Amazement was one thing.
But pleasantries still needed to be exchanged.
"Everyone."
Lord Lu Jingchun stood up, bowed to the three golden robe, then turned and cupped his fists towards the generals in the hall.
"Today's battle at Taihu Lake was a great victory."
"The River-Flipping Demon King has been executed, and the Taihu Lake flood disaster is completely eradicated. This is a blessing for the Region East of the River, and also for the Great Tang."
"The greatest credit for this battle naturally goes to the three golden robe adults, who planned meticulously and forced out that beast with thunderous might."
"However…"
"Without Inspector Jiang's earth-shattering strike at Hengshan Ferry, cutting off that beast's escape route and slaying it on the spot, today's situation at Taihu Lake would likely have faced countless more twists and turns."
"Inspector Jiang, accept a bow from me, Lu, and from the people of the Region East of the River!"
With that.
This dignified regional official of the Seed Lotus Realm actually bowed all the way down.
With his bow.
Dozens of Deputy Generals and Brigade Commanders in the hall all rose in unison.
Their expressions solemn, they cupped their fists and bowed towards the young girl.
"Thank you, Lord Jiang!"
"Lord Lu, you overstate it."
Jiang Yuechu slowly rose. "To eat the king's salary is to serve the king's affairs."
"Since I wear this Silver Robe, slaying demons and devils is my duty. Why speak of thanks?"
After a round of pleasantries.
As dusk approached.
Jiang Yuechu didn't like such occasions. Since the main business was done, she saw no reason to stay.
She picked up the long saber beside her, hung it casually at her waist, and nodded slightly to everyone.
"I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
With that.
She turned to leave.
"Girl, wait."
Jiang Yuechu paused.
She turned her head.
She saw the kind-faced Granny Liu smiling at her.
And beside Granny Liu.
The hunched old man Wang Mo, and You Wujiang, were all staring at her.
The three golden robe.
Jiang Yuechu was slightly startled.
She searched her mind, confirming that she didn't know these important figures.
Although her strike was somewhat stunning, that was all it was.
Could it be that they were here to question her for stealing the kill?
Surely not.
Could a mighty expert of the Mountain-Gazing Realm be so petty?
Although she had doubts, facing the top combat power of the Great Tang Demon Suppression Division, the necessary courtesies still had to be observed.
Jiang Yuechu turned around and cupped her fists in a bow.
"May I ask what Lord Liu commands?"
Granny Liu leaned on her staff and shakily stood up, the wrinkles on her face forming a blooming flower of a smile.
"No commands."
"It's just that this old woman is dim-sighted, and rarely sees such a handsome and capable young person. My heart is filled with joy."
She pointed towards the back hall.
"Girl, if you're not in a hurry, why not accompany us two old folks to sit in the back?"
Lu Jingchun was very perceptive and quickly waved to a personal guard.
"Quick! Take the Lords to Tingyuxuan!"
That was a very secluded courtyard within the General Bureau, usually only for the most distinguished guests.
Jiang Yuechu pondered for a moment.
"Since the Lord invites, this Junior would not dare to refuse."
...Tingyuxuan.
The courtyard lived up to its name, with several banana trees and a clear pond.
Though there was no sound of rain, the rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest made it exceptionally tranquil.
Dismissing the personal guards.
Only four people remained in the small courtyard.
By the stone table.
Granny Liu had no airs, she sat down by herself and then pointed to the stone stool opposite her.
"Sit."
Jiang Yuechu sat down as instructed.
Her back was straight, her hands neatly placed on her knees.
She showed neither the trepidation of facing important figures nor the arrogance of youthful success.
This composed demeanor made Wang Mo, who was beside her, secretly nod in approval.
You Wujiang, meanwhile, held his pale longsword, leaning against a pillar, head down, counting the ants on the ground.
Granny Liu scrutinized Jiang Yuechu, her gaze gentle.
After a long while.
The old woman sighed deeply.
"So similar…"
"Truly so similar…"
Jiang Yuechu was bewildered.
"Lord Liu, similar to what?"
Granny Liu shook her head, offering no explanation.
She merely extended a hand, wanting to stroke Jiang Yuechu's head.
Jiang Yuechu instinctively wanted to turn her head away.
But sensing no killing intent from the palm, only a warm Qi, she suppressed her discomfort and remained still.
A rough hand gently stroked the young girl's hair.
Granny Liu's voice was a little hoarse, a little nostalgic.
"A seventeen-year-old Ink Dot Realm cultivator… slaying a Seed Lotus Demon King against all odds…"
"This old woman has spent her life in The Department and seen countless Geniuses."
Saying this, she glanced at You Wujiang in the corner.
You Wujiang's body stiffened slightly.
"But someone like you…"
Jiang Yuechu blinked.
"Lord Liu, you flatter me."
"This Junior was merely lucky; it just so happened that the Demon King was severely injured and exhausted, which allowed me to succeed by chance."
"If that beast had been at its peak, this Junior might not even have had the chance to draw my saber."
Granny Liu smiled meaningfully.
"How can there be so many coincidences in this world?"
"Though that Demon King was injured, it was still a genuine Seed Lotus Realm cultivator."
"An ordinary Ink Dot Realm cultivator wouldn't even be able to stand steady under such pressure, let alone draw a saber?"
"…"
Jiang Yuechu said nothing more.
Excessive modesty would only appear arrogant.
She simply listened quietly.
After a long while.
Granny Liu withdrew her hand and sighed leisurely:
"We, these people, are like these lotus leaves in late autumn; they still stand there, but their roots have long rotted. Who knows how many more years we can support the Great Tang?"
"The future of the Great Tang…"
She turned her head, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Jiang Yuechu and You Wujiang.
"Ultimately, it belongs to you young people."
Jiang Yuechu remained silent.
These words sounded familiar.
Whether in her previous life or this one, the older generation always seemed to have these words on their lips.
But she was just a mundane person who wanted to live and become stronger.
The so-called world, the so-called Great Tang, was too vast for her.
So vast that it felt somewhat illusory.
As if seeing through the young girl's thoughts, Granny Liu's expression suddenly turned stern.
The gentle facade on her formerly benevolent face faded, revealing the solemn authority of a golden robe Inspector of the Demon Suppression Division.
"Girl."
"Today's strike was indeed stunning."
"But this old woman still has to say a few extra words."
"In the future…"
"You must never act like you did today again!"
Jiang Yuechu lifted her eyelids, her expression calm: "Why?"
"Why?"
Granny Liu looked exasperated: "You are the Prodigy most valued by the General Bureau now; your life is not just your own, but part of the Great Tang's national destiny!"
"As long as you live, the demons of the Great Tang will eventually be wiped out."
"If you die…"
"You'll just be a mound of yellow earth. Years later, who will remember your brilliance today?"
"From now on…"
Granny Liu took a deep breath, and earnestly said, "Absolutely, absolutely, do not act like you did today again."
Wang Mo frowned at her words.
The Martial Dao itself was a Heaven-Defying path; if one did not strive and fight, how could they break through shackles and reach the peak?
In his opinion, Jiang Yuechu's actions today, though dangerous, were precisely the bloodlust a Martial Artist should possess.
If one feared both the wolf in front and the tiger behind, they would be a hothouse flower, unable to amount to anything.
He opened his mouth, wanting to retort.
But then he remembered the girl's earth-shattering strike today… Wang Mo clicked his tongue.
Never mind.
Such a Prodigy was indeed precious.
Thinking this, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, simply drinking his tea silently as if he hadn't heard anything.
Jiang Yuechu listened quietly.
She did not argue.
After all, she had the system panel. Every seemingly risky move actually had her Dao Cultivation as a final trump card.
But in the face of the elder's goodwill, there was no need for her to argue.
"This Junior has been enlightened."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, her attitude respectful.
Seeing the girl's expression, Granny Liu thought she had spoken too harshly, and her tone softened again.
"Alright, this old woman just doesn't want to see a good sapling broken. Just keep it in mind."
Saying that.
Her eyes darted, and she suddenly thought of something.
"Wujiang."
You Wujiang in the corner stiffened and reluctantly walked over.
"Granny."
Granny Liu pointed at Jiang Yuechu, smiling: "You shouldn't always be so sullen. Young people, you should spend more time together."
"Look at this girl, so young, yet so capable."
"When you have nothing to do, you two should spar more and exchange insights."
"It's better than you holding a broken sword all day, like a wooden post."
You Wujiang lowered his head, his gaze flickering.
After a long pause, he squeezed out one word.
"…Okay."
Jiang Yuechu pursed her lips, not responding.
Sparring is sparring, exchanging is exchanging.
But it sounded… strange. Before she could ponder further.
Granny Liu seemed to have just mentioned it casually and did not dwell on the topic.
"Girl, now that the beast in Taihu Lake is dead, the remaining small fry will naturally be dealt with by Lu Jingchun and the Jiangdong Military Commission. There's no need for us outsiders to interfere."
"Next… do you plan to return to the capital?"