It was the end of the eleventh month.
The Region was bitterly cold.
Compared to Chang'an, winter always arrived particularly early here.
At the entrance of the Demon Suppression Division.
A few on-duty Demon Suppression Guards were stamping their feet intermittently.
"It's damn cold."
A younger Demon Suppression Guard sniffed, exhaling a puff of white mist.
"But it's strange. In previous years at this time, we brothers would've been so busy we wouldn't even have time to touch the ground. Unlike this year, for several months in a row, we haven't even heard of a decent major demon."
An older veteran nearby glanced at him. "Isn't it good that there are no major demons?"
"It's just because you're a newcomer who hasn't been in the trade for long and don't know any better. In our line of work, we live with our heads on our belts. Being idle is a blessing from the Ancestral Master."
The young Demon Suppression Guard chuckled.
"Boss, I just find it strange."
"In previous years, once winter set in, those Beasts in the mountains would run out of food and burrow into human settlements. How come this year they've all turned into turtles hiding their heads?"
The veteran scoffed. "You don't understand."
"Beasts are afraid of death too."
He looked around to make sure there were no outsiders, then whispered: "That Commander Jiang of ours went on a killing spree a few days ago."
"First, she slaughtered the Heaven-Pacifying True Lord outside Yumen Pass, then she single-handedly slew a Core Formation Dragon in the Black River. I heard... she even killed a Core Formation tree demon. Her fierce reputation has long spread throughout the Region."
"These Beasts may lack humanity, but they are well-informed."
"Knowing that our Longyou Commandery has produced someone not to be trifled with, who would dare show their face now? Isn't that like the God of Longevity eating arsenic—tired of living?"
The young Demon Suppression Guard's eyes lit up.
"That's true."
"If I were a demon, I'd be scared too... Tsk, though, it's been a while since I last saw her at the Dusi. I wonder where she is now..."
Before he could finish speaking.
The sound of rapid hoofbeats shattered the silence of the long street.
The men instinctively looked toward the source.
"That is..."
The young Demon Suppression Guard squinted. When he saw that cold, stunningly beautiful face, he exclaimed in shock.
"Lord Jiang?! It's Lord Jiang, she's back!"
The Demon Suppression Guards quickly straightened up, tidied their attire, and prepared to salute.
After all, in the Region's Demon Suppression Division, Jiang Yuechu's face was a living signboard; who didn't know her?
However.
The veteran's body suddenly stiffened.
A mysterious black official robe with red patterns like blood.
The most critical part was on her right shoulder.
For attire above the rank of Brigade Commander, at most, there would be a Divine Beast embroidered in gold thread on the shoulder.
But... the young girl before them...
Boom—!
Boom—!
Boom—!
The dull, heavy sound of the drum, like thunder, rolled out, instantly overpowering the howling north wind over the Region.
The Demon Suppression Guards who were still chatting in their barracks changed expressions instantly.
The General-Gathering Drum!
This drum is only beaten when a major demon attacks the city or for urgent military intelligence.
Other than that, there is only one situation.
It's a new official taking office, summoning the entire division for roll call!
"Quick! Quick! Quick!"
"The General-Gathering Drum has sounded; those who do not arrive within three beats will be beheaded!"
Countless Demon Suppression Guards in black uniforms came running from various duty rooms and training grounds.
Inside the main hall.
Those lined up on both sides were all high-ranking officials of the Longyou Commandery.
Deputy Generals, Brigade Commanders...
At this moment, the eyes of these high-ranking Demon Suppression officials were all fixed on the doorway.
Wei He stood at the first position on the left.
Although his face was calm, his hands, hanging within his sleeves, were slightly clenched.
Several days ago, he had received the document from the General Bureau.
It appointed Jiang Yuechu as the Commander of the Longyou Circuit Demon Suppression Dusi, in charge of all Demon Suppression matters in the Region!
Although he was mentally prepared.
Although he knew that this girl would surely have some good fortune after going to Chang'an.
Yet, when the black and white text was truly placed before his eyes, Wei He still felt a bit dazed.
Just then.
A steady, unhurried sound of footsteps clearly reached everyone's ears.
She's here!
Everyone's breath hitched.
Outside the main hall, the winter sunlight was blocked by a slender figure.
The young girl wore no crown, only having her ink-black hair tied up high, making her look extremely capable.
Her face was cold and stunningly beautiful, her skin whiter than snow.
If she were to change her clothes, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was a peerless courtesan who had walked out of some pleasure boat.
But, as it happened.
She was wearing that mysterious black official robe, symbolizing the highest authority of the Demon Suppression Division.
On the hem of the robe, red patterns like blood seemed to be slowly flowing.
What made it most impossible to look away from was her right shoulder.
A pure gold Suanni swallow-mouth, with angry eyes wide open and sharp fangs, was biting tightly onto that blood-red cloak.
As she walked, the red cloak billowed, as if a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood were following behind her.
A suffocating pressure rushed toward them.
Jiang Yuechu's gaze was calm as she slowly scanned the room.
Wherever her gaze landed, everyone subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to meet her eyes.
Finally.
Her gaze fell on Wei He.
"..."
Watching the young girl wink at him, he couldn't help but show a bitter smile.
This girl...
How is she still like this?
Jiang Yuechu didn't say much, stepped forward, and walked straight to the head seat.
Her cloak spread out like a throne stained with blood.
"This subordinate Wei He... greets the Commander."
This sound finally brought everyone back to their senses.
Clatter—!
The people in the hall.
Whether sincere or fake.
At this moment, they all knelt on one knee in unison, cupping their hands in salute.
"We, your subordinates!"
"Pay our respects to the Commander—!!!"
"Rise."
The cold voice echoed in the main hall.
Only then did everyone dare to stand up, though they remained standing with their heads bowed, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Although I have received the Imperial mandate to take charge of the Longyou Commandery, yet..."
Jiang Yuechu paused, her tone indifferent.
"I am young in age and dedicated to the martial path. As for these tedious administrative tasks, I am neither skilled at them nor interested in them."
"General Wei."
Wei He instinctively cupped his hands: "This subordinate is here."
"You have been in the Region for many years, working diligently and with great merit. You understand the rules of the Dusi better than I do."
"Therefore."
Jiang Yuechu leaned back slightly, resting against the back of the chair.
"From this day forth, all military and political affairs within the Dusi, personnel transfers, provisions and supplies..."
"Everything remains the same."
"Regardless of whether the matter is big or small, General Wei shall make the initial decisions. There is no need to seek my instructions for everything."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The hall was in an uproar.
Everyone raised their heads in disbelief, looking at the young girl sitting in the high seat, and then at the bewildered Wei He.
Is this delegating power?
Since ancient times, when a new official takes office, they want to set "three fires," eager to wipe away all traces of their predecessor and firmly grasp power in their own hands.
But this one...
Hardly had she sat down and warmed the seat when she pushed this immense power back exactly as it was?
Wei He was even more anxious and stepped forward.
"Commander! This... this is against protocol! You are the Commander, This subordinate is merely..."
"General Wei."
Wei He's body stiffened, and the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.
Jiang Yuechu looked at him, "You know my temperament."
"I am a lazy person, and I fear trouble."
"Let me go kill people, go slay demons; even if someone from the Mountain Gazing Realm comes, I would dare to raise my blade and hack at them."
"But if I were to sit in this main hall every day..."
She shook her head.
"That would be worse than killing me."
Wei He looked into those clear, bottomless eyes.
For a long time.
A warm current flowed through his heart, along with a bit of helplessness.
He took a deep breath and no longer declined.
He knelt on one knee again, cupped his hands, his voice loud and clear, shaking the main hall.
"This subordinate... accepts the order!"
"I will not fail the Commander's trust! I will not fail the people of the Region!"
Seeing Wei He agree, the other Deputy Generals and Brigade Commanders, no matter what thoughts they had, could only kneel down in unison.
"We will strictly obey the Commander's decree—!!!"
Jiang Yuechu nodded with satisfaction.
That's more like it.
With Wei He as a free laborer, she only needed to be responsible for holding down the fort and, by the way, farming Dao Cultivation. Why not?
This was the life of a Commander she wanted.
"That's it."
Jiang Yuechu stood up and waved her hand as if shooing away flies.
"Since everything is settled, you may all disperse."
"Perform your duties, go do what you need to do."
"If you encounter any tough problems you can't solve, or if demons somewhere are acting up again..."
"Come find me."