Chapter 310: Chapter 108: Qutai County (10/8)
Qutai County was a small county town under the jurisdiction of South Nether Prefecture, inhabited by only tens of thousands of residents. However, despite its small size, the military forces dedicated to its defense were by no means insignificant.
When Shen Changqing arrived before Qutai County, he saw soldiers stationed on its relatively low city walls. Additionally, at the city gate entrance, soldiers were inspecting the travel permits of those wishing to enter. Seeing this, he couldn’t help but think of Lin’an City. Lin’an City, though called a city, was not much larger than Qutai County and, moreover, had scarcely any military forces defending it. Frankly, it was probably among the weakest of cities. Shaking his head, Shen Changqing continued towards the city.
As he approached the city gate, soldiers intercepted him, giving Tiankui a few extra glances.
"What is that creature you have? It looks somewhat strange!" one asked.
Upon hearing this, Tiankui bared its fangs and claws, issuing a low, threatening whimper. However, its stance, combined with its current appearance, posed no significant threat; in fact, it looked rather endearing.
Shen Changqing patted Tiankui’s head, signaling it to quiet down. While presenting his travel permit, he chuckled and said, "It’s just a pup from my home. It’s fallen ill somehow, so I’m taking it around to find treatment."
"I see!" The soldier nodded in understanding. He looked at the two bumps on Tiankui’s back, which indeed made it look unwell. The creature is quite cute, he thought, but those two bumps ruin its overall image.
After glancing at the travel permit, the soldier allowed him to pass. Shen Changqing retrieved it, thanked the man, and formally entered the county town.
Upon entering Qutai County, Shen Changqing was immediately greeted by the calls of Peddlers and Porters hawking their wares. Before arriving, he had already learned a fair bit about Qutai County. It was the only county seat within a hundred-mile radius, and the surrounding villages conducted most of their trade here, naturally creating the bustling scene before him.
However, observing the people’s expressions, Shen Changqing noticed varied emotions: some faces were etched with sorrow, others with fear, while a few held faint smiles. The myriad faces of humanity, each telling a different story, he mused. He couldn’t be certain that all the sorrow and fear stemmed solely from Demon Evil.
Presently, Shen Changqing stopped a lean young man. "Excuse me," he asked, "how do I get to the Yamen?"
"Uh, the Yamen?" The young man, startled by the sudden interruption, showed a flicker of annoyance. But upon seeing Shen Changqing’s face, the irritation vanished without a trace. For a moment, it felt as if he wasn’t facing an ordinary person, but an Executioner who had taken countless lives. That sensation quickly faded, however, and the young man dismissed it as his imagination. He pointed behind him and said, "Go straight from here, turn left at the third intersection, continue for two more intersections, then turn right, and you’ll see the Yamen."
"Thank you very much!" Shen Changqing committed the directions to memory and offered his thanks.
"No need, no need!" The young man waved his hand and hurried off.
Shen Changqing watched him leave before heading towards the Yamen as instructed.
He walked forward three intersections, turned left, continued for two more intersections, and finally turned right. A short while later, his footsteps halted before a pair of stone lions. I’ve arrived, he thought.
Seeing the two Government Officials standing guard, Shen Changqing approached them and directly presented his Identity Token. "I am from the Demon-Subduing Division. Is the County Magistrate of Qutai County present?"
A member of the Demon-Subduing Division! The two Government Officials, who had been idly dozing, snapped to attention. They first glanced at Shen Changqing and Tiankui on his shoulder, then focused on the Identity Token in his hand. The words "Demon-Subduing Division" leaped into view. At this sight, the two officials shivered. The Demon-Subduing Division! They didn’t doubt the token’s authenticity; few within the Great Qin dared to impersonate someone from the Demon-Subduing Division.
Therefore, one of the Government Officials said hastily, "The Lord County Magistrate is currently handling affairs inside the Yamen. I will inform him of your arrival immediately." After speaking, he rushed off, but not before giving his colleague a meaningful glance.
The other Government Official, understanding the signal, said with an obsequious smile, "My Lord, you must be tired from your long journey. Please come inside and take a seat. The Lord County Magistrate will be here shortly."
"Mm," Shen Changqing acknowledged with a nod and followed the official inside.
The Yamen of Qutai County was not large, certainly smaller than the several Prefecture Yamens Shen Changqing had previously seen. But considering this was just a small county town, its Yamen couldn’t be expected to be grand.
After guiding Shen Changqing into the inner hall, the Government Official bowed respectfully. "My Lord, please have a seat here for a moment. I will go brew a pot of tea for you!" Without waiting for a response, he respectfully retreated.
Whether Shen Changqing is truly from the Demon-Subduing Division or an imposter doesn’t concern me, the official thought. As long as I show proper courtesy, I’ll be fine. If he’s fake, someone else will deal with him. But if he’s real and I’m disrespectful, it could cost me my head. With this mindset, the Government Official maintained a respectful attitude throughout, ensuring no breach of etiquette.
As Shen Changqing surveyed the inner hall’s layout, his ears twitched slightly, and he turned his head towards the entrance. Before long, a portly, prosperous-looking middle-aged man with a somewhat oily complexion entered.
Upon seeing Shen Changqing, the man smiled and cupped his hands in salute. "I heard a Lord from the Demon-Subduing Division has arrived. I am Chang Cai, the County Magistrate of Qutai County. Forgive my failure to greet you properly upon your arrival. I hope Your Lordship will not take offense!"
"Lord Chang is too courteous," Shen Changqing replied, remaining seated and merely nodding slightly.
At this, a flicker of displeasure crossed Chang Cai’s eyes. How arrogant!
was his first thought, quickly followed by a surge of resentment.Despite his poor first impression, Chang Cai didn’t let it show. He sat down in the seat of honor, his smile fading slightly, and said calmly, "May I ask where Your Lordship has come from? As part of my duties, I must request to see some form of identification."
Shen Changqing is young, Chang Cai observed. Even if he’s from the Demon-Subduing Division, his rank can’t be very high. As the County Magistrate of Qutai County, I don’t need to grovel before an ordinary member.
It was worth noting that after consuming the Longevity Fruit, Shen Changqing appeared even younger than before. The passing years had left no trace on him; he looked almost identical to when he had first joined the Demon-Subduing Division.
Hearing this, Shen Changqing wasted no words. He retrieved his Identity Token from his robes and, with a flick of his wrist, sent it spinning towards Chang Cai.
The Token whizzed through the air, making Chang Cai’s heart leap. He instinctively wanted to dodge but found himself unable to move. Just as he thought the Token would strike him dead, it halted abruptly before his face and dropped powerlessly into his lap.
Such control of strength... precise to an astonishing degree! Chang Cai’s chest heaved. Though a civil official, he possessed some cultivation; in the Jianghu, he would be considered an expert of the Pulse Condensation Realm. Yet, Shen Changqing’s casual display had made him feel the threat of death. If the young man wanted to kill him, it would take no effort at all. Instantly, most of Chang Cai’s prior dissatisfaction with Shen Changqing vanished. His arrogance is backed by true power, he realized.
Lowering his head, Chang Cai looked at the Token that had fallen into his hand. His gaze immediately locked onto the engraved characters: Heaven Rank Demon Hunter! Shen Changqing!
Truthfully, Chang Cai had never heard the name Shen Changqing. Qutai County was a small, remote place, and much news from the outside world didn’t reach it. However, he knew very well what "Heaven Rank Demon Hunter" signified. It was the highest echelon among Demon Hunters; only the legendary Defender Envoys, rumored to be capable of guarding entire regions, stood above them. Chang Cai could never have imagined that Shen Changqing would be a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter.
Then, he flipped the Token over. When his gaze fell upon the words "Martial Hall Elder," a look of puzzlement flickered in his eyes. Martial Hall Elder? Chang Cai searched his memory regarding the Demon-Subduing Division but couldn’t recall ever hearing of a "Martial Hall." Regardless of what this "Martial Hall Elder" position entailed, the Identity Token itself was almost certainly genuine.
Realizing Shen Changqing was a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter, Chang Cai’s demeanor underwent a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree transformation. Rising from his seat of honor, he approached Shen Changqing and respectfully returned the Identity Token, his oily face now wreathed in an obsequious, fawning smile.
"So it is Lord Shen! My apologies, I was blind earlier and failed to recognize Your Lordship’s esteemed status. I hope you won’t take offense."
"It’s a small matter," Shen Changqing said, casually retrieving the Identity Token as he observed the fawning Chang Cai. "I’ve come to deal with the Demon Evil affair. Tell me everything you know, so I can compare it with the case files and see if there are any discrepancies."
Having subtly asserted his authority, he got straight to the point. He had come all the way from Mountain-Breaking City solely to resolve the Demon Evil issue; other matters were of little concern to him.
The Demon Evil affair! Upon hearing these words, Chang Cai’s expression turned serious. He didn’t return to the main seat but instead took a subordinate seat near Shen Changqing.
"Regarding the Demon Evil, Lord Shen, you’ve certainly come to the right person..."