Chapter 264: Chapter 62: Missing
In the 383rd year of Great Qin, on the 29th day of the 10th month.
A mysterious fog suddenly appeared in Luyang City. The Magistrate of Luyang City sensed something was amiss and reported the matter to the Demon-Subduing Division in Mountain-Breaking City.
Subsequently, the Demon-Subduing Division dispatched five Profound Rank Demon Hunters to investigate the situation.
After several days of searching, no news came back.
Later, the Demon-Subduing Division sensed something was wrong and sent people to Luyang City again to investigate. In the end, it was discovered that Luyang City was enveloped by a dense fog, impenetrable to ordinary sight.
To avoid unnecessary danger, the Demon Hunters who had gone to Luyang City returned to the Demon-Subduing Division and reported the incident once again.
On the 3rd day of the 11th month.
The Demon-Subduing Division dispatched two Earth Rank Demon Hunters to Luyang City.
Two days later, Defender Envoy Xun Qu of the Demon-Subduing Division personally went to Luyang City and has since been missing.
Reading the contents of the dossier, Shen Changqing’s face grew solemn.
Clearly, the problem with Luyang City was as troublesome as he had expected.
What kind of Demon Evil could cover an entire city with dense fog?
Moreover, Luyang City was home to 200,000 residents and had a garrison stationed there. Even if there had truly been a Demon Evil attack, it was impossible that not a single person could escape.
But the facts proved that since the fog had enveloped the city, not a single person from Luyang City had left.
On the contrary, the Demon-Subduing Division’s multiple dispatches to Luyang City were like throwing meat buns to a dog—they never returned.
Eventually, even a Defender Envoy was ensnared in it.
After fusing with Demon’s Power, a Defender Envoy can leave a Soul Lamp in the Demon-Subduing Division. Through the Soul Lamp, one can determine whether the Defender Envoy is alive or has fallen. However, those Demon Hunters don’t have the privilege of leaving a Soul Lamp. Now, with the situation in Luyang City unclear, the fact that Xun Qu is alive doesn’t mean those Demon Hunters are still alive. And as for the townspeople of Luyang City...
Shen Changqing’s heart sank slightly.
From the 29th day of the 10th month, when problems arose in Luyang City, until the 5th day of the 11th month, when Defender Envoy Xun Qu was entrapped within it.
Today is the 9th day of the 11th month.
It has been exactly ten days.
And about four days have passed since Xun Qu became trapped in Luyang City.
The Soul Lamp is still lit.
This indicates that although the Demon Evil in Luyang City is powerful, it has not yet reached the point of killing a Defender Envoy. However, its ability to trap Xun Qu shows that its strength is extraordinary.
Of course, it couldn’t be ruled out that Xun Qu himself had some life-saving means, which was why he had lasted until now.
The number of Defender Envoys in Mountain-Breaking City is limited. Currently, only Ji Tianlu is stationed in Mountain-Breaking City, while the other Defender Envoys are suppressing Demon Evils elsewhere. Compared to the previous chaos in the Capital City, the chaos in South Nether Prefecture is even greater. If Xun Qu were to fall in Luyang City, Mountain-Breaking City wouldn’t just suffer a substantial loss in strength; it would be severely weakened. Similarly, if the Luyang City Demon Evil devours a Defender Envoy, its strength will undoubtedly increase substantially.
The situation had reached this point.
Shen Changqing felt that he definitely needed to take action.
He had to act, if for no other reason than to prevent the Demon Evil from growing stronger.
If the situation truly proved untenable, then he would think of other methods.
No matter what, after joining the Martial Hall, the resources he received ultimately came from the common people.
Having accepted their support, he had to do his part.
Afterwards, Shen Changqing carefully read the dossier again.
From the records, he suspected that the Demon Evil might be the second kind—one naturally nurtured by Heaven and Earth. After all, according to the dossier, Luyang City had no prior trouble with Demon Evils; this one’s appearance was utterly sudden, as if it had materialized out of thin air. However, he couldn’t exclude the possibility that it was a powerful entity secretly dispatched by the Demon Evil Clan.
After some time, Shen Changqing put away the dossier and went to meet Ji Tianlu again.
"Defender Ji."
"Elder Shen has come."
A smile appeared on Ji Tianlu’s somewhat sickly face.
In his view, the other party’s arrival at this time clearly meant a decision had been made.
Indeed, Shen Changqing’s next words greatly reassured the Defender Envoy.
"I have carefully read the dossier. The Demon Evil in Luyang City is very likely to be one nurtured by Heaven and Earth. If Defender Envoy Xun Qu is killed by this Demon Evil, it will certainly embolden it, and the casualties in South Nether Prefecture will increase. As a member of the Demon-Subduing Division, I certainly have no reason to sit idly by and watch everything unfold. Let me take care of this matter of heading to Luyang City!"
First, he spoke righteously.
Afterwards, Shen Changqing changed his tone: "However, Defender Ji, you are also aware that the Demon Evil in Luyang City is no ordinary foe; even someone at the level of a Defender Envoy can be trapped by it. Though I consider my own abilities considerable, I don’t have complete assurance. Moreover, this trip to South Nether Prefecture was rather hasty, and I didn’t have sufficient time for preparation. If possible, I hope Defender Ji can provide some support!"
Support. In plain terms, he wanted benefits.
Ji Tianlu’s expression remained unchanged: "Elder Shen is willing to brave peril for the people of South Nether Prefecture, so of course the Demon-Subduing Division will not be without some gesture. Whatever Elder Shen needs, you may speak freely. Though the Demon-Subduing Division in Mountain-Breaking City is small, even if we have to drain our coffers, we will fulfill Elder Shen’s requests."
The implication was that the Demon-Subduing Division in Mountain-Breaking City didn’t have much to offer, so he would have to manage as he saw fit.
Regarding this, Shen Changqing didn’t care much and said with a faint smile, "I don’t have any major needs. I just want to carry some elixirs for backup, whether for the upcoming battles or to heal Defender Envoy Xun Qu upon meeting him. I believe they will be quite useful."
"This is my token. Elder Shen can take it to the Demon Slaying Hall for exchange."
Ji Tianlu took an Identity Token from his waist and flung it through the air. The token whistled as it flew, and Shen Changqing reached out, steadily catching it.
The name Ji Tianlu was clearly inscribed on it.
"Thank you!"
After pocketing the token, he politely cupped his hands in thanks, then left the great hall for the Demon Slaying Hall.
The layout of each Demon-Subduing Division is actually modeled after the Capital Demon Suppression Division.
The Demon Slaying Hall here was not significantly different from the one in the Capital Demon Suppression Division. It was also divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow—four mission halls. Then there was the Treasure Repository Hall where one could exchange Merit Points and other items.
Inside the Treasure Repository Hall, Shen Changqing realized upon entering that it was about half the size of the one in the Capital Demon Suppression Division. The person behind the counter was an elderly man.
Now, Shen Changqing understood how people ended up working in the Demon Slaying Hall. Those who could enter the Demon Slaying Hall to do some menial tasks were basically those who had been with the Demon-Subduing Division for many years; in the end, they retired in places like the Demon Slaying Hall, contributing their last bit of strength to the Division.
However, the Demon-Subduing Division wouldn’t shortchange these individuals. They received an annual Merit Point allowance and rarely had to go out on missions.
Truth be told, many members of the Demon-Subduing Division died at the hands of Demon Evils each year; few indeed lived for decades within its ranks. It was normal for the Demon-Subduing Division to offer such individuals preferential treatment.
Of course, besides these elderly Martial Artists, other types of Martial Artists also worked in places like the Demon Slaying Hall. For instance, those who had suffered severe internal injuries for various reasons and could no longer fight would be assigned positions here.
In short, those allowed to stay and perform light duties within the Demon-Subduing Division were individuals who could no longer battle Demon Evils.
Arriving at the counter, Shen Changqing presented the Identity Token Ji Tianlu had given him.
"I have come to exchange for some items. Please show me the list of everything that can currently be exchanged in the Demon Slaying Hall."
The old man, who had been dozing, woke up immediately at the sound. He first looked at Shen Changqing, and upon seeing the unfamiliar face, a hint of confusion appeared. Then he lowered his gaze to the token before him.
One glance at it, and his expression changed drastically.
"Defender Envoy Token!"
After picking up the token and carefully examining it to make sure there were no issues, the old man reassessed Shen Changqing.
"May I ask for your name, sir?"
"Shen Changqing."
"Ah, even though you have a Defender Envoy Token, exchanging items still requires the payment of Merit Points," the old man said, even as he searched his memories, realizing he had never heard the name Shen Changqing before.
But not having heard the name didn’t matter; the fact that this man could present Ji Tianlu’s Identity Token spoke volumes. However, to prevent the other party from thinking that having a Defender Envoy Token entitled them to take items from the Demon Slaying Hall for free, he still felt compelled to give a reminder.
Shen Changqing said, "You can go to Defender Ji for the Merit Points. I am only here to collect the items; anything else does not concern me."
The Demon-Subduing Division had its rules. A Defender Envoy wasn’t authorized to arbitrarily use the Division’s resources. But what did that have to do with him? He was only responsible for taking the items. If he still had to pay with his own Merit Points, then what use was Ji Tianlu’s token?
The old man hesitated upon hearing this. But, seeing the Defender Envoy Token before him and Shen Changqing’s calm demeanor, he finally nodded.
"Defender Ji must have intended this by giving you his Identity Token. This is the current list of all exchangeable items in the Demon-Subduing Division. Please take a look, sir." The old man then took out a moderately thick book.
Shen Changqing took the book and began to flip through it.
The items noted on the list before him were much scarcer than those he had seen in the Capital City, but the items available for exchange were of much higher quality.
Clearly, these items weren’t for Earth Rank Demon Hunters; they were exclusive to Defender Envoys.
Speaking of which, since becoming a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter, Shen Changqing had never actually gone to the Demon Slaying Hall to exchange for anything. After all, he hadn’t been in the Martial Hall for long and still hadn’t used up the resources provided to its members, so there had been no urgent need to exchange for more.
The atmosphere in the Treasure Repository Hall quieted down.
He flipped through the pages, searching for the items he wanted to exchange.
For this trip to Luyang City, he needed to prepare elixirs that could enhance his strength or save his life.
Nothing else mattered as much.