"Kid, what do you need with the Demon Suppression Division?" Yang Guang asked casually, looking at the youthful bailiff.
"Noble officials, you have come from the south, and the County Magistrate wishes to invite you for an audience to discuss important matters," the youthful bailiff replied hurriedly.
"We'll go see the Magistrate after we meet Master Tong," Qi Yuan said nonchalantly.
Investigating the cause of Tong Youwei's death and finding Tong Tianyou would also require gathering clues from the Magistrate.
A look of delight appeared on the young bailiff's face. "This lowly one will wait right here for you sirs."
Having finally managed to secure the Demon Suppression Division's people, the young bailiff was thrilled.
According to the Magistrate, the Demon Suppression Division was the most powerful organization in Fengyuan, specializing in hunting and slaying demons. Perhaps they could break the siege of Zhenyang.
Zhenyang had been an isolated city for three long years.
The people of Zhenyang had suffered under the demons for far too long.
Led by the steward, the group proceeded grandly into the depths of the Tong estate.
The deeper they went, the more frequently they saw burly guards radiating powerful blood-qi on patrol.
They wore soft armor, carried fine swords at their waists, and were superbly equipped.
"Your Tong family's security is quite tight. How could a demon infiltrate, kill Tong Youwei, and slip away unnoticed?" Yang Guang could not help asking.
In just this short span, he had spotted no fewer than fifty private soldiers on patrol.
Rather than a compound, the Tong estate was more like a massive manor, complete with its own martial drill grounds.
The steward lowered his head and said, "This lowly one doesn't know either. There are rumors... that there was an inside thief in our Tong estate.
"Back then, after Young Master Youwei died, the Master was furious and thoroughly purged the servants. Anyone under suspicion was beaten to death with staves!"
Hearing this, Qi Yuan could not resist remarking, "This game is still too rigid. There ought to be a quest having us investigate the deaths of those who were beaten to death. That would make for a good plot twist."
An Qiao chimed in, "The master's life is a life, but the servants' aren't?"
Yang Guang chuckled, clicking his tongue in amazement. "No wonder everyone wants to become a prominent clan. With soldiers, grain, and land, this Tong family is practically a petty royal court."
The three of them conversed via voice transmission.
Otherwise, if the steward overheard, he might think the imperial court was moving to suppress the Tong clan and slap them with a charge of treason.
If that happened, leaving the Tong estate might require an all-out battle.
As a local oligarchic clan, the Tong estate boasted nearly a thousand private soldiers and over a hundred fully armored troops.
Such a force was not to be underestimated.
About a quarter of an hour later, after winding through several paths, the group finally arrived at Master Tong's residence.
Outside the courtyard stood numerous maidservants, all looking despondent.
They seemed to be fretting over the young master being abducted by the demon race.
The steward could not hold back a sorrowful cry. "Our ancestors served the Tong family for generations. If the little young master doesn't return and the Tong family falls apart, where will we go? What will become of us?"
His grief was genuine.
After all, serving as household slaves in an aristocratic clan like the Tong family was vastly better—and far more dignified—than being common mud-legged peasants.
"Let's go. Take us to see your master," Qi Yuan spoke up.
A few dozen breaths later, in an antique room.
Qi Yuan and the others filed inside, taking in the sight of Master Tong leaning against the bed.
Master Tong was sixty years old, feeble and decrepit, his breathing weak.
A white-haired woman sat by the bedside, her face washed with tears.
She was only in her forties and her skin was well-maintained, yet her hair was completely white.
This woman was Old Madame Tong, who had prostrated at every step on her way to Wangshan Temple to beg for medicine.
Seeing the visitors arrive, Old Master Tong opened his cloudy eyes. "Noble sirs, you must bring my grandson back.
"If you bring him back... there will be a handsome reward."
Old Master Tong waved his hand.
The steward carried out the instruction, and a few dozen breaths later, several burly armored soldiers entered the room carrying wooden chests.
The lids were thrown open, revealing gleaming silver ingots along with various jewels and trinkets.
Seeing this, An Qiao sighed inwardly.
Had she not entered the Yellow Springs World, seeing this might have moved her heart, but now she felt not the slightest ripple.
Nevertheless, this wealth combined with the private army demonstrated the Tong family's formidable power.
Yet under such a powerful force, the eldest young master had been killed without explanation, and the little young master had been abducted.
Evidently, the waters ran deep.
Looking at Old Master Tong, Yang Guang asked gently, "Master Tong, we will naturally search for Tong Tianyou. What we want to know right now is... the cause of Tong Youwei's death."
The white-haired woman's hands stiffened. At the mention of her son's name, tears fell like rain. "My poor child, whom I carried for ten months... It's his mother who failed to protect him."
A look of grief also surfaced in Master Tong's eyes.
"Youwei... must have died... at the hands of Flower Demon Manluo!" Hatred flashed in Master Tong's eyes.
Yang Guang's eyes lit up.
Sure enough, the crucial information was here already.
Qi Yuan stood quietly to the side with an amused look.
His nose had not grown longer, which meant Master Tong's words were true: Tong Youwei had indeed died at the hands of Flower Demon Manluo.
"My poor grandson was also abducted by Flower Demon Manluo!" If the hatred in one's eyes could kill, Flower Demon Manluo would have been slain many times over by Master Tong's glare.
*Mm, nose didn't grow longer. Truth.*
*Is this quest... terrifyingly easy?*
*Just ask a random NPC and you get the answer?*
"What grudge did Flower Demon Manluo have against the Tong family?" Yang Guang pressed on.
Investigating the truth required uncovering the murderer's motive as well.
Master Tong's expression shifted slightly at the question.
Madame Tong's tears, which had just subsided, began flowing once more.
Master Tong's voice turned raspy and pained.
"All my life, I gave in to Youwei on everything. Whatever he asked for, I granted, fearing only that I might cross his wishes.
"He wanted a courtesan, and I gave it to him. He wanted qilin blood, and I sent men to Mount Shuyao to hunt for it.
"Yet he... he wanted to marry a demon and bring her into the Tong household!
"That was the first time I ever lost my temper with him. We humans and the demon race are irreconcilable foes. Bringing a demon through our gates? Over my dead body!"
"So Flower Demon Manluo was Tong Youwei's beloved?" An Qiao asked.
Many thoughts flashed through An Qiao's mind.
Based on her years of watching television dramas, Master Tong had torn the lovers apart, leaving Flower Demon Manluo consumed with resentment.
She blamed Tong Youwei for having a change of heart, so she gouged out his heart and snatched his son.
Everything fell into place at once, appearing exceedingly simple.
"Yes. Back then, I refused to let her enter our family, and Youwei resented me for it. But later... Youwei came to understand our difficulties.
"He and Yunniang treated each other with mutual respect, and after Yunniang passed away, he never remarried." Madame Tong spoke with nostalgia in her eyes. "I truly wish Manluo had gouged out my heart instead of Youwei's. My poor, unfortunate boy."
Madame Tong was growing emotional.
As Qi Yuan listened, his nose did not lengthen either.
This meant that what Madame Tong and Master Tong were saying was the truth.
Tong Youwei had indeed died from having his heart gouged out by Flower Demon Manluo.
"Cough, cough..." Just then, Old Master Tong coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Madame Tong rushed forward to attend to him.
Yang Guang and the others realized it was no longer appropriate to stay.
"Old Master Tong, rest and recover your health first. We will find Tong Tianyou," Yang Guang said, departing alongside Qi Yuan and An Qiao.
"What do you two think?" Yang Guang sent via voice transmission.
"If what the two of them said is true, Tong Youwei's death is quite straightforward.
"We just need to find Flower Demon Manluo, and the whole truth will come to light," An Qiao replied.
"Alright, then let's go see the County Magistrate.
"It seems the difficulty of this quest doesn't lie in Tong Youwei's death, but in finding Tong Tianyou.
"Mount Shuyao has three thousand demon soldiers. Looks like it'll be a tough fight!" Yang Guang's fighting spirit surged.
Compared to investigating mysteries, he preferred head-on combat.
...
Dark bloodstains marked the mottled walls, alongside numerous blade gouges across the masonry.
The County Commandant was a burly man clad in armor, his sunken eyes sharp and bright, though his current expression was none too friendly.
"Hmph! Zhenyang has been under siege for three years. We sent countless missives to the imperial court, yet not a single soul bothered to care.
"Now, when a single offspring of the Tong clan goes missing, the court actually dispatches the Demon Suppression Division to investigate.
"Heh... Could it be that the entire city of commoners isn't worth that one Tong Tianyou?"
The Commandant was deeply dissatisfied, holding immense disdain for the prominent clans.
He had risen as a refugee militia leader, having once raised troops to resist the demons.
However, outnumbered and isolated, he eventually failed and entered Zhenyang City, becoming the County Commandant in charge of local military affairs.
The County Magistrate was a short old man with a perpetually genial smile on his face. "Old Li, dissatisfaction is fine, but don't show it when the imperial emissaries arrive shortly."
"Hmph." Commandant Old Li snorted, looking utterly reluctant, before sighing with emotion. "I know. The people of this city cannot afford to wait."
In his youth, he had led over a hundred able-bodied men from his village to slay demons and defend their stronghold, achieving considerable success.
At the time, the government sent people to offer amnesty and enlistment. Having won many battles, he was proud and arrogant, naturally holding the authorities in low regard.
Seeing that pacification had failed, the authorities colluded with the demons, and every soldier under his command died at demon hands.
He no longer had the face to return to his village.
If the elderly, women, and children asked after their sons, husbands, or fathers, he would not know how to answer.
Toward Mount Shuyao, his heart burned with bitterness.
Because the military strategist of Mount Shuyao was none other than the government official who had tried to recruit him back then.
"Sigh, who knows how much longer Zhenyang City can hold out." The Magistrate hunched his back, as if finding it more comfortable that way.
Footsteps approached at that moment.
The Magistrate perked up, his spine instantly straightening. He hurriedly looked toward the doorway and rushed forward to greet them.
The Commandant hurried after him.
"The emissaries have traveled from afar. This official has prepared a banquet, please partake!" the Magistrate greeted, his face beaming with warmth.
Outside stood the youthful bailiff and Qi Yuan's party.
Qi Yuan's eyes brightened. "A feast! Not bad. It's good to feast in advance."
Last time, the game had ended before he could even enjoy a banquet.
The Magistrate's offer was a welcome reminder that they could eat first.
Eating a feast before slaying demons—how wonderful.
"Please follow this old man inside, noble emissaries," the Magistrate urged.
The Commandant also appraised the three members of the Demon Suppression Division, his expression solemn.
He could clearly sense that these newcomers from the Demon Suppression Division possessed formidable strength.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group walked inside.
A banquet table was laid out in the room, laden with over a dozen piping-hot dishes radiating appetizing aromas. Qi Yuan and the others sat down casually.
"I love feasting the most." Qi Yuan showed no restraint, tucking in the moment he sat down.
Of the dozen or so hot dishes, most were vegetarian, with only four meat courses.
Qi Yuan ate with great relish, while An Qiao and Yang Guang never picked up their chopsticks.
Neither of them had any interest in ancient cuisine.
Besides, the spread looked quite ordinary, even rather meager.
Seeing that the two weren't eating, the Magistrate quickly explained, "Zhenyang City has been besieged for three years and supplies are scarce. We cannot produce fine delicacies to treat you properly. Please do not take offense, noble emissaries!"
"I just ate and am not hungry," Yang Guang replied, though he picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of radish.
The radish tasted rather bland, as if little salt had been used.
"You went light on the salt here," Yang Guang remarked casually, rubbing his bald head.
The Magistrate gave an awkward smile. "Zhenyang City is besieged, trade routes are cut off, and illicit salt is in short supply."
"It's that severe?" Yang Guang paused, suddenly recalling what he had seen on the way to the yamen.
It seemed he had seen hardly any able-bodied young men, only the elderly, women, and children.
Even the bailiffs in the yamen seemed to be half-grown youths.
Before the Magistrate could speak, the Commandant could not help interjecting, "The emissaries may not know this, but ever since the noble clans fled south, those of us northern folk left behind have become nothing more than rations for the demons.
"With grain and salt scarce in the city, we have had no choice but to send people to brave the outside to purchase provisions.
"The journey is perilously dangerous. A single misstep means falling into demon hands as food. For every ten teams that set out, only three return. Sigh."
Deep helplessness filled the Commandant's eyes.
Out of ten expeditions, only three could return with salt or grain.
The rest either ended up in demon bellies or were lost without a trace.
Hearing this, fury blazed in Yang Guang's eyes. "These demons ought to be wiped out completely!"
The Magistrate seized the moment to ask, "Noble emissaries, is there any news from the imperial court regarding when the royal army will reclaim the Northern Lands?"
The Commandant also looked at Yang Guang with an expectant gaze.
Stared at like this, Yang Guang felt somewhat awkward and rubbed his head. "I know nothing of this matter."
Though he wore the guise of the Demon Suppression Division, he was not a genuine member.
When Fengyuan would reclaim the Northern Lands was naturally something he had no idea about.
Receiving this answer, the Magistrate's straightened posture hunched once more, and his spirit collapsed in an instant.
The Demon Suppression Division served as the Emperor's personal guard and had the keenest ears at court.
If even they claimed ignorance, it was clear that the matter of reclaiming the Northern Lands had not even been broached in the imperial court.
The final shred of hope in the Magistrate's heart was extinguished.
He smiled bitterly. The southern migration was still ongoing; a northern expedition was nothing more than an extravagant pipe dream.
"Did the lords of the imperial court convey any edicts?" the Magistrate asked again.
"None." Yang Guang continued picking at the radish.
He simply didn't recognize the other wild greens and was afraid of eating something poisonous.
The Magistrate was rendered speechless by the answer.
The court had entirely forgotten Zhenyang City.
Unwilling to give up, he asked once more, "When the emissaries depart Zhenyang this time, when will you return?"
"Once we find Tong Tianyou, we leave," Yang Guang answered truthfully.
The Magistrate's expression shifted slightly.
The Commandant slammed his chopsticks heavily onto the table. "The imperial court certainly cares about the Tong family's scion!"
As for the people of this city, had they even been mentioned?
The Magistrate hurriedly stood up with an apologetic smile. "We have disturbed the three emissaries. Please forgive us."
"It's fine," Yang Guang replied in a low voice.
Having completed many tasks, he naturally knew that the people in these task worlds were living, breathing humans, not mere data in a game.
Seeing the subjects of Fengyuan suffering, he did not feel good either.
At this moment, the Magistrate spoke up. "When you sirs depart, could you take some... young children with you?"
Now, Zhenyang City was beyond hope.
A breakout was impossible.
Only an elite, small-scale unit like the Demon Suppression Division could leave safely.
The Magistrate's hope was to rely on these nearly twenty members of the Demon Suppression Division to preserve a few sparks of life.
Even if they could only take a dozen or so...
Saving even one life was still a life saved, wasn't it?
In Zhenyang City today, the young and able-bodied had suffered devastating casualties.
Able-bodied youths accounted for only a third of those guarding the city walls.
Of the remaining two-thirds, half were white-haired veterans, and half were child soldiers.
Hearing this, Yang Guang showed a look of shame. "This matter... is beyond our power. I'm sorry."
Once they completed the task, they would depart this world directly and return to their stronghold.
They could not bring people back with them.
The Magistrate froze, the trademark smile vanishing from his face.
The Commandant picked up his chopsticks, slowly eating the food as he spoke, "The emissaries have crucial military duties to attend to. How could we delay them?"
Commandant Old Li's tone dripped with sarcasm.
He harbored deep resentment toward the imperial court.
Yang Guang grew increasingly uncomfortable, unable to find words.
The atmosphere in the room turned stiff and awkward.
As they ate the banquet, the earlier cordiality and familiarity were gone.
The Magistrate remained hunched, saying nothing more, as though whoever spoke first would only invite more embarrassment.
After about a hundred breaths, Qi Yuan set down his chopsticks.
"Alright, the feast is done. Time for us to slay some demons!" Qi Yuan clapped his hands and stood up.
Having eaten the feast, leaving without killing demons would make him a freeloader.
"The emissary... wishes to slay demons?" The Magistrate was startled.
Weren't these Demon Suppression Division members here on a mission to rescue Tong Tianyou?
Why would they go slay demons?
"Yeah, I've had my eye on the demons of Mount Shuyao for a while now, and I'm ready to hunt them.
"By the way, do you have a map of Mount Shuyao, along with their troop distribution and strength?" Qi Yuan went right back to asking for handouts.
"Could it be that the Demon Suppression Division intends to act against Mount Shuyao?" The Magistrate's eyes lit up.
"Not them. It's me who wants to take action against the demons of Mount Shuyao," Qi Yuan stated mildly.
Yang Guang added from the side, "Little Brother Qi wishes to hunt some demons to extract demon essence blood to increase his strength."
Hearing this, the hope that had just kindled in the Magistrate died once more.
Extracting demon essence blood to boost strength meant he wouldn't be hunting many demons.
It seemed the court truly had no intention of caring about Zhenyang City.
Even so, if the emissary went to hunt demons, every demon killed was one fewer to worry about, which was ultimately a good thing for Zhenyang City.
The Magistrate was willing to help.
"Someone, bring up the map of Mount Shuyao!"
Before long, the overly young bailiff delivered the map into Qi Yuan's hands.
Qi Yuan took the map. "Thanks. As compensation, well, after I kill the demons, I'll gift the corpses to you to use as rations.
"Want to send some people with me to carry back the carcasses?"
"We can do that! Huo Mushi, haven't you always wanted to see Mount Shuyao?
"This is the perfect opportunity. Take a few men and follow these emissaries," the Commandant bellowed.
The youth named Huo Mushi's eyes shone, and he immediately clasped his fists. "Thank you, noble emissaries."
This Huo Mushi was the very bailiff they had encountered earlier at the Tong estate. Looking at his age, he was only twelve or thirteen, practically a child soldier.
"Your name is Huo Mushi?" Qi Yuan asked in surprise, an odd look appearing in his eyes.
Huo Mushi was startled. "Has the noble official heard of this lowly one?"
"I've heard of someone with the exact same name, though he... was a great general." Qi Yuan recalled how, not long ago, he had disguised himself as a student to attend class with Ning Tao and learned a piece of history.
In history, there had indeed been a famous general named Huo Mushi.
This general's life was quite extraordinary; in his youth, a divine figure taught him military strategy and the martial path in his dreams.
That Huo Mushi became a refugee militia leader, commanding over a hundred thousand elite troops at the peak of his power.
He had brought an end to an era of chaos.
In terms of accomplishments, he was comparable to Guo Ziyi of the Tang dynasty back on Blue Star.
Still, Qi Yuan did not dwell on it.
It was just a game; basing settings on reality was completely normal.
Perhaps this Huo Mushi was simply modeled after the historical figure.
"Gather the men. Let's go hunt some demons!" Qi Yuan announced.
Full bellies breed wild desires; it was time to slay some white moonlight.
"Yes!" Huo Mushi straightened his back at once, looking thrilled.
Just then, Qi Yuan asked, "Magistrate, do you know where Flower Demon Manluo is currently located?"
"This demon... I have heard of her. Rumor has it that the turmoil in the Tong estate was her doing.
"She should be on Mount Shuyao, but as for her specific location, this old man does not know.
"If the emissary is in a hurry to find her, you may visit Wangshan Temple to see the abbot.
"Before she attained human form, she resided at Wangshan Temple and shared close ties with the abbot. He might know."
"Oh? Wangshan Temple?" Qi Yuan unfurled the map and spotted Wangshan Temple right away.
Puzzled, he asked, "Wangshan Temple sits right within Mount Shuyao. Why... have the demons left this temple standing?"
"Hmph, because the military strategist of Mount Shuyao is none other than a disciple of Wangshan Temple's abbot!" Mentioning this, the Commandant's tone turned bitter.
He had a blood debt against Mount Shuyao's military strategist.
"This backstory is a bit complex. Looks like this abbot of Wangshan Temple... is also a key quest NPC," Qi Yuan commented offhandedly.
Drawing on his years of gaming experience, something was definitely fishy with this abbot.
Yang Guang nodded, agreeing with Qi Yuan's assessment.
Beside them, the Magistrate and Commandant looked bewildered, unable to make sense of Qi Yuan's words.
"Let's go. To Wangshan Temple first, then to slay demons." Qi Yuan rose to his feet.
Acting as a temporary bodyguard, Yang Guang promptly followed.
An Qiao did the same.
Soon, only the Magistrate and Commandant remained in the room.
"Quickly pack this up. Take these delicacies... to reward the soldiers on the city walls. It's likely been quite a while since they tasted meat." Hunched over, the Magistrate looked at the warm food on the table, a flicker of reminiscence in his eyes.
It had been a long time since he had eaten so well himself; he had only prepared such an abundant meal by borrowing the prestige of the Demon Suppression Division.
"These Demon Suppression Division people... are probably here to escort the Tong family away.
"Could the Tong family's grain... and livestock... be left to us?" Stroking his beard, the Commandant wore an enigmatic expression.
Once the Tong family was escorted away by the Demon Suppression Division, the city's strength would diminish further.
Zhenyang City... would truly have no hope left.
"Sigh." The Magistrate lamented, "How nice it is to belong to a prominent aristocratic clan."
With Zhenyang City in peril, the Magistrate had frequently visited the Tong family manor to plead for assistance.
Unfortunately, Master Tong showed zero concern for defending Zhenyang City.
He contributed neither soldiers nor grain.
Even as the County Magistrate, he could do nothing about Master Tong.
First, Master Tong was of an oligarchic clan with a thousand private soldiers and a fortified manor; in terms of strength, he surpassed Zhenyang City itself.
Second, Master Tong held an official title and belonged to an exemplarily filial family. Fengyuan governed the realm through filial piety, so being an exemplarily filial family was an immense honor, practically equivalent to an immunity talisman.
Third, Master Tong had connections in the imperial court. If the Magistrate crossed him too severely, he might well be stripped of his office.
The Magistrate cared little for the latter two points.
Yet he could not ignore the first.
He coveted the Tong family's private army. If only they helped defend the walls... life in Zhenyang City would be far easier.
What a pity...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 336