Returning to Qingzhou with the Demon Suppression Division

Yang Xiao pursed his lips. His physical strength was entirely due to the accumulation of his knowledge through various entries, and it was not something he could reveal to outsiders.

Currently, the only terms related to physique are "Flesh Cloak" and "Rock Body," which is indeed far behind in terms of combat.

"Never mind if you don't have it."

The Yuantong person didn't ask any further questions.

"I was already resentful when that Blackwater Mystic Flood Dragon struck me and sent me flying. If my physique were stronger, would it still be so arrogant?"

"I directly captured the dragon with my bare body, and rode on its back to make it aid my cultivation!"

"I think Brother Yang's body tempering skills are quite good."

Since leaving the Diamond Temple, Yuantong had only met one or two body cultivators. Now that he had finally met someone he could talk to, he immediately started chatting away.

"We can have a chance to practice and exchange ideas sometime in the future..."

"Monk, don't lead people astray."

Yuantong through Yuan's conversation, Fatty Sun suddenly interrupted on horseback, his tone serious.

"Body-Tempering Method aren't that easy."

"Martial arts techniques depend on comprehension; those with high talent learn quickly, while those with low talent learn slowly, but there will always be progress."

"Body-Tempering Method can only be practiced daily, relying on painstaking effort to improve. If ordinary martial artists spend a lot of time on body tempering, their progress in cultivation will inevitably be slowed down."

"Look at you, so what if you've cultivated the Body-Tempering Method and aren't afraid of martial artists of the same realm? You've been in the Department for so many years, and you're still only at the Liquid Condensation Realm."

Yuantong's face darkened, but unusually, he did not refute.

Fatty Sun continued, "Captain, I'm not saying the Body-Tempering Method is bad."

"However, for us martial artists, spending time on body tempering will significantly slow down our advancement in cultivation level."

"The realm of cultivation is fundamental; a higher realm naturally allows one to overcome Demon."

Yang Xiao nodded in agreement, saying nothing more.

Fatty Sun's statement is correct, but it is not entirely applicable to me.

Ordinary martial artists need to hone their skills every day, relying on painstaking effort to improve their Body-Tempering Method. However, he can equip it in his Equipment Slot and instantly achieve perfection.

After returning to Qingzhou, he must choose a Body-Tempering Method.

News of Qingzhou City spread faster than a horse's hoof.

Details of the Battle of the Guanlan River had already spread throughout the city before the Demon Suppression Guard arrived.

In a teahouse by the street, a storyteller pounded his gavel, embellishing the story of the Guanlan River again and again.

River patrol officer Jiang Chen colluded with Water Demon, raising monsters and using the river to transport corpses to feed Black Flood Dragon. The corpses piled up at the bottom of the river. Demon Suppression General Pei Xuance, who was in awe of the demon, personally surrounded the river and suppressed the Flood Dragon Lord with a single spear thrust.

He described each scene vividly, as if he had witnessed them with his own eyes.

The tea drinkers listened intently, some gasping in surprise, others clapping and cheering.

"Jiang Chen is an official appointed by the imperial court, yet he's colluding with Demon?"

"What kind of officials are they? They're just treacherous scoundrels in cahoots. How many people have they killed?"

"With General Pei personally taking action, how could that Flood Dragon Lord possibly escape?"

The version told in the tavern was different, with more vivid and bloody details: the river water was stained red with blood, more than half of the Demon Suppression Guard were killed or wounded, and General Pei, in a fit of rage, dismembered and skinned the Flood Dragon Lord.

Not only were ordinary people talking about it, but the prominent families in the city were also secretly inquiring about it.

The stewards of several prominent families in Qingzhou have been frequently visiting teahouses and taverns these past few days, spending lavishly.

He asked everyone he met who had made the greatest contribution in this battle, which Deputy General had slain the demon, and whether General Pei had specifically named and rewarded anyone.

They were more concerned about whether their own sons had rendered Merit in this conscription, whether General Pei had remembered their names, and whether they had a chance to be promoted.

In the south of the city, there is a restaurant called "Fortune House".

There weren't many diners in the afternoon; they sat in twos and threes scattered around, eating flatbread and drinking soup, but their mouths were never idle.

Hu Qingqing came out of the kitchen carrying a wooden tray and placed two bowls of hot noodle soup on the table by the window.

She was dressed in coarse cloth clothes, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her hair simply tied back, her face expressionless, her movements swift but revealing a hint of fatigue.

Since coming to Qingzhou with Hu Kai, she has discovered that the cost of living here is much higher than in Xiangyun County.

Hu Kai was just a low-level Patrol Soldier in the Demon Suppression Division. His monthly salary was barely enough for his own needs, and he had to use the rest to buy various cultivation resources. He couldn't even afford to rent a decent house.

She had no choice but to go out and work as a waitress in this eatery, serving dishes and washing dishes to earn a few coins to supplement her family's income.

"Hey buddy, another plate of pickled vegetables, please."

"Okay," Hu Qingqing replied, turning to walk towards the kitchen.

As I passed the table near the door, I overheard several diners chatting animatedly.

"Have you heard? The fighting at the Guanlan River is over, and the Demon Suppression Division is coming back."

"I've heard about it. My cousin works at the city gate, and he said a troop will be returning today."

"Quite a few people died, didn't they? I heard that seven or eight Captain alone died."

"That's more than that! That's a powerful demon at the Aperture-Opening Realm; even an ordinary Captain would lose his life if he encountered it."

Hu Qingqing paused for a moment.

She stood there holding the wooden tray, her gaze slightly unfocused.

Yang Xiao also appears to be Demon-Suppressing Captain.

She didn't know if Yang Xiao had been conscripted to the Guanlan River. After leaving Xiangyun County, she and Yang Xiao never met again.

She dared not inquire, nor did she want to.

But upon hearing the words "many Captain died," an indescribable emotion welled up uncontrollably within him.

It wasn't worry, it was an inexplicable emotion, even a hint of hatred. What did Yang Xiao have to do with her now?

Yang Xiao is now Demon-Suppressing Captain, and she is a waitress in a restaurant; they are from two different worlds, so there's no need for them to worry about each other.

She took a deep breath, placed the wooden tray on the table, and turned to get the pickled vegetables.

Don't think about these useless things.

Hu Kai is quite talented. After receiving his monthly salary from the Demon Suppression Division a few days ago, he has already shown signs of breaking through to the Seventh Layer of Body Forging.

At the Seventh Layer of Body Forging, she was already considered above average in Xiangyun County. As long as her younger brother could make a name for himself and gain a foothold in the Demon Suppression Division, she would eventually no longer have to live this kind of life of serving dishes and washing plates.

Then she will be able to live in a decent courtyard, wear decent clothes, and not have to be at the mercy of others.

Hu Qingqing clenched her fists, picked up the dish of pickled vegetables, and walked out.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the street.

"The Demon Suppression Division is back!"

"Look! The Demon Suppression Division's troops are back!"

The sound came from the street, growing louder as it approached, like a pebble thrown into water, causing ripples to spread rapidly.

The diners inside the restaurant stood up one after another, the chairs scraping against the floor with a creak, and rushed towards the door and windows. Even the kitchen staff peeked out.

Hu Qingqing also subconsciously turned her head to look out the window.

At the end of the long street, a procession was slowly riding into the city.

Horseback riding is not allowed in Qingzhou City under normal circumstances, and it is only permitted after a major victory.

At the very front were several Deputy General, clad in armor with swords at their waists, riding tamed Demon Horse, looking imposing and majestic.

Behind the Deputy General were squads of Demon Suppression Guard, their armor still stained with unwashed blood and river mud, their horses' hooves clattering rhythmically on the Bluestone pavement.

More and more people gathered on both sides of the street, some standing on tiptoe to look, others whispering among themselves.

"Quite a few people have died. The number is significantly less than when we went there."

"Are those leading men Deputy General? They're quite imposing."

"Quick! Look at the one in the middle, so handsome..."