The wind and sand were quite strong.
Hooves trod on the yellow earth, neither fast nor slow, as if measuring this lifeless land.
Jiang Yuechu leaned against the horse's back, one hand holding the reins, while the other held a book, which she was diligently studying.
Fortunately, her previous self was proficient in all four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Although the content of the book was obscure, with a little thought, she could roughly guess its meaning.In this world, Martial Dao is supreme.
The Mortal Realm involves circulating Qi and blood, refining muscles and bones, which is the beginning of the Martial Dao.
The so-called Mortal Realm is about circulating Qi and blood, and Cultivating Martial Skills.
In the process of continuously tempering muscles and bones, one strengthens their Physical Body, preparing for the future.
This step is nothing mysterious; it's just a matter of grinding work, accumulated through time and sweat.
Most people in the Jianghu are in this Realm.
Further up is the Hearing the String.
The so-called Hearing the String means that when a Martial Artist Cultivates Martial Skills, and their Qi and blood reach a certain level, they can internally hear their own heartbeat and blood flow, and externally hear the rustling of grass and trees, and the cries of cranes.
Only upon reaching this step can one be considered to have truly entered the threshold of Martial Dao.
Moreover, according to the book, in the Hearing the String, the more profound the Martial Skills one Cultivates, the higher the efficiency of Qi and blood circulation, and the faster the Cultivation speed.
Jiang Yuechu pondered.
She was currently in the Hearing The String Later Stage.
The reason why the Demon Wolf's Cultivation Technique did not allow her to Breakthrough her Realm.
Perhaps the method taught by the Demon Wolf was too low-grade?
She didn't dwell on this for too long and continued reading.
And after Hearing the String Perfection, comes Bone Resonance.Seeing these two words, Jiang Yuechu's breathing slowed a bit.
Bone Resonance, Bone Resonance.Qi and blood permeate the four limbs and hundreds of bones, refining the bones to make them emit a metallic hum.
At this stage, the Physical Body is formidable, difficult to injure with ordinary blades, and can no longer be resisted by mundane means.
However, attempting to Breakthrough from Hearing the String to Bone Resonance is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.In addition to one's own martial arts needing to be sufficiently refined, it also requires a vast amount of Heaven And Earth Treasure, or... Demon flesh and blood as a guide, to ignite Qi and blood and charge through the barrier in one go.
"Tsk." Jiang Yuechu closed the book and tucked it into her Huai.
It seems that in her future Cultivation, she must pay more attention to these external objects.Thinking this, she made a mental note.
No matter what, it's inseparable from the words 'Demon' and 'Devil'.It seems she was born to slay Demons and devils... Jiang Yuechu gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Sigh...""If only I were truly a member of the Demon Suppression Division, how great would that be." She muttered to herself.
That way, not only would her identity issue be resolved easily, but slaying Demons and devils would also be justified.
The imperial court would pay her salary, and she could kill any Demon in the world.
Unlike now. Even if she had the intention to slay Demons.She didn't know where the Demons were?And she still had to be careful about her identity everywhere.
She shook her head, casting these unrealistic thoughts out of her mind, and focused on her journey.
Her target, naturally, was the Demon in Jincheng County.
Although she knew very little about the Demon, and didn't even know its strength.Time waits for no one.
She had no other choice now.
Although Demons were rampant, they weren't like the NPCs in her previous life's games, foolishly standing there waiting to be killed.
Many cunning Great Demons, upon hearing that the imperial court was coming to suppress them, would immediately flee, finding a deep mountain forest to hide in.
Once the people left, they would come out again to commit evil deeds.This was also one of the reasons she wanted to infiltrate the Demon Suppression Division...
On the official road, occasionally there were people, all displaced from their homes.
Jiang Yuechu, dressed in ordinary Jianghu attire, rode her horse against the flow of people, appearing out of place.
Without that black clothing with red patterns, she was just an ordinary Jianghu woman.
Most of the fleeing commoners merely glanced at her numbly, with a hint of confusion in their eyes.
This young lady is pretty, but her mind seems a bit off?
After all, everyone else was fleeing outwards, while she alone was heading in the opposite direction.
Jiang Yuechu rode on her horse, her expression unchanged.She casually pulled the reins, stopping an old man who was leading his grandson, walking with faltering steps.
"Elder."
The old man was startled, then looked up to see a young woman on horseback, and his composure returned slightly.
"Miss... is something the matter?"
"How far is Jincheng?"
"Jin... Jincheng?" The old man paused, then pointed ahead, "Not far, another dozen li, and you'll be there."
A dozen li.
Jiang Yuechu silently calculated the journey; she should arrive before dark.
Seeing her remain silent, the old man couldn't help but ask again, "Miss, are you... going to Jincheng?"
Jiang Yuechu nodded, not denying it.
The old man's face immediately filled with disbelief; he waved his hands repeatedly, as if afraid she was being reckless."Miss, listen to this old man's advice, you cannot go to Jincheng now..."
Jiang Yuechu naturally knew why she couldn't go.
However, she was just short on information, so it was a good opportunity to ask about the situation.
She deliberately feigned confusion, "Oh? Why can't I go?"
"Demons! There are Great Demons!"
The old man slapped his thigh and stammered, "Several villages near Jincheng were all gone overnight! I heard that Demon... oh, the scene, blood flowed like rivers, not a single survivor was left! Now everyone in the City has fled, even... even the County Magistrate abandoned his official seal and ran away with his family!"
"Miss, you're so fair-skinned and tender, going in alone is just delivering yourself as food to the Demons!"
After the old man finished speaking, regardless of whether she had listened, he pulled his grandson and rejoined the crowd without looking back, hurrying to escape.
Leaving only Jiang Yuechu with a strange expression.
Even the County Magistrate ran away?
How fierce was this Demon?
Fragmented memories surged in her mind.
According to the Tang Dynasty laws, officials were responsible for defending their territory.
A County Head, when faced with disaster or banditry, could report for aid or defend the City to the death, but could never abandon their post and flee.
This act was no different from a general deserting in battle, a crime equivalent to rebellion.
Once confirmed by the imperial court, the minor punishment was dismissal and exile for three thousand li, while the severe punishment was execution of the entire family and implication of three generations.
To make a scholar who had studied diligently for over a decade, finally climbing to the position of County Head, abandon his wealth, life, and the honor of his entire family, just to pack up and run.
The troublesome nature of the Demon must have reached a point where the County Magistrate felt that being hunted by the imperial court was a better chance for survival than staying in Jincheng.
Understanding this, she couldn't help but hesitate.
Should she still go?As she was pondering.
At the end of the official road, two figures suddenly appeared.
Both were dressed in black, with exceptionally burly physiques, a head taller than ordinary strong men, with broad shoulders and thick backs.
Jiang Yuechu's pupils constricted, and she subconsciously placed her hand on the hilt of her saber.
As they drew closer, she could clearly see their appearance.
They looked like humans, yet not quite.
Both had a layer of fine black fur on their faces, their noses protruded forward, and when their mouths opened, one could see stark white fangs.