Xiao Xiuzhu's Probe

At the horizon, a Messenger rapidly approached.

On the hill.

Luo Chen held out his palm and watched the Messenger land in it.

He removed the letter from the Messenger's back, opened it, and examined it carefully.

"The Chief Director actually agreed."

Luo Chen was somewhat surprised. He had thought that even if the Demon Suppression Bureau went to hunt down that traitor themselves, they would not allow the Water Tribe to enter their territory.

In his heart, he raised his estimation of the White Dragon River Dragon Palace by another level.

"...The Water Tribe is permitted to enter the river. At the same time, the Demon Suppression Bureau will dispatch five hundred Demon Suppressing Guards to protect the people along the route and monitor the Water Tribe."

Putting away the sheet of paper in his hand, Luo Chen clasped both hands behind his head, leaned against a bluestone, and closed his eyes to rest.

Ahead, before the simply constructed camp.

Wang Yue came to Luo Chen's side with a grin and asked curiously.

"Boss, what did they say up there?"

Luo Chen answered casually.

"The Chief Director agreed, but we have to wait for reinforcements from headquarters before the Water Tribe can enter."

"Tsk, tsk. The people of the Dragon Palace sure have some clout."

Wang Yue clicked his tongue twice, his tone carrying an indescribable meaning.

"Boss, does the White Dragon River Dragon Palace really have a true dragon?"

Luo Chen narrowed his eyes slightly as countless records of secret tales concerning the White Dragon River flashed through his mind.

After a long while, he shook his head.

"I don't know, but it must be formidable."

He did not know what the true form of that Heaven and Earth Divine Saint dwelling within the White Dragon River was.

Such secrets were not something an ordinary Demon Suppression Captain could access.

Seeing the two chatting, the other Demon Suppression Envoys also gathered around.

After spending two days with Luo Chen at close range.

They were no longer so resistant toward their new superior.

This was a man with genuine ability.

Moreover, Luo Chen was only seventeen, an age when one's martial cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

Following him, even a casual pull from him could save them ten or even dozens of years of detours.

The few of them chatted idly.

By afternoon.

Another disturbance arose upon the river.

A waterspout dozens of meters wide spiraled into the sky.

At its peak, Ao Yuan looked at Luo Chen on the opposite hill, and his tone could not help turning grave.

"Brother Luo Chen, has the Demon Suppression Bureau's order not come down yet?"

He was feeling anxious as well.

If that traitor escaped, he would not be able to keep his own little life when he returned.

Luo Chen was in no hurry at all and simply waved his hand.

"Soon, soon."

Ao Yuan's face darkened as he sank into the water.

Damn it.

This brat took the benefits and refused to do the work!

He was so furious he felt like exploding.

He had hinted at it several times already.

They could begin searching first while Luo Chen waited here for the Chief Director's order.

Because in their view, the Demon Suppression Bureau could not possibly refuse.

Yet Luo Chen would not budge, no matter oil or salt.

The benefits he had swallowed were forgotten the moment he turned around.

Luo Chen was not about to indulge them.

After all, it was the people of their Dragon Palace who had killed so many civilians.

How could they possibly pay no price at all?

If the White Dragon River were not so powerful, the Demon Suppression Bureau would never have been so accommodating.

Although it would not affect the outcome.

It still felt pretty satisfying to disgust them a little.

Luo Chen thought smugly as he took out that Demon Core from his Spatial Secret Treasure.

He knew that only a very small number of demons with decent talent could condense a Demon Core.

A Demon Core was pure essence of heaven and earth.

It could be used to increase strength or refine precious medicine.

Luo Chen inspected it carefully, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.

"What a pity. This Demon Core is impure and wreathed in Killing Intent. It must be the Demon Core of a bloodthirsty Demonic Beast."

The value of such a Demon Core was greatly reduced, and it required special methods to purify.

It was time-consuming and laborious.

Luo Chen casually tossed it back into his Spatial Secret Treasure.

Another two days passed.

The five hundred Demon Suppressing Guards who had gathered were already stationed in villages along the route to keep watch.

Luo Chen met up with the arriving Xiao Xiuzhu.

Xiao Xiuzhu carried a large spear on his back and clasped his fists.

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"Brother Luo Chen, we will stand guard together this time."

Luo Chen returned the salute.

The two came to the riverbank.

The river swiftly parted to both sides, and a group of Water Tribe members from the Dragon Palace stepped out.

Ao Yuan wore a blank expression. As he approached, he forced out a smile.

"Gentlemen, can we act now?"

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

Luo Chen had forcibly delayed him for so long.

The dissatisfaction in his heart had long since built up.

"Yes, yes. You have all waited long enough."

Xiao Xiuzhu smiled warmly, every inch the seasoned veteran.

"Everyone from the Dragon Palace, please do not harm the civilians along the way."

Luo Chen also gave an indifferent reminder.

Ao Yuan gave Luo Chen a deep look before turning and leaving.

As the Water Tribe departed, the enormous waves that had been split apart on either side began crashing back down with a thunderous roar.

Water vapor soared into the heavens and formed a seven-colored rainbow beneath the sunlight.

"You offended them?"

After the two returned to the camp on the hill.

Xiao Xiuzhu watched the Water Tribe members riding the waves away and said with a smile.

He could see that Ao Yuan, their leader, was extremely displeased with Luo Chen.

"Heh, I didn't."

Luo Chen shook his head. How could he admit it?

Xiao Xiuzhu did not continue the topic.

"The city has not been peaceful recently. The City Lord and the Chief Director are fighting fiercely."

"It is better to be out here, without so many worries."

Hearing this, all kinds of information swiftly flashed through Luo Chen's mind.

Shangguan Changyue could basically be confirmed as someone from King Zhenbei's Mansion, standing with King Zhenbei's faction.

Then which faction did the Qingyuan City Lord belong to?

He did not conceal his thoughts. Since Xiao Xiuzhu had raised it before him, he presumably had something to say.

"Then which faction stands behind the City Lord?"

Faced with Luo Chen's question.

Xiao Xiuzhu stared into Luo Chen's eyes and said meaningfully.

"The City Lord naturally obeys the Dagan imperial family!"

In Luo Chen's mind, every thread of thought suddenly connected.

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Then the Chief Director should hold the upper hand."

Luo Chen spoke with a bitter smile.

"Of course."

Xiao Xiuzhu patted Luo Chen on the shoulder.

"This anomaly in the White Dragon River is far from ordinary. We must remain vigilant at all times."

Luo Chen rose and clasped his fists.

He watched the other man depart.

In the distance.

Wang Yue and the others swiftly gathered around, curiosity in their eyes.

Luo Chen took a deep breath and said nothing else.

"Rest for the night. Starting tomorrow, we will patrol along the riverbank."

"Yes."

Their expressions froze. They had thought that once the main force arrived, they could return to the city.

They had not expected to continue patrolling.

But after recovering from their surprise, they immediately answered in unison.

Luo Chen dismissed everyone, then sat on the bluestone, his thoughts in turmoil.

After that.

For seven straight days.

Luo Chen tracked Ao Yuan and the others as they traveled tirelessly.

Every inch of this five-hundred-li-long White Dragon River Tributary had been swept clean.

Yet they still found no trace of that Dragon Palace traitor.

By the riverbank.

Luo Chen sat astride a fine horse, Golden Scale in hand, looking at Ao Yuan and the others on the river with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Gentlemen, could you have made a mistake?"

"That traitor is not hiding here at all, or perhaps he already came ashore and left."

Ao Yuan's expression was ugly.

"Impossible!"

With that, he once again vanished into the broad current.

On the shore.

Luo Chen was quite curious.

"What exactly did this traitor do?"