Heading to Qingshan Town

Chu Jiang opened the note from Assistant Magistrate Liu. It contained only a few dozen words.

"Died on Black Tiger Mountain, body burned, unrecognizable..."

Black Tiger Mountain?

Within Baishi County, there were four great demons, and Black Tiger was one of them.

Black Tiger Mountain was originally called Daqing Mountain. However, in the last three years, reports of Black Tiger attacks on civilians had risen sharply, making it suspected to be a gathering place for Black Tigers.

Later, the common people no longer dared to go up the mountain, and they renamed it Black Tiger Mountain.

The demons on Black Tiger Mountain were not native demons within Baishi County, but had migrated from elsewhere in recent years, considered a new demonic force.

The original body hadn't interacted with them much. He only knew they were fierce and overbearing, completely disregarding any so-called rules. Once, they had devoured two-thirds of a village.

When they tried to continue eating, the original body had said something, and he was beaten until he looked like a dog eating dirt.

From then on, he never spoke much.

Li Feng's death was likely inextricably linked to these demons from Black Tiger Mountain.

These guys feared nothing. It wasn't impossible for them to kill the Head of the Demon Hunting Office.

This mission was a hot potato.

But he liked it. Dealing with demons meant a large amount of Lifespan was beckoning him.

For the next three days, Chu Jiang solidified the four meridians he had opened, practiced his martial arts, and completely stabilized his realm, bringing himself to his peak.

Inside the Demon Hunting Office.

Chu Jiang said in a calm tone, "Liu Guangwu, Ma Han, each of you select five capable Demon Hunters to accompany me to Qingshan Town."

After he was promoted to Head, he had promoted Ma Han, making him the Captain of the Demon Hunting Office.

What Chu Jiang valued was naturally his unwavering loyalty.

"Li Ding, Liu Dagang, you two watch over the Demon Hunting Office. Rest with the people. I hope to see a different Baishi County when I return."

Chu Jiang's last sentence was heavy. The two of them understood the implication.

Since Chu Jiang took office, in just a few days, he had abolished the Demon Extermination Tax and then reduced the tax rate for ordinary citizens by one-third.

The key was that the county supported Chu Jiang's decision.

They understood that the situation had changed.

The wind was about to shift, or they wouldn't know how they died.

"Lord Chu, please rest assured, I guarantee that you will see a different Baishi County when you return!" the two replied in unison.

Once upon a time, they too had ideals in their hearts and wanted to do things for the people.

But the environment was murky, and it was beyond their control. They could only let the great tide dye them black.

Chu Jiang nodded with satisfaction. If these two didn't know any better, he wouldn't mind replacing them.

Half an hour later.

A group of thirteen people, riding fast horses from the Demon Hunting Office, left Baishi County town.

At this moment, Chu Jiang didn't know that in the backyard of the county yamen, a middle-aged man in black and an old man were playing chess.

"Clerk Hu, make your move!"

The middle-aged man in black had eyes as calm as a deep well. He said lightly, "Assistant Magistrate Liu, there won't be any mishaps this time, right?"

Assistant Magistrate Liu sighed.

"Chu Jiang, originally, I saw that he had been diligently handling affairs all these years and wanted to give him a decent death, leaving him a good reputation."

"Now it seems he doesn't have this chance."

"Two consecutive Heads of the Demon Hunting Office died on Black Tiger Mountain. This commotion should be enough to attract the attention of those above. The more people who come, the better."

Clerk Hu remained silent, slowly placing a white chess piece with his finger.

"Your adopted son, Liu Guangwu, has been taken away by him. Aren't you worried? He is crucial to the plan and cannot be lost!"

Assistant Magistrate Liu's lips curved upwards, revealing a confident smile. "Don't worry, everything is under my control. He will definitely be fine."

Chu Jiang, Chu Jiang. Do you know the background of the Goat Demon you killed? Even if you return alive, you will face endless trouble.

Only when you die will things be complete.

The thirteen people galloped on, not stopping, and finally arrived at Qingshan Town before dark.

Qingshan Town was a place that relied on the mountains for its livelihood and was relatively prosperous. However, after rumors of demons appearing, it had gradually declined, and the population loss was quite severe.

"This place is a bit strange!" Liu Guangwu stared at the town before him, his face full of suspicion, as if he had seen something incomprehensible.

He had come here to inspect last month, and there were hardly any people.

Chu Jiang also noticed that there were no signs of desolation at all. Instead, people were coming and going, extremely lively, which was very abnormal.

"Sir, I'll go and investigate!" Ma Han had also noticed the unusual situation and prepared to step forward to inquire.

Chu Jiang nodded slightly.

The rest dismounted and followed Chu Jiang into Qingshan Town.

A group of thirteen people, already conspicuous, and wearing the black cloud uniforms of the Demon Hunting Office, it was hard not to attract attention.

"Why are the officials here? It's really lively, looks like there's a show to watch!"

"Our pathetic little town, and suddenly so many people arrive. Not only are there several martial arts sects, but now even government demon hunters are here."

"This group of officers, trouble always follows them. Better stay away!"

Chu Jiang ignored the miscellaneous chatter and arrived at the largest restaurant in town. After traveling so long, he was already hungry.

Reaching the Xiantian realm only made one more resistant to hunger; one still needed to eat.

Without him needing to say anything, his subordinates had already arranged everything.

This was the benefit of being a leader.

Chu Jiang glanced at the nearby tables. There were lone swordsmen and martial arts sects.

There were three groups wearing unified clothing, making them particularly eye-catching in the restaurant.

The first group consisted of about seven or eight bald men. The one leading them had a scar on his face, and a green snake coiled around his hand, looking extremely menacing.

People around them dared not approach.

The second group wore brocade yellow robes and no weapons. They showed no reaction upon seeing Chu Jiang and his party, merely drinking their wine silently.

The third group was composed of two young and beautiful women in white.

One was as fair as snow, her long hair like a waterfall, her eyes exuding a cool aura.

The other had eyes like fire, charming and captivating.

One cool, the other alluring, each possessed a unique charm, drawing the attention of most people in the restaurant.

He recognized that group of bald men. They were the largest gang organization in Baishi County, called the Poisonous Snake Gang, active outside the county town.

Their leader was only half a step away from the Xiantian realm.

He didn't recognize the other two groups.

"Do you recognize them?"

In response to Chu Jiang's question, Liu Guangwu nodded.

"I've heard my adoptive father mention the forces in our Annan Commandery. There are many martial arts factions, with the six major sects being the most prominent. Each sect has Vajra realm experts, and not just one."

"Judging by their attire, those in yellow are most likely members of the Yellow Robe Gang. They have three Xiantian experts within their ranks, and their leader is in the late Xiantian stage."

"It's rumored that the Yellow Robe Gang leader's godfather is an elder from the Huangji Sect, one of the six major sects in Annan Commandery. I don't know if it's true."

Liu Guangwu clearly had a deep understanding of the various martial arts forces in Annan Commandery, knowing exactly how many Xiantian experts were in each sect and who their godfathers were.

Upon hearing this, Chu Jiang's interest was piqued. He had no prior channels for information on martial arts sects. If he could obtain some cultivation techniques from them...

Liu Guangwu seemed to guess Chu Jiang's thoughts, knowing that he had been searching for martial arts everywhere recently. Getting anything from them would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

"These martial arts sects are very disdainful of the imperial court and officials. Once you complete this mission and are promoted to the official head of the Demon Hunting Office, higher authorities will send people to teach you martial arts and cultivation techniques."

Chu Jiang's actions in recent days, especially stopping the Demon Extermination Tax and lowering taxes for the common people, had changed Liu Guangwu's perception of him.

Some of his prejudices had also faded.

Otherwise, he certainly wouldn't have said these things to Chu Jiang.

Chu Jiang continued, "What about those two women? What's their background?"

"Those two women are likely from the Hundred Flowers Sect. Twenty years ago, the Hundred Flowers Sect was the seventh-ranked Vajra sect in Annan Commandery. Later, they were attacked by a mysterious expert, their high-ranking members perished, and they fell to second-rate status."

"Currently, the contemporary Sect Master of the Hundred Flowers Sect, Sikong Miaoyin, is exceptionally talented and ranks fourth on the Human Ranking. She has the potential to lead the Hundred Flowers Sect back to its former glory!"

Liu Guangwu continued.

"Human Ranking?"