Selection and Departure!

It was not yet dawn when Yang Xiao woke up.

He sat cross-legged on the bed and circulated the Origin-Guiding Qi Gathering Art, feeling spiritual qi gather in his twelve Apertures, then slowly flow along his meridians before finally converging into the energy-storage channel formed by Meridian Storage Spiritual Qi.

After a night of cultivation, his twelve Apertures were filled, and the spiritual qi in his meridians had accumulated another thirty percent.

Yang Xiao opened his eyes, his gaze clear.

Today was the day of the Demon Suppression Division's selection. He was going to take a look.

He rose, washed up, changed into clean clothes, hung his Spring Embroidery Saber at his waist, and pushed open the door.

The morning mist had yet to disperse. The long street was deserted, with only a few early-rising vendors setting up their stalls.

Yang Xiao walked toward the County Yamen at an unhurried pace.

He had not arrived particularly early, yet the gate of the County Yamen's main courtyard was already wide open, and a dense crowd stood within.

Nearly all the Yamen Runners had arrived. Even those who were supposed to be resting were there; the turnout was more orderly than the usual roll call.

Some paced back and forth, fists clenched, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Some gathered in groups of three or five, speaking in low voices, unable to suppress their excitement. Others leaned against the wall, faces pale and eyes darting away.

The Demon Suppression Division's selection was one of the few opportunities in a lifetime for the Yamen Runners of Xiangyun County.

Those selected would become members of the Demon Suppression Division and step into a far broader world.

Those who failed would continue serving in this small county town, guarding their meager Merit and a life whose end could practically be seen at a glance.

The moment Yang Xiao stepped through the courtyard gate, a Demon Suppression Guard dressed in dark, fitted clothing spotted him.

The man paused slightly, then smiled.

"Head Constable Yang, you didn't need to come so early."

The Demon Suppression Guard's tone was casual and courteous, with a hint of familiarity. "Your spot was decided long ago. You don't need to wait with them."

His voice was not loud, but the courtyard was quiet, and every word fell clearly into everyone's ears.

Those who had been pacing stopped. Those who had been talking closed their mouths. Those leaning against the walls raised their heads as well.

Dozens of gazes swept toward Yang Xiao.

Some were envious, some jealous, and some relieved.

Those who felt relieved had long since accepted reality. Yang Xiao was at the Qi Gathering Realm and had slain a great demon by himself. Did someone like him even need to undergo selection?

If even he could not be chosen, what chance did anyone else have?

Yang Xiao's expression remained unchanged. He nodded at the Demon Suppression Guard. "I just came to take a look."

The Demon Suppression Guard smiled and shook his head without saying anything more.

At the entrance to the main hall, the County Magistrate was accompanying Shen Qingyang as he checked the list.

A long desk stood before them, with registers spread across it. Shen Qingyang held a brush and marked them off while the County Magistrate offered guidance, occasionally calling someone forward for examination.

When he saw Yang Xiao approaching, the County Magistrate set down his teacup and rose on his own initiative.

"Head Constable Yang has arrived."

The County Magistrate's tone was much more courteous than before. It was not the perfunctory politeness of a superior addressing a subordinate, but carried a hint of solemnity.

In the past, he had called him Yang Xiao out of consideration for Yang Dayong's relationship with him, giving him a Yamen Runner's rice bowl.

Later, he had called him Head Constable Yang because he acknowledged his ability and achievements.

Now, those two words carried even more weight.

This young man had single-handedly wiped out the Demon Plague around Xiangyun County and had also caught the eye of the Demon Suppression Division. His future was no longer something a mere County Magistrate could estimate.

"My lord." Yang Xiao cupped his hands.

The County Magistrate waved his hand. "There's no need for such formality. You'll be accompanying Flag Officer Shen to Qingzhou today. If there's anything you need arranged, just say so."

"Nothing."

The County Magistrate nodded and gave him a few more reminders about taking care on the road before returning to Shen Qingyang's side to continue helping with the count.

Shen Qingyang did not even raise his head. His brush paused for a moment before he said evenly, "Don't rush. I'll come find you once the list is finalized."

Yang Xiao acknowledged him and turned toward the Side Room.

A heavy medicinal smell filled the Side Room.

Zhang Hu was half leaning against the headboard, his face waxen-yellow. Thick bandages wrapped around his chest, and the blood seeping through them had already turned dark brown.

Hearing footsteps, he struggled to turn his head. When he saw Yang Xiao, a glimmer of light flashed in his murky eyes.

"You're here."

Zhang Hu's voice was hoarse and weak, as though it had been squeezed out from the back of his throat.

Yang Xiao sat down beside the bed and examined his injuries, his brows drawing together slightly.

That strike from the Ape Demon had nearly cost him his life. The fact that he had survived was already a stroke of incredible luck.

"Are your injuries feeling better?"

"I won't die." Zhang Hu tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a smile uglier than a cry. "The Demon Suppression Division's lord brought over some medicine yesterday. I just need to lie down and recuperate for a while."

For a moment, silence descended.

Zhang Hu slowly spoke, his tone turning serious.

"Yang Xiao, be careful about everything once you enter the Demon Suppression Division."

He paused, seemingly weighing his words.

"The Demon Suppression Division is nothing like the County Yamen. Experts are everywhere there, and the waters run deep. Lower your head when you should, and endure when you must."

"Head Constable Zhang, I'll remember that." Yang Xiao nodded.

Zhang Hu was silent for a while. Then he suddenly reached out and patted the back of Yang Xiao's hand. His strength was light, yet it carried a heavy weight.

"Go. Don't bring shame to Xiangyun County."

The words should have been meant to spur him on, but coming from Zhang Hu, they sounded more like an elder's instructions to a junior.

Yang Xiao rose, gave Zhang Hu a deep look, and turned to leave the Side Room.

In the courtyard, Wang Dagui stood beneath the corridor, clearly having waited for a while.

"Head Constable Yang."

Wang Dagui called out to him, looked him up and down, and grinned, revealing several missing teeth.

"Work hard after entering the Demon Suppression Division. Don't bring shame to our Xiangyun County."

Yang Xiao could not help laughing. "Head Constable Wang, Head Constable Zhang just said the same thing."

"That means it's the truth." Wang Dagui patted him on the shoulder. "From the day you saved me from Wang Village, you little brat, I knew you weren't meant to remain in a pond.

"Go to Qingzhou and make your mark."

In the afternoon, the sun was blazing overhead.

Three carriages stopped before the County Yamen. Their curtains hung low, and the horses snorted loudly.

Shen Qingyang emerged from the main hall, followed by the County Magistrate and several Demon Suppression Guards.

"The list is finalized."

Shen Qingyang closed the register and handed it to the Demon Suppression Guard beside him, his gaze sweeping over the waiting Yamen Runners in the courtyard.

"Three people have been selected this time to return with me to the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division."

Yang Xiao stood to one side and did not move closer.

Shen Qingyang walked up to him. "Let's go. Get into the Lead Carriage. There are a few things I need to tell you on the way."

The carriage curtain was lifted. Soft cushions covered the inside, and the space was spacious, clearly reserved specially for Shen Qingyang.

Yang Xiao bent down and climbed inside. Shen Qingyang took his seat afterward, and the curtain fell.

The two carriages behind them were packed with the newly selected recruits and the family members accompanying them to Qingzhou.

Hu Kai sat in a corner of the second carriage, with two colleagues beside him, their knees pressed tightly together.

He had been selected as well.

He had not been idle during the days Yang Xiao had been away slaying demons. With a Vermilion Fruit from Zhang Tie, together with daily body tempering to speed up his progress, he had ultimately reached the Body Forging 6th Layer—the minimum requirement for selection.

Hu Kai lowered his head and said nothing.

He knew very well that the Body Forging 6th Layer was respectable enough in Xiangyun County, but in the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, people at that level were as common as stray dogs by the roadside.

A young woman sat beside him. It was Hu Qingqing.

Hu Qingqing had come along as the only family member he was permitted to bring.

If her younger brother could establish himself in the Demon Suppression Division, the Hu family would have a chance to turn its fortunes around.

The carriage slowly set off. Its wheels rolled over the stone road, giving off a dull rumble.

Hu Qingqing lifted a corner of the curtain and looked ahead.

The curtain of the carriage at the very front was tightly closed, making it impossible to see inside. Yet two mounted Demon Suppression Guards followed beside it, their bearing imposing and stern.

She knew Yang Xiao was in that carriage, seated together with Shen Qingyang, the Flag Officer of the Demon Suppression Division.

Hu Qingqing bit her lip and opened her mouth, wanting to call out, "Yang Xiao."

But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.

Between the two carriages stood the Demon Suppression Guards. Between them stretched the County Magistrate's escorting procession, as well as Shen Qingyang's aura from the Liquid Condensation Realm.

And beyond that lay an indescribable distance.

That distance was not a matter of several zhang or several feet. It was a natural chasm of identity, status, and strength.

She suddenly remembered that not long ago, she could still swagger into Yang Xiao's home and demand, with perfect justification, that he hand over his Spring Embroidery Saber.

Back then, Yang Xiao had been a cowardly Yamen Runner, a bootlicker who revolved around her.

But now, after only a few days apart, with multiple factors bolstering him, an invisible, impenetrable wall had already risen between them.

Hu Qingqing lowered the curtain, leaned back against the carriage wall, and closed her eyes.

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