Inside the Demon-Pacifying Ward.
The paths inside the archway are mostly paved with Greenstone, and after the rain, the moss growing between the stones becomes even brighter.
" The Heaven Battalion is considered the most elite battalion in our Longyou Demon Suppression Bureau."
Li Qingyuan's voice was gentle, perfectly matching the quiet atmosphere of the alleyways after the rain.
"The brothers in the camp are at least at the peak of the Bone Resonance Realm- Breaking Realm, starting as General of the Guard."
" Lord Wei transferred you to the Heaven Battalion for two reasons: first, he values your abilities, and second, he wants to reduce your worldly affairs so you can focus on your cultivation."
Before long, the two had reached the entrance of the small courtyard.
"Arrive."
Jiang Yuechu pushed open the courtyard gate, stepped aside, and said, "Brother Li, would you like to come in and sit down?"
No, thank you.
Li Qingyuan smiled and shook his head, standing outside the door. "I'll wait for you here. No rush."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, picked up her things, and went inside, leaving the courtyard gate slightly ajar.
Standing under the eaves, Li Qingyuan listened to the slight noises coming from the courtyard, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Born into a military family and a scholarly household, Li Qingyuan had considered himself to have seen quite a few women.
There are princesses Princess ladies of noble birth, well-educated young ladies from prominent families, and also heroic female knights-errant from the martial arts world.
But no one can compare to Jiang Yuechu.
A seventeen-year-old who Core Formation Realm stage.
He single-handedly killed the True Monarch Pingtian.
Such a resume, even in Chang'an City, would be enough to make those self-proclaimed geniuses pale in comparison.
As he was pondering this, the slightly ajar wooden door was pulled open from the inside.
Li Qingyuan subconsciously raised his head.
Then, he froze.
The sunlight after the rain filtered through the gaps in the clouds, carrying a soft glow.
The girl wore a brand-new, jet-black uniform, perfectly tailored, which accentuated her already well-proportioned figure.
No longer the plain black robes and red patterns of ordinary Demon Suppression Guard.
The General of the Guard's uniform was made of fire-resistant cloth, with a deeper color and a heavier texture.
The Golden Lion Beast, a mythical beast embroidered in gold thread on the shoulder, gleamed in the sunlight, as if it were about to leap out of the fabric at any moment to devour someone.
This uniform, symbolizing the sixth-rank authority of the Demon Suppression Bureau and representing General of the Guard ruthlessness and majesty, was worn by her.
Yet it seemed as if it were meant to be a part of her body.
It wasn't her who put on that outfit.
But this outfit has finally found its owner.
"Brother Li?"
The girl's cool voice snapped him out of his reverie.
Li Qingyuan suddenly snapped out of his daze, cleared his throat, and quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to cover up his lapse in composure.
"Jiang... Miss Jiang."
He opened his mouth, intending to offer a word of praise, but when the words reached his lips, he felt that any words would seem pale and powerless.
In the end, it all turned into a heartfelt exclamation of praise.
"It fits perfectly."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, saying matter-of-factly, "I think so too."
Li Qingyuan chuckled, shook his head, and gestured for them to proceed.
The two walked side by side toward the Regional Command's Mansion.
"Our Heaven Battalion is considered the most elite battalion in the Longyou Demon Suppression Bureau, and we mostly take on some tricky tasks."
He changed the subject, his tone tinged with helplessness.
"However, to my shame, our Longyou Heaven Battalion has the fewest men among the fifteen regional Regional Command, and its strength... is also widely recognized as bottom-tier."
Why is that?
There was one thing that Jiang Yuechu couldn't understand.
Logically speaking
Demon and monsters naturally thrive in places beyond the reach of the imperial court.
But the imperial court seemed indifferent to the Demon here.
As things stand, even the position of Commander remains vacant.
This shows just how indifferent they are.
Upon hearing this, Li Qingyuan smiled slightly, but instead of answering directly, he asked a question.
"What is your opinion of this Longyou region, Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Yuechu thought for a moment and then told the truth.
"The mountains and rivers are barren and the land is not very suitable for living."
"That's right." Li Qingyuan nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the answer. "Even the major martial arts sects and Aristocratic Clan families in Longyou mostly cluster in the prefectures and counties near Jiannan Circuit, rarely venturing west of Liangzhou."
He raised his hand and made a gesture as if making a random line.
" The Longyou Circuit is divided by the Long Mountains. To the east, there are still some people living there, but to the west, there is only yellow sand and Gobi Desert. In addition, a hundred years ago, the Western Region Demon Court was established, cutting off the Hexi Corridor of our Great Tang. Longyou has become a true frontier region."
"Most Demon who cultivate have a fondness for eating humans, especially martial artists. The Qi and Blood of Demon are a great tonic for demons."
"The higher the martial artist's cultivation level, the more beneficial it is to the cultivation of Demon."
"Therefore, those truly powerful Great Demon are willing to take risks to go to the Central Plains, a region with a Great Demon population and abundant resources. As a result, the more offspring they have, the more this cycle repeats."
"Therefore, despite our remote location, Longyou is actually one of the areas that has suffered the least from the persecution by Demon."
He paused, a self-deprecating smile appearing on his face.
"A Core Formation Realm Great Demon can establish its own territory and rule as king here, but if it were thrown into the heart of the Central Plains, let alone True Lord, it wouldn't even make a ripple."
Jiang Yuechu understood.
These words cleared up many of her doubts.
However, there is still one problem.
"I remember the imperial court stationed a large number of troops here, so the population should be quite substantial."
Upon hearing this, Li Qingyuan said, " Longyou borders the Western Regions and the tribes of the grasslands, and has always been a strategic location fought over by military strategists. It is true that the Great Tang has stationed a large number of troops here, and the population is naturally quite large."
"But don't forget, the military camp is filled with murderous aura. Ordinary little demons, let alone eating people, would find it difficult to even get close. If you really provoke them, you'll be stirring up a hornet's nest. With thousands of soldiers surrounding and attacking, even Bone Resonance Realm cultivator would be skinned alive."
He paused, then changed the subject.
"If it were you Miss Jiang, to choose, on one side is the Central Plains, teeming with unarmed civilians, and on the other is this desolate, barren Gobi Desert, where you also have to be wary of provoking a ruthless figure in the military camp. Which would you choose?"
Forehead...
That seems to be true.
Jiang Yuechu thought about it and realized that if it were her, she would probably also choose a beautiful place with clear waters, lush mountains, and outstanding people.
After all, who would deliberately make things difficult for themselves?
As they talked, they had already returned to the Regional Command.
The Heaven Battalion's garrison was located at the innermost part of the Regional Command's Mansion, occupying the largest courtyard and clearly separated from the Xuan, Di, and Huang Camps.
Just as he was about to reach the courtyard gate, Li Qingyuan suddenly stopped.
" Miss Jiang."
Jiang Yuechu turned her head and looked at him.
The gentle smile on Li Qingyuan's face had vanished without him noticing, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.
"Now that you've joined the Heaven Battalion, there are some things I need to make clear to you beforehand."
He looked at the girl in front of him and said in a deep voice, " The Heaven Battalion always takes on the most dangerous missions. The toughest tasks that other battalions in the division can't handle, we're the ones who have to take on."
"Once you enter this door, your future is uncertain; many people go in full of ambition, only to leave lying down in the end."
"No one wants to be left behind, but a flat road is easy to walk, and once many people walk it, it becomes an ordinary road."
Only on muddy roads can you leave your footprints.
"Anyone who can leave the Heaven Battalion has one foot already in the threshold of the Regional Command."
Li Qingyuan gave her a deep look.
Have you thought this through?
Jiang Yuechu did not answer.
She simply took a few steps and walked straight into the courtyard gate.