It was noon when he returned to Qingzhou.
A Patrol Soldier at the gate stopped him, and Yang Xiao handed over his identification token.
The Patrol Soldier glanced down at it twice, then looked up at his coarse clothes, washed pale from wear. He hurriedly handed the token back, his face a picture of embarrassment.
He turned and nervously glanced several times at Yang Xiao's retreating back. Only when he saw that Yang Xiao had no intention of taking issue with him did he relax.
The sun bleached the bluestone road in front of the Demon Suppression Division.
Yang Xiao first returned the Demon Horse to the stables, then made his way unhurriedly to the Demon-Slaying Battalion.
The courtyard gate stood open.
There were fewer people than before today, with only a handful of Deputy Generals scattered around the courtyard, discussing something.
As Yang Xiao passed them, they all stopped talking and watched in surprise as he headed straight for Lord Li's room.
"That's Yang Xiao?!"
"He really is young. I heard he's only eighteen, and he's already about to reach the mysterious core realm!"
"It's not just his breakthroughs that are the fastest. His promotions must be too!"
"But there's no point getting jealous. He has real ability..."
Zhou Zheng stood beside the corridor outside Li Hanguang's door, looking down at the bottle in his hand. He talked to someone beside him while tapping the bottle with a finger.
"I'm serious. I spent six days lying in wait in that forest to the west, just waiting for one..."
He caught sight of Yang Xiao out of the corner of his eye, and his words cut off.
He looked at Yang Xiao, surprise showing in his eyes.
Hadn't he only just left? Why was he back already?
"...Deputy General Yang?"