Xue Ling leaned against a pillar, the wound on his waist already beginning to heal, feeling itchy.
He had originally intended to play hard to get and negotiate terms with this fierce beauty, perhaps asking for some Cultivation Technique, but being able to enter the Demon Suppression Division was already a wish fulfilled.
Commander Xin sat behind the desk, her earlier girlish demeanor seeming like a fleeting illusion.
"Traces of a Yao Beast are heading north, moving in a straight line with no signs of detours, past Songhua and Nanding Counties, and then further north, Qingyang County will be the first to be affected."
A clamor erupted.
General Cheng waved his hand, "I've brought enough men, three hundred soldiers armed with sabers and axes. Even the largest Yao Beast will be dead."
The weapons carried by his soldiers were long sabers and short axes. After piercing with the long saber, the broadaxe would follow up to decapitate, an invincible and well-coordinated killing technique.
The County Magistrate's clothes were soaked with sweat, his legs trembled, and he could barely sit in his armchair. The yamen runners in the corridor were visibly nervous.
"General Cheng is brave and resourceful, but Yao Beasts are different from enemy troops and cannot be treated with conventional wisdom."
With a tough battle ahead, internal strife was to be avoided, Commander Xin's words were very subtle.
"General Cheng, take your men to guard the four city gates, to prevent any stragglers from slipping through."
"County Magistrate, reassure the common people, gather them within the city walls, close all doors, with a guard every five households and a leader every ten, and be extra cautious."
"I have already reported it; reinforcements will arrive in two days at most."
The County Magistrate could barely hold his teacup steady, "What... what kind of Yao Beast is it? These three hundred soldiers, plus one hundred and eighty able-bodied men from our county, require such extreme caution?"
Qingyang County's terrain was rugged and sparsely populated. Generally, large Yao Beasts wouldn't bother with it, and small Yao Beasts wouldn't dare come. Such a large-scale deployment had never been seen before.
Commander Xin said in a deep voice, "This Yao Beast is very unusual. Wherever it passes, there are no people or animals, and all doors are empty. There isn't a single survivor. Therefore, what kind of Yao Beast it is, its numbers, or its size, are all unknown."
General Cheng immediately felt dissatisfied. Based on a report that knew nothing, she dared to make such a big fuss.
Women were just timid and afraid of trouble.
He was a descendant of a military family, directly granted an hereditary official position based on his family's accumulated military merits over generations. He grew up listening to the achievements of his predecessors.
This was his first time on the battlefield, and naturally, he wanted to make a name for himself.
After hearing Commander Xin's words, not only did he not become vigilant, but he instead felt that Commander Xin wanted to claim all the credit for herself and was exaggerating to prevent him from snatching it.
"This military report is so crude. Qingyang County is neither big nor small, and with only these hundred or so people, this subordinate truly doesn't know how to deploy defenses."
The County Magistrate grabbed his sleeve, "General Cheng, why do you say that! The Cheng Family has been generals for generations, winning battle after battle. This small Qingyang County..."
No one responded, and the atmosphere in the room grew subtle.
Commander Xin looked steadily at General Cheng, "General Cheng has a distinguished family background and possesses both literary and military strategies. Since you have a plan, why not speak directly."
General Cheng did not demur, "I have a scout under my command, experienced and swift-footed. Why not let him investigate the situation, and then we can discuss further."
Commander Xin pondered for a moment, then glanced at Hei Da, "Since General Cheng highly recommends him, then we shall follow General Cheng's suggestion."
Xue Ling took all of this in, sensing the silent undercurrents of conflict. He wondered if the unknown Yao Beast had any connection with the original body.
If it were an 'old acquaintance' of the original body, and it said something it shouldn't, or mentioned his name, in front of the Demon Suppression Division...
Then not only would his path to obtaining Cultivation Technique be cut off, but he would truly have walked right into a trap.
Thinking of this, Xue Ling immediately volunteered, "Lord Magistrate, this subordinate is familiar with the roads and is willing to serve the Commander and General!"
"You are still recovering from serious injuries, there's no need to push yourself."
Xue Ling followed the lead, "I haven't yet thanked Your Excellency for the medicine. This humble one is already well. The terrain around Qingyang County is complex, and strangers will inevitably encounter more trouble. The situation is urgent, and I wish to contribute my small effort."
These words were well-spoken.
Commander Xin felt suspicious, and General Cheng, taking advantage, spoke first.
"Since you are so sincere, Commander Xin, why not grant his wish? With his ability to slay two great Yao Beasts, there's no harm in him going with the scout."
Since Xue Ling was a capable person who could kill two Yao Beasts, he also wanted to recruit him.
The County Magistrate cowered to the side, pretending to be a quail. Anyone could go, as long as it wasn't him.
Commander Xin gave Xue Ling a deep look, "With General Cheng's guarantee, that would be fine."
Once the matter was discussed, action was taken immediately.
"Lord Xue, please follow me."
Xue Ling followed General Cheng's subordinates out of the city through the South Gate.
The city guards and yamen runners exchanged messages.
While they were relaying orders and making handovers, Detective Zhang pulled Xue Ling aside.
He quietly gave Xue Ling a bloodletting awl. Its cruciform blade was sharp, with a subdued cold gleam.
The original body was disliked by everyone, avoided by all, so this was the first time someone had directly expressed goodwill. Xue Ling was stunned.
Uncle Fu said that weapons were hard to come by, and ordinary people rarely owned them, yet Detective Zhang gave it to him without hesitation.
Detective Zhang thought Xue Ling was displeased and quickly explained.
"This is specifically for your self-defense. Don't let its length of less than a foot fool you; the material is very solid. The scout is skilled, but you yourself must be extra careful."
Considerate and sincere.
"I appreciate it, thank you, Brother Zhang." Xue Ling didn't decline much and directly accepted it.
"This bloodletting awl is different from ordinary swords and sabers. Whether it's a villain or a Yao Beast, in a critical moment, just stab it into vulnerable spots like the throat, abdomen, or back of the head."
"I understand, little brother."
"Alas, your natural talent isn't bad, but you've wasted your time. Now that you've come to a realization, when you return, you must work harder."
...This Detective Zhang treated him like a younger brother, and once he started talking, he turned out to be quite a chatterbox.
Xue Ling subtly changed the subject, "I've learned a lot, but I'm just curious, the city gate is about to close, why isn't General Cheng's scout here yet?"
Just as he was speaking, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Are you looking for me?" The voice was very impatient.
Xue Ling sharply turned his head but saw no one. "In broad daylight, have I seen a ghost?"
The impatience immediately turned to anger, "Look down!"
The newcomer was as short as a child, with a hunched back, a unibrow, and disheveled hair and beard.
He looked like an old monkey with white eyebrows that had become a spirit. From head to toe, he wasn't even as tall as Detective Zhang's knees.
"A Yao Beast?" Detective Zhang was startled, immediately drew his saber as a warning, and shielded Xue Ling behind him.
The short monkey was stung by Xue Ling's and the other's words and actions, and he flew into a rage, "Where are you looking? The military sir's face is here!"
Lifting his beard and hair, it turned out to be a young face.
"Envoy Cui, I've been looking for you!" The soldier who had just been glaring at Xue Ling was now as warm as if he had seen his own father.
"General Cheng sent word that there's a skilled person, is it this tall simpleton?"
The white-browed short monkey bared his teeth at Detective Zhang, his eyes unfriendly, clearly looking down on Detective Zhang.
The guiding soldier pretended not to notice Detective Zhang's awkwardness, pulled out Xue Ling, "Envoy Cui, you've mistaken him. This is Xue Ling. It's said that he killed a Fox Demon and a Rabbit Demon in one day! General Cheng said he invited him to be your helper."
"I come and go as I please alone. Why would I bring a burden?" Although he said that, his tone softened considerably upon hearing that Xue Ling could kill Yao Beasts.
Detective Zhang was left in the middle, even more embarrassed, he sheathed his saber, stammering, not knowing what to say, his old face flushed red.
Speaking of which, Detective Zhang came from the Demon Suppression Division.
It was just that his position wasn't high. When he was young, suppressing demons injured his meridians, so he received a reward and returned home, considered an honorable retirement, living out his days in a leisurely position.
The money for his recovery, medicine, and supporting his old mother, the original body contributed a lot, which is why he took special care of Xue Ling.
General Cheng was arrogant, and his subordinates were just as insolent.
Xue Ling was unwilling to diminish his own side's prestige, so he stood tall and proud, "Brother Zhang, you said there are many Yao Beasts. Are there really Monkey Demons?"
"Yes, yes, I heard from Seniors in my early years that Monkey Demons are cruel, like to eat human brains, and are more cunning than ghosts..." Detective Zhang's voice grew softer and softer.
The soldier opposite widened his eyes, and 'Envoy Cui's' face turned purplish. How could he not see that Xue Ling was doing it on purpose?
"Hmph!" Envoy Cui flicked his sleeve and was about to leave.
The guiding soldier quickly stopped him, not daring to let him go, "He's a humble commoner, please bear with him, Envoy Cui. It's just that with the Yao Beasts causing trouble in the north, there's a military order..."
Military orders are like mountains.
Envoy Cui almost bit off his teeth, forcibly swallowed his anger, and sullenly urged Xue Ling, "Since you're here to help, why aren't you moving? Those who delay military matters will be killed without mercy!"
He still wanted to intimidate people with military rules.
Xue Ling smiled, not showing any temper at all, "Since it's an official matter, we should cooperate. I am Xue Ling, a corpse collector from the Qingyang County Yamen. And Your Excellency is?"!
Envoy Cui was so angry he stomped his feet and cursed, "That young brat from the Cheng Family is truly impolite!"
"Relying on his family background to get the position of deputy general, he insists on sending this old man to do the job, and even assigns a corpse collector to follow. What is he planning? Isn't this clearly cursing me?"
Xue Ling's opinion of this person changed. A person who spoke out against injustice and had principles couldn't be all bad.
The soldier was startled, "Envoy Cui! Envoy Cui! This is the city gate, there are many ears, be careful what you say! Be careful!"
Envoy Cui, fuming, spun around like a top ten times, cursing incessantly. Then, as if he thought of something, he suddenly stopped, his angry expression completely gone.
However, his eyes now held a hidden sharpness.
"My surname is Cui, given name Pinghu. I am an Envoy in General Cheng's scout battalion. You and I are both carrying out orders. Yao Beasts have caused much harm to people, so let's go now."
Scouts are the elite among soldiers and generals, and an Envoy is an outstanding one among scouts. This Cui Pinghu, at his age, could still hold such an important position, he must have some real skill.
Moreover, he was clearly furious, yet he could calm down so quickly, which was truly extraordinary.
Xue Ling's smile deepened by two points, "Please, Envoy Cui, lead the way first."
In just a quarter of an hour, they had exchanged several sharp remarks.
Cui Pinghu waved his hand, and two people emerged from the crowd.
They were playing the trick of 'great hermits hidden in the city'.
One was Zhang Liu, the other Feng Qi.
After bidding farewell to Detective Zhang, Xue Ling followed Cui Pinghu and his group southward at a rapid pace.
The city gates were tightly shut, and martial law had already begun.
Outside the city, the surroundings were desolate and uninhabited.
Cui Pinghu, despite his short stature, moved very quickly, and the two men he brought, Zhang Liu and Feng Qi, were also swift.
Xue Ling kept up with long strides, not even having time to speak.
Several times he looked back, and there was no one behind him, but there was always a faint, lingering gaze.
Before setting off, Xue Ling had noticed Commander Xin's subtle glance at Hei Da. Behind them, there must still be people from the Demon Suppression Division.
They hurried along the official road for dozens of li without stopping.
Cui Pinghu's speed suddenly slowed. He looked around, "Something's wrong ahead, silence."
At his command, the two scouts immediately concealed themselves. Xue Ling followed suit, hiding behind a rock.
Hundreds of meters ahead, rustling sounds could be heard, like something being dragged.
