aback, then her expression changed, and she said coldly, "Where did Shen Yi go?"

Hearing the questioning tone, Liu Kun raised an eyebrow and slowly stood up, looking down at the two maidservants.

He slowly closed the document, a mocking smile playing on his lips, "Hmph."

The two servants from the ducal mansion were actually inquiring about the whereabouts of the patrol commander. If the Duchess of Ji herself had come to ask, she would only get an eye-roll in response.

The patrol commander of the Demon Suppressing Bureau investigates demons, evil spirits, and influential families.

Among them, the Duchess of Ji, who hails from the Radiant Light Cave, is the most conspicuous.

This situation was as absurd as a bandit asking about the whereabouts of a police captain.

The two maidservants were swept by that mocking gaze.

Suddenly, they realized that the Demon Suppressing Bureau was independent of the imperial court and didn't play by the rules of ducal mansions.

"I, Liu, am of lowly status and dare not casually reveal Shen Yi's whereabouts."

Liu Kun gathered his things and walked out of the office, saying casually, "If there's a need, I'll inform Shen Yi when he returns. If it's urgent, you can wait outside. As for how many days you'll have to wait, I'm not sure."

"You!"

The younger maidservant stared at him with wide eyes as he walked away, wanting to shout in anger, but the other maidservant held her back.

The two quickly returned to the carriage and stood by the curtain, reporting in low voices.

"He's not here?"

The Duchess of Ji lifted the curtain, her gaze calm.

She looked at the towering Martial Temple, remaining silent for a long time, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, "You want me to wait?"

She lowered the curtain.

The Duchess's face turned gloomy.

A new disciple of the Martial Temple who doesn't cultivate, and isn't at the office—could he have gone on a picnic? This is clearly a lie to avoid meeting me!

No matter.

What's so great about a Martial Temple disciple?

She adjusted her rapid breathing, but a moment later, she still lost her composure and suddenly smashed the green jade deer horn, "You're too much!"

...

On a certain official road in the Great Tian Dynasty.

The black-scaled demon horse galloped with exceptional grace, turning into a streak of light as it passed by, resembling a ferocious dragon soaring through the sky.

Zhang Xuan suddenly slapped his forehead, "Oh no!"

Shen Yi pulled on the reins and turned back, "What's wrong?"

"Sir Shen, I forgot to collect the reward for my colleague..."

Zhang Xuan wore a cold, black armor, but it didn't give off an air of dominance. Instead, he looked like a farmer bent over by the hardships of life.

"It's fine. We'll collect it when we return." Shen Yi retracted his gaze and continued riding.

"Return?" Zhang Xuan realized that the patrol commander's words often left people confused, and his actions were just as puzzling, just like how he had ended up leaving the imperial city without understanding why.

Hearing that he was from Qingzhou, Zhang Xuan wondered if the Demon Suppressing Bureau there also spoke and acted in such a confusing manner.

"Sir Shen, I'd like to report on the situation in Song Prefecture again."

Zhang Xuan hesitated, as he had already reported it three times, but he still felt uneasy.

After listening, Shen Yi's expression didn't change at all, and his response was a simple nod, making Zhang Xuan doubt if he had even heard him.

There were two demon kings!

"As you wish."

Shen Yi didn't mind, thinking that it was better than General Jiangan constantly talking about his disciple, Jiang Qiulan.

He couldn't understand how the general managed to praise Jiang Qiulan from every angle and then force it into his ears, as if brainwashing him.

"..." Zhang Xuan sighed, "Never mind."

In fact, there wasn't much to say. Song Prefecture was the smallest of the Nine Prefectures, with only eight counties under its rule.

Such a small place had caught the attention of two Demon Kings.

For the past two hundred years, the Demon Suppressing Bureau and the Monster Hunters of Song Prefecture had only been doing one thing.

That was to desperately stir up disputes between the two Demon Kings.

From framing and harming their wives, children, and subordinates, to deliberately spreading news of treasures to incite conflict between the two kings, and spreading rumors about which one was stronger... They stopped at nothing, and finally succeeded in creating an intense rivalry between the two Demon Kings.

Even so, Song Prefecture had paid a heavy price.

Four of the eight counties had been lost.

These four counties were now under the jurisdiction of one Demon King, while the other Demon King was kept at bay outside Song Prefecture.

A stalemate of mutual restraint among the three parties was formed.

The Commander of Song Prefecture had lost half of his cities, and the incense fire power was insufficient, to the point where even the Martial Immortal's realm was barely sustainable.

But what truly broke this balance...

Was the approaching end of the Demon King's lifespan outside Song Prefecture. His Demon Lords had also died one after another, and the remaining ones scattered like birds and beasts, leaving him powerless to resist the other Demon King.

"That Demon King wants to rely on the incense fire wish power to establish a temple and become a god... If it occupies Song Prefecture, only a Transcendent Incarnation Realm cultivator can stop it."

Zhang Xuan sighed.

Who among those who became Demon Subjugation Generals didn't have lofty ambitions and a heart full of passion in their youth, vowing to accomplish great feats?

Who would have thought of relying on Demons' power to resist Demons?

Or even feel a headache over the death of a Demon King?

Becoming a god?

Shen Yi slightly furrowed his brows.

He had encountered such a situation before. The river demon in Shuiyun Village had the same idea, sealing itself as the River God.

But in the end, it only relied on its advantageous location, occupying an insignificant town that even the county seat didn't acknowledge.

As for the Demon King in Song Prefecture, it had taken over four entire counties.

The incense fire wish power from these counties was almost enough to nurture a Martial Immortal.

"Will the common people believe it?"

The river demon in Shuiyun Village had the Yangchun River, and the villagers relied on it for their livelihood.

What could a Demon King do for the people of four counties?

"They'll either believe or die; they have no choice."

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes. What was called the combination of kindness and severity was not the case. As long as the severity was pushed to the extreme, kindness became unimportant.

In that human hell, surviving with one's life intact was already the greatest kindness.

"General Shen, the Demon Subjugation Generals in Song Prefecture have suffered heavy casualties, and we can barely hold on to the last four counties."

It was more of a cry for help than a request for aid.

Zhang Xuan wasn't really complaining; he still had the opportunity to go to the capital, and the leisure to chat here. Compared to the plight of the people in the four counties, the pressure he felt was insignificant.

He really wanted General Shen to understand the severity of the situation.

The other party had just entered the Martial Temple and hadn't lived through the long years like other disciples, who no longer considered themselves ordinary people and always looked down upon the Nine Prefectures from a lofty position.

The loss of lives was just a number to them after a setback.

It could be made up for.

If the Martial Temple was willing to lower itself and seek help from the Immortal Sect, perhaps many disasters could be avoided.

With insufficient strength, why bother with the grandiose dream of rising again? They were embarrassingly maintaining a nominal three-party alliance.

Why not recall a Primordial Master from the Radiant Light Cave first!

"..."

Shen Yi didn't respond, only tightening the reins as the Demon Horse beneath him sped up again, not turning back towards the Imperial City but continuing towards Song Prefecture.

"Sigh."

Zhang Xuan helplessly lowered his head and followed.

He only hoped that after witnessing the dire situation in Song Prefecture, the other party would speak well of it as a disciple before the Martial Temple.

As the road became more rugged, a somewhat desolate city appeared before them. Broken flags were planted at the city gate, and human heads lined the walls.

"General Shen, we need to take a detour to the right."

Zhang Xuan lifted his eyes with a hint of embarrassment, unable to finish his sentence.

The people from the Demon Suppressing Bureau returning to Song Prefecture...

Had to first bypass the Demons' territory. How ridiculous and laughable it would sound if this got out.

"..."

Shen Yi pulled the reins and calmly observed the distant city walls.

He closed his eyes.

The next moment, a Shadow Soul surrounded by auspicious clouds quietly stood in mid-air, as if a celestial being had descended.

The Shadow Soul's face was expressionless, and its eyes were filled with killing intent.

Qinghua Madam didn't know what was ahead and wasn't interested in finding out.

She only knew that when summoned by her master, it was time to unleash her killing spree.

Even if it was a Demon King, so what?

Hmph, it wasn't her first time killing one.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end