101: Arrive at Jinguang Temple

Two hours later, Jianchang Prefecture, the prefectural city.

Jiang Lan looked around; people were coming and going. Although it wasn't as lively as the capital, there were still many people.

"Benefactor Jiang, shall we go directly to Golden Light Temple?"

Bao Jing inquired.

Jiang Lan shook his head.

"Let's go to the Demon Suppression Division in the prefectural city first."

After all, Jianchang Prefecture was not his territory.

In the capital, he could do whatever he wanted.

But in Jianchang Prefecture, if he were to enter a temple and smash a Buddha statue in broad daylight, even if no one could do anything to him, it would not be good if it caused panic among the common people.

Therefore, it was better to notify the Demon Suppression Division branch in the prefectural city first.

Bao Jing hadn't thought that far ahead before, but now that Jiang Lan mentioned it, he reacted and put his palms together, saying:

"amitabha, it is all up to Benefactor Jiang."

The Demon Suppression Division was easy to find. Although they had never been there before, after asking for directions, the two easily arrived at the entrance of the Demon Suppression Division.

The Demon Suppression Division within Jianchang Prefecture City was not large, only about the size of a government office, far smaller than the one in the capital.

At the entrance of the Demon Suppression Division, two Demon Suppression Guards, dressed in black robes with the character 'Suppression' on them, stood guard.

Seeing Jiang Lan and Bao Jing, the two said in unison:

"Halt!"

Jiang Lan stopped and took out his token.

"I am a Demon Suppression Envoy from the capital. Take me to see your superior."

One of the guards stared intently, his pupils constricting greatly.

"Demon Suppression Envoy Jiang?!"

"Hm?" Hearing that address, Jiang Lan was a bit confused.

Although his surname was engraved on his token, the Demon Suppression Guard's reaction upon seeing him was clearly a bit off.

But before Jiang Lan could ask, the two Demon Suppression Guards immediately knelt on one knee, their fists on the ground, and bowed their heads, saying in unison:

"Thank you, Demon Suppression Envoy Jiang, for slaying the Jiao Demon and saving the people of Qinglin County from suffering!"

Jiang Lan: "..."

What was this all about?

And judging by their synchronized movements, had they rehearsed this beforehand?

"Rise. Is Demon Suppression Envoy Lin here?"

"Yes!" The two stood up, one of them said quickly: "Demon Suppression Envoy Jiang, I will take you in now."

Jiang Lan said nothing, gave Bao Jing a look, signaling him to follow, and then, accompanied by the two guarding Demon Suppression Guards, arrived at the two-story building in the very center.

"Demon Suppression Envoy Lin, Demon Subduing Envoy Jiang is here!"

As the guard's voice fell, a series of footsteps came from inside the building. The next moment, the door was opened from within, revealing Lin Zifeng, his face full of pleasant surprise.

"Jiang Lan? Come in quickly!"

Entering the small building, the first floor's furnishings were not novel: a few grand chairs, with a long, rectangular tea table in the middle.

However, at this moment, there were no tea sets or similar items on the tea table, but rather stacks of case files and papers piled together.

Lin Zifeng quickly tried to push the things on the table aside to brew tea for Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan, however, waved his hand, stopping him:

"No need."

Lin Zifeng stopped his movements.

"I had wanted to return to the capital to thank you personally, but I didn't expect you to actually come to Jianchang Prefecture."

"There's nothing to thank me for," Jiang Lan said. "How is Qinglin County now?"

Upon hearing Jiang Lan mention Qinglin County, Lin Zifeng's eyes dimmed slightly.

After a moment of silence, he said:

"The casualties have been tallied. Reconstruction is underway, and most of the refugees have been relocated to the prefectural city."

At this point, Lin Zifeng sighed again.

"Alas... all I can do is this much."

"No one expected an accident to happen, you're not to blame," Jiang Lan consoled.

"By the way, Brother Jiang, what brings you to the prefectural city?"

"There's a demon in Golden Light Temple," Jiang Lan confessed honestly.

"A demon?" Lin Zifeng gritted his teeth. "What Realm is it?"

Jiang Lan turned and shifted his gaze to Bao Jing.

Bao Jing understood Jiang Lan's meaning and shook his head slightly, saying:

"The specific Realm is unclear, but it is at least Essence Gathering Fifth or Sixth Level."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zifeng's pupils constricted slightly.

At least Essence Gathering Fifth or Sixth Level?

He was only at Qi Gathering Stage Level 4.

If what this monk said was true, didn't that mean that if the demon in Golden Light Temple escaped, no one in the entire prefectural city would be able to stop it?

Not even him.

His eyes flickered.

"Is the information true?"

Although Lin Zifeng's voice was usually gentle, it was unusually serious at this moment.

A demon entering the city was a major event.

Especially if the demon in the city was an existence he couldn't deal with.

That would be even more troublesome.

If not handled properly, the entire prefectural city might fall.

Bao Jing put his palms together and said:

"amitabha, it is indeed true."

Lin Zifeng's expression changed several times.

Seeing this, Jiang Lan knew what he was worried about and immediately reassured him:

"I came this time specifically to deal with the demon, so there's no need to worry. I just need to borrow some people from you to help me guard the entrance, to prevent ordinary people from stumbling upon it and causing a disturbance."

Lin Zifeng let out a long breath upon hearing this, and the heart that had been in his throat finally settled down.

He couldn't solve it, but Jiang Lan could.

When he slew the Jiao Demon that day, he had already seen that Jiang Lan's strength far surpassed his own.

If they truly fought, several of him probably wouldn't be Jiang Lan's match.

Moreover, since Jiang Lan brought people, he must be confident in being able to deal with the demon.

After all, he wouldn't possibly travel all this way just to die, would he?

"Good, how many people do you need?"

Jiang Lan said: "Not too many, just a few will do."

"Then I'll personally lead people over."

Jiang Lan nodded, stood up and said: "No time to lose, let's go."

Lin Zifeng also got up, walked out of the small building, and called over five people.

As Jiang Lan and Bao Jing left, they saw that the people Lin Zifeng had called over all looked at Jiang Lan with excitement.

Jiang Lan felt a bit awkward.

He truly didn't feel like he had done anything special.

"Cough..." Jiang Lan cleared his throat. "Let's go to Golden Light Temple."

Lin Zifeng didn't ask further. At this moment, he could almost be said to trust Jiang Lan one hundred percent.

The group of eight walked out of the Demon Suppression Division.

Golden Light Temple was not too far away. In about a quarter of an hour, everyone had already arrived at the temple entrance.

"Please, clear everyone out from inside," Jiang Lan said softly.

"Understood!"

The temple gate was already open, and the five Demon Suppression Guards quickly rushed into the temple.

Before long, they herded out a group of incense-burners, much like driving a flock of sheep.

Those incense-burners were all panic-stricken.

They had never seen such a display before and were completely stunned, only knowing to follow the crowd.

When everyone had been driven out of the temple gate, one of the Demon Suppression Guards shouted loudly:

"The Demon Suppression Division is handling a case, all unauthorized personnel leave!"

It turned out there were still some people nearby who had seen the commotion and came to watch.

Upon hearing the words "Demon Suppression Division" at this moment, they instantly scattered.

Ordinary commoners, not wanting to die prematurely, naturally avoided the Demon Suppression Division whenever possible.

Just then, a middle-aged monk walked out from inside the temple.

"amitabha, there are no demons within Golden Light Temple. Why have you benefactors come here this time?"

Jiang Lan looked at the monk and chuckled:

"If there were no demons just because you said so, why aren't you serving in the Demon Suppression Division?"