Three days passed in a flash.
The rain in Yu County had completely stopped, and the long-awaited sun hung in the sky, warming everyone.
But this warmth could not dispel the sorrow of parting.
Outside the Yue Manor gate.
The lake-blue moonlit dress had been put away.
In its place was a neat and capable black outfit.
Tightened cuffs and a leather belt cinched at the waist outlined the slender yet explosive figure of the young girl.
Her black hair was tied high, with a few stray strands falling by her temples, fluttering gently in the wind.
"Sister Jiang..."
Yue Wan'er stood at the bottom of the steps, her small face full of reluctance.
Jiang Yuechu flipped onto her horse, looking down at the little girl.
"Yu County is a good place; the steamed buns are delicious, and the tunes are pleasant... If I have time in the future, I will definitely come again."
"Really?"
Yue Wan'er sniffled, her eyes full of hope.
"I, Jiang Yuechu, never lie."
Especially not to little girls.
With that, she no longer lingered, shaking the reins.
"Hup!"
Yunbo neighed, galloping with all four hooves, turning into a white shadow, rushing to the very front.
Behind her.
Yue Huaiyuan, clad in heavy black armor and wielding a black-gold spear, sat astride a tall horse.
Seeing his daughter's reluctant expression, the old man felt a strange pang in his heart.
"Alright, alright, go back inside. It's not like we're parting forever."
He muttered, then waved his large hand.
"Depart!"
This contingent was quite spectacular.
Besides Jiang Yuechu, Yue Huaiyuan, and Xie Tinglan, there were three of them.
There were also more than a dozen Dusi elites who had come from Suzhou with Xie Tinglan, as well as fifty skilled fighters specially selected by Yue Huaiyuan from the Yu County garrison.
Nearly a hundred cavalry, mighty and grand.
Kicking up dust along the way, they galloped north... After leaving the Yu County area, the sides of the official road gradually became desolate.
"Lord Jiang."
Yue Huaiyuan spurred his horse forward a couple of steps, riding alongside Jiang Yuechu.
The wind howled, forcing him to raise his voice.
"I didn't go into detail in the city just now, but this time, the General Bureau has really gone all out."
Jiang Yuechu turned her head: "How so?"
Yue Huaiyuan lowered his voice, his expression barely concealing his excitement.
"This time, there are three golden robe Inspector Envoys!"
Three golden robe.
Jiang Yuechu's eyebrows slightly raised.
In the system of Inspector Envoys, the golden robe Inspector Envoy was already at the pinnacle.
"What are their Realms?"
"One Zhonglian Realm, two..."
Yue Huaiyuan held up two fingers: "Mountain Gazing Realm!"
Jiang Yuechu's pupils slightly contracted.
Guanshan.
"What a grand gesture."
Jiang Yuechu murmured to herself.
Just for that Zhonglian Realm demon king in Taihu Lake, was it really necessary to dispatch two Mountain Gazing Realm powerhouses?
This was not an encirclement and suppression; this was clearly an overwhelming force.
"That's natural."
Xie Tinglan, who was beside them, also leaned over and explained: "Although that beast in Taihu Lake is only Zhonglian, it occupies a favorable geographical position and has 800 li of water as cover."
"If it doesn't die in one blow and manages to escape, it will surely become a major problem in the future."
"So this time, the higher-ups' intention is—"
Xie Tinglan made a chopping gesture, his eyes sharp.
"To achieve success in one single effort, leaving no future troubles!"
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, but her mind was rapidly calculating.
Two Mountain Gazing Realm, one Zhonglian Realm Perfection, plus Lu Jingchun, who was already stationed in Suzhou, and a host of Demon Quelling Generals.
With such a luxurious lineup, even a single shrimp wouldn't escape from attacking the Taihu Water Stronghold.
Then... what benefit could she get?
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuechu's heartstrings, which had been somewhat tense due to the impending battle, suddenly relaxed.
She even felt a little depressed.
"What? Inspector Jiang seems a little... unhappy?"
Yue Huaiyuan was a rough man, but he keenly noticed the change in the young girl's mood.
Logically speaking.
With such strong reinforcements, she should be overjoyed.
Why did this girl look as if someone had stolen her money pouch instead?
"No." Jiang Yuechu looked straight ahead with a poker face.
"Really not?"
"Really not."
"I don't believe you."
...
Xie Tinglan spurred his horse closer by half a body length, picking up where Yue Huaiyuan left off, and said with a wry smile:
"Lord Jiang, don't think this battle will be easy."
"While the arrival of three golden robe is indeed an overwhelming force, that demon king has been entrenched in Taihu Lake for a long time and is not a brainless fool."
"The Taihu Lake waters are vast, spanning 800 li, with crisscrossing harbors and inlets."
He paused, his expression solemn.
"Even a powerful Mountain Gazing Realm cultivator would find it difficult to cover all 800 li of this water."
Although the Mountain Gazing Realm is strong and can move mountains, shift peaks, and cut off rivers.
No matter how formidable, they cannot monitor the entire Taihu Lake water area.
Yue Huaiyuan nodded repeatedly, adding:
"That's right."
"That beast's true form is a mutated Tuo Dragon; its aquatic abilities are excellent. Once it senses the aura of a Mountain Gazing Realm cultivator, it will definitely break through and escape immediately."
"Therefore..."
Xie Tinglan took a deep breath, his gaze burning.
"The intention of the several golden robe Lords is for them to strike directly at the heart, forcefully attack the underwater lair, and force that beast to show itself."
"As for our Jiangdong various counties' forces, we have only one mission."
He stretched out his hand and drew a circle in the air.
"To guard the eighteen crucial waterways and passes of Taihu Lake, so that when that beast is pursued relentlessly by the golden robe Lords and flees in a panic..."
Hearing this.
Jiang Yuechu's previously somewhat disinterested eyes lit up again.
If those two Mountain Gazing Realm powerhouses attacked head-on, the demon king would certainly not dare to meet their might and could only flee.
Since it had to flee, it would have to choose a path.
If she was lucky enough, it might just happen to run into the pass she was guarding... Wouldn't a Zhonglian Realm demon core then be delivered right to her doorstep?
"Then, which area have we been assigned to?"
Jiang Yuechu asked.
Yue Huaiyuan pulled out a crumpled military order from his Huai, grinning.
"Commander Lu still takes care of us."
"He left us a good position."
"Xishan Island, Hengshan Ferry."
"The current here is swift, and it's easy to defend but hard to attack! It should be quite easy."
...Two days later.
Outside Suzhou Prefecture, on the shores of Taihu Lake.
Continuous tents, like white waves, spread across the lakeside.
Although the great battle had not yet begun, the air of solemnity already made the 800 li of vast, misty Taihu Lake feel exceptionally oppressive.
Jiang Yuechu and her group did not enter Suzhou city.
Instead, they rode directly along the lake shore, circling to the west.
Hengshan Ferry.
Here, two mountains flanked a body of water, the river narrowed, and the current was swift, indeed a natural strategic pass.
At this moment.
On the ferry, a temporary camp had already been erected.
"Who goes there?!"
Above the camp gate, the defending commandant shouted sharply.
Hundreds of strong bows and crossbows were instantly drawn taut, aimed at the dust-covered cavalry.
Xie Tinglan spurred his horse forward, holding up his waist token.
"Brigade Commander Xie Tinglan of the Jiangdong Military Commission, here by order to assist in defense!"
"And..."
He turned sideways, revealing Yue Huaiyuan and Jiang Yuechu behind him.
"Demon Quelling General of Yu County, Yue Huaiyuan!"
"And... Silver Robe Inspector of the Demon Suppression Headquarters, Lord Jiang Yuechu!"