Arriving at Maple Forest, Unraveling the Clues

Chapter 23: Arrival at Maple Forest, Unraveling the Clues

The Great Zhou Dynasty's territory was vast, with numerous prefectures and counties under its twelve prefectures. While local officials were selected for talent and virtue, not all possessed profound martial cultivation. Many county magistrates, prefectural officials, or even prefecture lords might only have Body Tempering Realm cultivation, or be mere literati with a smattering of martial arts. For this reason, handling special cases involving demons, powerful martial artists, or bizarre incidents required the intervention of specialized armed forces like the Xuntian Guard.

The imperial bureaucracy had clear ranks. A local county magistrate was typically a seventh-rank civil official, governing a region—a rank not low. Within the Xuntian Guard, duty levels corresponded to official rank: Xuntian Guard (full member) was eighth-rank, Xuntian Envoy seventh-rank, Centurion sixth-rank, and so on. Although Li Yifan's strength had reached Bone Refining Peak, his position remained Xuntian Guard (eighth-rank), lower in official rank than a seventh-rank magistrate. However, the Xuntian Guard was directly under the central authority, with special powers and the mandate to patrol on behalf of Heaven. In cases involving demonic or martial criminals, they had the authority to make on-the-spot decisions, and local officials were required to fully cooperate.

Qingzhou Prefecture City, Xuntian Guard Headquarters.

After accepting the Grade B Lower mission, Li Yifan did not rush to depart. He knew well that this opponent was no ordinary foe—an Evil Cultivator at Tendon Refining Initial, with a bizarre cultivation method. Rash action would not suffice. Thorough preparation was half the battle.

He first went to the headquarters armory and, using the authority of a B-level mission, requisitioned special supplies for dealing with evil entities:

Three quivers of Evil-Breaking Crossbow Bolts (ten per quiver): The bolts had peachwood shafts, with arrowheads inscribed with evil-breaking runes, dealing extra damage to yin-evil beings.

Twenty Mind-Clearing Talismans: Could resist evil qi intrusion and keep the mind clear.

Five packs of Revealing Powder: When scattered, could briefly reveal low-rank invisible evil beings or traces of evil qi.

Two Blazing Sun Thunders: One-time consumables that released supreme yang thunder-fire upon detonation, with immense power, but requiring extreme caution in use.

At the same time, he spent his remaining 20 contribution points to replenish the squad's supplies with ample Golden Wound Medicine, Detoxification Pills, and other standard provisions.

Fully equipped, Li Yifan gathered all members of the Seventh Squad for a detailed pre-battle briefing.

"This mission targets a Tendon Refining Realm Evil Cultivator, extremely dangerous. Our primary task is to locate his whereabouts, lair, and objectives—not to engage and kill him head-on. In all actions, concealment and caution are the top priority!"

He assigned roles based on each member's strengths:

Zhao Xiong (Bone Forging Initial): As deputy squad leader, responsible for frontal assault and support, covering teammates in critical moments.

Qian Xiaoliu (Body Refining Late): Core scout, using archery and movement techniques for long-range surveillance, tracking, and early warning.

Sun Shi (Body Refining Late): Focused on defense, cooperating with Zhao Xiong to protect the squad's flanks and rear.

Chen Feng and Zhang Tie (Body Refining Late and Mid): Responsible for perimeter security, clue investigation, and auxiliary support.

Li Yifan himself: Overall command and the main force against the Evil Cultivator.

"Remember, if you encounter the Evil Cultivator, do not get bogged down in battle. Prioritize signaling, delay, and evasion—wait for reinforcements!" Li Yifan repeatedly stressed the discipline.

Three days later, everything was ready. The Seventh Squad of six rode fast horses, leaving Qingzhou Prefecture City and galloping northeast toward Maple Forest County.

Maple Forest County was named for its abundance of maple trees. It was now deep autumn, with the mountains ablaze in red and the forests dyed in layers of color—a sight that should have been magnificent. But as the squad entered the county, they felt an inexplicable oppressive atmosphere. Few travelers were on the official road, and those who were hurried along with worried faces. The villages along the way were notably desolate.

Arriving at Maple Forest County's county seat, the oppression grew more pronounced. The city gates were heavily guarded, with thorough checks on passersby. Inside, though shops still operated, customers were scarce. Many homes had their doors and windows tightly shut, and the air was thick with unease.

Li Yifan and his team went directly to the County Government and presented their credentials. County Magistrate Zhou Wenzheng, already notified, came out to greet them in person. Magistrate Zhou, around forty, had a refined face but bore deep worry and exhaustion in his brows. Li Yifan sensed him slightly and found that while this seventh-rank official had some cultivation, his aura was roughly at Bone Forging Initial. According to official protocol, as an eighth-rank Xuntian Guard, Li Yifan was to perform a subordinate's salute to a seventh-rank magistrate.

Li Yifan cupped his fists, neither servile nor arrogant: "Li Yifan, squad leader of the Qingzhou Prefecture Xuntian Guard's Seventh Squad, here on orders to investigate the case. Greetings, Magistrate Zhou."

Magistrate Zhou Wenzheng quickly returned the gesture, his tone urgent yet respectful: "No need for formalities, Squad Leader Li! Your arrival, honored Xuntian Envoys (courteous address), fills me with gratitude! Maple Forest County has seen a spate of strange cases recently, and I am at my wit's end, worrying day and night. I rely entirely on your esteemed assistance!" Though half a rank higher, he knew well the Xuntian Guard's authority and capability in such cases, so he kept his posture low.

Ushering them into the rear hall, Magistrate Zhou immediately detailed the case, consistent with the mission dossier: In the past month, Red Leaf Town, Sunset Village, and Clear Creek Village had seen successive disappearances of able-bodied men. The victims had their essence blood drained, and yin-evil qi lingered at the scenes.

"Though I am unworthily at the Bone Forging Realm and have led investigations, that evil qi is bizarre, leaving very few traces—I simply cannot track it. The county's constables are helpless, and we've lost two good hands." Magistrate Zhou's face showed shame. "This has alarmed the prefecture, and I'm under immense pressure, unable to rest easy day or night. Now that you have arrived, we finally have a backbone."

Li Yifan said solemnly, "Magistrate Zhou is too kind. Eliminating evil and demons is the Xuntian Guard's duty. Please bring the detailed case files, especially the on-site investigation records and Corpse Reports (autopsy reports), for my review. Also, please arrange for a guide familiar with the local terrain, bold and meticulous—I need to inspect the crime scenes in person."

"Of course! I'll see to it immediately!" Seeing Li Yifan's steady competence, Magistrate Zhou felt somewhat relieved. He quickly ordered his subordinates to fetch the files and summoned the most experienced old constable to await orders.

Soon, the files arrived. Li Yifan carefully read them and found the records largely matched his assessment. The Corpse Reports detailed the characteristics of drained essence blood and mentioned a faint, corrosive yin-cold energy remaining inside the bodies.

Then, led by the old constable, Li Yifan, Qian Xiaoliu, and Zhao Xiong went to the mass grave in Clear Creek Village, where the first body was found. The place was filled with eerie winds and overgrown weeds.

Li Yifan activated his Detection skill, his eyes sharp as lightning as he carefully examined the area. The faint, foul-smelling evil qi in the air was even weaker than at Fishery Salt Town, but its quality seemed purer and more insidious. Near where the body had been found, he spotted several extremely faint traces, like dried mucus. He also noticed some subtle footprints, neither human nor beast.

[Skill: Detection Proficiency +15! Insight improved, capturing more subtle evil qi residues and traces.]

Qian Xiaoliu, using his expertise, found a few scraped-off dark green scales and several strands of gray-black fur nearby.

"Captain, this evil thing seems different from the 'Water Ghost Hag' of the Black Swamp," Qian Xiaoliu said quietly.

Li Yifan nodded. "Yes, more like some kind of scaled evil creature, mutated by evil cultivation."

They then inspected the other two scenes, with clues pointing to the same type of evil being. Plotting the three locations on a map, the arc's center pointed toward the Misty Forest in the county's northeast.

"The Misty Forest..." The old constable's face showed fear. "That's a primeval mountain forest, shrouded in fog year-round. The depths are extremely dangerous—legend says those who enter never return."

Back at the County Government, Li Yifan combined the files and investigation results to make a plan: The next day, they would split up—Qian Xiaoliu and Chen Feng would scout the Misty Forest's outskirts; Li Yifan, Zhao Xiong, and Sun Shi would visit the victims' families and last witnesses; Zhang Tie would stay at the County Government to maintain contact with the Inspection Division.

The next day's investigation yielded much. During visits, they learned that some victims had heard strange "rustling" crawling sounds before disappearing, and one drunkard claimed to have seen a "weird man in black clothes" outside the city. Qian Xiaoliu's team found more mucus traces, scales, and even an abandoned crude evil lair made of bones and feathers at the forest's edge, and faintly heard inhuman, shrill howls from deep within.

All clues pointed to the likelihood of an Evil Cultivator's lair deep in the Misty Forest!

On the eve of the moonless night, Li Yifan gathered the entire squad for a final briefing.

"Target confirmed. Tomorrow is the moonless night—the Evil Cultivator will likely strike again. We'll enter the forest early and set an ambush at a strategic point on the outskirts. If the evil being appears, prioritize tracking it to its lair. If the timing is right, we may attempt to capture or kill it, forcing the Evil Cultivator to show himself. In all actions, safety comes first—do not advance recklessly! Remember, our primary task is to locate the lair, not to kill the Evil Cultivator!"

He distributed the Mind-Clearing Talismans to everyone, instructing them to wear them close to their bodies. The Evil-Breaking Crossbow Bolts were given exclusively to Qian Xiaoliu, the best archer. The powerful Blazing Sun Thunders were kept under his own careful control.

The Seventh Squad members meticulously checked their gear, adjusted their states, and conserved their energy. Li Yifan sat quietly in his room, wiping his waist knife. His Bone Refining Peak cultivation and two major perfected techniques gave him the confidence to face danger, but the shadow of the Tendon Refining Evil Cultivator still loomed. He needed to be calmer, more cautious.

The next day at dusk, the moonless night descended, leaving the world without light. The six members of the Seventh Squad, like ghosts melting into the darkness, silently left Maple Forest County town and sped northeast toward that forbidden mountain forest perpetually shrouded in fog—the Misty Forest.