Qin Yun could see that splitting thunderbolts was only a glimpse of Miss Yi Xiao’s power; her mastery of the Thunder Palm was clearly just the tip of the iceberg.
"Strange," muttered the elderly governor as he examined the corpses of the three demons before him. His clouded eyes showed a trace of doubt. "The Flower Queen contest attracts large crowds, but we always deploy numerous experts to guard the area. Demons, being creatures who value their lives, wouldn’t come just to throw them away. Why would these three dare to die here?"
"Father, it’s not just that," Wen Chong added. "That rhino demon was already sliced in half by Brother Qin Yun, yet it managed to spit out its heart, causing it to explode and splash venom everywhere. Just a few drops of the venom that landed on the riverbank turned several people into pools of pus." Wen Chong pointed to a distant puddle of sludge, avoiding getting too close. "Brother Qin Yun said these weren’t ordinary demons—they were demonic servants."
"Demonic servants?" The elderly governor’s face tightened with shock. "Impossible. Our Guangling County hasn’t seen a single demonic servant in hundreds of years."
"Uncle Wen, they are indeed demonic servants," Yi Xiao affirmed from the side.
"The Water God demon has plagued Guangling County for over two hundred years," Qin Yun said. "It’s not surprising that he’s learned the method to refine demonic servants after such a long time cultivating."
The elderly governor frowned deeply. "If that’s the case, this is troubling. In the past, demons, while ferocious, still feared death. If forced into a life-threatening situation, they’d rather betray the Water God demon than die for him. But demonic servants are fearless. Things will become much more dangerous, and assassination attempts on me might increase."
Wen Chong, the governor’s son, visibly tensed.
"And it’s not just that," the governor continued gravely. "Since both of you—Qin Yun and Yi Xiao—intervened today, the Water God might soon find out and seek revenge against you two."
"I’ve come here alone, and those demons can do nothing to me," Yi Xiao said with a faint smile.
Qin Yun, however, furrowed his brow. "Governor, I’m not worried about attacks while I’m at home, but I’m concerned about when I leave the house."
"Then I’ll arrange for twenty Demon-Slaying Crossbows and one Star-Chasing Crossbow to be sent to the Qin estate," the governor said after a moment of thought.
"Thank you, Governor," Qin Yun said gratefully. His father, being a Silver Badge Constable, had already equipped the Qin estate with numerous guards and three Demon-Slaying Crossbows. Adding twenty more, along with the precious Star-Chasing Crossbow, significantly bolstered their defense. The Star-Chasing Crossbow was powerful enough to threaten experts of Qin Yun’s level. Even a leader among demons like Chu Yong could be killed instantly if hit in a vital spot.
As for Qin Yun himself, if over a hundred Star-Chasing Crossbows targeted him simultaneously, even he would have to flee for his life. However, a mere ten or so wouldn’t trouble him much.
Demonic servants? Qin Yun wasn’t too worried.
First, it was unlikely they would target him lightly.Second, refining demonic servants was no easy feat. It required sacrificing demons, costing their lives, which meant even the Water God would need a solid excuse to capture lesser demons for refinement. If he overdid it, the demons might rebel or flee. Moreover, the process was financially draining, comparable to refining pills or forging weapons. Most importantly, refining successful demonic servants was an arduous task—failures were far more common than successes. Given the Water God’s inexperience, he might need ten demons to produce just one demonic servant.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
"The Water God must have sent these three newly refined demonic servants as a test to evaluate their power," Qin Yun speculated. "Their strength varies significantly. The weakest one couldn’t even withstand a single split Thunder Palm before dying. The wolf demon was slightly stronger but still fell to the Demon-Slaying Crossbow. Only the rhino demon was formidable and even had a self-destructive technique."
Qin Yun’s expressed concerns were partly genuine but also aimed at securing more resources for the Qin estate.
"Constable Qin has served Guangling County faithfully, and Young Master Qin has achieved great merit for the court. Providing additional crossbows is only right," the governor said with a smile.
"Since Yi Xiao is here today, why don’t you both visit my governor’s residence?" the governor suggested. "I’ll also summon a third companion who’s been waiting in Guangling City. You three should meet and coordinate for better collaboration in the future."
Qin Yun and Yi Xiao nodded in agreement.
…
The elderly governor led Qin Yun, Yi Xiao, and their entourage back to the governor’s residence. He then sent someone to invite the third companion, Jia Huairen.
As soon as they returned, before the governor could settle into his study, Wen Chong hurried in.
"Father! Father!" Wen Chong called urgently.
"What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?" the governor asked, setting down his tea with a frown.
"Senior Zhang just sent a letter," Wen Chong said. "He wrote that very few cultivators require Cold Essence Spirit Liquid, so the Lingbao Mountain sect has only a small stock. He says it’s difficult to gather ten catties all at once and requests a six-month extension."
Lingbao Mountain, one of the three great Daoist sanctuaries, was the oldest among them.
"Here’s the letter," Wen Chong said, handing it over.
The governor quickly scanned its contents.
"Impossible!" he roared, his previously calm face twisting in anger. "That old ghost Zhang has taken so many benefits from me. Now that I ask for something, he dares to delay! Lingbao Mountain is one of the three great sanctuaries; how could their stock of Cold Essence Spirit Liquid be so small? He’s just too lazy to bother!"
"You! Write to him immediately," the governor ordered Wen Chong. "Tell him he must deliver at least six catties within a month and the remaining four within two months. If he can’t do it, he can forget about asking me for favors in the future! No, I’ll write it myself."
Wen Chong hesitated. "Father, is it wise to risk falling out with him?"
"He’s merely at the Xudan level of cultivation. Do you think I fear him?" the governor snapped, his eyes glinting with ferocity. "I’ve tolerated him only because he’s a disciple of Lingbao Mountain. But my lifespan is running out. I need that Millennium Ice Jade Fruit!"
The governor’s expression softened as he looked at his son. "Chong’er, if I can extend my life by twenty years, I’ll be able to rise further in rank, leaving behind a deeper legacy for our family and for you and your brothers."
"I understand, Father," Wen Chong said solemnly.
The governor’s gaze turned cold. "Zhang will have to obey, or I’ll make him pay back everything he’s taken from me over the years!"
Seated at his desk, the governor poured his anger into the letter, the words on the page practically blazing with fury.
"Take this and send it immediately," he said, handing the letter to Wen Chong.
Wen Chong glanced at it and nodded. "If Zhang doesn’t want to break ties with you, he’ll have no choice but to comply."
"Our relationship has always been more to his benefit than mine," the governor said coolly. "Does he think the Wen family’s resources come without a price?"
"I’ll send it right away," Wen Chong replied, hurrying off with the letter.
The governor watched his son leave, his eyes sharp as blades. "This time, I will not fail to secure the Ice Jade Fruit!"
The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit represented not only his twenty additional years of life but also the future of his lineage. For that, he was willing to crush anyone who stood in his way.