One incense stick later.
Lin Baichuan and his group of six rode their Unicorn Horses out of Seven Mile Slope Town and directly into Seven Mile Slope behind the town, galloping along an official road within the continuous mountain range.
Seven Mile Slope was not peaceful, but it was still acceptable during the day; at night, it became extremely dangerous. Not only were there poisonous miasmas, but there were also demons and ghosts causing mischief, making it exceptionally perilous, which was why Li Da had not traveled day and night yesterday.
However, the daytime was different; with the rising sun, the morning sun was like a blazing flame, and the Yang Qi was extremely strong.
At this time, demons rarely came out to cause trouble, and even the poisonous miasma would dissipate, naturally making it much safer than at night.
Therefore, they had to take advantage of the daytime, preferably before noon, to cross Seven Mile Slope.
The official road was rugged, winding through the mountains.
Despite it being daytime with the sun shining brightly, Seven Mile Slope remained eerie and cold. Lin Baichuan and his group of six galloped along, yet dared not show the slightest carelessness, their spirits taut. Lin Baichuan held the reins with one hand and rested the other on the hilt of his battle blade at his waist. Should there be any abnormality, he would draw his blade without hesitation and strike.
Fortunately, the journey was eventful but without real danger.
Around noon, the group of six finally crossed Seven Mile Slope, then sped like the wind and lightning straight towards Yunshan County.
Originally, according to the plan, after crossing Seven Mile Slope, the team was supposed to travel day and night to try and reach Yunshan County earlier. However, since Li Da and the others were injured, such high-intensity travel was naturally not feasible.
So, they basically traveled during the day and rested and healed at night.
Just like that.
Three days passed in a flash. The Unicorn Horses traveled three thousand li daily, making it nine thousand li in three days, plus the more than one thousand li on the first day. After Lin Baichuan and the six had traveled over ten thousand li, they finally arrived at Yunshan County.
During these three days, Lin Baichuan dared not relax his vigilance. He was careful and cautious along the way, not only guarding against demons causing chaos on the road but also wary of his group of teammates. He feared these guys would kick him while he was down and set traps for him.
In fact, there were a few times when they genuinely encountered danger. There were mountain bandits blocking the road, and Li Da and the others actually tried to use the opportunity to incite the mountain bandits to attack him, wanting to kill him with the help of the mountain bandits. Fortunately, his Physical Body strength had reached the limit of ten thousand jin, and he had also comprehended Blade Intent. Each time, he managed to overcome it.
Three days later, Yunshan County.
County Yamen.
Lin Baichuan and his group of six rode their Unicorn Horses directly to the gate of the County Yamen, immediately alarming the entire Yunshan County Yamen. A man wearing a county magistrate's official uniform, with a face full of vicissitudes, led a group of people out of the County Yamen in a hurry and immediately bowed to Lin Baichuan and the six, saying, "Yunshan County Magistrate Liang YouTian greets the esteemed Lords of the Demon Suppression Division..."
In the Great Xia Dynasty, the Demon Suppression Division was an independent entity. Although Demon Slayer Guards were only at the bottom of the Demon Suppression Division, they were equivalent to seventh-rank officials.
And Yunshan County was merely a lower-grade county, and County Magistrate Liang YouTian was just a petty ninth-rank official. Now, seeing Lin Baichuan and the six, addressing them as 'Lords' was not an exaggeration at all.
"County Magistrate Liang, I am Li Da, captain of the 13th squad of the 7th battalion of the Cangwu Prefecture Demon Suppression Division. Today, I am ordered to come and slay the demons in Yunshan County." Li Da glanced at the fawning Liang YouTian and said in a deep voice, "You previously sought help from our Demon Suppression Division, saying that there were demons causing trouble in Yunshan County. Could you please explain the situation in detail...?"
"So it's Lord Li!"
Liang YouTian quickly said, "What Lord said is correct. There are indeed demons causing trouble in my Yunshan County. In just one month, they have already massacred three villages in my Yunshan County, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties.
My Yunshan County Yamen once sent yamen runners to apprehend them, but the result was heavy losses, and even the County Lieutenant Lu Dechen died at the hands of that demon.
This humble official truly had no choice but to seek help from the Demon Suppression Division.
Now that the esteemed Lords have arrived, it is truly a joyous occasion. With the esteemed Lords taking action, I believe that monstrous demon will surely die."
Liang YouTian's string of useless words immediately caused Li Da and the other six to frown slightly. Lin Baichuan even secretly complained in his heart, cursing that Liang YouTian was indeed an old hand in officialdom, saying a lot of things, all of which were nonsense, without any important information.
"Stop talking nonsense. Give us a detailed explanation of the situation."
Qin Qing, who was beside them, was the first to lose her patience and coldly reprimanded, "Where is that demon now? Which three villages did it destroy? Bring the detailed dossiers; I want to examine them."
"Yes, Lord, please calm down. I will have someone fetch them right away..."
Liang YouTian was immediately startled by Qin Qing's reprimand, his expression slightly changed, and then he immediately forced a smile and said, "You Lords have traveled a long way and are covered in dust. This humble official will have someone prepare some food and wine to welcome the six Lords.
Coincidentally, it will take some time to retrieve those dossiers."
Everyone frowned slightly, then exchanged glances, and only then did Li Da, as the captain, say in a deep voice, "Since Lord Liang is so thoughtful, then we will not be polite."
"Not at all, not at all... Please come inside, six Lords."
Upon hearing this, Liang YouTian was overjoyed. He quickly ordered someone to prepare food and wine, and then he personally led Li Da, Lin Baichuan, and the others into the County Yamen's backyard.
Before long, a large table of excellent dishes was served. It must be said that Liang YouTian, this old hand in officialdom, still had some tricks up his sleeve. After a few cups of wine, he quickly drew closer to Li Da and the others. Even Qin Qing, who had always kept a cold face, showed a slight softening in her expression.
Only Lin Baichuan's expression remained as usual, ignoring Liang YouTian and simply eating and drinking by himself.
Of course, this was just a facade; secretly, he was observing everyone at the table.
The more he observed, the more he felt something was off.
Logically speaking, with Yunshan County suffering from demon chaos and thousands of common people dead, Liang YouTian, as the county magistrate, should be extremely anxious. After all, this matter not only concerned thousands of lives but also his official position.
But now, it seemed that Liang YouTian was not anxious at all. Not only did he not want Li Da and the others to quickly go and slay demons, but he even tried every means to delay time.
"Something's not right, very not right..."
Lin Baichuan thought secretly, his pupils slightly narrowed, with a faint glimmer in them.
However, despite his suspicions, Lin Baichuan did not show it, because he knew very well that in this team, he was definitely the most unpopular one. Even if he expressed his opinion, Li Da and the others would not care, and might even refute and mock him.
Since that was the case, he was too lazy to speak, only keeping a close eye and acting as the situation dictated.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food.
Under the constant persuasion of Liang YouTian and other officials from the Yunshan County Yamen, Niu Zhenye, Luo Kang, and Wu Xiaoqi were completely drunk. Even Li Da was a bit dizzy and his mind was unclear.
In such a state, it was impossible for them to go and slay demons.
Liang YouTian looked at this scene, then turned to Lin Baichuan and Qin Qing, who had not drunk, and said, "Well, two Lords, given the state of Lord Li and the other four, I'm afraid they won't be able to go and slay demons today.
I have already prepared a courtyard for you Lords. How about you stay here for today, and when Lord Li and the other four sober up tomorrow, we can discuss the demon matter...?"
Lin Baichuan and Qin Qing immediately exchanged glances, then subtly swept over the four drunk Li Da. Qin Qing then nodded with a cold face, "Since that's the case, then lead the way!"