Chapter 35

Huang Daozuo sighed.

"Yes, many people have gone missing in our area as well, and most of them are young women. That is why I was sent by my superior to your county to investigate. It seems this is not an isolated case."

Su Yuanshan fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

In the Huangliang County Yamen, a mysterious visitor was sitting in the east hall drinking tea. His entire body was wrapped in a black robe, revealing only a pair of eyes.

Hearing the hurried footsteps outside, when he looked up, the servant attending to him couldn't help but shiver.

What kind of eyes were those? Cruelty and coldness seemed to surge within them.

It would be more accurate to call him a beast than a person. This was the servant's first impression of the mysterious man. He lowered his head, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Finally, as the front hem was lifted, a pair of official boots crossed the threshold—the Huangliang County Magistrate had finally arrived. The servant breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon entering the room and seeing the mysterious black-robed man, the Huangliang County Magistrate was all smiles, his attitude extremely respectful.

"I have kept the Divine Envoy waiting for a long time. This humble one is terrified, truly terrified."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, intending to dismiss the servant, but he didn't expect the mysterious black-robed man to suddenly say.

"Wait!"

He suddenly reached out, grabbed the servant by the neck, and bit through his throat in one go.

The servant looked terrified, struggling to beg the Huangliang County Magistrate for help, but the Magistrate turned a blind eye, letting the mysterious black-robed man drain his servant's blood before asking with a smile.

"Divine Envoy, are you satisfied with this servant of mine?"

Smacking his lips and taking out a silk handkerchief to elegantly wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, the mysterious black-robed man nodded.

"It's alright, but the blood quality is a bit poor, and the spiritual Qi contained within is somewhat insufficient. It can only be considered passable.

How are the batch of young girls you abducted? In a while, it will be the 500th birthday of the White-Browed Demon King. That is the birthday gift I am offering to the White-Browed Demon King; there cannot be the slightest mistake, otherwise..."

With a 'rip' sound, the black-robed man's robe tore, revealing his hideous true form—it was actually a massive centipede with a hundred hands and a hundred feet, standing a full two meters tall. It was clearly a centipede that had attained enlightenment. This scene scared the two yamen runners behind the Huangliang County Magistrate so much that they turned and ran, but before they could take a step, they were sucked into mummies by a powerful demonic wind and fell to the ground with a thud.

The yamen runners outside heard the commotion and wanted to rush in to check the situation, but the Huangliang County Magistrate blocked the door and scolded sharply.

"This official is discussing matters with a distinguished guest. Why haven't you retreated yet?"

Although full of confusion, the yamen runners could only retreat timidly.

Seeing the Huangliang County Magistrate close the door, the centipede demon seemed somewhat dissatisfied, transformed into human form, and snorted coldly.

"Magistrate Wang, why did you stop me from feeding? These blood offerings were not bad!"

The Huangliang County Magistrate accompanied him with a smile.

"The people of this county are yours to feed upon; this humble one will never stop you. I only hope Old Wu will show mercy and spare these few incompetent things. Otherwise, this humble one won't even have anyone to handle errands, wouldn't that delay your good deeds?"

The centipede demon let out a strange, cackling laugh.

"That is true, haha. I want to know how those young girls you abducted are doing? How does their blood quality compare to these yamen runners?"

The Huangliang County Magistrate chuckled.

"Please rest assured, Divine Envoy. Regarding these women, this humble one has followed your instructions and fed them the Spirit Ginseng Immortal Soup daily. The spiritual Qi in their blood is definitely stronger than those incompetent slaves of mine!"

The centipede demon seemed very satisfied upon hearing this.

"Very good. Take me to the secret chamber to see them. If it is truly as you say, I guarantee your official career will be smooth sailing! Let alone a small county magistrate, even becoming a Prefect or Governor is not impossible!"

The Huangliang County Magistrate was full of gratitude upon hearing this, kowtowing repeatedly and saying with a fawning face.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Old Wu. Thank you for your appreciation, Old Wu. This humble one will follow your orders from now on and will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

The centipede demon laughed loudly.

"You are not working for me; we are all working for the White-Browed Demon King, Baiehou. If things are done well and Baiehou is happy, it is not impossible for him to pass on some Demonic Transformation Techniques to you. At that time, you will be free and unrestrained, how comfortable that will be! Isn't that better than being a weak human?"

The Huangliang County Magistrate nodded repeatedly.

"What you say is reasonable, very reasonable. This humble one completely agrees, completely agrees."

"Old Wu, please. Let me take you to see those young girls. This humble one will lead the way."

It was that time of year again to sacrifice to the Land and City deities—the Autumn Sacrifice!

For the past few days, the entrance to the Huangliang County Chenghuang Temple had been filled with swirling smoke, people coming and going, drums and flutes playing, making it exceptionally lively. The county residents had already prepared offerings such as grains and livestock: golden millet, fiery red sorghum, and the heads of oxen, sheep, and pigs decorated with red flowers.

The main deity they were sacrificing to this time was the County City God who protected the entire Huangliang County!

Beside the Chenghuang Temple was a unique small courtyard with blue bricks, gray tiles, and carved corridors and windows. Inside the courtyard, green willows swayed, with yellowed willow leaves fallen on the ground. Under the trees was a flower bed planted with mugwort and autumn chrysanthemums, the slender, drooping petals swaying in the wind, some pale yellow, some pale purple.

A wealthy-looking old man was sitting cross-legged on a felt mat under a willow tree, boredly tapping his chess piece. In front of him was a low-legged table with a red lacquer surface and brass-wrapped corners, on which a black-and-white unfinished game was laid out.

While tapping the table with a black piece, he said irritably.

"That old man Ji really has no sportsmanship in chess. Every time he makes me wait! It's so annoying."

A middle-aged man with a black beard beside him stroked his beard and smiled.

"Magistrate Pan is wrong to say that. This can only be blamed on you for coming too early; it can't be blamed on others!"

The wealthy-looking old man glanced at him sideways, straightened his official robes, and said.

"Little Feng, you are just standing there and talking without feeling the pain. We had agreed on the time back then!"

As the two were talking, an elderly man with a spirited appearance walked over slowly. He had a beautiful beard hanging to his chest and was dressed in green, looking like an elderly scholar.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man with the black beard laughed.

"Speak of the devil, and he appears. Now the two poor chess players are finally gathered!"

The wealthy-looking old man's fat face darkened upon hearing this, but the spirited old man laughed loudly.

"General Feng is worthy of being from a military background, straightforward and direct!"

The wealthy-looking old man curled his lips.

"Straightforward? I think he speaks without using his brain!"

The middle-aged man with the black beard was not annoyed upon hearing this, just chuckled.

"Using my brain is indeed not my specialty..."

However, before he could finish speaking, the wealthy-looking old man glanced sideways at the spirited old man and asked.

"Old man Ji, tell me, why are you late again this time? Could it be that you are not accustomed to the local conditions in my territory?"

However, the old man surnamed Ji smiled slightly and said mysteriously.

"Not so. It is because my nephew met an interesting person and introduced him to me, so I was delayed for some time!"

The middle-aged man with the black beard surnamed Feng's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he smiled.

"Magistrate Ji has always been known for being strict and for his ability to judge people. If he can catch Magistrate Ji's eye, it seems this young man is not ordinary. Could you please bring him over and introduce him to me, Feng?"