The next day.
The sky was bright.
Jiang Yuechu pushed open her courtyard gate, and a faint scent of life and cooking smoke already wafted from outside.
The streets of Jing'an Fang were usually populated by the Demon Suppression Division brothers and their families, with few outsiders.
The vendors were all familiar faces, selling food for a living.
She casually picked a stall and stopped.
"Old man, give me five Huoshao."
"Coming right up!"
The owner was an old man in his fifties. Jiang Yuechu had once heard someone mention that his son had served in the Demon Suppression Division years ago, but after an accident, only half of him returned.
As for which half, Jiang Yuechu never inquired.
It made no difference anyway.
Jiang Yuechu pulled out a dozen or so copper coins, tossed them onto the cutting board, and added, "More meat, and extra sauce."
Having entered Core Formation, her appetite had increased significantly; what three to five ordinary people ate was barely enough to fill her stomach.
She received the five Huoshao, piping hot.
Too lazy to care about her image, she tore open the paper bag, grabbed a scorching hot Huoshao, and stuffed it into her mouth while walking toward the Demon Suppression Division.
Just as she reached the street corner, a familiar, slightly hesitant voice sounded from behind her.
"Lord... Lord Jiang?"
Jiang Yuechu, mouth full, paused her movement and turned around.
It was Liu Chen.
He looked the same as before, but his expression seemed haggard, and he appeared somewhat world-weary.
Jiang Yuechu's cheeks bulged and moved as she finally managed to swallow the food in her mouth, then she nodded in greeting.
"Going to The Department? Together?"
"Yes..."
Liu Chen quickly cupped his fists, caught up, and walked beside her.
The two were heading the same way, walking one after the other toward the Demon Suppression Division.
Liu Chen looked at the young woman walking half a step ahead of him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He had long known she was no ordinary person; ever since their parting at Black River, he knew this girl would eventually go much further than him.
But damn it... this was a bit too far.
His gaze subconsciously fell upon the young woman's shoulder.
Brigade Commander... she was already a Sixth-Rank Langjiang.
What was he doing when he was her age?
He was probably still smugly celebrating joining the Demon Suppression Division... Not to mention, the news that had been spreading like wildfire in The Department these past few days: she had personally slain a Core Formation Realm flood dragon demon just a few days ago!
That such a god-like figure was still walking beside him now.
The more Liu Chen thought about it, the more flustered he became, slowing his steps and putting some distance between them.
Just as he was lost in thought, something was abruptly handed to him.
He subconsciously reached out and took it.
"?"
Liu Chen looked up, gazing at the young woman beside him with confusion.
Jiang Yuechu took another large bite of the Huoshao she held, chewing as she raised an eyebrow and mumbled indistinctly, "What? Disgusted?"
"Don't worry, I haven't bitten this one."
Liu Chen froze, his old face flushing red, and he quickly waved his hands.
"No... no no, that's not what I meant..."
"Just take it and eat."
Jiang Yuechu said nothing more, pulling out another one for herself and stuffing it into her mouth.
Liu Chen looked at the Huoshao in his hand, and the strange distance and pressure he felt unconsciously faded away by more than half.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally copied her, taking a huge bite.
His mouth was filled with the savory taste of oil.
He caught up, and his voice carried a hint of their former familiarity.
"How have you been lately?"
Jiang Yuechu replied casually, "Just getting by, I suppose. It's just that people have been bothering me lately, which is annoying."
Hearing this, Liu Chen naturally understood what she meant and couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"There's nothing to be done about it. It's the first time the common people have witnessed such a spectacle... On the bright side, it's a good thing. Some used to privately gossip that we were eating the Emperor's grain for nothing, but now, I suspect many will shut up."
Jiang Yuechu neither confirmed nor denied it.
She had never been interested in such superficial fame.
She took another large bite of the Huoshao, then, as if suddenly remembering something, turned to look at Liu Chen.
"Oh, right, Brother Liu."
"I want to request a few Martial Arts techniques from The Department. What is the procedure?"
"Martial Arts?"
Liu Chen pondered for a moment and slowly replied, "If they are ordinary Martial Arts, it's simple. Just go to the Treasury, find the Old Clerk, spend some silver, and you can exchange for a copy. However, most of those are String Hearing Stage Martial Arts."
"What about better ones?"
"Bone Resonance ones? Those must be exchanged using merits..."
He paused, looked at Miss Jiang, hesitated, and then asked in a low voice, "But... Miss Jiang, you are already in the Core Formation Realm, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Liu Chen shook his head. "That changes things. Core Formation Realm Martial Arts are all handled by Lord Wei. If subordinates want to exchange for them... Lord Wei probably has to personally approve it."
Wei He, huh... Jiang Yuechu nodded, calculating silently in her heart.
She would make time today to go see Wei He.
Besides, it had been a while since she freeloaded a meal from Wei Qing.
If she had time, she might as well go see her too.
As the two spoke, they arrived at the Dusi.
The scene at the entrance was the same as always; the moment Jiang Yuechu's figure appeared, there was another commotion.
"Lord Jiang is here!"
"I'm telling you, I'm being honest, Lord Jiang, you are my life!"
The Demon Suppression Guards at the entrance all darkened their expressions upon seeing Jiang Yuechu, their hands already resting on their saber hilts.
Jiang Yuechu couldn't be bothered with these flies, so she waved her hand at Liu Chen. "I'm going ahead."
She paused, then added.
"If anything comes up, feel free to look for me."
"Ah? Oh... okay..."
Liu Chen watched her disappearing back, momentarily lost in thought.
Look for her?
That's right, she was now in the Core Formation Realm!
Enough to solve that matter.
But did he really... want to ask for her help?
...Dusi.
Inside a certain study.
Wei He stood by the window, his gaze fixed outside, seemingly lost in thought.
"Knock knock."
The sound of a personal guard rang out outside the door.
"Great General, Commander Jiang of the Heaven Character Camp requests an audience."
"Oh?"
Wei He turned around, slightly surprised.
Why was this girl suddenly looking for him?
Could it be... that the message he sent yesterday wasn't clear enough?
He frowned slightly, then smoothed out his expression.
"Let her in."
"Understood."
Soon, that familiar slender figure appeared at the doorway.
Dressed in a dark black Brigade Commander uniform, it made her already fair face appear even colder.
"Lord Wei."
"Mm." Wei He walked to the main seat and sat down, raising a hand. "Sit. Tell me, what is the matter?"
Jiang Yuechu didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down as instructed and getting straight to the point.
"I wish to request a few Martial Arts techniques from The Department."
Wei He was startled for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into laughter.
"You've been in Core Formation for this long, and you only now remember this? I thought you looked down on the meager things The Department has."
Jiang Yuechu twitched the corner of her mouth.
I would have liked to come, but I needed the time, didn't I?
But she still said, "You jest, sir."
Wei He waved his hand, the smile receding slightly from his face, replaced by a more serious expression.
"Although your time in The Department has been short, your merits are undeniable. Killing the Heaven-Pacifying True Lord and that White Flood Dragon alone—two Core Formation Great Demons—are monumental achievements. Forget a few Martial Arts techniques; it wouldn't be impossible to even request a few Ink Dot Realm opportunities from above."