Xie Yuan sighed softly, his heart heavy. "The Demon-Slaying Office has found it harder and harder to contain the demons in recent years. The more it kills, the more there seem to be."
The Demon-Slaying Office was a bureau established by Great Qi specifically to kill demons.
Besides the Demon-Slaying Office, the court had also established the Divine Hidden Office to oversee lands inhabited by demons. Some of those serving there were even Demonkind.
The scourge of demons ravaged not only Jiannan Circuit but the Thirteen Provinces Circuit as well.
With the Academy holding the Capital Circuit, demons dared not run rampant there.
The flower-adorned scions of the Nine Great Surnames could enter officialdom through the imperial examinations or lay down their brushes and take up arms.
There was also a third, fiercely tempting path: become a commandant of the Demon-Slaying Office in one of the Three Continents, earn merit, and perhaps even exchange it for a coveted place at the Academy.
But that path was perilous. Demons cared nothing for your noble birth.
Zhang Yuzhi's uncle had served as a commandant in the Demon-Slaying Office. A bird demon had pecked out and swallowed his heart, killing him before her eyes. She hated demons to the bone and had sworn to slaughter every last one under heaven.
"Miss Zhi, there's no need to be so formal."
You looked at Zhang Yunzhi's earnest face and said, "Xie Guan has little wisdom to offer, much less anything to teach you. But if Miss Zhi is truly in difficulty, I'd be honored to help however I can."
You had never forgotten how Zhang Yunzhi had helped you at Grand View Garden.
A kindness received was one to keep close to the heart.
"Thank you, Young Master Guan."
You smiled faintly. "Miss Zhi, if