Chapter 162: Returning in Glory

The next morning.

Chen Qiankun temporarily reassigned the two trusted subordinate officers he had brought to Shen Yi, and also lent him his mount, allowing the young man to become familiar with his future team.

Only after the group left Qingzhou City did he hurry toward the General's Mansion.

"I cannot understand—he is my Linjiang Commandery's Demon Subduing General; why does this inspection completely disregard my opinion?"

The old man's face bore an unusual flicker of anger; as the oldest and most seasoned general in Qingzhou, even the Qingzhou General-in-Chief owed him some respect.

Jiang Yuanhua rose to greet him, shaking his head with a faint smile: "If he cannot even intimidate a fox demon at the peak of Embracing Elixir Realm, how can Shen Yi protect Linjiang Commandery for you?"

"General Jiang, stop trying to deceive me with such words!"

Chen Qiankun's eyes narrowed slightly: "That fox demon left Daqian, became a disciple of Qingqiu, and has now returned after mastering her arts—this is her moment of glory, returning home in triumph. You refuse to go yourself, refuse to send your own disciple, yet force my personally chosen Demon Subduing General to provoke this trouble—what are you thinking?!"

Are your own child made of gold, while others' children are merely clay?

If this matter is mishandled even slightly, it will offend Qingqiu, a major power.

"Lower your voice," Jiang Yuanhua said, his smile fading as he glanced briefly at the two women seated across from him.

A graceful matron, fingers delicately pinching a go stone, asked softly, while the ethereal young woman remained silent, her gaze cold, her white hand drawing five black stones in a row before withdrawing.

The matron lightly covered her red lips: "Qiulan, you don't play go like that."

Jiang Qiulan still showed no intention of returning her gaze to the board; she had no time to learn music, go, calligraphy, or painting. In her rules, the outcome was already decided—what did it matter what rules the other understood?

"…."

Jiang Yuanhua turned back to Old Man Chen, his voice calm: "Qiulan has more important matters to attend to, and I must remain here to watch over her. You know how strong she is—in the same courtyard, even I cannot afford to be distracted."

"Moreover, becoming a Demon Subduing General requires more than strength—it demands learning how to deal with demons and monsters. This is an excellent opportunity… merely a disciple of Qingqiu. Even if we truly offend her, Jiang Mou may be unworthy, but I still have a little face left."

Hearing the latter half, Chen Qiankun finally let out a cold snort and ceased his questioning.

Perhaps Shen Yi's decisive manner of handling affairs had earned him considerable appreciation—even the slightest trouble clinging to the young man made him feel uneasy.

With the General's promise, he was barely satisfied.

The old man recalled the earlier words and regarded Jiang Yuanhua coldly: "General, given your nature, alienating everyone is merely a matter of time."

Now it seemed, in his eyes, every child—regardless of origin—was merely clay.

That was the distrust of those in high positions.

For instance, upon discovering a prodigy, he would never rely on words to instruct—instead, he would personally bury the only creature capable of influencing her: the golden-haired monkey. Within a single month, he made Jiang Qiulan dare not pause for a single instant.

Now, with no hope of aid, he must rely on this disciple he raised from childhood, seeking outside support from the imperial court rather than placing all hope on her breakthrough alone.

"I have no doubt that if Qingzhou survives this demonic crisis, you will be pierced dozens of times by the Xuanbing Seven Demon Sword Intent," Chen Qiankun said slowly, turning away.

"No matter. I have a Yin Spirit. A mere physical body—let her chop it into mincemeat if she wishes to vent her rage." Jiang Yuanhua smiled faintly.

Wu Xian could entrust their spiritual essence to a Yin Spirit, but even a Yin Spirit needed rest—it was not as simple as it sounded.

Yet as General of Qingzhou, he had only one duty.

That was to ensure the twelve commanderies remained free from demonic harm. Everything else could be sacrificed.

"Prince Ji is debauched and licentious, famed throughout Daqian for his countless offspring—I doubt even Prince Jinjiang is any better," the old man couldn't resist adding one last whisper before leaving.

"The Princess of Ji is a disciple of an immortal sect, domineering in nature—hence why the Wang Fu has dozens of princesses but only one Young Master. She might truly summon a Zunhunyuan Master, but she's the type who won't release the hawk until she sees the rabbit. General, take care."

…

Yang'an Commandery, Bai Yunxian.

Several months ago, this place suffered four demonic calamities, two of which were eliminated by Captain Shen.

The Zhen Mo Si swiftly took control, sealed the city gates, and began purging demons.

Numerous inner-camp Captains scouted beyond the county; named and notorious demons fled at the news, and even passing demons unlucky enough to be caught by Demon Chains met only decapitation.

Yet three full months had passed, and they still remained stationed in Bai Yunxian.

Only because one place remained unstepped upon: North Cliff.

Li Xinhan, clad in a ferocious wolf fur cloak, led his subordinates waiting at the city gate—he was the first Zhen Mo Si subordinate officer to arrive in Bai Yunxian and knew the place best.

It was he who held Lin Baiwei's letter and halted the inner-camp Captains' purge of North Cliff.

"I haven't seen a Demon Subduing General in person for a long time," Li Xinhan breathed heavily, instinctively straightening his posture and brushing dust from his cloak.

"Can you stop being so nervous?" Li Mujin sighed.

This boy truly thought himself a Zhen Mo Si subordinate officer, completely forgetting his identity as the Li family's legitimate heir.

Other top-tier sects might not have an Embracing Elixir Realm cultivator, but as the foremost of the Sixingwu Sect, our own clan has one such elder ancestor—why act as if you've never seen the world?

"I'm just curious which one it is—if it's the Yang'an Commandery's General, he'll probably just chat with the fox demon. But if Lord Jiang comes himself, maybe he'll even fight the fox demon…"

Li Xinhan looked at his sister: "That would count as a merit. Don't you want to be a subordinate officer?"

Li Mujin suddenly kicked him, whispering: "They're here."

Outside Bai Yunxian, a towering, majestic crimson steed surged like a streak of light, followed by three equally massive demonic horses. Only four riders, yet their gallop felt like a thousand cavalry charging in unison—overwhelming pressure rolled forth.

"Old General Chen?" Li Xinhan's eyes widened.

The four arrived in an instant, reins pulled tight, horses rearing before the line of waiting Zhen Mo Si Captains.

A youth in obsidian armor dismounted, his crimson cloak snapping violently in the wind.

Two veteran officers from Linjiang Commandery took the reins of the crimson horse: "General Shen, shall we rest briefly? Shall I send two men to gather information?"

"No. I'm pressed for time."

Shen Yi strode through the crowd, his calm expression instantly silencing everyone around him.

He knew this place well, and the person who understood the North Cliff fox demon best stood right beside him—why ask anyone else?

Lin Baiwei walked quietly behind the youth, gazing at the familiar streets, her expression slightly dazed.

Did the fox ever imagine that, merely three months later, she would return to her homeland once more—and that the man before her had once been an insignificant constable beneath her notice?

Li Xinhan clutched the prepared dossier, throat dry, ready to step forward and assert his presence—only to realize the Demon Subduing General had no intention of summoning anyone for questions.

He stared at the two familiar figures: "…."

Even after guessing all twelve generals, he still got it wrong.

Who could have thought there was another General Shen in Outside Qingzhou?!

What's the point of introducing him? This is damn well their territory!

"Sis… sis!"

"Huh?" Li Mujin replied absently, his thoughts already drifting away with that dark-armored figure.

(End of chapter)