Great Clans

Back then, when the Corpse Demon Cult invaded Yunhuang Prefecture in force and razed several prefectures, they had done so for a fragment of this object.

Five days ago, word had spread that a fragment of the Blood Fiend Sky-Severing Stele had appeared in Yunzhou. At the time, no one knew whether it was true.

But the Howling Moon Demon King, who had been locked in a standoff with the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division for a thousand years, had suddenly launched another attack. At such a sensitive moment, it was hard not to read something into it.

Qian Chengzhu hurried over to the rockery and felt around. Then he suddenly brought his right palm down with all his strength. Boom! Gravel flew everywhere as the boulder shattered, revealing a pitch-black cave within.

"Good, good. Yan Shan, well done!" Qian Chengzhu beamed and motioned for the others to wait outside before entering the cave alone.

"Who would have thought it was right here, in a place under my own jurisdiction?" Qian Chengzhu couldn't help muttering.

This time, nearly every force under the Howling Moon Demon King had mobilized, causing chaos across the prefectures of Yunzhou. Looking back, it had all been a distraction.

Their true scheme was hidden in this little Linshan County, and the only ones sent to carry it out were three nobodies.

Su Ye felt conflicted. The Demon Suppression Division knew about this, and there was no need to guess why Qian Chengzhu had come: he was here for the divine artifact.

The Corpse Demon Cult had gone to great lengths for it, too. Treasures certainly moved people's hearts, but Su Ye wondered how these factions would react if they still couldn't find it.

Sure enough, a series of rumbles came from inside the cave, mixed with furious shouts.

"There's nothing here! Yan Shan, what is the meaning of this?"

Qian Chengzhu strode out of the cave.

Yan Shan's heart tightened at the sight. Qian Chengzhu was so furious. Just what was so important that it had provoked such a reaction?

He braced himself and said, "Everything your subordinate reported is true. The disc really was here, and it showed signs of something unusual. As for anything else, this subordinate knows nothing."

Qian Chengzhu blurred forward and appeared before the group. "Has anyone else been here? When did you discover this place? And did you ever go into the rockery to investigate?"

Everyone looked bewildered. Su Ye knew what Qian Chengzhu was searching for, but his expression was just as blank as the others'. He showed no sign of recognition.

Yan Shan was puzzled as well. When he had passed by the Qin Mansion, he had noticed the disc flashing. He had planned to sneak in that night, but when he returned to the Qin Mansion—

Only then had he discovered that both the county magistrate and the local strongmen were members of the Corpse Demon Cult, and that they were performing a blood-refining ritual.

"Commander, I had planned to enter the rockery that night, but I happened to run into the county magistrate here, preparing to refine the whole county."

"That's what happened."

Yan Shan paused briefly, then continued, "I was badly wounded at the time, so I stayed here to recover. As for the rockery, I never went inside."

"At dawn, we all went up to the city wall and waited for you to arrive. During that time, I kept an eye on the Qin Mansion until you came."

After a long silence, Qian Chengzhu continued questioning him. "While you were recovering, did you take out the disc to examine it?"

Yan Shan faltered, then replied, "I entered through the back courtyard and confirmed that this rockery was the place the Division was looking for. Then I secretly investigated the identity of the Qin Mansion's head. The disc was damaged during the battle."

"So that's how it was."

Qian Chengzhu turned and ordered his personal guards to seal all four gates of the county seat and gather every resident in the city—including Su Ye and the others.

A sprawling crowd gathered on the open ground by the eastern gate. Su Ye and his companions had already been thoroughly searched.

Amid the noisy crowd, the Demon Suppression Division soldiers shouted at everyone to form orderly lines and await inspection. Qian Chengzhu ordered his men to search every house in the county, one by one.

Watching Qian Chengzhu issue one order after another to search for the Blood Fiend Sky-Severing Stele, Su Ye grew even more cautious. When he had just saved up 1,000 assistance points, he had planned to fuse with it.

But there had still been plenty of Corpse Demon Cult remnants in the county then. If the fusion had caused an unusual phenomenon and one of them had seen it, it would have brought endless trouble.

It was sealed inside his body anyway; sooner or later, he would fuse with it. Keeping a low profile was the way to go. His decision back then had been rather wise.

Two hours later, Qian Chengzhu's expression grew increasingly grim. He looked toward Linshan City without a word, but everyone present understood: the object he sought had yet to appear.

"Please forgive this disappointing turn of events." Qian Chengzhu managed a strained smile.

Then he turned to Yan Shan and said, "I still need to stay here for a while. Su Ye and these brothers can return to the Demon Suppression Division with you first."

The official road to Yunzhou City was overgrown with weeds on both sides and looked rather desolate. Su Ye sat on horseback, chatting with the others.

Just then, Wang Feng asked curiously, "Brother Yan, what is Commander Qian looking for?"

Noticing the others had perked up their ears, Yan Shan gave a wry smile. "To be honest, brothers, I don't know either. The Division issued an order about it some time ago."

Everyone nodded slightly. Su Ye couldn't help asking, "Brother Yan, could you tell us a little about the Demon Suppression Division?"

"Of course. I'll tell you about it, so you can avoid some unnecessary trouble later," Yan Shan replied.

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

"There are also four grades of inspectors—Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow—who inspect the nine prefectures of Great Xia."

"The Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division is under Guardian Jiang's command. He has several aides, as well as two deputies who help handle the Division's affairs."

"Twelve Prefectural Commanders oversee the twelve prefectural cities in Yunzhou. Their offices are set up much like the Yunzhou headquarters. As for small places like Linshan County, a Yellow-grade inspector from the Demon Suppression Division comes twice a year to conduct an inspection."

"Brother Yan, what standing does the Qian Family have in the Demon Suppression Division?" Wang Feng asked.

"Brother Wang, that's just what I was about to tell you." Yan Shan continued at length.

"The Qian Family has been established in Yunzhou for over a thousand years. In every generation, some of its most gifted members have joined the Demon Suppression Division."

"The most senior and powerful member of the family now is Qian Ming, Commander Qian's grandfather. He currently serves as Prefectural Commander of Ruichang Prefecture."

"The rest of the Qian clan also hold posts throughout the Demon Suppression Division. They have deep roots in Yunzhou."

"The Zhou and Wu families aren't much different. As for the other small and mid-sized families, you brothers needn't worry about them."

"Brother Yan, from what you've said, if things keep going this way, won't Yunzhou fall into the hands of the great clans?" Ma San asked bluntly.

Hearing that, Yan Shan replied without hesitation, "Yunzhou lies on Great Xia's frontier, bordering the Nether Abyss Demon Court. Demonic Beasts often invade."

"The imperial court relies on local aristocratic families to hold back the Demonic Beasts. The official posts it dangles before them are nothing more than a few scraps of sweetness."

"Once you brothers join the Demon Suppression Division, you can choose a family to throw in your lot with."

Su Ye furrowed his brows. "The great clans are all in league with one another. Does that mean Guardian Chen is one of them too?"

"Not at all. Guardian Chen came from poverty and has no ties to the great clans. He even stepped in to stop this sort of thing before."

"But starting ten years ago, the Guardian's temperament changed drastically, and he stopped getting involved."

Yan Shan's expression grew complicated. "Even so, there are advantages and disadvantages."

"What do you mean? If we follow Brother Yan and join the Qian Family, are there hidden risks?" Wang Feng asked, picking up the thread.