Chapter 195 Departing on Imperial Command

No sooner had Bai Junyi finished speaking than the expressions of many in the team changed.

The usual air of casual indifference was gone from Lu Dachuan's eyes, Feng Qing tightened his bowstring again and again, and the expressions of the others also turned grave.

Ling Xiaoning subconsciously leaned closer to Chen Mu, his throat bobbing, but he didn't dare to make a sound.

Within the Demon Suppression Division, there was a strict classification for the danger level of demonic infestations. Rank D was the lowest, mostly consisting of insignificant wandering ghosts or Essence Spirits that ordinary officers could easily handle with the help of a Formation.

Rank C, however, meant they could pose a substantial threat to a Martial Artist in the Dao Entry Realm, requiring the Demon Suppression Division to dispatch a formal team for extermination. A high-tier Rank C was already the peak of that Rank, just a hair's breadth away from the threshold of Rank B.

Such demonic creatures often entrenched themselves in one location, possessed some intelligence, employed bizarre methods, and usually had already committed many slaughters; casualties were highly probable during extermination efforts.

Shi Yong thought for a moment, then lowered his voice to share what he knew.

"I visited Shi Town a few years ago. It's backed by Black Rock Mountain. The town isn't large, but it guards a trade route to the south, so it's fairly prosperous. I heard that snakes and insects had become Essence Spirits deep in Black Rock Mountain, but they've never caused much of a stir."

Shen Suning looked thoughtful, then raised her eyes and asked.

"Has the Demon Search Division determined what kind of demonic creatures these are? And how many are there?"

"The specific species is unknown, but based on the traces left at the scene and the residual Demonic Qi, it is highly likely to be of the snake or python variety, and there is more than one."

Bai Junyi said in a deep voice.

"The bite marks on the corpses and the corrosive saliva both point to such creatures. As for the quantity... at least three or more, possibly even more."

Chen Mu's eyes narrowed slightly. Snakes and pythons usually possessed tenacious vitality; toxins, constriction, and stealth were all their strong suits, and they often held the advantage of terrain.

With a high-tier Rank C rating and the fact that there was more than one, the risk of this mission was higher than anticipated.

Ling Xiaoning shrank his neck and muttered softly.

"Snakes... and in groups, too. It sounds horrifying."

Bai Junyi's gaze swept lightly over Ling Xiaoning's face as he continued.

"Chief-Lieutenant Huo said this is an opportunity for Team C. The demonic infestation in Shi Town must be dealt with as soon as possible; otherwise, if it spreads, or if those demonic creatures get a taste of success and continue to grow, the danger will be even greater."

His gaze swept over the group, lingering for a moment longer on the faces of the two newcomers, Chen Mu and Ling Xiaoning.

"The mission requirements are: locate the demonic creatures' lair, assess their scale and danger. If conditions permit, exterminate them; if the situation is impossible, retreat, report back, and wait for reinforcements."

Bai Junyi said, enunciating every word.

"Do you all understand?"

"Understood!"

The group responded in unison, their voices mixed with tension and gravity, as well as a faint sense of excitement.

Merit always comes hand-in-hand with risk.

"Check your equipment, collect your rations, medical supplies, insect repellent powder, and antidote pills. Gather at the yamen entrance in one hour to depart."

Bai Junyi waved his hand to dismiss them but specifically called Chen Mu and Ling Xiaoning to stay back.

"This is your first mission outside the Prefecture. Stay close to the team, watch more, speak less, and follow orders."

The two nodded in acknowledgment and returned to their barracks to pack their gear.

Chen Mu packed his gear efficiently. After thinking for a moment, he tucked the soul-slaying blade into his sleeve. The standard-issue Dao was sufficient for ordinary situations, but if they truly encountered a tough opponent, he would need the soul-slaying blade.

Ling Xiaoning was somewhat flustered as he stuffed things into his bag, muttering to himself.

"Medical supplies, rations, fire starter... where's the rope? Where did I put the rope?"

"Under the bed, in the box on the left," Chen Mu reminded him without looking up.

"Right!"

Ling Xiaoning hurriedly got down to search for it.

Lu Dachuan and Feng Qing were already packed and ready. Lu Dachuan had carefully wrapped the hilt of his thick-backed broadsword with cloth strips, while Feng Qing repeatedly checked every arrow in his quiver to ensure the arrowheads were sharp and the shafts were straight.

The atmosphere was heavy and hurried.

Zhuifeng seemed to sense something. It squeezed through the door crack, trotted to Chen Mu's feet, looked up at him, and let out a whimper in its throat.

Chen Mu bent down and patted its head.

"I can't take you this time."

Zhuifeng rubbed its head hard against his palm, its eyes filled with reluctance, but it didn't pester him further. It simply followed Chen Mu step by step out of the barracks, stopped at the courtyard gate, and watched as Chen Mu walked away.

One hour later, at the entrance of the Demon Suppression Division yamen.

All ten members of Team C had arrived. Bai Junyi stood at the front of the team. Huo Chao had also come out and stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally resting on Bai Junyi.

"Junyi, determining the situation is the top priority, and preserving the team is fundamental. If the situation is impossible, retreat immediately and send a signal for reinforcements. Do you understand?"

"Understood, sir."

Bai Junyi clasped his fists.

Huo Chao nodded, then looked at the group, his voice resonant.

"Brothers, keep your wits sharp, keep your eyes peeled, sweep away the bad luck in Shi Town, and I'll make sure to record it in the merit book. Come back alive!"

"Yes!"

Everyone swung onto their horses. Chen Mu's date-red horse seemed to sense the tense atmosphere as well, nervously stomping its hooves.

Bai Junyi verified the documents with the gatekeeper officer and waved his hand.

"Depart!"

With the clatter of hooves, the group filed out, drawing glances from passersby. Once they left the city gate, the official road widened, and pedestrians became sparse, so the group began to spur their horses into a gallop.

Bai Junyi led the way, with Lu Dachuan, Feng Qing, and a few other veteran soldiers following closely on either side. Chen Mu, Ling Xiaoning, and the other newcomers were in the middle of the Formation, while Shen Suning and Ji Xiang brought up the rear.

The wind whistled, and the forests on both sides of the road retreated rapidly. Ling Xiaoning was initially somewhat excited, but after riding for half an hour, his face began to turn pale, and he had to grip the reins tightly just to struggle to keep up with the team.

Chen Mu rode steadily, his gaze constantly sweeping across both sides of the road.

The terrain around the Prefecture was relatively flat, but the further southwest they went, the more mountainous it became, and the forests gradually grew denser.

There was no conversation along the way, only the sound of hoofbeats and the whistling wind.

About two hours later, in the distant valley, the outline of some houses faintly appeared.

They had arrived at Shi Town.

Looking from afar, Shi Town was shrouded in an eerie silence. The town walls were low, the doors and windows were tightly shut, and even the customary evening cooking smoke was sparse. A faint, fishy stench permeated the air.

Bai Junyi reined in his horse, signaling the group to stop.

"Dismount and approach on foot. Ji Xiang, you go and scout the town entrance first. Be careful and stay hidden."

"Yes."

Ji Xiang acknowledged, slid off her horse as nimbly as a civet cat, and with a few leaps, disappeared into the bushes by the roadside.

The other nine dismounted, tethered their horses at the edge of the forest in the distance, and crept toward the town vigilantly.

After only a moment, Ji Xiang returned, looking grim.

"Squad Leader Bai, there are bloodstains at the village entrance, and they have already turned black. I didn't see any corpses, but there are snake tracks and residual mucus. It's fishy and toxic; if an ordinary person touches it, they would likely be paralyzed."

Bai Junyi nodded and made a gesture. The group immediately spread out slightly, advancing slowly in a fan Formation, their weapons drawn, vigilantly observing their surroundings.

Stepping into the town entrance, that sense of deathly silence rushed toward them. The streets were empty; doors and windows on both sides were tightly shut, some even propped up from the inside with wooden sticks. Scattered on the ground were some sundries—overturned baskets, broken pottery jars, and a lone cloth shoe. It seemed the people here had evacuated in quite a hurry.

"Is anyone here? The Demon Suppression Division is on official business!"

Lu Dachuan shouted, gathering his Qi. His voice echoed through the empty street, but there was no response.