Demon Suppressor・Su Jin

At this moment, the soldiers seemed entirely reborn.

It wasn't that the people had changed, but their spirit had.

"My Lord Duke..."

A soldier suddenly stood up, his face resolute, eager to show his loyalty. "This... this lowly one has a situation to report to Your Grace."

"Speak!"

"Well, this Chen Xiong is extremely shrewd. While defending Wusheng Pass with utmost tightness, he also worried that the imperial army might circle around for a sneak attack. Therefore, behind Wusheng Pass, he set up a watchtower and appointed a tower captain to prevent any flanking maneuvers."

"Oh?" Ren Tianye was slightly surprised.

This Chen Xiong, if nothing else, truly had a knack for leading troops and fighting battles. He had basically considered everything that could be considered.

It could be said that if not for Xiao Che's god-like assistance, their assault on Wusheng Pass would certainly have been much harder than imagined.

As for Zhang Shi, who had already been sent to flank them, Ren Tianye wasn't worried. With Zhang Shi's battlefield experience, even if he were truly discovered, he had the ability to retreat unscathed.

"What is the specific situation inside that watchtower?"

"Your Grace, there are a hundred soldiers in the watchtower, with a captain and a beacon commander. Once they spot the imperial army flanking, they will immediately light the beacon fire to pass the message."

"Mhm!" Ren Tianye nodded.

This was equivalent to a small checkpoint. Now that he had already taken Wusheng Pass, this small checkpoint of a hundred or so men wouldn't pose much of a hindrance to him.

However, the fact that the man before him was willing to inform on them made him quite satisfied. It seemed the situation in Yunjing was just as he had imagined. Upholding love above all else, and even having Yunjing promote it as a policy, was merely a game for those high-and-mighty figures; ordinary people suffered deeply from it.

They were willing to inform.

That was good!

It was a good thing that not everyone was insane.

"Report!"

"Report!"

"Report!"

Just as he was thinking, a light cavalryman spurred his horse over rapidly.

Before even getting close, he rolled off the horse's back. Judging from this light cavalryman's attire, he was clearly a messenger sent back by Zhang Shi.

"Your Grace, General Zhang Shi ordered this subordinate to report back with utmost haste."

"General Zhang Shi discovered a watchtower behind Wusheng Pass. The specific situation is unclear, and he did not send anyone to scout it. He merely took a quick detour, planning to cross the mountains and ridges to circle behind Wusheng Pass again."

Ren Tianye glanced at the light cavalryman who had galloped all the way here and sighed. "Take him down to rest."

"Your Grace, General Zhang Shi also said that the situation is more critical than imagined, and requested Your Grace to make prep..."

Before the light cavalryman could finish his words, he voluntarily shut his mouth.

Because the actual situation was quite different from what General Zhang Shi had expected!

No, it was vastly different!

The light cavalryman was taken down to rest. Ren Tianye returned to his tent and let the army rest for the night. Early the next morning, he led his men toward Guanxiang Town.

At the entrance of Guanxiang Town, Su Jin, dressed in coarse linen clothes, stood respectfully to the side.

"Su Jin pays her respects to Your Grace!"

Su Jin knelt and bowed.

"Rise." Ren Tianye wore a faint smile on his lips. "You did a good job scouting the situation at Wusheng Pass. You deserve credit for this battle as well."

"You also have a good understanding of the situation in Yunjing."

"You are a meritorious minister for my deployment of troops."

"Right now, I am in need of manpower. I hereby restore you to your original post and promote you one rank, to serve as the Demon Suppression Envoy of the Demon Suppression Bureau!"

As soon as these words came out, not only was Su Jin's face full of joy, but Xie Changfeng was also beaming with delight.

Back when Su Jin was demoted, he had taken over her position, but only temporarily as the Deputy Demon Suppression Envoy. Now that Su Jin was back and even promoted to Demon Suppression Envoy...

Then, he was almost certain.

It wouldn't be long before he would also be promoted.

The word "temporary" in his title was going to be removed!

Furthermore...

Since Su Jin was promoted to Demon Suppression Envoy, the original envoy, Zhou Ze, would most likely be transferred to a more important post. Since he was recommended and introduced by Zhou Ze, this was also a great thing.

Thinking of this, the joy on his face grew thicker.

He hurried to personally bring over Su Jin's Demon Suppression uniform.

Right there on the side, shielded by a cloth held by others, Su Jin finished changing.

And when Su Jin emerged again...

She was dressed in a pitch-black martial outfit, the dark gold piping outlining a cold and stern silhouette.

The Severed Love Lotus on her chest looked as fierce as a blade, and the Emotion-Severing Saber at her waist reflected against the dark iron token, exuding a chilling imperial majesty.

The narrow sleeves and thin boots accentuated her upright posture. Every movement was filled with the unique sharpness and decisiveness of the Demon Suppression Bureau, making people dare not look directly at her.

It truly made one's eyes light up.

Wang Ming approached at this time and asked in a low voice, "Su Jin, about Lu Shuang..."

"Rest assured," Su Jin said. "She hid in the mountains and forests, so she's fine. It's just that she won't be found for a while, but once Wusheng Pass calms down, she will naturally come out."

"When the time comes, I will report to His Grace and invite her to join our Demon Suppression Bureau."

Wang Ming felt relieved.

If so, that bit of guilt in his heart would be settled.

"However, her mother and brother are truly too much. I need His Grace's nod to go and deal with them."

Su Jin reported to Ren Tianye.

Ren Tianye also understood the situation and immediately nodded. His visit to this town this time was originally to reverse this ridiculous trend in Yunjing.

Immediately after, Su Jin gave a soft hmph, and the elite Demon Suppression Guards followed her in unison, charging straight toward Lu Shuang's home.

At this time, Wang Guifang and Lu Shuang's brother, Lu Li, were still immersed in joy.

"Mother, are you saying that sister can marry Lord Chen Xiong? Doesn't that mean she will receive a massive bride price?"

"Hahaha, then the betrothal gifts for my marriage are secured!"

"No, not just the betrothal gifts. Xiao Li also took a fancy to a courtyard house, a four-courtyard compound. Now, we'll definitely have it!"

Wang Guifang looked at her son dotingly and said, "Of course. Our family raised her for so many years; aren't we just waiting for her to bring in money?"

"This time, all of her bride price must be left for you."

"Not only that, after she marries General Chen Xiong, you can ask her for money every now and then. If you have no money to buy wine, ask her for money. Whatever you and Xiao Li want to do, ask her for money too."

"If she doesn't give it, you just go to Lord Chen Xiong's place and make a scene."

"Also..."

Wang Guifang grew happier as she spoke, already starting to fantasize about the beautiful days ahead, saying, "You are idling about right now without any proper work to do."

"After Lu Shuang marries Lord Chen Xiong, you have Lu Shuang get you a sinecure—a leisurely job, but one that pays a lot."

"Right, right, right!" Lu Li suddenly thought of all kinds of possibilities, his eyes shining terrifyingly bright. "If my sister marries Lord Chen Xiong, then I will be Lord Chen Xiong's brother-in-law in the future. In this Guanxiang Town, who would dare to provoke me?"

"Those gambling houses actually dared to set up traps to cheat me of my money. After Lu Shuang marries Lord Chen Xiong, I'll take people and smash their shops."

"From now on, in this Guanxiang Town, I, Lu Li, will throw my weight around and do whatever I please!"

"Right!" Wang Guifang smiled so widely her eyes narrowed into slits, saying firmly, "From now on, in Guanxiang Town, our son must rule the streets!"

...