Liangzhou Prefecture, Demon-Suppressing Bureau.
The Bureau Office was located in the north of the city, with black-tiled high walls and bronze wind chimes hanging from the eaves.
The constant wind and sand made the chimes sound dull.
In the back hall.
A massive sand table occupied most of the hall, intricately depicting the mountains and rivers of the entire Longyou Circuit.
Wei He stood with his hands behind his back in front of the sand table, his expression unreadable.
Inside the hall, several men dressed in black with red patterns, all key figures of the Demon-Suppressing Bureau, stood solemnly.
"The garrison at Yumen Pass reported seeing a mountain come to life and grow legs to run away."
A Court Commander with a short beard said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of absurdity.
Another person frowned and said, "A mountain grew legs and ran? Could it be that the sandstorm was too strong, and they saw it wrong?"
Wei He didn't look up, his voice calm, "What else?"
The short-bearded Court Commander continued, "Also, over in Zhangye, the Hei River flowed backward for three days, filled with dead fish, stinking for miles."
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat heavy.
In these times, demons and monsters ran rampant, and strange occurrences were common.
But recently, something seemed off.
Finally, someone couldn't hold back and brought up another matter.
"General, about Xu Nian..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.
Xu Nian, a Resonating Bone Stage martial artist, was considered quite skilled in the Longyou region.
Yet, just a few days ago, he was carried back.
"He won't die."
Wei He finally looked up, his face still expressionless, "But his meridians are severed, his vitality depleted. Even if he can be saved, his cultivation is ruined."
"Hiss—"
A gasp echoed in the hall.
A master at the Resonating Bone Stage, just like that, ruined?
"Is that monster truly so formidable?"
The short-bearded Court Commander sighed, "Monsters with supernatural abilities are indeed troublesome. Back then, the monster in Hexi could speak human language and manipulate illusions, costing our bureau fifteen captains and over three hundred brothers."
"The monster in Jincheng County can manipulate blood mist for its own use. Such supernatural abilities are unheard of. Captain Xu's defeat is not unjust."
"If not for..."
Halfway through the sentence, everyone seemed to think of something, their gazes converging on a pale young man in the corner.
Liu Chen.
He had also suffered significant injuries in that bloody battle, and even now, standing here, he was somewhat unsteady.
Wei He's gaze also fell on him.
"Liu Chen, there was a woman who returned with you?"
Liu Chen's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed, "Yes, General." You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
"Tell me in detail, how did that pig demon die?"
Liu Chen took a deep breath, as if recalling a scene that overturned his understanding, his eyes still showing traces of horror.
"General... I don't know what method that was."
His voice was somewhat dry.
"The woman struck, her blade like a tiger, followed by a blood-colored phantom. Her blade technique was extremely fierce, but even so, it only wounded the pig demon."
"The truly fatal blow... was her last..."
Liu Chen's Adam's apple bobbed as if searching for the right words.
"At the end, red tiger stripes appeared on her body, her black hair turned entirely blood-red, her pupils... her pupils became vertical... Her ferocity surpassed even the pig demon!"
"One punch."
"Just one punch, and it pierced through the pig demon's chest."
"..."
At these words, everyone's expressions were extraordinary.
"Unheard of! What kind of sinister skill is this?!"
"Could she be a disguised monster?" another person immediately chimed in, "If she had such means, why didn't she act sooner, instead of waiting until Captain Xu and the others were exhausted?"
For a moment, the hall was filled with speculation and discussion.
Liu Chen opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but didn't know where to start.
Yes, why?
He was also shocked by that ferocity at the time.
But later, when the woman collapsed from exhaustion and was brought back to Liangzhou Prefecture for treatment, it was clear she was human, her vitality weak but without any trace of demonic aura.
"Enough."
Wei He's voice rang out again, and the hall instantly quieted.
He didn't ask further, only instructed, "Pass the order, the matter of Jincheng County ends here. All investigators are to withdraw immediately."
"General?!"
Everyone was shocked.
"The woman's identity is still unclear..."
"I have my own judgment."
Wei He waved his hand, giving no opportunity for further questioning.
"Dismissed."
The crowd exchanged glances but ultimately dared not defy him, bowing and leaving in single file.
Soon, only Wei He remained in the back hall.
He looked at the sand table, silent for a long time.
"The Jiang family..."
...
Jiang Yuechu grimaced, feeling she had never tasted anything so foul in her life.
"Good medicine is bitter."
A light laugh came from beside her, as Wei Qing gently wiped the medicine stains from her lips with a silk handkerchief.
"This is brewed with snow ginseng and century-old polygonatum. Your vitality is too depleted; ordinary medicine is useless."
Snow ginseng? Polygonatum?
Jiang Yuechu's heart skipped a beat.
They sounded expensive.
Even if she had merits in slaying demons, was it necessary to be so lavish?
Or perhaps...
The Demon-Suppressing Bureau wasn't short on money?
She discreetly observed the woman before her.
Wei Qing appeared to be around twenty-three or twenty-four, dressed in an elegant white gown, with gentle features and a faint herbal fragrance.
"Miss Wei, I forgot to ask, where is this place..."
Wei Qing blinked and smiled, "Naturally, it's the backyard of the Demon-Suppressing Bureau."
Jiang Yuechu drew a sharp breath.
She, who had only survived by killing members of the Demon-Suppressing Bureau, was now in their stronghold, like a husky falling into a wolf's den.
If exposed, she feared she'd be made into a snow ginseng and polygonatum stew on the spot.
"Thank you for telling me."
She forced a smile, "I wonder... where are the gentlemen who saved me? I have yet to thank them for saving my life."
Wei Qing chuckled, "They have official duties to attend to, you needn't worry. Just focus on recovering. My brother instructed me to take good care of you."
Brother?
Jiang Yuechu keenly caught this word.
She was about to subtly inquire about the identity of Wei Qing's brother.
Creak—
A middle-aged man in a dark robe entered.
He wasn't particularly burly, but his scholarly appearance was hard to overlook due to the aura he exuded.
Wei Qing stood up and gracefully bowed to the newcomer.
"Brother."
Wei He's gaze didn't linger on his sister but went straight to the pale face on the bed.
He didn't speak, just looked.
Jiang Yuechu felt his gaze made her skin crawl, her scalp tingling.
It felt as if she were stripped bare, seen through inside and out.
After a long while.
Wei He slowly spoke, "Jiang Xun's daughter, Jiang Yuechu?"