The Great Tang has stood for eight hundred years. Although the customs are no longer as strict as those of the previous dynasty, allowing women to study, practice martial arts, and even serve as officials, it is still, after all, a feudal monarchy.
Women are naturally weaker and have less vital energy and blood, making them inherently less capable than men in martial arts.
In ordinary martial sects, female disciples are often just for show or serve other purposes.
Not to mention a place like the Demon-Suppressing Bureau, where one licks blood off the blade and battles demons.
"Silence!"
Liu Chen's face darkened as he shouted sternly.
"Captain Liu, I meant no offense."
"Which of our brothers in the Mystical Division hasn't crawled out of a pile of corpses? This delicate girl, having her fight demons with us?"
"Is it to send her to her death, or to drag us down?"
Though the words were crude, they echoed the sentiments of most present.
Jiang Yuechu glanced sideways, seeing a burly man with a face full of scars step out from the crowd.
Noticing her gaze, he chuckled provocatively.
Liu Chen's face turned livid with anger, about to explode.
But a hand gently pressed on his shoulder.
Jiang Yuechu stepped past him, calmly facing the man.
"Not convinced?"
Zhao Hu was taken aback, then burst into laughter, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
"Not convinced!"
The surrounding Demon Suppression Guards, sensing the tension between the two, paused their tasks and began to discuss.
"Are they going to fight?"
"Old Zhao is a skilled String-Attuned Middle Stage fighter, his Mountain Splitting Fist can break bones of an ordinary man with one hit."
"Ah, it's good for the young girl to be spirited, but unfortunately, her judgment is off..."
Before they could discuss further, a sudden whooshing sound was heard.
Swish—
Everyone turned to look, but the girl who had been standing there had vanished into thin air.
Zhao Hu felt a blur before his eyes, shivering in fear. Before he could react, a tremendous force gripped his neck.
In the next moment, the world spun.
Boom—
With a loud crash, the towering Zhao Hu was lifted by a single hand and slammed into a courtyard pillar!
The pillar shook violently, dislodging several black tiles from the roof.
Clatter—
The tiles shattered on the ground, shocking the dozen or so men watching into wide-eyed horror.
Zhao Hu, like a painting, slid down the pillar, collapsing limply to the ground.
He was so terrified that he couldn't even muster a thought of resistance.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
The courtyard fell into a deathly silence.
Jiang Yuechu dusted off her hands, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, who were as silent as cicadas in winter.
"......"
The men who had been causing a ruckus now hung their heads, wishing they could bury them in their pants.
The commotion naturally alerted others in the barracks.
"What the hell happened?"
"Damn, which bastard is tearing down the house?"
Doors were flung open, and a group of rugged men filed out.
Quickly, the crowd parted to either side.
A handsome young man, dressed in dark robes, with red lips and white teeth, stepped out, surrounded by the men.
He glanced at the scene in the courtyard, frowning slightly.
"What happened here?"
The young man's voice was clear and gentle, a stark contrast to the rough men in the courtyard.
But the dozen or so men who had been watching the commotion immediately bowed and cupped their fists respectfully upon seeing him.
"Lord Xu!"
When questioned, the men looked at each other, stammering, unable to speak.
They couldn't very well admit that a dozen of them had been subdued by a new girl, could they?
The handsome young man, seeing no answer, did not get angry. His gaze returned to Jiang Yuechu.
Jiang Yuechu met his probing eyes without flinching.
"......"
It was Liu Chen who, bracing himself, broke the silence.
He stepped forward, cupping his fists to the young man, "The brothers were sparring as usual and got carried away, disturbing you, my lord. It's nothing serious."
"Oh... the woman General Wei mentioned, is it her?"
At these words, the men who had rushed out of the building were bewildered.
But those who had been in the courtyard felt a sudden realization, their minds instantly clear.
No wonder!
No wonder this young girl, despite her age, was so ruthless!
She was personally sent by General Wei!
Liu Chen nodded, "Indeed, this is Miss Jiang."
The handsome young man nodded, his gaze indifferent, resting again on Jiang Yuechu.
"The Demon-Suppressing Bureau does not care about one's background, only their skills. Since Lord Wei values you, you must have extraordinary abilities. Do not waste your talents."
She bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Thank you for your guidance, my lord."
"Hmm."
The young man responded, seemingly uninterested in saying more, and waved his hand.
"If there's nothing else, disperse."
He glanced at the pillar with a crack, "Damage to public property will be compensated at cost. The repair cost for this pillar will be deducted from the two of their monthly salaries."
With that, he turned and left, not sparing another glance at the crowd.
"......"
Jiang Yuechu twitched her mouth.
Great.
First day on the job, and already docked pay.
Had she known, she might as well have thrown the man to the ground.
As the handsome young man left, the oppressive atmosphere in the courtyard dissipated.
Liu Chen instructed a few men to carry the limp Zhao Hu to the infirmary.
The people in the courtyard gradually dispersed.
Liu Chen turned to Jiang Yuechu, his face showing some apology.
"Now that you're part of the Demon-Suppressing Bureau, we're all brothers who share life and death. Zhao Hu may have a foul mouth, but he's not a bad person. You'll see in time. Please, bear with it and don't take it to heart."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, her tone calm, "I'm not one to hold grudges."
"That's good, that's good."
Liu Chen sighed in relief and gestured, "Come, I'll take you to get some supplies."
The two walked to the warehouse.
Inside, an old man with one eye was dozing in a chair. Hearing the commotion, he opened his eyes impatiently.
Liu Chen handed over the documents, and the old man glanced at them before slowly getting up. He retrieved a small white porcelain bottle from a shelf and tossed it over.
Liu Chen explained, "This is the Blood Potential Pill, refined by the Bureau from demon blood and dozens of spiritual herbs. It enhances the vital energy and blood for martial artists at the String-Attuned to Resonating Bone Stage. As a 9th-Rank Demon Suppression Guard, you are entitled to one bottle per month."
He hesitated, seemingly considering something.
"Normally, new guards can go to the library to receive a basic demon-slaying martial art for self-defense, but..."
He looked at Jiang Yuechu, eventually shaking his head.
"But I see your swordsmanship is already unique. The basic martial arts of the Bureau might not be of much use to you."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, indifferent to this.
She knew her own capabilities.
Without the Hundred Demon Compendium, if she had to learn martial arts on her own, even the most basic ones, who knows how long it would take.
Besides, with a golden finger, why waste time studying these things?
She had better things to do.