Blood-Clad Yama Lu Yuan

Linchuan County, Demon Suppression Bureau Garrison Station.

While Lu Yuan was off hunting down the demon-human, Su Ding'an had arrived ahead of time with the official seal and command token, and was currently waiting at the entrance with Magistrate Wang Wende and a group of county officials.

Wang Wende craned his neck to peer down the street, silently pondering the situation.

Zhao Heng, who had previously been in charge of Linchuan County, was a top-tier Demon Suppression Captain, capable of holding down an entire county single-handedly.

Not long ago, the Shen Family demon infestation had broken out, and due to the sheer number of demons, Zhao Heng had been forced to go to Qing Province to request reinforcements.

Since the Prefecture Bureau had sent this Lord Lu to replace Zhao Heng, it seemed likely that this man was a formidable character with a long-standing reputation.

But when the figure in the ink-black brocade robe embroidered with thunder patterns drew near, Wang Wende's expression changed instantly.

The young man before him had a face as handsome as jade and a cold, detached temperament; no matter how one looked at him, he resembled a pampered young master from a noble family.

"This... Lord Su, could this really be the new Captain?"

The anticipation in Wang Wende's eyes collapsed by more than half, his slightly hunched back straightened, and his gaze filled with skepticism.

"This subordinate, Linchuan County Magistrate Wang Wende, greets the Captain."

"If I may be so bold as to ask, why is Captain Zhao Heng, who was previously stationed here, not present? Why do I not see him returning with you?"

In his eyes, such a delicate-looking young man was likely sent by some family to pad his resume; if he actually encountered a demon, he would probably run faster than anyone else. How could he possibly compare to the reliable Zhao Heng?

"You, Magistrate Wang, you truly have eyes but fail to see!"

Before Lu Yuan could even speak, Su Ding'an had already stepped forward with a cold expression to reprimand him.

"My Lord is here carrying the official seal and command token. You, a mere county magistrate, dare to question the transfer orders of the Prefecture Bureau?"

Wang Wende was scolded until he was drenched in cold sweat, his face turning pale.

Although he didn't know the extent of Lu Yuan's strength, he realized that he had spoken out of turn in his anxiety, and immediately braced himself to bow repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes, this subordinate is old and dim-sighted, speaking without thinking. I beg for your forgiveness, my Lord!"

"Lord Lu, please, come inside and take the seat of honor!"

Lu Yuan nodded indifferently, not pursuing the matter further.

Just as he stepped into the garrison courtyard, three Demon-Suppressing Guards dressed in ink-black brocade robes walked out.

The three of them had gazes like lightning, their hands resting on the hilts of their blades, looking over coldly.

"Greetings, my Lord!"

The leader wore a look of arrogance, cupping his hands toward Lu Yuan before quickly pulling them back.

Lu Yuan sneered inwardly; it seemed these people had followed Zhao Heng for too long and had forgotten how to show respect to their superiors.

He coldly revealed the token in his hand. "Prefecture Bureau transfer order: Linchuan is changing guards. From today on, this station is under my command. You may withdraw."

The leader did not accept the order, but instead let out a cold laugh.

"Lord Lu, is it? This subordinate is Feng Tai. I have served under Lord Zhao Heng in Linchuan County for several years. To put it bluntly, every inch of this land has been stained with our blood."

"Now that Lord Zhao hasn't given explicit instructions, and the Prefecture Bureau hasn't sent any prior official documents, you expect us to just pack up and leave based on a single token? That doesn't make sense, does it?"

The other two men understood his intent and stepped forward, blocking Lu Yuan's path with an extremely insolent attitude.

Lu Yuan's gaze turned cold, and a pressure as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea swept outward from him.

His black robes fluttered without wind, and a massive, surging killing intent suddenly exploded.

It was chilling, heavy, and irresistible.

The three men felt a blur before their eyes, and then three Sharp Crystal Spikes were pressed against the center of their foreheads.

The tips of the crystal spikes were bitingly cold; a single inch of forward movement would be enough to pierce their skulls and claim their lives.

Feng Tai's entire body stiffened, his pupils shrinking to the size of pinpricks.

He wanted to move, but his internal spiritual power had been completely suppressed, and the intense fear left him unable to move even a single finger.

The two men beside him were the same, their faces deathly pale, not daring to even draw a full breath.

They could clearly sense that this Lord before them only needed a single thought to end their lives right here.

Feng Tai stared fixedly at the spikes inches away, his teeth chattering as he spoke:

"Spiritual power manifesting as crystal... Lord Lu... are you the Blood-Clad Yama, Lu Yuan?"

Looking across the entire Great Gan Demon Suppression Bureau, who else could condense spiritual power into crystal spikes at will, other than the Lu Yuan who had turned demons into mountains of corpses and seas of blood in Chixia County?

Their previous arrogance and contempt collapsed instantly. The three men's legs went weak, and they all knelt to the ground in unison, their foreheads slamming heavily against the bluestone tiles as they wailed.

"We did not know Lord Lu had arrived in person. This subordinate had eyes but failed to see. We beg for your mercy, my Lord!"

Lu Yuan's expression remained calm; he was not surprised by the title.

The events in Chixia County had gradually spread over the past two days. Because the demon corpses killed by his crystal spikes were scattered everywhere, covered in gore, he had earned the moniker of Blood-Clad Yama.

When he first heard this from Su Ding'an, he had felt a mix of amusement and frustration.

He was wearing the standard-issue ink-black brocade robe of the Demon Suppression Bureau, so where did the "blood-clad" part come from?

And "Yama"?

He could even imagine the storytellers at the teahouses and taverns, slapping their wooden gavels and vividly describing just how brutal he was.

Lu Yuan glanced sideways at the three people on the ground; forget it, let them call him brutal if they wanted.

In this world rampant with demons and monsters, a reputation for brutality was even more effective than the official seal and talisman of the Prefecture Bureau.

"Disappear from my sight within three breaths, or you won't be leaving at all."

Feng Tai's expression shifted, and he hurriedly hauled up his two colleagues, scrambling away in a panic until they vanished outside in the blink of an eye.

The Garrison Station fell into a deathly silence.

Wang Wende stood where he was, the expression on his face truly spectacular.

He never expected that this young Lord Lu would be able to scare Feng Tai and his men into such a pathetic state.

This was no small feat!

He quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling as if he had just woken from a dream, and hurriedly plastered a smile on his face as he approached Lu Yuan.

"Lord Lu, please, come inside. Your subordinate has already prepared wine and food; I hope you will not find it lacking."

Lu Yuan gave a grunt of acknowledgment and stepped inside.

Su Ding'an cleared his throat from the side, looking satisfied as he said:

"Lord Wang, that's the spirit. We have a long time ahead of us, so we can get along slowly."

"Rest assured, as long as Lord Lu is here, the sky over Linchuan County will not fall!"

Wang Wende nodded repeatedly, showing not a hint of dissatisfaction, but rather genuine admiration.

The main hall of the Garrison Station was even brighter than Lu Yuan had imagined.

Two bronze lamps stood on either side, their flames illuminating the hall clearly.

In the center was an Eight Immortals table, laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

The dishes could not be called exquisite, but in a small place like Linchuan County, this was the absolute peak.

Having spent many years in the Demon Suppression Bureau, Su Ding'an was sharp-witted and saw at a glance who this banquet was meant for, so he didn't even approach the table.

Wang Wende ushered Lu Yuan to the main seat with a fawning smile, his hands moving nimbly to pour a cup of yellow wine.

"Lord Lu, you have had a hard journey. Your subordinate has prepared a modest meal to welcome you; please do not take offense."

Lu Yuan drank a cup, picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks, and began to chew slowly.

After three rounds of drinks, he set down his chopsticks and suddenly spoke:

"Lord Wang, what is the current situation in Linchuan County? What is the background of that White Moon Villa? Tell me about it."