Noble Clans

The Corpse Demon Cult invaded Yunhuang Prefecture in the past, slaughtering several prefectures, all for a corner fragment of this item.

And five days ago, news spread that a fragment of the "Blood Fiend Sky-Severing Stele" had appeared in Yunzhou, but its authenticity was unknown at the time.

However, the Howling Moon Demon King, who had been confronting the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division for a thousand years, suddenly attacked again. At this critical juncture, it was hard not to suspect something.

Qian Chengzhu walked a few steps to the rockery and felt around. With a sudden burst of power from his right palm, "Boom!" stones scattered everywhere. The massive rock shattered, revealing a dark stone cave within.

"Good, good, Yan Shan did well." Qian Chengzhu's face lit up with joy. He signaled for everyone to wait outside and entered the stone cave alone.

"Who could have imagined that it would be in the area under my jurisdiction." Qian Chengzhu couldn't help but mutter.

This time, the Howling Moon Demon King's forces almost attacked in full force, causing chaos in various prefectures of Yunzhou. Thinking back now, it was merely to attract attention.

Their true objective was hidden in this small Linshan County, and the ones sent to carry out the mission were just three insignificant figures.

Seeing this, Su Ye felt a mix of emotions. The Demon Suppression Division knew about this, and Qian Chengzhu was undoubtedly here for the divine artifact.

The Corpse Demon Cult had also spent immense effort for this. Treasures indeed moved people's hearts, but it remained to be seen how these various powers would react when they couldn't find the treasure.

As expected, bursts of roaring sounds, mixed with angry shouts, came from within the stone cave.

"There's nothing here, Yan Shan, what's going on?"

Qian Chengzhu suddenly emerged from the stone cave.

Seeing this, Yan Shan's heart tightened. Qian Chengzhu was so furious; he didn't know what could be so important.

He braced himself and said, "My Lord, everything I said is true. The disc was indeed underground, and it showed anomalies. The other subordinates are unaware of anything else."

Qian Chengzhu moved with incredible speed, appearing before everyone. "Has anyone else been here? When did you discover this place? And did you enter the rockery to check?"

The crowd looked bewildered. Although Su Ye knew what Qian Chengzhu was looking for, he showed no unusual expression, just like the others.

Yan Shan was also confused. When he passed by the Qin Mansion, he noticed the disc flashing. He had intended to sneak in that night, but when he returned to the Qin Mansion later.

He was shocked to discover that the county magistrate and local influential families here were all members of the Corpse Demon Cult, and they were performing a blood ritual.

"Grand Commander, I originally planned to enter the rockery at night, but I happened to run into the county magistrate preparing to refine an entire county."

"That's how it happened."

Yan Shan paused slightly and said, "I was seriously injured at the time, so I stayed here. As for the rockery, I never entered it."

"When dawn broke, we all went up to the city wall to await your arrival. During this time, I kept a close watch on the Qin Mansion's movements until you arrived."

After a long period of contemplation, Qian Chengzhu continued to inquire, "While you were recuperating, did you take out the disc to examine it?"

Yan Shan faltered, then said, "I entered from the backyard and confirmed that the rockery here was the place the Division was looking for. I then secretly infiltrated to investigate who the Qin Mansion's head was. As for the disc, it was damaged during the fight."

"Since that is the case."

Qian Chengzhu turned and ordered his personal guards to seal the four gates of the county town and gather all the citizens, including Su Ye and the others.

A vast crowd gathered in the open space at the East City Gate. Su Ye and the others had already been thoroughly searched.

The noisy crowd, under the scolding of the Demon Suppression Division soldiers, lined up neatly, awaiting inspection. Qian Chengzhu ordered his subordinates to search every house in the county town one by one.

Seeing Qian Chengzhu constantly issuing orders to search for the whereabouts of the "Blood Fiend Sky-Severing Stele," Su Ye became even more cautious. He had just accumulated 1000 points of assistance and had intended to merge them.

However, there were still many Corpse Demon remnants in the county town at the time. If the merging process caused any anomalies that they noticed, it would likely lead to endless trouble.

"It's sealed within my body anyway, it's only a matter of time. Playing it safe is the best strategy." His thoughts at the time were quite wise.

Two hours later, Qian Chengzhu's expression grew increasingly grim. He looked at Linshan City without speaking, but everyone present understood that the object he was seeking had still not appeared.

"I've made you all laugh," Qian Chengzhu forced a smile.

He then looked at Yan Shan beside him and said, "I need to stay here for a while longer. Yan Shan, you can take Su Ye and these brothers back to the Demon Suppression Division first."

The official road leading to Yunzhou City was overgrown with weeds and looked somewhat desolate. Su Ye sat on his horse, chatting with the others.

At this moment, Wang Feng asked curiously, "Big Brother Yan, what exactly is Commander Qian looking for?"

Noticing everyone else eagerly listening, Yan Shan smiled bitterly and said, "To be honest, brothers, I don't know either. The Division issued this mission a long time ago."

Everyone nodded slightly. Su Ye couldn't help but ask, "Brother Yan, can you tell us about the Demon Suppression Division?"

"Alright, I'll tell you brothers, so you can avoid some unnecessary trouble later." Yan Shan replied.

"Let's start with the ranks in the Demon Suppression Division. From top to bottom, they are Commander, Guardian Envoy, Prefectural Commander, Grand Commander, Commander, Captain, and Demon Execution Guard."

"There are also four tiers of Inspectors: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow, who patrol the nine prefectures of Great Xia."

"The Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division is under the command of Guardian Jiang. He has several Adjudicators under him, as well as two Deputy Envoys who handle all matters within his jurisdiction."

"There are twelve Prefectural Commanders, each in charge of one of the twelve prefectures in Yunzhou. Their setup is similar to that of the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division headquarters. As for small places like Linshan County, a special Yellow tier Inspector from the Demon Suppression Division visits twice a year for inspection."

"Big Brother Yan, what is the Qian family's standing in the Demon Suppression Division?" Wang Feng asked.

"Since Brother Wang is asking, this is what I was about to say next," Yan Shan continued to explain.

"The Qian family has been established in Yunzhou for over a thousand years. Every generation, someone with outstanding talent from their family joins the Demon Suppression Division."

"Currently, the highest-ranking and most powerful member is Qian Chengzhu's grandfather, Qian Ming, who serves as the Prefectural Commander of Ruichang Prefecture."

"As for other members of the Qian clan, they all hold positions in various parts of the Demon Suppression Division, deeply rooted in Yunzhou."

"The Zhou and Wu families are in a similar situation. As for other small and medium-sized families, you brothers don't need to worry about them."

Big Brother Yan, if we let things develop according to your plan, won't Yunzhou fall into the hands of the noble families? Ma San asked straightforwardly.

Hearing this, Yan Shan replied without hesitation, Yunzhou is located on the border of Great Xia, adjacent to the Nether Abyss Demon Court, and is frequently attacked by Demonic Beasts.

The imperial court merely relies on the strength of local noble families to resist the Demonic Beasts. The positions they offer are just small incentives.

After you brothers join the Demon Suppression Division, you can also choose a family to pledge allegiance to.

Su Ye frowned slightly, If the noble families are colluding like this, does that mean Guardian Chen is also one of them?

That's not the case. Guardian Chen comes from a poor background and has no connection to the noble families. He even intervened in such matters before.

However, starting ten years ago, the Lord's temperament changed drastically, and he no longer interfered in these affairs.

Yan Shan said with a complex expression, Although this is the case, there are both advantages and disadvantages.

What do you mean? If we follow Brother Yan and pledge allegiance to the Qian family, could there be hidden dangers? Wang Feng asked.