Ink panel: Hunting the sun and surveying the sky from the bow.

Chapter 271: Fighting against demons, tit-for-tat

Looking around, these dignitaries in Yongzhou are not as fat and big-eared as expected, which is very different from the secular stereotype.

On the contrary, each of them is very refined, with an upright figure, and looks like an immortal.

If you look closely, you will find that the spiritual power in these people is not leaked out, but is cleverly restrained in every inch of meridians in the body, revealing an indescribable spiritual temperament. They are at least at the Jade Meridian Realm or even the Dan Ren Realm.

The Ji family of the Great Zhou Dynasty claimed to control the world's military power, but it was clear that their methods were useless to the various powerful people.

As long as they want, the powerful and wealthy will always find various ways to get the cultivation resources they want.

Just as Shen Qing was looking at everyone, he keenly sensed a pair of eyes vaguely scanning him.

He glanced at it expressionlessly, released his spiritual sense to check, and found that at the end of the gaze was a middle-aged man.

This middle-aged man had a sharp face and a calm demeanor. He wore a loose robe embroidered with delicate cloud and water patterns. On the lapels, dark patterns embroidered with gold thread sparkled.

From the discussions around this man, I could vaguely tell the identity of the person in front of me.

He is the head of the Dong family—Dong Wentian.

Shen Qing remembered Huangfu Rou's warning, lowered his head silently, picked up the teacup and sipped the tea, pretending not to know.

After a while, people arrived in the hall one after another, and the empty seats were filled.

The hall, which had been somewhat deserted, gradually became lively.

Shen Qing, whose status was not noble to begin with, was completely marginalized in the company of these people. No one cared about him and he seemed extremely inconspicuous.

But Shen Qing didn't care.

He never liked to be in the spotlight.

In addition, since he had just killed one of Dong Wentian's sons not long ago, keeping a low profile was actually what he wanted.

When the county governor Bai Mu saw that most people had arrived, he said happily, "It is a rare occasion for all the great and virtuous people to gather together today. Since everyone is here, there is no need to keep the food waiting for too long, so as not to spoil your enjoyment. Come on, let the people below serve the food."

It wasn't long before he finished speaking.

The well-trained servants in the county government brought the delicacies that had been prepared long ago and presented them one by one.

During the banquet, the guests toasted and said, "Congratulations to the county governor for being healthy and having a smooth exit. It is a blessing for the people of Yongzhou to have you back in charge!"

"Haha, you are welcome, please."

Everyone clinked glasses and the atmosphere gradually became warm and harmonious.

When the atmosphere at the banquet became completely lively, County Magistrate Bai Mu stroked the table lightly and let out a long and deep sigh.

Zhou Xu, the head of the Zhou family, asked first: "I wonder why you are sighing, sir? Now that all the wise men in Yongzhou have gathered in this hall, why don't you speak out and discuss it together? We will help you relieve your worries."

Bai Mu looked at Zhou Xu with deep eyes and said worriedly, "I am glad that you have passed the customs smoothly this time, but there is something stuck in my heart. Everyone knows that there is a snake demon outside Yongzhou City, which is ready to move and harass the people repeatedly, causing great suffering to the people. If this continues, it will be a disaster, and you will also suffer greatly. As the county governor, I am anxious, so I sigh."

At this point, Bai Mu glanced at the whole audience and paused, then continued, "To be honest, I invited you all here today mainly because I want to unite with you all to jointly eradicate this snake demon that is scourges the world and bring peace to Yongzhou! What do you think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the banquet hall fell into deep thought.

Long before they came, Shisanhang and others had already heard that Bai Mu wanted to use them to slay demons and eliminate monsters.

After a round of pleasantries, we finally got to the point.

As the most prosperous family in Yongzhou, the Thirteen Hongs had accumulated a lot of experience over the years and there were many experts in the family. If they united, they would be no less powerful than the county government.

At the moment, even the county magistrate himself is no match for the snake monster, and it is obvious that there is no one else in the county government who can get rid of the snake monster.

There is no other way except to seek help from others.

This is something everyone could have expected.

"Master Bai is right. I heard that the snake demon is rampant outside and has been lurking in the dark. I don't know what its purpose is. For the peace of Yongzhou, it is imperative to slay the demon. My Zhou family is the first to stand up and work with you to get rid of this demon."

"The same is true for my Dong family."

"My Sun family..."

"My Wu family..."

"..."

Soon, all the high-ranking officials stood up to express their support.

County Magistrate Bai Mu laughed and said, "With your help, the snake demon will surely be doomed. I wonder if the ancestors of the Zhou family and the other families can help this time?"

Zhou Xu, the head of the Zhou family, said helplessly: "My Zhou family's ancestor is old and his vitality is declining. He is now in seclusion and has long since stopped caring about worldly affairs. This time we can only send our brothers to help."

"My ancestor is the same. He is over 200 years old and can only survive by relying on elixirs. If he wants to eliminate the monster, he can only send younger generations to support him."

"So did my ancestors."

"..."

Bai Mu was stunned.

That snake demon is comparable to the innate realm. If only the younger generation or other ordinary martial artists go to conquer it, what is the difference between that and delivering food?
He didn't ask for their help just for this this time.

Bai Mu knew clearly in his heart that the reason why he summoned the heads of many of the Thirteen High Families to gather together this time was not only because he valued their own strength, but also because he wanted the ancestors of several of them to take action.

On the one hand, it is to increase the probability of killing the snake demon, and on the other hand, it is also intended to weaken the strength of these people and shorten their lifespans.

All of these ancestors have reached the innate realm.

If it were in the past, it would have been fine. He could have suppressed it with his cultivation and had nothing to fear.

But now he was injured by the snake demon. Even though he has recovered, his strength is still greatly reduced. It will be difficult for him to suppress these local snakes.

If he wants to keep his official position, he has to think of some way.

What's more, the snake demon had attacked him so severely that he would not be able to rest in peace unless he took revenge.

That's why we set up this bureau.

Bai Mu was unwilling to give up. His face was stern and he said with pressure: "Everyone, this matter concerns the safety of Yongzhou. If anyone has doubts or feels that my actions are against morality, you can speak out. But I hope you can understand that as long as this monster is not eliminated, we will not have a day of peace. At this time, I hope you will not be stingy with your strength."

"Master Bai, slaying demons is your duty, and we are only assisting. We have already done our utmost by contributing our manpower and resources. What else do you want?"

Zhou Xu, the head of the Zhou family, had a cold expression on his face and retorted without showing any mercy to Bai Mu.

The dignitaries of the Thirteen Hongs and other places all caught the subtle change in Zhou Xu's attitude. The hall suddenly became silent and a tense atmosphere spread out.

(End of this chapter)