Unlike the barracks, which were constantly filled with Evil Qi and the smell of sweat.
This place was quiet and elegant. In a corner of the courtyard wall, several stalks of green bamboo grew lushly, their leaf tips still adorned with raindrops from last night's rain.
Though only ten-odd days had passed, seeing this familiar courtyard, Jiang Yuechu felt a sense of disorientation.
The personal guard at the entrance saw her, respectfully bowed, and promptly went in to announce her arrival.
Before long, Wei Qing, holding up her skirt, hurried out from inside to greet her.
Today, she wore a goose-yellow long dress. Upon seeing Jiang Yuechu, her eyes first lit up, then she feigned displeasure and sternly set her face.
"Oh, I wonder who it is. It turns out to be our newly appointed Captain Jiang."
Wei Qing walked around her, clicking her tongue in wonder, "What? Became an official, and your airs grew too? Even the food here doesn't catch your eye anymore?"
"If my brother hadn't called you over today, were you planning never to step foot in my home again?"
A string of complaints, tinged with a hint of petulance, left Jiang Yuechu somewhat dazed.
She subconsciously touched her nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Miss Wei, you jest. These past few days... official duties have been busy."
"Pfft."
Seeing her expression, Wei Qing finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Alright, alright, I know you're busy, busy bee."
She stepped forward, naturally took Jiang Yuechu's hand, and pulled her into the courtyard.
"Come in first. My brother still has official business outside and will be back soon."
The two entered the courtyard, walking along a small pebble path.
Wei Qing continued to chatter as they walked.
"Look at you now, where's even a hint of a young lady left?"
Once inside the house, Wei Qing held Jiang Yuechu's hand, turning it over and over, her delicate brows tightly furrowed, her face full of heartache.
"And these cuts, they're from practicing with a saber, aren't they? You, too, you're a young lady after all, how can you be so rough?"
Jiang Yuechu uncomfortably tried to pull her hand back, but Wei Qing held it tightly.
"Don't move!"
Wei Qing glared at her, pushed her into a chair without explanation, and turned to rummage through cabinets.
Soon, she returned with an exquisite porcelain bottle. Opening the stopper, a delicate medicinal fragrance instantly filled the room.
"This is what I concocted with Jade Face Flower and Snow Toad Cream; it's most nourishing for the skin."
As she spoke, she picked up some milky-white paste with her fingertip and meticulously applied it to Jiang Yuechu's palms and the thin calluses on her knuckles.
A cool sensation spread, accompanied by a slight itch.
"There."
Wei Qing looked at her masterpiece with satisfaction, then raised her head to carefully examine Jiang Yuechu's face, clicking her tongue in wonder, "You girl, with such a good foundation, yet you don't know how to cherish it at all. I never see you use any rouge or powder on weekdays."
"Hmm..."
Jiang Yuechu was a little helpless.
She either stayed at home every day or was at the Demon Suppression Division.
What was the need for makeup?
Moreover, she wasn't a woman to begin with, and was extremely resistant to such things.
Wei Qing waved her hand, poured a cup of hot tea for herself, and placed it in Jiang Yuechu's hand, "How could I not know what you're thinking? You're just lazy."
Jiang Yuechu held the warm teacup, silently took a sip, and did not retort.
Seeing her silence, Wei Qing just shook her head helplessly and sat down opposite her. The atmosphere in the room finally quieted for a moment.
But this quiet didn't last long.
"I heard about your situation."
Wei Qing's voice suddenly dropped.
Jiang Yuechu's hand, holding the teacup, paused.
"My brother... how could he let you go to Yumen Pass?!"
"What kind of place is the Vanguard Battalion? And what kind of existence is a Core Formation Great Demon... even a Bone Resonance Martial Artist would only be throwing their life away by going there!"
Jiang Yuechu looked at her like this, a trace of warmth flowing through her heart, yet she only spoke calmly.
"Miss Wei, it's alright."
"How can it be alright?" Wei Qing suddenly stood up, "You've only been in the Demon Suppression Division for a few days? Why should you take such a risk?!"
To be honest, Jiang Yuechu had only been in the Demon Suppression Division for a few paltry days, hadn't even seen this month's salary, and wasn't like others who had enjoyed the Demon Suppression Division's resources for a long time. There was truly no reason for her to risk her life in battle.
But Jiang Yuechu knew herself.
For others, it might be a thankless task.
For her, it was a different matter entirely.
Jiang Yuechu sighed softly, putting down her teacup.
"Don't blame Lord Wei. I caused trouble, and perhaps the Lord wants me to avoid the limelight."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qing not only felt no comfort but instead rolled her eyes in anger.
What trouble could be more troublesome than going to Yumen Pass to die?
But since the other party had said so, what else could she do?
She could only say, with a tone of disappointment, "Why are you even more stubborn than that block of wood, my brother?"
No sooner had her voice fallen than a tall figure walked in through the doorway.
As soon as Wei He entered the door, he heard his sister's resentful words, paused his steps, and a trace of confusion flashed across his face.
Why was he being scolded for no reason?
Jiang Yuechu saw the newcomer and quickly stood up to salute.
"Lord Wei."
Wei Qing, however, snorted coldly, turned her head to the side, and said irritably, "You important figures of the Demon Suppression Division have serious matters to discuss. As a woman, I won't be an eyesore here."
With that, she glared at Wei He, lifted her skirt, and left without looking back.
Wei He was baffled. He looked at Jiang Yuechu, who stood by, eyes downcast, and frowned.
"What did I do to upset her now?"
How could Jiang Yuechu dare to speak directly? She just shook her head, not daring to say anything.
"Never mind."
Wei He sighed, too lazy to dwell on it, sat down directly, and motioned for Jiang Yuechu to sit as well.
"I called you here for two matters."
He always disliked idle talk and got straight to the point.
"Firstly, regarding the matter of Yumen Pass."
"The Demon at Yumen Pass is not a native mountain Spirit Monster of our Great Tang, but rather a White Ape that has infiltrated from the Western Regions Demon Court."
White Ape?
Jiang Yuechu was slightly startled.
A vague image inexplicably flashed through her mind.
It was a glimpse from the Tiger Demon's memory when she upgraded the Tiger Mountain God.
Is it a coincidence?
"This Demon, for unknown reasons, infiltrated our Great Tang territory alone. Outside Yumen Pass, it established a Demon Manor, styling itself as 'Heaven-Pacifying True Lord,' and gathered dozens of Demons, large and small, creating quite a stir."
"Because it comes from the Western Regions Demon Court and has an extraordinary background, the Heaven Character Camp once sent people to negotiate, hoping to gauge its intentions."
"As a result, one person died, and one was injured."
Jiang Yuechu's eyelids lowered slightly.
The Heaven Character Camp, the most elite unit of the Demon Suppression Division, its members were all exceptionally talented individuals.
But even so, they were killed on the spot.
The strength and arrogance of that Core Formation Great Demon were evident.
"I'm telling you this so you have an idea of the situation."
Wei He looked at her, his voice deepening, "As a Captain of the Vanguard Battalion, your duty is to clear the path for the army and sweep away those minor Demons."
"If you truly encounter that White Ape, you don't need to act, and you must not act without authorization."
"We will be at the forefront."
These words were meant to reassure her.
Jiang Yuechu naturally understood.
As a newly promoted Captain, in terms of seniority and strength, the Demon Suppression Division would never let her die in vain.
"This subordinate understands."
She nodded.
"As for the second matter..."
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Someone said it was too slow to update TVT
Adding extra chapters as fast as I can now so sorry if it isn't as clean as before.
I have begun using A.I to do the chapters now....
So, if there is some inconsistency, I'm sorry but hey at least it's better than most other slop on here, I hope.