35: I won’t stop until the traitor is found!

It was late at night, and the chirping of insects outside the window had thinned.

The light in Li Dong's room was still on.

He was slowly packing a few changes of clothes, as he was due to leave for the Prefecture tomorrow.

There wasn't much to take, really; the standard uniform issued by the Demon Suppression Division was enough to wear. The important things were the bottles and jars he'd exchanged for Merits, and the newly acquired Mystic Iron Demon Suppressing Ruler; those were the main items.

His fingers brushed unintentionally against an inconspicuous cloth bag, which contained a few pieces of dried, hard jerky, brought back from Black Wind Ridge last time.

Black Wind Ridge... that Foundation Establishment Realm giant python, it died unjustly, and suspiciously.

Li Dong stopped what he was doing, and that faint, special scent uncontrollably resurfaced in his mind.

It was exactly the same as the smell on that sinister deacon on the day of the Baptism!

This matter was like a thorn, stuck in his heart; he wouldn't feel right until he figured it out.

He simply stopped packing, pulled out the stack of information about the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division that Zhang Wu had given him, and that mysterious small oiled paper package.

He had read through the information several times, but most of it was official introductions: organizational structure, jurisdiction, historical evolution... it was all mind-numbing.

"Nonsense, it's all correct but useless talk," Li Dong pouted, throwing the papers aside.

Hoping to find that deacon's background or the origin of that incense from this public information? He must be dreaming.

This stuff just highlighted, "everything you say is right, but I don't understand it"; it was purely a waste of time.

He still had to rely on himself... or rather, on the System.

Li Dong concentrated, recalling that unique scent, and tried to search and analyze it within the System interface.

"System, analyze the same type of incense I smelled on the Black Wind Ridge giant python and that Demon Suppression Division deacon."

"Ding! Insufficient odor sample information. Performing fuzzy matching and deduction based on host's memory remnants..."

"Preliminary analysis result: The main component of this odor points to a rare 'demon-attracting incense.'"

"'demon-attracting incense': The low-tier version can be used to attract or temporarily control low-intelligence Yao Beasts, commonly used for trapping or creating chaos."

"demon-attracting incense? Attracting Yao Beasts?" Li Dong frowned.

It wasn't strange for this stuff to be used on ordinary Yao Beasts, but that giant python was a Foundation Establishment Realm Yao Beast! And it was clearly controlled by some power, becoming incredibly violent.

"Supplementary analysis: The scent of the incense in the host's memory is complex, far exceeding ordinary 'demon-attracting incense,' containing traces of higher-tier modulation. To affect a Foundation Establishment Realm Yao Beast, the required formula or activation method must be extremely special, beyond the capability of ordinary incense refiners."

As expected, it wasn't simple! This stuff had some depth to it!

"Warning! A special component with strong negative energy, mixed with an unknown element, has been detected in the residual scent of the incense!"

"The structure of this component is abnormal, and there is an extremely faint energy fluctuation resonance phenomenon with the 'spirituality fragment' previously absorbed by the host!"

What?!

Li Dong shot up to his feet!

Incense... related to spirituality fragments?!

This amount of information was a lot, making his head buzz.

spirituality fragments... weren't those only found in special places like the Baptism Altar? And absorbing them could Awaken the "Spirituality" attribute, enhancing perception and Comprehension Ability, good stuff!

How could it be related to this "demon-attracting incense," which sounded like it was up to no good?

Wait!

The Baptism Altar... spirituality fragments seemed to carry some kind of consciousness fluctuation... Zhao Zhen, that old bastard, could use the power of the altar to scheme against me... that mysterious deacon, had this special demon-attracting incense on him... the Foundation Establishment giant python in Black Wind Ridge, was clearly controlled and driven mad... the abnormal increase in Yao Beast activity in Mu Shi County recently... a terrifying thought, like lightning, split through Li Dong's mind!

Could it be... could that deacon, or the person behind him, be using some method to collect or even "create" spirituality fragments?

Using this special demon-attracting incense to control Yao Beasts to achieve some goal? Or even... conducting some evil experiment?

Holy crap, no way?

This conjecture was too crazy, and too dangerous! It made one shudder upon closer thought!

If this was true, then these people were too audacious! Doing such things right under the nose of the Demon Suppression Division?

No, what was even more terrifying was... they themselves were people from the Demon Suppression Division!

Embezzlement? Colluding with Yao Beasts? Or conducting some unknown secret research?

Li Dong felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

These people's schemes, he feared, were even more intricate than a hornet's nest! Just looking at it made him shiver! It was almost enough to trigger trypophobia!

If this conjecture was even slightly true, then the Black Wind Ridge giant python incident was by no means as simple as it seemed; it was very likely just the tip of the iceberg!

The abnormal Yao Beast activity in Mu Shi County was probably not a coincidence, but rather someone secretly manipulating things!

What about the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division? Zhang Wu said it was a deep and complex place, rife with factions and brutal struggles... could it be that beneath these troubled waters, there was such a large and dark chain of interests, or even several?

This might even involve the Foundation of the Demon Suppression Division!

Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine.

This was no longer just an undercurrent; this was a massive whirlpool that threatened to drag the entire Demon Suppression Division System down! Once caught in it, not even a speck of bone would remain.

This conjecture, for now, could only remain unspoken.

Tell Zhang Wu?

No.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Old Zhang, that rough man; it was mainly because there was no evidence. Who would believe him if he just said, out of thin air, that there might be a huge conspiracy within the Demon Suppression Division, involving spirituality fragments and Yao Beast control?

Even if Zhang Wu believed him, what could he do? His authority wasn't enough.

He might even be treated as a madman, or someone with ulterior motives.

Moreover, once he alerted the enemy, he, a small fry who had just emerged, would probably die without knowing how he died!

At that time, it would truly be like strolling through mountains of daggers and seas of fire, and frequently visiting the underworld.

A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure makes him guilty. The secrets he carried, such as the System and spirituality fragments, were already conspicuous enough. To get involved in such a major event that could shake the Foundation of the Demon Suppression Division... it was too dangerous.

He must lie low! Develop cautiously!

It seemed that his goal for going to the Prefecture had increased by one.

Besides improving his strength and establishing a firm foothold, he also had to find a way to uncover the secrets behind this "demon-attracting incense" and "spirituality fragments."

This required higher authority, more resources, and greater strength. He absolutely had to go to the Prefecture!

Amidst his chaotic thoughts, Li Dong walked to the inner room and looked at his father, Li Shanyue, lying on the bed.

The effects of the Celestial Pill Secret Technique were indeed remarkable; his originally withered, tree bark-like complexion now had some vitality, and his breathing was much more stable and prolonged.

Although it was still far from a complete cure, the System had estimated that it could at least stabilize the situation and buy him three more years.

Three years... that was enough.

As long as he could establish a firm foothold in the Prefecture and obtain more resources, he would definitely find a way to completely cure his father!

Looking at his father's peaceful sleeping face, Li Dong felt a little more at ease.

This was not just for himself, but for his family. Protecting his family was his bottom line.

He returned to the outer room, his gaze falling on the dark, heavy Mystic Iron Demon Suppressing Ruler on the table.

Become stronger! He must become even stronger!

Strong enough to crush all schemes and tricks!

Strong enough to protect the people he wanted to protect!

That mysterious deacon, the forces behind him, and this damned conspiracy that might involve spirituality fragments... no matter what you're hiding, once this young master arrives at the Prefecture, I'll drag you all out, one by one, sooner or later!

If he didn't dig out these tumors within the Demon Suppression Division and purify this System, he probably wouldn't find true peace, no matter where he went!

This was no longer just about survival; it was more like a... responsibility he had to shoulder?

To hell with responsibility, I just want to Cultivate and become stronger in peace, and live a good life with my family! Whoever blocks my path, I'll eliminate them! It's that simple!

Li Dong picked up the Mystic Iron Demon Suppressing Ruler and weighed it.

It felt good in his hand, heavy.

He hoped that when he got to the Prefecture, this thing would get to taste the blood of some "traitors" and be sharpened.

"Brother, haven't you finished packing yet? Aren't we supposed to wake up early for the carriage tomorrow?"

Li Qingyan pushed the door open and poked her head in, holding two freshly washed, red apples.

Li Dong put the Ruler into his Storage Pouch, turned around, took an apple, and bit into it with a crunch, juice splattering.