The next day.
Chu Jiang summoned Liu Guangwu and Ma Han.
"I will soon set out for the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Bureau. Baishi County will temporarily be left to the two of you to manage."
"These are Thunder Fire Beads I condensed. One bead can severely injure someone at the late stage of the Vajra realm. One for each of you, to deal with unexpected situations."
Chu Jiang quietly looked at the two of them. A Thunder Fire Bead could only be condensed once every three days. He had prepared these long ago, merely waiting for the right moment to give them to the two men.
"My lord, is it really so urgent?"
"Shouldn't the brothers hold a feast for you?"
Ma Han knew that, with Chu Jiang's strength, it had only been a matter of time before he left Baishi County. He simply had not expected it to come so soon.
Their strength could no longer keep pace with Chu Jiang's footsteps. Naturally, they could not follow him.
"That's right. Let the brothers see you off!"
Liu Guangwu said. Ever since Chu Jiang had begun to change, Baishi County had transformed beyond recognition. Everything had flourished, developing in a better direction.
His opinion of Chu Jiang had gradually changed as well.
"No need. Once I finish explaining things to you, I'll set out at once."
It was not only because of his own reasons. The Yunzhou Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters had also sent word, asking him to make haste to headquarters for an important discussion.
Thus, sooner was better than later.
"Ma Han, stay behind."
Chu Jiang said.
Liu Guangwu withdrew. Ma Han had followed Chu Jiang for many years, so naturally Liu Guangwu, a later arrival, could not compare. He felt no displeasure.
"How many years have you followed me?"
Chu Jiang turned his back and asked casually.
"M-My lord, this subordinate began following you eight years ago. It has now been eight years and three months." Ma Han answered solemnly, remembering the time with great clarity.
Chu Jiang smiled. "You have followed me the longest. Now that I am leaving, I naturally will not forget to make arrangements for you."
Compared to a person's talent, he valued that person's loyalty to him more.
Without question, Ma Han was loyal.
"This is a Marrow Cleansing Pill. It can be used for a second Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining at the tenth level of the physical body, strengthening your martial talent."
"These are two Thunder Fire Beads. I condensed them additionally. Take them to preserve your life."
"These are two bottles of Body Tempering Fluid. They can speed up the progress of physical body cultivation. If there is any left after you use them, you may give it to Liu Guangwu."
Chu Jiang took out a treasure box containing two medicinal pills and two bottles of Body Tempering Fluid.
"My lord, you... This is far too precious!"
When the items from the treasure box were placed in Ma Han's hands, he froze completely. He stared blankly at the pill bottles that gave off an unusual fragrance, his mind going utterly blank for a moment.
Several seconds later, an indescribable surge of emotion flooded his heart like the rising tide. It was as though something had lodged in his throat, and he could not utter a single word.
"Keep them. You have followed me for so many years. You deserve all of this." A faint smile rested on Chu Jiang's face as he patted Ma Han's shoulder, showing his approval and trust.
Ma Han's heart was filled with gratitude. He knew that all these years, he had silently followed Chu Jiang, doing his utmost to complete every task.
Yet he had never imagined that he would receive such precious rewards.
Afterward, Chu Jiang gave Ma Han a few more instructions. During his absence, Ma Han was to look after Su Yan'er at his residence.
This trip to Yunzhou still had many uncertain matters, so it was not suitable to bring her along.
Immediately afterward, he rushed at top speed toward the Yunzhou headquarters.
He had already changed into the Kirin Robe unique to Demon Suppressing Guards. He galloped all the way, and no one dared stand in his path.
Outside the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Bureau.
"So this is the headquarters. It truly is grand."
Before him stood a vast cluster of ancient-style buildings.
Chu Jiang sighed in admiration and entered the Demon Suppression Division.
"Oh, newcomers again today. This makes the third batch, doesn't it?"
"I heard a water monster is causing trouble in the Canglong River. The Thousand-Household Lords are discussing who should be sent to deal with it."
"That water monster is extraordinarily powerful. Only a Hundred-Household Lord can deal with it. These newcomers have no chance. Going there would only mean throwing away their lives."
Quite a few Demon Suppressing Guards were discussing it in secret.
This unknown water monster had already capsized more than a dozen large ships. The Canglong River was currently suspended from operation, awaiting the Demon Suppressing Guards to resolve the matter.
"You have finally arrived. Come with me first."
A voice came from afar.
The newcomer possessed an extraordinary bearing. His black hair was tied high and moved with the wind, while every step carried a steady, resolute air.
"Chu Jiang, Banner Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, greets Hundred-Household Qin!"
Chu Jiang cupped his hands toward Qin Hundred-Household. This was the person who had contacted him and notified him to come to the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Bureau—his direct superior, so to speak.
"Who is this person, to make Hundred-Household Qin personally come to receive him? Since when did our Yunzhou Demon Suppression Bureau gain such a figure?"
Some Demon Suppressing Guards had been carrying out missions outside for a long time. Having only recently returned, they did not know Chu Jiang.
"This fellow joined the Demon Suppression Division not long ago, yet he has already accomplished quite a few earthshaking feats. We only saw the real person today ourselves."
The discussions rose again.
Demon Suppression Division, Demon Mirror Hall.
Chu Jiang stepped into the great hall and looked toward its vaulted ceiling. A massive mirror emitted streams of mysterious light, as though it could see through every illusion in the world.
"This is the Demon Reflecting Mirror of our Demon Suppression Division. It leaves demons and devils with nowhere to hide."
"Any Demon Suppressing Guard who requires focused training must pass beneath the Demon Reflecting Mirror once."
Qin Hundred-Household said in a deep voice. As for why they did not inspect every Demon Suppressing Guard, it was mainly because each operation of the Demon Reflecting Mirror consumed a great amount of energy. They had to save where they could.
Chu Jiang understood. This was a necessary procedure.
In Demon Suppression Division: Five Thousand Years, several cases had appeared where geniuses painstakingly nurtured by the Human Race had turned out to be demons.
Moreover, activating the Demon Reflecting Mirror the moment he joined the post meant the Demon Suppression Division valued him greatly. It seemed they intended to focus on nurturing him.
This was a good thing.
Chu Jiang and the others stood beneath the Demon Reflecting Mirror as a holy beam swept over them.
He felt a strange energy pass over their bodies, like a warm current flowing through them.
"Alright, there are no problems!"
Qin Hundred-Household looked toward the Demon Reflecting Mirror. The holy radiance around it was calm as still water, and he finally put his mind at ease.
After Chu Jiang left the great hall, his eyes flashed as he said, "Hundred-Household Qin, I'm still a bare-pole commander. When are you going to assign me some men?"
As a Banner Commander, he did not have a single subordinate beneath him. He held an empty official post, unable to command even one soldier.
Upon hearing this, Qin Hundred-Household smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You brat, you're poking right at my sore spot. Fine, I'll arrange manpower for you as soon as possible."
"Enough of that. Left Commander is waiting for you in the Demon Suppression Grand Hall."
Qin Hundred-Household swiftly changed the subject, unwilling to say more on this matter. It was as if the subject were a thorn lodged in his flesh, making him deeply uncomfortable.
The Demon Suppression Division was truly short of people now.
Back then, he had also spent several years as a bare-pole commander before gathering enough subordinates. Half had been assigned to him, while he had recruited the other half himself while completing missions.
They had all crawled through hardship like this.
Before you continue