The next day, early morning.
Jiang Yuechu stood still in the courtyard and slowly drew her blade.
Having no assignments for several days, she couldn't allow her body to become lax.
"Hoo... hoo..."
After only half an hour of practice, a thin layer of white mist was already steaming from her body, and she felt her Qi and blood surging, exhilarating and refreshing.
She sheathed her blade, then pushed the door open and exited.
It was still early, and there weren't many people on the streets of Jingyao Workshop. She casually found a stall and dropped a few copper coins.
"Boss, ten meat buns, ten vegetarian ones."
"Coming right up~"
Taking the buns, she ate them while pondering.
Baosha Temple went to such lengths, specifically inviting her to a banquet; it couldn't be as simple as just wanting to treat her to a meal.
However, since the other party wanted her to go, she would just go.
She was currently worried about her insufficient Dao Cultivation; wasn't someone offering a pillow just when she needed it?
It's just that killing people, especially within Liangzhou Prefecture city, in front of all the city's powerful figures, required a legitimate reason.
She couldn't give Wei He or the Demon Suppression Division an excuse, nor could she let those bald donkeys die and still be in the right.
Before going, she had to make some preparations.
While she was thinking, the Demon Suppression Division was already in sight.
Jiang Yuechu didn't go inside to the Heaven Character Camp.
Instead, she familiarized herself with the route, turning directly towards a certain courtyard in the Xuan Battalion.
"Damn it, I lost again! No Abstinence, you bald thief, did you cheat again?"
"Amitabha, Donor Chen, I accuse you of slander! Gambling etiquette, do you know what gambling etiquette is!?"
"..."
Jiang Yuechu's appearance caused the clamor in the courtyard to instantly quiet down.
Chen Tong, No Abstinence, and Liu Ke all paused their actions in unison, looking at her in bewilderment.
The newly appointed Squad Leader Wang Xiaoer was even more startled, scrambling over with a face full of smiles, respectfully cupping his fists in greeting.
"Lord... Lord Jiang! Why have you come?"
Lord Jiang nodded at him, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard, "The brothers are training well."
"Uh..."
Wang Xiaoer looked terrified, not knowing what the other party intended with such a sarcastic tone.
Lord Jiang waved her hand, "Alright, I can't manage all that. Today, I have something to discuss with them."
With that, she walked directly towards the three of them.
Monk No Abstinence swiftly put the dice and silver fragments into his robes, clasped his hands together, and put on a solemn expression.
"Amitabha, I was unaware of Lord Jiang's esteemed presence. Failing to welcome you is a sin, a sin."
Lord Jiang walked up to them and placed the oil-paper package in her hand on the stone table.
"Why be so polite? Have you eaten breakfast?"
Chen Tong looked at the large package of steaming buns, then at Lord Jiang, his face full of peculiar expression, "Brigade Commander... eats this too?"
"What else? Dragon liver and Phoenix marrow?"
Lord Jiang rolled her eyes at him, speaking irritably.
Monk No Abstinence's eyes lit up, and he chuckled. Without formality, he stepped forward and grabbed two, "Amitabha, thank you, Lord Jiang, for your almsgiving. this poor monk is indeed hungry."
Liu Ke stood up, looking at Lord Jiang with a complicated expression. He cupped his fists but didn't touch the items on the table.
"What's wrong?" Lord Jiang raised an eyebrow.
"N-not hungry."
Lord Jiang didn't bother with his petty thoughts and slowly asked, "Let me ask you something, do you have plans for tonight?"
Chen Tong shook his head, "No, I'm bored to death."
Monk No Abstinence said, "this poor monk plans to go to Guanyin Alley tonight to comprehend the Mortal World Zen."
"Oh... no plans then."
Lord Jiang nodded, "That's good. Tonight, accompany me somewhere."
"Huh?"
At these words, the three were stunned again.
Liu Ke frowned, "Your Excellency is now a Heaven Character Camp Brigade Commander. What important matter requires our accompaniment?"
The other two also nodded.
Indeed.
Lord Jiang was already a Core Formation Realm master. She could walk sideways throughout the entire Liangzhou Prefecture. What place would still require a few Minggu Realm cultivators to make an appearance?
"It's not an important matter."
Lord Jiang waved her hand, speaking vaguely, "A dinner party. You'll know tonight."
Dinner party?
Monk No Abstinence's eyes darted around, and he tentatively asked, "Your Excellency, will there be wine to drink at that place?"
Lord Jiang thought about a place like Fuyun Tower and said uncertainly, "Probably... yes?"
"Wine and meat?"
"I imagine so."
Monk No Abstinence's expression instantly became peculiar.
So mysterious, and requiring them, a few grown men, to accompany her, with both wine and meat... In his mind, certain establishments with red lanterns instantly appeared.
Good gracious.
Is Lord Jiang... going to drink at a brothel?
And bringing them along?
He quickly clasped his hands together, bowing with a solemn expression, "Amitabha, since it is Lord Jiang's invitation, this poor monk will naturally risk his life to accompany a gentleman, going through fire and water without hesitation!"
Although Chen Tong and Liu Ke didn't think as much, seeing that No Abstinence had agreed, they could only comply.
"Alright, it's settled then."
Lord Jiang clapped her hands, "I'll come find you tonight."
With that, she turned and left.
Leaving the three of them standing there, looking at each other.
Chen Tong looked at Monk No Abstinence, full of confusion, "You bald donkey, weren't you going to Guanyin Alley today? How do you still have time to agree?"
Monk No Abstinence merely smiled profoundly, offering no explanation.
You guys don't understand a thing.
Going to Guanyin Alley... requires paying out of pocket. How can that compare to getting it for free?
...Inside the main hall, Xu Changfeng was reviewing official documents.
Hearing the personal guard's report, he didn't even lift his head.
"Let her in."
Lord Jiang stepped in, walked self-assuredly a few steps to the desk, and stood still.
"Lord Xu, how have you been recently?"
Xu Changfeng slowly put down his brush and looked up.
He didn't answer, his gaze lingered on the girl for a moment, finally resting on the lifelike golden lion on her shoulder, and he rubbed his temples somewhat helplessly.
"You are now a Brigade Commander of the Heaven Character Camp, belonging to a different battalion than me, so you no longer need to call me Lord."
"Oh?"
Lord Jiang seemed to just realize, turning her head, reaching out to pat the golden lion on her shoulder, and suddenly understood, "Look at my memory, I completely forgot about that."
Seeing her feigned ignorance and smugness, Xu Changfeng felt a surge of inexplicable anger.
It was laughable, really.
Not long ago, he still thought this woman was an unpolished gem, thinking that if she could be properly sculpted, she would surely achieve great things in the future, even feeling that she was quite similar to him in some aspects.
But he never expected that in just a few dozen days, the other party would have climbed all the way to Sixth-Rank Langjiang, almost on par with him.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts, and his tone returned to its usual coolness.
"Speak, why have you come to me?"
"Can't I come if there's nothing wrong?" Lord Jiang pulled over a chair and sat down without being asked.
"I'm very busy."
"Busy with what?"
"..."
Xu Changfeng's pen paused slightly, but he eventually endured, pointing to the mountain of scrolls piled on the table, "The Longyou Circuit governs eighteen prefectures and fifty-four counties. The daily documents submitted regarding demonic anomalies are countless, and every single one requires review."
"Oh... that sounds very tiring."
Lord Jiang drew out her words, nodding earnestly, "Then, Lord, have you reviewed any interesting cases?"
Xu Changfeng's eye twitched imperceptibly.
"Jiang, Yue, Chu!!! What exactly do you want?"
Seeing the other party finally showing some frustration, Lord Jiang felt very satisfied.
Let's see you like to meddle and ask questions for no reason now.
Do you know how it feels now?
However, her expression quickly returned to seriousness, and she leaned slightly forward, enunciating each word.
"I want to borrow some people."