Great Tang, Chang'an City.
It was September, and an autumn rain had just ceased.
As soon as the morning drum was struck at the market gate tower, the streets of the capital gradually became lively.
"Selling Zènggāo! Freshly baked Zènggāo—!"
"Osmanthus Wine, aged Osmanthus Wine!"
Amidst the noise filling the streets, Jiang Yuechu led her Red-Eyed Colt and walked along.
She wore a set of dark-colored tight-fitting clothes, with dark red cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar, and a long, slender Horizontal Saber slung across her waist.
She wasn't wearing a bamboo hat, allowing the remaining raindrops on her hair tips to slide down, dripping onto the golden lion Divine Beast embroidered with gold thread on her shoulder.
The young woman had pale skin and exquisite features, but her expression was cold, making her seem somewhat aloof.
At such an age, and with such an appearance.
Yet, she wore the official uniform of the Demon Suppression Division, a sight that struck fear into people, making her truly eye-catching.
Pedestrians on the roadside turned their heads, and even the women who usually loved to gossip dared not speak now.
"Wow... Mom, look how pretty that older sister is!"
The woman quickly covered her child's mouth.
"Shh~ Don't point randomly, that's an adult from the Demon Suppression Division. Be careful, or she'll catch you and turn you into flower fertilizer!"
Jiang Yuechu remained indifferent and paid no attention to the surrounding discussions.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze passing over the layers of Flying Eaves and Dougong Brackets, looking towards the depths of the majestic city.
The great avenues of Chang'an connect to narrow lanes, with green oxen, white horses, and Seven-Fragrance Carriages.
Although it was clear after the rain, the prosperity beneath the Son of Heaven's feet was incomparable to that of the Region of Longyou.
Having been accustomed to the skyscrapers of modern cities in her previous life, the prosperity of this different world, though having its own unique flavor, was nothing more than that; it wasn't enough to make her gasp like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world.
It was just that... she frowned, carefully sensing the state within her body.
Even in the memories of her previous body, she often heard that Chang'an was a place where Dragon Qi gathered, warding off All Techniques.
Now that she was here, she knew the rumors were true.
As for her current situation, she could only exert seventy to eighty percent of her strength, and that was because she was a member of the Human Race.
If the Yao Race came here... it would be difficult for them to even exert ten percent.
"Wouldn't that mean we could trick the Yao Race into coming here to kill them?"
Hmm... it seems the Yao Race aren't fools either.
Jiang Yuechu shook her head, dispelling the miscellaneous thoughts in her mind.
The Imperial City was located directly in the north center of Chang'an, embraced by the Outer City from the east, south, and west.
The Demon Suppression Headquarters was located east of the Imperial City. According to Wei He, she would spot it the moment she arrived.
Speaking of Wei He, a trace of helplessness flashed across Jiang Yuechu's face.
It seemed he was genuinely afraid she would cause trouble in Chang'an.
Before she left, he had specially given her countless warnings and instructions.
Chang'an was not like the Region of Liangzhou.
If you threw a stone onto the main street and hit ten people, three would be Imperial Relatives, four would be high officials of the current court, and the remaining three would be the servants of those individuals.
Of course, although the statement was exaggerated, it highlighted a fact.
The Demon Suppression Division was directly subordinate to the Emperor and held the right to Execute First and Report Later. However, if she truly acted like she did in the Region of Liangzhou, drawing her saber to kill someone over a disagreement, even the General Bureau might not be able to resolve the situation.
Jiang Yuechu didn't have so many concerns.
As long as no one provoked her, she was quite benevolent.
Besides all this nagging nonsense, Wei He also told her the address of the Wei Residence in Chang'an.
If she settled down at the General Bureau and found free time, she should go visit the Wei Residence.
If she encountered any insoluble difficulties or ran short of money, she could also go find her.
She still remembered the words the other person spoke when they parted ways.
Wei Qing probably never imagined that she would arrive in Chang'an after just over a month, right?
Now that she had arrived... Jiang Yuechu paused slightly, then shook her head.
Catching up could be done anytime.
Right now, important business came first... The further east she went, the fewer pedestrians were on the street.
Finally.
She arrived near the east side of the Imperial City, and a building came into view.
Jiang Yuechu led her horse, standing at the end of the long street, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Holy cow!
No wonder he said she would spot it immediately... On the east side of the Imperial City stood a colossal structure.
It was not built with ordinary vermillion palace walls, but constructed from piled-up Dark Jade Black Granite, giving it a somber color.
The eaves curved upwards, resembling a hawk swooping down to prey, or perhaps a sharp sword pointing toward the sky.
The main gate was several zhang high. Cast onto the two heavy Profound Iron door panels were two ferocious beast heads, their eyes crimson, holding copper rings in their mouths, subtly emitting heart-palpitating Evil Qi.
Her gaze moved down, landing in front of the gate.
Twelve Black Armored Guards stood in two rows. They did not carry the standard Horizontal Sabers of the Demon Suppression Guards, but wielded long halberds.
Jiang Yuechu's eyelids twitched after just one glance.
They were all in the Minggu Realm.
In the Longyou Commandery, a person in the Minggu Realm, let alone a Squad Leader, would be more than qualified for the position of Cavalry Commander.
She hadn't expected that masters like these could only be gatekeepers here at the Chang'an General Bureau?
Jiang Yuechu sighed inwardly, yet maintained a calm expression as she led the Red-Eyed Colt and slowly walked forward.
"Halt."
Before she could approach the steps, two long halberds crossed down, blocking her path.
A Black Armored Guard who seemed to be the leader stepped forward, scrutinizing the young woman.
Golden thread embroidery of a beast... this was the regulation attire that only a Sixth-Rank Langjiang or higher could wear.
Looking again at the embroidered beast, it was precisely the golden lion of the Longyou Commandery.
The leading Guard lowered his head and politely asked, "May I ask, Milady, what official business brings you to the General Bureau?"
He secretly muttered to himself, so young, and already a Brigade Commander... Was the Longyou Commandery that easy to get by in?
In the past, it wasn't uncommon for Children of Aristocratic Families to rely on their family influence, take up sinecures in Dusi across various provinces and Regions, gain two or three years of experience, and then be transferred back to the Capital General Bureau for "gilding."
This kind of thing was an open secret.
Should he go back and ask his father to put in a good word?
If he went to Longyou and coasted for a few years... maybe he could even come back and serve as a Deputy General.
His mind was wandering with random thoughts when he heard the young woman's voice: "I have come to the Capital to seek the Martial Temple Spiritual Seal."
Jiang Yuechu paused, then added, "May I ask if Assistant General Cui is available?"
Hearing this, the leading Guard's heart trembled.
"Martial... Martial Temple?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No... No problem!"
Holy shit!
Entering the Martial Temple to seek a Spiritual Seal required at least the Post-Core Formation Realm.
This young woman was actually a master of the Core Formation Realm?!
Perfected Core Formation at seventeen or eighteen years old?
Did she start cultivating while still in her mother's womb?!
Immediately, he snapped back to attention, and the slight contempt he originally held vanished.
"General Cui is currently discussing matters inside the hall. This subordinate will go report immediately, but as things are busy today, I fear you might have to wait a moment."
Saying this, he stepped aside, opening a path. "Milady, why don't you enter the Side Hall to rest and have a cup of hot tea?"
"No need."
Jiang Yuechu waved her hand, not moving from her spot.
If her memory served her right, the Martial Temple was not located within this General Bureau Yamen.
If she went in now, she would have to go through the trouble of coming back out later.
Too much trouble... "Hurry up and go, I'll wait here."
The Guard dared not delay, turned around, and quickly slipped inside.
The long street was deserted.
Jiang Yuechu reached out and stroked the mane of the Red-Eyed Colt.
Not long after.
A burst of footsteps suddenly came from inside the gate.
Jiang Yuechu looked up and saw several figures striding across the threshold.
Each of them had a solemn expression and moved quickly, as if something extraordinary had happened.
The person leading them was an old man with temples streaked with white, wearing a Dark Great Cloak, his face filled with a murderous aura.
"Greetings, Deputy Director..."
The gatekeepers were just about to bow.
"Scram, scram, scram..."
The old man waved his large sleeve, his steps not pausing.
The gatekeepers could only retreat to the side with bitter smiles, not daring to utter a single sound.
Below the steps outside the gate, several Red-Eyed Colts had already been led over.
Clearly, the display was significant.
Jiang Yuechu led her horse and moved a few steps to the side.
It wasn't that she felt timid... continuing to stand and block the entrance would look like she was looking for trouble... The leading old man mounted his horse, shook the reins, and was about to whip it away.
A young man following behind him had just placed one foot into the Stirrup when his gaze casually swept to the side, and he hesitated slightly.
"Miss... Miss Jiang?"