Chu He: The Demon Suppression Bureau is vast; one or two people disappearing is nothing

One day later!

Chu He said goodbye to Chu Nan, then led Lu Feng and the other four toward the Yun Province headquarters on spirit horses.

Although the Demon Suppression Bureau imposed no time limit on missions, staying away too long after completing one was still inappropriate.

Yun Province headquarters.

Inside the main hall of the First Demon Suppression Battalion.

Hundred Household Commander Sun sat in the seat of honor with a dark expression, his left fist clenched so tightly that it crackled. He flung down the scroll in his hand and snarled:

"Chu He, a mere demon suppression squad leader at late first grade who only just joined, actually completed the Moon Ancient Village mission."

"Then were the squad leader and his team we sent before a bunch of idiots? They were wiped out without sending back a single scrap of information."

Well...

Watching Hundred Household Commander Sun rage, the company leader below looked apprehensive.

"Please calm your anger, sir!"

The company leader took a deep breath. "According to the report sent by the Heavenly Martial Guard, Chu He not only killed all the demons in Moon Ancient Village, but also identified them as White Lotus Cult remnants and killed two Divine Sword Sect disciples."

"He said those Divine Sword Sect disciples were colluding with the White Lotus Cult and demanded an explanation from the Divine Sword Sect."

Bang!

Hundred Household Commander Sun slammed the table, his face livid. "What, are you trying to tell me Chu He acts decisively, or do you think he's domineering?"

"No, no, no..."

The company leader immediately realized Hundred Household Commander Sun had misunderstood and hurriedly said, "Sir, there were three people in the Divine Sword Sect party. One was bitten to death by an Undying Corpse, while the other two died at Chu He's hands. That's somewhat contradictory."

"You mean..."

Hundred Household Commander Sun guessed what he meant.

Since a Divine Sword Sect disciple had died to the Undying Corpse, that proved the Divine Sword Sect had no connection to the White Lotus Cult. In that case, Chu He had to account for killing sect disciples.

Of course!

There might have been something fishy about this, and that Divine Sword Sect disciple might have died by accident, but this was already enough.

All he wanted was a reason: a reason to deny Chu He credit and even implicate Zhang Wei, making those above look unfavorably on him too!

"Go, contact the Divine Sword Sect and spread the information about this Moon Ancient Village incident far and wide," Hundred Household Commander Sun said coldly. "I refuse to believe they won't come looking for trouble with Chu He."

"Yes!"

The company leader acknowledged the order, turned, and left the hall.

"Hmph, don't blame me."

Hundred Household Commander Sun watched the company leader leave. "The Heavenly Mansion Pool will open soon. If you must blame something, blame yourself for following the wrong man."

Outside the Demon Suppression Bureau!

Under the astonished gazes of the demon suppression guards, Chu He strode forward with Lu Feng and the other four, making no effort to restrain his presence.

Many demon suppression guards who recognized Chu He looked shocked, because they could all tell his cultivation had already broken through to second rank.

"Isn't that Chu He, who joined in the same batch as us? How did he break through to second rank? I remember he was only at late first grade half a month ago."

"No idea. Everyone said he was outstandingly talented, but I never expected him to be this outstanding. At this rate, it won't take him long to become a company leader."

Many newly recruited demon suppression guards quietly exchanged comments.

After all!

They had entered the Demon Suppression Bureau in the same batch as him. Now, they were not even full-fledged demon suppression guards, while Chu He was already qualified to compete for a company leader position. Their paths in life were completely different!

"Stop!"

A sharp shout came from a distance.

They saw:

A young woman wearing a flying-fish robe came running swiftly from afar. She finally reached Chu He and blocked his path, planting one hand on her waist and raising the other as she said coldly:

"I remember you. You were the one who stood by and refused to save me back then. You nearly got me swallowed by that leopard."

Hearing her voice.

The demon suppression guards all looked over:

"It's Li Wan'er. I heard she has powerful backing. A big shot from the upper ranks even came specifically to visit her two days ago."

"Her cultivation is decent too, late first grade. Although I heard her trial didn't go too smoothly, she's already officially completed a case."

"Powerful backing, strong cultivation, and a good figure. She really draws attention. I just wonder how Chu He offended her."

Murmurs rose one after another.

However.

None were particularly loud. After all, casually gossiping about others in the Demon Suppression Bureau could easily bring disaster. Speaking less and doing more was the rule they lived by.

At that moment!

Chu He frowned at Li Wan'er in front of him, having already remembered who she was: the woman who had asked him for help during the trial.

Judging by the way the surrounding demon suppression guards looked at her, it was no wonder a general had come specifically to rescue her back then. Presumably, she had a considerable background.

However!

What did that have to do with him?

"Move."

"No. Today, you have to give me an expla-"

Before Li Wan'er could finish, she abruptly stopped. She felt a chill against her neck and looked down:

Chu He's demon suppression saber rested against her neck. "Say one more word, and I'll carve a turtle on your face."

"You..."

Li Wan'er's face turned livid.

Yet.

Beneath another's eaves, one had no choice but to bow one's head!

Although she was a marquis's daughter, this was the Demon Suppression Bureau. Her father's hand could not reach inside here. If the other party really attacked, she would be in a miserable state.

Step! Step!

Li Wan'er took two steps to the left, clearing the path!

"Let's go!"

Chu He waved his hand and continued forward with Lu Feng and the other four. As he passed Li Wan'er, he said in a low, icy voice:

"I have a bad temper. If there's a next time, you won't see the sun rise the following day. The Demon Suppression Bureau is vast, and its waters run deep enough. It's perfectly normal for one or two people of high status to die occasionally."

Li Wan'er: ...(｀へ´) ...

She, the esteemed daughter of the Marquis of Might and Reach, had actually been threatened to her face. Watching Chu He walk away, she stamped her foot hard and ran off into the distance.

"Ah, he has no appreciation for romance."

One demon suppression guard shook his head.

He thought this was an opportunity that came once in a thousand years. Li Wan'er came from an extraordinary family. All Chu He had to do was apologize and invite her to a meal. After a little back and forth, there might even be a chance to take things further.

Unfortunately:

Chu He had no interest in women and was ruthless to boot!

The other demon suppression guards also shook their heads and left with varying expressions. No one wanted to stand up for Li Wan'er.

After all:

This was not some brainless TV drama. Whether stepping forward now would win Li Wan'er's favor was uncertain, but angering Chu He was guaranteed.

A ruthless man who had broken through to second rank less than two months after joining the Demon Suppression Bureau, and who dared draw his saber on its grounds to threaten someone with powerful backing-no fool would offend him for no reason.

As for brainless scions, there were practically none in the Demon Suppression Bureau. No one wanted a life spent licking blood from a blade's edge. Rather than come here, they might as well join the army, where there were more opportunities to earn merit and establish a career, and a greater chance of being made a marquis or general.

"Sir, wasn't that a little..."

Behind Chu He, Lu Feng looked apprehensive, as though unsure whether he should speak. The other four looked much the same.

They could all tell that the woman just now had an unusual background. Offending her so rashly might well cause the people behind her to make life difficult for them. The losses would outweigh the gains.

Step!

Chu He stopped walking and said coldly:

"If you want to rise to the summit like the blazing sun, you must improve yourself quickly, until everyone else despairs. One overwhelming strength shatters ten thousand methods. When you're strong enough, all schemes are bullshit."

"And women will only slow down your draw."