Chapter 321: Chapter 119: Delivering a Message (Seeking Monthly Votes)
Survivors!
Excitement flickered in Chang Cai’s expression. He had almost believed that everyone trapped inside Fengqiu Mountain was dead.
Shen Changqing caught the implied meaning in the other’s words and shook his head. "The Yamen personnel have already died at the hands of that Demon Evil. The remaining survivors are likely those who haven’t been trapped for long."
Chang Cai’s eyes dimmed a bit. It made sense. So many days had passed since the Yamen personnel were trapped. The chances of survival were almost negligible. It would be normal if they were dead.
After discussing the situation, Shen Changqing stood up and looked at the dim morning sky outside. "It is getting late, and I have other affairs to attend to. Lord Chang, please return to your duties."
"Take care, Lord Shen." Chang Cai didn’t ask further.
After leaving the inner hall, Shen Changqing headed straight for the Yamen’s exit. He had left the Yamen around noon yesterday. Afterward, he first killed that magical creature, then returned and dealt with matters on the panel. By now, the morning of the next day had arrived.
Dawn was just breaking. On the streets, there were already quite a few pedestrians. The calls of street vendors echoed about.
Shen Changqing looked around, and after briefly discerning his direction, he headed straight for a certain place. Turning left, then right, he finally stopped in front of a pharmacy. The pharmacy had just opened; apart from a few menial attendants, there was hardly anyone else around.
"May I ask what the guest wishes to purchase?" Seeing someone enter, an attendant promptly inquired.
"I wish to see your steward," Shen Changqing stated directly, a corner of his Token visible in his sleeve as he spoke.
Upon seeing this, the attendant’s heart jolted, and his demeanor became more respectful. "Please take a seat in the inner hall, sir!"
「---」
Inside the inner hall, Shen Changqing sat alone. His reason for coming to the pharmacy was simple: it served as the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s base in Qutai County.
Everywhere within Great Qin, there was a Heavenly Inspection Guard base. Even an ordinary village without a formal Heavenly Inspection Guard base would have their members stationed there. This was why, whenever anything happened anywhere, the Demon-Subduing Division would receive news immediately.
As a Martial Hall Elder and also a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter, Shen Changqing was entitled to know which locations had a Heavenly Inspection Guard base, as well as their specific locations.
In less than a quarter of an hour, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance walked in from outside. Upon seeing Shen Changqing, he bowed and said, "Qian Feng, Steward of Heavenly Inspection Guard Affairs in Qutai County, pays his respects to Elder Shen!"
"It seems you’re already aware of my identity," Shen Changqing commented without surprise. He had not concealed his identity when he arrived, so it wasn’t odd for Qian Feng to be aware of it.
Hearing this, the Heavenly Inspection Guard Steward chuckled. "Elder Shen’s reputation is truly at its zenith these days. Within the Jianghu of South Nether Prefecture, who isn’t aware of Elder Shen’s name? As soon as Elder Shen arrived, I received the news. However, since Elder Shen did not come to us, we did not dare to disturb you prematurely."
After the flattery, Shen Changqing remained unmoved. "Steward Qian, please provide me with paper and ink. I need to record something and have the Heavenly Inspection Guard send it back."
"No problem." Qian Feng nodded, then clapped his hands. Soon, an attendant walked in from outside. "Bring over some paper and ink."
"Yes!"
After the attendant left, Qian Feng hesitantly asked, "I have a question, Elder Shen, if you would be so kind as to clarify?"
"Speak," Shen Changqing said.
"Has the Demon Evil in Fengqiu Mountain already been dealt with by Elder Shen?" Qian Feng asked. He knew of Shen Changqing’s visit to Fengqiu Mountain yesterday, but there was still no news about the Demon Evil there. Therefore, the Heavenly Inspection Guard wasn’t clear whether the Demon Evil had been eliminated or if it still lingered.
Between the two, Qian Feng was more inclined toward the former. He had some understanding of Shen Changqing’s strength: a Grandmaster Peak powerhouse, and one whose strength surpassed even that of a typical Defender Envoy. The Demon Evil of Fengqiu Mountain, no matter how strong, could hardly be a match for such a powerful expert.
Under Qian Feng’s gaze, Shen Changqing nodded. "The Demon Evil of Fengqiu Mountain has been eradicated."
"With Elder Shen taking action, success was inevitable!" Qian Feng’s face lit up with a smile. The base he oversaw was in Qutai County; if the Demon Evil wreaked havoc there, it would bring him considerable trouble. Thus, he had hoped for the Demon Evil of Fengqiu Mountain to be eliminated. Now, hearing Shen Changqing’s words, Qian Feng’s anxious heart finally settled.
While they were talking, the attendant who had left returned, carrying a tray with paper, ink, a brush, and an inkstone. "Please, sir, have a look!" He placed the tray in front of Qian Feng.
Then, Qian Feng moved the tray to the table beside Shen Changqing. "Elder Shen, this is what you requested. Additionally, there is a study in the inner hall. Would Elder Shen like to use it?"
"No need." Shen Changqing shook his head and then grasped a writing brush, writing on the white paper. Qian Feng did not intentionally look, instead averting his gaze.
Perhaps it was because his spiritual power had substantially improved. He felt an indistinct sense of enlightenment while writing. The characters he wrote flowed with the power and grace of dragons and snakes, significantly better than before.
Moments later, he set down the brush. Then, resting his palm on the paper, he infused it with a faint trace of True Yuan, instantly drying the ink. Following that, he folded the paper, lifted it with True Yuan, and set it down in front of Qian Feng.
"Steward Qian, I’ll trouble you to deliver this letter to Defender Dongfang of the Capital Demon Suppression Division. Ensure no one else reads it," Shen Changqing said earnestly.
The letter detailed the events at Fengqiu Mountain. He always had a feeling that the appearance of the magical creature was not a common occurrence. If the Demon-Subduing Division hadn’t noticed it, it would mean there might be other magical creatures hidden across Great Qin. With Demon Evils already rampant, Great Qin was riddled with problems, struggling to cope. If magical creatures were also lurking in the shadows, the problem would be far from small. Therefore, reporting this to the Demon-Subduing Division was imperative. Other matters were beyond his ability to manage.
Qian Feng carefully stored the letter, his expression solemn. "Rest assured, Elder Shen, I will personally ensure this reaches Defender Dongfang."
"Then I must trouble you. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave." Shen Changqing stood up and departed.
Watching him leave, Qian Feng first retrieved a bamboo tube, placed the paper inside, and then carved some characters onto the tube. Then, he summoned a messenger bird and tied the tube to its leg. With a pat on its back, the messenger bird vanished instantly from the pharmacy.
「---」
After leaving the Heavenly Inspection Guard headquarters, Shen Changqing headed towards the Yamen. The purpose of his visit had merely been to convey the news from Fengqiu Mountain. With the task completed, there was no necessity to stay any longer.
When he returned to the Yamen, Luo Yuan and the others had also just returned from Fengqiu Mountain.
"Lord Shen, as per your command, we have escorted back nearly all the commoners who fell into the Demon Evil’s hands, without any issues," Luo Yuan bowed respectfully and said. After understanding Shen Changqing’s methods, he dared not harbor any disrespect for this formidable expert from the Demon-Subduing Division. With the surname Shen and such formidable strength, Luo Yuan had already vaguely understood the true identity of this Lord Shen before him.
Lv Anxin and Huo Qian had similar attitudes, though they weren’t as deferential as Luo Yuan.
"Thank you all for your efforts." Shen Changqing acknowledged them briefly and walked past.
Watching Shen Changqing’s departing figure, Luo Yuan secretly clenched his jaw and then hurried after him.
"Does Elder Luo have further business?" Lv Anxin’s face held a strange expression. We’ve barely exchanged a few words with Shen Changqing. For Luo Yuan to seek him out now... perhaps there was some hidden matter? For a moment, various thoughts arose in his mind.
Hearing this, Huo Qian shook her head slightly. "I’m not certain either, but judging by Elder Luo’s expression, there must be something we’re unaware of. If he manages to connect with the Demon-Subduing Division, it would be like ascending to the heavens in a single step!" As she spoke, her eyes showed envy. Who wouldn’t want to connect with the Demon-Subduing Division? Yet she was well aware that as a mere Pulse Condensation Realm martial artist, she had virtually no chance. Therefore, she could only watch Luo Yuan go. If she rashly followed and displeased Lord Shen, it could very well bring disaster upon herself.
「---」
He pushed open the door. The Tiankui, which had remained in the room, immediately hopped down from the table. It approached Shen Changqing, making a whimpering sound.
"Hungry again?" Looking at the Tiankui before him, Shen Changqing slightly raised an eyebrow. This little creature seemed to have become even hungrier. Not long ago, it had feasted on that magical creature, and now it was hungry again. If this kept up, raising it would indeed be quite a burden. However, the more it ate, the larger its body seemed to have grown. The two fleshy bumps on its back had grown slightly more pronounced. I look forward to the day Tiankui grows a pair of wings. By then, perhaps I could even ride it through the skies.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The door was tapped, and a reverent voice came from outside: "Lord Shen, Luo Yuan requests an audience!"
"Come in!" Shen Changqing waved his hand, using his True Yuan to unlatch the door. Then he saw Luo Yuan push the door open and enter.
"Greetings, Lord Shen!"
"What brings you to me?" Shen Changqing’s expression remained unchanged. He held no particular sentiment for the person before him. The man possessed some skill, but alas, his talent was average. However, he was quite adept at handling interpersonal affairs.