After a long while.
Ji Shuyu also seemed to notice the awkward atmosphere.
Especially with a stranger staring nearby, she finally sniffled and let go.
"I... I've made Miss Jiang laugh."
You Wujiang let out a long breath, quickly stepped back two paces, and created some distance.
Jiang Yuechu shook her head.
"It's nothing."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Ji Shuyu seemed to recall something and suddenly asked with anticipation, "Senior Brother You, are you passing through Henan Circuit this time to reinforce Master?"
You Wujiang was startled, scratching his head in confusion.
"Master?"
"Senior Brother doesn't know?"
You Wujiang shook his head: "Lord Jiang and I just came from Taihu Lake in the Region East of the River. We were about to return to the capital to report on our duties, merely passing by this place."
"Eh?"
Ji Shuyu blinked, seeing her Senior Brother's bewildered expression, which didn't seem feigned.
He truly didn't know.
"Hoo..."
Ji Shuyu sighed helplessly.
Indeed.
She knew her Senior Brother You's personality all too well.
Aside from martial arts, expecting him to pay attention to other developments was harder than making a sow climb a tree.
Immediately, she began to explain:
"Several months ago, the General Bureau received an urgent report from Jiangnan West Circuit."
"That old Demon Saint, who was suppressed hundreds of years ago, is suspected... to be stirring again..."
Demon Saint!
As these two words came out, the atmosphere instantly solidified.
Jiang Yuechu also narrowed her eyes.
The three mortal Realms temper the body.
Ink Dot Realm, Seed Lotus Realm, Mountain Gazing Realm.
Above that is the Lamp Lighting Realm.
Those in the Lamp Lighting Realm have far surpassed the mortal Realm and can be called Saints!
A Demon Saint in the Lamp Lighting Realm... if it truly emerges, let alone a single prefecture or county.
Even the entire Jiangnan West Circuit, and even half of the southern Great Tang, would likely be reduced to scorched earth!
"This news... is it confirmed?"
You Wujiang asked in a deep voice.
"It's almost certain."
Ji Shuyu sighed: "If not for that, Master wouldn't have been so anxious back then, gathering his forces overnight, and urgently dispatching Senior Sister Gu and Big Brother Lu to accompany him, rushing to Jiangnan West Circuit to take charge."
"This... such a big matter... why didn't anyone tell me?"
You Wujiang was a little angry.
Although he usually didn't understand human relations and was even a bit dull.
But that didn't mean he was a fool who didn't know what was important!
If that Demon Saint truly broke free... countless lives would be ruined in an instant!
Such a major event concerning the survival of the nation, and no one told him?
What?!
Looking down on the Seed Lotus Realm!?
To the side.
Jiang Yuechu listened quietly, not interjecting.
Demon Saint... although now, relying on her system panel and various trump cards, plus her vast Dao Cultivation reserves.
If she fought with all her might, she could kill a Demon King in the Seed Lotus Realm.
She might even have a slim chance of winning against someone in the Mountain Gazing Realm.
But a Lamp Lighting Realm cultivator... this was clearly beyond her capabilities, a situation that would surely lead to death.
She would absolutely not join in the excitement.
The Great Tang had profound foundations; since it could suppress that Demon Saint for hundreds of years, it naturally had the means to deal with it again.
What business did a mere Ink Dot Realm cultivator have meddling blindly?
It was better to honestly return to the capital and improve her cultivation; that was the Righteous Path.
Ji Shuyu quickly waved her hand and spoke to comfort him:
"Oh, Senior Brother, don't worry so much. Things aren't as bad as you think. Although that old Demon Saint indeed shows signs of resurgence, it has been suppressed for hundreds of years after all."
"Moreover... this time, Master is not only personally taking charge, but also mobilized more than half of the General Bureau' elites. Even if that old Demon Saint truly breaks free... it will absolutely not be a match for Master."
Hearing this.
You Wujiang's tensed body finally relaxed a little.
He didn't dwell on this topic and instead asked:
"Then... why are you here?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Shuyu's already somewhat pale face instantly flushed crimson.
She lowered her head, her fingers twisting the torn corner of her clothes, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"This... this is just knowing my own limitations..."
"Now that the General Bureau' elites are all out, there's a severe shortage of manpower in various places."
Ji Shuyu sighed, pointing to the surrounding wilderness, "It happened that Henan was suffering from a great drought, so I thought since I couldn't go to the front lines, I volunteered to come to Henan Circuit to provide some assistance, which can also be considered helping the General Bureau share its burdens..."
She just didn't expect.
Instead of helping, she almost became dinner for those two dog demons.
If Senior Brother and Lord Jiang hadn't arrived in time... thinking of this, Ji Shuyu felt even more ashamed, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
You Wujiang listened, then fell silent for a moment.
With his Junior Sister's current abilities, if she encountered another great demon, she would probably just be offering herself up as food.
"Since that's the case... then I'll go with you."
"Eh?"
Ji Shuyu looked up sharply, her eyes full of surprise, "Really?! Senior Brother, you're not going back to the capital?"
You Wujiang nodded.
Then.
Under Jiang Yuechu's slightly astonished gaze, he reached out and untied the jade pendant from his waist.
"Miss Jiang."
You Wujiang stepped forward two paces, handing over the Nayuan Pendant with a solemn expression.
"This..."
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow, not reaching out to take it immediately.
Perhaps fearing Jiang Yuechu would refuse, You Wujiang quickly explained:
"Miss Jiang, don't misunderstand."
"Although this Nayuan Pendant has the ability of a Sumeru mustard seed and can store demon corpses, it is not a divine item that can completely freeze time; it merely slows down decay."
He pointed to the jade pendant, his face serious.
"The River-Flipping Demon King's corpse is extremely valuable. If it's delayed too long, it might be difficult to account for when it enters the vault."
"Since I'm staying here to assist my Junior Sister in slaying demons, my return to the capital will be postponed again."
"How about..."
You Wujiang pushed the jade pendant forward, practically forcing it into Jiang Yuechu's hand.
"I'll trouble Miss Jiang to deliver this item to the General Bureau' main vault on my behalf."
Jiang Yuechu held the jade pendant, which still carried body warmth, and swept her Divine Sense across it.
The mountain of flesh inside was missing a large chunk, looking somewhat comical.
She raised her eyelids, looking at You Wujiang with a half-smile.
"Lord You... you trust me that much?"
"Trust you, of course I trust you!"
You Wujiang said with a righteous expression, "Miss Jiang's character, after traveling together this far, I, You, can vouch for it."
In reality.
This young golden robe Inspector Envoy's little schemes were clattering away like mad.
Now that a large chunk of this demon corpse was missing, if he took it back himself, those old fellows responsible for storage would surely ask endless questions.
How would he explain it then?
It would be trouble no matter what.
It would be better... to just toss this hot potato to Inspector Jiang.
When the General Bureau inquired, he would simply claim that he specially ordered Inspector Jiang to transport it first because he needed to put out fires here.
As for why there was less flesh?
That would be none of his, You's, business.
Hmph hmph.
Grandma always said I was foolish and didn't understand worldly affairs.
Actually, I'm incredibly resourceful!
Thinking this, You Wujiang's lips curved slightly upward.