38: First class flag, Chu Yun

Accompanying Jiang Chen to the deliberation hall were two other External Guards.

This meant that Wang Fusheng had only recruited three External Guards during all this time, or perhaps only three External Guards had survived.

If Jiang Chen hadn't been strong, he would have perished last night.

Any other Houtian Realm first-layer expert might not have survived last night either.

One of the External Guards was the aloof woman Jiang Chen had briefly seen before.

The other was a tall, thin man who, upon seeing Jiang Chen, slightly cupped his hands in greeting, indicating friendliness.

Jiang Chen noticed that this person's steps were light and silent, indicating he was an expert in movement techniques.

The recruitment of Black Yamen External Guards offered hope to some Jianghu experts. Anyone with some skill who wanted to hone themselves, earn more contribution points, and then exchange them for an Advanced martial art would choose to join the External Guards.

However, the casualty rate among External Guards had been high during this period.

This caused many who wanted to join the External Guards to adopt a wait-and-see approach.

After all, the high demand for External Guards indicated that the pressure from demons was also increasing.

The three of them didn't exchange many words.

They soon arrived at the deliberation hall.

Inside the deliberation hall, six people were already seated.

Sitting at the very front, besides the Town Guard, was a young woman dressed in a black and red official uniform, exuding a valiant and heroic Aura.

The woman had delicate features, and her most striking feature was a pair of long, slender jade legs hidden beneath her official robe.

As the two sat on their chairs, the woman had to place her feet sideways.

The Town Guard's feet could only just touch the ground.

There was no trace of sweat on the woman's temples, and her breathing was steady. Although she had some dust on her, she showed no signs of fatigue. A badge hanging from her waist indicated her identity as a First Class Little Flag.

Shen Lingshu had previously mentioned that a First Class Little Flag was equivalent to a Houtian Realm ninth-layer expert.

Jiang Chen was surprised.

This Black Yamen woman in front of him was clearly only a few years older than him, yet she had already reached such a level of Cultivation.

Indeed, in this Martial Dao world, there were many exceptionally talented individuals, hidden Dragons and crouching tigers.

His own strength was only enough to be considered formidable in Dongfeng Town.

While Jiang Chen observed the Black Yamen woman, she, too, looked at Jiang Chen with a smile in her eyes.

This made Jiang Chen's heart tighten.

Being overly noticed by an expert was not a good thing.

However, the arrival of the Black Yamen meant an opportunity to kill enemies, slay demons, and improve his strength.

Jiang Chen immediately calmed himself.

The other two Black Yamen experts were both Third Class Little Flags, seated on the right side of the main hall.

Although they were merely sitting there, casually sipping tea.

An invisible, yet powerful, pressure emanated from them.

Wang Fusheng and another burly man in official armor sat on the other side.

Jiang Chen had seen this man before; he was Xu Tiedao, the commander of the Dongfeng Town Garrison Corps.

Behind Xu Tiedao stood two young armored soldiers.

Jiang Chen and the other two naturally stood behind Wang Fusheng.

The Lord Town Guard scanned the room, then spoke.

"Everyone is here, let's begin."

"First, let me introduce everyone: this is Lord Chu Yun from Cangzhou City."

Chu Yun smiled faintly, composed and unreserved.

Then, she gestured, and the two Black Yamen experts spread a map on the table.

"We have detected the traces of the Ding Family demons in Dongfeng Town. We had planned a surprise attack, but they managed to escape."

"Therefore, Dongfeng Town will assist our Black Yamen in apprehending these Ding Family demons."

"As shown on the map, we have reliable intelligence that many of the Ding Family demons are currently hiding in the Yinhuai Ridge area of Wu Huai Mountain."

"Your Dongfeng Town needs to dispatch personnel to pinpoint their exact location in Yinhuai Ridge, and then our Black Yamen will take action to wipe them out..."

Jiang Chen listened from the side.

Upon hearing that the Ding Family members had fled to Wu Huai Mountain, he couldn't help but be startled.

If the Ding Family demons were not stopped quickly, these demons would likely devour all the surrounding villages.

Chu Yun's assigned task was simple.

It mainly involved the people of Dongfeng Town helping to locate the enemy's whereabouts, and then the Black Yamen experts would strike.

According to Chu Yun, the personnel from Dongfeng Town didn't even need to participate in the battle; her three people alone could handle it.

But Jiang Chen had a faint, uneasy premonition.

They might be underestimating these demons too much.

After all, the Ding Family had occupied Dongfeng Town for so long, controlled vast financial resources, and when they fled, they purchased a large amount of demon blood. They might be preparing for a Breakthrough, and furthermore, it was hard to know what other powerful existences were within the Ding Family.

Although Chu Yun had Houtian Realm ninth-layer strength, she might not truly be able to handle it.

However, Jiang Chen wasn't overly worried.

The Black Yamen dealt with demons every day, so they naturally understood the intricacies involved.

"You are Jiang Chen, correct? You killed a Houtian Realm demon yesterday. The three External Guards will be under your command. You will also join us in slaying demons."

Chu Yun said.

Not only Chu Yun, but even the other two Black Yamen experts looked at Jiang Chen, clearly interested in him.

Sometimes, even if one's strength was not inferior to a demon's, they might not be able to contend with it, as the demon's Aura could be soul-stirring, causing one to lose all their own Aura.

Many people Cultivated their entire lives, yet when facing demons, they didn't even dare to make a move.

Jiang Chen being able to slay a small Houtian Realm demon indicated some potential.

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up; this was a good opportunity.

However, Jiang Chen didn't immediately agree, but first looked at Wang Fusheng, as Wang Fusheng was his direct superior.

"We are originally Black Yamen External Guards; we will follow all of Lord Chu's arrangements."

Wang Fusheng said.

Only then did Jiang Chen cup his hands.

"Yes, Lord."

The other two also nodded in agreement.

The aloof woman, today, was not wearing a veil, revealing a pure, fair face with resolute eyes.

Chu Yun nodded.

"In this operation, the Black Yamen will reward based on merit!"

Upon hearing about rewards based on merit, everyone's eyes lit up. After all, the Black Yamen was always generous with its rewards. If they could obtain some Medicinal Pills, their Cultivation might advance further.

"Everyone check your equipment, resupply your provisions. We depart in two quarters of an hour, arrive at Wu Huai Mountain before sunset, and we must search out the Ding Family's lair!"

Xu Tiedao led the garrison army, a total of three hundred men, to depart first.

Jiang Chen also rode on horseback.

Because this was an official duty, Jiang Chen also received a hundred sharp arrows from the yamen.

These arrows had unique blood grooves, custom-made by the government. Their power differed from those sold on weapon registries, possessing greater lethality.

It was considered a benefit from the government.

Recently, Dongfeng Town had been in a state of panic due to news of demons.

Now that the government was taking such swift and major action, the common people felt much more at ease.

As they set off.

The sun was setting in the west, and the afterglow spread to the end of a dirt road, beyond which lay a dense mountain forest.

This was the western side of Wu Huai Mountain.

Yinhuai Ridge itself was located deep in the western part of Wu Huai Mountain. Although Jiang Chen had hunted in Wu Huai Mountain, he had only operated on the eastern side and not very deeply, so he wasn't very familiar with Yinhuai Ridge.

Jiang Chen also learned the identities of the other two External Guards.

The man was named Gao Jie, skilled in lightness techniques.

The woman was named Zhou Miaoqing.

If Jiang Chen remembered correctly, one of the three great Families was the Zhou Family.

The group ventured deep into the mountain forest.

Immediately, a chilling Qi assaulted them.

"Tie the horses outside and enter the mountain on foot."

Chu Yun said. These horses couldn't move when facing the demon Qi, so it was better to leave them outside.

Jiang Chen also held his hunting bow, following behind Chu Yun and the others.

He listened carefully to the movements ahead.

Suddenly, a signal arrow pierced the sky.

"We've found their location!"

"Charge!"

Chu Yun exclaimed, then her figure shot out like an arrow released from a bow.

The other two Black Yamen experts also quickly followed.

"Keep up!"

Jiang Chen shouted.

Jiang Chen didn't unleash his fastest speed, merely following not too far behind the Black Yamen experts.

Gao Jie also followed beside Jiang Chen.

Zhou Miaoqing, on the other hand, seemed to harbor a deep hatred for demons, fully utilizing her movement technique as she charged forward.

For a moment, she actually kept pace with the Black Yamen experts.

At this moment, Jiang Chen also discovered that Zhou Miaoqing's Spiritual Qi Cultivation had reached Body Tempering Realm ninth-layer!

Just as Jiang Chen was surprised, a pungent smell of blood suddenly assailed them.

Everyone's figures landed.

In the jungle, there were more than a dozen dismembered corpses.

They were the scouting party from the garrison corps.

"Hehehe... you really aren't afraid of death, daring to come to my territory to throw yourselves into the net."

"You killed my son, I want you to pay with blood!"

In the jungle, the ground suddenly exploded all around them.

Immediately after, more than a dozen rat demons with black fur, sharp fangs and claws, and hunched bodies, emerged from the underground holes.

Whoosh!

More than a dozen whip-like tails instantly lashed out towards Jiang Chen and the others.