Demon Sword Immortal

"How did the guns get in?"

"That big guy can't pass inspection normally when he takes the plane, so how did he get in? Or did a local get some modifications done by someone? These are the obvious questions, and that's what we'll be investigating in the next phase."

"but--"

“I know, this is not a fundamental solution,” Zhang Daoming interrupted him.

"But this is all we can do for now."

"Because this is not what anyone else meant."

“Lu Xueling wouldn’t dare refuse to grant me a search warrant. The only reason he did this could be because of that person.”

That one?

Han Li was puzzled at first, then broke out in a cold sweat.

Above the Inspection and Supervision Department is the Supervisory Department.

Lu Xueling was a supervisor in the Censorate, making him Zhang Daoming's direct superior.

Han Li had never met this person, but he had heard Zhang Daoming talk about him. He was roughly the same type of person as Zhang Daoming, and the two were very much of a like-minded person.

The Inspectorate and the Supervisory Commission were departments directly responsible to the imperial power.

Thinking about it this way, is it even necessary to ask who 'that person' refers to?

Han Li suddenly felt disheartened.

In that person's eyes, was the Crimson Dragon Path merely a disposable experimental subject, or a consumable item...?

"Don't worry." Zhang Daoming could imagine what Han Li was feeling right now, because he had felt the same way before.

"The only thing I can tell you is that there is still a chance."

If that person forbids investigation, what hope is there for a turnaround?

Han Li was curious, but Zhang Daoming was unwilling to say more, only telling him to finish the matter quickly and come back to report before hanging up.

He stood there stunned for a moment, then a subordinate came over and asked him what to do with the lizardman's remains.

"What should we do? Send it directly to the Third Hospital for testing, of course!"

He smacked the young man on the head. "Idiot! This is important evidence! You think you can take it back to the fridge and put it away?"

"But Captain!" the young inspector protested, rubbing his head, "There were troublemakers obstructing the way!"

Tricky people?

Han Li immediately perked up upon hearing this.

He was in a really bad mood when a punching bag was delivered to his door, so he immediately rolled up his sleeves and said, "Take me there right now!!"

Turning the corner of the broken wall, I saw a thin, ragged old beggar squatting by the roadside, examining a piece of lizardman flesh by the light of the street lamp.

Han Li showed a disgusted expression because he just saw the old beggar stick out his tongue and lick the flesh.

What the hell is this hobby?

"Old man~!"

He yelled and rushed over, "What are you doing?"

"Of course it's to investigate the case."

The old beggar muttered something under his breath, then threw away the flesh and stood up.

Investigate a case?

just you?

Just as Han Li was about to lash out, he saw the old beggar pull out a token from somewhere.

The token is made of bronze, with a lion motif carved in the center. Four openings are carved around the perimeter, revealing the precious jade encased within.

Four bronze lions inlaid with jade, this is the prefectural governor's office?

Wait, why is the jade here blood-red?

Han Li stared blankly at the token, only to discover that a sword was engraved on the lion, blocking the lion's forehead with its blade pointing straight down, pinning a wisp of mist to the spot.

A token I've never seen before...

"Young man," the old beggar smiled at him, "it doesn't matter if you don't understand, as long as your elders do."

Han Li immediately thought of the 'turning point' that Zhang Daoming had just told him.

Could it be...

"Tao Shuohua is the only daughter of Tao Muyun, the Lord of the Heavenly Dao. Guess why someone like her would come to Qizhou to acknowledge someone else as her master."

The old beggar gave Han Li another "advice".

"You don't think she came here just to be his daughter's bodyguard, do you...?"

"Are you from the 'Demon Suppression Division'?"

Han Li finally remembered.

Legend has it that the governor has an exclusive privilege: to establish a "Demon Suppression Bureau" within his jurisdiction.

However, this department is extremely mysterious.

He's lived this long and has never seen one.

Chapter Thirty: Persuasion

At the Divine Cry Dojo, Hu Hu helped Chen Jing pack her luggage and then took her to the front for a meal.

Bai Shengju ate at his own place as usual, and Bai Lianzhou didn't come either, so the atmosphere at the table was quite lively. Several resident disciples were trying to find topics to chat about and get closer to each other.

"The eldest sister is ranked first, and the junior sister is ranked second."

Hu Hu's eyes widened, and he mumbled incoherently as he chewed, "Who's third? Is it Senior Brother Xu?"

"That's not how it's calculated," Bai Zhuqing said speechlessly. "I can't rank that high."

If we automatically count all the younger members of the Bai family upwards, then how do we count Bai Leying and Bai Maoxu?

“Seriously speaking, I’m only third.” Bai Zhuqing did some mental calculations. “Xu Shu formally became a disciple earlier than me, so Xu Shu is the second senior brother.”

Huh?

Xu Shu had been silently eating his rice, but when he heard this, he looked up in surprise, revealing his silly face with his mouth full of rice, which made everyone laugh.

Only Bai Xiang glanced at him a few more times and noticed that he didn't spill any food this time.

“Xu Shu is the second oldest, and I am the third oldest.” Bai Zhuqing laughed and continued to discuss the topic. “Then the fifth junior brother should be Ma Yue, the sixth junior brother is Chen Shi, Hu Hu is the seventh sister, Lian Feng is the eighth, and Jing Jing is the ninth.”

Everyone says Lian Feng is the junior brother, but Chen Jing is undoubtedly the youngest after joining.

"Here you go." Bai Zhuqing picked up a glass of soda. "The dojo is almost full now, so we definitely won't be taking any more people for the time being. Only a few of us from this batch of disciples will be staying here, so let's celebrate with some water instead of wine!"

She said that because all the people she mentioned were there.

Including Chen Shi—he had booked a room but had nowhere to eat, so he simply wandered back, and Bai Lianzhou couldn't very well kick him out.

"Oh!" Hu Hu was the happiest. He picked up the large soda bottle and filled everyone else's cups, cheering, "Celebrate! Celebrate!"

Everyone first raised their glasses together, making a ceremonial pop, and then seriously drank the soda in their glasses in one gulp.

Even Bai Xiang, while drinking her soda, kept staring at Bai Zhuqing, just like when she first met her today.

This young lady wasn't intimidated by so many people and even took on the role of host.

I never expected her to have such a talent for socializing.

After downing a large glass of soda, perhaps it was just psychological, but the people at the table felt a greater sense of kinship with each other.

Shameless people like Chen Shi have already started calling people "senior brother" and "junior sister." At first, people laughed and agreed, but then he turned around and reached for his bag to give them money. Ma Yue and Hu Hu were so scared that they grabbed him from both sides: "Who gives money at a time like this?"

Not giving money? Then I don't know what to give you!

Chen Shi was stunned for a moment, his mind not quite processing it.

"Sixth Junior Brother," Ma Yue said to him seriously, "Our relationship isn't superficial. Even if we were to exchange gifts, it should be me, as your senior brother, who gives them to you."

Yeah.

But this is the first time I've interacted with outsiders and received kindness from them without spending any money...

"However, I haven't prepared a gift yet."

At this point, Ma Yue's expression became somewhat awkward. "You, Hu Hu, even Junior Brother and Junior Sister Chen ('Why should I be called by name?'), bring them all together when I'm ready."

Chen Shi pursed his lips, his eyes gradually changing, and stared at Ma Yue, nodding seriously: "Okay, senior brother."

"I'll prepare three gifts when I get back!"

"Let's do it again?" Hu Hu pouted, picking up another bottle of orange drink. "We haven't welcomed Jingjing yet!"

Yes.

They then realized: the most celebrated thing today was clearly the addition of a junior sister!

Since everyone lived in the same neighborhood, information flowed easily. Those present had all heard about Chen Jing to some extent and knew that something had happened to her family.

They certainly didn't hesitate to create a cheerful atmosphere to comfort her.

"Thank you..." Chen Jing was completely stunned. Faced with such enthusiasm, she hurriedly raised her glass.

She was relieved to know that her mother was alright.

The mother and daughter had spoken on the phone just before dinner. After learning about what had happened, Chen's mother was terrified and told Chen Jing to stay at Shenming Sword Path and study swordsmanship properly. She said she would go to the Inspectorate to make a record and come to see her the next morning.

After the celebration, the atmosphere became slightly subdued.

Bai Zhuqing was still racking her brains for a topic when she saw Bai Xiang pick up her cup and say, "One more time."

"Congratulations to my second junior brother and third junior sister for recognizing me and joining the Dao."

boom!

After a moment of stunned silence, the atmosphere at the table nearly exploded.

Hu Hu and Chen Shi shouted loudly, while Ma Yue and the others stared wide-eyed.

Entering the path!

The first step to extraordinary success is also the most crucial hurdle!

Although Bai Shengju said when he tested them that as long as their sword hearts were firm, all of them could enter the Dao, there is no certainty about this. Whether it is a step sooner or a step later, the sense of anticipation and torment, and all kinds of feelings can only be tasted by the teenagers at this stage.

"Xu Shu has also entered the Dao?"

Bai Zhuqing also looked at Xu Shu in surprise.

"Yes..." Xu Shu stammered, "After what happened last time, I figured something out, and then... well..."

"Severing all ties of love?" Bai Zhuqing smiled and helped him complete the sentence, "'Once you forget your love, you soar straight to the clouds'?"

"No, no..." Xu Shu frantically shook his head, but Hu Hu was not about to let him go. He immediately sent a communication request, wanting to know what was going on with the severed love threads.

“Actually, it’s just…”

Xu Shu, true to his honest nature, answered all questions and even began to confess his past with Jiang Haojing. Chen Jing listened intently.

After all, she now genuinely wants to learn swordsmanship, and having someone willing to break down and explain their insights into the Dao is a valuable asset.

The most serious of them all was Lian Feng.

This youngest disciple had always felt somewhat inferior since joining the monastery. When he raised his glass to celebrate before, his smile seemed forced. But now, his eyes were wide open, and he listened so intently that he forgot to breathe or blink.

"I'm not that mysterious."

After Xu Shu finished explaining, Bai Zhuqing could only give an awkward smile when she saw everyone else staring at her expectantly.

"Uh... I was unconscious when I started practicing, and then I woke up and succeeded immediately..."

As she spoke, Bai Zhuqing looked at Bai Xiang.

"You all continue." Bai Xiang put down his cup. "I'll go check on the Dao Master."

She simply left her seat, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

It was Hu Hu, the fan leader, who pulled her back: "Senior Sister must be eager to start cultivating as soon as possible!"