Chapter 12: Lin'an City

Guangyuan Prefecture, Lin'an City.

After receiving his assessment mission, Shen Changqing headed straight for Lin'an City.

For this assessment mission, he was traveling alone.

While the Demon Suppression Division might seem to have plenty of manpower, the reality was that the number of demons and ghosts existing across the various regions was far greater. It was simply impossible to spare several people to complete a single task.

Furthermore, considering Shen Changqing’s strength, Jiang Zuo had simply allowed him to head to Lin'an City by himself.

After nearly ten days, Shen Changqing finally arrived at Lin'an City.

Unlike the prosperity of the capital, Lin'an City appeared much more modest.

However, he did not pay much attention to these external appearances. His purpose in coming here was to eliminate demons and evil spirits; as for anything else, it had little to do with him.

Presenting his identity token, Shen Changqing entered the yamen with ease.

The Magistrate of Lin'an City came to greet him immediately.

"I am Zhao Fang, the Magistrate. May I ask for your name, sir?"

"Shen Changqing, Probationary Demon Slayer of the Demon Suppression Division's Yellow Department!"

Shen Changqing bowed slightly.

As he spoke, he was already sizing up the man before him.

Long before arriving in Lin'an City, Shen Changqing had already collected a great deal of information regarding the city, including this very Magistrate.

The man had served as the Magistrate of Lin'an City for nearly twenty years.

In those twenty years, Lin'an City had suffered several demonic disasters, yet Zhao Fang had remained as steady as a mountain, holding onto his position throughout.

In this regard, Shen Changqing felt a measure of admiration.

He had to admire him.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have resigned and retired after encountering one or two demonic disasters, not daring to linger in Lin'an City any longer.

But Zhao Fang was different.

He had not retreated through several demonic disasters.

This courage alone was something others could not compare to.

While Shen Changqing was observing Zhao Fang, Zhao Fang was doing the same to him.

But after only a moment, he withdrew his gaze, a warm smile appearing on his face.

"So it is Magistrate Shen from the Demon Suppression Division. Since you have traveled from afar, why not rest in the city for the night? Tomorrow, I shall explain the situation regarding the demons to you in detail."

"No need. Eliminating demons and evil spirits brooks no delay. If I rest for another day, perhaps one more person will lose their life. It is better to handle it promptly."

Shen Changqing shook his head.

In his heart, completing the mission was what mattered most. As for other things, they could wait until later.

Hearing this, the warmth on Zhao Fang's face increased even more. "Magistrate Shen is truly kind-hearted; I am deeply impressed. Since you are anxious to deal with the demons, I shall have someone brief you immediately."

Having said that, his expression turned solemn.

"Someone, come here!"

"What are your orders, sir?" A yamen runner standing behind him stepped forward at the right moment.

"Pass on my order: have Head Constable Zhang come here immediately."

"Yes!"

The runner acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Only after he had left did Zhao Fang’s smile return. "Magistrate Shen, please follow me to the inner hall to be seated."

"Many thanks!"

—

In the inner hall of the yamen, Shen Changqing and Zhao Fang sat on opposite sides.

Just as a servant brought in tea, a tall, somewhat elderly man walked in with a sword at his waist.

"Magistrate Zhao!"

"Head Constable Zhang is here. Please, take a seat!"

Zhao Fang nodded and gestured toward Shen Changqing to introduce him.

"This is Magistrate Shen Changqing from the Demon Suppression Division. This is Zhang Long, the Head Constable of our Lin'an City yamen. Head Constable Zhang has served for over ten years; he is a veteran. If you have any questions, Magistrate Shen, feel free to ask him."

Upon being introduced, Shen Changqing turned his gaze toward Zhang Long.

As soon as the man had entered, he had noticed the surging blood and energy within him; clearly, he had attained a high level of mastery in external martial arts.

Body Tempering Realm!

And certainly not an ordinary Body Tempering Realm practitioner.

It was highly likely he was a martial artist who had reached the late or even peak stage of the Body Tempering Realm.

Shen Changqing bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Head Constable Zhang."

"Magistrate Shen is too kind!" Zhang Long, feeling somewhat flattered, hurriedly bowed in return. "I do not know what you wish to learn, sir, but please, feel free to ask."

He did not know the extent of Shen Changqing's background, but the mere mention of the "Demon Suppression Division" was enough to explain a great deal.

No matter where one went, people from the Demon Suppression Division held immense status. Even Zhao Fang, the Magistrate, had to treat him with courtesy, let alone a small Head Constable like himself.

More importantly, when facing Shen Changqing, Zhang Long realized he could not discern a single thing about him.

As a member of the Demon Suppression Division, it was impossible for him to have no cultivation at all.

There was only one reason he couldn't tell: the Shen Changqing before him possessed strength far superior to his own.

Thinking of this, Zhang Long dared not be the least bit disrespectful.

Shen Changqing said, "I received intelligence at the Demon Suppression Division that demons have appeared in Lin'an City. I hope Head Constable Zhang can provide a comprehensive account of the situation."

"Demons..."

Head Constable Zhang nodded, his expression gradually calming as if recalling something. After a long while, he spoke slowly.

"Half a month ago, someone came to report a murder case. We immediately dispatched runners to investigate. When we arrived, we discovered that all the dead had turned into dried corpses.

After the coroner's examination, it was determined that they had not been dead for long, yet the essence and blood in their bodies had been drained, as if they had been dead for many years.

We realized immediately that it must be the work of demons."

In the inner hall, Shen Changqing sat listening to Zhang Long.

What the man said matched the intelligence he had received at the Demon Suppression Division almost perfectly.

After the man finished, Shen Changqing asked, "And after the dried corpses were discovered, did anything else happen?"

"I happen to know a little about that," Zhao Fang interjected before Zhang Long could speak.

"After confirming it was the work of demons, we had the villagers moved out and sealed off the entire village, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving for the time being. As of now, nothing else has occurred."

Discovering demons and immediately relocating all the villagers—Shen Changqing deeply approved of Zhao Fang's approach.

According to the Demon Suppression Division's intelligence, the ghost that killed the people was only of the 'Ghost' grade. As the lowest level of ghost, it could not easily leave its original location and usually relied on certain objects as a carrier.

In other words, as long as the villagers were moved out and the village was sealed, there would be no other problems in the short term.

After all, while ghosts were terrifying, it depended on the level of the ghost.

Although Ghost-grade entities were very troublesome, they could be contained if handled properly.

"Magistrate Zhao is quite experienced in this!" Shen Changqing remarked pointedly.

Zhao Fang gave a bitter smile. "There is no other way. Lin'an City has frequently suffered from demonic disasters in recent years. Even the most inflexible person would understand how to handle such things by now.

Fortunately, the demons that have appeared so far have not caused too much impact. Now that Magistrate Shen has arrived, there will be even fewer problems. After all, the Demon Suppression Division has slain countless demons throughout history. With your strength, Magistrate Shen, there should be no issue in dealing with this."

By the end, Zhao Fang had subtly flattered him.

In the face of demons, ordinary people had no means of resistance. Only the experts of the Demon Suppression Division could truly deal with them.

Although Shen Changqing was a Probationary Demon Slayer—the lowest rank among all slayers—the fact that the Division had sent him meant he had the ability to handle it.

Zhao Fang dared not show any contempt.

"Where is the village where the demons appeared?"

"About ten miles outside the East Gate of Lin'an City," Zhang Long answered this time.

After speaking, he did not wait for Shen Changqing to reply and continued, "If you wish to visit the village, Magistrate Shen, perhaps wait until tomorrow. It is late now, and visibility is poor at night, which is inconvenient for dealing with demons. Going during the day, with the scorching sun, will actually be easier."

"That will do."

Shen Changqing did not refuse Zhang Long's suggestion. It wasn't that it was truly better to deal with demons during the day.

Strictly speaking, demons were not afraid of the scorching sun.

Whether it was day or night, their strength would neither diminish nor increase.

It was only in the eyes of ordinary people that demons were considered yin-evil entities, leading them to believe that demons feared the sun and would not easily show themselves during the day, while their strength would increase at night.

The reason Shen Changqing did not want to go now was that he had been traveling for a long time, and even a master at the Pulse-Opening Realm could not withstand such exhaustion.

Furthermore, it was already late.

Although he could see at night, it was still different from the daytime.

Soon, Zhao Fang arranged for Shen Changqing's lodging.

Considering that the man was from the Demon Suppression Division, he dared not show any negligence.

Zhao Fang had originally wanted to host Shen Changqing at his own residence, but since the man refused, he had no choice but to arrange for him to stay at the best inn in the city.

Though Lin'an City was small, it was well-equipped. It lacked nothing that it ought to have.

Led by Zhang Long, Shen Changqing arrived at the inn. Due to the memories of his past life, he was indifferent to the inn's environment.

"Please rest well, Magistrate Shen. I shall come to see you again tomorrow morning!"

"I have troubled you, Head Constable Zhang."

"You are too kind, Magistrate Shen. I shall take my leave!"

Zhang Long bowed and retreated.

Immediately, Shen Changqing was left alone in the guest room.

He did not go to sleep right away, but instead pondered a few things. After all, this was his first mission, and he could not afford to be careless.

Moreover, the target was a ghost; one moment of carelessness could cost him his life.

For the sake of his own survival, Shen Changqing had to treat this matter with the utmost caution.

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(End of chapter)