86: Hungry

"But when I came yesterday, I saw an old man," Jiang Xun said.

"You mean Scribe Zhang? He's from the County Yamen, not part of our Demon Suppression Division."

"Occasionally when we're out, he comes over to watch the door for us."

"So that's how it is."

He had thought that old man was some kind of 'hidden master' Sweeping Monk.

Jiang Xun was silent for a moment: "But I heard that the screening to enter the Demon Suppression Division used to be very strict."

"Strict?"

Wei Tuo sneered, "That's just to filter out those thugs who've learned a bit of mediocre kung fu and want to sneak in to swindle resources and ride on our reputation!"

"They get kicked out, feel resentful, and just talk nonsense outside."

He spoke as if it were a matter of course.

Jiang Xun looked at him.

Wei Tuo looked back, his gaze open and honest, even carrying a hint of helplessness.

The two stared at each other for a while.

Wei Tuo laughed first, putting his arm around Jiang Xun's shoulder as they walked inside:

"Come, come, don't stand outside in the wind. Fellow Daoist, I'll be straight with you: join the Demon Suppression Division, and your monthly salary will be ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Usually, we just patrol and investigate small cases. If we really run into a tough customer, the county will report it and ask for reinforcements; it won't be our turn to risk our lives."

He walked to the desk and pulled out a yellowed document.

"This is basically getting something for nothing."

Wei Tuo pushed the document over, tapping his finger on the monthly salary column. "Is Fellow Daoist really not tempted?"

Jiang Xun looked at the document.

The format was old and the ink had faded, but the terms were clear:

Monthly salary of ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones; duties include patrolling, assisting in defense, and making arrests. Below was the vermilion seal of the Demon Suppression Division's Head Office.

He picked up the brush.

But he hesitated, always feeling that something was slightly off.

Wei Tuo looked at Jiang Xun and said:

"Life is hard for a Loose Cultivator!"

"Everything depends on fighting, grabbing, and risking your life. But as long as you sign your name, the imperial court gives you a sum of Spirit Stones every month. Why not do it?"

Wei Tuo's voice carried a hint of temptation.

In his eyes, Jiang Xun was just a Loose Cultivator from the mountains. Being able to receive a salary from the court was something he couldn't even dream of.

Jiang Xun thought about it; indeed, although he carried Spirit Stones on him, the quantity wasn't much.

As a Void Tempering expert, Yan Qingning had no use for Spirit Stones.

Everything was already prepared for her.

Therefore, the Spirit Stones that could be found in the Jade Void Grotto-Heaven were very limited; most were rare spiritual materials he had pried off various artifacts.

Thinking further, in this small Qinghe County, even if there were demons or ghosts, how high could their Rank be?

He, Jiang Xun, was a Foundation Establishment powerhouse!

What was there to fear?

Thinking this way, Jiang Xun suddenly felt much more relaxed.

He gave a natural smile.

As the tip of the brush landed, a very faint golden light flickered on the surface of the document.

When the last stroke of the name 'Jiang Xun' was finished, the two characters suddenly seeped into the paper. Immediately after, a small portrait emerged out of thin air above the paper.

It was exactly how he looked wearing the mask.

Vivid and lifelike, just like a small photograph from his previous life.

"This is?" Jiang Xun looked up.

"Oh, it's for the records."

Wei Tuo chuckled and put away the document with a natural movement. "Everyone who joins leaves an image to make it easier for the Head Office to keep on file. Don't mind it."

He took a token from the drawer, cast from dark iron and the size of a palm, with the three characters 'Demon Suppression Division' carved on the front.

On the back was written: Qinghe County Branch Office.

"With this," Wei Tuo handed the token over, "you can claim rewards according to Rank for slaying demons and evils. The specific details are in the archives room; go take a look when you have time."

Jiang Xun took the token.

It felt cold in his hand, and the edges were a bit rough, as if it had been used for a long time.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist, what specific Rank has your cultivation reached?" Wei Tuo asked, somewhat curious.

"Although I can sense your cultivation is around the fifth stage of Qi Refining, it definitely shouldn't be just that."

He was very confident; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so enthusiastic about pulling Jiang Xun into the fold.

"I have indeed hidden my cultivation."

Jiang Xun closed his eyes and released his aura again; it was impressively the seventh stage of Qi Refining.

"When away from home, one must always keep a trump card," Jiang Xun said with a bit of pride.

"As expected of a promising youth, to already have a cultivation of the seventh stage of Qi Refining at such a young age."

Wei Tuo said with a face full of admiration:

"Even with a Mixed Spiritual Root, I believe that with your talent, Fellow Daoist, you will succeed in Foundation Establishment sooner or later."

Jiang Xun gave an awkward smile, as if he were shy.

"Then what should I do next?"

"Today?" Wei Tuo waved his hand, "Nothing. You go back and settle in first. Just come to report at the Hour of Chen tomorrow."

"Alright, then I shall take my leave first, Sir."

Jiang Xun cupped his hands and left.

"Mm!"

Wei Tuo waved with a face full of smiles... Back home.

As soon as Jiang Xun stepped into the main hall, he heard faint sobbing coming from the inner room.

He walked over quickly.

Long Ninger was sitting on the edge of the bed, her small hands tightly clutching the corner of the quilt. Tears were falling drop by drop, creating dark spots on her collar.

Her dragon tail also hung dejectedly at the head of the bed.

Hearing the footsteps, she looked up, her tone full of grievance.

"Where did you go!"

The little girl jumped off the bed, her bare feet stepping on the floor, and then with another jump, she crashed into Jiang Xun's arms.

The force was not small, making Jiang Xun take half a step back.

Long Ninger hugged his waist tightly, her face buried in his clothes, her crying muffled:

"As soon as I woke up, you were gone... I thought... I thought you didn't want me anymore..."

Jiang Xun stiffened.

Then he raised his hand, his palm gently resting on the top of her head.

"I just went to take care of some business," he said, his voice low and gentle in a way he hadn't even realized. "I'm back."

"Then why didn't you wake me up!"

Long Ninger looked up, her eyes as red as a rabbit's, tears still gushing out.

"When I woke up and saw the room was empty, I called for you and no one answered. I was scared..."

Jiang Xun looked at her.

Speaking of which, it was his fault. If Jiang Xun hadn't caused Long Ninger to hatch too early, her memory would have been more complete, and she wouldn't be so dependent on him.

"It's my fault," Jiang Xun said. "In the future, before I go out, I will tell you."

Long Ninger sniffled: "Really?"

"Yes."

"Then pinky swear."

Jiang Xun extended his pinky finger.

Long Ninger hooked it and shook it hard. Her tears weren't even dry yet, but her tail was already perked up.

Hmph!

Actually, she had long sensed that Jiang Xun hadn't gone too far; she could smell him.

Otherwise, if Jiang Xun had really abandoned her and run away, Long Ninger would have chased after him long ago.

She wouldn't have waited foolishly for Jiang Xun to return.

Only when she smelled Jiang Xun approaching the main gate did she start crying.

She wanted Jiang Xun to see it.

Otherwise, if she cried all the time, she wouldn't have that many tears.

"Alright." Jiang Xun wanted to pull his hand away. "Come down."

"I won't." Long Ninger hugged him even tighter, her whole body hanging on him. "I'll hug for a little longer."

"Then for how much longer?"

"Just a little while."

Light cut in diagonally from the window, illuminating the fine dust floating in the air.

Jiang Xun stood still, letting the little fellow in his arms rub all her tears and snot onto his collar.

After her tears were wiped dry.

Long Ninger looked up at Jiang Xun and said, "Jiang Xun, I'm hungry!"

"What do you want to eat? I'll take you to eat."

Long Ninger thought for a moment and said, "Dragon Crystals, Spirit Marrow, or Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk—anything rich in Spiritual Qi will do."

Jiang Xun was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

What he had in mind were rice noodles, buns, soy milk, and fried dough sticks.