Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Chapter 315 2: The Capital City Imperial Envoy, All were Shocked _2

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Their movements were fluid and precise. Soon, the cutting board was piled with pieces of meat, plump and uniquely colored, showing no signs of spoilage.

Even the children playing in the alleys held demonic fangs and strange bones in their hands.

Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and several others were in disbelief.

They had witnessed many demon massacres, where the human race was always on the weaker side.

Yet here, the situation was completely reversed, forming a bizarre scene that left them all uneasy.

Looking around, it was clear that the number of demons that invaded Yongzhou was not small.

So many demons, all dead!

Yongzhou was not like the Capital City, where the Eight Great Families were gathered, rich with talents.

Here, even a martial master at the Innate Realm was considered remarkable.

Faced with such a number of demons, it was incredible that Yongzhou managed to withstand it, no matter how one thought about it.

In their hearts, Shi Wenbo and the others were more curious about this Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, eager to uncover the secrets within.

Ji He suggested, "I propose we split up, gather here after dark to exchange our findings, shall we?"

"Agreed," the three of them said in unison.

"Then let's move out."

The four of them dispersed in different directions.

Seeing the figures of Shi Wenbo and the others fade into the distance, Xue Yan immediately turned and headed straight out of the city.

Yongzhou Outer City Area.

Various low-rise buildings rose and fell.

Li Antai had been in exceptionally good spirits these past few days.

After Lord Shen Qing had slain all the demons, he started a business dealing in the demon remnants, earning quite a sum. He bought snacks for his two children, some fabrics for the old woman and his elderly mother, and even a new set of clothes.

He even bought a new quilt.

Life visibly improved.

It was all thanks to Lord Shen!

With Lord Shen overseeing, he even hoped for a few more waves of demons.

Yongzhou's demon specialty, unmatched!

As Li Antai happily contemplated the future, a figure inexplicably appeared ahead, blocking his path.

He stopped, looked closely, and saw it was one of the lords who had just parted ways.

This lord was the youngest among the four, and to his recollection, had not spoken a word.

Li Antai felt puzzled and uncertain about the reason for his return.

He put on a habitual smile and flattered, "I wonder why you personally came here, is there something I can do for you?"

Xue Yan approached with a smile, "I just want to ask you a few things."

"Feel free to ask, I'll tell you everything I know," Li Antai said, not having much caution based on his impression of these lords.

Xue Yan inquired, "Have there been any anomalies in Yongzhou in the past few days?"

"There have!"

"Oh?" Xue Yan perked up, "Tell me."

"Just about three days ago, right when the demons were rushing into the city, a colorful light suddenly descended from the sky, almost blotting out the sun."

Excited, Xue Yan asked, "Approximately where?"

"In an abandoned mountain west of the city, my lord, you can still find it now. The surrounding mountains have been flattened, it's easy to find."

"Excellent," Xue Yan continued to delve.

Noticing Xue Yan's excitement, Li Antai poured cold water over the conversation, "But my lord, it's just deserted land now, nothing remains. Many, like you, went hoping for luck, only to return disappointed and empty-handed."

Xue Yan paused at these words.

No, if the Spirit Mechanism appeared, it would linger for a long time, not vanish easily.

If it disappeared, it could only mean one thing: it was taken.

With that thought, Xue Yan's heart sank, a bad premonition arising.

"How long did this colorful anomaly last?"

"A little more than half a day, I'd say."

Half a day?

"Did anyone explore it, encounter anything?"

"Of course! How could they not?" Li Antai started talking, "I heard all the Bosses in the city went, not just them, even our Great Qingtian went. I heard his immense power came from obtaining something incredible inside."

"The Great Qingtian you're referring to is that Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing?"

"Exactly, Lord Shen!" Li Antai prattled on, "Lord Shen is truly blessed; I heard he even established ties with Lord Huangfu..."

Xue Yan stopped listening to Li Antai's chatter, an idea flickering across his mind as his lips curved slightly upwards.

What a coincidence indeed.

The name Shen Qing was mentioned by his elder brother before he left the Xue residence.

His brother said this person ran rampant in Yongzhou, seizing much of the Zhou family's properties.

His brother was on good terms with the descendants of the Zhou family in Yongzhou and wanted him to assist the Zhou family.

Unexpectedly, this person was involved with the Spirit Mechanism as well.

This time, his father had sent him to Yongzhou primarily for the Spirit Mechanism.

Initially, he planned to deal with this person casually, but now he realized he had to handle it seriously.

"My lord, is there anything else you wish to know?" Li Antai placated.

Xue Yan laughed, "You seem quite clever. You know a lot."

Li Antai fawned, "As long as it's useful to you, my lord, it's good."

Seeing through Li Antai's thoughts, Xue Yan smiled, "You've been quite helpful, I should thank you properly. Come, I'll give you something."

"My lord, I couldn't possibly..." Li Antai waved his hands in refusal.

"Here, take it!"

Swish!

A silver light flickered, and something flashed by Li Antai's neck.

Li Antai looked horrified, "You... you..."

His hand released, and the demon remnants on his shoulder fell to the ground with a thud, as his hands clutched his neck.

Blood gushed out from his neck like a fountain.

Li Antai felt his body grow heavier and heavier, his vision went dark as he fell to the ground, his breath weakening.

Moments later, his eyes dimmed, losing all life.

"You talk too much," Xue Yan flicked the blood off the sword blade, stepped over Li Antai's corpse, and muttered to himself, "I can't trust you."

He sheathed the sword and departed briskly.

Killing someone was as insignificant as squashing an ant.

As night fell and the lights began to illuminate the city.

Xue Yan returned to the city as agreed, patiently waiting.

After a while, Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He returned one after another.

They found an inn to stay in, exchanging the intelligence they each gathered.

After sharing, Ji He couldn't help but let out a long sigh, marveling, "This Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department is truly talented, at such an age, with such a background, achieving so much, a natural genius indeed."

"Indeed. Such a person seems a bit wasted in a small place like Yongzhou," Cui Jin added, "When we return, we must speak well of him to the Emperor, to be of service to His Majesty."

"Technically, this Chief Officer Shen is under my command, isn't he? If anyone is to make a recommendation, it should probably be me, Cui Eunuch, aren't you overstepping?" Shi Wenbo countered.

Ji He hurried to interject, "Gentlemen, it seems the demon issue in Yongzhou is resolved, and everything has become much clearer. When do you all plan to return to the Capital?"

Shi Wenbo replied, "Once we've reorganized and restored the local government structure, we can discuss leaving."

Ji He nodded, this time he also bore the responsibility of seeking the celestial fate of the Spirit Mechanism, leaving too soon would be troublesome.

This was for the best.

"Then we'll follow Lord Shi's arrangements. Let's stop here for today, tomorrow we can meet the rumored Great Qingtian of Yongzhou. Honestly, I can't wait to meet such a young hero," Ji He laughed heartily.

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