Qingzhou Demon Suppressing Division Commander!

Several days later, at the Eight Immortals Restaurant.

Li Xian, along with his two subordinates Brother Xin and Wan Cai, found a private room facing the street. They sat down to have some wine, intending it as a way to relax and unwind.

Brother Xin and Wan Cai had been by Li Xian's side ever since he joined the Canoe Gang.

In fact, the two of them had gone through thick and thin with Li Xian.

Now that Li Xian had become the new Dragon King of the Canoe Gang, as his trusted confidants, they naturally benefited from his rise to power.

Previously, Li Xian had told them that if they wished, he would offer each of them a position as an external Hall Master.

Faced with such a generous offer from the new Dragon King, Brother Xin and Wan Cai were deeply moved, and then they refused without hesitation.

The two of them had calculated their options very carefully.

After all, with their strength as mid-tier Martial Artists, it was questionable whether they could even establish themselves as leaders in an external branch.

Of course, out of respect for Li Xian, they could have been comfortable, hands-off managers in an external branch.

But how long could that last?

Once they left, someone would quickly take their place by Li Xian's side.

At that point, the bond forged through shared life-and-death experiences with the Dragon King would gradually fade, until they were eventually forgotten.

After much thought, they felt it was best to remain by Li Xian's side.

Wouldn't it be better to bask in the Dragon King's reflected glory and wield authority by his side, rather than endure hardship in an external branch?

"Dragon King Li, please try our Eight Immortals Tower's Drunken Immortal Brew."

The manager of the Eight Immortals Tower, upon learning of the new Dragon King of the Canoe Gang's visit, immediately scurried over to offer his services.

Li Xian took the cup and drank it down in one gulp.

There was no intense burning sensation as it went down, only a smooth, mellow taste that warmed his belly comfortably.

"Not bad!" Li Xian set down his wine cup and praised.

Hearing this compliment, the manager's round face broke into a wide smile.

With these words, he could now promote the Drunken Immortal Brew as his signature product.

"The Dragon King himself praised this wine!"

Relying on the new Dragon King's current fame and prestige, if this endorsement was advertised, the Drunken Immortal Brew would likely sell out.

The excited manager poured a few more cups of wine. When he felt the time was right, he tactfully withdrew.

"This manager is quite cunning, trying to latch onto the Dragon King's coattails the moment he arrived," Brother Xin said with a cold laugh after the manager left and he closed the door.

Wan Cai added, "When we leave later, we should remind this manager that the Dragon King doesn't like to be disturbed when he's drinking."

Li Xian remained silent. He simply poured himself another cup of wine with a placid expression, watching the people coming and going on the street below as he sipped it slowly.

In his previous life, he had never liked alcohol, rarely touching it even when socializing.

But now, as his cultivation deepened and his physical body grew stronger, his attitude towards fine wine had changed.

He had gone from abstaining completely to being willing to try it now.

However, the main reason he was willing to drink was to find some enjoyment and relax amidst his rigorous cultivation.

Staying on the Canoe Gang's headquarters, that dragon ship, was suffocating.

A string pulled too taut for too long would eventually snap.

Unfortunately, his desire for relaxation today was destined to be unfulfilled.

Before he could even finish his second cup, the door to the private room was pushed open again.

Li Xian looked up and saw an unfamiliar person entering.

Why didn't the staff at the Eight Immortals Restaurant stop them? Didn't they have any common sense?

Just as he frowned, he saw the manager, bowing with a fawning smile, standing just outside the half-open door.

The obsequious posture startled Li Xian a little.

It seemed the person entering was no ordinary individual.

Li Xian put away his initial disdain and carefully observed the newcomer.

He was dressed in clean, neat casual wear, with a handsome and imposing appearance. He sported a well-trimmed beard, and though he wore no valuable jewelry, he exuded an aura of natural authority, as if accustomed to a high position.

Are there such figures in Yangzhou City? Li Xian wondered.

"Who are you?"

Someone outside closed the door.

The man who entered, with his hands behind his back, smiled and said, "Everyone says the Dragon King of the Canoe Gang is exceptionally handsome. Seeing you today, the reputation is indeed well-deserved!"

Li Xian narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased with such an evasive answer.

The other person also sensed the change in his emotions and introduced himself.

"My name is Yuan Benyu, and I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Suppressing Division in Qingzhou Prefecture!"

Well now, looks like my guess was right. He's a big shot.

Li Xian nodded calmly, "So it's Lord Yuan."

Yuan Benyu paid no mind to his slight indifference. He sat down by the table and poured himself a cup of wine.

"The Drunken Immortal Brew from the Eight Immortals Restaurant is quite good, but I prefer their Osmanthus Wine."

Li Xian saw that he wasn't just here to greet him and leave, but seemed to have something to discuss.

"I don't know much about drinking; it's all based on my mood and preference."

After speaking, he glanced at his two subordinates in the private room.

Brother Xin and Wan Cai understood. Knowing they were meant to leave, they tactfully exited the room.

Once the door closed again, Li Xian got straight to the point.

"Lord Yuan, why have you specifically come to see me?"

Yuan Benyu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood up and walked to the private room window, gazing at the bustling scene of carriages and pedestrians on the street below, lost in thought.

Li Xian didn't know what he was spacing out about and remained silent, letting him be.

After a long while, Yuan Benyu let out a sigh.

"Dragon King Li, do you think Yangzhou City is prosperous now? Lively?"

Li Xian replied, "Of course!"

Yuan Benyu turned around and said, "What if I told you that Yangzhou City will soon be overrun by demons and rebels, resulting in rivers of blood and mountains of corpses? Would you believe me?"

Li Xian frowned and asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that, Lord Yuan? Have you uncovered some conspiracy?"

Yuan Benyu shook his head, "No!"

"Then what did you mean by your earlier words?"

Yuan Benyu said, "Qingzhou Prefecture is currently plagued by demons everywhere, and rebels are rising up frequently. It's a precarious situation with refugees all over the land. I wonder how much longer Yangzhou City can hold out?"

Hearing this, Li Xian was shocked.

"Lord Yuan, is this true?"

"Why would I joke about such a thing with Dragon King Li?"

Li Xian still couldn't believe it. "Then why has Yangzhou City managed to hold out until now?"

Yuan Benyu said, "Because Yangzhou City is the headquarters of the Demon Suppressing Division, and because I am here!"

Li Xian's heart trembled.

It seemed this Commander-in-Chief of the Qingzhou Prefecture Demon Suppressing Division possessed extraordinary strength.

He realized now that since Yuan Benyu had entered, he hadn't been able to discern his cultivation level at all.

One reason was that he possessed a unique technique for concealing his aura.

The other reason was that Lord Yuan was even stronger than Li Xian was at the moment!

Thinking about it, the second possibility seemed more likely.

With this thought, Li Xian's wariness and respect for Yuan Benyu deepened.

"Dragon King Li, you are so young and possess such cultivation. It is truly admirable," Yuan Benyu said with a serious expression. "Even I, at your age, did not achieve what you have!"

"You flatter me, Lord Yuan," Li Xian replied.

"I am merely stating the truth."

As Yuan Benyu spoke, he walked towards the exit.

"If Yangzhou City encounters any danger in the future, I hope Dragon King Li will lend a hand."

"That is only natural!"

Before leaving, Yuan Benyu dropped another sentence.

"When you have time, Dragon King Li, you can visit Nanfeng City again."