Entering Central Province
"A single spark can start a prairie fire. Once this idea spreads, more and more people will begin to believe that coexisting with monsters is the right thing to do. On that day, we won't even know who we're protecting."
"That old woman just now, every word she uttered was an attempt to exonerate the monster. Her husband and son were killed by the monster, and instead of seeking revenge, she turned around and resented those who slayed the monster. Saving someone like that is like planting a knife in your own throat."
Xiao Tianqi smiled, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out—a genuine, approving smile.
He patted Lu Feng on the shoulder. "Well said. I didn't expect you to have such awareness. Very good."
He turned to look at Su Ying, his tone unusually gentle. "Little Ying, you still have a lot to learn. Sometimes, force alone cannot solve all problems."
Su Ying fell silent. She lowered her head, looked at the old woman on the ground whose eyes hadn't closed even in death, and bit her lip hard.
She listened to Lu Feng's words, but the hurdle in her heart wasn't something she could overcome overnight.
She looked up at Lu Feng again.
This person always manages to say the most correct, calmest, and also the most ruthless things at crucial moments.
"I understand." She finally just nodded slightly.
After Xiao Tianqi sent out information about the attack, the three set off to cross the mountains.
Upon entering the Central Province Plains, the scene before us was completely different.
The hills gradually leveled out, and the view suddenly opened up.
The official road was wide and flat, and every now and then you could see scattered houses along the roadside, with wisps of smoke rising from their rooftops.
Golden waves of wheat rippled in the wind across the fields, several farmers were bent over working, and children chased dragonflies across the field ridges.
Compared to the bloody scene on the border of Yunzhou, this place is like another world.
Along the way, we encountered many demon-slaying guards on patrol, all of whom were patrol forces dispatched by headquarters.
Lu Feng noticed that the patrol density in Central Province was significantly higher than in other areas, and that these people would stand at attention and bow when they saw them.
Whether it was news from Yongzhou that had reached headquarters or not, the three of them were traveling much faster than before.
The journey, which originally took three days, was compressed into two days.
On the morning of the third day, a majestic city appeared on the horizon.
The city is built against the mountain, backed by a majestic peak that pierces the clouds.
Below the peak lies the headquarters of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, with towering blue stone walls and layer upon layer of palaces and pavilions within, stretching as far as the eye can see.
The headquarters was surrounded by an astonishingly large marketplace.
As soon as Lu Feng and his two companions arrived at the door, a warm greeting came from the side.
"Brother Xiao! Long time no see!"
Lu Feng looked in the direction of the sound.
The newcomer was an elderly man with a goatee, wearing a crimson robe. He had a thin face but was in good spirits, and was followed by three young men.
His cultivation level is unfathomable; he is at least at the Great Grandmaster level.
Among the three people behind him, one Late Grandmaster, and the other two Hua Jin Perfection.
Of the two who Hua Jin Perfection, one of the young men had a fair complexion, phoenix eyes, and an aura that made Lu Feng frown slightly.
"Brother Lu, how have you been?" Xiao Tianqi rarely took the initiative to return the greeting.
The young man's fair face originally carried a hint of arrogance. His gaze casually swept over Lu Feng without lingering, and finally landed on Su Ying.
He was taken aback at first, then a barely concealed shock flashed in his eyes.
"Su Ying, you've broken through to the Grandmaster?!"
Just then, Su Ying's hushed voice reached Lu Feng's ears. "This person is Jiang Han. Be careful if you encounter him. I don't recognize the guy next to him; he doesn't seem very strong."
Lu Feng nodded calmly.
Jiang Han, the top expert in the Hua Jin of the South City Demon-Slaying Bureau.
With three Nei Jin Perfection strength techniques at their peak, one of which is body movement.
The opponent that Su Ying had repeatedly warned him to be careful of was now standing right in front of him.
"There's no other way; I can't suppress my strength, so I have to break through." Su Ying resumed her usual aloof demeanor.
"So beautiful."
The Junior Brother Yu, who was also at the Hua Jin Perfection beside Jiang Han, muttered something under his breath, his gaze fixed on Su Ying's face.
The voice wasn't loud, but everyone present had sharp ears and eyes; the entire room heard it.
Jiang Han's expression changed, and he turned around and shouted in a low voice, "Junior Brother Yu, what did you say? Apologize at once!"
"It's alright, it's alright."
Xiao Tianqi waved his hand, his face showing neither joy nor anger.
Lu Qingshan continued to smooth things over with a smile, but then glanced at Yu Wei.
That glance was extremely faint, but Lu Feng saw Yu Wei visibly shudder.
He immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Brother Xiao."
Lu Qingshan smiled and shook his head, then turned to look at Lu Feng.
"And this young man is...?"
"Junior Lu Feng greets Senior Lu." Lu Feng bowed respectfully.
"Oh? Also surnamed Lu?"
Lu Qingshan raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued.
This land is not that road.
Xiao Tianqi chimed in at the opportune moment, then changed the subject.
"Brother Lu, something happened on my way here, I'd like to tell you about it."
His tone was calm, but his expression became more serious.
Lu Qingshan's smile faded considerably, as if he had guessed something.
The two exchanged a glance, Xiao Tianqi then quietly recounted the attack on the Yunzhou border and the killing of refugees in Yongzhou.
Upon hearing this, Lu Qingshan's face darkened completely.
"I've encountered that too. It seems things are more complicated than I thought."
Lu Qingshan was silent for a moment, then looked up and spoke to the young men behind him, as well as Lu Feng Su Ying.
"We have important matters to discuss. You may make your own arrangements and do not wander off."
As soon as they finished speaking, the two Great Grandmaster leaped into the air and disappeared into the depths of the crowd in an instant.
"Old Lu is gone, and Su Ying has broken through to Grandmaster, so we've lost a major enemy at the Hua Jin Realm. We're in good luck today." Jiang Han's lips curled up, his tone light and cheerful.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Jiang! You're sure to make another step forward this time," Yu Wei quickly replied.
That's not how it works.
Jiang Han's smile faded, and his gaze returned to Lu Feng, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Although Su Ying is gone, this Brother Lu doesn't seem to be simple either."
Lu Feng didn't reply, but simply nodded slightly.
The young man with the cold expression was the leader of the three.
The young man had remained silent the whole way, but he spoke only now, his voice brief and decisive:
"How about we report for duty first?"
"Okay," Su Ying replied casually.
The five of them made their way through the bustling crowd to the entrance of the Headquarters Demon-Slaying Bureau.
There were long queues at the entrance, and the crowd was extremely dense.
However, after Lu Feng and his group presented their tokens, a Grandmaster- like person in charge immediately summoned a disciple who had reached the Hua Jin and whispered a few instructions to him.
The disciple respectfully stepped forward to lead the way. "Distinguished guests, please follow me."
Led by the disciple, Lu Feng and his group quickly passed through the front hall and arrived at a cave area inside the Demon-Slaying Bureau.
The disciple stopped in front of a row of neat, independent courtyards and introduced them:
"This is the area of the South City Demon-Slaying Bureau. The three of you may each choose a cave dwelling."
After distributing the keys, the disciple led Lu Feng and Su Ying onward.