Catching Monsters

Chapter 707 I never expected this to happen.

The following evening, the streets outside the North Town Governor's Office were deserted; many shops and passersby had been cleared out.

Throughout the inns along the entire street, there were hidden Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards), and even experts from the Tongyouwei (Netherworld Guards) who had come personally led by Qin Hong.

Today's objective is simple: to ensure Xu Xiaogang's safety, and absolutely nothing can go wrong.

In front of the gate of the Northern Garrison Command, Chang Kun was still being controlled by Jiang Yun using the Three Pure Ones' Broom. There was a chair placed at the entrance, and he sat on it with a sullen face and complicated eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Jiang Yun also sat down next to him, with a wooden table between them containing tea and fruit.

"Elder Chang, your subordinates aren't up to any tricks, are they?" Jiang Yun smiled as he sipped his tea, reminding the other party, "This matter is of great importance. If your subordinates dare to act recklessly, I won't spare your life."

"Don't worry." Chang Kun took a deep breath and thought to himself that his two subordinates were a bit stupid, but precisely because they were not very bright, Chang Kun was not worried that they could come up with any clever tricks.

Chang Kun looked towards the second-floor windows on both sides of the street. He could tell that the Zhou Dynasty had arranged many experts here. If he didn't hand over the people honestly, he would probably lose his life here today.

Time passed little by little, and soon it was getting dark.

At this moment, a carriage slowly drove into the capital, heading towards the Northern Garrison Command.

The two snake demons were driving the carriage, but Xu Xiaogang was not in the carriage.

One of the monsters had already transformed into Xu Xiaogang's appearance and kept asking its companions, "How is it? Does it look like him?"

"No problem, I guarantee it will be indistinguishable from the real thing." The demon driving the carriage nodded, then said, "However, Elder Chang has been captured. If we go like this, can we rescue him?"

The monster that had transformed into Xu Xiaogang said, "When the time comes, I'll stay far away and exchange Elder Chang for you first, then you can take Elder Chang and escape."

The monster was quite loyal, and said with a sigh, "Elder Chang has been incredibly kind to us. Now that we've reached a critical moment, we can't afford to let him down."

The carriage slowly headed towards the gate of the Northern Garrison Command.

Upon arriving at this street, the two monsters felt something was amiss, as if numerous eyes were fixed upon them.

Finally, the carriage arrived at the gate of the Northern Garrison Command.

The carriage stopped, and one of the monsters grabbed 'Xu Xiaogang' by the neck and jumped off the carriage.

Their gazes then turned to the entrance of the Northern Garrison Command, where Chang Kun and Jiang Yun, who had already been apprehended, were located.

"Who are you? Xu Xiaogang is in my hands. Release Elder Chang immediately!"

Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback when she saw the two of them, and couldn't help but turn her head to look at Chang Kun.

Chang Kun's face also darkened. What were these two bastards doing?

They dared not try to outsmart him by bringing Xu Xiaogang over.
Do they think the experts of the Zhou Dynasty are all fools? With your cultivation levels transformed into Xu Xiaogang's, and with so many experts around, surely they can see through your disguise?

The monster holding 'Xu Xiaogang' hostage saw Jiang Yun sitting there, ignoring him completely, and drew a dagger, holding it to 'Xu Xiaogang's' neck: "I'll count to three. If you don't release my Elder Chang by then, I won't be so polite."

Jiang Yun remained expressionless, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said coldly, "Elder Chang, I did give you a chance."

Chang Kun broke out in a cold sweat. He had cultivated for six hundred years to reach his current level of cultivation.

The path of a demon cultivator spanning six hundred years is arduous; how could it be willing to die here?

He looked at his two subordinates and cursed, "You two idiots, where is Xu Xiaogang?"

"Elder, I have brought the person over..."

Chang Kun said with a dark face, "I'll give you two another chance. Bring Xu Xiaogang here right now, or don't blame me for cooking you two into snake soup!"

The two men exchanged a glance, realizing they had been exposed, and gave an awkward laugh.

They could only drive the horse-drawn carriage towards the residence where Xu Xiaogang lived.

After the two set off, the Jinyiwei and Tongyouwei experts who were lying in wait nearby secretly followed them.

Chang Kun also saw the experts following the two men on the eaves on both sides. He looked nervous and hurriedly said to Jiang Yun, "Lord Jiang, these two men acted on their own initiative. You heard it yesterday. I didn't play any tricks."

Jiang Yun continued drinking his tea, his face showing dissatisfaction, and slowly said, "Elder Chang, Elder Chang."

"I, Jiang Yun, am known for my strong sense of justice."

"If you had just ordered your men to hand over Xiaogang obediently, wouldn't all this trouble have been avoided?"

"If my men rescue Xu Xiaogang now, do you think I would need to release you as well?"

Chang Kun's face darkened, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly. He had long heard that Jiang Yun was unscrupulous...

……

"How could we have been seen through so easily? Is our cultivation level too low?"

"Nonsense, Jiang Yun is Xu Xiaogang's brother-in-law. After you got off the carriage, you didn't call him brother-in-law at all and just stood there like an idiot. Anyone would notice something was wrong."

"Didn't you tell me to speak less after I got off the carriage, because the more I say, the more mistakes I'll make? Just get Elder Chang back first."

The two sat in front of the carriage, blaming each other. Their cultivation levels were indeed not high, only at the fourth rank. In addition, they were bickering with each other and did not notice the expert who was secretly following behind them.

Xu Xiaogang was not imprisoned in Beijing, but in a rural house near Gong County.

This place is in a remote location. If the two of them hadn't led the way in a carriage, it would have taken a lot of effort to find this place.

Behind this rural house, there was a shed. After the carriage stopped at the back, the two monsters walked into the backyard, blaming each other.

Push open the backyard gate.

Xu Xiaogang was currently tied up inside and unable to move.

"Thank goodness, the person is still alive." The two monsters breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as I was about to go inside, suddenly...

"Huh, why is my neck a little itchy and painful?" A monster frowned, touched his nose, and found that blood was flowing out.

It was about to turn its head to look at its companion beside it, but unexpectedly, with a slight twist, its head fell off its neck.

The same thing happened to his companion beside him; his head fell instantly.

Qin Hong had already followed behind the two, and with a single move, he easily took the lives of the two monsters.

Soon, the two lay on the ground and transformed into two rather small venomous snakes.

However, the snake's head had already been severed.

Qin Hong glanced disdainfully at the two corpses on the ground and strode into the storeroom.

Xu Xiaogang was still unconscious. Qin Hong raised his hand to check him over, and thankfully, there was nothing wrong with Xu Xiaogang's body.

He gently patted Xu Xiaogang on the shoulder.

Xu Xiaogang slowly woke up and looked at Qin Hong: "Eunuch Qin, what are you doing here?"

"The Duke of Zhenguo has been frightened. This servant has come to rescue the Duke of Zhenguo on His Majesty's orders." After Qin Hong finished speaking, he quickly untied the ropes binding Xu Xiaogang.

"Where is Miss Dongfang? Is she alright?" Xu Xiaogang was somewhat concerned about Dongfang Yao's condition at this moment, after all, he had learned from the two of them that they would exchange him for Dongfang Yao.

"Don't worry, Dongfang Yao is fine."

Qin Hong briefly recounted what had happened. Upon hearing that the mastermind had been captured by Jiang Yun, Xu Xiaogang's eyes flashed with anger as he said, "Let's go, take me to the Northern Garrison Command first. I want to see why this mastermind wanted to capture Miss Dongfang!"

After Xu Xiaogang got up, his legs were a little weak from being tied up for so long, and he had to be helped out of the house by Qin Hong.

Meanwhile, at the Northern Garrison Command, Chang Kun was drinking tea from the table next to him, but he was feeling increasingly thirsty.

His two men had been gone for quite some time, and it was already dark.

Finally, the sound of several fast horses slowly rose in the distance.

It was Qin Hong and several experts from the Tongyou Guard who were riding over.

Beside Qin Hong was Xu Xiaogang, riding a horse at full gallop.

Seeing this, Chang Kun realized that his two subordinates were probably in trouble...

"Shut up!"

Xu Xiaogang stopped his horse, quickly dismounted, and walked over: "Brother-in-law, is this the mastermind behind it all?"

"Are you alright, kid?" Jiang Yun looked Xu Xiaogang up and down and asked with concern.

“He can eat, jump, and run around; there’s nothing serious.” Xu Xiaogang nodded, walked up to Chang Kun, and was about to begin interrogating him.

Qin Hong quickly stepped forward and stopped Xu Xiaogang: "Duke Zhenguo, leave this kind of rough work to me. This man is quite strong. If you get too close, something bad might happen."

Although Chang Kun was trapped, the difference in strength between Xu Xiaogang and his opponent was too great. If Chang Kun suddenly broke free and attacked Xu Xiaogang, the situation would get out of control.

"This isn't the place to talk. Take him inside and interrogate him slowly." Jiang Yun finally felt relieved when she saw Xu Xiaogang return.

Soon, Jiang Yun, holding the Three Pure Ones Flying Staff, led Chang Kun towards the Imperial Prison within the Northern Garrison Command.

Of course, the interrogation methods used in the imperial prison would not be very effective against Chang Kun; the main focus was on creating a strong atmosphere.

After entering the prison, Jiang Yun stared at Chang Kun and asked, "Elder Chang, since you are the mastermind, don't tell me you don't know why you captured Dongfang Yao."

"Everyone be honest. If you answer truthfully, I will let you go."

"how?"

Inside the prison, besides Chang Kun, only Qin Hong and Xu Xiaogang followed them in.

Jiang Yun instructed everyone else to wait outside.

After all, this matter might be related to Dongfang Yao's secret.

Chang Kun's eyes were gloomy, and he clenched his teeth.

"Elder Chang, if you don't speak, it might make things difficult for me." Jiang Yun frowned slightly and said coldly, "I have limited patience. I'll give you half an incense stick's time."

"I..." Before Chang Kun could speak, Qin Hong suddenly attacked, his right hand transforming into a dragon claw that pierced into Chang Kun's abdomen.

A sharp pain struck instantly. Chang Kun's eyes widened as he looked at Jiang Yun and said, "Didn't you say it would be half an incense stick's time?"

"That's what he said, what does it have to do with me?" Qin Hong's voice was icy.

Chang Kun gritted his teeth and said, "If you kill me, how can my Serpent Saint let you off so easily?"

Qin Hong's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Hmph, do you think our human race has no saints?"

"Your Serpent Saint and Tiger Saint have already been resurrected, so why do you still remain subservient to that small island demon kingdom?"

"Don't use the Serpent Saint to scare people."

"I don't believe he would disregard our human race's saints and act recklessly in the palace for the sake of a mere elder like you!"

Qin Hong's words were, of course, merely to interrogate Chang Kun and let him know that his group was truly capable of killing him.

If you show even the slightest sign that you've been intimidated by the Serpent Saint, then don't expect to get anything out of him.

Despite the excruciating pain in his abdomen, Chang Kun gritted his teeth, a sense of fear creeping into his heart.

Looking at the people in front of him, he understood that if he didn't say anything, he probably wouldn't be able to leave this place alive.

He took a deep breath, and his first words were: "I'm actually not quite sure either..."

Qin Hong pulled out the dragon claw from his right hand and stabbed it into his chest again.

"I'll talk, I'll talk." Chang Kun could feel that Qin Hong's claw was very close to his heart.

He gritted his teeth and said, "The Serpent Saint ordered us to do it..."

"Did the Serpent Saint order you to do this?"

Chang Kun nodded slightly and said through gritted teeth, "Dongfang Yao's identity is very mysterious."

"It seems that the Serpent Saint knows the place where the Fox Saint was sealed back then."

"After waking up, Lord Serpent Saint made a special trip there."

"Unexpectedly, the place where the Fox Saint was sealed was broken more than ten years ago."

"It is said that the Serpent Saint and the Fox Saint had a blood feud a thousand years ago."

"So I ordered us to search along the nearest locations to see if there are any traces of the Fox Saint."

"Our snake clan has searched for dozens of women with similar circumstances during this period, and killed them all, but we still have no news of the Fox Saint."

Upon hearing this, the three people in the room all showed expressions of disbelief.

In other words, Dongfang Yao might be the legendary Fox Saint?
Did the snake clan intend to kill the Fox Saint ahead of time?
Jiang Yun realized at this moment that the problem seemed to be more serious than she had imagined.

He couldn't help but swallow.

Things seem to be bigger than I imagined.

"Dongfang Yao is the Fox Saint? Are you sure?" Jiang Yun frowned.

Chang Kun shook his head: "Of course we can't be sure, otherwise it wouldn't be me who came, but Lord Serpent Saint."

"We still have dozens of suspects to hunt down."

"Dongfang Yao is just one of them."

“If it weren’t for the fact that she involves you and the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion, I wouldn’t have bothered to take this risky trip to the capital of Zhou.”

Chang Kun was also suffering.

The seal of the Fox Saint is located near Hongjiang Prefecture, so girls born during that period were among the targets.

The vast majority of women are just ordinary people; once found, regardless of their identity, they can simply be killed.

I'm the only one who ended up with this mess.

Jiang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, his previously furrowed brows slowly relaxing as he said, "I didn't expect this to be the case..."

(End of this chapter)