A few days later, Anping County's Watching-the-Waves Tavern and Han Xingmo, who were near the water, officially held a banquet to celebrate their promotion to Subordinate Eighth Rank[River-Patrol Water Officer].
Compared with Chu Bai's celebration banquet that shocked the whole city a few days ago, this banquet was slightly smaller in scale, but all the powerful people from various departments were invited, and the atmosphere was actually more intimate.
Chu Bai arrived as promised and handed over a generous gift that had been prepared for a long time - it was a Spirit-Rhinoceros Ink Jade that could warm and nourish water spiritual power, which was of great benefit to the monk Water Method.
"Senior Brother Han, congratulations. This step has been taken from Principal Ninth Rank to Subordinate Eighth Rank. From now on, the waterway schedule of the Three-Bath River is all in the hands of senior brother." Chu Bai raised his glass with sincerity in his words.
Han Xingmo put on a dark blue water school official uniform today, which made him look heroic.
He hurriedly stood up and took the congratulatory gift, his face glowing with emotion as he said, "It's all thanks to Junior Brother's decisive blow at the Three-Bath River. If not for that, how could I have been promoted as I am today? Senior Brother will remember this love for the rest of his life."
During the banquet, the two sat opposite each other, pushing cups and changing cups.
Chu Bai took this opportunity to inform Han Xingmo of his plan to gradually put aside his Demon-Suppression Office affairs and concentrate on preparing for the Heavenly Examination exam.
"Now that Demon-Slaying Squad is on the right track, if I continue to do everything by myself, it will be detrimental to the growth of my subordinates."
Chu Bai took a sip of the spirit wine with a leisurely expression.
Han Xingmo nodded with deep understanding.
He knew very well that with Chu Bai's current state, Demon-Slaying was just doing it casually. The real test would be Qingzhou City more than a year later.
At this time, Anping Demon-Suppression Office Demon-Slaying Squad indeed has the capital to sell it.
Feng Qin is an experienced captain of the team. During more than a year of running in, he has already become familiar with Chu Bai's methods and military management. He can take over the daily patrols and Demon-Slaying tasks, which is enough to convince everyone.
The deputy captain Hu Hao passed the official [White Ordination] exam at the end of last year based on his meritorious service. Now he has steadily entered the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Hu
Hao has a delicate mind and is good at internal affairs and scheduling. He and Feng Qin are both civil and military, strong and soft. They have been partners for a long time. Even if Chu Bai is not around, Demon-Slaying Squad can still operate as usual.
"Junior brother can delegate power at this time, which shows that Anping County is indeed at peace under your rule."
Han Xingmo sighed, then looked solemn and lowered his voice, "But junior brother, there is something you need to prepare in advance. In the past few days, Water Office has received definite information. The new Principal Eighth Rank [Brook Water Earl] has already flowed down the river Three-Bath River."
"Oh?" Chu Bai put down the wine glass, his eyes slightly focused.
"That Water Earl is the official god of Edict Investiture from Prefectural City, and he has a very high status.
Three-Bath River has suffered a lot due to the case of 'Three-Bath Lady'. This time the gods came in person, not only to suppress the remaining water charms, but also to reorganize Three-Bath River's water veins Merit."
Han Xingmo continued, "Counting the days, we will reach the Anping County realm within these three to five days.
At that time, Mr. County Magistrate will personally lead the chief officers of County Yamen, Demon-Suppression Office, and Water Office to the dock to welcome him. This is a rare "welcoming god" event for our Anping County in recent years."
"Water Earl's presence in person, Water Office is indeed more powerful than a tiger." Chu Bai said thoughtfully.
A Principal Eighth Rank's Edict Investiture Orthodox God's perception and destructive power in the water are far beyond that of ordinary monks of the same level.
With this great god sitting in charge, even if there are monsters like Year Fiend or Water Monkey around the Three-Bath River, they may be crushed by the divine power before they even surface.
"That's a good thing too."
Han Xingmo drank a glass of wine proudly, "In the future, with this Water Earl suppressing water veins, my River-Patrol Water Officer errand will be a lot easier. Junior brother, you can also retreat in Clearwind Courtyard with more peace of mind, and no longer have to be distracted by those trivial evil spirits."
Chu Bai raised a glass to greet her and looked towards the sparkling Three-Bath River outside the window.
Great Zhou Law Net, with the arrival of this god, is plunging his tentacles deeper into this ancient waters. And he will also take advantage of this rare tranquility to seize the opportunity to reach the sky.
Anping County By the Three-Bath River outside the city, spring has been getting stronger over the past few days.
The willow branches are green, the river is beginning to rise, and the wide river surface is sparkling, reflecting the festive lights and colorful decorations on both sides of the river.
In order to welcome the arrival of Principal Eighth Rank "Brook Water Earl", Water Office teamed up with County Yamen to block part of the river. The dock was covered with red felt, and even several official ships docked on the shore were repainted in brilliant dark red, making them look solemn and solemn.
Han Xingmo is very busy these days. As the new River-Patrol Water Officer, he knows that this Water Earl is his immediate boss in the future, and is also the hope for Water Office to regain its strength.
He personally directed the warriors to carry the ritual ceremony at the dock, his eyes filled with the longing for a grand achievement that was about to unfold.
In Clearwind Courtyard, although Chu Bai lives in seclusion, he can still feel the uplifting "qi" permeating the whole city through Baizhang Divine Sense.
That is the people's desire for Orthodox God's protection, and it is also the resonance of Law Net due to the upcoming return of a higher-level god.
However, in this extreme calm and expectation, changes often occur in the subtlest places that are most difficult to detect.
Just as all departments were busy preparing for the ceremony, a message came like a bolt from the blue, flowing along the tumbling Sanmu River, instantly shaking the entire Anping County Government Office.
Water Earl was assassinated on his way to take office!
"How is that possible?"
Chu Bai stood up, and before he could push the door open and leave, there was the sound of horse hooves outside the hospital that was so fast that it was almost out of control.
"Master Chu! Master County Commandant has summoned you urgently! Go Demon-Suppression Office quickly!"
When Chu Bai rushed to Demon-Suppression Office to check in the room as quickly as possible, he opened the door and saw an extremely depressing scene.
Zhang Cheng sat at the top with a livid face, his originally neat official robes now looked a bit messy, the veins on his forehead were throbbing, and a red urgent document in his hand had been crushed into powder.
Where he started, Han Xingmo, who had just been promoted to River-Patrol Water Officer, fell down on the chair with a pale face, his eyes were blank, the tea cup in his hand fell to the ground and shattered, and the tea splashed all over him without noticing.
"Mentor."
Chu Bai strode in, bowed his hands and said in a serious tone, "Is the message true?"
"It's true."
Zhang Cheng gritted his teeth and spat out three words, his voice hoarse horribly, "The waterway hub before entering the Anping County territory - First-Line Gorge, Water Earl is sitting next to Divine Ship was cut off. Not only was Water Earl completely destroyed, but the six Water Office elites and two Subordinate Ninth Rank Judge who accompanied them were all killed, and no one survived."
Chu Bai's heart sank.
Principal Eighth Rank's Water Earl, even though they are not good at fighting, they have national luck protection in the water, and they have a causal connection, so the gods will not die easily.
What's more, this is within the territory of the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty and on the waterway covered by Law Net.
Such behavior is naturally not the behavior of ordinary evil spirits.
"Who did it?" Chu Bai asked calmly.
"I don't know." Zhang Cheng patted the case table bitterly, "The scene was clean, and all the energy had been wiped out by an extremely cold and evil force.
According to the initial induction from Prefectural City, before Water Earl fell, he didn't even have time to send out a decree for help.
This means... the other party either has the terrifying power to instantly suppress the gods, or they have used some kind of taboo that can isolate Law Net."
Han Xingmo on the side finally regained his breath. He tremblingly grabbed Chu Bai's sleeves and said with a cry in his voice, "Junior brother... it's over.
Water Earl fell, and Three-Bath River's water veins were completely messed up.
Law Net has already had a gap in that section of water. If it is not handled properly, our entire Anping County will be implicated. This will not only mean Gao Sheng is gone... I may have to bear the blame!"
Chu Bai gently patted the back of Han Xingmo's hand and looked at Zhang Cheng.
He keenly sensed that behind this incident, there might be more than just evil beings causing trouble.
At this juncture when Anping County's restructuring has begun to bear fruit, when Zhang Cheng's iron-fisted rule has just been consolidated, and when Chu Bai has just broken through Qi Refining Late-Stage, a Orthodox God who is enough to determine the situation for Anping is assassinated, which is tantamount to overthrowing all their previous efforts.
"Prefectural City What's going on over there?" Chu Bai asked.
"Great Wall Prefecture was furious, Heavenly Mandate Bureau and Astronomical Bureau had sent people to the scene overnight.
As Water Earl's original duty station, we, Anping County, are the first to bear the brunt."
Zhang Cheng stood up, with a fierce look in his eyes, "Chu Bai, you originally wanted to practice in seclusion, but now... I'm afraid you can't do it."
Zhang Cheng walked up to Chu Bai and said word by word, "Fucheng issued an order, ordering the Anping Zhenxie Division to immediately dispatch all elites to cooperate with the Fucheng investigation team to blockade the Sanmu River. Especially the wild monks and wealthy families around the Xianxian Gorge, all must be screened."
"I want you to lead the team yourself."
Zhang Cheng patted Chu Bai on the shoulder with astonishing force, "This matter needs to be handled smoothly, and no mistakes can be made."
Chu Bai looked out the window at the gradually darkening sky, and in the direction of the Three-Bath River, there was a faint sound of weeping waves.
"Water Earl was assassinated..."
Chu Bai touched Jade-Nurturing Gourd on his waist, his eyes became extremely sharp.
In this Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty, there are people who dare to hunt gods in broad daylight. The water in this Anping County is finally muddied by this.
"Subordinates take orders."
A moment later, within Demon-Suppression Office Martial Training Ground, a murderous aura soared into the sky.
More than a hundred Demon-Slaying Squad elites wearing armor and holding swords were like silent statues in the chilling cold wind.
Chu Bai Wearing a dark blue official robe with a waist hanging Demon-Slaying Token, his eyes swept over these sharp soldiers he had brought out with his own hands.
"I believe you have heard what happened today." Chu Bai's voice was blessed by spiritual power, like the collision of gold and stone, resounding throughout the audience, "Principal Eighth Rank Brook Water Earl was assassinated on the edge of our county, and both his body and soul were destroyed. This is a blatant trampling on Great Zhou Law Net and disrupting our Anping water veins!"
"Order a hundred troops and follow me out of the city to blockade Three-Bath River!"
Without any nonsense, Chu Bai immediately named a hundred of Qi Refining Third Layer's elites, while the remaining dozens of people stayed behind.
Then, Chu Bai turned to look at Pang Song, who was standing on one side with a solemn expression.
"Captain Pang, I will lead the team out of the city this time. The security of Anping County and the movements of the wealthy families will be fully entrusted to you."
Chu Bai handed over a temporary inspection warrant and said in a serious tone, "If Water Earl is assassinated, there will be rumors in the city, and there may even be evil spirits taking advantage of the situation. We must not let go of any slightest move."
Pang Song took the order, and his usual cynical demeanor had long since disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.
He knew very well that Water Earl was assassinated on his way to take office. If another trouble occurs in Anping County at this time, everyone here will lose their heads.
"Don't worry, Mr. Chu." Pang Song clasped his fists and said in a loud voice, "As long as I, Demon-Quelling Team, dare to cause trouble at this time, I will prevent him from seeing the sun tomorrow. Even if a wealthy family dares to move, I will chew their bones to pieces."
Chu Bai nodded, then got on his horse.
At the city gate, Han Xingmo was already waiting with dozens of Water Office River-Patrolling Strongman.
These warriors were all naked and wrapped in rune chains that protected them from water.
"Senior Brother Han, let's start." Chu Bai ordered in a deep voice.
"Water Office belongs, follow my orders!"
Han Xingmo waved the water flag and said in a shrill voice, "Block the waters thirty miles upstream and downstream of the Three-Bath River'First-Line Gorge'! Set up a spiritual net, and all passing merchant ships, fishing boats, and wild Rogue Cultivator people will be detained for investigation. Anyone who violates the order will be killed on the spot!"
Dozens of River-Patrolling Strongman jumped into the icy cold Three-Bath River. Under the linkage of Spell Power, huge nets flashing with blue light were pulled out under the river surface, forcibly cutting off the rushing river water.
And Chu Bai led hundreds of Demon-Slaying Guard, like a dark torrent, galloping along the shore.
He did not rush directly to the core location of the incident, but fully opened the Divine Sense within the 220-foot range.
As Divine Sense spread like a tide, Chu Bai felt an extremely oppressive silence.
Three-Bath River, which was originally clever and lively, now shows a dark red distortion in the direction of First-Line Gorge.
After all, it is Orthodox God who is bleeding.
Its Subordinate Eighth Rank personality basically corresponds to Qi Refining Perfection, which can be said to be somewhat Divine Authority.
"Spread out! In groups of five, use the Soul Search Talisman to sense the soil on the shore."
Chu Bai gave an order on horseback, "Find out any remaining evil power, debris from the fight, or even Demon Beast's excrement after being frightened!"
Demon-Slaying Squad disperses into dense forests and river beaches in a well-trained manner.
Chu Bai personally came to a cliff less than a hundred feet away from "First-Line Gorge".
Since the investigation team of Great Wall Prefecture has not yet officially arrived, the scene still retains the tragic appearance after the attack.
A huge golden Divine Ship was stuck across the rocks in the middle of the river. The broken mast was like a broken bone, looming in the cold black mist that still lingered.
Chu Bai stood on the shore, feeling the power that wiped out the vitality of the gods.
"It's not an ordinary magic..."
Chu Bai's eyes narrowed, Divine Sense tried to penetrate into the black mist, but then gave up the idea after a second thought.
If there are some residual means, it may not be easy to deal with, and the investigation of Chu Bai will definitely be found at the investigation site.
"I must guard this place before Prefectural City's people arrive."
"Don't let the evil spirit Rogue Cultivator disturb the scene, otherwise you will be held responsible."
Chu Bai looked at the shadowy dense forest on the other side of the river. Divine Sense caught a few weak energy signs that he was about to peep into, but after feeling his Qi Refining Seventh Layer pressure like the blazing sun, he fled away in an instant.