Once Jiang Yuechu was seated, Lu Jingchun cupped his hands and said, "Inspector Jiang, please wait a moment. I need to go check on the injuries of that old brother of mine. I will return shortly."
After speaking, he turned his head to look at the attendant Captain next to him, his eyes sharp: "Serve the esteemed guest well. Do not neglect her."
The Captain's heart trembled, and he quickly nodded in affirmation.
As Lu Jingchun hurried away, the atmosphere in the main hall became somewhat subtle.
Autumn rain pattered outside the window, and the fragrance of tea wafted through the hall.
Several gazes subtly drifted onto the Silver Robe girl.
"Ahem."
A light cough broke the silence.
Zhang Daoxuan's gaze swept over Jiang Yuechu: "This humble Daoist, Zhang Daoxuan of Dragon Tiger Mountain, greets Inspector Jiang."
Jiang Yuechu turned her head, glanced at the young Daoist, and nodded slightly: "I've heard much about you."
...
A trace of awkwardness flashed in Zhang Daoxuan's eyes, but it quickly faded. "This humble Daoist entered Dianmo Perfection at age twenty-seven. I believe my talent can be considered outstanding even across the Great Tang."
But upon seeing Inspector Jiang today... so young, yet already a Silver Robe Inspector...
He shook his head and sighed: "Indeed, there is always a higher mountain and a stronger person."
Before his voice faded.
A stream of True Qi emanated from beneath his plain white Daoist robe.
Everyone in the hall were Deputy Generals under Lu Jingchun, and naturally sensed this fluctuation, but they all kept their eyes down, pretending not to notice.
It was normal for the Young Celestial Master, being proud and arrogant, to feel indignant after being overshadowed by a mere girl.
Jiang Yuechu's expression remained unchanged. She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
Inside her body, the Four-Pattern Ink Pill merely trembled slightly.
The next second.
Zhang Daoxuan nearly stood up.
It was only for an instant.
But he felt it.
It was definitely Ink Dot Realm!
Furthermore, the terrifying nature of her aura meant it was absolutely no ordinary Spiritual Seal!
Zhang Daoxuan retracted his aura, and when he looked at Jiang Yuechu again, the contempt in his eyes had completely vanished.
"Inspector Jiang has great skill. This humble Daoist was reckless."
Just at this moment.
Lu Jingchun strode in quickly, his official robe carrying a faint scent of medicine.
"Commander Lu... how is the Danyang General?" a Deputy General asked.
Lu Jingchun sat back down in the main seat, took a large gulp of cold tea, and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.
"The poison has entered his bone marrow. To completely remove it will take more than a single day's effort."
"Furthermore..."
He paused, then turned to look at Jiang Yuechu.
"I heard from Brigade Commander Wang that Lord Jiang killed two great Dianmo Demons in Danyang?"
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
"Killed them while I was at it."
"While I was at it..." Lu Jingchun's mouth twitched slightly.
It seemed the credibility of this Silver Robe Inspector was higher than he had anticipated.
"Since Lord Jiang has arrived, there are some things I won't keep hidden."
"The current disaster in Region East of the River seems widespread, but the root cause is only in one place."
When serious matters were mentioned, Jiang Yuechu's expression also grew solemn.
"What is it?"
"Taihu Lake."
Speaking of this, a trace of hatred flashed in Lu Jingchun's eyes. "The one entrenched there is a mutant Alligator Dragon, who calls himself the River-Flipping Demon King. Its hide is impervious to blades and spears, it possesses boundless strength, and it has cultivated to the Zhonglian Realm."
"A few days ago, this official and Celestial Master Zhang teamed up and set an ambush by Taihu Lake, finally managing to severely wound that beast."
"But that fellow was extremely cunning. He endured a Lightning Technique from Celestial Master Zhang and immediately dove to the bottom of Taihu Lake, playing the role of a hiding turtle."
"Not only is it hiding and refusing to come out, but it also issued orders, driving the great Demons lurking in the various counties of Region East of the River to frantically assault the cities."
"The intention is very clear."
Lu Jingchun took a deep breath. "It wants to use the lives of the people in these cities to stall until the day its injuries are healed."
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly.
So that's how it is.
Was it afraid that the generals guarding other counties would join the encirclement? Now that things have reached this point, naturally, there are no forces available to jointly attack Taihu Lake.
A black-robed Brigade Commander smiled bitterly: "Taihu Lake is thousands of feet deep with turbulent undercurrents. For Human Race Martial Artists like us, who haven't cultivated water avoidance techniques, it's hard enough to hold our breath underwater, let alone fight those aquatic great Demons."
"Even Celestial Master Zhang..."
Everyone looked at Zhang Daoxuan.
Zhang Daoxuan spread his hands helplessly: "Although my Lightning Technique is fierce, once it enters the water, it easily strikes friend and foe indiscriminately..."
Lu Jingchun looked at Jiang Yuechu, a hint of hope in his eyes.
Although he knew the hope was slim, this Silver Robe from General Bureau, who could hold such a high position at the age of seventeen, perhaps... "May I ask, Inspector Jiang... what is your current cultivation level?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
The Deputy Generals and Captains in the hall, who had been whispering, instantly fell silent.
Even the seemingly indifferent Young Celestial Master, Zhang Daoxuan, pricked up his ears.
Although they had already sensed that she was in the Dianmo Realm, the Dianmo Realm was also divided into grades.
The Initial Stage and Perfection are two different concepts.
If Inspector Jiang had reached Perfection, relying on the resources and methods of General Bureau, she might truly be able to forcibly clash with that Zhonglian Demon King.
Dianmo Middle Stage.
Although they had somewhat anticipated it, hearing the answer firsthand still brought a measure of disappointment.
Lu Jingchun gave a wry smile.
A seventeen-year-old Dianmo Middle Stage cultivator is an astonishing Prodigy anywhere, a future Seed Lotus, or perhaps even a Burning Lamp cultivator.
But for the current Region East of the River.
It was not enough.
If she rashly got involved in the Taihu Lake battle, she might not even be able to protect herself.
The people below exchanged glances, their expressions complicated.
Some were amazed by the girl's talent, but more prevalent were sighs of helplessness.
What a pity.
If she were given ten more years, no, five years.
Perhaps the troubles of Region East of the River could truly be easily resolved.
Lu Jingchun took a deep breath and quickly composed himself.
"Inspector Jiang's talent is extraordinary. Reaching the Middle Stage at such a young age is truly a blessing for our Great Tang and a blessing for the Demon Suppression Division."
"In that case..."
"Of the nineteen counties in Region East of the River, aside from Suzhou Prefecture and a few large cities, all other counties are currently plagued by Demons, and the people are suffering terribly."
"Since Inspector Jiang was ordered by General Bureau to come south, and is charged with slaying Demons and eradicating evil."
"This official dares to ask Inspector Jiang to lead an elite force to patrol the various counties and eliminate the rogue great Dianmo Demons, thereby solving the urgent crisis in those counties."
This was giving her a graceful exit and was also the safest arrangement.
Since she couldn't handle the big one, she should eliminate the small ones.
Given Jiang Yuechu's combat strength, having killed the Two Monarchs of Danyang, dealing with the scattered Dianmo Demons would be more than sufficient.
Hearing this, Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow slightly.
Not going after the big one?
That works too.
Although she currently possessed many methods and was almost invincible within her own realm, she truly felt uncertain about facing the Zhonglian Realm.
"Lord Lu, you speak too seriously."
...Until the silver-robed figure disappeared from the hall.
The composure Lu Jingchun had been forcing instantly collapsed.
He slumped into his chair and wearily rubbed his temples.
"My Lord..."
A Deputy General stepped forward, hesitating to speak.
"Forget it."
Lu Jingchun waved his hand, his voice hoarse. "Someone so young has boundless prospects. If this official forced her to go to Taihu Lake to die, not only would I be unable to explain it to General Bureau, but my own conscience... couldn't bear it."
A deathly silence fell over the hall.
The rain outside the window seemed to grow louder, pattering against the roof tiles and making everyone feel restless.
"But..." someone suddenly spoke up, "We can wait, but can the people of Region East of the River wait? Every day, people are dying in the jaws of Demons. If we delay further..."
Lu Jingchun's voice was low, sounding as if he was trying to convince his subordinates, or perhaps himself: "Let's wait a little longer... Since General Bureau transferred half of the Inspector Envoys in the capital to the south, there must be other Silver Robe Inspectors coming..."