"If those two actually return to Yongzhou and build a massive reputation with their achievements, his previous declaration will become a joke. He said he was going to replace them, but if he can’t, it will just prove his incompetence—that he can’t even control Shihu City, which is under his command."
"I hear Yu Sheng is coming of age. He shouldn’t have the power to suppress him, should he?"
The two Immortal Descendants had differing opinions. One of them suddenly laughed and said, "But what if he gains merit from the Demon Cleansing and his status rises even further?"
Yu Sheng and Yu Duchuan were both Immortal Descendants from the Mountain God Family and could be considered peers. If they both want to distinguish themselves, they certainly won’t hold back in their struggle for renown.
"So he wants to borrow the power of the Demon-slaying Bureau?"
The Immortal Descendant gazed toward Yongzhou.
At the limit of his vision, he could faintly make out layers of black clouds.
CLIP-CLOP.
The rhythmic beat of horse hooves carried a grim, killing aura.
A procession of magnificent Spirit Horses, all clad in Heavy Armor, trotted with composure, the clanging of their armor plates a continuous, metallic din.
Ten riders led the procession, a mix of men and women, all clad in tight-fitting Profound Armor—the attire of the Demon-slaying Bureau’s Vice Generals.
Behind them followed several hundred figures in black robes, also mounted. Sabers hung at their waists, their expressions were cold, and all were Captains at the Jade Liquid Realm.
The ones at the very front exuded the aura of the Core Formation realm. While not as potent as that of the ten Vice Generals, their eyes glinted sharply. They clearly intended to use the Group of Demons in the Border Region to amass their final merits and attempt a promotion to Vice General.
And behind this long train of horses,
followed more than a thousand young faces. They could only march on foot, also dressed in long black robes, but their attire was far plainer, lacking the ornate patterns.
Moreover, they were all empty-handed.
Slaying demons, amassing merit, and training new recruits—it seemed they planned to accomplish three things at once.
"This is killing me! To think that I, Wang Hong, a respectable young master in Yongzhou, would join the Demon-slaying Bureau and not even get a horse. Can’t I just pay for one myself with my own silver?!"
The delicate-skinned young man complained endlessly, but he didn’t dare say it aloud, only grumbling furtively to those beside him.
Wang Hong turned to the Blackhead beside him. "I remember you’re the only son of a County Magistrate, too. How can you endure this so well? Technically, it isn’t even time for you to be out on trials, yet you were scrambling to come along. You’re not just trying to use this as a chance to visit home, are you?"
"The earlier I start, the faster I’ll be promoted later on."
Chang Yi smiled, his expression remaining neutral.
Through Brother Lin’s teachings, by both word and example, he had long since learned how to conceal his thoughts.
As he listened to the complaints, he quietly cast his gaze toward the Demon Mountain.
To this day, Gu Nanzhi, the renegade fiend of the Chen Family, had yet to be captured.
No one had come to the Demon-slaying Bureau to claim the reward; the last report only said she had fled toward the Border Region.
’Auntie, wait for me...’
Chang Yi retracted his gaze. In that brief moment, his youthful face was already filled with determination.
Just then, the crowd began to split, swiftly forming ten columns.
"Xiangling, I’ll go this way. I’ve been asked by an old friend to take care of a small matter."
Among the Vice Generals, a handsome young man reached out, stopping the scarred woman beside him.
"Whatever." Ruan Xiangling tugged her reins, changed direction, and no longer headed toward Shihu City.
"Follow me."
Xu Zhonglin gave the order in a cold voice, leading dozens of Captains and a hundred new recruits into the mountain pass.
To the scions of respectable Yongzhou families, this treacherous Border Region was clearly a bit terrifying.
They glanced about, nervous and curious, following the Spirit Horses through the mountain forest until they finally spotted the outline of an Earth City.
CLIP-CLOP!
Dozens of Armored Spirit Horses strode into the Earth City and slowly came to a halt.
These figures, exuding a bone-chilling aura, immediately caused the commoners and traveling merchants of Shihu City to pale and shrink away, not daring to even lift their heads for a direct look.
When the Demon-slaying Bureau was on the move, never mind commoners—even Immortal Disciples had to make way!
"So imposing!"
Hiding in the crowd, Wang Hong clicked his tongue in wonder. The fatigue from the journey seemed to ease quite a bit.
Chang Yi remained noncommittal and said nothing.
After learning of his aunt’s plight, he had already lost the reverence he once held for the Demon-slaying Bureau.
’If this was truly a good Government Office that slayed demons and saved the people from suffering...’
’...why is it met not with admiration, but with fear?’
"Which Immortal Descendant families are in charge here?"
The Captain asked from atop his horse, his voice cold as he glared ahead.
Having heard the commotion, several Stewards had already come out to receive them.
"In response to the Captain, my surname is Chen. I am a Steward of Yongzhou Pass."
A middle-aged man stepped forward. "There aren’t many Immortal Descendant families in Shihu City. Right now, only the Yu Family is managing things."
"Only the Yu Family?"
The Captain was taken aback and glanced back at the Vice General.
Although Yongzhou Pass was nominally governed by the Yu Family, since it served as a trial ground for numerous families, they surely wouldn’t engage in such blatant favoritism.
The situation of a single family controlling an entire city was practically unheard of.
"Who is in charge? Are they responsible for the Border Region, or something else?"
Xu Zhonglin frowned slightly. He was here under orders to slay demons and did not wish to encounter an overly difficult Immortal Descendant.
Although he was displeased that the person in charge had not come out to meet them,
he restrained himself from losing his temper, not yet understanding the full situation.
"At present, Shopkeeper Lin is in charge. Er, that is, the shopkeeper of the Shihu Inn." At the mention of this name, Steward Chen stood up a little straighter.
"An inn’s shopkeeper?"
The Captains’ faces shifted slightly; they had expected to hear the name of some Immortal Descendant.
As it turned out, the person in charge was not only a mere disciple but one responsible for some laughably pathetic inn.
"Vice General, you may not be aware, but our inn here is different."
Seeing the cold look that appeared on the Vice General’s face, Steward Chen hurriedly explained, "You can just consider it a minor City Lord’s Mansion."

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