Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 166 The Protectors
The Demon-Slaying Domain is a place somewhat similar in nature to the Demon-Locking Tower in the Legend of Sword and Fairy game.

Demons are also spirits born of nature. Although they can die, if the proper methods are not followed, they can be reborn after death and cannot be completely eradicated.

Therefore, the Demon Suppression Division used a special space to suppress all kinds of demons. If a certain demon was captured but there was concern that it would not be completely killed and would be reborn, it would be better to put the demon into this space to suppress and seal it. The special properties of this space would make the demon gradually weaken over time until it disappeared.

It is a special prison built for demons.

It was later discovered that when various monsters gathered together, their unique properties interacted and influenced each other, causing the environment to become special, often giving birth to some very unique treasures.

Thus, the prison began to evolve into a secret realm, where monsters of different levels would be placed in different layers to modify and nurture different environments, becoming a place for the court to cultivate its treasures. The shallower layers were also used as common training grounds.

The Demon Suppression Division's Martial Arts Academy must train here, and Sheng Yuanyao, a graduate of the Demon Suppression Division's Martial Arts Academy, is extremely familiar with this place.

Tianyao Holy Land often sends people here for training; Dugu Qingli came here when she was very young.

Hmm... If we follow the "legal regulations," then the Flame Demon that Lu Xingzhou is currently using as the main soul of the Soul Banner must be locked up in this prison and become part of the nurturing environment.

Regarding this, Lu Xingzhou didn't have any of the saintly lamentations like "the imprisoned ones might be good demons, isn't this going too far?" Because demons not only think differently from humans, but they are even different from monsters. For example, the purpose of a fire demon's existence is to burn and destroy; it can only be conquered and controlled, and there is no possibility of modifying its "demon nature."

If a true saintly heart were to unleash demons, it would truly be a catastrophe for the world. Even Lu Xingzhou himself dared not release the seemingly docile Flame Demon.

I'm a little worried that if the Flame Demon follows me into the Demon-Slaying Domain, it might be too weak and get suppressed and destroyed...

"Probably not. I am, after all, the main soul of the Thousand Soul Banner, and I am a fourth-rank one." The Flame Demon discussed with its master with some hesitation: "I think this kind of place might be beneficial to me. For example, the master could find some of my kind for me to eat. Maybe I can be promoted and help the Soul Banner be promoted at the same time, without you having to go through all the trouble of collecting ten thousand souls... I always feel that with your good-for-nothing... oh, with the master's kindness, you may never have ten thousand souls in this lifetime and must find another way."

Lu Xingzhou pulled the Flame Demon out of the Soul Banner and beat him up.

This has been really terrible lately. Not only were my fur plucked for no reason, but even the tamed demonic soul dared to curse its master.

The main difference is that the current route is different from before, and the Soul-Nourishing Banner is indeed more difficult to upgrade. The Flame Demon believes that if there is such a path to upgrade, it is indeed worth a try.

"This time there will likely be considerable risks... In such a secluded realm, with demons rampaging and attacking inside, it wouldn't be surprising if anyone died inside, even in the shallows... I don't believe the Huo family can resist having wicked thoughts at a time like this. If the two elders can hold back, the younger ones certainly won't."

Ah Nuo raised her hand: "So what preparations do we need to make?"

“Madam Ye said that it is unlikely that no teacher will accompany them. Generally speaking, such activities will definitely have a leader to take charge of the overall situation... But the problem is that this leader may not be reliable. He may even be a member of the Huo family. Therefore, we cannot place our hopes on him and should even treat him as an enemy.”

Lu Xingzhou paced a few steps and then said, "None of my classmates can be trusted easily. We have no way of knowing who has been secretly bribed or controlled. In this situation, we are isolated, and the outside protectors have become the only ones we can win over. If even the protectors are on the other side's side, then we might as well pretend to have diarrhea and skip this trial..."

Ah Nuo: “…”

Lu Xingzhou grinned, revealing his teeth: "These kinds of places are usually arranged by the Demon Suppression Division. I'm going to find Gua Mei."

Sheng Yuanyao, who was sorting out intelligence from all sides, was very happy to see Lu Xingzhou's visit: "What brings you here today? I thought you were hiding in the academy with your green tea and had no idea what the world was like."

Lu Xingzhou's gaze fell on her intelligence data, and he couldn't help but laugh: "Looks like this job is perfect for you."

“It’s different, it’s different.” Sheng Yuanyao sighed: “This kind of reading on paper is like reading a storybook. Although it has some benefits of peeping into people’s privacy… cough cough, overall it’s still a different feeling from actually reading the gossip yourself. More importantly, real family matters and privacy are irrelevant to the information we need to compile the Heroes Ranking. Usually, these won’t be delivered to me. It’s all battle intelligence and stuff, so why would I do this!”

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Isn't combat intelligence important?"

"The problem is that a lot of the battle intelligence is hearsay. How can the Demon Suppression Division witness every battle with their own eyes? I feel like I've been deceived. Instead, I spend all day sitting in the archives sifting through the information to see which data is reliable. It's driving me crazy."

Lu Xingzhou said with a smile, "If you want to quit, that's easy. Just go and make a scene with your dad."

"If Old Sheng finds out you instigated his daughter to cause trouble for him, he'll beat you to death." Sheng Yuanyao rested her chin on her hand. "You don't come here without a reason. You can't be here for anything good. So, what do you want?"

“This is definitely a good thing. You’ve been complaining about how tedious the paperwork is, right? Well, now that there’s a combat mission, you can ask your dad for work to do.”

Sheng Yuanyao's eyes lit up immediately: "What mission? What mission? I've been working lately and haven't heard of any of this."

"You should be quite familiar with protecting the students of the Pill Academy in the Demon-Slaying Domain, right?"

"The first level? I know that like the back of my hand! Going to the first level of the Demon-Slaying Domain is like coming home to me!" Sheng Yuanyao swept out of the office like a gust of wind: "Wait a minute, I'm going to get some work."

Sheng Qingfeng was speechless as he watched his daughter slam her fist on the table demanding work: "I was planning to have you do this anyway, what are you yelling about?"

Sheng Yuanyao: “…”

“In this world, cultivation is ultimately the most important thing. You are currently at the mid-stage of the fifth rank, which puts you in the lower middle of the rising star list… Although being on the rising star list is an honor in itself, even being in the lower middle has already brought honor to your father, I think you are not entirely convinced, especially when you see how dazzling other women your age are…”

Sheng Qingfeng had something else he didn't say—especially now that Lu Xingzhou and Pei Chuyun were rumored to be dating, Dad felt like you were about to explode.

But you really can't beat Pei Chuyun. Sheng Yuanyao, her thoughts exposed, felt somewhat dejected: "What can I do? Although our Sheng family's inherited cultivation method can reach the first rank, it's clearly inferior to the Pei family's. My talent is also..."

"Don't underestimate yourselves, whether it's your cultivation techniques or your talent." Sheng Qingfeng said seriously, "Our Sheng family's ancestral skills are based on battlefield combat. Nowadays, there are fewer wars, so there aren't many suitable places for us to hone our skills. In addition, good fortune is also very important. I don't believe that Dugu Qingli and Pei Chuyun, who have cultivated to their current level at such a young age, could have never consumed any rare and precious herbs. That's impossible."

Sheng Yuanyao's eyes brightened slightly: "So..."

“You have been to the Demon-Slaying Domain many times before, but each time you go there you may gain something different. Just because you didn’t gain anything before doesn’t mean you won’t gain anything this time either. Lu Xingzhou is a lucky person. If you are with him, you might actually gain something this time. Therefore, I originally decided to assign you this protection mission.”

Sheng Yuanyao fawned over her father, pinching his shoulder and saying, "Old Sheng did a great job abusing his power for personal gain this time."

Sheng Qingfeng wasn't buying it, and his expression turned rather stern: "It's not quite a case of abusing power for personal gain. Your official rank and cultivation are well-suited for this kind of mission. As for why you're so happy, is it because there's an opportunity for training, or because you're with Lu Xingzhou?"

"What does it have to do with Lu Xingzhou? I'm only with A'nuo because I can be with her. I'm much closer to A'nuo than to Lu Xingzhou."

"Nobody listens to your nonsense." Sheng Qingfeng said expressionlessly, "This mission isn't for you to go on a spring outing. There will be danger, so you'd better be on your guard."

"I'm all too familiar with the dangers of the first level of the Demon-Slaying Domain..."

"I'm not talking about the Demon-Slaying Domain itself. What is the threat of demons compared to the human heart?"

Sheng Yuanyao paused for a moment, then her expression turned serious: "I understand."

The father's hint was quite clear: the people he brought this time had to be people he could absolutely trust.

Sheng Yuanyao was having a headache from picking out people when a familiar white-haired, blue-eyed man suddenly appeared in front of her.

"Why are you here?" Sheng Yuanyao greeted Dugu Qingli curiously. "I'm very busy, I don't have time to catch up. Just get to the point."

A subordinate once witnessed her attitude when Lu Xingzhou visited; she turned her head away as if she couldn't bear to look at him.

Dugu Qingli didn't care about her attitude and said calmly, "I'm participating in this protection mission on my master's orders."

Sheng Yuanyao froze, a curse almost escaping her lips. She'd finally escaped the clutches of the Pei family's scheming woman, only to have this white-haired brat appear again.

You guys using colors are so annoying.

"Does the Imperial Advisor not trust our Demon Suppression Division?" Not to mention Sheng Yuanyao, the other subordinates of the Demon Suppression Division also looked rather grim.

Dugu Qingli said calmly, "I'm sorry, I only trust the sword in my hand."

The members of the Demon Suppression Division rolled up their sleeves, ready to attack.

Sheng Yuanyao stopped the crowd and looked her up and down: "If you're so capable, then don't ask the Demon Suppression Division for help when you encounter any problems."

Dugu Qingli crossed her arms and looked down: "No."

"Just a reminder, Lu Xingzhou is an advisor to the Demon Suppression Division's Hero Ranking, and also a member of the Demon Suppression Division."

Dugu Qingli fell silent.

Sheng Yuanyao glanced at her sideways. Could there really be something fishy going on? Strange, I can't see that coming... Suppressing her jealousy, she asked in a cool tone, "How's your fight with Pei Chuyun going? Didn't you two end up evenly matched the other day? Why don't you keep fighting until there's bloodshed?"

Dugu Qingli said honestly, "I've been pulling out her hair every day, so she must be in a lot of pain these past few days."

Sheng Yuanyao: “?”

Just as they were about to ask, a bustling crowd appeared outside the door, and a teacher from the Dan Academy led his students in: "Editor-in-Chief Sheng, this trip to the Demon-Slaying Domain is entrusted to the Demon-Suppressing Division..."

Sheng Yuanyao's gaze swept across the crowd, landing on the wheelchair-bound person at the very back. A slight smile appeared in her eyes: "Don't worry, for the sake of this cash cow, I, Sheng, will protect him with my life."

In early April, the trumpet creeper flowers in Qingyao Garden had already bloomed, and the hundred-foot trumpet creeper has now officially become a real sight.

Qingyao Garden has recently become the most profitable tourist attraction in the capital, with crowds of visitors making the managers sweat profusely and their hands cramp from collecting money every day.

The once cheerful Master Sheng, who used to happily collect money after get off work every day, has disappeared. Instead, he is leading dozens of subordinates of the Demon Suppression Division, along with a white-haired creature, to escort the twenty-eight students of the Capital Pill Academy into the Demon Subduing Domain.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: It seems like monthly passes will be available around the middle of the month, right? I'll take one!
(End of this chapter)