After a brief rest through the night, Shen Changqing awoke at the first hint of dawn.
A year at the Demon-Subduing Division had instilled in him the habit of sleeping late and rising early.
Especially since the cultivation of the Pure Yang Technique required absorbing the first wisp of purple Qi between Heaven and Earth, which meant he couldn't afford to sleep in.
He cultivated as usual. Feeling his Pure Yang Technique had grown slightly stronger, a faint smile appeared on Shen Changqing's face.
Although there was still a significant gap before he could break through to the ninth level, he had made some progress, at least.
Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly. He then got up and opened the door to his room.
As the door swung open, he saw Zhang Long with his hand raised, about to knock.
"Lord Shen rises quite early!" The sudden opening of the door caused Zhang Long's face to stiffen for a moment, but he quickly recovered his composure.
"Constable Zhang is early as well," Shen Changqing smiled.
As they spoke, he had already made his way to the table in the room and sat down.
"Constable Zhang, please take a seat as well!"
"Thank you, Lord Shen." Zhang Long, holding something in his other hand, placed it on the table, then sat down opposite Shen Changqing.
"Lord Shen probably hasn't eaten yet, right? Here are some local delicacies from Lin'an City. You might not have had the chance to taste these back in the Capital City."
As he spoke, Zhang Long unwrapped the oil-paper, revealing some delicate-looking pastries. A light fragrance wafted from them, involuntarily soothing the mind.
"Constable Zhang is considerate." The smile on Shen Changqing's face became more pronounced, causing Zhang Long to also crack a slight smile.
He casually picked up a piece of pastry and took a gentle bite.
"Speaking of the Demon Evil causing trouble this time, does Constable Zhang have any other thoughts?"
"I don't know much about Demon Evil, as I'm just a lowly arrest officer and don't have the privilege to deal with such matters," Zhang Long shook his head, his expression unchanged when discussing Demon Evil.
Afterward, Shen Changqing asked a few other questions, to which Zhang Long mostly responded fluently.
The two of them talked for quite a while.
Putting down the pastry in his hand, Shen Changqing stood up.
"In that case, Constable Zhang, please take me there to have a look."
"Isn't Lord Shen going to eat anymore?"
"No more. Eating too much early in the morning isn't good for digestion. We'll talk about it after the matter is dealt with."
"Ah—" Zhang Long was startled. Digestion? A somewhat unfamiliar concept to him.
But he didn't overthink it.
Since Shen Changqing wanted to go have a look, it was only right for him to accompany him.
After all, if the Demon Evil were resolved, they could all get a good night's sleep.
Walking down the street, Shen Changqing observed the bustling scene of people coming and going. He couldn't help but smile. "Although Lin'an City's prosperity doesn't match the Capital City, it has its own unique charm. Staying here for a long time would surely be pleasant."
"If Lord Shen likes it, you are welcome to visit Lin'an City more often in the future," Zhang Long, walking by his side, chimed in with a smile.
「 」
With Zhang Long leading the way, Shen Changqing followed him out of the city.
Ten miles outside the city was not a very far distance.
But once they left the city, the bustling feeling vanished, replaced by a desolation that seemed void of human presence.
"Constable Zhang, where have the villagers who were evacuated from the village been resettled?" When Shen Changqing spoke, he glanced sidelong at Zhang Long.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Long replied without hesitation, "Most of the villagers have been resettled in nearby villages. Those with relatives in the city are staying there. Our main goal for now, however, is to seal off the village where the Demon Evil appeared. Beyond that, there aren't many other requirements."
"Lord Zhao truly sympathizes with the common people!"
"Lord Zhao has served as the County Magistrate of Lin'an City for twenty years and is indeed a good official. Over the years, whenever Demon Evil wrought havoc, magistrates in various regions would be replaced one after another. Only Lord Zhao has steadfastly fulfilled his duties, never fearing the disasters wrought by Demon Evil."
Speaking of Zhao Fang, Zhang Long's face showed admiration.
Shen Changqing nodded in agreement.
The other party's words indeed had some truth to them.
Demon Evil. It was another way of referring to demons and Strange Monsters. Since Strange Monsters were also known as 'evil spirits,' the term Demon Evil came into use.
Before long, the two of them arrived before a rice field. They could still see that the crops in the paddies were flourishing and pleasing to the eye, yet they seemed to lack a touch of vitality.
"Lord Shen, Guyue Village is just ahead," Zhang Long said in a grave tone, pointing to the village ahead.
Guyue Village was the village that had previously been troubled by a Demon Evil.
Following the direction of Zhang Long's finger, Shen Changqing could see the distant houses clustered together.
Soon, the two crossed the rice field and arrived at the entrance of the village. A stele stood there, inscribed with the three characters for Guyue Village.
Besides that, six men dressed in Government Official uniforms were guarding the outside of the village. Each of them looked extremely tense, glancing into the village from time to time as if a Demon Evil might rush out at any moment.
Even with the blazing sun overhead, it provided little comfort.
"Constable Zhang!"
"Constable Zhang is here!"
Seeing Zhang Long and Shen Changqing arriving, the faces of the few Government Officials relaxed considerably.
Zhang Long, with a solemn expression, extended his hand to introduce the person beside him to the Government Officials: "This is Lord Shen Changqing from the Demon-Subduing Division, who has come specially to eliminate the Demon Evil."
The Demon-Subduing Division! As expected.
Upon hearing the name of the Demon-Subduing Division, the Government Officials' faces turned reverent as they bowed to Shen Changqing. "We pay our respects to Lord Shen!"
Even though Shen Changqing looked quite young, they didn't dare show the slightest disrespect.
The name 'Demon-Subduing Division' was a renowned emblem in Great Qin.
No one who walked out of the Demon-Subduing Division was a simple character.
"Hmm, up to now, has anyone entered or left the village?" Shen Changqing asked, looking towards the desolate sights inside the village and turning his head to one of the Government Officials.
Upon hearing this, the Government Official felt a sudden, immense pressure.
"Reporting to Lord Shen, since the Demon Evil wreaked havoc, not a single person has entered or left the village!"
"Alright, Lord Shen and I already know about this. You may return to report back. Leave the rest to us," Zhang Long waved his hand, his face showing a bit of impatience.
"We shall take our leave!" The Government Officials didn't dare say anything more, bowing and withdrawing.
Only Shen Changqing and Zhang Long remained.
"Lord Shen, will you enter the village now, or wait for some other time?"
"Now that we're here, let's go in and take a look now!" Shen Changqing let one hand hang by his side while his other hand pressed upon the hilt of his blade, stepping towards Guyue Village.
Seeing this, Zhang Long immediately followed behind him into the village.
The moment they stepped into the bounds of Guyue Village, a cool chill surged from all directions. As the chill washed over them, it instantly stirred Shen Changqing's Pure Yang True Qi into a protective barrier.