Chapter 119: East Hong Township

In a secluded wilderness, a group of about a hundred people hurried along.

Walking at the forefront of the group were Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu, while Xiao He walked to their right rear, observing the terrain ahead to the right while occasionally stealing glances at Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu.

Behind them were other Demon Slaying Division Blue Uniform Guards and Black Uniform Guards, interspersed with some of the Yu family’s men, followed by the Yu family’s elite swordsmen, who were actually trained guarding warriors. At the very back were a batch of Yamen runners transferred from the county government. Although these Yamen runners did not have much ability to fight demons, they were needed for delivering messages and other tasks.

"Brother Ding, that Chen… and Miss Xu seem to be getting too close."

Walking in the second tier of the group were members of the Yu family and members of the Demon Slaying Division. A Black Uniform Guard, watching the backs of Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu ahead, couldn’t help but whisper to a Blue Uniform Guard next to him.

Ding He frowned and scolded in a low voice, "Don’t talk nonsense!"

Then, he also took a deep look at Chen Mu’s back and slowly said, "Master Chen is a confidant personally promoted by Miss Xu, and he also possesses a toughened body. He is different from you and me."

The Black Uniform Guard Wu Pu whispered, "What’s the difference? We’re all outsiders, not part of the Yu family. Chen Mu only entered the Tendon Transformation Realm recently. Brother Ding, you’ve long reached the Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation. Even if he has a toughened body, what can he compare to Brother Ding? Yet, Miss values him so much, we might even have to take orders from him."

There was a hint of jealousy in his tone.

If he were a member of the Yu family, it would be understandable for him to be so close to Xu Hongyu, or if they were both White Uniform Guards, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but Chen Mu was just a Blue Uniform Guard, yet he was allowed to walk at the front of the group with Xu Hongyu. Moreover, they were talking while walking, not at all like a subordinate and superior. It seemed a bit too intimate.

Hearing Wu Pu’s words, Ding He didn’t respond, but he only took a deep look at Chen Mu. He knew that Chen Mu, with his toughened body and entry into the Tendon Transformation Realm, was no simple person and had more potential than him. It was normal for Xu Hongyu to value him. But seeing Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu’s relationship, which didn’t resemble a superior and subordinate relationship, he couldn’t help but have some thoughts.

Could it be that Xu Hongyu’s interest in Chen Mu was more than just appreciation, but liking?

That was a bit…

He knew that Xu Hongyu was still unmarried. As a direct descendant of the Yu family, she was one of the highest-ranking members of the younger generation. If Chen Mu could marry into her family, it would undoubtedly be a rapid promotion.

However, even if Chen Mu, with Xu Hongyu’s trust, used sweet words to win her over, the Yu family would probably not accept it. After all, Xu Hongyu’s status was far beyond the reach of the Yu family’s branch family descendants, and even among the direct line, her status was extremely high. It was destined that she could not be with an ordinary person.

"Miss has her own judgments. It’s not our place to interfere. Don’t talk nonsense anymore."

After his eyes flickered a few times, Ding He spoke to Wu Pu in a deep voice.

Seeing that Ding He was pondering in silence, Wu Pu had no choice but to agree. Actually, as a Black Uniform Guard, he was indeed a rank below Chen Mu. He only felt that if Chen Mu could do it, why couldn’t Ding He? If Ding He could also gain Xu Hongyu’s trust, and even her liking, then based on the relationship between him and Ding He since childhood, his own position could also rise.

…

Chen Mu walked next to Xu Hongyu, discussing the garrison matters of East Hong.

He had also noticed some gazes coming from behind, some constantly looking them over, while others were somewhat jealous and dissatisfied. But this was normal. After all, he was just a Blue Uniform Guard, yet he was walking at the front of the group with Xu Hongyu. It was normal to attract some stares and criticism. He didn’t care about it, and only continued to discuss things with Xu Hongyu.

Xu Hongyu was not skilled in political intrigue, but she had a certain understanding of strategies and formations. In addition, her demon-hunting experience was more extensive, having participated in such demon disturbances more than once. Many of her ideas made Chen Mu nod in agreement. Although it was called a discussion, he was actually mostly listening to Xu Hongyu’s arrangements, occasionally making a few suggestions.

Chen Mu had risen from the bottom to where he was today, and he naturally had a sense of pride in his heart, but he would not be complacent because of it. He never interfered excessively in unfamiliar matters. Just like in his post as Yamen Constable in Wutong Li, he only carried out his tasks, cooperated with the Chief Constable, and rescued disaster victims, never attempting to change the entire ecosystem of Wutong Li.

Firstly, his position had not reached that level. The entire South District was one entity, and it was impossible to just take out one Li and suddenly transform it into another world. Secondly, without much understanding and insufficient knowledge, meddling recklessly might create a mess. After all, quelling the disturbance was one thing, and governance was another.

As for dealing with the demon disturbance, the strategy was not to garrison troops in East Hong Township and the nearby villages, because even a few thousand troops would not be enough. After all, the world of this era was much wider than those of Chen Mu’s previous life. East Hong Township alone occupied an area of hundreds of Li. However, not all of this nearly hundred Li area was inhabited.

Xu Hongyu still adopted the Yu family’s old method. She would mark out lines or points at key positions outside the inhabited villages, and then divide a few hundred people into groups of three or two to patrol and investigate those areas.

If demons appeared, and if they were few and weak, they could be dealt with on their own.

If the demons were numerous or of a higher level, they would immediately retreat and send the message upwards to summon troops to engage them.

The items they carried were also carefully made. There were special medicinal powders that could conceal their scent, making it easier to hide themselves and making it harder for the demons to notice them. There were also ‘whistles’ that could transmit messages over long distances, like fireworks. The sound could be transmitted for ten Li, allowing them to connect and relay messages.

Chen Mu knew very little about these things. Now, as he learned about them from Xu Hongyu one by one, he couldn’t help but marvel at how the human race had always been able to create various countermeasures based on the environment, regardless of what that environment was.

Perhaps in the very ancient times, when martial arts had not yet reached the heavens, they were able to survive in the gaps by relying on this wisdom, and finally, step by step, occupy this land, dominate the world, and push those terrifying demons that once dominated mountains and rivers into decline, now having to hide in various deep mountains and poisonous swamps.

Soon, the group arrived at the township pavilion of East Hong Township.

This was also a large settlement. Even in terms of area and the clusters of houses, it seemed even larger than the county government. The only difference was that there were no high city walls here, unable to resist the invasion of demons.

There were Li Chiefs and Yamen Constables in the township, and their numbers were not small. At this time, they were all waiting for the arrival of the Demon Slaying Division. When Chen Mu’s group arrived, the Li Chief of East Hong Township and others could no longer wait and came out to greet them.

"You are finally here, Masters. Please come in quickly. I have already prepared a feast for you to welcome you and cleanse away your fatigue." The Li Chief bowed to Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu and others, speaking with a smile.

Xu Hongyu said with a cold expression, "There’s no need for a feast. Everything should be simple. From now on, everything in East Hong Township will be under my command. The Yamen runners and officials should report to me as soon as possible."

Having the experience of serving as the Chief Constable of the South District, Xu Hongyu was very familiar with controlling a region.

"Yes, yes." The Li Chief immediately replied, instructing his subordinates to do as he said.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but take a sneak peek at Xu Hongyu, and then at Chen Mu next to her. He couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, mainly because the officials of the Demon Slaying Division that had come this time looked a little too young.

Although, as a Li Chief of a township, he was very clear about the status of White Uniform Guards and Blue Uniform Guards, and they certainly had the corresponding strength, but for commanding a region in response to a demon disturbance, all kinds of deployment and experience were also very critical, and one order could often reduce many losses.

However, the Li Chief quickly relaxed. After Xu Hongyu arrived at the Li Government in the township, she directly started asking him about the local conditions of East Hong, whether they were different from what was on the map, and other arrangements and matters.

As long as the officials from the Demon Slaying Division were not the young arrogant type, stubborn, and unwilling to listen to advice, then there was nothing to worry about. After all, they had no problem with their strength, and they could discuss strategies.

In the council hall, Xu Hongyu, Chen Mu, the Li Chief, and Xiao He were gathered around a map, discussing and formulating strategies in harmony.

However, outside was a bit chaotic. Some of the Demon Slaying Division’s Blue Uniform Guards and members of the Yu family’s branch were all showing some criticism in the direction of the council hall. It was one thing that Xiao He, who was Xu Hongyu’s close maid was allowed in, but Chen Mu was also allowed into the council hall. This was different from when he was walking next to Xu Hongyu earlier, it almost meant that he was sitting in the position of command.

Not only were Wu Pu and Ding He feeling displeased, even some of the Yu family members of the branch were frowning. After all, they were still surnamed Yu and had to wait outside for orders.

After a while, the Li Chief went out, instructing the township’s men to leave.

Only Chen Mu, Xu Hongyu, and Xiao He were left in the council hall.

"It’s too wasteful of manpower for both of us to sit in the township. With you sitting here, there shouldn’t be any problems. I will take a few people to patrol the wilderness and mountains, what do you think?" Xu Hongyu asked Chen Mu.

Chen Mu looked at the map and, after a moment of thought, said, "No, it’s better for you to sit in the township. After all, I’m just a Blue Uniform Guard and it’s inconvenient for me to deploy people. Besides, I’m not very familiar with the demon disturbances yet, and it’s your responsibility to sit in the township and respond accordingly. The wilderness and mountain area can be left to me. Also, if there are any problems in other areas, I can get there quickly."

Although it would be easy to put an end to the criticisms of those outside by showing a little strength, Chen Mu, after listening to Xu Hongyu’s arrangements, felt that it was most appropriate for her to be in the position of overall command.

Besides, the township was the center of East Hong. It was also the safest place.

In comparison, the wilderness and mountain area was more dangerous. It was a place that was usually deserted, and the wilderness and mountain area was located on the border between Anyu and Huaiyu counties.