Turned Away at the Door

The following morning.

Yang Xiao and Yan Tieyi left Azure Mist City and set off along the official road.

Longwind Commandery is located at the border of Qingzhou and Liangzhou, about a five-day journey from Azure Mist City.

The two traveled westward, the official road beneath their feet was wide and flat, with rolling hills and sparse trees on both sides.

We've been traveling for most of the day since we set off from Azure Mist City, and we haven't seen a single Demon along the way.

Occasionally, a few wild rabbits would dart out of the grass, fleeing in panic at the sound of horses' hooves, but otherwise nothing unusual happened.

Yang Xiao pulled on the reins, slowing the horse down.

We did not see Demon on the way here.

Yan Tieyi rode beside him on horseback. Upon hearing this, he raised his head and scanned his surroundings.

His gaze swept across the distant mountains and forests, then fell on the official road beneath his feet, and finally he shook his head.

"Not surprising."

"There's a Post Station every hundred miles along the official road, and the Demon Suppression Division's Patrol Soldier conduct regular inspections." Yan Tieyi chuckled. "Even the boldest Demon wouldn't openly let you discover it."

"When the Patrol Soldier tracked down the Yao Qi, they were immediately followed by squads of Deputy General took turns coming to their door."

"Apart from powerful demons at the Aperture-Opening Realm or above, there is basically no risk of survival."

He paused, then added, "If you want to find Aperture Opening demons to accumulate Merit, the place guarded by the Deputy General will definitely have some."

"I had dealings with the Deputy General stationed in Longwind Commandery many years ago."

"When we arrive, you don't need to say anything; I'll handle the negotiations."

"Um."

Yang Xiao nodded slightly, his expression relaxed. Compared to meeting people, he did indeed prefer the simple and direct way of killing demons to gain Merit.

Traveling with someone who can negotiate on your behalf really saves me a lot of trouble.

Five days later, the two arrived at the Longwind Commandery garrison.

The local residence is located north of Longwind Commandery, built against the mountain and surrounded by a dense bamboo forest.

Several Captain dressed in dark, close-fitting uniforms stood guard at the gate, long swords at their waists, their expressions wary.

Yan Tieyi rode his horse to the gate, dismounted, and said, "Yan Tieyi, Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division Deputy General Division, has come on official business on the orders of Deputy General Shen to learn about the details of the Demon in this area."

He revealed the Deputy General's badge at his waist and handed it to the leading Captain.

The young Captain took the waist token, examined it carefully, and then handed it back.

"General Deputy General, please wait a moment while I go in and inform him."

"Good."

Yan Tieyi nodded slightly, then turned to look at Yang Xiao beside him. "See, I still have some face, don't I?"

Before the latter could reply, the young Captain hurried back at an even faster pace, a troubled look on his face.

"General Deputy General, please return. The Deputy General has ordered that no outsiders be received. He is in charge of the Demon here, so there is no need to trouble your colleagues."

"Um?"

Yan Tieyi frowned slightly. "You didn't say my name?"

"Reporting to your Excellency, I have spoken." The young Captain hesitated, a hint of evasion in his expression. "Yes... it's because Deputy General Han doesn't receive guests. I can't say much more or less. I hope you will return to where you came from."

His tone was respectful, but it carried a hint of deference.

"..."

I was turned away as soon as I arrived?

Yan Tieyi had never encountered this situation before. He was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Yang Xiao with some embarrassment.

Yang Xiao sniffed lightly, sensing an unusual aura emanating from the young Captain in front of him.

It smelled of herbs, but also carried a considerable amount of demonic Yao Qi.

"Your Deputy General is injured?"

"...Yes." The young Captain nodded, stammering, "Deputy General Han was injured a few days ago while investigating the Demon Traces."

When did this happen?

About three months ago.

"Since Deputy General Han is injured, I should go in and check on him." Yan Tieyi's gaze was deep and his expression brooked no argument.

"This... I'm afraid it's not very convenient." The Captain's expression changed.

"Is there any inconvenience?"

"Deputy General Han is in seclusion to heal his injuries and should not be disturbed. If anything goes wrong during his retreat, we cannot afford the consequences."

Yang Xiao stood with his hands at his sides, remaining silent for a moment.

From the Captain's furtive movements and the medicinal scent mixed with Yao Qi emanating from the garrison, he sensed something was amiss.

"Your base seems to be in close contact with Demon; the air is thick with Demon aura." His tone became sharper. "So I suspect you're hiding something."

Yan Tieyi's gaze darkened.

He raised the badge again, his tone becoming firmer.

"I am a Deputy General of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, here on official business. Longwind Commandery has been cutting off all reports for the past few months, and Deputy General Shen ordered me to investigate the situation."

If you continue to obstruct me, it will be considered disobedience.

The Captain's face turned grim.

He glanced at the waist token in Yan Tieyi's hand, then at the gate of the garrison behind him, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

In the end, he shook his head.

"Deputy General Yan, it's not that I don't want you to go in, it's just that it's Deputy General Han's order."

Yan Tieyi placed his hand on the hilt of the knife.

"Then I'll go in and see what the problem is."

He strode forward, ready to force his way in.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Several Captain stepped forward simultaneously, blocking his way. They exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with panic and wariness.

The leader gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Deputy General Yan, without Deputy General Han's orders, we cannot let you in."

"If you insist on going in, we will have no choice but to use force."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the Captain gripped their swords and secretly sharpened their blades to a half-inch.

"Use force?" Yan Tieyi's brows furrowed even more.

His voice turned cold.

"I advise you to think carefully before you try to stop me."

The Captain did not back down; they remained blocking the doorway, their expressions wary.

Yan Tieyi stopped talking nonsense. He took a step forward, and Spiritual Power surged around him, forming a faint black light on his body.

"Since you won't let me in, then I'll go in myself."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was about to make his move.

Just then...

"Whoosh!"

A long Fine Steel Spear pierced through the air, its butt striking the ground with a resounding crash, blocking Yan Tieyi's path!

The gun vibrated, emitting a buzzing sound.

The spear's butt sank three inches into the ground, causing several cracks to appear in the surrounding Bluestone pavement.

Yan Tieyi paused in his steps.

He raised his head and looked in the direction from which the spear had come.

A figure slowly emerged from the depths of the base's backyard.

He was a man in his fifties, dressed in the robes of Deputy General, with graying temples and a weary face.

His eyes were sunken and his face was ashen, but he still exuded a powerful aura of battle experience. However, even before you got close, a strong smell of medicine wafted towards you.

Han Dingshan.

Deputy General stationed at the Demon Suppression Division Longwind Commandery.

He walked to the door, his gaze sweeping over Yan Tieyi and Yang Xiao, finally settling on the long spear nailed to the ground.

"Yan Tieyi".

His voice was deep and slightly hoarse.

"How dare you trespass on our territory?"

"Do you even respect me anymore!?"