Core-Formation Great Demon!

Back in the small courtyard of the Demon-Calming Ward, she set down the things she had bought one by one. First, she put away the cloth and fitted clothes, then poured the fine rice into the rice jar.

Only then did she carry the several jin of heavy meat over to the well in the courtyard.

Drawing water and washing the meat, her movements flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water.

It was not that she was bad at cooking.

She had lived alone in her previous life and cooked often enough. It was just that, now that she had a female body, it still felt somewhat strange.

"If I really got married, perhaps I'd even become a virtuous wife and loving mother..."

Shaking her head to scatter the strange thoughts from her mind, she hurriedly got to work.

In the kitchen, the firewood crackled fiercely beneath the iron wok, and steam soon billowed from it.

Jiang Yuechu tipped the chopped demon beast meat into the wok. With a sizzle, a rich scent of meat instantly filled the air.

She added a few ordinary seasonings, stir-fried it over high heat, then let it simmer slowly over a low flame.

The fragrance gradually drifted beyond the little courtyard, luring the dogs of several nearby households to lie beneath the walls, sniffing eagerly and letting out low whimpers.

Jiang Yuechu took a deep breath. This familiar warmth of everyday life eased her tightly wound nerves considerably.

Using a wooden spoon, she scooped up a spoonful of tender, thoroughly stewed meat and put it into her mouth.

The meat was soft and glutinous, brimming with juice, its savory saltiness just right.

After only one bite, she immediately felt the qi and blood within her increase by a trace.

That warm current, thread by thread, flowed into her dantian.

It was not as violent or instantly effective as devouring demon flesh and blood, but it had the advantage of being a steady trickle, accumulating day after day.

"Ah..."

Jiang Yuechu sighed.

Demon beast flesh and blood were, after all, not demon flesh and blood.

Demon flesh and blood were formed when demons devoured the spiritual qi of heaven and earth or refined the essence and souls of living beings. They contained immense qi and blood, as well as demon qi.

Demon beasts, meanwhile, were merely exotic beasts tainted with a trace of demon bloodline.

Though their flesh and blood possessed more spirituality than ordinary livestock, they were still far from comparable to true demons.

Yet according to Great Tang law, privately selling demon flesh and blood was a grave crime.

The Demon Suppression Office regulated such matters with extreme strictness. Only the Regional Commander's Office treasury was qualified to store and refine it.

And she could not possibly encounter demons every day.

This demon beast meat was still fairly good.

What a pity—it was just a little too expensive.

Looking at the meat remaining in the wok, Jiang Yuechu felt deep concern for her wallet for the first time.

It seemed she would need to find ways to earn more money in the future.

Early the next morning.

Just as the sky began to lighten with the pale white of a fish's belly, Jiang Yuechu was already up.

After washing up simply, she put on her uniform, strapped her saber at her waist, straightened her back, and headed to the Demon Suppression Office.

After some thought, she decided she should still show her face before her subordinates.

After all, she was their superior. If she did not show herself often, they would likely become even harder to keep in line later.

As she walked into the Regional Commander's Office, she immediately spotted a familiar figure.

"Miss Jiang, wait a moment."

Liu Chen hurried over, urgency showing on his face.

Jiang Yuechu turned back, one brow lifting slightly. "What is it?"

Liu Chen caught his breath and waved a hand. "Lord Xu has ordered that all Squad Commanders and above from Xuan Camp report to the main hall of the Regional Commander's Office today. There is an important announcement."

Oh, a meeting.

Jiang Yuechu nodded and followed Liu Chen's footsteps.

The two walked side by side.

"Miss Jiang, you... went to see the group under your command yesterday. Did it go smoothly?"

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Chen could not help asking.

Jiang Yuechu shook her head.

"Nothing happened. You know how people of the martial world are—they're all tough. I went over to persuade them yesterday, and they softened up."

Liu Chen stopped short.

"Miss Jiang."

"Hmm?"

"Why does that sound so strange..."

"?"

The two passed through several corridors before finally arriving before a broad hall.

The hall doors stood open, and it was already packed with people inside.

All of them wore the standard black uniforms of the Demon Suppression Office, patterned with crimson lines.

Jiang Yuechu swept her gaze across the crowd and soon noticed something unusual.

Aside from the ordinary black robes with crimson patterns, several people had unknown ferocious beasts embroidered upon their clothing, lifelike enough to seem ready to choose someone and devour them.

"These people are Langjiang of the Demon Suppression Office."

Seeing her confusion, Liu Chen lowered his voice to explain. "What is embroidered on their clothing is the Longyou Golden Lion. The Golden Lion is a divine golden lion that suppresses demons and wards off evil."

He paused, then added, "The emblems of the Demon Suppression Offices in each Circuit differ. One can tell which Regional Commander's Office they belong to by their emblem. Of course, only those holding the rank of Langjiang or above are qualified to wear such clothing."

Jiang Yuechu nodded in understanding.

Above Squad Commander was Captain.

And above Captain came Langjiang.

Her gaze unconsciously fell upon the handsome young man standing at the front of the hall. He wore plain black robes, yet carried himself with exceptional bearing.

He too wore ordinary black, without a single additional ornament.

Yet even so, standing there, he was like a crane among chickens, a world unto himself.

Seeing her reaction, Liu Chen patiently explained further, "Of course, for someone like Lord Xu, unless there is an important occasion, he naturally wears whatever feels comfortable."

Jiang Yuechu understood.

Put plainly, it was leadership privilege.

If she reached that position someday, she could probably show up in a dress.

She entertained the wicked little thought inwardly, but her face revealed not the slightest hint of it.

Everyone in the hall had already noticed their arrival.

A woman appearing in the main hall of the Demon Suppression Office was simply too eye-catching.

However, perhaps because they feared a certain person, no one whispered among themselves.

Jiang Yuechu did not care in the slightest. She merely stood expressionlessly at the end of the line.

After waiting a little longer.

Xu Changfeng slowly closed the book in his hand and placed it to one side of the desk.

"Since everyone is here, we shall get straight to the point."

"I summoned you all here for one matter alone."

Everyone in the hall unconsciously softened their breathing.

"A new Core-Formation Great Demon has reportedly appeared near Jade Gate Pass."

The moment those words fell, a collective gasp swept through the hall.

A Core-Formation Great Demon!

Such an existence was already a calamity walking among men.

It could summon wind and rain, and with a lift of its hand, wipe out a small city!

Xu Changfeng paid no heed to their astonishment and continued, "Heaven Division has personally gone to investigate. In a few days, there will be definite news."

"If the news proves true, more than half of Xuan Camp's manpower is expected to be dispatched alongside General Wei He to Jade Gate Pass, where they will personally suppress the demons."

Jiang Yuechu's heart tightened.

More than half their manpower—this was practically Xuan Camp pouring out in full force.

With General Wei He personally leading the force, the severity of the matter was clear.

It also meant that she, a newly promoted Eighth-Rank Squad Commander, would very likely be swept into this great battle.

"Therefore, you are to make preparations in advance."

"Over these next few days, you must eliminate every known demon threat within Longyou Circuit."

He paused, his voice growing increasingly grave. "Once war begins at Jade Gate Pass and the armies of Longyou Circuit are mobilized, the demons on every road will surely move at the scent of wind, exploiting the gaps to slip in. If the rear falls into chaos, the front lines will certainly collapse. This is a battle concerning the safety of Great Tang and the survival of its people. Not the slightest negligence can be tolerated."

Everyone in the hall looked solemn as they answered in unison, "Yes!"

Their voices boomed like thunder, shaking the entire hall.

Jiang Yuechu also clasped her fists and bowed, though she had already begun calculating inwardly.

The stronger the demons, the more Dao Cultivation they possessed.

If she could participate in this battle and slay stronger demons, her strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds once again.

Only...

That was a Core-Formation Great Demon!

Though she did not know exactly how great the gap was between it and the Bone-Resonance Realm.

With her mere Initial Bone-Chiming Realm cultivation, going there would absolutely be delivering herself on a platter.

Seeing that everyone had accepted their orders, Xu Changfeng waved a hand. "Dismissed. Squad Commanders of each squad, collect your assignments and carry them out. Everyone else, remain."