Guangyuan Prefecture, Lin'an City.
Having received his examination mission, Shen Changqing headed straight for Lin'an City. This examination mission entailed him going alone. Although it seemed like the Demon-Subduing Division had plenty of personnel, in reality, the number of Demon Evils and Strange Monsters across the lands outnumbered them greatly. It was simply impossible to allocate multiple people to a single mission. Furthermore, considering Shen Changqing's strength, Jiang Zuo directly ordered him to go to Lin'an City alone.
After nearly ten days, Shen Changqing finally arrived at Lin'an City. Unlike the bustle of the Capital City, Lin'an City seemed much more subdued. But he didn't pay much attention to these external appearances, as his purpose here was to eliminate Demon Evil; everything else had little to do with him.
He presented his Identity Token, and Shen Changqing easily entered the Yamen. The County Magistrate of Lin'an City also came to meet him as soon as possible.
"I am Zhao Fang, the official here. I haven't had the pleasure of asking your name yet," said the Magistrate.
"Shen Changqing, Demon Hunter of the Huang Department, Demon-Subduing Division," Shen Changqing replied, clasping his hands slightly. As he spoke, he was already assessing the person before him.
Back before coming to Lin'an City, I had already collected much information about Lin'an City, including about the County Magistrate before me. The County Magistrate had been in his position for almost twenty years now. In those twenty years, Lin'an City had experienced several Demon Evil calamities, but Zhao Fang remained as stable as Mount Tai, firmly holding his position as County Magistrate. Shen Changqing admired that. He had to admire it. Ordinary people, upon encountering one or two Demon Evil calamities, would simply resign and withdraw, not daring to stay in Lin'an City any longer. But Zhao Fang was different. Despite numerous Demon Evil calamities, he never retreated. That bravery alone was incomparable to others.
While Shen Changqing was sizing up Zhao Fang, Zhao Fang was likewise assessing him. But it was only a brief moment before he withdrew his gaze, his face breaking into a warm smile.
"So it's Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division. You've come from far away, Lord Shen. Why not rest in the city for a night, and let us discuss the matters of Demon Evil tomorrow?" Zhao Fang suggested.
"No need. Eliminating Demon Evil is urgent and cannot be delayed. If I rest for another day, perhaps one more life will be lost. It is better to handle it promptly," Shen Changqing declined, shaking his head.
In his heart, completing the mission was what mattered most. Everything else could wait until later.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fang's warmth increased. "Lord Shen is truly noble-hearted, and I greatly admire it. Since Lord Shen is eager to deal with the matters of Demon Evil, I will have someone explain the situation to you immediately." After saying this, his expression turned stern. "Summon someone!"
"What are your orders, my lord?" a Government Official who stood behind him asked, stepping forward promptly.
"My command: have Constable Zhang come here immediately."
"Yes!"
The Government Official took the order and left. Once he was gone, Zhao Fang's face returned to a smile. "Lord Shen, please follow me to the inner hall to sit down."
"Thank you!"
「 」
In the inner hall of the Yamen, Shen Changqing and Zhao Fang sat opposite each other. As the servants brought in tea, a tall man who appeared somewhat older and carried a knife walked in.
"Lord Zhao!"
"Constable Zhang has arrived, please take a seat," Zhao Fang invited with a nod, then gestured to Shen Changqing and introduced him. "This is Lord Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division, and this is Constable Zhang Long of our Lin'an City Yamen. Constable Zhang has been an arrest officer for more than a decade and is quite the veteran. Lord Shen, feel free to ask Constable Zhang any questions you have."
Upon the introduction, Shen Changqing also turned his attention to Zhang Long. As soon as the latter had entered, he noticed that this arrest officer had a vigorous flow of vital energy, clearly possessing a high level of proficiency in Outer Techniques. Body Tempering Realm! And not just any ordinary Body Tempering Realm. Most likely, he was a Martial Artist who had reached the later stages or even the peak of the Body Tempering Realm.
Shen Changqing returned a slight clasp of his hands. "Greetings, Constable Zhang."
"You are too courteous, Lord Shen!" Zhang Long, somewhat flattered, hurriedly returned the gesture. "May I ask what you would like to know, Lord Shen? Please feel free to speak."
He was unaware of Shen Changqing's background. But the mere words 'Demon-Subduing Division' said a lot. Wherever one was, people from the Demon-Subduing Division held immense stature. Even Lord Zhao, as the County Magistrate, had to treat them with respect, let alone a mere arrest officer like himself. What's more, when facing Shen Changqing, Zhang Long realized he couldn't see through him at all. As a member of the Demon-Subduing Division, it was impossible for him to have no cultivation. The only reason I can't see anything is that the Shen Changqing before me is far more powerful than I am. With this thought in mind, Zhang Long dared not be impolite.
Shen Changqing said, "I have received intelligence from the Demon-Subduing Division that a Demon Evil has appeared in Lin'an City. As for the specifics, I hope Constable Zhang can provide a comprehensive answer."
"Demon Evil—" Constable Zhang nodded, his expression gradually calming as if recalling something. After a long while, he slowly began to speak. "As early as half a month ago, someone came to report a murder. We immediately dispatched Government Officials to investigate. Upon arrival, we discovered that all the deceased had turned into mummified corpses. After verification by the mortuary assistant, the bodies had only recently died, yet their Essence Blood had drained away, as if they had been dead for many years. We realized right away that there must be a Demon Evil at work."
In the inner hall, Shen Changqing sat there, listening to what Zhang Long had to say. The words Zhang Long spoke were almost entirely consistent with the intelligence he had received from the Demon-Subduing Division.
After Zhang Long finished speaking, Shen Changqing asked, "What happened after you found the mummified corpses? Did anything else occur?"
"That, I do know a little about." Zhang Long had not yet begun to speak when Zhao Fang interjected. "After confirming the presence of Demon Evil, we evacuated the villagers and then sealed off the entire village, temporarily prohibiting any entry or exit. So far, no further incidents have occurred."
Upon discovering the Demon Evil, they promptly transferred all the villagers out. Shen Changqing deeply agreed with Zhao Fang's actions. According to the intelligence from the Demon-Subduing Division, the murderous Strange Monster was only Ghostly Level. As the lowest level of Ghostly Level Fiend, it cannot easily leave its original location; most of them use certain objects as vessels. In other words, as long as the villagers were moved out and the village sealed, there wouldn't be any further problems in the short term. After all, Strange Monsters are formidable, but it depends on their level. Even though Ghostly Level Fiends are also very troublesome, they can be controlled with proper handling.
"Lord Zhao has handled it quite adeptly!" Shen Changqing said with a hint of meaning.
Zhao Fang smiled wryly. "There's no choice. Lin'an City has frequently been plagued by Demon Evil calamities in recent years. Even the most inflexible person would have learned how to deal with Demon Evil by now. Luckily, so far, the Demon Evils that have appeared have not caused too much devastation. Now that Lord Shen has arrived, there will be even fewer problems. After all, the Demon-Subduing Division has a history of slaying countless Demon Evils. With Lord Shen's strength, there shouldn't be any problem dealing with them." Towards the end, Zhao Fang subtly offered flattery.
In the face of Demon Evil, ordinary people have no means of resistance. The only ones who can truly confront Demon Evil are the experts from the Demon-Subduing Division. Although Shen Changqing is a Demon Hunter, the lowest rank among them, the fact that the Demon-Subduing Division sent him indicates he is capable of handling the situation. Zhao Fang did not dare belittle him.
"Where is the village where the Demon Evil appeared?"
"It's about ten miles outside the east gate of Lin'an City," replied Zhang Long this time. After finishing, he didn't wait for Shen Changqing's response and continued, "If Lord Shen wishes to visit the village, it might be better to wait until tomorrow. The sky is already dark, and it's not easy to see things at night, which is inconvenient for dealing with Demon Evil. If you go during the day, with the strong sunlight as a deterrent, it might actually be easier."
"That could indeed work," Shen Changqing did not reject Zhang Long's suggestion. It wasn't that dealing with Demon Evil was indeed better during the day. Strictly speaking, Demon Evils aren't afraid of the blazing sun. Whether day or night, their strength wouldn't be diminished or enhanced. It's just that in the eyes of ordinary people, Demon Evils are yin-evil creatures, so they fear sunlight and dare not emerge easily during the day, but their strength greatly increases at night. The reason I'm not going now is also because I've been traveling for a long time. Even a master of the Pulse Condensation Realm couldn't withstand such exertion. Besides, it was already late. Although I can see at night, it's still different from daytime.
Soon, Zhao Fang made arrangements for Shen Changqing's accommodation. Considering he's from the Demon-Subduing Division, I daren't show any negligence, Zhao Fang thought. Originally, Zhao Fang wanted Shen Changqing to stay in his own mansion, but since Shen Changqing refused, Zhao Fang had to arrange for him the best inn in the city. Although Lin'an City was small, it had all the necessary facilities. It lacked nothing essential.
Under Zhang Long's guidance, Shen Changqing arrived at an inn in Lin'an City. With memories from his past life, he was indifferent to the inn's environment.
"Lord Shen, please rest well. I will come to meet you early tomorrow morning," said Zhang Long.
"Thank you for your efforts, Constable Zhang."
"Lord Shen, you are too kind. I shall take my leave!" Zhang Long clasped his hands and excused himself.
Shortly, only Shen Changqing was left in the guest room.
I didn't go to sleep immediately but pondered some things. After all, this is my first mission; I can't afford any carelessness. Furthermore, the mission target is a Strange Monster. A moment's carelessness, and I might meet my end here. For my own life's sake, I must treat this matter with utmost caution, no matter what.
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