Chapter 103: Targeted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard

"Changxi, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has entered the ward."

Hua Changxi had spent the night sorting through the books inside her prayer beads, which contained numerous divine abilities and cultivation techniques of the demon race, including not only divine abilities like "Great Force Bull Demon Technique," "Heavenly Dog Swallows the Moon," "Divine Rooster Announces Dawn," and "Dragon Soars Across the Four Seas," but also cultivation methods such as the "Earth Essence Formula," "Metal Essence Formula," and "Supreme Good Formula."

The white-robed monk had collected quite a large number of techniques; before she could finish organizing them, Pu Cao knocked on her door.

Hua Changxi opened the door and glanced at the sky; dawn had barely broken when the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived, showing just how much the court cared about last night's incident.

Indeed, while cultivators could fight to the death out in the wilds, coming to a densely populated area to brawl was somewhat disruptive to order.

"Where are the Embroidered Uniform Guard now?"

"They are currently investigating the households with collapsed buildings; they should be coming here to ask questions very soon."

Hua Changxi knew the Embroidered Uniform Guard possessed spirit-detecting instruments. She had initially intended to retrieve the defensive array, spirit-concealing array, and spirit-gathering array from the pharmacy, but upon second thought, she decided it was unnecessary.

It was normal for cultivators to possess such means.

Thinking thus, Hua Changxi went to the pharmacy at the front. She had just finished changing the dressings for several patients injured last night when several members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard strode in.

"Oh, an acquaintance."

As soon as Pang Shaoyu entered the pharmacy, he spotted Hua Changxi. He still vividly remembered this young lady who had dared to lay hands on the Embroidered Uniform Guard; he hadn't expected to run into her again today.

"What are you doing here?"

Hua Changxi also recognized Pang Shaoyu. Sensing the spiritual energy fluctuation on his person, her eyes flickered; the Embroidered Uniform Guard truly possessed remarkable methods. The last time they met, he was a mortal, yet now he had become a cultivator.

"Officer, this is the pharmacy I opened."

Pang Shaoyu began wandering around the pharmacy, then lifted the curtain at the back door to peek into the rear courtyard. Looking at Hua Changxi with a smile, he said, "I thought you were serving in the Labor Hall and that your family was in dire straits. I didn't expect your family to be quite wealthy, able to set up such an establishment even for a young lady like you."

Hua Changxi smiled faintly and offered no explanation.

Pang Shaoyu signaled the few men behind him to go check the rear courtyard, while he himself smilingly took several bottles of pills from the medicine cabinet, uncorked them one by one to smell their contents, and asked in surprise, "Did you refine all these pills?"

Hua Changxi nodded.

Pang Shaoyu examined Hua Changxi once more. "I didn't expect your pill-refining skills to be so impressive; the quality of these pills is excellent."

They were even better than those he received from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Hua Changxi smiled modestly. "It's just a craft to make a living."

Pang Shaoyu walked up to her and looked at her strangely. "You said the same thing last time at the Labor Hall. I just can't figure it out; you're a young lady who will eventually marry. Why would you need to go out and support a family?"

Hua Changxi looked at him with a smile. "Officer... not every young lady needs someone to shelter her. I just want to support myself."

Pang Shaoyu wore an expression of strong disagreement. "You are seeking hardship where there is none."

Suppressing her impatience, Hua Changxi continued to smile. "This is a hardship I am willing to endure."

Pang Shaoyu shook his head. "You look so clever, yet I didn't expect you to be a fool."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi's hands itched. She took a deep breath to suppress her fiery temper, then quickly changed the subject. "Has the officer come regarding last night's incident?"

Mentioning official business, Pang Shaoyu immediately became serious. He first questioned the few injured patients in the pharmacy, then walked back to Hua Changxi's side.

"What is your view on last night's events?"

Hua Changxi spoke with righteous indignation. "The government must capture the perpetrators and execute them according to the law. If cultivators are allowed to fight within the city, they may enjoy themselves, but the common people will suffer."

"Officer, I know the Embroidered Uniform Guard holds great authority. You must definitely suggest to your superiors that the court promulgate a decree strictly prohibiting cultivators from fighting within the city."

Looking at the righteously indignant Hua Changxi, Pang Shaoyu asked with a smile, "Aren't you a cultivator? If the court truly restricts the behavior of cultivators, you will be affected as well."

Hua Changxi replied, "I detest the indiscriminate killing of the innocent. If killing is to be done, let it be directed at the chief culprits."

Pang Shaoyu was somewhat speechless. "You are certainly straightforward."

Hua Changxi lifted her chin. "I am simply this open and aboveboard."

Pang Shaoyu laughed. "Your skin is... truly thick." His smile vanished, and his gaze locked tightly onto her. "Hua Changxi, you had nothing to do with last night's incident, did you?"

Hua Changxi met his gaze directly. "Of course not."

At that moment, the few Embroidered Uniform Guard members who had been inspecting the rear courtyard emerged.

Seeing them, Pang Shaoyu walked over, and one of them immediately whispered into his ear.

'There is a green ox in the rear courtyard; it is a demon beast.'

After 'hearing' this, Hua Changxi's expression shifted slightly. The Embroidered Uniform Guard indeed could not be underestimated; they had discovered the Green Ox Demon upon their first encounter.

After listening to his subordinate's report, Pang Shaoyu said nothing. He glanced at Hua Changxi. "Let's go to the next house."

As he stepped out of the pharmacy entrance, Pang Shaoyu turned back to look at Hua Changxi. "Treating the injured for free; you truly are a good person."

Hua Changxi remained unperturbed. "I merely contributed a meager effort."

Pang Shaoyu said, "I hope you can remain this good."

Hua Changxi smiled. "I am who I am; I do not live within the officer's hopes."

Pang Shaoyu exhaled. "Has anyone in your family ever scolded you? Your mouth is very unlikable."

Hua Changxi looked utterly astonished. "Why should I be likable?" She looked at Pang Shaoyu with incomprehension, as if he had said something unbelievable.

Seeing her reaction, Pang Shaoyu was left speechless. He quickly led his men away.

Once they left, Hua Changxi's expression hardened. She called Pu Cao to her side. "They discovered the Green Ox. The pharmacy will surely become a key target of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation."

Hearing this, Pu Cao looked anxious. "Then what should we do? Should we have the Green Ox return to the mountains to hide for a while?"

Hua Changxi shook her head. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has already discovered the Green Ox. Sending it away now would be like trying to hide silver by burying it right here—it would only draw more suspicion."

"I am a cultivator; keeping a demon beast is nothing strange. However, when the Embroidered Uniform Guard returns to the pharmacy, you and A-Niu must handle things carefully."

Pu Cao nodded. "Rest assured, we will."

Hua Changxi still had to report for duty at the Labor Hall. Knowing that Pu Cao possessed a Fire-Wood spiritual root, she gave her the cultivation technique "Drilling Wood to Make Fire" from inside her prayer beads.

Pu Cao accepted the technique with excitement. "Changxi, I will cultivate diligently and strive to be able to help you soon."

Hua Changxi chuckled. "You are already helping me. I am heading to the Medical Bureau now. I will come over these next few days. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard causes trouble, endure it for now; I will resolve it when I return."

"Company Commander, Hua Changxi has gone to the Medical Bureau for duty."

Hearing his subordinate's report, Pang Shaoyu stroked his chin. "No wonder she could intimidate even my uncle; her mental fortitude is quite strong."

A subordinate of the Embroidered Uniform Guard asked, "Battalion Commander, I believe there is a ninety percent chance that Hua Changxi was behind last night's incident."

Pang Shaoyu glanced at him. "Do not rush to conclusions. With cultivators becoming increasingly numerous, those hiding in the shadows to cause trouble are far from few."

The subordinate added, "Hua Changxi keeps a demonic beast; this is an ironclad fact. On this count alone, we can arrest her and throw her into the Imperial Prison."

Pang Shaoyu was somewhat speechless. "Can you stop thinking only about arresting people? Do you even know what cultivation level Hua Changxi has? Are you certain we can defeat her?"

"If she truly was the one causing chaos yesterday, believe it or not, she could silently kill every single one of us."

"Use your brain, will you? Otherwise, having a subordinate like you will exhaust me."

Although Pang Shaoyu had just scolded his subordinate, he turned around immediately to report the matter of Hua Changxi to Yin Jianxiong.

After hearing this, Yin Jianxiong told him not to act rashly.

Pang Shaoyu said, "Hua Changxi keeps a demonic beast. Even if she has Hua Shiniang backing her, arresting her is still entirely reasonable."

Yin Jianxiong handed Pang Shaoyu a dossier he had just received.

After reading it, Pang Shaoyu widened his eyes. "Hua Changxi is quite something; she has even managed to curry favor with someone from the Eastern Depot."

Yin Jianxiong looked at him. "Guo Xuan is a man who never acts without profit. The fact that he took the initiative to befriend Hua Changxi indicates he stands to gain immense benefits from her."

Pang Shaoyu asked, "So we leave Hua Changxi alone?"

Yin Jianxiong replied, "Keep the matter of Hua Changxi keeping a demonic beast hidden for now. With chaos everywhere these days, we cannot act rashly. As for Hua Changxi, simply send someone to watch her secretly."