An identity token and a declaration of 'kill without mercy' immediately caused the city guard's face to change drastically. Holding Lin Baichuan's token, he felt it burning his hands, and cold sweat streamed down.
The weight of the three words 'Demon Suppression Division' was too heavy. Even if Lin Baichuan was just a Demon Slayer Guard, he was not someone a mere county city guard could offend. He truly felt like crying without tears at that moment, cursing inwardly.
“Damn it, if you were a Demon Slayer Guard from the Demon Suppression Division, why didn't you say so earlier! Why hide it? Are you deliberately setting a trap for law enforcement?!”
“So it's a Demon Slayer Guard from the Demon Suppression Division, sir. This… this is a misunderstanding. Please come in…”
The city guard's mouth twitched repeatedly. He quickly returned the token to Lin Baichuan and then shouted to his companions behind him, “What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and let the sir pass…”
Lin Baichuan, however, did not make things difficult for these city guards. He took the token, gave them a meaningful look, and said in a deep voice, “You just said there were demons rampant outside the city at night. Is that true?”
“This…”
The city guard was startled, then quickly replied, “Sir, I'm truly not lying to you. For a while now, there have indeed been demons causing trouble outside the city. Several villages have suffered, and there have even been anomalies within the city itself.
I heard they came from Mist Mountain…”
“Came from Mist Mountain.”
Lin Baichuan's eyes narrowed, and a sharp glint flashed within them. It seemed that his Mist Mountain was not simple at all, as demons were coming out to wreak havoc in Fong Le County. Perhaps he should try to 'wait by the stump for the hare' tonight.
However, after a moment's thought, Lin Baichuan dismissed the idea. Fong Le County was neither too big nor too small. Who knew where the demons would appear? It would be more practical to simply enter Mist Mountain tomorrow morning to investigate.
Putting away his identity token, Lin Baichuan did not leave but continued to ask, “I heard that a constable from Fong Le County came out of Mist Mountain alive. Is this true?”
“Reporting to sir, it is true.”
The city guard quickly replied, “His name is Du Feng. He's an ordinary constable from the county yamen. About a month ago, he went with a team to investigate the situation in Mist Mountain, but he was the only one from the entire team who came out alive. However, Du Feng has gone mad…”
“Do you know where he lives?” Lin Baichuan asked in a deep voice.
“I know, he lives in Qiaotoufang.”
The man looked at Lin Baichuan and quickly said, “Sir, if you wish to see Du Feng, I can lead the way.”
“Mm!”
Lin Baichuan nodded in satisfaction. He had to admit that although this fellow was a bully who picked on the weak, he did have good judgment. But then again, if he didn't have the ability to adapt to circumstances, he wouldn't have been assigned to collect entrance fees at the city gate.
He glanced at the man and said in a deep voice, “What is your name?”
“Sir, my name is Wu De…”
The man quickly responded with a fawning smile.
“Wu De… Hehe, a good name!”
Lin Baichuan's mouth twitched. He wondered if there were homophonic puns in this world. Wu De, meaning 'no virtue,' combined with the things he had done, was quite fitting.
“Lead the way!”
Lin Baichuan waved his hand and said in a deep voice.
“Alright, sir, please…”
After Wu De responded, he immediately led Lin Baichuan into Fong Le County City. The two, one man and one horse, traveled through more than half of Fong Le County City before finally arriving at Qiaotoufang, which Wu De had mentioned, and then appeared before a somewhat dilapidated small courtyard.
“Sir, this is Du Feng's home. He's the only son in his family. I heard his parents spent a lot of their savings just to get their only son a job in the county yamen. Who would have thought that in less than two years, he would end up like this? Alas… fate plays tricks on people.”
Wu De sighed, then stepped forward and knocked on the courtyard gate.
Thump, thump, thump…
After three knocks, the somewhat dilapidated courtyard gate creaked open a crack. An old man, dressed in a coarse cloth shirt with a face full of wrinkles, poked his head out. He looked at Lin Baichuan and Wu De with caution and timidity, then stammered, “Oh, it's the city guard, sir. May I… may I ask what the matter is?”
“Du Lao Han, this is the Demon Slayer Guard from the Demon Suppression Division, sir. He's specifically here to see your Du Feng.” Wu De's expression hardened as he said in a deep voice, “Open the door and let us in.”
“Demon Suppression Division!”
When Du Lao Han heard the three words “Demon Suppression Division,” he immediately trembled all over, and the fear on his face intensified. The Demon Suppression Division had a deep-seated reputation within the Great Xia Dynasty; ordinary people both respected and feared it.
However, after only a slight hesitation, Du Lao Han directly opened the courtyard gate.
Although he held the Demon Suppression Division in great awe, he also knew very well that the Demon Slayer Guards of the Demon Suppression Division would not harm ordinary folk like them.
“Old man, there's no need to be afraid. I'm just here to see your son.” Lin Baichuan said in a deep voice, dismounted, then cupped his hands towards Du Lao Han before walking into the courtyard.
The courtyard was not large and looked somewhat old, but it was very clean and well-organized. It was clear that the owner was diligent and frugal.
As soon as Lin Baichuan entered, his gaze swept around the courtyard and immediately landed on a young man squatting on the ground in a corner, playing with a piece of wood.
If he was not mistaken, this person should be Du Feng.
At this moment, Du Feng was sitting on the ground, continuously tapping a piece of wood in his hand, muttering to himself. His eyes were red, and his face was filled with panic and fear. It was clear that he had suffered a terrifying fright, and his mind had already become deranged.
“Sir, this is my son. He's been like this ever since he came out of Mist Mountain.”
Du Lao Han walked over and said tremblingly, “For over a month, he's been muttering the same phrase every day, saying there are demons in Mist Mountain.”
“There are indeed demons!”
Lin Baichuan's eyes were sharp as he said in a deep voice, then turned to leave.
He could confirm that there were demons in Mist Mountain because he felt a faint trace of demonic Qi from Du Feng. Du Feng's madness was not just due to fright; he had also been invaded by demonic Qi, which had eroded his mind.
He had originally thought about whether he could get some information from Du Feng, but now it seemed unnecessary. Asking would be pointless, given Du Feng's condition. However, he had not come in vain; at least he could confirm that there were indeed demons in Mist Mountain.
Moreover, the demon's strength was not low.
Although the demonic Qi on Du Feng was faint, its quality was very high.
The stronger the demon, the higher the quality of its demonic Qi—this was an eternal law.
Turning to walk towards the courtyard gate, Lin Baichuan suddenly stopped again. He took out a hundred-liang silver note and handed it to Du Lao Han, saying, “Take this silver and go to a pharmacy to get a few doses of medicine to calm the mind, nourish the soul, and dispel evil. As long as the demonic Qi in his body can be removed, there is still a great hope for his recovery.”
“Thank you, sir…”
Du Lao Han was startled. After trembling as he took the silver, he knelt down before Lin Baichuan with a thud, tears welling up in his eyes.