Xu Changfeng said nothing more, merely taking his steps and slowly disappearing into the rain.
Jiang Yuechu watched his receding figure, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.
Since she could be appointed as a Vanguard Colonel, the matter of a Core Formation Great Demon at Yumen Pass had likely been confirmed.
Vanguard Battalion Colonel.
To put it plainly, it was trading one's life for a future.
However, she didn't care.
Fortune is sought in danger.
For her, the more risks there were, the more Dao Cultivation she would gain, and the faster her strength would improve.
Xu Changfeng's move, transferring her from the problematic Liangzhou Prefecture to Yumen Pass, would allow her to avoid the brunt of Baosha Temple and also gain experience on the battlefield.
Killing two birds with one stone.
Although she didn't know if it was Wei He's idea or Xu Changfeng's, she had remembered this kindness.
A Demon Suppression Guards Colonel was a seventh-rank official.
The monthly salary was forty taels, twenty shi of rice, and eighty catties of meat.
Besides these, there was also a considerable promotion bonus.
Of course, these were not the most important things.
The most important thing was that a Colonel could command a hundred people.
This meant that she, Jiang Yuechu, was now also a regional officer.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuechu couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Damn it.
Too fast!
She hadn't even received her first month's salary, yet she had already been promoted two ranks.
If such an encounter were in her previous life, it probably wouldn't even be dared to be written in novels.
"The future is promising..."
...The rain continued.
The long street paved with bluestone slabs was washed clean by the rain, reflecting the gloomy lead-gray sky.
Xu Changfeng walked ahead, the man behind him holding an umbrella for him, both of them stepping through the puddles, unhurried.
There were few people on the street; occasionally, a few peddlers carrying burdens would, upon seeing these two, merely avoid them from a distance, not daring to approach.
"In a flash, it's been seven years since I came to this Longyou Region." Xu Changfeng looked at Liangzhou City, shrouded in the rain, and slowly exhaled a turbid breath.
Seven years ago, he was eighteen, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, plunging into this dusty northwest.
He had thought that with his abilities, he could surely carve out a bright future in this Demon-infested land.
But now, the future was not bright, and he was trapped in this four-walled city.
"My Lord."
The man holding the umbrella behind him hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "The manor sent another letter a few days ago. The Master and Madam...miss you very much and asked if you would return to the capital for New Year's Eve this year."
"Return to the capital, huh..."
Xu Changfeng's steps paused.
"But now many people are watching me. If I leave, they probably won't sleep soundly."
"You say..." Xu Changfeng suddenly spoke blankly, as if asking him, and as if asking himself, "Do I still have a chance to go back?"
"..."
The man dared not respond.
If this lord truly harbored thoughts of returning to the capital, let alone whether the General Bureau in the capital would agree, it was likely that Great General Wei He would be the first to personally restrain him.
The reason was simple.
The Demon Suppression Division was too short on people.
Especially in a harsh and barren place like Longyou Region, where Demons were everywhere and resources were scarce.
Which of those aristocratic scions in the capital wasn't trying to squeeze into wealthy places like Jiangnan? Who would be willing to come to this godforsaken place and deal with Demons and monsters every day?
But once one entered the Demon Suppression Division, it was fine for ordinary people, but for a Genius like Xu Changfeng, who was held in high hopes, many things were no longer up to him.
From the beginning, enjoying so many privileges inevitably came with responsibilities. One must fulfill their duties, follow their Dao, and bear their responsibilities in their position.
The Demon Suppression Division supported him, and to complain about not being free while receiving their offerings, yet to complain about not being free when it was time to bear responsibilities.
If that were the case, it would truly be hateful.
Seemingly not expecting the man behind him to answer anything, Xu Changfeng shook his head and suddenly asked again, "Do you think it was inappropriate for me to promote her to Colonel?"
The umbrella-holding man was named Zhou Daniu. He had followed Xu Changfeng for many years, from the capital to Longyou Region, nominally a personal guard, but in reality more like a housekeeper.
He was startled by the question, somewhat bewildered, but still honestly replied, "My Lord, although Miss Jiang has achieved quite a bit and her strength is good, her seniority is after all shallow. As a woman, and the daughter of a criminal official, such a sudden promotion to the rank of Colonel... I'm afraid it will inevitably cause some dissatisfaction."
He paused, then added, "Even in the capital, This subordinate has seen many children of high officials and nobles sent down to various departments for 'gilding,' but none have seen such a rapid promotion speed."
His words were already very tactful.
It was more than just 'inevitably cause some dissatisfaction'; it was simply shocking.
From a ninth-rank Demon Suppression Guards to a seventh-rank colonel, even if an ordinary person had enough merit, they wouldn't expect it in less than three to five years.
How long had Jiang Yuechu been around, all told?
She probably hadn't even received her first month's salary, had she?
Xu Changfeng turned to look at him, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"But do you know, I initially even suggested to Lord Wei to promote her directly to Brigade Commander."
Zhou Daniu's hand trembled, and the umbrella almost slipped from his grasp.
What?
Brigade Commander?!
That was a sixth-rank official position! Commanding an entire battalion, with several Colonels under him, and nearly a thousand soldiers!
You really dared to promote her!
He looked at his lord's handsome face, which seemed not of this Mortal world, and countless absurd thoughts flashed through his mind.
Could it be... that this Miss Jiang had some unknown connection with his lord?
He dared not think further, quickly shaking his head like a rattle-drum.
Impossible!
His lord was not one to act out of favoritism!
Xu Changfeng saw the strange expression on Zhou Daniu's face and instantly guessed what he was thinking, merely smiling faintly.
"In the end, Lord Wei had the same considerations as you, thinking it was too shocking, which is why he 'wronged' her by temporarily appointing her as Colonel."
Zhou Daniu was completely dumbfounded.
So... you two really discussed this?
One dared to suggest it, and the other actually seriously considered it?
He couldn't help but ask cautiously, "My Lord, this... why is this, exactly?"
Xu Changfeng shook his head, and raindrops dripped along the edge of the umbrella, splashing onto the bluestone slabs.
"This woman is indeed excellent."
"Her Heart-Nature, methods, and talent are all top-notch. Given time, she might well become another great general of our Demon Suppression Division."
"But, these are not the most crucial factors."
Zhou Daniu was even more bewildered.
These aren't crucial enough?
Then what is crucial?
"It's her identity," Xu Changfeng said indifferently.
Identity?
Zhou Daniu's mind couldn't quite grasp it.
As Xu Changfeng's personal guard, he naturally knew Jiang Yuechu's identity.
Her father, Jiang Xun, held the official title of Minister of Rites, a third-rank high official.
This official position sounded respectable, but everyone knew that the Ministry of Rites was a leisurely, ceremonial department with no real power.
Moreover, the Jiang Family was not some prominent aristocratic clan.
In fact, that Minister Jiang was still imprisoned in the capital's Imperial Prison.
What special identity could the daughter of a criminal official have?
"Please enlighten me, My Lord..." Zhou Daniu bowed, his face full of confusion.
Xu Changfeng stopped, looking at him.
"It's harmless to tell you."
"Of course, these are just my conjectures; Lord Wei has not explicitly told me."
Zhou Daniu pricked up his ears, not daring to miss a single word.
"My father had some acquaintance with Jiang Xun in his early years."
Xu Changfeng slowly said, "I once heard my father mention a secret after drinking."
"Two years before Jiang Yuechu was born, Jiang Xun had accidentally injured his body and had already... lost the ability to have children, and he even sought precious medicine from my father."
"Ah?!"
Xu Changfeng ignored his outburst, continuing on his own, "And ever since Jiang Yuechu was born, the Former Emperor had been promoting Jiang Xun all the way, and in just over ten years, he rose from an unknown minor official to the position of Minister of Rites."
"Although it was just a nominal position, he ultimately entered the central court."
Zhou Daniu instantly understood something, his breathing quickening a few beats.
A barren minister suddenly had a daughter.
And after this daughter was born, his official career flourished, rising steadily.
What this implied, anyone who wasn't a fool could guess a bit.
"Could it be... could it be that Jiang Yuechu is... is the Former Emperor's..."
"Of course, this is also just my conjecture."
Xu Changfeng's voice seemed somewhat ethereal in the rain, "Perhaps Jiang Xun later cured his hidden ailment, or perhaps he truly had some unknown abilities and gained the Former Emperor's favor, which is also possible."
Zhou Daniu stammered, "Yes... yes..."
"You've heard this secret; do not spread it."
Xu Changfeng's tone became a bit heavier, "Now that the New Emperor has ascended, speaking too much of the Former Emperor's past affairs is courting death. Between you and me, this is where it ends."
"This subordinate understands! This subordinate will keep it buried in my stomach and will not say another word!"
The rain seemed to have lessened.
Xu Changfeng stopped and looked back in the direction of Jingyao Workshop. The rain blurred his vision; he couldn't see anything clearly.
"The message from the Heaven Character Camp states that the Core Formation Great Demon is not an ordinary Demon but comes from a Demon Kingdom beyond the pass, with an extraordinary Bloodline."
"If she can survive at Yumen Pass, then in the future, this Longyou Circuit, and even the entire Great Tang Demon Suppression Division, will have a place for her."
The corner of Xu Changfeng's mouth curved into a meaningful arc, "I am quite looking forward to seeing how far she can go."
Zhou Daniu saw the long-unseen smile on his lord's face and felt a stir in his heart.
Perhaps, his lord promoted her not just to forge a good relationship.
But also because, in this young girl, he saw the shadow of a kindred spirit.
The same astonishing talent, the same lack of control over one's own fate.