"Senior Brother Lin, the Demon-slaying Bureau is backed by the Qi Family. They’re very powerful in Yongzhou."
Holding her rice bowl, Yan Jin whispered, "Are we going to offend them by doing this?"
She knew the two of them couldn’t be bothered with such social graces, so she had offered to go out and greet the men, but he had turned her down.
"Surely they aren’t that petty. We’re eating, after all."
Yu Sheng blinked, a little confused.
In her eyes, unless it was a life-or-death matter, nothing was more important than eating.
’Don’t people from the Demon-slaying Bureau have to eat, too?’
"It’s fine."
Lin Shu casually glanced outside the inn.
He waited until the Vice General and his Captains were far from Shihu City.
Only then did he release the split soul he had prepared in advance to trail them.
The Demon-slaying Bureau serves the Qi Family. These men all cultivate the Qi Family Immortal Technique and specialize in Divine Soul Skills.
And so, Lin Shu was extremely cautious. He didn’t send his split soul to shadow Vice General Xu directly; instead, he had it approach the group of new recruits first.
Once he was certain there were no surprises, it slowly drifted toward the Captains.
Finally, the formless silhouette surged toward the Profound Armor-clad figure up ahead.
"Hm?"
Xu Zhonglin suddenly frowned and looked down at his armor.
A profound light suddenly swirled across the cold plates of his armor.
He snapped his head up, scanned his surroundings, and roared, "Insolent!"
’The Demon-Suppressing Armor was personally forged by a Qi Family Immortal and had an alarm function. To think some demon would dare to spy on them when they were just a few hundred yards from Yu Duchuan’s City Lord’s Mansion!’
’Don’t tell me the esteemed Celestial Pride of the Yu Family has started recruiting demons as disciples?’
"What has angered you, Vice General Xu?"
Yu Duchuan emerged gracefully from the City Lord’s Mansion, followed by several dozen disciples.
Xu Zhonglin narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the disciples one by one.
The Profound Armor he wore gradually grew calm.
He carefully performed the Qi Seeking Technique, searching for a long while. Only after confirming there was no Demon Qi in the area did he dismount.
"I was going to hand these out later, but it seems it’s not entirely safe even within the Border Region. Take these and keep them on your person. If this talisman explodes, report to me immediately."
Xu Zhonglin suddenly waved his arm, and Divine Soul Immortal Talismans specially made by the Demon-slaying Bureau shot into everyone’s hands. Not only the Captains, but even the hundred-odd new recruits received one.
Once that was done, he added in a cold voice, "Mountain God Duchuan, I’ll trouble you to have your disciples exercise some restraint. Don’t use your little tricks to probe us. These Soul Talismans are precious, and we’d best avoid any misunderstandings."
At his words, several of the Plain-Clothed Disciples coughed and looked away.
"They’ve been with me in the Border Region for a long time, so they aren’t very familiar with the inner territories of Yongzhou. Please bear with them."
Yu Duchuan glanced at the disciples beside him, but he showed no intention of reprimanding them, simply letting the matter slide.
Escorted by the entourage, the two men walked briskly back into the mansion.
"Gong Yue, the three of you will each take ten Captains and thirty new recruits. Head to the outskirts of Demon Mountain and conduct an initial reconnaissance. Take the Qi-Introducing Gourds. Return to me with a map within two days."
No sooner had they sat down than Xu Zhonglin began issuing orders with swift authority.
"We obey your command!"
The three most senior Captains immediately began to tally their men, then swiftly headed out.
"As expected of the Demon-slaying Bureau. You’ve opened my eyes once again."
Despite his noble status, Yu Duchuan put on none of the airs of an Immortal Descendant, clapping his hands lightly instead.
A disciple at his side immediately handed over a Golden Volume, which contained detailed records of all the demons in the surrounding area.
"Mountain God Duchuan, forgive my bluntness, but your jurisdiction has been quite an eye-opener for me as well," Xu Zhonglin said, flipping through the Golden Volume as he casually recounted his recent experience.
"However, we have more important matters to attend to right now. When I find the time, I will personally see to her discipline."
’He’d been struggling to find a pretext to make a move, but he never thought the little freak would serve herself up on a platter.’
’Wiping out this group of demons was a direct command from Uncle Qiheng, a Jade Order.’
’I just need to handle this matter properly. Once it’s done, my standing in the family will naturally rise with the tide.’
’At that point, punishing a few uncooperative juniors would be a simple matter.’
"That would be best."
Xu Zhonglin didn’t dare to truly lose his temper in front of a Yu Family Mountain God.
Since the other man had given him an out, he shifted his focus to the Golden Volume in his hands. "I’ve heard tales of these thirty-some Demon Generals, but this last one... this is the first I’ve seen of them."
"A new upstart of a Little Demon. Not very capable, but certainly audacious. In fact, this Moon-Devouring is the very reason I’ve asked you all here."
A flicker of contempt crossed Yu Duchuan’s eyes. ’In truth, he was rather grateful to this foolish demon.’
’If it hadn’t kicked up a fuss, where would he have found this opportunity to advance?’
"Fine. I’ll write a few coded messages based on this Golden Volume, and I’ll have to trouble your disciples to deliver them for me, Mountain God," Xu Zhonglin said with a nod.
"Feel free to command them as you see fit, Vice General." Yu Duchuan leaned back in his chair, his posture magnanimous.
「While the two were talking.」
「Back at the inn.」
Lin Shu silently stared out the door.
’He and the Demon-slaying Bureau both originated from the Silver-eyed White Wolf’s lineage, so he’d long suspected they might have ways to counter him.’
’But seeing how ridiculously well-funded they were was still somewhat startling.’
’This went beyond being armed to the teeth; they were even protecting their Divine Souls.’
’Truly living up to their name as Yongzhou’s most heavy-handed organization.’
"Tsk."
Lin Shu rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He didn’t regret his attempt to probe them, however.
After all, he could tell from Xu Zhonglin’s words that regardless of his split soul probe, they would have been equipped with Immortal Talismans when heading to Demon Mountain anyway. It was just a matter of sooner or later.

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