Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming Saber! Orders for Guanlan Commandery!

Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow, his memory returning to the threat the two demons had made before their deaths in Heishui County.

"The Guanlan Prefecture River Inspection Envoy is in charge of water transport along the Guanlan River for hundreds of miles, and is responsible for inspecting the waterways and suppressing river bandits."

Xu Qingshan's voice carried a hint of complexity, "On the surface, he's an official appointed by the imperial court, but in reality..."

"Actually, they're colluding with Demon?" Yang Xiao continued.

"It's not just collusion." Xu Qingshan turned around and looked at Yang Xiao. "Jiang Chen colluded with the Dragon Lord of Guanlan River, raising Water Demon in the river and using the river to transport corpses to feed the Flood Dragon Lord."

"An investigation has revealed that Jiang Chen's actions have been underway for several months, spanning five hundred li along the rivers of Guanlan Commandery and involving more than ten counties!"

Yang Xiao fell silent.

An official appointed by the imperial court colluded with Demon for many years, infiltrating the entire county.

This is no longer a simple Demon Plague, but a major case that involves the very foundation of the imperial court.

"How was it exposed?"

Xu Qingshan smiled bitterly, "Half a month ago, he let the Black Flood Dragon devour hundreds of people at once, draining their life essence and blood, and then threw their corpses into the river. He originally thought they would float downstream and be swept into the sea unnoticed."

But that night the river swelled, and the body was washed downstream to the shallows, where it was discovered by the local people, who reported it to the Demon Suppression Division.

Yang Xiao nodded, a deeper meaning appearing in his eyes. "Where is Jiang Chen now?"

"They escaped." Xu Qingshan's voice carried a hint of resentment. "After the matter was exposed, Jiang Chen led the remaining Demon and fled into the Guanlan River."

The Guanlan River has a complex waterway system, Flood Dragon Lord) has been managing it for hundreds of years, possessing an intimate knowledge of it. The Demon Suppression Division has no way to deal with him in the short term.

"So what's going on now? Demon Suppression Division just going to let this go?"

Yang Xiao was curious; given the Demon Suppression Division's usual ruthless approach, why would they be so tolerant?

"General Pei Xuance, the Guanlan Prefecture Demon Suppression General, is furious and has personally surrounded the river." Xu Qingshan's eyes were filled with excitement, but his voice became solemn.

"He mobilized all the Demon Suppression Guard of Guanlan Commandery, sealed off hundreds of miles of the Guanlan River, captured Jiang Chen, and slew the Black Flood Dragon."

"It's really lively."

Yang Xiao smiled, not taking it too seriously, and felt a sense of awe for the Demon Suppression General's spirit.

This matter is too far removed from his own life; even if he wanted to join in the fun, he wouldn't have the energy.

Besides, you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.

He's both an official appointed by the imperial court and Flood Dragon Lord, but he doesn't yet have the confidence to force his way in and grab a share of the spoils.

Seeing Yang Xiao's indifferent expression, Xu Qingshan gritted his teeth and uttered a sentence.

"The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division has also received orders." Xu Qingshan looked at Yang Xiao. "The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division will be drawing personnel from various places to provide support in the Guanlan River."

He paused, then added, "We are very likely to be chosen."

Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly. Was there something else going on with him?

When do we depart?

Without any hesitation or second-guessing, they immediately asked, "When are we leaving?"

Seeing Yang Xiao's reaction, Xu Qingshan was taken aback. Faced with such a major event, who wouldn't worry that this task would fall on their shoulders?

But one second he heard the news, and the next he was preparing to leave.

"The specific time hasn't been decided yet, at most one or two days," Xu Qingshan said. "The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division will send out several teams, each led by Deputy General and accompanied by Captain."

"What is the mission?"

Xu Qingshan gave a wry smile, "I don't know either, and I can't find out any more."

He sat down again and looked at Yang Xiao.

"However, I suspect that while the Battle of the Guanlan River will be a large-scale operation, the actual tasks that fall on our shoulders will be quite simple."

"If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. As long as you don't deliberately take risks or be overly competitive, you can probably return safely."

Xu Qingshan's face showed relief, and his tone became more comforting.

"By then, I can accumulate more Merit and take another step closer to Deputy General."

After speaking, Xu Qingshan stood up, his gaze towards Yang Xiao carrying a hint of reluctance.

Having worked with Yang Xiao on missions, I realized just how rare Yang Xiao's efficient and decisive methods were.

You can rest assured; the sense of security that he'll handle the Demon is unparalleled.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Qingshan got up and left.

"I don't know yet if we'll be assigned to the same squad, but I wish Brother Yang a triumphant return."

The next morning, Yang Xiao went into the Technique Pavilion.

He chose a new Saber Technique for himself from the bookshelf, named "Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming Saber," which is an advanced Saber Technique of the "Demon-Slaying Blade Technique."

The description says that this Saber Technique is extremely powerful and yang, capable of warding off evil and suppressing malevolent forces. With a single strike, it can not only shatter the physical body of a demon, but also shatter its Demon Soul, causing it to perish completely.

To master this Saber Technique, one must have mastered the "Demon-Slaying Blade Technique" to a high level and be at least at the Liquid Condensation Realm.

This is already quite demanding for a group of Captain; perhaps only Deputy General can undertake this training.

This also suggests that its power might be considerable?

After crossing 500 Merit points off the Merit Booklet, Yang Xiao carried the cultivation manual and hurried home.

Back in the courtyard.

Yang Xiao sat on the stone bench and opened the book "The Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming Saber".

Upon holding the booklet, a sharp and intimidating aura emanated from it.

The Saber Technique consists of three moves: the Demon-Subduing Stance Move is like the might of heaven descending to suppress all demons, causing demons to tremble in fear and their Yao Qi to dissipate on its own.

The Baleful-Subduing Slash accumulates a portion of Demon-Subduing Baleful Qi on the blade with each demon it slays; the denser the Sha Qi, the stronger the Saber Technique.

The Soul-Exterminating Saber's blade intent penetrates directly into the soul, Demon-Slaying and even their very souls!

Between the lines, one can sense a level of power unlike any ordinary Saber Technique.

"Equipment."

With a thought, Yang Xiao placed the Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming Saber into his Equipment Slot, whereupon it shone with a brilliant golden light.

[Liquid Condensation - Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming Saber]

[Effect 1: Mastery of the Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming Saber is now at its maximum.]

[Effect 2: Obtain the purple attribute "Demon-Subduing Soul-Calming": Demon-Slaying's body and suppresses its soul; briefly intimidates Demon when striking, weakening their Yao Qi and self-healing abilities.]

[Permanent fixation condition: Equipment for fifteen days or defeat a Liquid Condensation Realm Demon.]

Yang Xiao felt a warm power flow into his body from the Equipment Slot.

Saber Technique techniques flooded his mind like a tidal wave; the Demon-Subduing Stance, Soul-Suppressing Slash, Soul-Exterminating Saber —the three Saber Techniques were instantly mastered.

It took Yang Xiao a long time to recover.

He stood up and took out his Spring Embroidery Saber, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Try it."

He took a deep breath, channeled his Spiritual Power, and unleashed a slash.

The blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, carrying a pale blue Spiritual Qi, and slashed towards a Bluestone in the courtyard.

The Bluestone shattered instantly, the cut as clean as a mirror.

But what caught Yang Xiao's attention even more was that the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment the instant the blade flashed.

An invisible pressure emanated from the blade.

"This is the power of soul suppression..."

Yang Xiao looked at the cracks in the ground, a look of horror flashing in his eyes.

He muttered to himself.

Although there were no Demon in the courtyard, he could sense that the power contained in this sword Saber Technique was ten times greater than that of the "Demon-Slaying Blade Technique"!

If facing Demon, the power of the Soul-Suppressing Technique can briefly intimidate their souls, and the sword light can weaken their Yao Qi protection and self-healing abilities.

This is a significant advantage in the battle!

"With this sword Saber Technique, I won't need to use multiple strikes to deal with Demon at the Liquid Condensation Realm; perhaps... a single strike will slay them!"

Thinking of the troublesome Straw-Cloak Ghost from before, Yang Xiao thought to himself.

He was about to continue his research when he suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps coming from the courtyard gate.

Immediately following, a knock sounded on the door.

Yang Xiao walked to the courtyard gate and opened it.

A group of people were standing outside the door.

The leader was a middle-aged man, about forty years old, tall, with a resolute face and a calm, steady demeanor.

He was dressed in a dark, close -Deputy General fitting outfit, with a lieutenant general's badge hanging from his waist, and followed by five or six Captain, each with a formidable presence.

"Yang Xiao?"

The middle-aged man's voice was loud and clear, carrying a hint of authority.

Yang Xiao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Present."

"I am Zhou Zheng, Deputy General of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division," the middle-aged man said. "I have been ordered by the Demon Suppression Division to summon you to Guanlan Commandery."

Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly; they had indeed arrived.

When do we depart?

"Immediately." Zhou Zheng looked at the young man before him, his gaze scrutinizing and examining him. "The Battle of the Guanlan River is of paramount importance. Do you have any objections?"

Yang Xiao glanced back at the courtyard covered in knife marks, and confidently replied, "No objections."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zheng's expression softened slightly, and he paused before speaking.

"In that case, I'll give you a moment to pack and then we'll set off immediately."