novelapdf Chapter 272 The roof can also be used
Chapter 272 The roof can also be used
The capital city, the chief commander of the Demon Slayer Division.
This architectural complex, located at the foot of the imperial city, features blue tiles, white walls, and flying eaves and brackets.
It looks simple and unadorned.
But within it lies the central lifeline for vanquishing demons and monsters throughout the land.
The afternoon sun squeezed through the half-open window, filtering through a few beams of pale golden light and casting a slanting shadow into the quiet study.
"Although we had guessed before that with Jiang Mu's abilities, he would most likely be able to kill Shen Hufei and seize the star position smoothly, the process... was indeed too smooth."
Behind the desk, Deputy Chief Commander Yao Wenxian was holding a secret report and sighing.
Although he is over sixty, he looks no different from a middle-aged man in his early forties, with firm skin.
He wore a light blue crane-patterned cloak, his eyes gleaming with a restrained intensity.
The opening and closing of the gates concealed the power of thunder.
It reveals its unfathomable profound Taoist essence.
Yao Wenxian put down the secret report and exclaimed in amazement, "Not to mention our Daqing, even looking at the whole world, we really can't find another genius as monstrous as him now."
Ran Qingshan, who had come to report, stood a few steps away from the desk, his face taut, and said indifferently:
"Indeed, there's no second one like him. But, well, I reckon this kid's future is pretty much over."
I suggest that the Commander-in-Chief simply give up on him, just like last time in the Fallen Soul Swamp, and completely strip him of his trial qualifications and resources, so as not to waste the court's precious resources for nothing.
Yao Wenxian chuckled, placed the secret report on the table, and glanced at him:
"You stubborn mule, I knew you were harboring a lot of resentment."
Ran Qingshan said irritably:
"What complaints could I possibly have? I'm just a rough local. I just feel that the Chief is acting too recklessly and changing his mind too frequently. The Demon Slayer Division used to be a chaotic mess."
When the Water General was in office, which decision was not made after careful consideration?
Ever since that person was promoted to the position of Chief Commander, the Demon Slayer Division has been acting like a joke, going east one day and west the next. You almost pulled up promising talents like weeds!
"Alright, alright, you have complaints, but do you think I feel good about it?"
Yao Wenxian sighed helplessly, rubbed her temples, and said with a wry smile,
"Aoyama, the Demon Slayer Division is not what it used to be. The Commander-in-Chief and I also have our own unspeakable difficulties."
Do you think that giving up on Jiang Mu was just a decision made by the two of us?
"If it weren't for those guys putting pressure on us and fanning the flames, how could we have done such a stupid thing?"
Ran Qingshan simply responded with two cold laughs.
Clearly, they do not buy into this political excuse.
He suddenly remembered something and frowned, asking, "I heard Zhou Yuanzhi died? How exactly did she die?"
Yao Wenxian shook her head, her expression becoming serious:
"The exact details are still unclear. The secret letter sent back by the Commander of the Inner Guard only says that he died at the hands of the Mist Demon."
Although no conclusive evidence has been found yet, given the deep hatred the Mist Demon harbors towards the Demon Slayer Division, the possibility is extremely high.
Of course, there are also some unreliable rumors circulating.
It is said that Jiang Mu, harboring resentment because she was deprived of her spot, killed Zhou Yuanzhi to vent her anger.
"Jiang Mu killed him?"
Ran Qingshan's eyes widened.
"This is getting more and more outrageous. Back then, Xiao Jiang was only at the fifth realm. Even if he reached the sixth realm, how could he possibly kill an eighth-realm peak expert?"
Yao Wenxian smiled in agreement:
"So, we ruled out this absurd possibility immediately. However..."
He paused, his eyes darkening.
"Although Zhou Yuanzhi is nominally promoted to princess, we both know what she represents."
Ran Qingshan frowned and didn't reply.
Yao Wenxian dipped her index finger in the tea and drew a circle and then a dot on the table:
"She was a pawn that His Majesty placed beside Prince Sheng in his early years."
Later, perhaps because her identity was exposed, or due to other unforeseen circumstances, His Majesty transferred her back to the General Headquarters.
They were given official positions, but in reality, they were used to control and openly monitor us.
Now that this important pawn has died under mysterious circumstances, His Majesty will surely be furious.
If it really was the Mist Demon who killed him, then he can only accept his bad luck.
But after this incident, His Majesty will surely seize the opportunity to launch an attack and plant a few more spies.
Ran Qingshan opened his mouth, but in the end he only sighed heavily and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Scheming and scheming have always been his most disgusting traits.
Just then, a guard appeared outside the door.
After receiving orders to enter the house, he stepped forward, presented a sealed intelligence document with sealing wax, and then left.
Yao Wenxian removed the sealing wax and quickly scanned the seal.
His previously serious expression relaxed, and he burst into laughter.
"What's wrong?" Ran Qingshan asked, puzzled.
"See for yourself."
Yao Wenxian handed over the secret report, smiled, and shook her head.
"According to the summary reports transmitted from the various state branches along the way, all the monster lairs in the vicinity from the Fallen Soul Swamp all the way to Huzhou City have been leveled."
Nearly a thousand demons, large and small, were all killed.
Guess who did it?
Ran Qingshan paused for a moment, took the secret report, glanced at it, and his tense face softened involuntarily:
"Who else could it be? This kid has an almost obsessive passion for slaying demons."
However, it's understandable, considering that his parents and entire family were killed by demons.
Speaking of which, looking across the entire Demon Slayer Division now, there are probably only a handful of demon slayers as pure as him, who are determined to kill any demon they see.
Yao Wenxian shared the same sentiment:
"Yes... If our Demon Slaying Division could have more geniuses like Jiang Mu, how could the world not be at peace? How could the demon plague not be quelled?" Ran Qingshan put down the secret report and said coldly, "There used to be many, but now, there are too few."
When Shui Miaozheng's father was still alive, he held the position of Chief Commander.
He never got involved in those messy court intrigues. Back then, the Demon Slayer Division was united in purpose, truly a sharp blade to slay demons and monsters for the people.
Look at things now? Snellia is rife with factions and constant infighting.
Most of the newly recruited so-called demon slayers are just people who came here to coast along, collecting resources and cultivating their skills.
How many of them actually risked their lives to slay demons?
Just as Ran Qingshan was complaining, a series of cursing sounds suddenly came from outside the gate.
A figure strode into the study.
The newcomer was a thin, elderly man, dressed in a tattered gray coat covered in patches, with hair as messy as a bird's nest.
He looked exactly like a beggar gang leader who had just finished begging for food.
This man is named Zhu Wuyuan, and he is a high-ranking inspector.
Yao Wenxian laughed and joked:
"Old Zhu, what's wrong? Why are you so angry? Who owes you money for drinks?"
Zhu Wuyuan plopped down in a chair and cursed:
"Recently, a star position of the Heavenly Gang level has appeared in the star sea, and it has been vacant for three or four days."
I thought this was a good opportunity, so I arranged for several of the core geniuses in the headquarters with decent talent to try to obtain the certificate.
The results of it?
Despite the Chief Commander expending a great deal of rare and precious materials and resources, not a single one was able to successfully activate the laws.
All of it was for nothing.
Damn it, I'm starting to feel like something's really wrong with this starry sea.
Just like that Earthly Fiend level star position last time, it keeps popping up, sometimes being verified, sometimes popping up again.
I feel like God is deliberately playing tricks on us!
Ran Qingshan casually chimed in, "This is so unusual, could it be that someone has secretly sabotaged it?"
"Who knows? Who has the ability to tamper with things?"
Zhu Wuyuan waved his hand impatiently, then looked at Yao Wenxian and frowned.
"There's another thing. Recently, those young talents in the company have seen the resources and support we approved for Jiang Mu."
These brats are really indignant now, all complaining and crying foul, saying our commander is biased. There's a huge commotion outside, they're demanding an explanation.
"Is it getting out of hand?"
Yao Wenxian's eyes turned cold. She grabbed the secret report that had just been delivered from the table, threw it into Zhu Wuyuan's arms, and sneered:
"Go! Post this battle report on the headquarters' notice board and let those arrogant but incompetent good-for-nothings take a good look!!"
Jiang Mu killed over a thousand demons on his way back.
The resources they enjoy are the result of hard-earned achievements, earned piece by piece, risking their lives!
"If anyone disagrees, fine, let them go and kill a thousand monsters, bring their heads back for us to see!"
Zhu Wuyuan picked up the battle report suspiciously and glanced at it. His pupils dilated instantly, and he couldn't help but gasp.
"Hiss—is this kid even human?"
Ran Qingshan stood up, cupped his hands, and said:
"General Yao, then I won't disturb you any longer. During my seclusion these past few days, there must have been a lot of official business piling up in Huzhou City."
My younger sister, Chun'er, is impulsive and careless. I'm afraid that if I delay any longer, something might go wrong. I need to go back and check on her right away.
He hesitated for a moment, then added,
"Also, don't approve the appointment of the garrison commander yet. Let me return to Huzhou City and consolidate the star positions of these nine realms before considering it again."
"Alright. You do need to calm down and reflect after a breakthrough. You can go back now."
Yao Wenxian smiled and nodded.
Watching Ran Qingshan stride away with great confidence and swagger, Zhu Wuyuan suppressed the rudeness on his face, turned to look at Yao Wenxian, and his expression became somewhat strange:
"Old Yao, didn't you tell him about Jiang Mu being transferred and sold off by his own sister?"
"How could I dare say that?"
Yao Wenxian glared at him.
"If I were to tell him now, given that stubborn mule's fiery temper, coupled with the pressure of just breaking through to the ninth realm, he would definitely tear this study down today."
He will definitely use every means possible to force us to take Jiang Mu back on the spot.
If we don't give him the money, he'll probably sit here and fight us to the death.
Yao Wenxian sighed and said with a wry smile:
"Moreover, he has just successfully attained the Star Realm, and his Dao Foundation is still unstable."
If they suddenly find out that Jiang Mu was sold by her sister, the shock would be too great. What if she gets so angry that she goes into a qi deviation?
Let him go back first. When he returned to Huzhou City, he found that the die was cast, and the die was cast.
He cursed a few times, but in the end, he could only grit his teeth and accept his fate.
Zhu Wuyuan rolled his eyes and muttered:
"If we had known it would be this difficult today, wouldn't it have been better if you and the Commander-in-Chief had simply withheld the transfer order when Ran Chun'er brought it over?" Yao Wenxian's eyes were filled with helplessness and exhaustion.
"You think I don't want to press? But that girl Miaozheng has been sending us letters for the past six months demanding Jiang Mu."
We've been holding onto this for a long time.
Actually, I felt incredibly guilty towards that girl.
Upon hearing these words, Zhu Wuyuan's expression suddenly turned serious.
He abandoned his usual nonchalant demeanor, stared coldly at Yao Wenxian, and asked, word by word:
"Old Yao, we've known each other for decades, tell me the truth."
You take such good care of Shui Miaozheng and feel guilty towards her... Is it because her father's death wasn't caused by any demonic calamity?
But it's because of the palace..."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Yao Wenxian's expression suddenly changed drastically, and a terrifying light burst forth from her eyes, like two unsheathed swords piercing straight at Zhu Wuyuan.
The papers on the desk rustled and moved on their own, even without wind.
Yao Wenxian lowered her voice and shouted sharply.
"Old Zhu! Are you crazy?! Some things are not for us to speculate about!"
"You have to say it even if you curse me."
Zhu Wuyuan slammed his fists heavily on the desk, his eyes filled with grief and indignation.
"When the Demon Slayer Bureau was first established, the late emperor set an ironclad rule that the Imperial Guards and eunuchs were absolutely forbidden from interfering in the internal affairs of the Demon Slayer Bureau."
Even the emperor himself was not allowed to use the power of the Demon Slayer Bureau to handle matters other than demons.
Furthermore, the Demon Slayers must not be used as tools for personal gain, such as to help imperial cultivators acquire star positions or to refine evil arts.
Zhu Wuyuan's eyes gradually reddened, and his voice trembled slightly with anger:
"But look at the present?"
After His Majesty ascended the throne, he wanted to forcibly reclaim the [Star Ladder] in the Demon Slayer Division and send all the exceptionally talented young geniuses in our division into the deep palace and stuff them into the Imperial Observatory.
Mizusōji refused in public and remonstrated with his life.
How glorious was the Demon-Slaying Division back then? How many demons in the world dared to show their faces? And how many people were spared the suffering of demons because of our existence? Zhu Wuyuan's breathing quickened as he pointed out the window.
"But look at the Demon Slayer Division now!"
Leaving aside natural disasters and man-made calamities, the demonic plague is more rampant than in any previous year!
Although our Demon Slayer Division recruits more and more people every year, how many of them are truly capable of drawing their swords and risking their lives to shoulder the responsibility? In fact, we don't even have enough for a single prefecture garrison commander.
Could you have imagined this before?!
The study was silent.
Yao Wenxian stood by the window, her back to Zhu Wuyuan.
The sunlight cast his long shadow on the wall, making him look like a statue nailed to the wall.
Zhu Wuyuan said:
"Isn't all this mess because His Majesty started interfering without restraint after the mysterious death of the old commander-in-chief?"
No one dared to stand up and stop it anymore, resulting in a large number of promising talents we had painstakingly cultivated being forced into the palace and becoming waste. Ultimately, this severely weakened the Demon Slayer Division, leaving it without capable successors.
Looking at the menacing Zhu Wuyuan, Yao Wenxian sighed:
"Old Zhu, His Majesty has his own thoughts and plans. As his subjects, there are many things that we cannot and should not influence. As for the death of Chief Inspector Shui back then, whether it was truly related to His Majesty or whether it was related to that 'ancestor' of the Imperial Observatory, these are not things that you or I can speculate on at will."
Yao Wenxian turned around, her tone becoming more stern and warning:
"You should be more careful with your words in the future. If these words reach Miaozheng's ears..."
Knowing her temperament, who knows what kind of terrible trouble she'll cause next.
Zhu Wuyuan merely snorted coldly:
"In my opinion, His Majesty just wants to achieve immortality and cultivate, but he is hindered by the restrictions imposed by the Heavenly Dao on his true dragon identity. He cannot ascend to the Star Realm like ordinary cultivators, so he has to find another way."
Whether it's Zhou Yuanzhi or Jiang Mu, I think they are both resources prepared for His Majesty by someone.
He stared into Yao Wenxian's eyes and said coldly:
"This time they arranged a new star position for Jiang Mu, and I even suspect that this star position has been tampered with."
"Just wait and see, one day in the future, Jiang Mu will definitely be summoned to the palace."
After saying that, Zhu Wuyuan turned and left angrily.
Yao Wenxian shook her head with a wry smile: "Just how much grievance is Old Zhu carrying in his heart?"
He sat back down at his desk, looking down at the detailed record of Jiang Mu in his hands, his gaze gradually becoming deep and unfathomable.
"This empire ultimately belongs to His Majesty. This court also belongs to His Majesty. If the emperor commands his subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die."
Jiang Mu, oh Jiang Mu...
How much further can you go down this road?
The sun is setting in the west.
The carriage traveled slowly along the official road leading to Huzhou City.
The two demonic horses snorted and automatically found their way.
Although in the past two days, Shui Miaozheng and Ling Ye, these two peerless beauties, had to temporarily reach a compromise and mutual assistance alliance on the issue of combat strength when faced with the relentless crushing of a certain pile driver.
But their mutual dislike for each other didn't diminish at all.
What Ling Ye disliked most was this Water Master.
Every time it was this woman's turn to discuss philosophy, it was always accompanied by a torrential downpour.
Even Ling Ye, who was resting to the side, inexplicably felt as if he were in a vast ocean, floating and sinking uncertainly.
Finally, Ling Ye, unable to bear it any longer, lodged a strong protest.
Jiang Mu also felt that this matter did affect the riding experience, so he made a bold decision that went against his ancestors' wishes: to climb onto the roof of the vehicle.
And this experiment actually led to the discovery of a new world.
Discussing ideas on the roof of a speeding carriage has a unique and rustic charm.
At first, Shui Miaozheng was absolutely unwilling.
She was, after all, the governor of a prefecture, and was dignified and traditional at heart.
Discussing and exchanging ideas on the roof of a car in the middle of nowhere, facing the howling night wind, seems rather absurd.
In the end, however, they compromised.
The night breeze sang like a song, and Shui Miaozheng seemed lost in thought.
I never imagined that one day I would be discussing philosophy atop a speeding carriage, amidst a sky full of drifting clouds.
All I can say is... I was unlucky in love.
Meanwhile, Shui Miaozheng also had some reservations about Ling Ye's performance.
This woman usually puts on a cold and aloof demeanor, as if she has superhuman strength, and looks very fierce.
However, when it came to the real battlefield, it turned out to be nothing more than a showy but useless spearhead.
Each time they faced the enemy's powerful offensive, they would see stars after only a short time.
He rolled his eyes and fainted.
In the end, it was up to her, the veteran, to carry the burden alone.
Simply weak burst!
Looking at the unconscious Ling Ye, Shui Miaozheng curled her lip: "This guy dares to compete with me for the title? Shameless."