Chapter 159: The Thirteenth Zhen Mo General of Qingzhou

Words that shocked everyone.

Even Chen Qiankun's expression turned somewhat cold.

Zhang Hengzhou had already brought disaster to Linjiang Commandery, and the person he had recommended was now being called another Zhang Hengzhou — it was tantamount to pointing at his nose and cursing him for being blind with age.

But faced with this situation, the old man did not speak up to refute it.

Because he had nothing to say — there was no way to defend a young man he had only met twice.

Moreover, the reason he had raised this matter, apart from wanting to show off his own eye for talent, was that someone else had vouched for the man.

Aunt Aqian sat back down.

This matter could be left alone — after all, in the current situation in Qingzhou, if a powerful expert was willing to help, who would care how that person had grown strong.

But once it was brought up and the pretense was torn open, it absolutely could not be ignored.

She asked listlessly, "Where's the evidence?"

The General of Yang'an Commandery said in a heavy voice, "There's no evidence, but he grew far too quickly."

"Ridiculous. If there's no evidence, surely there must at least be a reason?" Aunt Aqian laughed coldly, shaking her head, and mocked, "Even Bai Lu died at his hands — is he a great demon? What is he plotting?"

"Plotting what?" The General of Yang'an Commandery was not intimidated by this Golden Bell Demon-Catcher, and looked over indifferently. "For example, gaining the trust of the Zhen Mo Si, and at the moment when the Regional Commander was locked in a standoff with the Howling Moon Demon King, getting close to the Regional Commander and delivering a fatal strike. Will you bear that consequence?"

"I'd like to know which of you here dares to shoulder that responsibility."

His gaze swept over the crowd, his voice cold and sharp.

Lin Baiwei could no longer understand what these Zhen Mo Generals were discussing. She had only wanted to recommend Shen Yi to her master, but in just a few words, Shen Yi had gone from an acting general to a great demon who could threaten her master.

Just as the crowd fell silent—

A cool, calm voice came from the seat at the far left.

"I will."

Jiang Qiulan, clad in dark-glowing profound armor, had been merged with the shadows the whole time, never speaking a word, so much so that everyone had subconsciously forgotten her presence.

But now, beneath her smooth, flowing hair, those clear eyes were unfathomably deep.

She rose casually and said lightly, "Any other questions?"

Jiang Yuanhua's eyelid twitched twice, and he stayed silent.

The generals exchanged glances and likewise said nothing. The General of Yang'an Commandery sighed and silently tucked the dossier back at his waist.

"Since there are no objections, let's disperse."

Jiang Qiulan gave a slight nod and walked toward the great doors.

Her tall figure paired with the grim, cold armor, a crimson cape swaying gently behind her.

"……"

The Zhen Mo Generals instinctively rose, then suddenly remembered the Regional Commander was still seated, and could not help feeling a little awkward.

Jiang Yuanhua waved his hand helplessly. "Why are you all looking at me? If she says disperse, then disperse."

He gazed at the back of his second disciple, his feelings growing ever more complicated, and then curiosity stirred in him toward that name that had been mentioned again and again.

What kind of person could this be, that he had made this group of generals — usually unmoved by anything — so unusually break into argument, and even drawn Qiulan into it?

"Sigh."

You Longtao seemed used to his junior sister's cold manner. He shook his head gently — as expected, the two young people had still met… the Heaven-Piercing Sun-Splitting Bow had been given away for nothing.

The General of Yang'an Commandery's heart weighed down — no matter how many more words he spoke, they would not weigh as much as Jiang Qiulan's single, casual sentence.

The reasoning was simple: she was Qingzhou's only hope.

As long as she was displeased, whether Shen Yi was a demon or not no longer mattered.

Just then, Lin Baiwei suddenly stepped forward, her little face flushed, and said indignantly, "Shen Yi is no demon! He learned Four Harmony True Astral in just a few days! If demons had that kind of talent, they would have flattened all twelve commanderies of Qingzhou long ago!"

"I sent a letter to my senior sister — she knows about this. She isn't using her status to pressure any of you seniors." The Miss clenched her fists.

Fang Heng stepped forward as well. Facing the many generals, he felt some fear, but struggled to keep his composure. "He learned Vein-Seizing Dragon-Subduing in five days… Lord Shen is a true genius."

Demons were more accustomed to using supernatural powers and innate gifts. If they could also possess such talent in martial cultivation… that would be a terrifying thing indeed.

Back then, Zhang Hengzhou had also needed over a hundred years to learn the martial arts of Qingfeng Mountain — clearly, his great fame had been built on his demon cultivation.

But Shen Yi was different. What he had learned was one of the Regional Commander's personally transmitted supreme arts — something that could not have leaked out, giving him a chance to practice it in advance.

He had simply flipped through the manual right in front of everyone, and within a few days he could use it.

Because he was too monstrous, he could not possibly be an actual monster.

If he were a demon, the only possibility would be that the Regional Commander was putting on an act for everyone along with him.

"……"

Jiang Yuanhua suddenly noticed the Zhen Mo Generals casting suspicious glances his way.

He cleared his throat and said softly, "Enough. It's time someone helped ease General Chen's burden. Open the internal armory and send a set of dark-glowing profound armor to our new general."

Hearing this, Lin Baiwei calmed her emotions, then suddenly sensed something was off.

Wait — wasn't the plan to recommend Shen Yi to her master as a disciple?

How had it turned into a Zhen Mo General?

She widened her eyes — and… Jiang Shijie Jiang had just vouched for Shen Yi?

Why?

Fang Heng cast a sympathetic glance at Jiang Shijie Lin. Even he, who often saw Lord Shen, had felt a bit dazed upon learning of these matters.

Let alone Jiang Shijie, who had just received three months' worth of news about the man all at once — she would need time to digest it.

"……"

About an incense stick's worth of time later, the Zhen Mo Si, far emptier than before, suddenly grew noisy and bustling.

Nearly every Captain and Vice-General rushed out.

They stared fixedly at the opened internal armory, and then saw over twenty personal attendant Vice-Generals, each with different golden embroidery on their collars, yet moving in perfect unison as they clustered around Old Master Chen Qiankun at the very center.

In his hands, a brand-new set of dark color is heavy armor gleamed with a cold, chilling light, and a crimson cloak hung like a bloodstained banner.

Outfits like this — there were no more than twelve of them in all of Outside Qingzhou.

Chen Qiankun took two steps, then suddenly stopped: "Right, where is my personal aide-de-camp?"

He suddenly remembered that the man was supposed to come stand guard at the gate today, yet up to now there had been no sign of him.

"…"

The gathered crowd exchanged uncertain glances.

Outside Qingzhou had rarely granted the title of acting general, and now no one knew where the general had gone?

Aunt Aqian stood with her hands clasped behind her back, a touch of displeasure on her face. She kept feeling as though a capable demon-hunter had been snatched away from her — and what was even harder to swallow was that, before being taken, that person had used up every single chance Outside Qingzhou's demon-hunters had to be tempered at the Martial Shrine… On what grounds? In what way were demon-hunters inferior to a Great Demon-Subduing General?

She shook her head and looked toward another spot.

A touch of emotion welled up in her eyes.

There, beneath a distant tree, Jiang Yuanhua wore a smile. Before him stood a stately, richly dressed beauty — full-figured, brimming with charm.

The object of their casual chat was, unmistakably, the Miss wearing heavy armor beside them.

Jiang Qiulan gazed calmly at the horizon; across her naturally exquisite features, a flicker of almost imperceptible weariness passed.

(End of chapter)