North of Suzhou City.
The Demon Suppression Dusi General Bureau.
Inside the main hall.
Seven or eight figures were seated.
A huge map hung on the wall, densely marked with red and black dots.
Red represented Human Race cities, and black represented areas occupied by demons.
Looking across it.
The black had spread like a prairie fire, segmenting and surrounding each red dot.
A middle-aged man in a black robe stood with his hands behind his back before the map.
His figure was not burly, even a bit thin, with slightly frosted temples and fatigue etched at the corners of his eyes.
It was none other than the Commander-in-Chief of the Jiangdong Military Commission, Lu Jingchun.
"Lord Lu."
A clear voice rang out from below the hall.
The speaker was seated at the head of the left side.
He was very young, about twenty years old.
He wore a plain white Daoist robe, spotless, with a wooden hairpin in his topknot.
He held a cup of tea in his hand, his expression calm, completely out of place with the anxiety filling the hall.
However.
No one in the hall looked at him with even a hint of disdain.
Rather, there was a touch of apprehension.
From Longhu Mountain, the Young Heavenly Master, Zhang Daoxuan.
At only twenty-seven, he was already at Perfection in the Ink-Dipping Realm, and furthermore, he possessed the secret techniques of Longhu Mountain. Among the younger generation of the entire Great Tang, he could be considered top-tier.
His descent from the mountain this time was to aid Suzhou.
Zhang Daoxuan slowly began, "Although that beast is injured, it's not fundamentally harmed. Now it has hidden deep within Taihu Lake, using the eight hundred li of water to heal. If we cannot force it out…"
Lu Jingchun turned around, letting out a long sigh.
"What Heavenly Master Zhang says, how could this official not know? It's just that Taihu Lake is thousands of feet deep, with countless aquatic demons. If we rashly enter the water, even if another Zhonglian Realm expert came, we wouldn't be guaranteed victory…"
The current chaos in the Region East of the River was all caused by this demon, whose true form was a mutated Tuolong.
It had thick skin and flesh, immense strength. A few days ago, Lu Jingchun joined forces with Zhang Daoxuan to set an ambush by the shores of Taihu Lake, but it still managed to escape into Taihu Lake.
Now.
That beast was holed up, refusing to come out, yet it was commanding other great demons to furiously assault the various commanderies in the Region East of the River.
Its intention was clear.
It wanted to wear down the Region East of the River Demon Suppression Division to death.
"Is there any news from the capital?"
Zhang Daoxuan suddenly asked.
Lu Jingchun rubbed his temples.
"Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhao has already sent word, dispatching half of the Inspector Envoys from the capital south."
"Counting the days, the vanguard should be arriving soon."
Zhang Daoxuan nodded slightly, but showed little joy.
"Distant water cannot quench a nearby thirst."
"Not to mention that those Inspector Envoys are a mixed bag, even if they all arrive, how many can be useful against that demon king hiding underwater?"
Although his words were harsh, they were the truth.
Water combat was different from land combat.
One's full abilities, once in the water, would be lucky to perform at fifty percent.
Unless… it was someone who specialized in Water Element Cultivation Techniques, or an extraordinary person with a Water Spirit Seal.
But such talents were as rare as Phoenix feathers and Dragon scales, even in the entire Great Tang.
Lu Jingchun remained silent.
He looked at the huge black stain on the map representing Taihu Lake, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
"If that beast still doesn't come out in a few more days."
"This Commander will personally lead the Dusi elites to storm the Taihu water fort."
"Even if we have to fill it with our lives, we will flatten that beast!"
Upon these words, the entire hall fell silent.
Storm Taihu Lake?
That was the last resort among last resorts.
Just then.
A hurried sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.
A military officer quickly entered, kneeling on one knee.
"Report—!"
"Brigade Commander Wang Shuixiang of Danyang Commandery requests an audience!"
Lu Jingchun frowned slightly.
He knew the situation in Danyang. Two great demons had joined forces, and Danyang's general was gravely wounded and near death. Logically, Danyang City should now only be able to hunker down and defend… How could this Wang Shuixiang, merely a Brigade Commander, have made it all the way to Suzhou Prefecture?
Could it be… Danyang City had fallen?
Thinking of this, Lu Jingchun's heart tightened. He quickly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Let him in!"
In but a moment.
"This subordinate Wang Shuixiang pays respects to Commander-in-Chief!"
"Enough, no need for these formalities."
Lu Jingchun stepped forward, offering a slight supporting gesture, "What is the situation in Danyang now? Has the City fallen?"
Everyone else also looked over.
Wang Shuixiang wiped his face, shaking his head repeatedly: "It hasn't fallen! It hasn't fallen!"
"This subordinate has come this time to bring my general to Suzhou Prefecture for medical treatment!"
"Medical treatment?"
Lu Jingchun was stunned.
"Your general is severely poisoned and cannot withstand the journey. Moreover, Danyang to Suzhou is a hundred li, with countless demons along the way, and the great demon of Danyang also lurking."
"How did you get out?"
"If you encountered an ambush halfway, wouldn't that be sacrificing your general's life for nothing?!"
Furthermore… rather than dying halfway, it would be better to die on the walls of Danyang City, at least taking a few enemies with him.
Wang Shuixiang recoiled from the scolding but still braced himself and said, "Please calm your anger, sir. This subordinate… This subordinate had no choice. Besides, the great demon of Danyang is now dead, and we were escorted all the way here…"
"Escorted?" Lu Jingchun was taken aback, then tentatively asked, "By someone from the capital?"
Hearing this, Wang Shuixiang nodded, "Precisely, an adult from the capital! From the Demon Suppression Headquarters, the Silver Robe Inspector, Lord Jiang!"
Upon these words, the entire hall fell silent.
A Silver Robe Inspector?!
Although the capital was far, everyone understood the rules of the General Bureau.
Those who could don that Silver Robe were capable of suppressing a crisis area alone!
For the current Region East of the River, this was truly help in a time of desperate need.
"Where is the person?"
"Just outside the door."
"Please invite them in quickly!"
Wang Shuixiang heard this and quickly turned to leave.
Not long after.
Two sets of footsteps came from the end of the corridor.
Everyone's gaze collectively turned towards the doorway.
Even the Young Heavenly Master Zhang Daoxuan, who had been sitting calmly and sipping tea, now slightly turned his head.
Light and shadow intertwined.
A slender figure stepped over the threshold.
A Silver Robe as white as snow, with a jade belt wrapped around her waist.
The collar of white fox fur accentuated her unadorned face, making it appear even more pristine and ethereal.
Her large cloak still bore traces of undried rain.
So young?!
Looking at the young girl's face, everyone felt a moment of bewilderment.
At seventeen or eighteen years old, most of those present had nephews and nieces who, at that age, were probably still struggling to cultivate their Qi and blood for the Minggu Realm.
But this one before them… Lu Jingchun, after all, was a master of the Zhonglian Realm, with profound cultivation in nurturing Qi.
After a brief moment of surprise, he quickly recovered and stepped forward to greet her.
"Inspector Jiang, I've long admired you."
"This official is Lu Jingchun, Commander of the Jiangnan East Road Dusi. I apologize for not coming out to greet you sooner, Inspector Jiang."
While saying he'd long admired her, he was secretly wondering.
Who was Jiang Yuechu?
He had heard of most of the names among the General Bureau' Silver Robe Inspectors.
But when did such a person appear?
Jiang Yuechu did not act conceited. She cupped her fists in a salute, her expression calm.
"I have been ordered by the General Bureau to come south to provide aid."
Saying this, she unfastened the golden token representing her identity from her waist and handed it over.
Lu Jingchun took the golden token, and after confirming its authenticity, returned it with both hands.
The worry in his heart was finally half-relieved.
It was real.
A genuine Silver Robe Inspector.
"Inspector Jiang, you must be tired from your journey."
Lu Jingchun turned aside, pointing to the head seat on the left, "Please take the honored seat."
Jiang Yuechu did not decline. She strode forward and sat down with an imposing air.