Guangyuan Prefecture, Lin'an City.
After receiving his assessment task, Shen Changqing immediately set out for Lin'an City.
This assessment task—
He was to go alone.
Don't be fooled by how the Demon-Subduing Division seems well-staffed—the fact is, there are far more demon evils and strange monsters scattered about than people, so it's impossible to send several people to finish just one mission.
Besides, considering Shen Changqing's strength, Jiang Zuo simply let him go to Lin'an City by himself.
It took nearly ten days.
Shen Changqing finally arrived in Lin'an City.
Unlike the splendor of the Capital City, Lin'an City appeared much quieter.
But he didn't pay much attention to these external trappings. His purpose here was to eliminate demon evils; everything else was unrelated to him.
He presented his Identity Token.
Shen Changqing entered the Yamen with ease.
The County Magistrate of Lin'an City came to greet him immediately as well.
"I am Zhao Fang. May I ask your name, sir?"
"Probationary Demon Hunter Shen Changqing of the Huang Department, Demon-Subduing Division!"
Shen Changqing cupped his hands slightly.
As he spoke, he was already sizing up the person in front of him.
Even before coming to Lin'an City,
Shen Changqing had already gathered much information about Lin'an City, including about this County Magistrate before him.
This man had held the position of County Magistrate of Lin'an City for nearly twenty years now.
In those twenty years—
Lin'an City had also suffered several demon evil disasters, but Zhao Fang remained unshaken, firmly occupying his position.
Shen Changqing couldn't help but respect that.
There's no way around it.
The average person, after suffering one or two demon evil disasters, would have resigned and retreated, unwilling to linger in Lin'an City any longer.
But Zhao Fang was different.
Several demon evil disasters, and he never retreated.
Just that kind of courage wasn't something others could match.
As Shen Changqing assessed Zhao Fang, Zhao Fang was likewise sizing up Shen Changqing.
But after just a moment, he retracted his gaze, a warm smile appearing on his face.
"So it is Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division. Since you've come such a long way, why don't you rest in the city for a night? Tomorrow, I can tell you all about the demon evil matter."
"No need, slaying demon evils brooks no delay. If I rest another day, perhaps more lives will be lost. It's best to handle it right away."
Shen Changqing shook his head.
For him, completing the task was most important.
As for everything else, that could wait.
Hearing this,
Zhao Fang's face grew even more enthusiastic: "Lord Shen, your compassion is admirable, I am truly impressed. Since you're anxious to handle the demon evil case, I'll have someone brief you at once."
Having said that,
His face turned serious.
"Someone come!"
"What are your orders, my lord?" A government official waiting behind him promptly stepped forward.
"Pass on my command, have Constable Zhang come at once."
"Yes, my lord!"
The government official took the order and left.
After he departed, Zhao Fang once again put on a smile: "Lord Shen, please follow me to the inner hall and take a seat."
"Thank you."
——
The inner hall of the Yamen.
Shen Changqing and Zhao Fang sat at either side.
Just as a servant brought tea, a tall, somewhat older man walked in carrying a saber.
"Lord Zhao!"
"Constable Zhang is here. Please, have a seat."
Zhao Fang nodded, then gestured to introduce Shen Changqing.
"This is Lord Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division, and this is Zhang Long, the Constable of my Lin'an City Yamen. Constable Zhang has held the post for over ten years and is quite senior.
If Lord Shen has any questions, feel free to ask Constable Zhang."
So introduced,
Shen Changqing turned his gaze to Zhang Long.
Even as Zhang Long entered, he noticed the essence blood surging in the man—clearly someone with advanced mastery in Outer Techniques.
Body Tempering Realm!
And certainly not an ordinary Body Tempering Realm.
He was likely a martial artist at the late stage, or even the peak, of Body Tempering.
Shen Changqing cupped his hands.
"Greetings, Constable Zhang."
"Lord Shen, you flatter me!" Zhang Long was a little flustered, hastily returning the salute: "May I ask what Lord Shen wishes to know? Please ask directly."
He had no idea about Shen Changqing's background.
But just the three words "Demon-Subduing Division" were enough to say a lot.
No matter where it was—
Those from the Demon-Subduing Division always held great status.
Even County Magistrate Zhao Fang had to show politeness, let alone a lowly arrest officer like him.
More importantly,
When facing Shen Changqing, Zhang Long realized he couldn't see through him at all.
As someone from the Demon-Subduing Division, there was no way he would have no cultivation.
The only reason he couldn't see through him—
The man before him, Shen Changqing, was far more powerful than himself.
Thinking of this,
Zhang Long became even more careful not to offend.
Shen Changqing said, "I received intelligence from the Demon-Subduing Division that demon evils have appeared in Lin'an City, but what are the specifics? I hope Constable Zhang can give me a thorough account."
"Demon evil—"
Constable Zhang nodded, his expression gradually calming, as though recalling something. After a long moment, he slowly spoke.
"Half a month ago, someone came to report to the authorities, saying a murder had taken place. We immediately sent officials to investigate, and when they arrived, they found all the dead had become withered corpses.
After the mortuary assistant examined them, we confirmed the bodies had only just died recently, but their essence blood was drained as if they'd been dead for years.
We realized at once that surely a demon evil was involved."
In the inner hall,
Shen Changqing sat there, listening to Zhang Long's account.
What he said matched almost exactly with the intelligence Shen Changqing had obtained from the Demon-Subduing Division.
Once Zhang Long finished,
Shen Changqing asked, "After discovering those withered corpses, did anything else happen?"
"On that point, I can add something."
Before Zhang Long could respond, Zhao Fang interjected.
"After confirming the presence of a demon evil, we had all the villagers moved out and sealed off the village, not permitting anyone to enter or leave for now.
So far, nothing else has happened."
Upon discovering the demon evil,
The first thing they did was evacuate all the villagers.
Shen Changqing deeply agreed with Zhao Fang's actions.
According to the Demon-Subduing Division's reports, the killer was just a Ghostly Level fiend—the lowest level of Ghostly Level fiend—who couldn't easily leave its place and usually attached itself to some object as a vessel.
In other words,
As long as the villagers were evacuated and the village sealed off, there would be no further trouble for a while.
Fiends are terrifying,
But it all depends on their level.
Ghostly Level fiends are difficult to handle, but as long as one responds well, they can be controlled.
"Lord Zhao, you handle things very skillfully!" Shen Changqing said, meaningfully.
Zhao Fang gave a wry smile: "It can't be helped. In recent years, Lin'an City has faced frequent demon evil disasters. Even the most obstinate person would learn how to deal with demon evils in time.
Fortunately, so far the demon evils haven't caused too much damage.
And now, with Lord Shen's arrival, there will be even less of a problem.
After all, the Demon-Subduing Division has slain uncounted demon evils, and with Lord Shen's abilities, there shouldn't be any issue."
As he finished,
Zhao Fang discreetly offered a bit of flattery.
In the face of demon evils,
Ordinary people have no chance of resistance at all.
The only ones truly capable of dealing with demon evils are the powerful members of the Demon-Subduing Division.
Although Shen Changqing was just a probationary Demon Hunter, the lowest rank of all, the Demon-Subduing Division wouldn't have sent him unless he was capable.
On this point, Zhao Fang couldn't allow himself the slightest degree of contempt.
"Where is the village where the demon evil appeared?"
"About ten li east of Lin'an City's East Gate," Zhang Long answered this time.
He spoke,
And without waiting for Shen Changqing to reply, he continued, "If Lord Shen wishes to inspect the village, it might be better to wait for tomorrow.
Night has fallen and visibility is poor; dealing with demon evils is inconvenient at night.
If you go in daylight, the blazing sun will help, making it slightly easier."
"That works too."
Shen Changqing did not reject Zhang Long's suggestion, not because daylight actually made battling demon evils easier.
Strictly speaking, demon evils are not afraid of sunlight.
Whether it is daytime or night, their strength is neither diminished nor enhanced.
It's just that in the eyes of ordinary people, demon evils are sinister creatures, so they must fear sunlight and become stronger at night.
The real reason Shen Changqing didn't want to go right away
Was because he had been traveling for a long time—even as a Pulse Condensation Realm expert, he couldn't withstand such exhaustion.
On top of that,
Night had already fallen.
While he could see at night, there was still a difference compared to daylight.
Soon,
Zhao Fang arranged for Shen Changqing's lodging.
Since his guest came from the Demon-Subduing Division, he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
Originally, Zhao Fang wanted Shen Changqing to stay in his own residence, but since the latter refused, he had to arrange for the best inn in the city instead.
Though Lin'an City is small,
It has everything one needs.
There wasn't anything lacking that should be there.
With Zhang Long leading the way, Shen Changqing arrived at an inn in Lin'an City. Owing to memories from his past life, he had little to say about the inn's environment.
"Lord Shen, please rest well. Tomorrow morning, I will come and meet you again!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Constable Zhang."
"Lord Shen, you are too kind. I take my leave!"
Zhang Long cupped his hands and withdrew.
Soon, Shen Changqing was alone in his room.
He didn't go to sleep immediately but sat there thinking things through. After all, this was his first time carrying out a mission, and he couldn't afford even the slightest carelessness.
Moreover,
The target was a strange monster, and one mistake could cost him his life.
For the sake of his own survival,
Shen Changqing would treat this matter with utmost caution, no matter what.
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