After the time it took to burn an incense stick.
Lin Baichuan and his group of six rode Unicorn Horses out of Seven Mile Slope Town, charging straight into Qili Slope behind the town and galloping along an official road winding through the endless mountain range.
Qili Slope was far from peaceful. It was manageable during the day, but once night fell, things became terrifying. Not only was there poisonous miasma, but demons and monsters also prowled and caused trouble, making it exceptionally dangerous. That was why Li Da had not traveled day and night yesterday.
Daytime was different. The rising sun blazed like fierce flames, its yang energy exceedingly strong.
At such times, demons and monsters rarely came out to cause trouble. Even the poisonous miasma dissipated, making it naturally far safer than traveling at night.
Thus, they had to take advantage of the daylight and preferably cross Qili Slope before noon.
The official road was rugged, twisting and turning through the mountains.
Though it was daytime and the sun shone brilliantly, Qili Slope remained gloomy and icy cold. Lin Baichuan and the other five raced onward, yet they did not dare let down their guard in the slightest, their nerves taut. One of Lin Baichuan's hands held the reins while the other rested on the hilt of the saber at his waist. At the first sign of anything unusual, he would draw and slash without hesitation.
Fortunately, the journey passed without real danger.
Near noon, the six of them finally crossed Qili Slope. Then, like wind and lightning, they raced straight toward Yunshan County.
According to the original plan, after passing Qili Slope, they were supposed to travel day and night in an effort to reach Yunshan County sooner. But Li Da and the others were all injured, so such intense travel was naturally impossible.
Therefore, they traveled during the day and rested at night to recover from their injuries.
And so it went.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed. The Unicorn Horses covered three thousand li each day, making nine thousand li in three days, plus the more than one thousand li from the first day. After racing over ten thousand li, Lin Baichuan and the other five finally arrived at Yunshan County.
Over these three days, Lin Baichuan had not dared relax his vigilance. He remained cautious every step of the way, guarding not only against demons and monsters causing trouble along the road, but also against his own companions. He feared those fellows would kick him when he was down and set traps for him.
In fact, they truly encountered danger several times. Mountain bandits blocked the road, and Li Da and the others actually tried to use the opportunity to lure the bandits into attacking him, intending to kill him with the bandits' hands. Fortunately, his physical strength had reached the Ten Thousand Jin Limit, and he had also comprehended Saber Intent. He weathered every trial.
Three days later, Yunshan County town.
The county office.
Lin Baichuan and his group of six rode their Unicorn Horses straight to the gates of the county office, immediately alarming the entire Yunshan County office. A weathered man dressed in the official robes of a County Magistrate hurried out with a group of people. He promptly cupped his hands toward the six and bowed. "Yunshan County Magistrate Liang Youtian greets the honored lords of the Demon Suppression Division..."
Within the Great Xia Dynasty, the Demon Suppression Division operated as an independent entity. Though Demon Slayer Guards were merely at the lowest level of the Demon Suppression Division, they were equivalent to seventh-rank officials.
Yunshan County was merely a lower-grade county, while County Magistrate Liang Youtian was only a lowly ninth-rank sesame-seed official. Calling Lin Baichuan and the others "my lords" was not excessive in the least.
"County Magistrate Liang, I am Li Da, captain of Team 13, Seventh Battalion, Demon Suppression Division of Cangwu County. I have come under orders today to kill the demons and monsters plaguing Yunshan County." Li Da swept his gaze over the fawning Liang Youtian and said gravely, "You previously sought help from our Demon Suppression Division, saying demons and monsters were causing trouble in Yunshan County. Could you explain the situation in detail...?"
"So it is Lord Li!"
Liang Youtian hurriedly said, "What you said is correct, my lord. Demons and monsters have indeed been wreaking havoc in Yunshan County. In barely one month, they have slaughtered three villages in Yunshan County, leaving thousands of commoners dead or wounded.
Our Yunshan County office once dispatched constables to apprehend them, but the losses were disastrous. Even County Lieutenant Lu Dechen died at the hands of those demons and monsters.
This lowly official truly had no alternative but to seek aid from the Demon Suppression Division.
Now that you honored lords have arrived, it is truly cause for celebration. With you taking action, those damned demons and monsters will surely die without a burial ground."
Liang Youtian's pile of nonsense made all six of them frown slightly. Lin Baichuan secretly scoffed as well. Liang Youtian truly was an old hand in officialdom—he had said a great deal, yet it was all empty nonsense without a scrap of important information.
"Cut the nonsense. Explain the specific situation."
Qin Qing, standing to the side, was the first to lose patience. She snapped coldly, "Where are those demons and monsters now? Which three villages did they destroy? Bring over the detailed case files. I want to review them."
"Yes, my lord. Please do not be impatient. I shall have someone fetch them at once..."
Qin Qing's rebuke frightened Liang Youtian, and his expression changed slightly. But he immediately put on a flattering smile again. "You honored lords have traveled a long way and are covered in dust from the road. This lowly official will have some food and wine prepared to welcome you and wash away your travel dust.
Besides, retrieving those case files will take some time."
Everyone frowned faintly. After exchanging glances, Li Da, as the captain, finally said in a deep voice, "Since Lord Liang is so thoughtful, we shall not stand on ceremony."
"Not at all, not at all... Please come inside, honored lords."
Upon hearing this, Liang Youtian was overjoyed. He hurriedly instructed someone to prepare food and wine, then personally led Li Da, Lin Baichuan, and the others into the rear courtyard of the county office.
Before long, an entire table of fine dishes was served. It had to be said that Liang Youtian, that old hand in officialdom, had some real tricks up his sleeve. After a few cups of wine, he immediately drew closer to Li Da and the others. Even Qin Qing, who had kept a cold expression all along, softened slightly.
Only Lin Baichuan remained expressionless. He paid Liang Youtian no heed and simply ate and drank by himself.
Of course, that was only on the surface. In secret, he was observing every person at the table.
The more he observed, the more something felt wrong.
By rights, Yunshan County had suffered a demonic calamity, with thousands of commoners dead. As County Magistrate, Liang Youtian ought to have been extremely anxious. After all, this concerned not only thousands of lives, but also whether the official hat atop his head could remain there.
Yet from the looks of it, Liang Youtian did not seem anxious at all. Not only did he not want Li Da and the others to slay the demons and monsters as quickly as possible, he was even trying every possible means to delay them.
Something is wrong. Very wrong...
Lin Baichuan thought to himself, his pupils narrowing slightly as a faint glimmer flashed within them.
However, despite his suspicions, Lin Baichuan did not show them. He knew perfectly well that within this group, he was absolutely the least welcome one. Even if he voiced his opinion, Li Da and the others would not care. They might even refute and mock him.
Since that was the case, he could not be bothered to speak. He merely kept his guard up and would act according to circumstances.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes.
Under Liang Youtian's coaxing, together with the other officials of the Yunshan County office, Niu Zhenye, Luo Kang, and Wu Xiaoqi became thoroughly drunk. Even Li Da was somewhat lightheaded, his mind no longer clear.
In that state, it was impossible for them to go slay demons and monsters.
Seeing this, Liang Youtian turned to Lin Baichuan and Qin Qing, who had not drunk any wine. "Well, honored lords, judging by Lord Li and the other three, I fear they will be unable to go slay demons and monsters today.
I have already cleared out a courtyard for you honored lords. Why not stay the night first? Once Lord Li and the other four sober up tomorrow, we can discuss the matter of the demons and monsters then..."
Lin Baichuan and Qin Qing immediately exchanged a glance, then discreetly swept their eyes across the four thoroughly drunken men. Only then did Qin Qing nod with a cold face. "In that case, lead the way!"
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