Demon Suppression Division Arrives

The case of the annihilation of the Zhang Manor and the subsequent great fire in Qingyang County was ultimately concluded with the explanation that "Moon Worship Cult demons were causing trouble, but were eliminated by the divine might of Captain Lin, and then self-immolated out of guilt."

The case file was written concisely, but the ripples it set off far exceeded everyone's imagination.

The small Qingyang County had actually become entangled with a demonic cult, and even a second-tier demon had died. This was no longer within the scope of what the County Office could handle.

County Magistrate Zhao Dehai did not dare to be the slightest bit negligent and reported all the circumstances to the Nan Yan Commandery government.

Three days later, outside the gates of Qingyang County, three riders on fast horses kicked up dust as they galloped in.

The one leading was a woman dressed in black, wearing a matching black cloak.

She appeared to be in her early twenties, with a stunningly beautiful face, yet her demeanor was as cold as an ancient glacier. Her phoenix-like eyes were sharp as knives, as if they could pierce through a person's heart.

A black iron token hung from her waist, inscribed with an ancient character for "Suppress" in vermilion. The edge of the token was inlaid with a circle of red copper, which glinted coldly in the sunlight.

Red copper embellishments—this was the symbol of a Bronze Token Demon Slayer from the Nan Yan Commandery's Demon Suppression Division!

Behind her were two burly men, also dressed in black. Their expressions were solemn, their eyes fierce, and they wore iron tokens forged from black iron at their waists.

These two men had bulging temples and long, steady breaths. With every movement, there was a natural flow of True Qi.

They were both martial arts experts in the Meridian Opening Realm!

As the trio entered the city, an invisible aura of killing intent permeated the air.

The pedestrians and common folk on the streets seemed to feel a certain pressure from a superior being and quickly retreated, looking at the three uninvited guests with awe.

"Such strong blood and vengeful energy."

The Bronze Token Demon Slayer on the left, Zhao Tie, said in a deep voice.

He sniffed the air, where the lingering scent had not yet completely dissipated, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

"It seems quite a few people indeed died here a few days ago, and there are traces of demonic activity."

"The Moon Worship Cult's methods have always been like this,"

The leaner man on the right, Li Rui, interjected, his sharp gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

"Boss, should we go directly to the ruins of the Zhang Manor, or to the County Office first?"

The woman in the lead, the Bronze Token Demon Slayer Chu Mengxi, who was in charge of this operation, opened her lips slightly.

"To the County Office. I want to see that Lin Feng."

In the archives of the Nan Yan Commandery's Demon Suppression Division, Qingyang County was just an insignificant subordinate county. It was rare for a case requiring the Demon Suppression Division's personal intervention to occur even once in a century.

Yet, within this short span of one month, this small place had seen several major events.

A fierce bandit was killed, a zombie was beheaded, a water ghost was subdued, the Black Tiger Gang was wiped out overnight, and now a Moon Worship Cult stronghold had been implicated... And all these events pointed to the same name.

Lin Feng.

A new Captain who had only been in office for less than a month, an orphan by birth.

The case file described him as "exceptionally talented and peerlessly brave," but Chu Mengxi sensed something unusual from these simple eight characters.

She did not believe that a martial artist in the Body Tempering Realm could accomplish all this.

There must be another hidden reason behind it.

Inside the County Office, Lin Feng was resting with his eyes closed.

After reaching the Ninth Level of Body Tempering, the power within his body had reached a bottleneck. The basic cultivation technique, the Qi Guiding Art, had become as useless as a chicken's feather to him, offering no further assistance.

He urgently needed a more advanced cultivation technique to break through to the legendary "Meridian Opening Realm."

To open the Bridge of Heaven and Earth, draw True Qi into the body, and circulate it through the meridians—that was the true path of a martial artist.

And the only entity that could provide him with all of this was the Demon Suppression Division.

He knew they would come.

"Captain!"

A bailiff ran in with a panicked expression, "Outside... three people have arrived outside, claiming to be from the Commandery's Demon Suppression Division, and they want to see you."

"I understand."

Lin Feng opened his eyes, his gaze calm and undisturbed. "Please invite them in."

A moment later, Chu Mengxi and her two companions walked into the Captain's office.

The first time Chu Mengxi saw Lin Feng, a hint of surprise flashed in her cold phoenix eyes.

The young man before her was much younger and more handsome than she had imagined.

He simply sat there, yet he seemed to be enveloped in a faint mist, making it difficult for her, a True Qi Realm expert, to see him clearly.

Especially his eyes, as deep as an ancient well, lacking the sharp edge expected of a young man, possessing only a calm demeanor that came from having experienced much.

This was a man with a story.

This was Chu Mengxi's first impression of Lin Feng.

"Nan Yan Commandery Demon Suppression Division, Bronze Token Demon Slayer, Chu Mengxi."

Chu Mengxi cut straight to the chase, her voice cold as she announced her identity.

"Bronze Token Demon Slayer, Zhao Tie."

"Bronze Token Demon Slayer, Li Rui."

The two behind him announced their names in succession.

Lin Feng slowly stood up and calmly cupped his hands. "Qingyang County Captain, Lin Feng. You three have traveled far, and your efforts are appreciated."

His attitude was neither servile nor overbearing. He showed neither the fawning of a local official meeting a superior nor the arrogance of a young man who had achieved success too quickly.

This made Chu Mengxi's evaluation of him increase by a few more points.

"We are here regarding the massacre at Zhang Manor."

Chu Mengxi got straight to the point. "The case file states that you single-handedly destroyed the Moon Worship Cult's stronghold and killed a second-tier demon, the Three-Eyed Demon Ape?"

"It was merely luck."

"Luck?"

Zhao Tie, with his fiery temper, couldn't help but scoff at the words.

"Do you know what a second-tier demon signifies? It's equivalent to a human martial artist in the Meridian Opening Realm! You, a Body Tempering realm martial artist who hasn't even reached the Meridian Opening Realm, are telling me you killed it by luck? Are you telling us a fairy tale?"

In Zhao Tie's opinion, this kid was lying and had help from a powerful figure behind the scenes.

Chu Mengxi did not stop Zhao Tie's questioning. Her phoenix eyes were also fixed on Lin Feng, trying to discern even the slightest flaw on his face.

However, Lin Feng's expression remained as calm as an ancient well.

"That is the fact of the matter. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

"You!"

Zhao Tie was enraged by his unyielding attitude and was about to lash out.

"Zhao Tie."

Chu Mengxi's clear voice rang out, stopping him.

"The Demon Suppression Division operates based on evidence and strength. No matter how beautifully a case file is written, it's not as good as seeing it with one's own eyes. I want to know if your strength matches your achievements."

"How do you want to see it?" Lin Feng asked.

"It's very simple."

A faint smile curved Chu Mengxi's lips. "Endure three moves from Zhao Tie. If you can withstand them, I will believe you by seventy percent regarding the Zhang Manor case, and I will personally recommend you to the Commandery Division to recruit you into our Demon Suppression Division. If you cannot..."

Her words were left unfinished, but the implication was clear.

If he couldn't withstand them, then all his previous accomplishments would likely be cast in serious doubt.

This was both a test and a warning.

"Boss, why three moves? Dealing with a braggart like this, one move is enough for me!"

Zhao Tie rubbed his hands together. He was a martial artist in the first level of the Meridian Opening Realm, with an incredibly profound True Qi. In his eyes, dealing with someone in the Body Tempering realm was like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken.

"No need."

Just then, Lin Feng shook his head.

Zhao Tie thought he was scared and said with a disdainful laugh, "What? Scared now? Too late!"

Lin Feng, however, looked at Chu Mengxi and said calmly, "I mean, it's too much trouble."

"Let them both come at me."

"It'll save time."

The moment he said this, the air in the entire office instantly froze.

Zhao Tie and Li Rui were stunned simultaneously, and then endless anger surged onto their faces.

Too arrogant!

As Iron Token Demon Slayers of the Demon Suppression Division and masters of the Meridian Opening Realm, they were respected wherever they went.

Today, they were being so lightly dismissed by a Body Tempering realm captain from a remote county!

Even the usually composed Chu Mengxi's phoenix eyes flashed with a hint of anger.

She had seen arrogant people before, but never someone so ignorant of their own limitations.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhao Tie laughed in his rage. "Kid, you brought this upon yourself! Today, I will show you the insurmountable chasm that separates the Meridian Opening Realm from the Body Tempering Realm!"

"Li Rui, let's go together! Give this kid a lesson he'll never forget!"