Catching Monsters

Chapter 478: Strike first to gain the upper hand

"My lord, my lord..."

Manager Zhang, standing nearby, was terrified. He looked at Jiang Yun's composed face and felt his heart pounding.

He knew perfectly well that if this Lord Jiang wanted to kill him, it would only take a single word.

The dozen or so Imperial Guards brought by Jiang Yun quickly subdued Steward Zhang, and held swords to his neck.

"Let him go." Jiang Yun shook his head slightly, his expression solemn. It seemed that this was done secretly by the demonic path.

So, the goal is to unleash Yan Jiu's demonic energy?
To make others aware of Yan Jiu's presence.

"Go back to the Eastern Garrison Command and keep a close eye on that brat Yan Jiu." Jiang Yun paused, then said in a deep voice, "Don't let him know about the deaths of his two companions for now."

"I have to go to the palace."

……

In a small courtyard in the inner city of the capital, Zhu Hesong, an elder of the Demon Spirit Cult, was sitting in the courtyard with a birdcage beside him.

He held birdseed in his hand and sprinkled it into the cage. Soon, two subordinates dressed as constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture returned.

"Elder Zhu, the matter you arranged has been completed." The two subordinates bowed and reported.

Zhu Hesong nodded slightly, then waved his hand, and another subordinate came over from inside the courtyard.

"What's the current situation with that kid named Yan Jiu?"

The subordinate shook his head and said, "It's not clear yet."

Zhu Hesong frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean you don't know? Didn't I tell you and your men to keep a close eye on him?"

"Elder Zhu, Yan Jiu encountered Jiang Yun of the Eastern Garrison on his journey. We dare not follow too closely, for fear of being discovered by Jiang Yun."

"But thinking about it carefully, this guy should have been taken back to the Eastern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

Listening to his subordinate's words, Zhu Hesong narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Find a way to infiltrate the Eastern Garrison and then tell him about the deaths of those two companions."

"Yes." The subordinate nodded upon hearing this, but his face also showed doubt: "Elder, are you saying that we've traveled all the way to the capital and been busy for so long, just to deal with that Yan Jiu and two ordinary people?"

The subordinate couldn't help but wonder, as Zhu Hesong was a dignified elder of the Demon Spirit Cult.

Now that the Demon Spirit Cult has cooperated with Wang Longzhi, the frontline is under considerable pressure and has a lot to do.

The result was that he went to the capital to do such a simple thing.

Zhu Hesong glared at the boy and said coldly, "What do you know? Do as I say."

……

Outside the palace, the walls of the imperial city have now been re-guarded by the Imperial Guards.

There was no other way; although the Northern Garrison Command had a considerable number of personnel, they were simply too busy to handle everything.

They not only had to guard the imperial city, but also investigate the accomplices in Zhang Yao's case and arrest people everywhere.

So after almost completely replacing the high-ranking officers of the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Guard was temporarily reinstated to its guard duties.

When Jiang Yun arrived outside the palace, the young general in charge of the palace gates immediately turned around and ran inside to report upon hearing Jiang Yun's name, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Before long, a young eunuch came over: "Lord Jiang, Eunuch Feng is busy. Please come with me."

Jiang Yun arrived outside the Imperial Study, where Feng Yu was waiting. He quickly approached Jiang Yun, a faint smile on his face, and asked, "Lord Jiang, is there something you need?"

Jiang Yun glanced curiously at the Imperial Study, and Feng Yu said, "His Majesty is busy right now."

"If there's anything, let's talk outside the Imperial Study."

The two figures, one in black and one in white, had already set off for the Demon Kingdom, and Feng Yu took on the role of Xiao Yuzheng's personal bodyguard.

Jiang Yun said in a low voice, "Father-in-law, when I went to the Demon Kingdom, I encountered the three major demon clans fighting over a demon human. You should know about this."

Feng Yu nodded, and Jiang Yun continued, "That sorcerer has come to the capital, and..."

Soon, Jiang Yun recounted the whole story.

After listening, Feng Yu's eyes narrowed into slits, and his voice grew cold as he said, "Does Lord Jiang mean that you suspect that the Demonic Sect wants to use this demon to incite the three major demon clans to cause trouble?"

"Yes." Jiang Yun nodded heavily.

This matter is of great importance. Feng Yu said, "Wait a moment until His Majesty is finished. I will report this matter to His Majesty personally."

After waiting for about an incense stick's time, Feng Yu gently knocked on the door of the Imperial Study.

After pushing open the door and entering, Xiao Yuzheng looked at the two of them and asked, "Jiang Yun, what brings you here?"

"Your Majesty," Jiang Yun took a deep breath and then said, "This humble servant has some important matters to report to you."

Then, Jiang Yun reported the matter.

After listening, Xiao Yuzheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes filled with contemplation: "So, someone wants to use this kid named Yan Jiu to lure the demon race into causing trouble in the capital?"

"Yes." Jiang Yun nodded.

Feng Yu, standing nearby, said, "Your Majesty need not worry too much. Even if the demons from the Demon Kingdom really come, we can simply hand over Yan Jiu and let these demons fight amongst themselves."

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath: "Hand over Yan Jiu?"

A hint of killing intent flashed in Xiao Yuzheng's eyes: "If this kid is really related to the resurrection of the Demon Saint, then we can't let him live."

"Jiang Yun, the person is still in your hands, right?" Xiao Yuzheng asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun felt a slight chill in his heart and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, he is currently staying in the Eastern Garrison."

"Execute this brat secretly immediately, and keep his whereabouts a secret."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun was surprised that Xiao Yuzheng would make such a decisive decision.

Of course, from Xiao Yuzheng's perspective, the best option is to prevent the demon saint of the demon race from reviving and to get rid of Yan Jiu as soon as possible.

Feng Yu glanced at Jiang Yun, knowing him all too well, and put his hand on Jiang Yun's shoulder: "Your Majesty, that Yan Jiu does have some dealings with Jiang Yun."

"If this matter were entrusted to Jiang Yun, he might not be able to bring himself to do it and kill the person."

"Let Li Wangxin handle it."

Soon, after leaving the imperial study, Feng Yu looked at Jiang Yun's composed face and couldn't help but say, "What is your relationship with Yan Jiu? Even if you are quite familiar with him, you absolutely cannot act recklessly, understand?"

"If that kid doesn't die, and he really resurrects the other demon saints, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Our Zhou Kingdom is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources. Do you think those monsters from the Demon Kingdom would willingly remain confined to Demon Island forever?"

Jiang Yun nodded, though she frowned, she did not refute Feng Yu's words, but simply said, "Don't worry, Father-in-law, I know what I'm doing."

"I once warned that kid not to come to the capital, and that it would be better for him to live in seclusion in the mountains. Now that he has come to the capital, it is his destiny to suffer this calamity."

Jiang Yun had wanted to help Yan Jiu, but it seemed there was nothing he could do.

Inside the Eastern Garrison Command, Yan Jiu was resting in a living room. The Imperial Guards who had brought him were not keeping a close watch on him.

After all, it seems that Yan Jiu and Lord Jiang have a good relationship, and Yan Jiu isn't a criminal.

Yan Jiu could even move around freely.

At this moment, Yan Jiu's eyes were filled with worry, wondering about the situation of Chen Ping and Bai Yunsan.

The three of them developed a deep bond over the course of their journey, which was far from a casual acquaintance.

Just then, a figure suddenly tumbled down from the rooftop; the person looked to be in his thirties.

"who?"

Upon seeing this person, Yan Jiu immediately became alert.

"Don't be nervous." The man said with a smile, "I am also a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Eastern Garrison. Lord Jiang specifically asked me to come and inform you that your two companions are dead."

"died?"

Upon hearing these two words, Yan Jiu paused slightly, his pupils dilated, and he became somewhat agitated. He rushed forward and grabbed the man's clothes, exclaiming, "How could they be dead? Weren't they arrested by the constables of the Jingzhao Prefecture?"

"they are not……"

As he spoke, a green, demonic light flickered in Yan Jiu's pupils.

"Don't worry." Upon seeing this, the man said in a deep voice, "This was done by the constables of the Jingzhao Prefecture."

"Lord Jiang is, after all, a member of the imperial court, and your two companions were indeed executed on the spot after killing someone."

"Lord Jiang is too late."

"However, Lord Jiang said that if you can find a way, I can secretly take you to the constables' office of the Jingzhao Prefecture. After you take revenge, we will leave the capital immediately."

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiu's demonic aura intensified considerably.

The person who came quickly grabbed Yan Jiu's shoulder: "Alright, let's leave the Eastern Garrison first, or things will change."

If this kid's demonic aura continues to spread and the Imperial Guards of the Eastern Garrison are alerted, then we're doomed.

Soon, this man, along with Yan Jiu, quickly left the Eastern Garrison Command.

Nobody stopped them...

There are quite a few people coming and going from the Eastern Garrison Command, but most of the time, only the area where the Imperial Prison is located is strictly guarded.

Less than an incense stick's time had passed since the mysterious man left with Yan Jiu.

Li Wangxin, expressionless, led over a hundred Imperial Guards from the Northern Garrison to the scene quickly.

"Where is that brat Yan Jiu?" Li Wangxin strode into the Eastern Garrison, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

The Imperial Guards inside the Eastern Garrison hurriedly greeted Li Wangxin as he entered.

However, upon closer inspection, Yan Jiu was nowhere to be found.

Li Wangxin's expression hardened. He had received a message from the palace instructing him to come to the Eastern Garrison Command immediately and kill a boy named Yan Jiu.

He also instructed that the matter be handled swiftly and discreetly.

But the person escaped?

Li Wangxin loudly announced, "Search the surrounding area!"

……

Opposite the Jingzhao Prefecture government office stood a restaurant called Wu Yulou.

From a room on the third floor, one can see the main gate of the Jingzhao Prefecture government office.

Inside the room, Hu Zhifeng looked at the two people in front of him with suspicion and said in a deep voice, "You two are quite willing to show yourselves."

Hu Zhifeng was a person placed by the fox clan near the capital, specifically responsible for relaying messages and collecting information.

He rarely entered the inner city, but just now, he suddenly received a secret letter. The sender claimed to have something that their fox clan wanted.

And he was told to wait in Wu Yulou's room.

The two people sitting opposite him were the spies sent by the Snake Clan and the Tiger Clan to gather intelligence in the capital of Zhou.

Although they were both in the capital, they rarely met, each doing their own job.

The snake-clan member, named Chang Xing, appeared to be a simply dressed middle-aged merchant. He took a sip of tea and said coldly, "Hu Zhifeng, what are you up to? Did you lure us here with that letter?"

Hu Zhifeng glared at Chang Xing: "I only arrived a moment earlier than the two of you."

“Huh.” Wei Qingshan of the Tiger Clan suddenly pointed to the government office: “That kid does have a bit of a demonic aura about him.”

The other two followed suit and looked over, and then their expressions changed slightly.

Because they could clearly sense that the demonic aura emanating from the boy was not pure; it also carried a hint of human scent.

"Hiss." Hu Zhifeng gasped, as if realizing something: "This, this person..."

Six months ago, the three races fought over Yan Jiu in Dragon Crystal City. Although they were far away in the human capital, they had heard about this.

After a thorough search in the Demon Kingdom yielded no results, news came from the Dragon Clan.

It is said that this sorcerer has already reached the territory of the Zhou Kingdom.

Over the past six months, the three clans have secretly dispatched many experts to the Zhou Kingdom to inquire about this young man.

The three races have spent countless efforts and resources searching for this guy.

Thank goodness, I never expected to run into this!
Chang Xing and Wei Qingshan couldn't help but exchange a glance.

Wei Qingshan chuckled and said, "Gentlemen, I have something to attend to. You two drink first."

As he was about to get up and leave, Chang Xing grabbed Wei Qingshan's wrist: "Old Wei, that's a bit unfair of you. What's wrong? Do you want to capture this kid and take him back to the Demon Kingdom all by yourself and make a great contribution?"

"There's only one person. Are you suggesting we chop him into three pieces and each of us take one?" Wei Qingshan asked in an icy voice.

"I'm going to take this person." Chang Xing gritted his teeth, his eyes red.

Hu Zhifeng took a sip of tea and said, "Please don't be anxious, gentlemen. Think about it, who deliberately led him to us?"

"Perhaps..."

"I don't care about all that." After saying that, Wei Qingshan smashed through the paper window and rushed down into the restaurant.

"You brainless bastard." Seeing this, Hu Zhifeng didn't bother to think calmly anymore. He had to strike first. If the person fell into Wei Qingshan's hands later, wouldn't he be cursed to death by the clan?
(End of this chapter)