Chapter 108: Mission

"The Demon Slaying Division is different from other yamen. Unless there is a large-scale demon disturbance, it generally does not have an overall command structure from top to bottom like other yamen. Usually, it is relatively free, and one can take on tasks independently."

Xu Hongyu explained the situation of the Demon Slaying Division simply as they walked.

She had hunted demons outside the city before, registered under the Demon Slaying Division. Plus, with her status, she naturally understood the Demon Slaying Division far more than Chen Mu. With her explanation, Chen Mu roughly understood many things.

First, there is an elite Garrison Army stationed outside the prefecture city, guarding Yu City, and each of the seven counties in Yu Prefecture also has a garrison army stationed in the county government. Unless there is a large-scale demon disturbance, the prefecture and county governments are generally as stable as Mount Tai.

Therefore, most of the personnel of the Demon Slaying Division are scattered throughout Yu Prefecture, hunting and killing demons.

To put it bluntly, when there is no large-scale demon disturbance, the Demon Slaying Division is more like a loose organization. From the Commander and Deputy Commanders to the White Uniform Guards and Blue Uniform Guards, they can independently take on demon-slaying tasks and exchange the demon corpses for corresponding merits.

The various tasks of the Demon Slaying Division are based on intelligence transmitted from all over Yu Prefecture, analyzed and organized, and then placed in the main hall of the yamen, generally divided into four levels: Black, Blue, White, and Purple.

Among them, ‘Black Tier’ tasks generally involve first and second-tier demons, and the threat is relatively small. Often, a martial artist with mastery of Flesh Training can kill any second-tier demon. Unless the number is very large, generally Black Uniform Guards can handle it.

Then there are ‘Blue Tier’ tasks, which often involve a small number of third-tier demons, requiring Blue Uniform Guards in Tendon Transformation Realm to handle them. Such tasks generally have clear information specifying the type and quantity.

After that are ‘White Tier’ tasks, which still involve third-tier demons, but the quantity and type are often unknown. The danger and trouble level greatly increase. Either a large number of Blue Uniform Guards will go together, or a White Uniform Guard will lead a team.

Finally, ‘Purple Tier’ tasks involve fourth-tier demons, requiring Deputy Commanders or higher to take action.

Soon, Chen Mu followed Xu Hongyu into the main hall of the Demon Slaying Division. It was very spacious, with about a dozen officials either sorting documents or transporting items, but it was still very quiet. Occasionally, Blue Uniform Guards or Black Uniform Guards would come and go, hurrying past.

Xu Hongyu walked all the way to the innermost side, showed her Waist Plate, and calmly said:

"A White Tier task."

The person in charge of the task was an old man. After glancing at the Waist Plate, he turned and took a document, handing it to Xu Hongyu.

"Let’s go."

Xu Hongyu turned and called out to Chen Mu and the others, then walked out.

It was too simple and straightforward.

Chen Mu was a little surprised at this scene. The entire process of the Demon Slaying Division was extremely concise, including the assessment part, which was very simple. He just took the Waist Plate, changed clothes, and even receiving tasks was just a matter of a few words.

No wonder the atmosphere of the entire Demon Slaying Division was so solemn. Some of the Blue Uniform Guards and Black Uniform Guards seen outside hurried past, without stopping and no one chitchatting.

They did not need to see their superiors, nor did they need to manage their subordinates. It was just a direct point-to-point process.

No wonder Xu Hongyu seemed much more relaxed after arriving at the Demon Slaying Division. Perhaps this kind of yamen was more suitable for her. She didn’t need to engage in scheming like she did in the City Guard.

Xu Hongyu led Chen Mu and Xiao He out of the Demon Slaying Division.

They walked until they reached a secluded and unoccupied place, then took out the document, read it carefully, and handed it to Chen Mu. Chen Mu reached out and took it, and looked at it together with Xiao He.

The content of the document was very simple.

【Northwest of Anyu County, 150 li away, demons appear, entering villages and eating people, suspected to be wolf demons】

Besides a general direction, there was no specific location. There was not even specific information about the demons, only saying that they were suspected to be wolf demons. Their strength was unknown, and their number was unknown.

"This intelligence is a bit too vague."

Chen Mu shook his head slightly after reading it.

Xu Hongyu said calmly: "Most White Tier tasks are like this. If the intelligence is very clear, then they are often Blue Tier tasks. The merits that can be obtained will also be much less… It is not advisable to delay, let’s set off now."

"Okay."

Chen Mu’s gaze was very calm at this time.

Although the farthest place he had been outside the city was only the Mass Burial Mound outside the city, this time he was going to directly leave the prefecture city and go to the county government below, but there were still no waves in his heart.

After all, he was no longer the cautious and careful small yamen runner who lived in troubled times. Now, with his strength, he could easily destroy ordinary demons and was enough to travel across a prefecture.

The three of them quickly left the Inner City.

When they reached the Outer City, Xu Hongyu quickened her pace and landed more than ten zhang away with a single leap. Xiao He tried her best to keep up, and Chen Mu also calmly followed on the side. The three of them quickly crossed through secluded alleys, and ordinary people could not even see their figures clearly.

Only some powerful gang figures noticed Xu Hongyu and her group quickly passing through the streets, but they all showed some fear when they saw the white and blue uniforms worn by Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu.

"Demon Slaying Division!"

No one dared to stop them, and they all avoided them.

In Yu City, only the people from the Demon Slaying Division should not be obstructed, otherwise, if they were killed casually, it was often a pointless death.

They quickly traversed through the streets and arrived at a place that Chen Mu was familiar with.

"Nine Strip Li…"

He leaped more than a zhang off the ground and followed behind Xu Hongyu, looking around. It so happened that on their route was the former residence where he used to live. Looking at the familiar streets and alleys from afar, and at the two dilapidated houses where he lived for many years, a trace of nostalgia arose in his heart for a moment.

At one time, he struggled in this hardship, unwilling to even part with a single piece of meat. Now, after only a few years, he had become a Yamen Head, Yamen Constable, and now a Demon Slaying Division Blue Uniform Guard. A rapid promotion was nothing more than this.

The emotions in Chen Mu’s eyes only flashed by.

The figures of the three of them soon disappeared into the streets and alleys. Many of the people who still lived here did not even notice anyone passing by. Only one figure stood there outside a few alleys, looking a little dazed in the direction where Chen Mu and the others had left.

He was wearing the official uniform of a Yamen Head, looking significantly more mature than he had been a few years ago. He also had a lot of facial hair. He was Ren Yan, Chen Mu’s former colleague. A few years had passed, and he had finally risen to the position of Yamen Head.

"That person…"

Ren Yan stared blankly in the direction where Xu Hongyu and her group had left, standing there in a daze.

It was a little far away, and he had not seen Xu Hongyu, who had passed first. Chen Mu and Xiao He, who followed after, were very fast and a little blurred. But he had seen a profile view that looked somewhat familiar.

Was it Chen Mu?

He remembered that Chen Mu had been promoted to Yamen Constable of Wutong Li a long time ago, but he had left the position a few months ago, and his whereabouts were unknown.

Some people said that Chen Mu might not have a bright future, but the clothing just now…

"Demon Slaying Division Blue Uniform Guard…"

Ren Yan shook his head silently, revealing a self-mocking expression.

This was a level that he could not even touch, a level that could easily crush him. Not to mention him, even Min Baoyi, the Yamen Constable of Nine Strip Li, had to bow respectfully before a Demon Slaying Division Blue Uniform Guard. It was not the same status.

He, back then,

had actually wanted to compete for fame and profit with such a person.

Now, if he thought about his past impoliteness, perhaps one word could cause him to be doomed, but for such a small character as him, perhaps the other party did not even remember him now.

…

Chen Mu did not notice Ren Yan.

Even if he did notice him, he probably would not pay much attention, nor would he have any interest in paying attention.

Only people like Liu Song and Li Tie, who had followed him before, were the ones he cared about a little. When he left, he had also transferred Liu Song and Li Tie back to Nine Strip Li, and had them re-settle under Min Baoyi. Of course, he still secretly controlled a batch of informants in Wutong Li, who were also his former confidants. Their positions were completely different from before, and even Min Baoyi treated them respectfully.

They quickly left the city.

Xu Hongyu took out a map, glanced at it roughly, and said:

"Anyu County is in the southwest of Yu Prefecture, relatively remote. There is a range of Qiu Lin Mountains separating it from Yu Prefecture. Usually, merchants or freight transportation travel via the waterway or take the official road, bypassing the Qiu Lin Mountains. However, we need to act faster, so let’s cross the Qiu Lin Mountains directly."

Chen Mu glanced at the map.

He saw that there was a long waterway connecting Anyu County and Yu City, which happened to run through the city river of Yu City. However, this waterway was winding and curved, turning corners in the complex terrain.

As for the marked official road, it bypassed the Qiu Lin Mountains, which stretched for hundreds of li, making a large detour. The distance was at least twice as long, but merchants preferred to take the long route, since they would rather go further than take the safer official road.

After all, the official road was flat, and there were post stations every so often. The Garrison Army stationed at the post stations guarded the official roads. Therefore, traveling on the official road, the possibility of encountering robbers, bandits, or ferocious demons would be much less.

"Qiu Lin Mountains…"

Chen Mu looked at the mountains and forests marked on the map, and some information appeared in his mind.

During his time in the Yu family, he had read a lot of books, including not only various records of Great Xuan, but also various situations in Yu Prefecture, including maps. He knew a lot about the Qiu Lin Mountains. For example, he knew that the outer edges of this mountain range supported many woodcutters and hunters in the nearby villages and were not very dangerous.

As for the inner edges, since they were not very far from Yu City, there were also no particularly ferocious demons, and occasionally, some young descendants of large families in the Inner City would be taken to the Qiu Lin Mountains by elders in their families to hunt demons and train.

Even if he was not here, given Xu Hongyu’s strength, there would be no problem in crossing through it.

Xiao He saw Chen Mu musing, thinking that Chen Mu might have some suggestions, so she looked over. Xu Hongyu also paused, her eyes fixed on Chen Mu. It was clear that Chen Mu was leaving the city for the first time, but both of them seemed to value Chen Mu’s opinion.

However, Chen Mu just shook his head and said, "I have no opinion. You can command, Master Xu."

Xu Hongyu looked at Chen Mu carefully with her clear eyes, and suddenly said, "There is no need to call me so formally. You and I are not that different now. In the future, you can just call me by my name."

Having said that,

she took the lead and headed toward the Qiu Lin Mountains.