On the official road, dust billowed.
Ten Red-Eyed Colts walked at a measured pace, the expressions of the people on their backs varying.
"Damn it, this cursed weather is so hot even the birds are about to roast!"
Chen Tong tore open his collar, revealing a patch of black hair on his chest, complaining with a face full of irritation.
"Amitabha."
The Monk No Abstinence beside him took a large gulp of wine and let out a loud burp, "Patron Chen, that statement is wrong. A calm heart naturally brings coolness."
Chen Tong spat fiercely, "Bald donkey, is there any wine left in your gourd? Give me a sip!"
Hearing this, the Monk No Abstinence tucked the wine gourd into his chest like a treasure, shaking his head repeatedly, "Absolutely not, absolutely not. This is an item for this poor monk's cultivation. If a Mortal drinks it, it will shorten their lifespan."
"I'll f*ck your..."
"Dare to speak another word, and all of you will walk the rest of the way."
The cold voice wasn't loud, but it was like a basin of ice water poured over their heads.
As soon as she spoke, Chen Tong and the Monk No Abstinence instantly shut up. Even the other men who had been chatting quietly immediately fell silent, struck dumb with fear.
Jiang Yuechu rubbed her throbbing temples.
These subordinates, who originated from the Jianghu, hadn't stopped talking since leaving Liangzhou Prefecture.
Even with her temperament, she now harbored the thought of beating these noisy fellows one by one.
The group continued forward in silence.
After walking for about another half *shichen*, a silhouette gradually appeared at the end of the official road ahead.
"Whoa—"
Jiang Yuechu pulled the reins, and the Red-Eyed Colt reared up, stopping outside the city gate of Hechuan County.
Everyone dismounted, led their horses, and walked into the city.
When the common people in the city saw their attire of black clothes and red patterns, they were first stunned, then erupted like a stirred pot, all lowering their voices to discuss.
"It's people from the Demon Suppression Division!"
"The Official Sirs from the Demon Suppression Division are here!"
"Look quickly, they are heading towards the County Yamen. They must be here for that Bear Demon!"
Soon, before they could even reach the County Yamen, a crowd rushed out onto the street ahead, blocking their path without a word.
The leader was a man in his forties, wearing a greasy short jacket, tears and snot streaming down his face, and he immediately knelt down with a thud.
"Official Sir! I beg you, please save my wife!"
Behind him followed over a dozen similarly ragged common people, men and women, young and old, all kneeling uniformly on the ground, their cries echoing loudly.
"Official Sir, my son also went up the mountain and hasn't returned home for three days!"
To ordinary common folk, what kind of existence was the Demon Suppression Division?
When ordinary people saw them, they didn't even have time to hide.
Yet, even so, they still dared to step forward and block the road.
It was clear that these people were truly desperate.
Liu Ke looked at the scene before him, a trace of distress flashing across his face.
He was originally a Disciple of a famous School, instilled with the idea of championing justice and chivalry since childhood. Seeing the common people suffer now, the heroic spirit in his heart immediately surged forth.
"Fellow villagers, you..."
He was about to speak to comfort them and make some promises.
"Shut up."
A cold voice interrupted him.
Jiang Yuechu merely looked indifferently at the kneeling common people.
Liu Ke was stunned and looked at her in disbelief.
Chen Tong and the Monk No Abstinence, among others, also showed strange expressions, and a sense of dissatisfaction arose in their hearts.
Although they were unruly, they also considered themselves Jianghu heroes. Seeing the common people in distress, how could they stand idly by?
But Jiang Yuechu's gaze simply swept over their faces one by one.
The dissatisfaction in everyone's hearts was instantly extinguished by a wave of coldness. One by one, they lowered their heads, daring not to speak again.
Jiang Yuechu ignored everyone, leading her horse straight past the group of stunned common people.
Liu Ke lowered his head, his expression unclear, but the veins on the hand gripping the reins were bulging.
Damn her!
Is this person surnamed Jiang truly heartless?!
Now that the common people were kneeling before her, crying and pleading for help, she actually walked right past them without even asking a single question?
How was this any different from those Demonic Path fiends who treat human life as dirt?
A sense of powerlessness, mixed with humiliation, surged into his heart.
Just then, a thick, fleshy palm gently patted his shoulder.
Liu Ke froze and looked back, only to see the Monk No Abstinence.
The Fat Monk no longer had his usual joking expression; he merely shook his head and sighed... At the entrance of the County Yamen, two stone lions were blurred by wind and sand erosion.
As soon as the Yamen Runners saw their black clothing and Red-Eyed Colt gear, their legs turned to jelly, and they scrambled into the inner hall.
Before long, a slightly chubby middle-aged man wearing a Wusha Cap, surrounded by a group of Yamen Runners, rushed out, sweating profusely.
"This humble official, County Magistrate of Hechuan, Qian Youwei, did not know the esteemed adults were arriving. Forgive me for failing to greet you properly, forgive me!"
Jiang Yuechu ignored his formalities and walked straight inside.
Qian Youwei led the way, bowing and scraping. The group passed through the front hall and arrived at the main hall of the Inner Yamen.
Tea was quickly served.
County Magistrate Qian wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Esteemed adults, you must be exhausted from your journey. May I ask the purpose of your visit to my small Hechuan County?"
As soon as he spoke, everyone was stunned.
What did this County Magistrate mean?
Jiang Yuechu frowned and indifferently uttered two words: "Demon."
"Oh, oh, the adults are referring to that matter... The trouble caused by the Bear Demon, well, it's a long story..."
"Then make it short."
County Magistrate Qian's eyes darted around, and after stammering for a long time, he finally spoke with a forced laugh: "Esteemed Adult, that Black Bear... for some unknown reason, descended the mountain a few days ago and disappeared without a trace. The common people are now safe, and there is no longer any Demon causing trouble. This humble official was just preparing to write another Official Document to report to the Dusi!"
"I curse you!"
Chen Tong was the first who couldn't hold back. He slammed the table and stood up, "You're spouting nonsense! We just passed by, and there were people kneeling at the city gate crying for their parents, yet you tell me everything is fine?"
The Monk No Abstinence also put down his teacup and recited a Buddhist name, "Amitabha. Esteemed Adult Qian, those who leave home do not speak falsehoods. Why are you, an official, speaking such nonsense?"
Startled by the two men, County Magistrate Qian's body trembled, and he nearly slid off his chair.
"Enough!"
Liu Ke suddenly stood up and let out a cold shout.
He was already dissatisfied with Jiang Yuechu's previous act of ignoring the common people. Seeing this County Magistrate talking nonsense here now, the anger in his heart could no longer be suppressed.
He took a few steps toward County Magistrate Qian, placing his hand on the sword hilt, staring down at him with eyes full of contempt.
"You were the one who reported this to the Demon Suppression Division, and you are the one who now says the Demon has left!"
"How dare you! You actually dare to trifle with my Demon Suppression Division!"
"Speak! Are you colluding with that Demon, deceiving your superiors and subordinates, and harming the common people?!"
Colluding with Demons?!
With this accusation leveled against him, County Magistrate Qian's face instantly turned white.
"No! Absolutely not! Even if this humble official had boundless courage, I wouldn't dare associate with Demons!"
He waved his hands repeatedly, his chubby face pale as paper, "Esteemed Adult, please see clearly! This humble official has been wronged!"
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes, her tone flat.
"Then tell the truth."
County Magistrate Qian knew that if he didn't explain himself today, it would likely end badly. Gritting his teeth, he lowered his voice.
"Yes... originally... originally there was a Demon... but..."
"But what?"
"But... do the esteemed adults know that there are Three Great Schools in the Jianghu of our Longyou Region?"
Liu Ke frowned.
He himself originated from Luoyan Mountain Villa, so naturally, he knew this.
"Luoyan Mountain Villa, Jingtao School, and... Baosha Temple."
"It is Baosha Temple!"
The County Magistrate quickly said, "Just yesterday, monks from Baosha Temple suddenly came knocking."
"They said... they said that Black Bear Spirit was originally their temple's mountain-protecting Spirit Beast. For some reason, it secretly ran down the mountain, which is how it caused all this trouble."
"Now... the proper owner has come forward to take it back to their School Gate and strictly keep it under watch..."
As his voice fell.
Chen Tong, who had been so agitated just now, silently sat back down, picked up his teacup, blew on the tea, and remained silent.
The expression on the Monk No Abstinence's face also sobered up considerably. He merely rubbed his large bald head, muttering something under his breath.
Liu Ke's expression was even uglier.
Let alone a small County Magistrate, even the Demon Suppression Division was unwilling to easily provoke the monks of Baosha Temple.
After all, the Longyou Region was remote, and the Longyou Demon Suppression Division currently had no Commander presiding over it. Dealing with minor Schools was fine—they could be crushed with a single slap, and no one would dare say anything.
But the Precious Temple was a Major Sect in the Longyou Region, with masters as numerous as clouds. It had operated in Longyou for hundreds of years, its believers spread throughout various Prefectures. Its Disciples were intricately intertwined with officials, wealthy gentry, and major clans, forming complex relationships.
To call it a Jianghu School would be an understatement; it was more like a regional Overlord of the Longyou Circuit.
Antagonizing a behemoth like Baosha Temple, given the current strength of the Longyou Demon Suppression Division, would likely yield no benefit at all.
Seeing everyone's reaction, the stone hanging in County Magistrate Qian's heart finally dropped.
The fright on his face receded, and he quickly added, "Baosha Temple is a Buddhist Holy Land. Its prestige is extremely high in our Longyou Circuit. They constantly distribute porridge and rice to aid disaster victims. The Eminent Monks in that temple are all benevolent and compassionate..."
Liu Ke let out a cold snort, interrupting him, and instead cast his gaze toward Jiang Yuechu, who hadn't spoken the entire time.
He looked at that calm face, and the nameless fire in his heart burned even hotter.
This person surnamed Jiang previously ignored the common people's pleas.
Now that she heard the name Baosha Temple, she would probably retreat even further.
This matter would likely be dropped entirely.
He was originally the Young Master of Luoyan Mountain Villa. Although he was an illegitimate son who couldn't see the light of day, he had been educated by an orthodox and reputable School since childhood.
The reason he disregarded his family's objections and resolutely joined the Demon Suppression Division was partly to earn a future and show his father, who looked down on him.
Secondly, it was because he believed that the Demon Suppression Division's work—slaying Demons and protecting the common people—was a truly chivalrous act.
But now... was the Demon Suppression Division truly as upright and honorable as he had imagined?
First, ignoring the common people, and now having to yield to a major School.
What did their trip count as?
Just going through the motions?
Just as the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly stagnant.
Jiang Yuechu put down the teacup in her hand.
She lowered her gaze and asked, "Where are the people from Baosha Temple?"
"We are here."
The voice came from outside the door.
Two figures appeared at the entrance of the main hall.
Both were dressed in spotless white monk robes, with handsome faces and dignified, solemn appearances.
However, there was an air of persistent arrogance between their brows.
Seeing everyone look over, one of them smiled, put his palms together, and recited a Buddhist name.
"Amitabha."
"this poor monk has been waiting for all Patrons for a long time."