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Chapter 17 - A Husky That Fell Into a Wolf's Den

--------------------Liangzhou Prefecture, Demon Suppression Division.------------------------------

The Commandery Office is located in the north of the city, with black tiled roofs, high walls, and brass wind chimes hanging from the eaves.

The perennial wind and sand made the chimes sound dull.

---------------------Liangzhou Prefecture Demon Suppression Dusi Rear Hall.---------------------

A huge sand table occupied most of the hall, meticulously depicting the mountains and terrain of the entire Longyou Circuit.

Wei He stood before the sand table with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.

Inside the hall, there were several other men dressed in black clothes with red patterns, all influential figures of the Demon Suppression Division, each with a solemn expression.

"The Yumen Pass garrison said they saw a mountain come alive and run off on its own legs." A Brigade Commander with a short beard on his chin said in a deep voice, with a hint of absurdity in his tone.

Another person frowned and said, "A mountain ran off on legs? Was the sandstorm too strong, causing them to see things?"

Wei He did not look up, his voice flat, "And what else?"

The short-bearded Brigade Commander continued, "Also, in Zhangye, the water of the Black River flowed backward for three days, and the river was filled with dead fish, stinking for a hundred li."

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat heavy.

In the current world, Demons run rampant, and strange occurrences are frequent, which is usually common. But recently, something felt subtly wrong.

Finally, someone couldn't hold back and steered the conversation to another matter.

"Great General, Captain Xu's side..." As soon as these words were spoken, the hall instantly fell silent.

Xu Nian, a Bone Resonance Realm Martial Artist, was considered a master in a place like Longyou. Yet, a person of such caliber was carried back a few days ago.

"He won't die." Wei He finally looked up, his face still devoid of expression, "However, his Meridians are completely severed, and his Qi and blood are withered. Even if he can be saved, his cultivation will be crippled."

"Hiss—" A collective gasp echoed in the hall. A Bone Resonance Realm master, crippled just like that?

"Is that Demon truly so powerful?" The Brigade Commander with the short beard sighed, "Yao Race Divine Ability users are indeed troublesome. That Demon in Hexi back then, who spoke human words and manipulated illusions, caused our Demon Suppression Division to lose fifteen captains and over three hundred brothers."

"The Demon in Jincheng County can manipulate blood mist and use it for itself. Such a Divine Ability is unheard of. Captain Xu's defeat was not unjust."

"If not for..." Mid-sentence, everyone simultaneously thought of something, and their gazes converged on a pale-faced young man in the corner.

Liu Chen. He also suffered serious injuries in that bloody battle, and standing there now, his body swayed slightly.

Wei He's gaze also fell upon him. "Liu Chen, there was also a woman who returned with you all?"

Liu Chen's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed, "Yes, Great General."

"Tell me in detail again, how exactly did that pig Demon die?"Liu Chen took a deep breath, seemingly recalling the scene that had overturned his understanding, his eyes still retaining a hint of horror.

"Reporting to Great General... your subordinate... your subordinate doesn't know what kind of method that was." His voice was somewhat dry.

"When that woman attacked, her blade struck like a tiger, a bloody phantom followed behind her, and her blade technique was extremely fierce. But even so, it only injured the pig Demon."

"The truly fatal blow... was when she finally..." Liu Chen's Adam's apple bobbed, as if searching for the right words.

"Finally, red tiger stripes appeared on her body, all her black hair turned blood-red, and her pupils... her pupils turned into vertical slits... the malevolent Qi, compared to the pig Demon's, was even greater!"

"One punch. Just one punch, and it pierced through the pig Demon's chest."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions were extremely colorful.

"Unheard of! What kind of evil cultivation technique is this?!"

"Could it be a Demon in disguise?" another person immediately echoed, "If she possessed such means, why didn't she act earlier, instead waiting for Captain Xu and the others to fight until they were exhausted?"

For a time, the hall was filled with discussions and speculations.

Liu Chen opened his mouth, wanting to offer a few words of defense, but didn't know where to begin.

Yes, why?

He was also startled by that malevolent Qi at the time.

But later, the woman collapsed from exhaustion and was brought back to Liangzhou Prefecture. Throughout the treatment, she was clearly a Human Race member. Although her Qi and blood were weak, there was no trace of Demonic Qi.

"Enough." Wei He's voice sounded again, and the hall instantly quieted down.

He didn't press further, merely ordered, "Pass down the command: the matter of Jincheng County ends here. All Imperial Guards who went to investigate are to withdraw immediately."

"Great General?!" Everyone was greatly surprised.

"The identity of that woman has not yet been clarified..."

"I have my own judgment." Wei He waved his hand, no longer giving them a chance to question.

"You may all withdraw." Everyone exchanged glances, but ultimately dared not disobey. They bowed respectfully and filed out.

Soon, only Wei He remained in the rear hall.

"The Jiang Family..." He looked at the sand table, silent for a long time.

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The medicine was very bitter.

Jiang Yuechu wrinkled her face, feeling like she had never drunk anything so awful in her life.

"Good medicine tastes bitter." A light chuckle came from beside her.

Wei Qing gently wiped the medicine stains from the corner of her mouth with a silk handkerchief.

"This was brewed with Snow Ginseng and Hundred-Year Polygonatum. Your Qi and blood are too depleted; ordinary medicine would be useless."

Snow Ginseng?

Polygonatum?

Jiang Yuechu's heart skipped a beat.

It sounded expensive. Even if she had rendered meritorious service in slaying a Demon, was it necessary to be so extravagant?

Or... did the Demon Suppression Division have plenty of money?

She subtly observed the woman in front of her.

Wei Qing was around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, dressed in an elegant white dress, with gentle eyes and brows, and a faint scent of medicine about her.

"Miss Wei, I forgot to ask, this place is..."

Wei Qing blinked and smiled, "Naturally, it's the back courtyard of the Demon Suppression Division."

Jiang Yuechu gasped.

She, a person who had barely survived after killing a Demon Suppression Division member, was now in the Demon Suppression Division's headquarters. How was that any different from a husky falling into a wolf's den?

If she were exposed, she would probably be made into Snow Ginseng and Polygonatum stewed husky on the spot.

"Thank you for telling me, Miss." She forced a smile, "May I ask... where are the adults who saved me? This old man... this humble girl has not yet thanked them for saving her life."

Wei Qing smiled, "They have official duties, you don't need to worry. Just rest and recover from your injuries; my brother instructed me to take good care of you."

Brother?

Jiang Yuechu keenly caught that word.

She was about to subtly inquire about the identity of the other party's brother.

~Creak~

A middle-aged man in dark-colored casual clothes walked in. His figure was not burly, and his face was refined, but the aura about him made it difficult to underestimate him.

"Brother." Wei Qing stood up and bowed gracefully to the newcomer.

Wei He's gaze did not linger on his sister but fell directly on the pale face on the bed.

He didn't speak, just watched.

Jiang Yuechu felt her whole body prickle, her scalp tingling under his gaze. It felt like she had been stripped naked and seen through, inside and out.

After a long while.

Wei He slowly spoke, "Jiang Xun's daughter, Jiang Yuechu?"

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