We Are Here

On the official road, dust billowed into the sky.

Ten Scarlet-eyed Steeds ambled along at an unhurried pace, their riders wearing a variety of expressions.

"Damn it, this cursed weather is so hot the birds are practically roasting!"

Chen Tong pulled open his collar, exposing a tuft of black chest hair as he complained with a face full of irritation.

"Amitabha."

Beside him, the monk Bujie took a huge swig of wine and let out a thunderous belch. "Benefactor Chen, that is not quite right. A tranquil heart naturally brings coolness."

Chen Tong spat viciously. "Bald donkey, is there any wine left in that gourd? Give me a swig!"

At that, Bujie hugged the wine gourd to his chest as though it were treasure and repeatedly shook his head. "Cannot do, cannot do. This is an implement of this poor monk's cultivation. If mortals drink it, their lifespan will be shortened."

"I'll fuck your—"

"If you dare say another word, you can all walk."

The cool voice was not loud, yet it was like a basin of ice water dumped over their heads.

The moment those words fell, Chen Tong and Bujie instantly shut their mouths. Even the other men who had been chatting in low voices immediately fell silent as cicadas in winter.

Jiang Yuechu rubbed her throbbing temples.

These subordinates of hers, all born of the martial world, had not stopped talking since they left Liangzhou Prefecture.

Even with her temperament, she now felt an urge to beat every one of these noisy fools black and blue.

The group continued onward in silence.

After traveling for roughly another half hour, an outline finally began to emerge at the far end of the official road ahead.

"Whoa—"

Jiang Yuechu tugged the reins, and her Scarlet-eyed Steed reared onto its hind legs before stopping outside Hexian County's gates.

Everyone swung down from their horses, led their mounts, and entered the city.

The moment the townspeople saw their black clothes embroidered with crimson patterns, they froze. Then the place seemed to explode into a cauldron of chatter, everyone lowering their voices as they discussed them.

"They're from the Demon Suppression Office!"

"The officials from the Demon Suppression Office are here!"

"Look, they're heading toward the county yamen! They must be here because of that Bear Demon!"

Before they could even reach the county yamen, a group of people rushed out from the street ahead and blocked their path without a word.

At their head was a man in his forties, dressed in a short robe stained all over with grease. Tears and snot streamed down his face as he dropped to his knees with a thud.

"My lords! Please, save my wife!"

Behind him followed over a dozen equally ragged townspeople—men and women, young and old—who all knelt in a row, their cries ringing out in unison.

"My lords, my son went up the mountain too! He hasn't come home in three days!"

What kind of existence was the Demon Suppression Office to ordinary people?

Common folk normally could not hide fast enough when they saw them.

Yet even so, these people had dared to step forward and block their way.

It was clear they had truly been driven into a corner.

Liu Ke watched the scene before him, and a trace of pity flashed across his face.

He had been born into a prestigious household and raised on ideals of chivalry and righteousness. Seeing the people suffer now, the heroic spirit in his heart surged forth at once.

"Everyone, you—"

He had just intended to offer a few comforting words, perhaps make some promise.

"Shut up."

A cold voice cut him off.

Jiang Yuechu merely looked indifferently at the crowd of kneeling townspeople.

Liu Ke froze and looked at her in disbelief.

Chen Tong, Bujie, and the others also showed strange expressions, dissatisfaction rising in their hearts.

Though they were unruly, they still considered themselves heroes of the martial world. When the people faced disaster, how could they stand by with folded arms?

Yet Jiang Yuechu's gaze merely swept over their faces one by one.

The dissatisfaction in their hearts was instantly extinguished by a wave of chill. One after another, they lowered their heads and did not dare speak again.

Jiang Yuechu ignored them and simply led her horse past those townspeople, who stood there dumbstruck as wooden chickens.

Liu Ke lowered his head, his expression hidden from view. Only the veins on the hand gripping his reins bulged prominently.

Damn it!

Was this Jiang woman truly made of iron and stone?!

The people were kneeling before her, weeping and begging for help, yet she had not even asked a single question before walking straight past them?

How was that any different from those demonic fiends who regarded human lives as grass?

A feeling of helplessness, mingled with humiliation, welled up in his heart.

Just then, a thick palm gently patted his shoulder.

Liu Ke started and turned around. It was Bujie.

The fat monk had lost his usual playful grin. He merely shook his head and let out a sigh.

Outside the county yamen, the two stone lions had been eroded by wind and sand until their features were blurred.

The moment the yamen runners saw their black attire and Scarlet-eyed Steeds, their legs went weak. They scrambled and rolled into the inner hall.

Before long, a slightly plump middle-aged man wearing a black official cap hurried out under the escort of a group of constables, sweat pouring down his face.

"This lowly official is Qian Youwei, magistrate of Hexian County. I did not know that my lords were arriving and failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, please forgive me!"

Jiang Yuechu ignored his pleasantries and walked directly inside.

Qian Youwei led the way ahead, bowing and scraping. The group passed through the front hall and arrived at the reception room in the rear compound.

Tea was quickly served.

Magistrate Qian wiped the sweat from his forehead. "My lords have traveled through wind and dust. You must be weary. May I ask what brings you all to this small Hexian County?"

At those words, everyone was stunned.

What did this magistrate mean?

Jiang Yuechu frowned and calmly spoke two words. "The demon."

"Oh, oh, my lord means that matter... As for the Bear Demon causing trouble, it is a long story..."

"Then make a long story short."

Magistrate Qian's gaze darted about. He stammered for a long while before finally forcing out a dry laugh. "My lords, that black bear... for some reason, it came down the mountain on its own several days ago and has vanished without a trace. The people are safe now, and no demon has caused any further trouble. This lowly official was preparing to write another document to report to the prefectural office!"

"Fuck!"

Chen Tong was the first to lose his temper. He slapped the table and sprang to his feet. "You're spewing bullshit! We came all this way, and there's still a whole crowd kneeling at the city gate crying for their fathers and mothers. You're telling me everything is fine?"

Bujie also set down his teacup and recited a Buddhist invocation. "Amitabha. Lord Qian, those who have left the secular world do not lie. How is it that you, an official, are also full of wild nonsense?"

Startled by the two of them, Magistrate Qian shuddered and nearly slipped from his chair.

"Enough!"

Liu Ke abruptly rose to his feet and barked out a cold shout.

He had already been dissatisfied by Jiang Yuechu's earlier disregard for the people. Now, seeing this magistrate spout nonsense as well, the rage in his heart could no longer be contained.

He strode to Magistrate Qian in several steps, one hand resting on his sword hilt as he stared down at him from above, his eyes full of contempt.

"You were the one who reported this to the Demon Suppression Office, and now you are the one saying the demon has gone!"

"You have quite the nerve! How dare you toy with our Demon Suppression Office!"

"Speak! Have you colluded with that demon, deceived those above and below, and harmed the people?!"

Colluding with demons?!

With that accusation dropped on his head, Magistrate Qian's face instantly turned white.

"No! Absolutely not! Even if this lowly official had heaven-sized courage, I would never dare keep company with demons!"

He waved his hands repeatedly, his fat face pale as paper. "My lord, see clearly! This lowly official has been wronged!"

Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes, her tone even.

"Then tell the truth."

Knowing that if he did not explain himself today, the matter would be difficult to settle, Magistrate Qian gritted his teeth and lowered his voice.

"Yes... there was originally a demon... only..."

"Only what?"

"Only... do you lords know that there are three great sects in Longyou's martial world?"

Liu Ke frowned.

He himself came from Falling Goose Manor, so naturally he knew.

"Falling Goose Manor, the Raging Tide Sect, and... Baosha Temple."

"Baosha Temple, precisely!"

The magistrate hurriedly said, "Just yesterday, monks from Baosha Temple suddenly came to see me."

"They said... said that Black Bear Spirit was originally a mountain-guarding spirit beast of their temple. For some reason, it slipped down the mountain, which was what caused all this trouble."

"Now... its rightful owners have come to take it back to the mountain gate and keep it under strict watch..."

As his words fell.

Chen Tong, who had been so furious moments ago, silently sat back down. He lifted his teacup, blew across the tea, and said nothing.

The expression on Bujie's face also eased considerably. He merely rubbed his large bald head and muttered something under his breath.

Liu Ke's face looked even worse.

Let alone a small county magistrate, even the Demon Suppression Office was unwilling to easily provoke the monks of Baosha Temple.

After all, Longyou was remote, and the Longyou Demon Suppression Office currently had no Commander-in-Chief holding the fort. Encountering a minor sect or faction was one thing—they could slap it to death with one palm, and no one would dare say a word.

But Baosha was a major Longyou sect. Its halls were filled with masters, and it had operated in Longyou for centuries. Its followers spread across every prefecture and province, while its disciples were intertwined with officials, wealthy gentry, and great clans through roots and branches tangled beyond measure.

Rather than calling it a martial-world sect, it would be more accurate to say it was one of Longyou Circuit's regional overlords.

To make an enemy of a colossal being like Baosha Temple, the Longyou Demon Suppression Office's current strength was unlikely to gain even the slightest advantage.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Magistrate Qian finally felt the stone hanging over his heart fall to the ground.

The terror faded from his face, and he hurriedly added, "Baosha Temple is a holy land of the Buddhist Order, with extremely high prestige throughout Longyou Circuit. They distribute porridge and grain year-round and provide relief to disaster victims. The eminent monks in that temple are all compassionate at heart..."

Liu Ke gave a cold snort and interrupted him, merely turning his gaze toward Jiang Yuechu, who had not spoken from beginning to end.

As he looked at that calm face, the nameless fire in his heart burned even hotter.

This Jiang woman had ignored the people's weeping pleas earlier.

Now that she had heard the name Baosha Temple, she would likely retreat even more readily.

This matter would probably end without result.

He was originally the young manor lord of Falling Goose Manor. Though he was an illegitimate son who could not be shown in the light, he had still received the teachings of a righteous and prestigious sect from childhood.

The reason he had disregarded his family's opposition and resolutely joined the Demon Suppression Office was, first, to carve out a future for himself and show his father, who looked down on him.

Second, he had believed that the Demon Suppression Office slew demons and monsters and protected the people of a region—an act of true chivalry.

But now...

Was the Demon Suppression Office truly as open and upright as he had imagined?

First they ignored the people, and now they would yield to a major sect.

Then what was the point of this trip?

Just going through the motions?

Just as the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly frozen.

Jiang Yuechu set down the teacup in her hand.

She lowered her eyes and spoke. "Where are the people from Baosha Temple?"

"We are here."

The voice came from outside the door.

Two figures appeared at the entrance to the hall.

Both wore immaculate white monk's robes, with handsome faces and solemn, dignified features.

Yet between their brows lingered an arrogance that could not be dispelled.

Seeing everyone look over, one of them smiled, pressed his palms together, and recited a Buddhist invocation.

"Amitabha."

"This poor monk has been waiting here for all you benefactors for quite some time."