Chapter 12

Guangyuan Prefecture, Lin'an City.

After receiving his evaluation task, Shen Changqing immediately headed for Lin'an City.

This evaluation task.

He was the only one sent on this mission.

Although the Demon Suppression Bureau seemed to have many people, in reality, the number of demons and monsters in various regions was much greater, making it impossible to send a team for each task.

Considering Shen Changqing's strength, Jiang Feng directly sent him alone to Lin'an City.

After nearly ten days.

Shen Changqing finally arrived at Lin'an City.

Unlike the bustling capital, Lin'an City was much more tranquil.

However, he did not pay much attention to these external appearances. His purpose for coming here was to eliminate the evil spirits, and other matters were not of great concern to him.

Showing his identity token.

Shen Changqing easily entered the government office.

The magistrate of Lin'an City, Zhao Fang, immediately came to greet him.

"This official is Zhao Fang. May I ask for your name, sir?"

"Shen Changqing, a probationary demon slayer from the Demon Suppression Bureau's Yellow Department!"

Shen Changqing slightly bowed.

While speaking, he was already sizing up the person in front of him.

Before coming to Lin'an City, Shen Changqing had already gathered a lot of information about the city, including the magistrate in front of him.

Zhao Fang had been the magistrate of Lin'an City for nearly twenty years.

During these twenty years.

Lin'an City had experienced several demonic disasters, but Zhao Fang remained as stable as a mountain, firmly holding his position as magistrate.

Shen Changqing was somewhat impressed by this.

He couldn't help but admire Zhao Fang.

If it were a normal person, they would have resigned and retired after encountering one or two demonic disasters, not daring to stay in Lin'an City any longer.

But Zhao Fang was different.

Despite several demonic disasters, he remained unmoved.

This level of courage was unmatched by others.

While Shen Changqing was sizing up Zhao Fang, Zhao Fang was also observing him.

But after a moment, he withdrew his gaze and smiled warmly.

"So, you are Mr. Shen from the Demon Suppression Bureau. Since you have come from afar, why don't you rest for a night in the city, and we can discuss the demonic matters tomorrow?"

"No, eliminating the evil spirits cannot wait. If I rest for a day, more people might die. It's better to handle it promptly."

Shen Changqing shook his head.

In his mind, completing the task was the priority.

As for other matters, they could be discussed later.

Hearing this, Zhao Fang's enthusiasm increased even more: "Mr. Shen, your noble heart is greatly admired. Since you are eager to deal with the demonic matters, I will have someone explain them to you."

With that, his expression turned serious.

"Someone!"

"Your orders, sir!" A constable standing behind him stepped forward.

"Convey my order to have Head Constable Zhang come immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

The constable bowed and left.

As he departed, Zhao Fang's face regained its smile: "Mr. Shen, please follow me to the inner hall."

"Thank you!"

---

In the inner hall of the government office.

Shen Changqing and Zhao Fang sat down on either side.

Just as a servant brought in the tea, a tall, somewhat elderly man with a sword walked in.

"Magistrate Zhao!"

"Head Constable Zhang has arrived. Please sit down!"

Zhao Fang nodded and introduced Shen Changqing.

"This is Mr. Shen Changqing from the Demon Suppression Bureau. This is Head Constable Zhang Long of our Lin'an City government office. Head Constable Zhang has been in this position for over ten years, making him a seasoned veteran. Mr. Shen, if you have any questions, feel free to ask Head Constable Zhang."

Upon the introduction, Shen Changqing turned his gaze to Zhang Long.

As soon as Zhang Long entered, Shen Changqing noticed that he had a strong aura, indicating high proficiency in external martial arts.

Body Tempering Realm!

And not just any Body Tempering Realm.

He was likely at the late or peak stage of the Body Tempering Realm.

Shen Changqing slightly bowed.

"Nice to meet you, Head Constable Zhang."

"Mr. Shen, you are too kind!" Zhang Long, somewhat flustered, hurriedly returned the bow: "If there is anything you want to know, please feel free to ask."

He didn't know Shen Changqing's background.

But the name "Demon Suppression Bureau" alone was enough to speak volumes.

No matter where they were, people from the Demon Suppression Bureau held immense status.

Even the magistrate Zhao Fang treated them with respect, let alone a mere head constable like himself.

More importantly.

When facing Shen Changqing, Zhang Long found himself unable to discern anything about him.

As a member of the Demon Suppression Bureau, he naturally couldn't be without cultivation.

The only reason he couldn't discern anything was that Shen Changqing was far stronger than him.

Thinking of this, Zhang Long became even more cautious.

Shen Changqing said, "I received intelligence from the Demon Suppression Bureau that there are evil spirits in Lin'an City. I hope you can provide a comprehensive answer, Head Constable Zhang."

"Evil spirits—"

Zhang Long nodded, his expression gradually becoming calm as if recalling something. After a while, he slowly spoke.

"About half a month ago, someone reported a murder. We immediately sent constables to investigate. When they arrived, they found that the dead bodies had all become mummies.

After the coroner's examination, it was determined that the bodies had died not long ago, but their blood and essence had drained, as if they had been dead for years.

We immediately realized that evil spirits were at work."

In the inner hall.

Shen Changqing sat there, listening to Zhang Long's words.

What he said matched the intelligence he had received from the Demon Suppression Bureau.

After Zhang Long finished speaking.

Shen Changqing asked, "What happened after the mummies were discovered? Did anything else occur?"

"I do know something about that," Zhao Fang interjected before Zhang Long could speak.

"After confirming the presence of evil spirits, we evacuated the villagers and sealed off the entire village, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

So far, nothing else has happened."

Upon discovering the evil spirits.

Zhao Fang immediately evacuated all the villagers.

Shen Changqing deeply agreed with Zhao Fang's actions.

According to the intelligence from the Demon Suppression Bureau, the evil spirit was only at the Ghost Level. As the lowest level of evil spirits, it couldn't easily leave its original location and usually relied on some object as a host.

In other words.

As long as the villagers were evacuated and the village sealed, there wouldn't be any immediate problems.

After all, evil spirits, though terrifying, varied in strength.

A Ghost Level evil spirit, though difficult to deal with, could be controlled with proper measures.

"Magistrate Zhao, you seem quite experienced!" Shen Changqing said with a hint of meaning.

Zhao Fang smiled bitterly: "There's no choice. Lin'an City has had frequent demonic disasters in recent years. Even the most stubborn person would learn how to handle such situations.

Fortunately, the evil spirits that have appeared so far haven't caused much damage.

Now that Mr. Shen is here, there will be no problem.

After all, the Demon Suppression Bureau has slain countless evil spirits. With Mr. Shen's strength, dealing with them won't be an issue."

At the end of his words.

Zhao Fang subtly flattered Shen Changqing.

In the face of evil spirits.

Ordinary people had no means of resistance.

Only the strong from the Demon Suppression Bureau could truly deal with them.

Although Shen Changqing was a probationary demon slayer, the lowest rank among demon slayers, the Demon Suppression Bureau's decision to send him here proved his capability.

Zhao Fang did not dare to underestimate him.

"Where is the village where the evil spirits appeared?"

"About ten miles east of Lin'an City." This time, Zhang Long answered.

After speaking, he continued without waiting for Shen Changqing's response: "If Mr. Shen wants to visit the village, it would be better to wait until tomorrow.

It's already late, and visibility is poor at night, making it difficult to deal with evil spirits.

During the day, with the sun blocking them, it would be easier."

"That works."

Shen Changqing did not reject Zhang Long's suggestion, not because it was truly better to deal with evil spirits during the day.

Evil spirits, strictly speaking, were not afraid of sunlight.

Their strength did not diminish or increase whether it was day or night.

However, in the eyes of ordinary people, evil spirits were considered yin and evil, so they were believed to fear sunlight and not easily show themselves during the day, while their power increased at night.

The reason Shen Changqing didn't go now was that he had been traveling for a long time, and even a Meridian Passage expert couldn't withstand such exhaustion.

Additionally.

It was already late.

Although he could see at night, it was still different from the daytime.

Soon.

Zhao Fang arranged for Shen Changqing to stay.

Considering he was from the Demon Suppression Bureau, Zhao Fang did not dare to be negligent.

Originally, Zhao Fang wanted Shen Changqing to stay in his own residence, but since Shen Changqing refused, he arranged for him to stay at the best inn in the city.

Although Lin'an City was small.

It still had everything one needed.

Under Zhang Long's guidance, Shen Changqing went to the inn. Due to his past life's memories, he didn't have much to say about the inn's environment.

"Mr. Shen, please rest well. I will come to see you early tomorrow morning!"

"Thank you, Head Constable Zhang."

"Mr. Shen, you are too kind. I will take my leave!"

Zhang Long bowed and left.

Soon, Shen Changqing was alone in the guest room.

He didn't go to sleep immediately but thought about the task. It was his first mission, and he couldn't afford to be careless.

Moreover.

The target was an evil spirit, and a single mistake could cost him his life.

For his own safety.

Shen Changqing had to take this matter seriously.

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