Northwest Great Tang.
Longyou Circuit, Liangzhou.
The wind and sand howled fiercely, turning the sky a murky yellow.
This place had once been a land nearly forgotten by the imperial court.
Until someone appeared later, slaughtering all the way, killing until heads rolled like beads, until demons and monsters vanished without a trace.
Forcing a flourishing age of peace from this land of yellow sands through sheer killing.
Present-day Liangzhou was so peaceful that even the Demon Suppression Office, whose people had always lived with their lives on the edge of a blade, seemed to have little to do.
Liaozhou Demon Suppression Office.
Rear courtyard.
A battered table stood in the courtyard.
Chen Tong sat boldly on a long bench, dressed in a black robe patterned with crimson lines, its front hanging wide open to reveal his dark chest.
He picked up a piece of meat, stuffed it into his mouth, and cursed, "These days are damned boring."
"Isn't that good?"
Monk Bujie sat across from him, his bald head gleaming with oil, his dark robes hanging loosely around him, a bowl of wine in hand.
He took a small sip, sounding faintly sentimental as he narrowed his eyes. "No demons to behead, no fiends to eliminate. The people live in peace, the government is at leisure. This monk thinks these are the days the world ought to have."
Chen Tong glared at him. "Cut the crap. You think I don't know what you're after? You've practically been living in Guanyin Alley lately, haven't you?"
Monk Bujie's expression did not change. "The Buddha's teachings are everywhere..."
"Go fuck yourself."
At his side.
Liu Ke looked at the two of them somewhat helplessly and rubbed his brow. "...Both of you, say less."
They were all Seventh-Rank Commandants now. Why were these