Demon-Slaying Battalion, Mystic Bone Sect

At dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of white.

The morning breeze was cool and damp with dew.

Yang Xiao walked through the corridor of the Deputy General Courtyard's courtyard and along the Bluestone path toward Zhou Zheng's residence.

Before long, he arrived at the gate of Zhou Zheng's courtyard.

The courtyard gate was half-open, and a rustling sound came from inside.

Yang Xiao knocked on the door, and after receiving a response from inside, he pushed the door open and entered, where he saw Zhou Zheng packing his belongings.

Several packages were left open, containing changes of clothes, dry food, medicine, and some other miscellaneous items.

Zhou Zheng neatly packed the items into his bag, his movements swift and efficient, as if he were packing his luggage.

Zhou Zheng was visibly taken aback when Yang Xiao entered.

"Deputy General Yang?"

He stopped what he was doing, somewhat surprised.

"Why are you here at this hour?"

Yang Xiao skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. "Deputy General Zhou, are there any missions involving Demon at the Aperture-Penetration Realm?"

Zhou Zheng was speechless for a moment.

He looked at Yang Xiao, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

The mission at Golden Buddha Temple had just ended, only a few days ago, and they had even personally killed an Aperture-Opening Realm enemy like Huiming, who was at the Enlightenment Realm.

According to the rules of the Demon Suppression Division, after completing a mission, one is entitled to at least several days of rest and recuperation, and there is no need to rush to take on new cases.

But he did it differently; he came to ask about his next order before dawn.

"Deputy General Yang," Zhou Zheng sighed, shaking his head helplessly, "The mission at Golden Buddha Temple has just ended, and according to the rules, you still have a few days of rest."

"Plus, with the month-long break following the Guanlan Commandery campaign, you can rest for quite a while."

"No need to rush into taking on more cases. Take a good rest, heal your hidden injuries, and stabilize your cultivation level."

"My cultivation level has stabilized," Yang Xiao said calmly.

Looking at his indifferent expression, Zhou Zheng couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"You really don't plan to rest?"

He put down the clothes he was holding, walked to a chair and sat down, then raised his hand to Yang Xiao.

"Please sit down, I'll explain everything to you."

Yang Xiao sat down opposite him and calmly met his gaze.

Zhou Zheng pondered for a moment before speaking, "You won't find any missions in the regular Task Hall that require finding Demon at the Aperture-Penetration Realm."

"Missions of this level are all handled by the Demon-Slaying Battalion."

"Is this the Demon-Slaying Battalion you told me about before?" Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"The Demon-Slaying Battalion is the most elite Deputy General unit of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division," Zhou Zheng explained. "However, the Deputy General of the Demon-Slaying Battalion are not usually stationed in one place, but fight independently."

Some people are stationed in a certain place year-round, some roam around hunting Demon-Slaying, and some specialize in dealing with certain types of Demon.

"We will only mobilize when faced with a large-scale demonic calamity, or when it is necessary to hunt down Demon King- level being."

Yang Xiao seemed thoughtful. "Are there many Demons in Qingzhou?"

"There are far more than you imagine." Zhou Zheng glanced at him and began to explain, "The number of Demon in Qingzhou far exceeds the number of human cultivators."

"But the human race has sects, clans, and the Demon Suppression Division. The three forces work together to barely maintain a balance with the Demon."

However, this balance is not stable.

Zhou Zheng's voice lowered slightly.

"There are constant conflicts between sects, each with its own agenda, and even clans secretly trading with Demon."

"Even within the Demon realm, there are conflicts of bloodlines, territories, and interests. Demon King are not united, nor are Demon Race united."

Yang Xiao remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Then take me to see this Demon-Slaying Battalion."

"Alright then." Zhou Zheng stood up, casually tidying up the remaining packages. "I'm going to pick up a mission anyway, so I'll take you there first."

Yang Xiao got up with him, and the two left the courtyard and walked along the Bluestone path towards the depths of the Demon Suppression Division.

After passing through several courtyards and around the Merit Hall, an imposing gate appeared ahead.

The gate is about three zhang high and is made entirely of Bluestone. The three large characters "Demon-Slaying Battalion" are carved on the lintel, with sharp strokes that faintly reveal a murderous aura.

On either side of the gate stood a stone lion, its body covered with runes, as if it were about to come to life and pounce on the enemy.

The courtyard was very spacious, paved with Bluestone, with neat side rooms on both sides and a Martial Arts Arena in the center.

However, the entire courtyard was very deserted.

The Martial Arts Arena was deserted, and the doors and windows of the side rooms were tightly closed. Only a few Demon-Suppressing Captain were sitting idly in the courtyard. When they saw Zhou Zheng enter, they nodded slightly in greeting.

"This place only gets lively when missions are being organized."

Zhou Zheng looked around, then turned to Yang Xiao and explained, "The other Deputy General are always on missions outside; the Demon-Slaying Battalion isn't a place to keep people."

This is usually how it looks here.

Yang Xiao looked around and nodded.

Zhou Zheng led Yang Xiao through the outer courtyard and towards the inner courtyard.

Halfway there, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yang Xiao.

"There's something I need to remind you of."

Yang Xiao stopped and looked at him calmly.

Zhou Zheng's expression was serious, and his tone was solemn.

"Now that you are Deputy General personally recommended by General Pei and have received the Army-Breaking Spear, in the eyes of others, you are already General Pei's man."

Zhou Zheng paused, then looked directly at Yang Xiao.

"However, the Deputy General of the Demon-Slaying Battalion are fighting their own battles, and no one will give you much consideration because of this, so you can only rely on yourself."

"How many demons you've slain, how many merits you've accumulated—these are the things you can truly boast about."

"If you want to truly gain a foothold, you have to rely on your own strength and fight your way up, one battle at a time."

Yang Xiao listened without refuting; he simply nodded.

"I see."

Seeing that he looked calm, without the slightest arrogance or dissatisfaction, Zhou Zheng nodded inwardly.

"Let's go, into the inner courtyard."

He turned and continued forward, leading Yang Xiao through an archway into the inner courtyard.

The inner courtyard was much smaller than the outer courtyard, but it was more exquisite.

Several ancient pine trees stood tall and vigorous in the courtyard, with stone tables and benches placed beneath them. Directly opposite was a main hall, where a middle-aged man was sitting at a desk reviewing case files.

He was dressed in a black outfit, and his temples were already a little gray, but he exuded a sharp aura, like a treasured sword that had been hidden for many years.

Upon seeing Zhou Zheng enter, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Yang Xiao, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"A newcomer?"

"Lord Li, this is Deputy General Yang, who has just rendered the greatest service to the Golden Buddha Temple." Zhou Zheng bowed respectfully. "He wishes to join the Demon-Slaying Battalion."

The middle-aged man's gaze fell on Yang Xiao, and he looked him up and down.

"Yang Xiao? The one recommended by General Pei?"

Yang Xiao nodded and cupped his hands in greeting. "Yes."

The middle-aged man glanced at him, said nothing, and simply gestured with his chin toward a file on the table.

"There's a mission that seems suitable; take him there to broaden his horizons."

Zhou Zheng approached the desk, picked up the file, glanced at it, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

"Mystic Bone Sect?"

"The Mystic Bone Sect?" Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly.

Zhou Zheng handed him the file and explained, "The Mystic Bone Sect is a second-rate sect in northern Qingzhou."

"The Mystic Bone Sect excels at tempering the physical body using Demon bones, demon blood, and marrow, making it quite unique among second-rate sects."

Yang Xiao took the file and quickly browsed through it.

The records show that the Mystic Bone Sect has gradually declined in recent years, and the strength of its disciples has been severely diminished.

In an effort to revitalize the sect, the Mystic Bone Sect hunted down a large number of Demon to temper their bodies, an act that incurred the wrath of the local Mountain Lord.

Several powerful demons at the Aperture-Opening Realm surrounded the Mystic Bone Sect and continued to devour its disciples.

Knowing they could not withstand the attack alone, the Mystic Bone Sect had no choice but to seek help from the Demon Suppression Division.

"Mountain Lord?" Yang Xiao looked at Zhou Zheng.

Seeing the doubt in Yang Xiao's eyes, Zhou Zheng explained in a timely manner, "Mountain Lord is a title among Demon, usually referring to Demon King occupies a mountain range and rules over a group of demons."

"When do we depart?" Yang Xiao asked, closing the file after reading it.

Zhou Zheng glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"You're in such a hurry; we can leave right away."