Chapter 111: The Deng Family of Yong

Tingyang Commandery, Yong’an City.

The city walls, slightly weathered, were dotted with patches of green.

It lacked the grand solemnity of Qingzhou City, but the crowds coming and going were still lively.

A carriage blended into the throng of people and slowly entered the city, stopping before the most bustling courtyard within.

The Deng family had held sway over Yong’an City for centuries, and no one had ever dared to provoke them.

This courtyard housed the city’s only Golden Core expert, protecting the entire city from demons and monsters, holding a position of supreme prestige.

Yet now, the Deng family’s young master was unusually waiting at the gate, his face showing not a trace of impatience.

The reason was the graceful young lady standing beside him.

“Miss Lin, I’ve already arranged a morning-facing courtyard for your uncle and prepared a welcoming feast—do you need anything else prepared in advance?”

Deng Mingxu smiled warmly, exuding elegance.

Hearing this, Lin Rou blushed slightly and replied softly, uncertain: “Young Master Deng, there’s no need for such trouble—my uncle and I can share one courtyard.”

Seeing the faint pink on her fair cheeks, Deng Mingxu felt a sudden itch in his chest; hearing her words, he nodded as if understanding.

“Uncle”? Probably just a guard sent by her family, here to keep an eye on Miss Lin.

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

Seeing the middle-aged man’s plain face and coarse linen robes, Deng Mingxu grew even more certain of his guess.

But he didn’t expose it—instead, he warmly stepped forward: “I’m Deng Mingxu, honored to meet Uncle.”

Jiang Chengyun waved his fist casually: “I don’t recall ever seeing you before.”

“You’re joking,” Deng Mingxu’s smile stiffened; then he heard movement from inside the carriage and quickly turned: “So there’s another uncle?”

Before he finished speaking, a dignified young man in black robes stepped down from the carriage and nodded politely to him.

“This—this one is also Uncle?”

Deng Mingxu involuntarily opened his mouth, staring at the young man’s handsome face, then turned back in shock to Lin Rou: “Also… share the same courtyard?”

Lin Rou was clearly caught off guard too.

Fortunately, Jiang Chengyun had already marched toward the gate: “This is my young master… er, one of my juniors. Quick, prepare hot water—I’ve been shaken to pieces on the road.”

Hearing the middle-aged man slip up, Deng Mingxu instantly realized the truth and courteously ushered the three inside the Deng household.

He personally led them to their quarters, ordered two servants to boil water, then smiled: “I’ve prepared a modest banquet tonight—hope Uncle will grace us with your presence.”

Seeing Jiang Chengyun nod, Deng Mingxu’s heart swelled with joy.

The Deng family was indeed a prominent clan of Yong’an City, but their status rested solely on their ancestral elder, who had once stumbled upon a miraculous opportunity and barely attained the Golden Core realm.

Now that the elder was old and frail, the Deng family’s decline was all but inevitable—though not yet dire, maintaining their current transcendent status was nearly impossible.

Yet somehow, he had stumbled upon a young lady from the prestigious Yushan Commandery.

Even though Miss Lin had concealed it well, Deng Mingxu had spotted her noble aura at a glance; he’d spent countless efforts just to speak with her.

She was clearly an inexperienced girl, reserved in heart—he’d barely hinted at his intentions, and she’d already grown flustered, even inviting her future brother-in-law over, surely to test him.

Thinking of the black-robed youth’s bearing, Deng Mingxu felt utterly outclassed; nervous and ashamed, he replayed his earlier blunder in his mind, wishing he could slap himself.

“You three catch up—I’ll take my leave.”

He bowed, preparing to return and change his clothes—he couldn’t afford to be outshone by the future brother-in-law.

After Deng Mingxu withdrew from the courtyard.

“Phew.”

Lin Rou rolled her eyes subtly, sat down inside the room.

Seeing Jiang Chengyun and the unfamiliar youth enter, she shut the door behind them, leaned back in her chair, and crossed her legs: “Jiang Laoda, you owe me a favor—remember to pay me back next time.”

“Pay me back now.”

Jiang Chengyun pulled out an aura from a Jade Liquid mid-stage demon and tossed it over; Lin Rou caught it with a grin and placed it inside a small bronze bell.

Then he turned to Shen Yi: “If you ever need someone to do you a favor and find repaying them too troublesome, you can use this as payment.”

“Newcomer?”

Hearing this, Lin Rou glanced curiously at him.

Teaching even the most basic things? What’s he doing in Yong’an City?

“Mm.”

Shen Yi gave a slight nod, seizing every chance to learn: “What’s next?”

“What else? Now that we’ve hooked this fool of a Deng heir, we bait the demons with his ancestral elder,” Lin Rou stretched lazily.

Jiang Chengyun twisted his wrists and sat down on another chair: “If we were hunting like last time, we wouldn’t have chosen Yong’an City at all—otherwise, we’d never let this lone Golden Core expert live. To prevent word from leaking and ensure he doesn’t flee, I asked her to come ahead and lay the groundwork.”

“The demons target him—he’ll fight for his life and become my ally.”

Shen Yi listened in silence, storing every detail in his mind.

Indeed, the methods of imperial officials were ruthlessly decisive.

If they’d warned the Deng elder in advance to prepare, casualties would’ve dropped sharply—but the entire operation would’ve become unpredictable.

To guarantee the achievement, this elder must die inside Yong’an City—even if it kills him.

This is likely the difference between demon hunters and the Demon Suppression Bureau.

“How many demon hunters arrived in the city?” Jiang Chengyun glanced sideways.

“About thirty, mostly here to scavenge scraps,” Lin Rou propped her chin, flicking a fingertip: “Some pretended to save a playboy’s life and became sworn brothers; others delivered vegetables to noble kitchens; one even disguised as a courtesan, eyeing Deng Mingxu—I intercepted her, hehe.”

“In front of a rich young master, flashy seduction can’t compete with the allure of a pure-hearted noble lady.”

In just a few words, nearly every notable faction in Yong’an City had been hooked.

The most tempting prize? The Deng family.

But only those with at least a Golden Core cultivation base dared to target this fat meat.

Jiang Chengyun quickly guessed: “Xiao Qiangwei?”

“If she causes trouble after returning to Qingzhou City, Jiang Laoda, you’ve got to stand up for me,” Lin Rou blinked pitifully, then moved past the topic to look at the young man beside her.

She twirled the newly acquired aura on her index finger.

“Little brother, when this is over, want to come with me to kill a demon?”

“Maybe later.”

Shen Yi adjusted his qi, withdrawing his gaze without comment.

Compared to a Jade Liquid mid-stage demon, he was far more interested in the several tiger demons soon to arrive in Yong’an City.

“Oh? Quite aloof,” Lin Rou said, surprised.

“I advise you not to provoke him,” Jiang Chengyun closed his eyes to rest—his own target demon, Shen Yi couldn’t take; but if this girl took him along for hers, it might not stay hers anymore.

(End of Chapter)