Demonic Cult's Gaze

"Damn traitors, someone actually came to their rescue!"

"Commander Bai, I really owe you this time. Otherwise, I truly wouldn't know how to report to His Majesty," Zhou Long said with a wry smile as he approached Bai Yan.

Fortunately, Bai Yan had managed to capture one of the culprits alive, giving him something to present to the Emperor.

Bai Yan smiled and replied, "The origin of these rebels is mysterious, and their background is complicated. Their objective is far more than what appears on the surface."

"General Zhou's timely detection of the rebels hidden within the delegation is already a great achievement. There's no need to dwell on it too much."

"We still have one alive. As long as General Zhou interrogates him thoroughly, I believe you'll gain a lot."

Zhou Long nodded and said, "Commander Bai is right."

"I must thank Commander Bai for your assistance in this operation. I will never forget your contribution."

"Not only did Commander Bai repel the rebels who attacked the Bozeguo delegation today, but he also uncovered the hidden assassins within the delegation who intended to harm His Majesty. This is truly a great deed."

"With such merit, you are qualified to be promoted to Deputy Battalion Commander."

"It's just a pity... Commander Bai has only been with the Imperial Guard for a short time, and you were just promoted to Company Commander. It's unlikely you'll be promoted to Deputy Battalion Commander again anytime soon."

Bai Yan wasn't too concerned about this. He waved his hand and smiled indifferently, "Being rapidly promoted to Company Commander is already His Majesty's grace. How can I be greedy and ask for more?"

"As long as I wholeheartedly serve His Majesty, he will naturally not mistreat me."

Zhou Long clapped his hands in admiration, "Well said, Commander Bai!"

"However, since you've helped me so much this time, I can't let you leave empty-handed."

"The capable work harder, and those who work harder receive more. His Majesty has always been clear about rewards and punishments and will not disappoint you."

"Although you won't be promoted this time, I imagine there will be plenty of rewards like gold, silver, jewels, and martial arts manuals."

"I will personally request commendations for you, Commander Bai. Just return and await the good news."

Bai Yan cupped his fists and bowed, "Then I shall await your good news, General Zhou."

He had been waiting for Zhou Long to say this.

Otherwise, why would he have gone through all this trouble and effort all night, if not for the benefits?

Work for free?

Don't even think about it!

Bai Yan would rather go home and sleep.

With everything settled, Bai Yan led his Imperial Guard contingent and withdrew.

After reporting back to the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau, Bai Yan returned home directly.

"Young Master is back."

Seeing Bai Yan return, two young girls stepped forward and bowed respectfully to him.

These two were maids sent by Ye Youcai to take care of Bai Yan's daily life.

Bai Yan lived alone before and didn't care about such things, so he had no servants at home.

But Ye Lingdang would be marrying into the household soon, and someone needed to attend to them. So, his father-in-law had arranged for people to come in advance.

"Go prepare some supper, I'm a bit hungry."

"And boil some hot water, I want to take a bath later," Bai Yan said, putting down the Snow Drinking Saber.

After toiling for half the night and fighting someone, Bai Yan felt hungry again.

He also needed to wash off the lingering smell of blood, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep.

"Yes."

The two maids responded. One went to prepare the bathwater, while the other said, "Miss just sent over some chicken soup, made by her own hands."

"Would Master like a bowl first?"

Ye Lingdang was not a delicate young lady who couldn't do manual labor. Besides being skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, her culinary skills were also excellent.

For the past few days, she had been sending different dishes to his residence every day, showing great care for Bai Yan.

Bai Yan knew this was her way of expressing her affection.

"Since it was made by Lingdang, I naturally have to try it. Go get it."

Bai Yan smiled faintly.

"Yes, Young Master."

The maidservant nodded in agreement and soon returned with the chicken soup.

Presumably, knowing that Bai Yan would want a late-night snack after returning home, the chicken soup was still hot.

Bai Yan's heart warmed. He poured a bowl and savored it. The chicken soup was brewed to be rich but not greasy, complemented by well-matched medicinal herbs and a hint of sweetness, making it extremely delicious.

Although Ye Lingdang's cooking skills couldn't compare to the imperial chef at the Cloud Come Restaurant, they were already better than many master chefs in other restaurants.

The reason for this was, in a way, a family legacy.

Ye Youcai had started his business with a restaurant back in the day, and his own culinary skills were superb.

It was just that after he became wealthy, he rarely cooked himself.

However, culinary skill was the foundation of the Ye family's business, so this craft naturally had to be passed down.

Just as Bai Yan was happily savoring the lovingly prepared chicken soup, the secret underground palace beneath Yongtang City had descended into chaos.

A ferocious black ghost god statue stood at the end of the underground palace. Its three heads were ferocious and angry, adding a more terrifying aura than usual.

As if sensing the surging killing intent of the palace's master, the ghost god statue's six eyes widened, appearing as if they would come to life.

"So... the plan failed...?"

A cold voice echoed through the underground palace.

Bone-chilling killing intent permeated the air, causing the temperature in the underground palace to plummet. A thin layer of frost instantly formed on the ground and walls, and even the air seemed to freeze.

"Your subordinate is incompetent and deserves death! I beg the Protector to punish me!"

"But the plan did not entirely fail. At least... those three nails have successfully infiltrated the delegation!"

Three figures knelt outside the black gauze tent. Two men and one woman, all with blood-stained clothes, were humbly kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.

If Bai Yan were present, he would surely recognize them.

The woman among the two men and one woman kneeling on the ground was the female traitor who had escaped from Zhou Long tonight.

And one of the men was the martial arts master he had severely injured and who had fled.

"This plan was so meticulous, how did it fall apart?!"

"Don't tell me it was those useless Imperial Guards who saw through you!"

The Protector behind the gauze tent spoke with a furious roar.

The female traitor quickly lowered her head and replied:

"Reporting to the Protector, it was indeed the Imperial Guard Commander Zhou Long who inspected the delegation members one by one, thus seeing through our disguises."

"But Zhou Long has always been reckless. Your subordinate speculates that it must have been that Imperial Guard Company Commander who stirred up trouble and tipped him off."

"To protect those three lords, your subordinate and Digo could only expose ourselves voluntarily to divert their attention."

"Imperial Guard Company Commander?"

The Protector's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Does Zhao Gaozhong, of all people, have such capabilities?"

The female traitor quickly explained:

"The Imperial Guard Company Commander who came to provide support was not Zhao Gaozhong, but a newly promoted Company Commander named Bai Yan."

"This person's lightness skill and movement techniques are extremely strange, his saber techniques are incredibly fast, and his strength is unfathomable."

She swallowed, still recalling Bai Yan's lightning-fast figure with lingering fear:

"It was he who single-handedly annihilated the Netherworld Soldiers, severely injured and captured the Three Netherworld Vipers, and even the Netherworld Soul himself was ambushed and severely wounded by him..."

"The Three Netherworld Vipers are all at the late Innate stage, yet they were defeated by a newly promoted Company Commander?"

"Are you joking with me?"

The Protector's voice came again, this time noticeably calmer.

The female traitor was so frightened that she repeatedly kowtowed, her forehead hitting the stone slab with a dull thud, and said fearfully:

"Your subordinate would never dare to deceive the Protector! Every word spoken is the truth!"

"If there is half a lie, I am willing to suffer the punishment of being devoured by ten thousand snakes!"

Seeing her swear an oath, the Protector behind the gauze tent slowly nodded.

"The Three Netherworld Vipers were merely scapegoats found from the outer circle. A bunch of trash. It doesn't matter if they die, as they don't know our true objective anyway."

"But according to you, this Company Commander named Bai Yan is indeed a variable."

"To be able to see through my layout in such a short period of time..."

The Protector's voice turned sinister.

"These kinds of people must not be allowed to live!"

"The Protector is wise!"

Someone below quickly chimed in:

"Bai Yan not only has quick wit, but his strength is also extraordinary!"

"Tonight, I ran into him myself, which is why I failed to rescue the Earth Dog!"