Chapter 197 The Changes in Qingzhou_1
Baiyun County, Demon-suppression Bureau.
For an ordinary Colonel, it was just another day as usual, except that the recent decrease in demon disturbances had eased their workload significantly. Nothing else had changed much.
Only the slightly more astute Deputy Generals sensed that something was different.
It wasn't because they were particularly well-informed; rather, they happened to see Senior Wu's figure leisurely strolling around the yamen. As a Golden Bell Demon Catcher, when had they ever had such leisure time?
Even Granny A'Qian was able to come back for a temporary rest only because the General had gone to the capital.
Wait—
The Deputy Generals looked ahead and saw a petite figure with her hands clasped behind her, waiting for Senior Wu. Who else could it be but Granny A'Qian?
While they were still in a fog.
Inside the mansion of the Commander-in-Chief, Jiang Yuanhua had already written the letters in advance, carefully sealed them, and placed them into a bell. He then handed them to You Longtao who was standing beside him.
"Make it quick."
"Sure."
After learning of his junior sister's and General Shen's return, You Longtao rushed back to Qingzhou City as fast as he could.
But even now, as he held that cold bell in his hand, he still felt somewhat dazed.
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Although no one had explained anything to him.
But since they were going to ambush the little Demon King, and his junior sister and the others had returned, and returned so quickly at that, and there wasn't even a wound on their bodies; even Granny A'Qian and Senior Wu were acting coy, which could only mean that the little Demon King was already dead.
In just a few short days, the demon scourge that had caused Qingzhou such a headache had vanished quietly.
You Longtao now felt as if he were in dream, afraid that a slightly bigger movement would wake him up.
But why hadn't the seriousness on his master's face disappeared? The desperate effort to conceal it only made it more unsettling.
"Go."
Jiang Yuanhua waved his hand, interrupting his eldest disciple who was about to ask.
Although the situation had already been developing in an uncontrollable direction.
But now it was as if he had completely withdrawn himself from this affair, leaving the fate of the entire Qingzhou in the hands of those above.
He felt no relief, only a deep sense of powerlessness.
Cultivation, realm!
Even though he was a Martial Immortal, envied and revered by countless people, Jiang Yuanhua still felt it was nowhere near enough.
Release the little Demon King, and once it breaks through, Qingzhou will be doomed.
Kill the little Demon King, and it would draw out a Great Demon with whom they are utterly incapable of contending—Qingzhou would be doomed all the same.
Whichever way he chose… there was no choice to be made.
The reason was simply that this demon who happened to be traveling had chosen Great Qian and had arrived here, without any reason at all.
Watching You Longtao turn and leave the courtyard.
Jiang Yuanhua took up his long sword and wiped it carefully, his knitted brow gradually smoothing out.
When worry has lost its meaning, at least for now, everyone can enjoy a moment of relaxation.
"General Shen, truly incomprehensible."
He looked at an opened letter placed under the long sword, which simply inquired about a certain junior brother and was signed by a disciple of Qingqiu Gate.
Jiang Yuanhua slightly raised his eyebrows, his fingers swept over the blade, and a stream of light fell onto the letter, leaving behind a line of neat handwriting.
"Don't know, never heard of it, if it's important, inquire at the Martial Temple."
Having offended Thousand Demon Cave, more debt brings no more worries, more lice does not itch more. One Qingzhou alone, how many times can you destroy it? Just a single disciple, are you really taking a Martial Immortal for an ordinary cultivator?
...
Within the Demon Suppressing Department Courtyard.
Li Xinhan casually untied his Fierce Wolf Cloak with one hand and tossed it onto the stone table.
"Study, study, study, what's the use of just studying these?" Li Mujin rolled her eyes at him. What demeanor? Trying to paint a tiger but ending up with the likeness of a dog.
"I'd like to learn other things, but do I understand what I'm learning?" Li Xinhan muttered, picking up the Fierce Wolf Cloak and putting it back properly.
The other dozen or so Colonels were holding back laughter as Ma Tao and a few others turned their gazes to the empty room.
They had traveled to Qingzhou in the same carriage as that young man, and could still vaguely recall the image of him standing sideways in that humble room in Baiyun County, hand resting on the scabbard, silently looking outside.
Back then, Ma Tao had been casually knocked to the ground, and for several days afterward, he had taken that incident as a profound humiliation.
Now, however, it was completely different.
Being able to withstand a move from the Demon-suppression Great General and still stand here energetically was nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, it was a matter that could illuminate one's ancestors.
Even this small courtyard was now jokingly referred to as the thirteenth Demon Suppressing General's Mansion.
Although their status was worlds apart from General Shen, having lived in the same courtyard was already worth marking down in the family registry.
Suddenly, a tall silhouette stepped into the courtyard.
He nodded slightly to everyone and then entered the room.
Ma Tao rubbed his eyes: "..."
The Li siblings were also stunned for a long time. It wasn't right; to have become a Demon-suppression Great General and still live in such a shabby place.
Was the Demon-suppression Bureau really so stingy now?
Li Xinhan fell silent, nodded slightly towards the tree in front of him, felt something was amiss, adjusted his posture a bit, strolled casually, and then nodded again.
"I really want to kick you," said Li Mujin with a disgusted look, yet she still carefully lowered her voice, fearing to disturb Shen Yi.
Inside the room.
Shen Yi was lying lazily on the bed.
The Black Light Mystery Armor had shattered, but that was just as well; he had found it uncomfortable to wear.
His palm brushed over the pouch at his waist.
For the past two days, he had focused all his attention on fixing his treasures.
After a brief period of familiarization, he had roughly figured out how to use them.
Pieces of bronze armor flew out of his pocket and hovered around his body. On the Ox Demon, a single shoulder guard was over a yard wide, but when fitted on Shen Yi, they were of a normal size.
He looked at the right shoulder guard.
His gaze swept over the deep gash on it, and a hint of regret appeared in Shen Yi's eyes. He couldn't help but pat the back of his hand.
Such a fine item, now marred by a flaw.
He then took out the Bronze Mirror.
Compared to the armor set, the Bronze Mirror had fared worse; its edges had cracked from Jiang Qiulan's mishandling, and the mirror's surface also showed several fine cracks.
It could still be used, but its performance was affected.
It would be best to find a skilled artisan to help repair it.
As for the Ring-Headed Saber, which was far too large, Shen Yi had no particular thoughts about it. However, the Hong Mang cloud was quite interesting. After trying it briefly, if he did not skimp on his cultivation and fully channeled it, it would be at least fifty percent faster than the Xiaoyao Riding the Wind Technique.
And he still hadn't condensed a true Dao Infant.
When his cultivation reached a level comparable to that of the young Demon King, he estimated it could be twice as fast.
Having more means to escape and ensure one's survival was naturally for the better.
After this demon-slaying experience,
Shen Yi had gained much insight.
The Nine Transformations of the Immortal Demon were formidable, but they could still be breached. If he hadn't previously captured a peacock and had the nourishment of the Hong Mang, he might have truly fallen this time.
His techniques were still too limited.
Shen Yi shook his head, packed away the treasures, and took out the inner core of the young Demon King.
[Remaining lifespan of the Demon: 16,173 years]