Demons and Wicked Spirits

The next morning.

Lu Changsheng woke early and prepared to head to the Demon Suppression Department offices.

Before leaving yesterday, Gao Yunming had already informed them in advance.

Presumably, today's gathering was to tell everyone about the specific circumstances of the Demon Suppression Department.

At that moment, Fang Qing and her younger brother also emerged from their room, their faces brimming with satisfaction.

This courtyard was far cleaner and tidier than their previous lodgings, and living here felt much safer and more reassuring.

"I'm heading to the Demon Suppression Department offices. Stay near the courtyard and watch out for people from the Three Rivers Gang."

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly.

"Don't worry, Changsheng. I'll keep an eye on my brother."

Fang Qing gave a radiant smile, a faint flush coloring her face.

Without deliberately smearing charcoal on herself, she had become even more beautiful and captivating.

Even Lu Changsheng found her somewhat dazzling.

Then he turned and left.

After stepping out through the courtyard gate, he made his way along the clean, orderly streets.

Before long, he arrived at the Demon Suppression Department offices.

"Present your pass immediately."

At the sight of him, the two blue-clad martial artists standing at the entrance spoke with cold expressions.

Lu Changsheng promptly removed his waist token and handed it over.

A sharp gleam flickered in the eyes of the two martial artists. Their strength was clearly no trifling matter.

The man on the left took the jade token, inspected it, and stepped aside to make way.

Lu Changsheng put away the token and walked inside.

The Demon Suppression Department's grounds were extremely vast. Within stood not only the Combat Hall and Logistics Hall, but also the Artificer Hall. Led by these three major halls, along with several auxiliary departments, it was a colossal entity in its entirety.

Martial artists like Lu Changsheng belonged to the Combat Hall.

As for the Artificer Hall, it was said to specialize in researching certain wondrous objects, though he did not yet know the particulars.

By then, quite a few martial artists were already coming and going nearby, looking rather busy.

No one paid Lu Changsheng any attention.

Before long, Lu Changsheng reached the hall entrance.

Several familiar figures who had also passed the assessment yesterday had already arrived in front of the hall.

Lu Changsheng took his place behind them and quietly waited.

After the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, more martial artists gradually arrived.

After the group waited another half hour, Gao Yunming suddenly emerged from the hall, carrying a large stack of booklets in his arms.

"Everyone, take a copy of these booklets. Shortly, I will take you to meet Vice Hall Master Qin."

The crowd nodded in succession and stepped forward one after another to collect the booklets.

Very soon, Lu Changsheng received his own copy and returned to his place.

On the Weaknesses of Demons and Wicked Spirits.

With a glance, he saw several large characters printed on the booklet's cover.

His heart stirred, and he immediately opened the booklet and began reading it carefully.

The others around him did the same.

"Rustle, rustle..."

Before long, the only sound left in the area was that of pages turning.

"Tens of thousands of years ago, demons suddenly descended upon the human world. Vast swathes of human dynasties fell, becoming fodder for demons. The first Holy Emperor led all humankind in bloody battle, resisting the invasion of demons and evil spirits and guarding the last patch of pure land for humanity..."

"Several centuries ago, Qin Muyun, the founding emperor of Great Zhou, swept away the demons and evil spirits within the realm, forged the Demon Sealing Pagoda, and established the Demon Suppression Department to watch over the land..."

Half an hour later, Lu Changsheng gently closed the booklet and let out a breath of turbid air.

He had long suspected that this world was far from simple, but he had never expected such shocking hidden truths.

From the few scattered lines recorded in the booklet alone, one could tell just how brutal those battles had been.

Even an unparalleled martial artist like the founding emperor could only protect a small patch of pure land. Who knew what the lands beyond Great Zhou looked like?

Would there come a day when even this patch of pure land could no longer be defended? The thought chilled Lu Changsheng to the bone. He had not expected the situation to be so perilous already.

Moreover, turmoil had begun to emerge within the dynasty, and it was becoming difficult to suppress every existence lurking in the darkness.

The entire Great Zhou Dynasty was already swaying in the wind and rain.

He had to rely on the Attribute Modifier to rapidly increase his strength and face the upheavals that might arise in the future.

The entire booklet contained only a few sparse pages. The rest recorded the strength of Demon Servants and Wicked Spirits.

As for true demons, there was no mention of them.

Presumably, people like them were not qualified to encounter such beings.

Wicked Spirits were generally divided into Ethereal-tier, Fiend-tier, Resentment-tier, and Blood-tier.

Demon Servants were categorized much more simply: Low-tier Demon Servants, Mid-tier Demon Servants, High-tier Demon Servants, and Top-tier Demon Servants...

Among them, Low-tier Demon Servants and the weakest Ethereal-tier Wicked Spirits both possessed the strength of Skin Refining martial artists.

For ordinary people, encountering one meant certain death.

"No wonder the Demon Suppression Department recruits so many martial artists every year. They even accept commoners who forcibly stimulated their potential without turning anyone away."

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

He would not assume these demons and evil spirits were easy to deal with. The casualty rate for such missions must have been astonishing.

But where there was danger, the rewards would surely be generous as well. Otherwise, martial artists would not rush forward one after another.

"No one is permitted to reveal any information to ordinary people. Violators will be severely punished."

At that moment, Gao Yunming swept his gaze across the crowd, his tone icy to the extreme.

"We shall abide by the prohibition."

Everyone present wore solemn expressions.

They all knew that if ordinary people learned of this information, it would cause immense trouble. Other than sparking panic, it would serve no purpose.

The most important thing for a dynasty was the stability of its common people. If its very foundation rotted away, collapse would not be far off.

"Follow me to meet the Deputy Hall Master. Later, you may go to the Library Pavilion yourselves and select martial arts manuals. Your monthly cultivation resources will also be delivered shortly."

With that, Gao Yunming turned and walked into the hall.

The others hurriedly followed.

Lu Changsheng followed closely behind as well.

The group proceeded onward, passing numerous artificial hills and gardens before arriving at a courtyard.

A woman in white sat upright within a pavilion. She was tall and slender, with peerless beauty and eyes filled with authority.

"Hall Master Qin, all the recruits accepted this year are here."

Gao Yunming bowed deeply with utmost respect, keeping his eyes fixed honestly ahead without daring to let them wander in the slightest.

"Mm..."

Qin Ruobing nodded faintly, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.

"After joining the Demon Suppression Department, you shall all become pillars of the court. I hope you will serve the court well. I, too, will not treat you poorly..."

As she looked at the people before her, a trace of disappointment flashed deep within her eyes.

In her view, their steps were all somewhat unsteady. Their martial arts cultivation was clearly lacking, and they were all people of ordinary talent.

Of course, as the person who made the final selection, she had not expected to find any promising seedlings.

Her assessment results this year would likely be at the bottom again. The day she could return to the Capital City remained far away.

The losses among the Apprentice Demon Suppressors under her command had been considerable. Combined with ranking last in the assessment, she was always the last to select new recruits. If this continued, she would be completely trapped in a vicious cycle.

But when her gaze swept over Lu Changsheng, her expression suddenly shifted, and surprise rose in her heart.

His breath was long and steady, his steps firm and composed. His martial arts foundation was clearly quite profound.

She had not expected such an unexpected delight.

This made her look forward to something, and she could not help casting a few more glances in Lu Changsheng's direction.

Under Qin Ruobing's scrutiny, everyone below did not even dare to breathe loudly.

A powerful aura pressed against their chests, making it difficult for them to breathe.

Lu Changsheng also felt the skin all over his body tighten, as though he had been targeted by some fierce beast.

This woman's martial arts cultivation is incredibly high—at least Bone Forging or above.

He thought to himself.

She also bore the surname Qin, and coupled with Gao Yunming's exceedingly respectful manner, he could not help suspecting that she had some mysterious connection to the Capital City.

Otherwise, there was no reason for Gao Yunming to fear her so greatly.

"Over the next year, I hope you will all work hard and pass the assessment. By custom, I have already transferred this recruitment reward to your identity jade tokens."

Her clear, lovely voice rang out once more. After speaking, she waved her hand at the crowd.

"We will certainly give it our all."

Everyone shouted in unison.

Then they turned and left the place.