You Wujiang.
A man's name, a tree's shadow.
Just these three words made the various heroes of the Region East of the River present feel a sense of pressure.
A Seed Lotus Perfection at twenty-seven.
What kind of concept was this?
If it were according to the usual promotion speed of Martial Artists, at this age, being able to cultivate some proficiency in the Minggu Realm would already be considered a rare talent.
Even for the Prodigies diligently cultivated by various Families, reaching the Ink Dot Realm was already the limit.
But this person had already reached the end of Seed Lotus, just half a step away from Mountain Gazing.
Lu Jingchun took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and quickly stepped forward.
"This humble official, Lu Jingchun, greets the three golden robe Inspectors."
Although he was also a Seed Lotus cultivator and a high-ranking official, he adopted a very humble posture in front of this group of three.
Neither the two veteran Mountain Gazing Realm Inspectors nor this peerless Prodigy who was destined to enter the Lamp-Lighting Realm in the future were people he could neglect.
"Cough cough..."
The leading hunched old man coughed twice, covering his mouth, before speaking: "Commander Lu, there's no need for such formality."
"Granny Liu and I are both old and half-buried; this trip south is just for appearance's sake. The specific battle arrangements still depend on Lord Lu."
The old woman beside him also nodded with a smile.
Her face full of wrinkles smoothed out, looking extremely kind, like an old grandmother basking in the sun next door.
"Exactly, exactly. This old woman has poor eyesight and inconvenient legs and feet. Wherever Lord Lu points, this old woman will strike."
This amiable attitude made Lu Jingchun breathe a sigh of relief.
A trace of admiration arose in his heart.
As expected of a Mountain Gazing Realm cultivator from The Department.
If it were within Jianghu Families, most who reached the Mountain Gazing Realm were eccentric and not so easy to talk to.
"Seniors are too kind to this humble official."
Lu Jingchun repeatedly cupped his hands, then turned to look at the silent young man.
Compared to the two old men's amiability.
This You Wujiang had not uttered a single word from beginning to end.
That sense of aloofness and superiority made those around him sigh in admiration.
As expected, a Genius with a proud spirit... Zhang Daoxuan stood not far away, looking at the golden robe figure, a trace of Battle Intent flashing in his eyes.
But it quickly faded.
The gap was too vast... He was also considered a Genius in the Region East of the River.
But in front of him... The Demon Suppression Headquarters indeed had profound heritage.
First, a seventeen-year-old Ink Dot Realm, now a twenty-seven-year-old Seed Lotus Perfection.
Tsk... Lu Jingchun was an old hand in officialdom. After a brief moment of absentmindedness, a smile immediately bloomed on his face.
"I've long heard that Lord You's talent is extraordinary, forming a Core at nineteen, reaching Ink Dot at twenty-three, truly a pillar of heaven and a beam holding up the sea among the younger generation of our Great Tang."
"Seeing you today, Lord You's Qi is like an abyss and a sea, perfectly round and flawless. I fear you are but a step away from the Mountain Gazing Realm, aren't you?"
The surrounding officials and generals also echoed his sentiments.
Facing everyone's flattery.
You Wujiang slowly raised his head, his gaze meeting Lu Jingchun's.
One second.
Two seconds.
Several breaths passed.
Still silent.
"…"
The atmosphere instantly became a bit awkward.
Lu Jingchun maintained his cupped-hand posture, his smile a little stiff.
Discontent gradually arose in his heart.
He was, after all, a Dusi Commander, a dignified Seed Lotus Realm Martial Artist.
Being so humble, yet he wouldn't even acknowledge him?
However.
What no one knew was.
At this moment, You Wujiang's heart was already turbulent with shock.
He had been confined to the General Bureau' secret training grounds since childhood, practicing martial arts and slaying demons, rarely seeing living people all year round.
His Master once said that when outside, one should speak less and do more.
If you don't know what to say, then don't say anything.
Just keep a straight face, and others will naturally think you are profound and unfathomable.
At this moment, facing Lu Jingchun's enthusiasm and the dozens of pairs of eyes around him.
You Wujiang's mind was blank; he wished he could draw his sword and slay a demon on the spot to alleviate the awkwardness.
"Cough."
The old man clearly knew the temperament of his Junior and coughed at the right time, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
"Since everyone has arrived, let's discuss serious matters."
Lu Jingchun took the hint, quickly stepping aside to lead: "Yes... yes, this is indeed not the place to talk. Esteemed sirs, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest in the hall for a moment. This humble official has already arranged for the specific defense matters to be prepared."
...The main hall of the Head Office was spacious and solemn.
In front of the huge map of the Region East of the River in the center, people were now gathered.
Lu Jingchun picked up a slender bamboo pole and pointed to the dark, rich water area in the center of the map.
"Everyone, please look."
"This is the Taihu Lake Water Stronghold, the lair of the River-Flipping Demon King."
Everyone's gaze converged simultaneously.
Lu Jingchun's expression became serious, and his tone grew steady and capable.
After all, he was a Commander who governed a region; when discussing serious matters, he naturally exuded authority.
"Although that beast is injured, relying on this eight-hundred-li water domain, if it's determined to hide like a turtle, ordinary methods are indeed difficult to be effective."
"But now, with the three golden robe sirs presiding, the situation is vastly different."
"In this humble official's opinion, this battle should be divided into two steps."
"The first step is — Startling Thunder."
Lu Jingchun looked at the old man, the young man, and Granny Liu, respectfully saying: "We need to trouble the three sirs to strike directly at the heart of the enemy, to forcefully attack the water stronghold with overwhelming power. Regardless of life or death, we only ask that the beast be forced out of its lair."
The hunched old man nodded slightly, just about to say something.
You Wujiang suddenly raised his hand and pointed to a spot on the map.
Everyone was stunned.
That was... Hengshan Ferry?
Lu Jingchun was a bit puzzled: "Lord You, is there something amiss here?"
"…"
You Wujiang's finger froze in mid-air.
He actually just wanted to point at that location to show that he had seen the defense map.
To participate in the discussion a bit, so as not to seem too unsociable.
As a result of Lu Jingchun's question, everyone's gaze immediately focused on him again.
You Wujiang regretted it immensely.
Why did he have to do something extra?
Lu Jingchun was startled, then suddenly understood, his eyes full of admiration.
"Lord You indeed has a Wisdom Eye!"
"Hengshan Ferry is the throat of Taihu Lake entering the river, truly of utmost importance!"
"I didn't expect Lord You, newly arrived, to see through the key point with just one glance. Impressive, impressive!"
The surrounding crowd also nodded repeatedly, with expressions of admiration.
As expected of a golden robe Inspector.
Although young, he pointed directly to the crucial point with a single glance!
Lu Jingchun took it as his tacit agreement and smoothly swept the bamboo pole around.
"The second step is — Heavenly Net."
"Once that Demon King leaves its lair, to survive, it will certainly choose a path to escape."
"Although Taihu Lake is vast, there are only eighteen waterways that can accommodate such a huge demonic body."
The bamboo pole tapped sequentially on the eighteen red dots on the edge of the map.
"This humble official has dispatched all the elite forces from the various counties of the Region East of the River, setting up layers of checkpoints at these eighteen water entrances."
"No matter which direction it tries to escape, it will run headfirst into the inescapable net we have laid out!"
"And the most important point is where Lord You pointed earlier."
"Hengshan Ferry!"