Chapter 417: Living Target

"Traveling the jianghu, gaining experience?"

Lu Tu was so angry he wanted to laugh.

If Yu Die is said to be a newcomer to the Demon-Subduing Office, she says she travels the jianghu to gain experience, and he would have no objection; but Yu Die is clearly a Hundred Commander of the Demon-Subduing Office—does she still need to travel the jianghu to gain experience?

Which Hundred Commander of the Demon-Subduing Office did not emerge from seas of corpses and blood, rising through one achievement after another?

They are the backbone of the Demon-Subduing Office, solving one difficult case after another, exterminating countless demons that plague the people—how could they still need to travel the jianghu to gain experience?

"Lv Qianhu, is there any problem with me traveling the jianghu to gain experience?"

Yu Die retorted.

Back then, when she was accused of breaking through defenses and realized she hadn't become a Hundred Commander of the Demon-Subduing Office by sheer strength but by connections, she was angry.

However, the one she was angry at wasn't the accuser but the person who forcibly pushed her into the Hundred Commander position; she wanted them to restore her to her original post, but was refused.

According to their words.

They forced her into the Hundred Commander role on purpose—not merely because of her background, but to use her as a target, stir the anger of other members of the Capital City Demon-Subduing Office, give them more drive to strive, and also to cultivate her through this incident.

So she could grow amid cold sarcasm!

As for whether anyone would break down and give up because of her, some people deliberately guide them; if they still break down and give up, it just means they're unsuited for the Demon-Subduing Office, and they'll look for a chance to make them leave.

"Yu Hundred Commander, you still have the nerve to ask what's wrong…"

Lu Tu finally couldn't hold back, about to shout angrily, when Wei Yuan hurriedly interjected:

"Lv Qianhu, now is not the time to argue. Just now a villain harmed us; not to mention Imperial Attendant Tang, even we almost lost our lives. You should go check, and make sure that Evil Cultivator doesn't escape!"

He truly didn't understand why Lu Tu would think of quarreling with Yu Die—couldn't he see that Yu Die has a sky‑reaching background?

For someone like Yu Die with such a background, Lu Tu's thoughts weren't about currying favor, trying to cling to her leg to get a promotion, but about sarcastic remarks here; he couldn't fathom what was wrong with Lu Tu.

Could it be that he despises his own bright future and wants to stay at the Thousand Commander position for life!

Lu Tu gave Yu Die a cold glance, realizing Wei Yuan deliberately cut him off to prevent a quarrel, and said:

"I'll go check whether any Evil Cultivator is still lying in ambush. You stay here and don't move. I think this Yu Hundred Commander may not be able to deal with the Evil Cultivator, but should have self‑preservation ability!"

He didn't want to quarrel with Yu Die, but thinking that he had nearly paid with his life to barely earn a promotion to Thousand Commander of the Demon-Subduing Office.

Yu Die?

He'd never even heard of her, clearly no achievements, even though Yu Die came from the Capital City, a hundred and eighty thousand li away from their Fengyin County.

Yet someone of Yu Die's age, relying on real skill to rise to Hundred Commander, would certainly cause a stir throughout the Demon-Subduing Office system.

Even Fengyin County, far from the Capital City, could not remain unaware.

There is only one possibility: Yu Die's Hundred Commander position was obtained improperly, with no achievements to speak of, which is why she wasn't heavily publicized.

For a backdoor case like Yu Die, with no merit, to be promoted to Hundred Commander, not only him but everyone who climbs the ranks honestly would be seething with anger.

"Yu Hundred Commander, don't compare yourself with Lv Qianhu; that's his temperament!" Wei Yuan said, comforting as he watched Lu Tu storm away.

Yu Die smiled, not angry, and asked about Lu Tu's anger: "Weixian County Magistrate, are you very familiar with this Lv Qianhu?"

She could only be angry at the one who pushed her into the Hundred Commander role, who, for the sake of the entire Demon-Subduing Office and for her, would spare no effort to use her as a live target, hoping that the collective sarcasm would make her improve.

If she cannot bear it, she doesn't worry at all; she will collapse.

According to that person's words, if she can't even endure this bit of sarcasm, she should quit the Demon-Subduing Office early; it's not a playground but the front line of demon‑slaying, and countless members have died at the hands of monsters—what does a few sarcastic remarks matter compared to risking one's life?

"This Lv Qianhu…"

Wei Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I'm not exactly close to him, just heard a little about him…"

For a long while, as Wei Yuan narrated, Tang Anzhi sat cross‑legged, recovering his treatment, Lu Tu inspected the surroundings carefully, and Dai Zhishang's gaze lingered on Lu Tu—not because Dai Zhishang was perverse or harbored improper thoughts, but because he found Lu Tu suitable for his material.

In the Zhang Family courtyard, the Zhang Family members who had gathered for the spectacle dispersed, leaving only Zhang Chengze beside Wei Yuan, ready to obey his orders, while the others went about their own business.

With nothing entertaining to watch, there was no need to stay.

After a long while.

This novel you to

Lu Tu went and returned.

Wei Yuan impatiently asked, "Lv Qianhu, have you found any trace of the Evil Cultivator scheming against us?"

Lu Tu shook his head.

Wei Yuan's face instantly showed a hint of disappointment, though not unexpected; an Evil Cultivator like the mysterious one, even if this is his territory, would flee thousands of li when a strong enemy appears, knowing he cannot win, which many Evil Cultivators do, and he said:

"Lv Qianhu, do you know who that Evil Cultivator is?"

Lu Tu did not answer, but changed the subject: "Weixian County Magistrate, could you recount everything that just happened, in full detail, to me?"

"Lv Qianhu, I'd really like to tell you these matters, but I have other business; perhaps ask Yu Hundred Commander to speak to you!"

Wei Yuan glanced around, not giving Lu Tu a chance to speak, and signaled to Zhang Chengze, saying:

"Zhang Hunter Commander, let's go see those two audacious ones who dared to steal the Mountain God Token and cause trouble; see if they're dead. If not, we'll discuss how to deal with them!"

"Weixian County Magistrate, spare them; they didn't do it intentionally, they were just playing with us!"

Before Zhang Chengze could speak, Zhang Guilian stepped forward and said.

Under a pair of hostile gazes, she had long wanted to leave, but she knew clearly that if she hurried away, the Du Family father and son waiting for her would only lead to a dead end.

So she forced herself to stay, even though the Zhang Family members saw nothing worth watching and left, she remained.

Just waiting for this moment!

Wei Yuan gave Zhang Chengze a faint glance, not responding to Zhang Guilian.

Zhang Chengze shouted angrily, "Second Aunt, are you treating me like a three‑year‑old, or treating the Weixian County Magistrate like a three‑year‑old? Can this matter be treated as a joke?"

(End of Chapter)