So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 30 Shangguan Luoxue

"Ghost hunting?"

Jiang Mu's eyes suddenly lit up. "Ghosts are demons too, right? Don't worry, sir, I'll slay all ghosts and monsters!"

Ran Qingshan was speechless.

This guy, why is his mind filled with nothing but slaying demons and monsters?

He shook his head and said calmly, "It's not this ghost, it's to catch the mole within our ranks."

"A mole?"

"Yes, the last time the Fog Demon invaded Huzhou City, the timing was too precise. It happened right when General Shangguan was in seclusion and breaking through the barrier, and the city's protective formation failed for some reason."

Ran Qingshan said with a solemn expression,

"The head of the company, including myself, suspect that someone is behind this."

Moreover, the numerous lurking monsters within the city simultaneously revealed themselves and wreaked havoc, clearly indicating that someone was secretly concealing their presence and transmitting intelligence.

Jiang Mu seemed lost in thought:

"Does the Commander suspect that there is a spy within the Demon Slayer Division?"

"Maybe it's from within the company, maybe it's from elsewhere," Ran Qingshan sighed. "I can't see through this situation either."

"Then why assign this task to me?"

Jiang Mu was puzzled.

He was just a newcomer.

Ran Qingshan's tone carried a hint of frankness:

"You've only been with the company for a short time and don't have deep connections with any parties. Besides... your family has recently experienced a crisis, further reducing your involvement with the outside world. In comparison, I trust you more."

Jiang Mu understood.

The implication was that Ran Qingshan had developed doubts about the other senior officials in the department, and even about the entire bureaucratic system of Huzhou City.

Being a newcomer and the victim myself has ironically become a relatively clean option.

After all, his whole family had been killed.

This kind of hatred makes it impossible for them to collude with demons.

Of course, he also knew in his heart that he was probably not the only one to investigate the mole.

It might just be a casual move.

Ran Qingshan must have had a more covert plan.

The reason I entrusted it to myself was simply because I valued the word "trustworthy," and I considered it a chance.

"You don't need to investigate deliberately; doing so would only alert them."

Ran Qingshan instructed,

"On ordinary days, you should patrol the streets and handle cases as usual. Just pay more attention to observe whether your colleagues' words and actions are abnormal."

Are there any illogical oversights or coincidences during the investigation? ...and so on. Remember, keep an eye on things discreetly, and don't make a sound.

"Your subordinate understands and will certainly not fail in your trust, sir."

Jiang Mu clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.

……

After Jiang Mu left, the room returned to silence.

Ran Qingshan rubbed his temples and leaned back wearily in his chair:

"Who exactly is this mole?"

"General Shangguan failed to break through to the next realm, and his foundation was damaged. That mist demon was only repelled... If it returns, who will be able to defend Huzhou City then?"

call--

Just then, a gust of cold wind blew open the tightly closed wooden window.

A handful of snowflakes drifted into the room with the cold wind.

Snowflakes are not ordinary white, but rather possess a bewitching and noble purple hue.

Purple snowflakes swirled and danced inside the house.

In the interplay of light and shadow,

A tall, graceful figure materialized from the wind and snow.

It was a woman.

She wore a long purple flowing dress, her shoulders and back were straight, but her waist was full but not soft. The front of her dress was like a full moon about to emerge, but it was suppressed by the coldness of her whole body, allowing no room for any reverie.

Before he even took a step, his imposing presence was already palpable.

Ran Qingshan's expression changed, and he quickly stood up and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your subordinate greets General Shangguan."

The newcomer was none other than Shangguan Luoxue, the town garrison commander of Huzhou and a renowned top expert in Daqing.

"how?"

Shangguan Luoxue's voice was clear and cold, like the gentle tapping of a jade chime.

Surrounded by swirling purple snowflakes, he exuded an innate sense of alienation and oppression.

Cold sweat trickled down Ran Qingshan's forehead as he lowered his head and said:

"Reporting to the General, we are still investigating in secret, and this matter should be unrelated to Yunzhou City."

"should?"

The woman's eyes flickered.

The color of its pupils was a rare light purple.

"Definitely unrelated!"

Ran Qingshan gritted his teeth and said,

"My lord, it is not that I am concealing this for personal reasons. When there was a shortage of materials for the magic array in Yunzhou City, it was indeed I who took the initiative to request their borrowing, not Master Xia who demanded them."

I just didn't expect the Mist Demon to invade at this critical juncture... All the blame lies with my subordinates for their negligence!

At this point, Ran Qingshan felt a surge of regret.

If I hadn't acted rashly and diverted crucial resources, the city's protective formation wouldn't have failed.

With the mist demon having no opportunity to exploit, General Shangguan can now break through to the next realm with peace of mind.

It should be understood that for someone of Shangguan Luoxue's level of cultivation, each attempt to break through to a higher level requires a long period of preparation, and opportunities are fleeting.

If she succeeds this time, she will reach the legendary thirteenth realm, join the ranks of the world's best, and even have a chance to challenge for the title of "Number One in the World".

But now, all their efforts have been in vain.

If it weren't for the fact that he had connections behind him and that he was in need of manpower at the time, he would have lost ten heads for this mistake alone.

The inspector Ling Ye came suddenly this time, ostensibly to capture demons, but his real purpose was probably to check on the situation of his former disciple.

It is unknown whether this master and disciple with their complicated relationship have ever met in private.

"Who do you think is preventing me from breaking through?"

Shangguan Luoxue spoke calmly.

Ran Qingshan's back was soaked with cold sweat.

There are plenty of people who don't want you to break through.

The Thirteen Realms are no small matter; once achieved, they will shake the world and disrupt the existing power structure.

It's unknown how many forces this will touch.

Especially those top-tier beings who also covet higher star levels and control resources...

But how could he dare to say it?

Shangguan Luoxue didn't seem to really want an answer from him, and didn't press him further.

With a gentle wave of her hand, a streak of light landed on the desk, transforming into a warm and translucent jade slip.

"There is a cultivation technique here. Have the cultivation workshop disassemble and copy it. Remember to change the name of the technique."

Shangguan Luoxue's voice was indifferent.

"After copying it down, distribute it to all male cultivators of the third realm within the department, so that they may try to practice it."

"This is……"

Ran Qingshan looked up in confusion.

Shangguan Luoxue did not explain, but simply said:

"Whoever masters it first will be recognized by me. At that time, I will bestow upon him a legitimate position as an Earthly Fiend Star Official."

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure vanished.

It transformed back into countless beautiful purple light flakes, which vanished in the blink of an eye.

The room fell silent again, with only a faint chill in the air.

Ran Qingshan wiped away his cold sweat and picked up the jade slip on the table.

Divine senses probed into it.

In just a moment, his eyes widened and he gasped.

"The Purple Mansion Covenant?!"

Ran Qingshan was shocked and almost lost his grip on the jade slip.

Of course he knew what it was.

This is a supreme secret manual that the Yaochi Holy Sect kept hidden from the public, an extremely profound cultivation method for both men and women!

Once mastered, this method can repair damaged core and soul in a very short time through the balance of Yin and Yang.

"How could this be...?"

Ran Qingshan muttered to himself, his face extremely grim.

Given Shangguan Luoxue's proud and aloof nature, she despised such shortcuts and underhanded methods the most in her life.

Now they've even resorted to this method...

This only proves that her injuries were far more serious than the outside world had guessed!

It's even possible that her position as a star won't be secure.

After all, once the star position is lost, she will fall from the sky into the mud.

Just like her master Ling Ye back then.

Thinking of this, Ran Qingshan felt as if a huge boulder was pressing down on his heart.

"This cultivation method is extremely difficult to learn. It has very high requirements for a cultivator's comprehension, temperament, and even innate talent. Throughout history, very few people have been able to master it."

"Moreover, male cultivators can only reach the third realm."

"Once both of them succeed in their cultivation, he will never be able to break through again in his life and will be forever stuck at the third realm."

"Even a slight mistake could cost you your life."

"No wonder the general was willing to grant him a legitimate position as an Earthly Fiend Star Official. This is not only a reward, but also a form of compensation, a price to buy out one's future."

The problem is that being able to master this technique is enough to demonstrate that this person has exceptional talent.

They can go further on the path of spiritual practice.

Who would be willing to give up their future and cultivate alongside General Shangguan?

Ran Qingshan let out a long sigh.

"It's difficult."