Chapter 158: Who Approves, Who Objects

In days no different from before.

Two extra carriages appeared within the city of Qingzhou. The first belonged to Zhen Mo Si, while the one behind it was startlingly lavish—gilded in gold and inlaid with jade—drawn by eight snow-white demon horses with a single horn on each of their heads.

The carriages stopped at the gates of the Zhen Mo Si government office.

As several figures stepped inside, more than ten letters were dispatched at top speed to the twelve commanderies of Qingzhou.

The wind-and-rain-tossed sky swiftly grew utterly still, and the turbulent situation settled in an instant.

From every major commandery, imposing carriages of identical make rolled out, converging on the city of Qingzhou.

As the carriages streamed into the city—

One figure after another stepped into the Zhen Mo Si government office. Their ages and expressions varied; the only thing they shared was the black-armored sheen of their mystic armor and the eye-searingly bright crimson cloaks they wore.

Inside the largest hall of the government office—

An immensely broad, jet-black great table stretched all the way to the doorway.

As the many figures took their seats, nearly twenty personal aides and deputy generals slowly closed the great doors, then stood guard at the entrance with blades in hand.

In the somewhat dim hall, the seat of honor was occupied by a middle-aged man in a long robe, his features utterly unremarkable, his elbows resting on the table, his ten fingers interlaced.

Behind him stood three young people.

Fang Heng and Bai Ziming stood with their hands clasped behind their backs; beside them was a pretty girl in white.

Along both sides of the long table, the twelve Zhen Mo Generals, in turn, presented the prepared dossiers, then fell silent, waiting for the middle-aged man to review them. Only one little girl yawned out of boredom.

Bai Ziming raised an eyebrow and sent a message through secret-sound transmission: "Condensed the elixir yet?"

With a casual wave of his hand, the middle-aged man froze this beloved Physician Bai in place like a block of wood, leaving only his eyeballs still able to move.

Fang Heng kept his head lowered, fists clenched, holding back laughter.

Lin Baiwei cast a helpless glance at the two of them; her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.

Three months had passed, and at last she had returned to the city of Qingzhou.

She very much wanted to know whether the letters she had left behind had actually been read by this group of senior and junior brothers… and by Aunt Aqian.

Whether they had taken even a little care of Shen Yi, the newcomer from Boyun County.

After some unknown stretch of time, the middle-aged man finally gave a nod and pushed the dossiers aside: "All done well."

Only when his words fell did most of the Zhen Mo Generals collectively exhale in relief.

Jiang Yuanhua—the sole Wu Xian of Qingzhou, holder of the Regional Commander's seat.

It was precisely his deterrence that had kept Qingzhou stable to this day, under the gaze of the Howling Moon Demon King.

"Public business is done. Let's talk private business."

A smile spread across Jiang Yuanhua's face as he looked back at the young girl behind him. Seeing her shift her gaze away in some embarrassment, he said lightly: "I plan to take on one more disciple. What do you all think?"

At his words, the many generals all started.

The Regional Commander's disciples were each existences whose talent crushed their peers—in other words, the Regional Commander's successors.

A matter like this certainly required careful consideration.

"Does Master already have a candidate in mind?" You Longtao glanced sideways.

Jiang Yuanhua did not answer, only looking back at the young girl once more.

Lin Baiwei stepped forward somewhat nervously: "Eldest Zhu Shixiong, it was I who recommended him… His name is Shen Yi. He's a constable from Boyun County, just joined Zhen Mo Si three months ago. He…"

She was indeed a disciple of the Regional Commander, but her seniority was still shallow, and within Zhen Mo Si she could hardly be said to have any real say.

To avoid being questioned by the others, she struggled to organize her words, wanting to quickly list a few of Shen Yi's merits—but facing this group of Embracing Elixir Realm experts, she found herself at a loss for where to begin.

Lin Baiwei did not notice that the faces of the senior and junior brothers behind her seemed to hold not even a shred of curiosity, and didn't even consider this a matter worth discussing.

Upon hearing that name—

You Longtao paused, then smiled: "Oh, then I have no objections."

Jiang Yuanhua looked over in some surprise. He knew this eldest disciple of his best of all—no matter what decision the man made, he would think it over and over again. Why had his disposition changed today?

Lin Baiwei also raised her eyes blankly, then delight flooded her gaze.

With even Eldest Zhu Shixiong nodding, the matter was essentially settled. She didn't know why, but that didn't matter.

"Hold on. I disagree."

Just then, a small arm stretched out lazily from some chair.

Aunt Aqian, with her legs crossed, said with a grin under the puzzled gazes of the crowd: "Shen Yi is a Demon-Catcher. On what grounds should he be your disciple?"

At her words, Lin Baiwei's red lips parted in surprise—she hadn't expected that in such a short time, the young man had already become a Demon-Catcher…

She hurriedly explained: "Auntie, I am also a Demon-Catcher."

Aunt Aqian shook her head and consoled her: "Little girl, it's not the same."

A talent like Shen Yi, even placed in Jingcheng, would be valued by others. There was no need to be trapped in a place like Qingzhou, taking on the position of a Wu Xian.

"…"

Jiang Yuanhua interlaced his fingers once more, finding the matter had suddenly become interesting.

Lin Baiwei still wanted to say something, but Fang Heng quietly reminded her: "Senior Sister, wait a moment…"

Today's matters had only just begun.

"Mm?" Lin Baiwei turned her head in confusion.

Immediately after, she heard another aged voice.

Chen Qiankun rose slowly: "Let the matter of the Regional Commander taking a disciple be set aside for now. This old man does have one thing to say."

"Go ahead." Jiang Yuanhua gestured.

General Qiankun's strength was not particularly great, but his seniority was second only to his own.

Chen Qiankun gave a slight nod of his chin and continued: "I myself feel my heart and strength are worn out, and I no longer have the energy to shelter Linjiang Commandery. I wish to appoint a personal aide to act as a general in my stead, so that while I can still move, I may help watch over Linjiang Commandery for a time more, before he has fully grown."

An acting Zhen Mo General?

Jiang Yuanhua narrowed his eyes slightly: "Another Embracing Elixir Realm expert has appeared in Outside Qingzhou? Who is the candidate? General Chen, just speak plainly."

When it came to such a major matter, Lin Baiwei did not dare bring up the matter of her master taking a disciple again. Though she was somewhat anxious, she forcibly restrained her emotions.

Yet the next moment, she once again heard that familiar name.

Her entire mind went dizzy.

"Shen Yi."

Chen Qiankun slowly sat back down, the smile in his murky eyes deepening.

The outstanding youth he had personally chosen — it was time for him to first reveal his brilliance in Outside Qingzhou.

Hearing these words, Aunt Aqian knit her brows tightly, stood on her chair, and waved her arm vigorously: "Opposed, opposed! Shen Yi said he wouldn't walk the path of nurturing the Yin God, so how can he be a Demon-Suppressing General?"

Before she could finish speaking.

A figure below also stood up, his gaze cold: "I also oppose."

Compared to Aunt Aqian's antics, Jiang Yuanhua clearly valued the opinion of this Yang'an Prefecture General more: "The reason?"

The Yang'an Prefecture General took a dossier from his waist and gently spread it open: "Because he is from Bai Yunxian of Yang'an Prefecture, and after I heard of the destruction of the Vajra Sect, I happened to look up his information."

"Regarding this, I have only one conclusion."

Nearly everyone looked toward him.

The Yang'an Prefecture General gave a cold laugh: "I believe he is a second Zhang Hengzhou, or rather… a great demon far surpassing the Flood Dragon Lord."

(End of chapter)