296: Someone wants to give the general a treasure (ask for a monthly ticket)

“Ben Boer Ba, Ba Bo'er Ben, why aren't you two cultivating in the mountains? What are you doing sneaking up here?”

After Chen Yuan's annoyed voice rang out, the large green claw suddenly stopped a few feet away.

Then,

“Bang!”

“Bang!”

Two muffled thuds, like popcorn exploding.

Two beavers, about a foot tall, “exploded” on the spot, transforming into five or six-foot-tall figures, sitting upright with their front paws raised, leaning against the wall.

One of them had two silly tufts of hair on his head that shot straight up.

He was startled.

The two beavers were none other than Ben Boer Ba and Ba Bo'er Ben, Chen Yuan's Contracted Demons.

Seeing the two minor demons appear, Gao Yu was somewhat surprised, so he lowered his hand, and the large green claw also dissipated into the air.

“This General, this is?”

“They are my Contracted Demons. They have been with This General since Qingshan County. They are used to being wild and have no manners.” Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow, turned his body to the side, and looked at the “two brothers” with an exasperated smile: “I remember telling you to stay in the mountains and Cultivate honestly. What are you doing up here?”

Ever since he left Qingshan County, he had fought battles all the way south and north. These Contracted Demons, who used to be under him, gradually couldn't keep up with his Cultivation, so they weren't of much use, and naturally had fewer opportunities to come out, but he had always kept them by his side.

This time, returning to guard Jinguancheng was a bit more stable, so he put his twelve Grass-Headed Gods into Ninth Mountain to Cultivate, with plenty of Demon flesh and blood.

After fighting a round on the Demon Battlefield, Chen Yuan actually had many subdued Heavenly Gate Devils in his hands, all of Heavenly Gate realm, but he would rather bestow these Heavenly Gate Devils away, and he himself “wasted” resources to keep these small demons by his side.

After keeping them for a long time, naturally, he developed feelings for them.

Gao Yu suddenly understood after hearing this. He was originally surprised and wondered how two minor demons could break into this heavily guarded Zhonglang Hall with its numerous Restrictions. It turned out they were the This General's Contracted Demons, who had followed the This General all the way from his place of origin, Qingshan County.

It was just that their names were a bit strange!

Moreover, listening to the This General's tone, there was clearly no blame, which made him take note. He would have to remind the patrolling soldiers to be careful, lest they offend their own people, like a flood washing away the Dragon King's temple.

At this moment, the two tufts of hair lowered their front paws, and their sturdy, seal-like bodies arched forward, their paws cupped as they crawled on the ground, then they spoke in human tongue,

“This General, we encountered a...”

The two demons had difficulty speaking, chattering to describe something, but couldn't make it clear after talking for a long time.

Demons speaking human language also need to learn like children, needing a corresponding environment and knowledge. These two beavers could speak, but couldn't speak clearly.

Finally, in their haste, they resorted to wild gesticulations.

After a short while, Chen Yuan laughed, then turned to look at Gao Yu.

“These two little guys said that one of the maids in my hall was driven down the mountain.”

“They were fed by someone and are now asking for mercy for them.”

“Councilor Gao, send someone to ask what happened?”

Chen Yuan usually didn't care about such matters, but since the Ba Ben brothers pleaded for someone, he had to ask.

“Yes, your subordinate will go now.”

Gao Yu was also watching the fun, smiled, and agreed.

On the other side,

The maid Xia He, after repeatedly calling for the two little guys at the clear pool without success, left in sadness and descended the mountain.

Soon after, she wrapped her clothes tightly and arrived at the camp at the foot of the mountain. Here, pavilions, towers, and houses stood neatly, with a predominantly black color scheme that complemented the wind and snow between heaven and earth, appearing solemn and majestic.

The Ninth Mountain Army was stationed here, with ten divisions surrounding the camp. Among them, the Internal Affairs Division, which managed the internal affairs of Ninth Mountain, was located within. Although it was only one of the ten divisions, it managed many matters: military rations, military pay, repairs, personnel selection, documents, etc. It could be said that it assisted the Zhonglang General in overseeing the internal affairs of the mountain, and its Chief Qianhu could accurately be called the Ninth Mountain's head housekeeper.

Xia He was dismissed and needed to return her mountain Restriction token before she could leave.

With a confused and despondent heart, she walked through this familiar place. Not far away, she could hear shouts from the Ninth Mountain training ground. Looking towards it, many soldiers were training in the snow, bare-armed, with bulging muscles, practicing combat. In the past, when they had nothing to do, she and her sisters would often sneak down just to watch the valiant soldiers train, harboring youthful fantasies in their hearts.

She heard that a group of new recruits had arrived a few days ago, many of whom were from prominent families in the city, handsome, and with extraordinary backgrounds. The day before yesterday, she and her sisters were still happily discussing it, but now, she was no longer in the mood.

Soon, Xia He arrived at the Internal Affairs Division. The Internal Affairs Division today was much livelier than usual; even in this icy world, many people came and went.

As soon as she stepped in, she heard crying.

Someone else, like her, walked out with a backpack, crying and muttering about what to do.

One of the officials on duty saw her and called out,

“Young Miss Xia He!”

A bearded man responsible for documents sat at the side of the front hall, with a table in front of him.

“Chief Clerk Liu, I…” Xia He quickly stepped forward, stammering, hoping there was still room for maneuver.

“Young Miss, you are a close attendant summoned by the Zhonglang Hall. The Restriction token on your person is quite important. Do not take it off the mountain. After returning it, please leave.” However, the Chief Clerk interrupted her with an expressionless face and a cold voice.

Xia He's eyes immediately reddened, and her heart ached. It was truly a case of people leaving and tea growing cold. Just two days ago, this Chief Clerk had been very polite and kind-faced when he saw them. How had everything changed?

She said nothing, lowered her head, and, suppressing her tears, took off a bright silver bracelet engraved with runes from one of her wrists, feeling a bit reluctant.

This was the pass for entering and leaving the mountain's Restrictions.

However, Chief Clerk Liu made a single-handed gesture, drawing the bracelet into his hand, then with a grand sweep of his hand, he tossed a slip of paper over.

“Go to the storeroom and collect some silver. This is a favor from the Zongguan for you.” As he spoke, he cupped his hands towards the mountain, his face changing to a respectful and proud expression, “Now that the This General holds a revered position, guarding Jinguancheng and handling myriad affairs daily, you old-timers are no longer suitable to stay here. I imagine you also know that ever since the This General arrived, he hasn't summoned you to serve him. This is clearly a problem, so don't blame the Zongguan for not remembering old ties.”

After speaking, the Chief Clerk, holding the bracelet, got up and walked towards the back hall.

And that slip of paper just floated and floated, landing on the ground.

Xia He tried to grab it several times but failed. Finally, she squatted down, and tears, against her will, fell.

After calming herself slightly, she picked up the slip of paper from the ground. At this moment, several figures walked out from the back hall.

“Brother Wenjin, thanks!”

“Xiao Ya, aren't you going to thank Uncle Zhang?”

“Xiao Ya thanks Uncle Zhang.”

Inside, a middle-aged soldier in green armor walked out, accompanied by a beautiful young girl who bowed gracefully to a middle-aged man with a beaming face and a somewhat corpulent build, dressed in a green bird-patterned robe.

This man in the green bird-patterned robe was Zhang Zongguan of the Ninth Mountain Internal Affairs Division, at the Peak of the Body Refinement realm. Behind him was Chief Clerk Liu, who had just entered.

At this moment, Zhang Zongguan was beaming, nodding his head, and speaking in a tone of instructing a junior:

“After you go up the mountain, listen and observe more. If you can be summoned by the This General, you must be well-behaved and sensible to leave a good impression on the This General.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Zhang. Xiao Ya will certainly do so.”

“Hmm!” Zhang Zongguan nodded, then his nose twitched slightly, sensing a faint, alluring fragrance. His gaze suddenly shifted, landing on Xia He, who was squatting in the main hall.

At this moment, the little maid's eyes were fixed on the wrist of the girl named Xiao Ya. The girl's wrist was adorned with the pass she had just handed over, and her face was beaming like a flower.

The answer was self-evident.

Just as she was lost in thought, a cold shout startled her back to her senses.

“You, what's in your bag?”

As he spoke, the little maid felt a strong force on her back, dragging her forward, rubbing against the cold, hard floor, causing her entire body to ache.

Her bundle was seized by Zhang Zongguan, and then with a “hiss,” the sound of tearing cloth rang out. The contents scattered, and a golden light flew out, absorbed by Zhang Zongguan.

He looked down, staring at the piece of meat shimmering with golden light in his hand, and his expression instantly changed,

“Heavenly Gate Devil flesh and blood!”

Then, his gaze was sharp as he looked at the maid Xia He, who had fallen to the ground, and his voice turned stern.

“Where did you get this thing?”

“Confess immediately.”

Zhang Zongguan was surprised. He also knew Xia He, and someone of a maid's status couldn't access such things. How did this little girl get it? Could she have stolen it?

The maid Xiao Ya's face also jumped in surprise when she heard the words “Heavenly Gate Devil flesh and blood.” Did those two little guys give her such precious things?

She felt the Zongguan's pressing gaze, her face turned pale, and her lips moved as if to explain, but then she thought that if she told, those two little guys would probably be in trouble, so she closed her mouth again.

Seeing that the maid refused to speak, Zhang Zongguan's face darkened, and he immediately shouted loudly outwards,

“Someone!”

Immediately, guarding soldiers rushed in from outside.

Xiao Ya was scared, her face pale, kneeling on the ground, clutching her torn bundle, panicking.

It was at this moment,

“Squeak, squeak!”

Two strange cries rang out, followed by two dark figures suddenly appearing in the main hall, stirring up the wind and snow from outside the hall, causing a rushing sound, and charging towards Zongguan Zhang.

Then, there were several muffled thuds from clashing palms.

Then, two streams of black Qi transformed into wind spirals and landed beside the maid Xia He, who was surrounded, revealing the figures of two beavers. One of them was holding the shining golden piece of Demon flesh and blood, jumping and calling out to the little maid.

At this moment, Zongguan Zhang, who had been hastily pushed back a few steps by the black wind, immediately became furious upon seeing this scene,

“Damn it!”

“How can there be demons here?”

As he spoke, he looked at the maid and the two seemingly adorable beavers, and said coldly,

“How dare you collude with demons? Kill them on the spot.”

At his command, the sound of drawing swords filled the hall, and killing intent surged.

It was at this moment that a soft shout came from outside the hall,

“Put your swords away.”

Although the voice was soft, it carried a convincing deterrent force.

Then, a foot stepped into the main hall.

Everyone looked at the figure who appeared, and their expressions immediately changed in surprise.

“Councilor Gao!”

The entering soldier knelt and bowed his head. Zhang Zongguan and the accompanying green-armored soldier also quickly saluted.

The person who came was Gao Yu.

Gao Yu didn't need to personally appear for a maid, but the This General's Contracted Demons were quite anxious.

“Councilor Gao, you've come just in time. This demon...”

Zhang Zongguan was speaking sternly, but Gao Yu simply glanced at him faintly,

“Shut up.”

“Let this maid go back.”

Then his lips moved slightly.

The next second, the originally arrogant Zhang Zongguan's face suddenly turned pale. He looked at the two seemingly adorable little creatures, trying to force a smile, but it was a very strained one.

“You go up the mountain yourself later. You are an old-timer, don't you know that subordinates shouldn't have too many ideas, otherwise, people will die.” Gao Yu snorted coldly, only giving a simple warning. Saying too much would be overstepping his bounds. As he spoke, he also looked at the green-armored middle-aged man next to Zhang Wenjin.

The other party was a Qianhu of the Six Mountains Bow Heaven Division!

Zhang Wenjin trembled with fright and wanted to explain.

“I...”

Finally, he lowered his head, “Yes!”

Gao Yu didn't bother with him anymore, turning his gaze to the snarling two beavers, and smiled, “The matter is settled, it's time to go, both of you.”

The “Ba Ben brothers” squeaked twice, nodded, and then transformed into a black wind, rushing out the door.

Seeing this, Gao Yu also moved his feet, darting away from here.

And after they left, Zhang Zongguan immediately turned around, his face anxious and flustered, “Chief Qianhu Niu, I can't help you with this anymore.”

As he spoke, he grabbed the wrist of the girl named Xiao Ya, and amidst her cries of pain, he snatched off a silver bracelet. Then he quickly walked to the still bewildered maid Xia He, his face almost in tears:

“Young Miss Xia He, you can't leave! The Internal Affairs Division really needs you now.”

Then, he turned and shouted at Chief Clerk Liu, who was still in a daze, behind him,

“What are you standing around for? Go and call everyone who left back!”

At this moment, on the covered bridge outside the Internal Affairs Division, Gao Yu heard the commotion from the Internal Affairs Division and couldn't help but smile.

This fellow had too many ideas. He was actually replacing and inserting people into Ninth Mountain without reporting to the This General. He truly didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.

At this moment, he was preparing to return to the mountain to report. With a movement of his feet, he shot up, about to fly towards the mountain.

Not far away, a streak of light shot up, also heading in the same direction.

He called out,

“Cavalry General Yun!”

The streaking figure not far away flew towards him, revealing himself to be Cloud Skyborn.

“Councilor Gao!” Cloud Skyborn cupped his hands.

“Are you in a hurry to see the This General about something?” Gao Yu asked.

“There's a Crazy old man at the foot of the mountain who says he wants to present a great treasure to the This General!” Cloud Skyborn said, his tone somewhat strange.

As the two spoke, at this moment, outside the Ninth Mountain camp, there was an old man with messy, ram-horn-like hair and a rosy nose, happily drinking from a wine gourd. Beside him, a silver-haired girl stood in the swirling snow, like a Fairy, independent of the world.

“Crazy old man, what is your great treasure?”

“That Zhonglang General is so scary, why don't we leave!”