Chapter 164: Demon Suppression Bureau

Even carrying three people and a dog, Ah Ming’s speed was still very fast.

They arrived near Jingzhou City before dawn.

"We should get down."

Mo Tang suddenly spoke up. "It’s best not to show off this Exotic Beast’s abilities. You don’t want to draw too much attention or make others covet it."

"Mm."

Lu Bai nodded, motioned for Ah Ming to land, and asked, "Lord Mo, are you able to walk?"

"I’ve rested for a while. Walking shouldn’t be a problem."

Mo Tang said.

In truth, her injuries were extremely severe, and she didn’t want to move at all.

But if she were to return to Jingzhou City tucked under Lu Bai’s arm, who knows what rumors would spread by the next day. Her reputation would be in tatters.

She herself didn’t much care for her reputation or the propriety between men and women.

But as a Morning Bell Ringer, she had to maintain some semblance of a proper image.

Once they landed, Ah Ming could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It had only just advanced to Tier Three. Flying by itself would have been a piece of cake.

But carrying three people and a dog while fleeing for their lives had been utterly exhausting.

Lu Bai and the other two arrived at the walls of Jingzhou City.

The Guards on the city wall recognized Mo Tang and let the three of them in without her even needing to show her Token.

It was just past the fourth watch, and the sky had not yet brightened.

Mo Tang knew the Corpse Refining Sect’s infiltration of Jing State was no small matter. Without taking time to tend to her wounds, she said, "Let’s go to the Demon Suppression Bureau first and report the situation."

Jingzhou City was much larger than Bluestone City. Its streets were extremely wide, enough for four carriages to travel side by side, and the roads were lined with all sorts of densely packed buildings.

After walking for a while,

they saw a mansion rising abruptly from a sea of low-lying buildings in the distance, standing out in the vast night like a crouching beast.

As Lu Bai and the others drew closer, two massive black gates came into view. It was unclear what they were made of—not wood, nor stone—and they gleamed with the cold, hard luster of metal in the dark.

The gates were studded with rows of bronze rivets, each the size of a bowl.

Above the gates hung a huge plaque, black with gold lettering. The three words "Demon Suppression Bureau" were carved into it with sharp, powerful strokes.

Flanking the entrance were two imposing stone lions. The manes circling their necks made them look even more ferocious, their fangs bared and their eyes glinting with a menacing light.

"The auspicious beasts of our Evil Extermination Bureau are the rooster, the stag, and the Mountain Monarch."

He Liangzhi explained, "The symbol of the Demon Suppression Bureau is the lion."

Since Mo Tang and He Liangzhi were both injured and had difficulty moving, Lu Bai stepped forward and knocked on the great gates.

A moment later, the black gates opened from within, and two Demon Suppression Guards in black armor emerged. Their gazes swept past Lu Bai, then they froze for a second upon seeing Mo Tang.

"Lord Mo."

The two Demon Suppression Guards recognized Mo Tang and saluted with clasped hands.

Mo Tang asked, "Is Demon Suppression Envoy Lord Yu in the bureau?"

"He is not."

One of the Demon Suppression Guards shook his head. "At this hour, Lord Yu is at home resting."

Mo Tang said, "One of you go and fetch Lord Yu. Tell him I have urgent business to discuss."

The two Demon Suppression Guards looked troubled.

One of them said, "At this hour, Lord Yu is already asleep. If we go over..."

The other asked tentatively, "Lord Mo, the sun will be up in less than four hours. Whatever it is, can’t it wait until morning?"

"Go now!"

Mo Tang’s tone was icy, and she offered no explanation.

The two Demon Suppression Guards exchanged a glance, not daring to disobey.

One of them ran off while the other said, "Lord Mo, please come in."

Mo Tang gave a slight nod and led Lu Bai and He Liangzhi into the Demon Suppression Bureau.

After a long wait, a series of footsteps approached from outside.

The man in the lead was about forty years old. His features were sharp and chiseled, his eyebrows slanted up toward his temples, and his eyes were deep-set. He was dressed in simple clothes and had clearly rushed over.

It was none other than the Demon Suppression Envoy of Jingzhou City, Yu Weifeng.

He and Mo Tang exchanged simple greetings.

Yu Weifeng’s gaze swept over Lu Bai and He Liangzhi before he asked, "Lord Mo, are you injured?"

"Yes."

Mo Tang nodded. "I encountered Cultivators from the Corpse Refining Sect in Stone Forest Valley. I was lucky to escape!"

"The Demon Sect’s Corpse Refining Sect!"

Yu Weifeng’s expression grew taut, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He quickly asked, "How many of them were there? What’s the situation?"

"The Evil Exterminator Guards from Bluestone City were lured there and vanished without a trace, so I went to investigate..."

Mo Tang recounted the events of the previous night in full detail.

Her account concluded with her encounter with Lu Bai and He Liangzhi.

Hearing that the two had run into the Corpse Refining Sect in Bai Family Village, Yu Weifeng asked them for details.

Lu Bai gave a rough account of how they had stumbled into Bai Family Village and subsequently escaped with their lives, omitting details about the Ancient Mirror breaking the formation and Ah Ming carrying them to safety.

He only mentioned that they had led the Corpse Refining Sect’s Cultivators toward Renyi Manor, after which the pursuit had stopped.

"The Ghost Bride?"

Yu Weifeng frowned slightly. "According to Lord Mo, the Corpse Refining Sect had three True Master Golden Cores and numerous Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators. I doubt a single Ghost Bride could stop them."

"It’s hard to say what that Ghost Bride’s specific Cultivation level is."

Mo Tang said, "Don’t touch anything at Renyi Manor for now. Wait until my injuries have healed, and I’ll go investigate it myself.

The priority now is for you to head to Stone Forest Valley as quickly as possible. Encircle and annihilate the Corpse Refining Sect Cultivators stationed there, and interrogate them to find out why they have infiltrated our dynasty."

’So many members of the Corpse Refining Sect have infiltrated Jing State, yet the Demon Suppression Bureau was completely unaware.’

Yu Weifeng’s expression was grim as he muttered, "And this Corpse Refining Sect has come in force. This isn’t just one or two people; they must have a grand scheme. This matter must be reported to the Capital City. We’ll need to request the intervention of a Demon Suppression Captain."

The Evil Extermination Bureau is divided into Morning Bell Ringers, Jiaorui Envoys, and Mountain Monarch Envoys.

Above the Demon Suppression Envoy in the Demon Suppression Bureau is the Demon Suppression Captain, who is at the Nascent Soul Realm.

Above the Captain is the Demon Suppression Venerable, at the Returning Void Realm.

He is also the Duke of Zhen, one of the Six Great Dukes of the Wu Dynasty!

Mo Tang looked like she wanted to say something, but held her tongue.

’If they report this to the Capital City, by the time a response comes back, the Corpse Refining Sect members in Stone Forest Valley will have long since fled.’

’But if the three Corpse Refining Sect True Master Golden Cores who pursued her are still alive, or if there are other powerful members in Stone Forest Valley, the forces of the Jingzhou City Demon Suppression Bureau would likely suffer heavy losses if they were to rush in recklessly.’

Yu Weifeng looked at Lu Bai and He Liangzhi and asked, "You killed a member of the Corpse Refining Sect earlier. Did you happen to get a Storage Pouch or anything like that?"

Lu Bai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes."

"Give it to me."

Yu Weifeng said, "I’ll examine its contents first to see if there are any clues, then report everything to the Capital City together."

’Lu Bai felt a little reluctant.’

’If he handed it over just like that, he wouldn’t get anything out of it.’

Mo Tang nodded at him.

’This was the proper course of action. It was important evidence, after all.’

Lu Bai handed the Storage Pouch and the Corpse Heart Bell to the waiting Demon Suppression Guard.

Yu Weifeng said, "I will first write a secret memorial to report to the Capital City. At dawn, I’ll make a trip to the State Mansion to discuss this with the Lord Governor. We’ll see if we can gather troops and ask the Demon Slayer Envoy and the few True Master Martial Daos in the city to come with us to investigate Stone Forest Valley."

"Very well."

Mo Tang nodded. "We won’t disturb you any further, then. We’ll take our leave."

Yu Weifeng said, "Lord Mo, your injuries look quite severe. Let me send a few men to escort you back to the Evil Extermination Bureau."

"That won’t be necessary."

Mo Tang shook her head slightly. "We’re in Jingzhou City, after all. No matter how audacious the Corpse Refining Sect is, they wouldn’t dare attack a Morning Bell Ringer inside the state capital."