Returning to her small courtyard in the Jingyao Workshop, she put away the things she had bought one by one, first storing the fabric and combat attire, then pouring the polished rice into the rice jar.
Finally, she carried the several jin of heavy meat to the well in the courtyard.
Drawing water, cleaning—a series of smooth, flowing movements.
She wasn't bad at cooking.
In her previous life, living alone, she often cooked, but now, in a female body, it still felt a bit strange.
"If I really were to marry, I might even be a good wife and loving mother..."
Shaking her head to dispel the odd thoughts, she quickly got to work preparing the meal.
In the kitchen, the firewood crackled, and the iron pot, placed over it, quickly steamed.
Jiang Yuechu poured the sliced Yao Beast meat into the pot. With a sizzle, a rich aroma of meat instantly filled the air.
She added some common seasonings, stir-frying on high heat and then simmering on low.
The aroma of the meat gradually wafted out of the small courtyard, drawing the neighborhood dogs to lie by the wall, sniffing and letting out low whimpers.
Jiang Yuechu took a deep breath. This familiar scent of home cooking relaxed her tense nerves considerably.
She scooped a spoonful of the tender, stewed meat with a wooden spoon and put it into her mouth.
The meat was soft and tender, juicy, and perfectly savory.
Just one bite, and she instantly felt a slight increase in the Qi and blood within her body.
That warm current, thread by thread, flowed into her Dantian.
While not as violent and immediate as devouring Demon flesh and blood, it was superior in its steady, cumulative effect over time.
"Alas..."
Jiang Yuechu sighed.
Yao Beast flesh and blood, after all, was not Demon flesh and blood.
Demon flesh and blood was formed when Demons devoured Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi or refined the essence of living beings, containing immense Qi and blood and Demonic Qi.
Yao Beasts, however, were merely Mythical Beasts (mutated beasts) tainted with a trace of Demonic Bloodline.
Though their flesh and blood were more spiritual than ordinary livestock, they were far from comparable to true Demons.
But according to the laws of the Great Tang, privately selling Demon flesh and blood was a serious crime.
The Demon Suppression Division strictly controlled this; only the Commandery Office treasury was authorized to store and refine it.
And she couldn't encounter Demons every day.
This Yao Beast meat was actually quite good.
It was just a pity it was a bit expensive.
Jiang Yuechu looked at the remaining meat in the pot and, for the first time, felt a deep worry about her wallet.
It seemed she would have to find a way to earn more money in the future... The next morning.
As the sky just began to lighten, Jiang Yuechu was already awake.
She quickly washed up, put on her uniform, a horizontal saber at her waist, and with a straight back, arrived at the Demon Suppression Division.
After some thought, she decided to show her face to her subordinates.
After all, she was their superior; if she didn't show up often, it might be harder to manage them later.
As she strode into the Dusi, she saw a familiar figure.
"Miss Jiang, wait a moment."
Liu Chen approached, a hint of urgency on his face.
Jiang Yuechu turned her head, her eyebrow slightly raised: "What's wrong?"
Liu Chen caught his breath and waved his hand: "Lord Xu has given orders that all Xuan Battalion Squad Leaders and above must gather at the Dusi Main Hall today for an important announcement."
Oh, a meeting.
Jiang Yuechu nodded and followed Liu Chen's footsteps.
The two walked side by side.
"Miss Jiang, did you... did your visit to your subordinate team yesterday go smoothly?"
Liu Chen hesitated but couldn't help but ask.
Jiang Yuechu shook her head.
"Nothing much. Jianghu people are tough, but they softened up after I went to persuade them yesterday."
Liu Chen paused in his steps.
"Miss Jiang."
"Hmm?"
"That sounds... a bit strange..."
"? "
...The two passed through several long corridors and finally arrived before a spacious main hall.
The hall doors were open, and it was already filled with people.
All were dressed in the standard black uniform with red patterns of the Demon Suppression Division.
Jiang Yuechu's gaze swept through the crowd, and she quickly noticed something unusual.
Apart from the ordinary black uniforms with red patterns, the attire of a few individuals was embroidered with unknown Vicious Beasts, lifelike, as if ready to devour people.
"These people are the Zhong Langjiang of the Demon Suppression Division."
Liu Chen noticed her confusion and explained in a low voice, "The embroidery on their uniforms is the golden lion of Longyou. The golden lion is the Divine Beast, the golden lion, that suppresses Demons and wards off evil."
He paused, then added: "The insignias of the Demon Suppression Divisions in different Circuits are all different. By the insignia, one can tell which Circuit's Dusi they belong to. Of course, only ranks above Brigade Commander are qualified to wear such attire."
Jiang Yuechu nodded in understanding.
Above Squad Leader was Captain.
And above Captain was Zhong Langjiang.
Her gaze subconsciously fell on the handsome young man at the front of the hall, who, despite wearing an ordinary black uniform, possessed an extraordinary demeanor.
He was wearing an ordinary black uniform, without any additional embellishments.
Yet, even so, standing there, he was like a crane among chickens, forming his own world.
Seeing her expression, Liu Chen patiently explained again: "Of course, for someone like Lord Xu, if there's no important matter, he naturally dresses however he feels comfortable."
Jiang Yuechu understood.
In short, it was a leader's privilege.
If she ever reached that position, she could probably even wear a skirt to work.
She thought mischievously to herself, but showed no hint of it on her face.
Everyone in the hall had already noticed their arrival.
A woman appearing in the main hall of the Demon Suppression Division was simply too eye-catching.
However, perhaps out of fear of a certain person, no one exchanged whispers.
Jiang Yuechu, however, paid no attention to any of this, merely standing expressionlessly at the end of the queue.
After waiting a moment longer.
Xu Changfeng slowly closed the book in his hand and placed it on the side of the desk.
"Since everyone is here, let's get straight to the point."
"I have gathered you all for one matter."
Everyone in the hall subconsciously softened their breathing.
"Yumen Pass, there are suspected sightings of a new Core Formation Great Demon."
As soon as these words were uttered, a collective gasp echoed through the hall.
Core Formation Great Demon!
Such beings were calamities walking among humans.
They could summon wind and rain, and with a raised hand, could annihilate a small city!
Xu Changfeng, however, ignored their astonishment and continued: "The Heaven Character Camp has personally gone to investigate. In a few days, there will be definite news."
"If the news is true, it is estimated that more than half of the Xuan Battalion personnel will be dispatched to accompany Great General Wei to Yumen Pass to suppress the Demons."
Jiang Yuechu's heart tightened.
More than half the personnel—this was almost the entire Xuan Battalion being deployed.
Great General Wei He personally leading the team showed the seriousness of the matter.
This also meant that she, a newly promoted eighth-rank squad leader, would likely be drawn into this great battle.
"Therefore, I am having you all prepare in advance."
"During this time, you must resolve all known Demon scourges within the Longyou Circuit."
He paused, his voice growing heavier: "Once the battle at Yumen Pass begins, and the Longyou Circuit army is mobilized, all kinds of Demons will surely move at the scent of it, taking advantage of the weakness. If the rear becomes chaotic, the front line will surely collapse. This is a battle for the safety of the Great Tang and the survival of its people; there is no room for the slightest oversight."
Everyone in the hall had solemn expressions and responded in unison: "Yes!"
Their voices were like thunder, shaking the great hall.
Jiang Yuechu also clasped her fists and bowed, but her mind was already calculating.
The stronger the Demon, the more Dao Cultivation one gained.
If she could participate in this battle and slay more powerful Demons, her strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds again.
But... that was a Core Formation Great Demon!
Although she didn't know the exact difference between it and Bone Resonance, with her mere initial stage Bone Resonance strength, going there would definitely be suicide.
Seeing everyone accept the order, Xu Changfeng waved his hand: "You may dismiss. Squad Leaders, take your tasks and execute them. The rest of you, stay."