Dragon Cave Village

"About where are the demonic presences located?"

"Reporting to you, sir, that place is about twenty li east of the city." Zhu Huan hesitated briefly, then added, "But your subordinate presumes to suggest that the investigation might be better left for tomorrow."

"At night, visibility is limited. If we encounter demons..."

"Agreed."

Wei Qing nodded in assent.

He naturally understood Zhu Huan's implication.

Ordinary people believed demons feared light, but that was not the case.

The claim that demons doubled in strength at night was merely an illusion born of fear in the darkness.

The reason he accepted Zhu Huan's suggestion was that, after confirming his own judgment, he needed to make some preparations.

Soon.

After declining Fang Youting's offer to stay at the county office, Zhu Huan settled him into Qingcheng's finest establishment, the "Star Cloud Inn."

"Lord Wei, please rest well tonight. At the hour of Chen tomorrow, your subordinate will arrive punctually to fetch you."

"Much obliged."

Once Zhu Huan had left, Wei Qing strolled downstairs.

The innkeeper behind the counter looked up, his expression suddenly sharpening as he cupped his hands respectfully: "Zhang Zhidong of the Night Owl Guard, paying respects to Lord Wei."

Wei Qing raised an eyebrow: "You recognize me?"

Zhang Zhidong broke into a smile: "With the Heavenly Realm Division dispatching you, sir, to eliminate demons—such a critical matter—how could the Night Owl Guard not know?"

"I had intended to call on you tomorrow, but I never expected you, sir, to lodge directly at my humble establishment."

Wei Qing tapped his fingers on the counter: "Has the Night Owl Guard made any new discoveries regarding the demonic traces?"

Zhang Zhidong's expression turned serious: "Three days ago, an urgent report came from Yandang Mountain. Villagers heard an eerie screech that shook the land for ten li, but when the Night Owl Guard conducted a second investigation, nothing unusual was found."

Lowering his voice, he continued: "That same night, a strange blood-red light suddenly appeared over the Black Mist Wasteland, lasting half an hour. I sent a Mechanical Flame Sparrow to investigate. When it returned..."

He produced a pitch-black short blade from his sleeve, "this was stuck in its body."

Wei Qing's pupils contracted sharply—that was unmistakably a specially made Ink Blade from the Heavenly Realm Division!

His mind immediately conjured information about Yandang Mountain and the Black Mist Wasteland.

Yandang Mountain, a hundred meters high and spanning a hundred li from north to south, served as the boundary between Ji Province and You Province.

In the third year of Mingxing, the Heavenly Realm Divisions of Ji and You Provinces jointly exterminated a third-rank great demon, completing the cleansing of Yandang Mountain.

The Black Mist Wasteland, perpetually shrouded in thick fog, had never seen anyone who entered emerge again.

Though rumors spoke of demons lurking there, it had never been confirmed.

"Bring me a jug of 'Black Jade Dew,'" Wei Qing said in a low voice.

"Yes."

Zhang Zhidong understood. He pressed a spot on the counter, and with a soft click of mechanisms, a hidden compartment popped open.

He retrieved a red medicine bottle from the compartment and handed it to Wei Qing.

Taking the bottle, Wei Qing turned and returned to his room.

The night passed without incident.

Just as the sky began to lighten, Wei Qing awoke.

Suddenly.

His ears twitched slightly. From three zhang outside the door came deliberately muffled footsteps.

Before the newcomer could raise a hand, the door creaked open from within.

Zhu Huan's hand, frozen mid-air, dropped as he clasped his fists in salute: "Lord Wei, good morning!"

"Captain Zhu, good morning. Please, come in."

As he spoke, Wei Qing had already walked to the table in the room and sat down.

Zhu Huan smiled, lifting the food box in his hands: "Assuming you, sir, hadn't yet breakfasted, I specially brought some Qingcheng specialties."

He opened the box.

Pointing to the golden, crispy bird-shaped pastry: "This is Golden Canary, made from mountain sparrow meat wrapped in honey syrup—crisp on the outside, tender within."

Then to the jade-like square cakes: "Four Flavors Sticky Rice Cake, crafted from seasonal ingredients of the four seasons."

Finally, to the amber-hued thin pastries: "Cloud Mushroom Fragrant Pastry, made from rare fungi gathered in the mists of Yandang Mountain."

"Eat with me."

Zhu Huan quickly waved his hands: "Your subordinate has already breakfasted. Please, sir, help yourself."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Wei Qing first ate a Cloud Mushroom Fragrant Pastry.

As the flaky crust shattered between his teeth, a rich mushroom fragrance mingled with the savory aroma of lard cracklings burst across his tongue.

It made him raise an eyebrow in surprise.

Finishing the pastry in a few bites, he then picked up a piece of Four Flavors Sticky Rice Cake.

With a light bite.

The sweet chestnut, the salty cured meat, and the fragrant lotus leaf layered one after another, finally perfectly harmonized by the chewy texture of the sticky rice.

Wei Qing couldn't help but praise, "This flavor is no less than the signature pastries of Longxing Zhai in the capital."

Zhu Huan smiled, the crow's feet at his eyes deepening. "This humble one is glad you like it, Lord."

When he finally tasted the "Golden Canary," Wei Qing deliberately slowed his movements.

The moment the flaky crust broke, the smoky fruitwood-roasted meat juices, wrapped in the fresh fragrance of pine nuts and diced bamboo shoots, flooded his mouth.

Wei Qing picked up a piece of the Golden Canary and asked, "Captain Zhu, do you have any thoughts on the demon causing this trouble?"

"Well... please forgive this humble one's shallow insight. I have no leads on this demon for now."

Wei Qing stood up, brushing the crumbs from his hands. "In that case, take me to Dragon Cave Village first."

"Yes."

With Zhu Huan leading the way, the twenty li of official road took no more than half an hour by horse.

On the road, Wei Qing casually asked, "I wonder how much this incident has affected the villagers in the nearby villages?"

Zhu Huan couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. "Quite a bit. Those with connections have all gone to stay with relatives."

"Those with jobs in the city have rented cheap inns to stay in temporarily."

"As for those without a livelihood who want to leave the village, Lord Fang has temporarily arranged lodging for them."

"Oh, Lord Fang truly cares for the people."

"Lord Fang is indeed a good official. In the fifteen years he has governed Qingcheng and worked to give the people a better life, more than half his hair has turned white."

"What's even more commendable is that, facing the rampant demon, Lord Fang has chosen to remain steadfast in Qingcheng and actively resolve the troubles the demon has left behind."

"As far as I know, wherever demons wreak havoc, the magistrates are replaced batch after batch."

"I can't say there are no parent-officials like Lord Fang, but at least I haven't met any yet."

When speaking of Fang Youting, Zhu Huan's face was full of admiration.

Wei Qing listened and nodded slightly.

To find an official who could face demons and persist for over ten years—

At least in his memory, the archives of the Heavenly Realm Division held none.

Before long.

The two arrived at Dragon Cave Village.

Golden wheat fields stretched at the village entrance, yet not a single person was harvesting in them.

Though it was the season of harvest, it felt utterly lifeless.

"Lord, ahead is Dragon Cave Village."

Zhu Huan pointed at rows of houses a hundred meters away, his voice low.

Four yamen runners stood guard at the village entrance, their faces tense, occasionally glancing back into the village as if afraid something terrible might rush out.

"It's Captain Zhu!"

"Captain Zhu, you've finally come!"

Seeing Zhu Huan's figure, the men looked as if they had seen a savior, their taut expressions relaxing.

Zhu Huan raised a hand to introduce him. "This is Lord Wei Qing of the Heavenly Realm Division, here specifically to subdue the demon causing the trouble."

At the words "Heavenly Realm Division," the runners shuddered.

When they looked at Wei Qing again, their eyes were full of awe. "Greetings, Lord Wei!"