Heavenly Martial Guard, Possessing Ghost Demon

The next day!

Chu He and the others rode several horses with demon-spirit bloodlines out of Yunzhou City, galloping toward Moon Ancient Village on the outskirts of Green Mountain Commandery.

It had to be said that this world was vast. Even on these swift horses, crossing Yun Province alone would take dozens of days, and Yun Province was merely one of Great Qian's weaker provinces.

They galloped for three full days!

Chu He and the others finally reached Feiyun County Town. Moon Ancient Village was one of the villages under its jurisdiction.

The Heavenly Martial Guard's station in Feiyun County!

Chu He and the others had just dismounted when several Heavenly Martial Guards heard the noise and hurried outside. Surprise appeared on their leader's face as he said:

"This subordinate, Yun Long of the Heavenly Martial Guard, pays his respects to you, my lords."

"Mm."

Chu He nodded.

The Heavenly Martial Guard was a subordinate organization of the Demon Suppression Bureau, mostly composed of trial disciples who had failed the assessment.

A squad of Heavenly Martial Guards was stationed in every county town. If unranked demons caused trouble, they dealt with them. They would even handle some of the weaker first-rank demons.

"Only you gentlemen have come?"

Yun Long asked again, puzzled.

"Nonsense." Lu Feng's expression turned cold, and he said angrily, "What, is it not enough that our Junior Banner Officer, Lord Chu, has come in person?"

"No, my lord, that isn't what this lowly one meant." Yun Long hurriedly waved his hands and explained:

"A squad led by a Junior Banner Officer came a few days ago too. After entering Moon Ancient Village, they never came out again. This subordinate thought the mission's grade would be raised."

After all, Yun Long was a Heavenly Martial Guard captain. Having dealt with Demon Suppression Guards for years, he knew something about how the Demon Suppression Bureau graded its missions.

Based on his previous experience:

This incident in Moon Ancient Village should have been a grade-two mission. Even if a Senior Banner Officer did not come, two elite squads would be sent. That was why he had been so surprised to see only Chu He and his five men.

What?

An entire squad had already been lost in there!

Shock appeared on the faces of Lu Feng and the other four. Though this was their first mission, they still knew what that meant.

"My lord, there might be something fishy about this mission."

"The mission details clearly stated that only one Demon Suppression Guard had fallen. There was no mention of that Demon Suppression squad at all."

"My lord, what should we do?"

Lu Feng and the other four all turned their eyes to Chu He. After all, he was the one in charge.

"Tell me the exact circumstances in detail."

Chu He looked at Yun Long as he asked.

"Yes."

Yun Long nodded and said without hesitation:

"About half a month ago, a Long Clan caravan heading to Moon Ancient Village disappeared. The Long Clan gathered several guards to search for them, but they disappeared too."

"The Long Clan immediately reported it to the authorities. The county constables went to investigate and never returned, so the matter was reported to the Heavenly Martial Guard."

As Yun Long spoke, he took a slightly blackened jade pendant from inside his robe and continued:

"This subordinate led the Heavenly Martial Guards there to investigate. But the moment we entered, the Spirit-Sensing Jade Pendant began turning black at tremendous speed. For safety's sake, this subordinate didn't dare remain any longer. I returned immediately and reported it to the Demon Suppression Bureau."

Looking at the pitch-black Spirit-Sensing Jade Pendant, Chu He nodded.

The Spirit-Sensing Jade Pendant was the Heavenly Martial Guard's most commonly used demon-detection item. As long as there were traces of a demon within ten zhang, it would turn black.

And any demon capable of turning a Spirit-Sensing Jade Pendant black was beyond what the county's Heavenly Martial Guards could handle.

"Afterward, a Demon Suppression Guard came. Once he went inside, he never came out again either. A few days later, a squad of Demon Suppression Guards arrived, but all of them, including the Junior Banner Officer, disappeared in Moon Ancient Village."

Yun Long paused, then continued, "Also, several sect disciples entered over the past two days. They all disappeared too."

"How are you certain they disappeared?"

Chu He frowned.

He had discovered that this mission was completely different from its description. It was like a demon's gaping maw, devouring everyone who stepped inside.

Still shaken, Yun Long said, "This subordinate has been watching from outside the village these past few days and hasn't spotted any of them. The village is small. From high ground, you can see it all at a glance. That village is far too strange."

Yun Long shuddered without warning.

Clearly, that strange village had left him with some unknown shadow.

"My lord, what should we do?"

Lu Feng asked quietly, a trace of fear mingling with his voice.

After all.

The information they had received was wrong, and another Demon Suppression squad had been wiped out in that village. Entering could easily put them in danger.

"Let's take a look."

With a sweep of his hand, Chu He mounted his horse and ordered, "Yun Long, lead the way. Everyone else, follow."

"Yes, my lord."

Not daring to hesitate, Yun Long went to fetch a swift horse from nearby and led Chu He and the others toward Moon Ancient Village.

Moon Ancient Village was not far from Feiyun County. Less than an hour after leaving the county town, they could see the village.

"My lord, Moon Ancient Village is up ahead."

Yun Long pointed at the village ahead as he spoke.

The whole village was small, with only a few dozen households. Despite the broad daylight, it was unusually quiet, giving it an eerie feel.

"No one?"

A puzzled expression appeared on Chu He's face.

It should have been the busy farming season, with villagers bustling back and forth, yet the streets were completely empty.

As though seeing Chu He's confusion, Yun Long quickly explained, "My lord, because an evil entity has appeared in this village, the farmers are all frightened. They don't dare leave their homes, day or night."

"I also told them that lords from the Demon Suppression Bureau would come to resolve this in the next few days, and asked them to wait a little longer."

Chu He nodded.

That was human nature. Although the living beings of Great Qian were no strangers to demons, they would still be afraid when one appeared close to home. Being too frightened to leave their houses was normal enough.

"My lord, perhaps today we should first..."

Yun Long asked uncertainly.

Although.

He had not finished speaking, his meaning was clear. He wanted to ask whether they should return first and come back prepared.

At that moment.

Lu Feng and the other four also looked expectantly at Chu He.

It was their first mission, after all. Faced with such a strange village, thoughts of retreat immediately arose in their hearts.

"Hmph!"

Chu He said coldly, "Every mission the Demon Suppression Bureau undertakes involves strange demons. If you can't even overcome your fear, submit a withdrawal request. I'll personally approve it for you."

"This subordinate admits his wrongdoing!"

Lu Feng and the others hurriedly begged forgiveness.

Once a Demon Suppression Guard, always a Demon Suppression Guard. There was no possibility of withdrawing. At their rank, the moment they submitted that request would be the moment their heads hit the ground.

"Complete this mission, and none of you will be short of merit points. I'll personally request recognition for your contributions. Move!"

As a handsome young transmigrator from the twenty-first century, he naturally understood the art of managing subordinates by giving them a blow with a stick, then a sweet date.

"Thank you, my lord."

Upon hearing there would be merit to earn, Lu Feng and the other four were no longer so afraid. They quickly galloped toward Moon Ancient Village.

Just then!

Inside the largest courtyard in Moon Ancient Village, an old man seemed to hear the hoofbeats outside and slowly walked out.

When he saw Chu He and the others outside the village, along with Yun Long leading the way, delight immediately appeared on his face. He hurried to the village entrance and said:

"Lord Yun, at long last, you've come!"

[Ding, Possessing Evil Spirit: mid-stage first-rank demon, adept at beguiling hearts and clouding the five senses.

Comment: It won't even pass up an old man with a faint stench of decay. It really isn't picky at all.]