Demon Suppression Department

Demon Suppression Department

Lu Changsheng put away the martial arts manual and sat quietly at the bedside, pondering his next move.

The matter of him killing Zhao Erhu definitely could not be concealed for long. Sooner or later, the Three Rivers Gang would notice something was amiss.

He had never underestimated any force.

For them to stand firm for so many years without falling, their intelligence network had to be formidable.

If they traced it back to him, he would face their relentless pursuit and slaughter.

Even a random hall master from the Three Rivers Gang was not someone he could withstand.

Unless his strength improved at breakneck speed, he would have no chance of survival.

At that moment, a trace of urgency rose in his heart.

"Looks like I have to join some faction."

Lu Changsheng's eyes shifted slightly.

Given his current circumstances, he absolutely could not stand against an entire faction on his own. He could only borrow another's power.

There were two major gangs in Changping County's outer city. Other than the Three Rivers Gang, there was the Sea Shark Gang.

There were also three escort agencies and four local powerful clans.

Of course, the strongest force was still the authorities.

Lu Changsheng immediately discarded those options and set his sights on the government.

With his strength as a Skin Refining martial artist, even if he joined a gang or an escort agency, he might only become a minor leader.

It was hard to say whether they could withstand the pressure of the Three Rivers Gang. They might even sell him out.

His only choice was the authorities.

The official forces in Changping County were divided into two branches. Aside from the county yamen's Black Armored Army, there was the Demon Suppression Department.

The Black Armored Army was commanded by the County Commandant and fell within the County Magistrate's sphere of influence.

The Demon Suppression Department, meanwhile, stood apart from the entire county yamen system and formed its own faction.

Ever since the Great Zhou Founding Ancestor swept away countless demons and evils and founded the dynasty, the Martial Suppression Guard had been established to watch over the realm.

Only after several centuries of development and change had it become the Demon Suppression Department of today.

In recent years, however, the Demon Suppression Department had drawn too much attention with its sharp edge and suffered some suppression. Even so, it remained a powerful government office.

The Demon Suppression Department's duty was to assist the County Magistrate in investigating bandits throughout the county, as well as handling certain abnormal and thorny incidents.

After practicing martial arts these past few days, his horizons had broadened considerably.

This world was far from as simple as it appeared.

The inexplicable disappearances of so many people, coupled with the existence of the Demon Suppression Department, gave Lu Changsheng a faint suspicion.

Perhaps some mysterious force was watching from the shadows.

However, there was still about a month until the Demon Suppression Department began recruiting. All he needed to do now was wait.

As long as he passed the assessment and joined the Demon Suppression Department, the Three Rivers Gang would never dare openly lay a hand on him.

Otherwise, it would be a provocation against the Great Zhou court—unless they wanted to be purged by the imperial court.

Although the court had grown weaker by the day these past few years, it was still not something a mere gang could provoke.

After settling on his plans, Lu Changsheng relaxed slightly.

He first went to the kitchen and casually prepared something to eat, then came to the middle of the courtyard and began practicing his saber.

Even after obtaining the Attribute Modifier, he had not completely abandoned his own cultivation.

This was also a case of digging the well before thirst struck. If the Modifier ever left him one day, he would not be left utterly at a loss.

The next few days passed in Lu Changsheng's bitter cultivation.

One morning, just after Lu Changsheng finished breakfast, Fang Qing and Fang Tao suddenly entered the middle of his courtyard.

Both wore grave expressions, as though something major had happened.

"What happened?"

Lu Changsheng looked puzzled.

Fang Qing hurried over with Fang Tao.

"Yesterday, something strange happened in a village near Wulin Town. Everyone in the village vanished without explanation."

Her tone was extremely low.

"Little brother, don't go outside the city these days, no matter what."

"I understand."

Lu Changsheng's expression sharpened.

Another strange disappearance case—it sent a chill through his heart.

The situation throughout Great Zhou had grown increasingly turbulent over the past few years.

A heavy shadow had lingered in his heart, refusing to disperse.

The more clues he investigated, the colder he felt.

It seems I can only learn the truth of this world after joining the Demon Suppression Department.

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

Just then, Fang Qing suddenly spoke softly, her breath fragrant as orchids.

"Tao said you've already entered the path of martial arts, and you're not far from becoming a true martial artist?"

"Take this money and buy some meat to nourish your body..."

As she spoke, she took out a pouch of copper coins and placed it on the stone table.

Her beautiful eyes rested quietly on Lu Changsheng, filled with faint expectation.

In her heart, Lu Changsheng had turned back from his wayward life. He no longer lingered in brothels and gambling houses, had begun diligently practicing martial arts, and had even achieved a little success. It brought her immense comfort.

If Uncle Lu knew in the afterlife, he would surely be comforted as well.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law Qing. I appreciate the thought, but my father left me some silver..."

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly, warmth stirring in his heart.

He directly refused her. She had likely saved that money for more than ten years.

He still had a one-hundred-tael banknote in his possession. Once the storm had passed, he could exchange it for silver.

He did not explain it to them, nor did he tell them that he had already become a martial artist.

"Alright, then. Be careful when you practice. If you can't become a martial artist, find yourself a livelihood and marry a wife..."

Fang Qing smiled sweetly, enough to intoxicate anyone.

Lu Changsheng did not explain. He merely nodded gently.

Afterward, they chatted for a while longer. Once they had eaten dinner together, the siblings took their leave.

Time passed, and night soon fell.

Lying on his bed, Lu Changsheng began carefully examining the Modifier Space.

Several days ago, the injured Exotic Beast pangolin had fully recovered and begun exploring all of Little Cloud Mountain.

He had not controlled the pangolin, allowing it to move freely instead.

Now, anticipation rose in him. He hoped it could find something valuable.

That would conveniently replenish the Source Energy Points he lacked.

Lu Changsheng shifted his gaze to the system space.

More than a dozen medicinal herbs lay quietly within, giving off a faint glow.

Joy appeared on his face.

Little Cloud Mountain's resources seemed fairly abundant. In only a few days, there had already been more gains.

He immediately removed the herbs and placed them along the edge of the bed.

Then he used the system to scan them one by one.

"Fire Cloud Flower, thirty years old. Primarily treats deficiency and fatigue..."

"Shadow Grass, twenty years old..."

"Solomon's Seal, sixty years old..."

Very soon, Lu Changsheng had scanned every herb.

Among them, there were eight medicinal herbs over fifty years old.

He picked up the piece of Solomon's Seal. At that moment, a crisp notification sounded.

"Unknown energy detected. Absorb?"

"Absorb."

Lu Changsheng silently agreed.

The Solomon's Seal in his hand instantly vanished, while the Source Energy Points on the panel increased by two.

Joy flashed across his face.

It seemed that any medicinal ingredient over fifty years old could be absorbed into Source Energy Points.

Medicinal herbs close to a hundred years old could turn into six Source Energy Points.

As for herbs of even greater age, he had not encountered any yet.

Lu Changsheng then absorbed all eight spirit herbs, turning them into sixteen Source Energy Points.

Watching the number rise wildly filled him with delight.

As long as the Exotic Beast pangolin kept exploring deep within the mountains, there would be an endless stream of herbs turning into Source Energy Points, allowing his strength to soar.

The mountain ranges that other martial artists regarded as forbidden zones would all become his vegetable garden.

The thought made Lu Changsheng quite excited, and he clenched his fist tightly.

These herbs under fifty years old could also be sold for silver, which would not be bad for improving his life.

As for high-grade medicinal herbs, they were difficult to buy even with silver.

A moment later, Lu Changsheng put away his thoughts and fell into a deep sleep.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, after washing up, Lu Changsheng came to the middle of the courtyard.

After practicing his saber for a while to warm up, he directly opened the panel.

Now that he had Source Energy Points, he could not wait to begin raising his strength.