Catching Monsters

Chapter 663 Phantom Snake Jade Mirror
Jiang Yun wasn't very interested in listening to the two's so-called deep and unwavering affection.

Chang Mengqiu alone, in order to cultivate, has harmed and killed over a hundred lives, including more than twenty Imperial Guards under Jiang Yun.

Killing her would certainly not be an injustice to her.

Upon seeing this, Chang Mengqiu's murderous intent intensified. With a loud shout, she instantly transformed into her true form—an enormous, pitch-black demonic snake.

Upon seeing this, Chen Qilang, who was tied to the wooden stake, was so frightened that he fainted.

"Let's retreat first," Jiang Yun said, turning to Dong Qiaofeng.

"Yes." Dong Qiaofeng nodded repeatedly and ran towards the outside of the training ground.

Otherwise, why would Dong Qiaofeng and so many of his Jinyiwei subordinates be so loyal to Jiang Yun?
When there were benefits, Jiang Yun would generously share them with his subordinates. When danger came, as long as his subordinates couldn't help, he wouldn't let them die innocently, and he would face the enemy alone.

At that moment, the giant snake roared and charged toward the wooden stake where Jiang Yun and Zhou Hanshan were bound.

In front of the wooden stake was the Taoist altar that Jiang Yun had set up in advance.

Jiang Yun made a hand seal with both hands, then raised them:
"With divine power and divine transformation, all things prosper. Wearing a canopy on the head, treading on the Big Dipper. The Six Jia return to the left, and the Six Ding guard the right."

"Azure Dragon Mengzhang, White Tiger on the left. Supervising the soldiers on the right, Vermilion Bird Lingguang. Black Tortoise in front, holding the light behind."

"Urgent as a law."

After reciting the incantation, Jiang Yun slammed his palm on the altar, and the four red talismans he had placed instantly flew out, rapidly heading towards the black area in front of him.

While still in mid-air, the four talismans instantly transformed, displaying the four colors of blue, white, red, and green.

The four-elemental light instantly enveloped Chang Mengqiu.

Chang Mengqiu also realized something was wrong. The Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise were the Four Divine Beasts.

The light of the four symbols has a natural suppressive effect on demons.

Chang Mengqiu quickly transformed back into human form.

But these four beams of light merged and merged together.

Four talismans were instantly attached to her body.

"The Four Symbols suppress the demons! Imperial decree!"

The light of the Four Symbols shone and flowed continuously, penetrating into Chang Mengqiu's body.

Cold sweat also trickled down Chang Mengqiu's forehead. She could feel the demonic energy within her body being rapidly suppressed by this strange power.

If this continues...

I am afraid……

She took a deep breath, and her pupils instantly transformed into a demonic form. She leaped up, and a jade mirror appeared in her hands.

She instantly infused the jade realm with demonic energy.

A beam of black light shone forth from the jade mirror.

The light instantly shone down on Jiang Yun.

For a moment, Jiang Yun was momentarily stunned and disoriented when illuminated by the black light.

The surroundings turned completely dark, and Jiang Yun couldn't find Chang Mengqiu's whereabouts at all.

Seeing Jiang Yun lost in confusion, Chang Mengqiu snorted coldly and rushed forward, intending to take Jiang Yun's life directly.

This Illusionary Serpent Jade Mirror is no ordinary object; Chang Mengqiu was originally a serpent demon from the Demon Kingdom.

Based on his strength, he could have easily become an elder in the snake clan, but he coveted the Illusionary Serpent Jade Mirror and stole it.

She was seriously injured and fled to the Zhou Kingdom because she was being pursued and intercepted by the snake clan.

This Illusionary Serpent Jade Mirror is a top-tier treasure among the serpent race.

Those who are struck by the demonic light of the Jade Realm will be plunged into a vast darkness.

Unless one's mental state is strong enough, it is impossible to escape the illusion in a short period of time.

At this moment, Jiang Yun quickly recited the calming mantra in his mind.

Soon, the surrounding darkness quickly dissipated, and Chang Mengqiu had already arrived in front of Jiang Yun.

She held a golden snake-shaped longsword in her hand and swung it towards Jiang Yun's chest.

Jiang Yun had just escaped from the illusion and had no time to dodge. With a soft thud, the golden snake sword pierced into Jiang Yun's chest.

Jiang Yun's pupils dilated slightly in pain, and she quickly grabbed Chang Mengqiu's arm.

Then he opened his mouth, and Samadhi True Fire gushed out.

"what!!!!"

The raging flames instantly engulfed Chang Mengqiu.

In pain, she quickly retreated, rolling on the ground repeatedly, trying to extinguish the flames on her body.

But how could the power of the Samadhi True Fire be extinguished so easily?

It should be understood that the Samadhi Fire burns not only the bodies of demons, but also their souls.

Jiang Yun pulled the long sword out of his chest, blood flowing profusely. He took a deep breath and quickly used his magic to forcibly suppress the wound temporarily.

We must eliminate this snake demon as soon as possible.

Jiang Yun didn't hold back either, taking a deep breath and reciting, "Seven Edicts!"

"Gen Mountain displays its mighty spirit, closes the earth tiger, seals the ghost's path, pierces the ghost's heart, breaks the ghost's belly, and seals off the evil spirits hidden in the Bagua Palace."

In an instant, Chang Mengqiu, who was extinguishing the flames on its body, felt a terrifying aura of death.

The aura was coming from beneath her.

Her expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly got up, wanting to escape.

However, within the training ground beneath him, a massive magic array had slowly formed, and then, iron chains began to bind Chang Mengqiu, who was still burning with Samadhi True Fire.

Upon seeing this, Chang Mengqiu transformed into her true form, a giant snake ten zhang long, but more and more iron chains began to bind her body.

She wanted to leap into the air, struggle, and break the chains.

But the strength of these chains far exceeded her expectations.

Then, from deep underground, a giant arm emerged.

With a raised arm, he grabbed all the chains and forcefully dragged Chang Mengqiu toward the ground.

Chang Mengqiu struggled incessantly, screaming hoarsely.

But in the end, they were still dragged into the abyss below.

After the magic circle gradually disappeared, a small mirror landed heavily on the training ground.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun, despite the pain in her chest, stepped forward.

It was the strange illusion mirror that Chang Mengqiu had just used.

"My lord, my lord!"

Dong Qiaofeng had been observing the battle from a distance. Only after seeing the snake demon subdued by Lord Jiang did he dare to muster the courage to run over.

"Sir, is your wound alright?"

Jiang Yun took a deep breath, looked down, and slowly said, "Although this sword pierced my chest, it did not hit any vital organs. I just need to rest for a few days."

"That's fine, that's fine."

Soon, many Imperial Guards arrived. Dong Qiaofeng took the lead in treating Jiang Yun's wounds and applying some hemostatic ointment.

After dealing with all this, Jiang Yun glanced at the mirror in her hand, and thoughtfully walked slowly to Zhou Hanshan.

At this moment, Zhou Hanshan witnessed Chang Mengqiu being taken away by Jiang Yun, and his eyes were already red.

Seeing Jiang Yun arrive, he roared, "Jiang Yun! You killed her! Do you know how important she was to me?!"

“You have no idea what we’ve been through. You’d better not let me live, or I’ll definitely kill you…” Jiang Yun glanced at Dong Qiaofeng.

Dong Qiaofeng understood, picked up the large knife in his hand, and cut off Zhou Hanshan's head.

Jiang Yun stared expressionlessly at Zhou Hanshan, whose eyes were wide open, and calmly said, "I'm not interested in hearing your story. Everyone has a story to tell."

"Colluding with evil spirits and killing hundreds of people in a short period of time, are those hundreds of lives not lives in your eyes?"

As soon as Jiang Yun finished speaking, Dong Qiaofeng clapped his hands and said, "Your summary is brilliant."

"By the way, sir, Chen Qilang is still unconscious."

As he spoke, Dong Qiaofeng stepped forward and kicked Chen Qilang, who immediately screamed in pain.

"He's faking it, huh? Should we stab him too?"

Chen Qilang hurriedly cried out, "Lord Jiang, spare my life! I, I..."

Chen Qilang suddenly remembered the various rumors he had heard about Jiang Yun and shouted, "I have many connections in various places. I am willing to build ten, no, twenty Sanqing Temples for you in various places!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyes flickered slightly, and he slowly stepped forward: "Anyone can build a Taoist temple, why would I need you?"

Chen Qilang was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Lord Jiang, you may not know this, but it seems that this thing can be built simply by providing funds."

"But if people from all over the country don't dare to go and worship after it's repaired, what's the point of repairing it?"

"After all, the imperial court still strictly prohibits anyone from building Taoist temples outside the capital."

“I am willing to set an example and build twenty Sanqing Temples within the territory of Hongjiang Prefecture.”

"And help adults promote it..."

After saying that, Chen Qilang closed his eyes, clinging to his last sliver of hope.

None of them dared to open their eyes to look at Jiang Yun.

Soon, he heard Jiang Yun's voice.

"Lord Chen, you said it yourself." Jiang Yun nodded upon seeing this, then turned and left to return to Hongjiang Prefecture to heal his wounds.

Whether or not to kill Chen Qilang was not a big deal to Jiang Yun.

Dong Qiaofeng's eyes flashed slightly, and he stepped forward with a smile, untying the ropes binding Chen Qilang: "Lord Chen disregarded the danger and helped our Embroidered Uniform Guard contact Zhou Hanshan for clues. He has done a great service."

"In the report to come, we will definitely recommend you for credit."

"Huh?" Chen Qilang was slightly taken aback. It was already a luxury to be alive. Judging from Dong Qiaofeng's expression, it seemed that he was no longer going to pursue the matter of him taking money.
“If you want to build a Taoist temple for Lord Jiang, it would be more convenient for you to continue as the prefect.” Dong Qiaofeng paused, “Moreover, Lord Chen only accepted some money and did not really get involved in the murder.”

"Otherwise, do you think Lord Jiang would spare your life?"

Chen Qilang glanced at Zhou Hanshan's severed head beside him, and his legs went weak with fright. He said repeatedly, "If Lord Jiang has any orders in the future, I will do my utmost to fulfill them."

Despite his injuries, Jiang Yun returned to the government office. Soon, Dong Qiaofeng invited a highly skilled physician to stitch up Jiang Yun's wounds.

This wound was quite deep; it took many stitches to heal it.

However, Jiang Yun possessed cultivation, and such a wound would almost certainly be fatal for an ordinary person with limited medical resources.

But for Jiang Yun, it was just a superficial injury.

After her wounds were stitched up, she lay down to rest in a guest room, still holding the mirror she had obtained from the snake demon in her hand.

Holding the mirror by the handle, he examined it carefully.

This mirror is exceptionally exquisite, with many snake patterns on both sides of the frame.

Jiang Yun tried to probe the mirror with his magic, but his magic could not easily pass through it.

It's not an ordinary thing.

Jiang Yun also tried to use his magic to drive it, but Jiang Yun's magic was simply not enough to control the mirror.

It's not that Jiang Yun's magical power is insufficient.

Rather, this mirror should only be activated by demonic energy, or perhaps it requires a special incantation.

Jiang Yun was a little confused.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Dong Qiaofeng walked in carrying a bowl of chicken soup.

"Sir, this is chicken soup that I made myself. You are quite badly injured, so you must nourish yourself properly."

"Furthermore, Chen Qilang, I plan to report it in the following way in the report..."

After listening to Dong Qiaofeng's words, Jiang Yun nodded.

Dong Qiaofeng also knew that his parents didn't have any other hobbies. Although they liked money, they could still stick to their principles when it came to money.

And women.

Having known Lord Jiang for so long, he has never taken me to the brothel more than a few times.

In his view, no man is immune to lust.

However, since Lord Jiang is, after all, the son-in-law of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Xu Suwen might get angry if he openly went with them.

He guessed that Lord Jiang must have gone secretly without telling him.

Another great hobby is trying every possible way to tinker and build the Sanqing Temple.

If Chen Qilang hadn't asked to repair the Sanqing Temple, would he still be alive today?
"My lord, actually, I'd also like to become a Taoist priest. Why don't I become your disciple?"

Jiang Yun almost spat out the chicken soup he had just drunk. He glared at Dong Qiaofeng and said, "You big, burly guy, how many years have you been practicing martial arts?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Go and prepare to search Zhou Hanshan's manor thoroughly, inside and out."

"Make sure you don't forget any gold or silver jewelry."

"Got it."

The amount of money seized during the first search alone was astronomical.

Needless to say, there were a large number of land deeds and property deeds. The silver notes, gold and silver alone filled several carts, and after being brought back to the government office, they were specially watched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

A rough estimate suggests that the gold, silver, and banknotes alone amount to a full 300,000 taels, not to mention other properties, just the cash in his household.

That's really outrageous.

But that's not surprising, since this guy was in the business of reselling smuggled salt.

This kind of thing is inherently extremely profitable.

This money, along with the land deeds, banknotes, and gold and silver, should, according to normal procedures, be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue in the end.

Land deeds are hard to move, but you can leave some banknotes, gold, and silver behind when you're on the road.

This has been a tradition of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

It can be considered as making a large windfall.

Overall, this trip was quite fruitful.

The most crucial gain, of course, was taking Li Chengdao as his disciple.

That night, Dong Qiaofeng led his men to Zhou Hanshan's manor again and ransacked it inside and out.

After confirming that they couldn't find a single ingot of silver, they returned.

The next morning, Jiang Yun gave the order to prepare to return to the capital.

Upon hearing this, Dong Qiaofeng hurriedly came to persuade him: "Sir, your injury needs to be healed for a few days before we slowly return to the capital."

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. I have urgent business to attend to in the capital, and I'm worried something might go wrong," Jiang Yun said in a deep voice.

As if he had just thought of something, Dong Qiaofeng asked curiously, "Your new disciple?"

(End of this chapter)