The official road followed the riverbank, heading continuously downward.
The sun gradually rose, and the fog had mostly dispersed; only a thin layer of moisture still lingered above the river surface.
Twenty *li*—neither too far nor too close.
After traveling for about an hour, a crude wooden stockade built facing the river was faintly visible at the end of the official road ahead.
The stockade was not large, featuring a few rows of wooden houses and a watchtower that wasn't very tall.
At the entrance of the stockade, a dozen figures clad in black robes with red markings were gathered in small groups.
Some were wiping their waist-saber, some were squatting on the ground gambling with dice on a broken wooden board, and most others were idly leaning against the fence, staring blankly at the river water.
The sound of hooves approached from afar.
Almost at the same moment.
The ones wiping their sabers stopped, the gamblers put away their dice, and the daydreamers straightened up.
A dozen pairs of eyes simultaneously looked toward the official road, and their previously relaxed expressions instantly turned murderous.
But upon seeing the person approaching, looks of surprise appeared on everyone's faces.
What's going on?
A girl came?
Jiang Yuechu reined in her horse, stopping about ten paces outside the stockade, and dismounted.
A burly man with a scar across his face walked out from the crowd.
He scrutinized Jiang Yuechu, frowned deeply, and sternly demanded, "Who are you?"
"Is this the Demon Suppression Division garrison at Qingshi Ferry?"
A younger-looking Demon Suppression Guards snapped, "Asking the obvious! This is a critical location for the Demon Suppression Division. No loitering allowed, retreat immediately!"
"Shut up."
Scarface shouted a reprimand, stopping the man behind him from speaking further.
Having been around for so many years, he had sharp discernment.
Ordinary commoners would have long since been scared into taking a detour upon seeing their uniforms; none would dare approach voluntarily.
The young woman before him was alone and composed.
Given her demeanor, she certainly didn't look like an ordinary commoner who had stumbled in by mistake.
He cupped his fists, his tone relatively polite, "Miss, we are here on official business. If you have any matter, you can report it to the county government office thirty *li* downstream."
Jiang Yuechu shook her head, took something from her bosom, and handed it over.
"I am Jiang Yuechu, Brigade Commander of the Longyou Commandery Dusi."
As soon as she said this.
Everyone's expression froze.
Brigade Commander?
Scarface subconsciously took the official document and let his gaze fall upon it.
Setting aside the handwriting on the document, he recognized the seal.
It was indeed the seal of the Longyou Commandery Dusi.
The wariness on his face slowly receded, but he still muttered inwardly.
He had heard previously that the Longyou Commandery Dusi had been struggling ever since the position of Commander became vacant.
But he didn't expect things to have deteriorated this far... that such a young girl could become a Brigade Commander?
"Lord Jiang, this matter is truly important, and This subordinate cannot make the decision. Please wait here for a moment while I go inside and report."
Scarface returned the official document with both hands.
"Mhm."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, showing no dissatisfaction with the man's earlier attitude.
To avoid attracting attention, she hadn't worn her official uniform when traveling; her ordinary black clothes made her look no different from a Jianghu wandering hero.
Such caution was understandable.
Scarface turned around and hurried into the stockade.
The Demon Suppression Guardss who had been gathered idly no longer dared to joke or horse around; they stood ramrod straight, though their curious gazes kept glancing toward Jiang Yuechu.
After just a moment, Scarface ran out of the stockade again.
Only this time, his face was filled with difficulty.
"My Lady, please turn back."
"Hm?"
Jiang Yuechu frowned.
Scarface said bitterly, "It is... it is Subaltern Officer Guan's intention that matters concerning the Qiang River will be handled by our Jiannan Provincial Command Dusi. We dare not trouble our colleagues from the Region, so we ask that My Lady... return whence you came."
"..."
Jiang Yuechu remained silent.
She could understand their regional bias.
But even so, dismissing her without even meeting her face-to-face was truly unreasonable.
Though she felt displeasure internally, her expression remained calm. She simply said indifferently, "In that case, it doesn't matter. I will handle this matter myself; I don't require your assistance."
As soon as she said this, Scarface's expression instantly changed.
"Subaltern Officer Guan's meaning is that regarding the Qiang River Dragon King, no one is allowed to interfere without authorization, and absolutely no one is permitted... to disturb it!"
"..."
The last trace of politeness on Jiang Yuechu's face vanished without a trace at this moment.
She slowly raised her eyes, her cold, clear pupils quietly staring ahead.
Scarface felt a chill rush over him, instinctively taking half a step back, his hand pressing onto the hilt of his saber.
The surrounding Demon Suppression Guardss were like soldiers facing a great enemy, drawing their sabers from their scabbards one by one. The atmosphere instantly became tense.
"My Lady... this is Subaltern Officer Guan's order. We are merely following instructions..."
Hearing this, Jiang Yuechu said coldly, "Refusing to see me, fine."
"Now, you won't even allow me to deal with that beast?"
"Your Jiannan Provincial Command Dusi is truly amusing. Could it be that beast is your biological father or something?"
The sarcasm in her words was undisguised.
Scarface's expression was exceedingly grim. Although he felt fear inwardly, he had followed Subaltern Officer Guan for many years, and facing someone from the Longyou Commandery Dusi now, retreat was impossible.
Immediately, his tone hardened.
"In the Jiannan Circuit Dao, naturally, our Jiannan Provincial Command Dusi makes the decisions. Never mind that you, a mere Brigade Commander, are here today; even if your Great General came personally, if Subaltern Officer Guan forbids it, none of you may interfere!"
"The Dragon King is currently suppressed here by us. If you dare to interfere and disturb the peace of this area, you will be uniformly deemed colluding with demons and monsters, and executed on the spot!"
The moment his voice fell.
Over a hundred figures walked out of the stockade.
Every person wore black robes with red markings, their expressions cold, and all gripped their saber hilts, ready to draw their blades at any moment.
Facing the threats of the crowd, Jiang Yuechu smiled instead.
If they had advised her kindly, she might have reasoned with them.
But if they intended to pressure her... she took a step forward.
"In that case, I absolutely must force my way through today."
However.
The moment her voice fell.
Boom—
An Eighteen-Foot Halberd tore through the air, carrying the momentum of a thousand tons, and plunged heavily into the ground barely three steps in front of Jiang Yuechu!
The tail of the halberd still hummed, having sunk unknown feet into the earth.
A figure slowly walked out from the stockade.
His face was aged, yet his figure was as straight as a pine tree. Between his brows was the fierce, murderous aura of someone who had survived a hundred battles.
He also wore black robes with red markings, a blood-colored cloak trailing behind him. Embroidered on his shoulder was a roaring golden fierce tiger.
He looked at Jiang Yuechu, his voice hoarse yet booming like a great bell.
"I, Guan, have suppressed this area for over ten years, and I have never seen anyone dare to trespass here without permission. You are the first in all these years."
"Considering the Longyou Commandery Dusi, leave now, and I will treat this as if nothing happened."
"If you have the guts, try taking one more step forward."
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