Chapter 110: The Deng Family of Yong'an City

Tingyang Commandery, Yong'an City.

The somewhat mottled city walls were dotted with patches of moss-green.

It couldn't compare to the grandeur and solemnity of Outside Qingzhou, but the crowds coming and going were lively enough.

A horse carriage blended into the throng of people, slowly rolling into the city and stopping before the most prosperous compound within.

The Deng family had held sway over Yong'an City for several hundred years; no one had ever dared to brush its tiger's whiskers.

Within this compound lived the city's only Nascent Core Realm expert, who shielded the entire city from harm by demons and monsters, a status lofty in the extreme.

Yet at this moment, the young master of the Deng family was, unusually, waiting at the gate, with not the slightest trace of impatience on his face.

The reason, upon investigation, was the Miss standing gracefully beside him.

"Miss Rou, I've already arranged a sun-facing courtyard for your uncle and prepared a welcome banquet. I wonder if there's anything else you'd like prepared in advance?"

Deng Mingxu wore a smile, every inch the gentleman.

Hearing this, Lin Rou, with a touch of shyness, said gently and at a loss: "Young Master Deng, there's no need for such trouble. Uncle and I can share one courtyard."

Gazing at the wisp of pink on those fair, tender cheeks, Deng Mingxu's heart immediately itched a little. Hearing her words, he nodded as if suddenly enlightened.

What "uncle" — most likely just a bodyguard sent from her family because he couldn't rest easy leaving Miss Rou alone?

Soon, the arriving carriage came to a steady stop, and a broad-shouldered figure stepped down first.

Taking in the honest, middle-aged face, and glancing at the coarse hemp clothing on the man's body, Deng Mingxu grew even more certain of his guess.

But he didn't expose it, instead stepping forward warmly: "I am Deng Mingxu, paying my respects to Uncle."

Jiang Chengyun threw a casual clasped-fist salute: "I don't recall meeting you anywhere."

"You must be joking." Deng Mingxu's smile stiffened slightly. Hearing movement inside the carriage, he hurriedly turned around: "So there's another uncle as well."

Before the words faded, a dignified, dashing youth in dark robes stepped down from the carriage and gave him a polite nod.

"This one — this one is also Uncle?"

Deng Mingxu unconsciously opened his mouth, stared at the other's handsome face, and turned back to Lin Rou in astonishment: "Also… also staying in one courtyard?"

Lin Rou, clearly, was also somewhat caught off guard.

Fortunately, Jiang Chengyun had already taken large strides toward the main gate: "This is our family's young… one of my juniors. Quickly prepare some hot water — I'm about to be jolted to death from the road."

Hearing the middle-aged man accidentally let slip, Deng Mingxu immediately caught on and politely ushered the group into the Deng residence.

He even personally led them to their quarters, instructed two servants to heat water, and only then smiled: "Tonight I've prepared some wine and dishes; I hope Uncle will do me the honor."

Seeing Jiang Chengyun nod, Deng Mingxu's heart leaped with joy.

The Deng family being a prominent clan of Yong'an City was true enough, but what they relied on was the family's old ancestor, who had once obtained a fortuitous encounter and luckily broken through to the Nascent Core Realm.

Now that the old ancestor was advanced in years, the Deng family's decline was almost a foregone conclusion. Though it wouldn't be too dire, maintaining their current transcendent, aloof status was almost impossible.

Never had he expected to chance upon a young lady from a great clan hailing from Lady Yushan Commandery.

Even though Miss Lin Rou had concealed it well, the noble air about her had been spotted by Deng Mingxu at a glance. He had exhausted every means before finally managing to strike up a conversation.

The other party was clearly an inexperienced young girl, her thoughts reserved. He had only just shown a little interest, and Miss Rou had already grown flustered — actually inviting her future elder brother over, which must surely be an inspection of him.

Recalling the dashing bearing of the youth in dark robes, Deng Mingxu immediately felt rather dwarfed by comparison. Amidst his nervousness, he carefully replayed his earlier loss of composure, wishing he could slap himself across the face.

"Please, you all catch up first; I'll take my leave."

He cupped his hands in salute, preparing to go back and change into another outfit — he couldn't afford to lose too badly to the future elder brother.

After Deng Mingxu withdrew from the courtyard.

"Phew."

Lin Rou quietly rolled her eyes and walked inside to sit down.

Seeing Jiang Chengyun and the unfamiliar youth walk in, she casually pulled the door shut, leaned back against the chair, and crossed one leg over the other: "Jiang Laoda, you owe me a favor — remember to pay it back next time."

"Or pay it back right now."

Jiang Chengyun produced the aura of a mid-stage of Jade Liquid Realm demon, tossed it over casually. Lin Rou took it with a grin and drew out a small copper bell to store it inside.

Having said that, he looked toward Shen Yi: "In the future, if you entrust matters to others and feel it's too much trouble to repay them in kind, you can also use this kind of thing as thanks."

"A rookie?"

Hearing this, Lin Rou looked over curiously.

Even something this basic needs to be taught — what's the point of coming all the way to Yong'an City?

"Mm."

Shen Yi gave a slight nod, not wanting to miss any chance to learn: "What do we do next?"

"What else? Now that we've finally hooked the silly young master of the Deng family, we use his old ancestor as bait to fish for demons and monsters, of course." Lin Rou stretched lazily.

Jiang Chengyun rolled his wrist and likewise found a chair to sit down: "If it's a hunt like last time, there's no way we can let this city's only Nascent Core Realm expert off the hook — otherwise there'd be no need to choose Yong'an City. To make sure the news doesn't leak and to prevent this venerable Nascent Core Realm expert from fleeing the area, I asked her to come ahead and pave the way."

"The demon's target is him; in order to save his own life, he can also become my asset."

Shen Yi listened in silence, committing all this experience to memory.

Indeed, once you step outside, the methods of imperial court people really are decisive enough.

If they had informed the Deng family's old ancestor in advance and let him prepare, the chance of casualties would be greatly reduced — but inevitably, the whole matter would give rise to many variables.

To ensure the merit landed in their hands, this old ancestor, even if he had to die, had to die within Yong'an City.

This was probably the difference between demon hunters and Zhen Mo Si.

"How many demon hunters have come to the city?" Jiang Chengyun glanced to the side again.

"About thirty, I suppose. Most of them are here to pick up scraps." Lin Rou propped her chin on one hand and extended the fingers of the other: "There's one who, by sheer chance, saved a dandy's life and then became sworn brothers with him; one who's delivering vegetables to a noble house's kitchen; and even one disguised as a top courtesan, who had set her sights on Deng Mingxu — but I cut her off, hehe."

"In front of a young master like this, playing a flashy seductress can't hold a candle to the appeal of a pure, innocent young lady from a noble house."

In just a few words, virtually every force in Yong'an City that could be named had been tied to the fishing hook by demon hunters.

The most enticing among them was, without question, the Deng family.

But anyone daring to eye this juicy prize would need at least Nascent Core Realm cultivation to pull it off.

Jiang Chengyun guessed almost immediately: "Xiao Qiangwei?"

"Once she's back in Qingzhou City, if she comes looking for trouble, Jiang Laoda, you'll have to stand up for me." Lin Rou blinked pitifully, then skipped past the topic and glanced at the young man beside her.

She took out the aura she had just obtained and twirled it around her index finger.

"Little brother, once this matter's wrapped up, any interest in going to slay a demon with big sister?"

"We'll see."

Shen Yi adjusted his breathing and, noncommittally, drew his gaze back.

Compared with a single mid-stage of Jade Liquid Realm demon, he was far more interested in the tiger demons that would soon be arriving at Yong'an City.

"Oh, playing it cool, huh?" Lin Rou was a little surprised.

"I'd advise you not to provoke him." Jiang Chengyun closed his eyes to rest. The demon he himself was going to slay, Shen Yi had no ability to snatch; but this Miss's demon—if she really brought him along, it might not still be hers.

(End of chapter)