A Husky That Fell into a Wolf Den

Liangzhou Prefecture, Demon Suppression Office.

The Military Commissioner's Office stood in the north of the city, with black tiles and high walls, brass wind chimes hanging from the eaves.

The wind and sand blew year-round, making the chimes ring dully.

Liangzhou Prefecture Demon Suppression Directorate.

Rear Hall.

An enormous sand table occupied most of the hall, intricately depicting the mountains and terrain of the entire Longyou Circuit.

Wei He stood before the sand table with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable.

Several other men dressed in fitted black uniforms embroidered with crimson patterns stood in the hall. They were all powerful figures within the Demon Suppression Office, each wearing a solemn expression.

"The garrison at Jade Gate Pass reported seeing a mountain come alive and grow legs to run away."

A Langjiang with a short beard on his chin spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of absurdity.

Another frowned. "A mountain grew legs and ran away? Could the sandstorm have been so severe that they saw things?"

Wei He did not raise his head, his voice even. "What else?"

The short-bearded Langjiang continued, "And over in Zhangye, the waters of the Black River flowed backward for three days. Dead fish covered the river, and the stench spread for a hundred li."

The atmosphere in the hall turned somewhat oppressive.

In these times, demons and monsters ran rampant, and strange occurrences were frequent. That was nothing unusual.

Yet recently, something felt vaguely wrong.

At last, someone could not hold back and steered the conversation toward another matter.

"General, regarding Captain Xu..."

The moment those words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Xu Nian was a Bone-Chiming Realm martial artist. In a place like Longyou, he was already considered a formidable expert.

Yet someone of his caliber had been carried back just days ago.

"He won't die."

Wei He finally looked up, his face still expressionless. "But his meridians have all been severed, and his qi and blood have withered away. Even if he can be saved, his cultivation is ruined."

"Hiss—"

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath sounded through the hall.

A Bone-Chiming Realm expert had simply been crippled?

"Was that monster truly so powerful?"

The Langjiang with the short beard sighed. "Demons of the Demon Race who possess divine abilities are indeed troublesome. Back then, that monster in Hexi could speak human language and wield illusions. It cost our Demon Suppression Office fifteen captains and over three hundred brothers."

"The monster of Jincheng County could manipulate blood mist and turn it to its own use. Such a divine ability has never been heard of before. Captain Xu did not lose unjustly."

"If not for..."

Halfway through the sentence, everyone thought of something at once. Their gazes all turned toward a pale young man in the corner.

Liu Chen.

He had also suffered serious injuries in that bloody battle. Even standing there now, his body swayed slightly.

Wei He's gaze fell upon him as well.

"Liu Chen, a woman returned with you?"

Liu Chen's heart tightened, and he hurriedly bowed. "Yes, General."

"Tell me again in detail. Just how did that Pig Demon die?"

Liu Chen took a deep breath, as though recalling that scene which had overturned everything he knew. Traces of horror still lingered in his eyes.

"Reporting to the General... this subordinate... this subordinate does not know what kind of method that was."

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

"When that woman attacked, her blade came out like a tiger. A blood-red phantom followed behind her, and her saber technique was incomparably fierce and powerful. Yet even so, she only managed to wound the Pig Demon."

"What was truly fatal... was her final..."

Liu Chen's Adam's apple bobbed, as though he were searching for suitable words.

"In the end, scarlet tiger markings emerged over her body. Her black hair all turned blood-red, and her eyes... her eyes became vertical pupils... The Baleful Intent she gave off surpassed even that Pig Demon!"

"One punch."

"With just one punch, she pierced straight through the Pig Demon's chest."

"..."

The moment he finished, everyone's expressions became extraordinarily vivid.

"Unheard of! What kind of wicked art is this?!"

"Could she have been a monster in disguise?" another immediately echoed. "If she had such methods, why did she not act earlier? Why wait until Captain Xu and the others had fought until their oil was exhausted and their lamps had run dry?"

For a time, the hall buzzed with discussion as speculation sprang up everywhere.

Liu Chen opened his mouth, wanting to offer a few words in defense, yet he did not know where to begin.

Yes, why?

At the time, he too had been terrified by that vicious, baleful aura.

But afterward, the woman had collapsed from exhaustion. They had brought her back to Liangzhou Prefecture and treated her along the way. She was clearly human. Though her qi and blood were weak and unsteady, there had not been the slightest trace of demonic aura.

"Enough."

Wei He's voice rang out again, and the hall instantly quieted.

He did not question further, merely ordered, "Pass down the command. The matter of Jincheng County ends here. All mounted investigators sent to investigate are to withdraw at once."

"General?!"

Everyone was shocked.

"That woman's identity has yet to be determined..."

"I have my own judgment."

Wei He waved a hand, giving them no chance to press further.

"Leave."

The others looked at one another. In the end, none dared disobey. They bowed in salute and filed out one after another.

Before long, only Wei He remained in the rear hall.

He looked at the sand table and remained silent for a long time.

"The Jiang Household..."

The medicine was bitter.

Jiang Yuechu scrunched up her face, feeling that she had never drunk anything so vile in her life.

"Good medicine tastes bitter."

A soft laugh came from beside her. Wei Qing used a silk handkerchief to wipe the medicine from the corner of Jiang Yuechu's mouth, her movements gentle.

"This was brewed with snow ginseng and hundred-year-old Solomon's seal. Your qi and blood have been depleted too severely; ordinary medicines would be useless."

Snow ginseng? Solomon's seal?

Jiang Yuechu's heart skipped a beat.

They sounded expensive.

Even if she had earned merit for slaying a demon, was there really any need to be so lavish?

Or was it that...

The Demon Suppression Office simply did not lack money?

Without revealing anything, she sized up the woman before her.

Wei Qing appeared to be around twenty-three or twenty-four. She wore an elegant white dress, her brows and eyes gentle, with a faint medicinal fragrance clinging to her.

"Miss Wei, I forgot to ask—this place is...?"

Wei Qing blinked and smiled. "Naturally, it is the rear courtyard of the Demon Suppression Office."

Jiang Yuechu drew in a sharp breath.

She had killed people from the Demon Suppression Office and only barely survived until now. Now that she was in the Demon Suppression Office's headquarters, what was the difference between a husky falling into a wolf den?

If she were exposed, she would probably be turned on the spot into husky stew with snow ginseng and Solomon's seal.

"Thank you for telling me, Miss."

She forced out a smile. "May I ask... where are the lords who brought me back? I... this young woman has yet to thank them for saving my life."

Wei Qing smiled. "They have official duties to attend to, so you need not concern yourself with them. Just focus on recovering. My brother instructed me to take good care of you."

Brother?

Jiang Yuechu keenly caught that word.

She was just about to probe indirectly into who this brother of hers might be.

Creak—

A middle-aged man dressed in a dark black casual robe walked in.

He was not particularly burly, and his features were refined, yet the aura about him made him impossible to take lightly.

Wei Qing rose to her feet and gave the newcomer a graceful bow.

"Brother."

Wei He's gaze did not linger on his younger sister. It went straight to the pale face upon the bed.

He said nothing. He merely looked at Jiang Yuechu.

His gaze made Jiang Yuechu's hair stand on end and her scalp tingle.

It felt as though she had been stripped naked, seen through inside and out.

After a long while.

Wei He finally spoke slowly. "Jiang Xun's daughter, Jiang Yuechu?"