"Ahem, ahem..." Lu Zheng coughed lightly and quickly said, "I'm looking for Duan Changzai, Lord Duan."
"Little brother, you look unfamiliar. What business do you have with Duan Heizi?"
A rather enchanting voice came through. The people from the Anomaly Suppression Bureau who were staring at Lu Zheng withdrew their gazes promptly, continuing with their respective tasks, be it standing guard or moving on.
Lu Zheng turned and saw a woman suddenly appear beside him, dressed in a purple silk ancient smoke-patterned gauze dress.
This woman had a voluptuous and captivating figure, enchanting looks, starry eyes that seemed to ensnare souls, and her cherry-red lips seemed ready to whisper secrets, inducing thoughts of desire.
Lu Zheng exchanged glances with the woman, feeling his head dizzy as if she was his most beloved, eager to share any secret with her.
"Right off the bat, hitting me hard!"
Lu Zheng kept his mind fortified, instantly clearing his thoughts, focusing his gaze sharply before revealing a big, warm smile, "I have matters to discuss with Lord Duan."
"Eh?" The woman raised an elegant eyebrow, curled the corner of her lips, nodded with a smile, "So you're a Daoist from White Cloud Temple. Why dress up like a worldly gentleman?"
With just one probing move, Lu Zheng knew the woman specialized in the Divine Soul cultivation, otherwise even with the enhanced soul strength from the 'White Cloud's Common Refining Qi Scripture', he would have struggled to hold onto his spirit.
Yet, Lu Zheng fortified his mind, with True Qi surging, naturally revealing his cultivation path.
Not only did Lu Zheng remain unaffected, but he also instantly reacted, displaying profound Dao practice and revealing his identity, which surprised the woman, calling him Daoist as a sign of respect for his cultivation.
Lu Zheng smiled, cupped his hands in salute, "Lu Zheng, lay practitioner of White Cloud Temple, greets the distinguished lady."
"Why call me distinguished lady? You're not an official of the Great Jing Dynasty, just call me elder sister." The woman laughed.
"Elder sister!" Lu Zheng promptly changed his tone.
Had this been in modern times instead of the Great Jing Dynasty, Lu Zheng would have dared to call sweetly "Miss Sister", but he feared it might overwhelm the woman in front of him.
"Ah, Du Huanzhen, you shameless one! So old and still wanting to be someone's elder sister."
Lu Zheng turned his head to find the speaker was another elder with disheveled hair, leaning against the doorframe, curiously observing Lu Zheng, "Little Daoist, Duan Heizi isn't at work yet; what's your business?"
"You brought a corpse using the Beast Creation Technique, who is the deceased?"
With the words spoken, a middle-aged man with a high crown and broad band walked out from the main hall. He had a square face and straight brows, silent and serious, commanding respect.
The wooden door behind Lu Zheng opened, and Duan Changzai pushed the door open, entering and asking in surprise upon seeing Lu Zheng, "Young Master Lu, why are you here?"
In the hall, an elder's emaciated body lay quietly on the ground, coated with frost.
Duan Changzai, the purple-dressed woman Du Huanzhen, the messy-haired elder Yan Xiaolou, and the high-crowned Chu Jin surrounded the body, listening to Lu Zheng recount the events of that night.
Of course, he didn't mention Liu Qingyan's family's identity.
"The spell requires women with accumulated good deeds as sacrifices; many sects in the Southern Border have inherited it. Before, with just this clue, we couldn't determine who the opponent was."
"With the body and Young Master Lu's testimony, it's easier to recognize."
"Primordial Saint Sect."
"A powerful force, no wonder they dared to penetrate the heart of the Jing Dynasty to capture people, quite bold."
"If it's the Primordial Saint Sect, could it be their 'Holy Goddess Descent Technique'?" Du Huanzhen twisted the locks of her hair, "Possessing a body for rebirth, directly gaining a thousand-year magical power? But women who haven't shown great good deeds can't withstand it?"
Yan Xiaolou rubbed his messy beard from side to side, "That should be it, but in this case, it seems there are more wizards sent by them into our dynasty?"
"Alright, the matter is resolved. Report to the Prefecture Government Office, informing others in the bureau they can return." Chu Jin nodded, "I'll go inform Lord Qi."
After speaking, he nodded towards Lu Zheng, then turned to head to the rear hall.
"Lord Qi is the governor of Lingbei Dao Anomaly Suppression Bureau," Duan Changzai explained softly, then gestured towards Chu Jin's back, "Lord Chu is the governor of our Yizhou Town Anomaly Suppression Bureau."
Lu Zheng grinned internally, realizing no wonder they noticed his Beast Creation Technique at first glance, indeed cultivated profoundly.
After a moment, Chu Jin returned from the rear hall, indicating the message was sent.
Only then did Lu Zheng realize they had means of long-distance communication!
The administrative center of Lingbei Dao is in Yanzhou Prefecture, at a distance of over a thousand miles from Yizhou.
Well, this isn't real history; it's a Xianxia world, the Great Jing Dynasty spanning six hundred years, home to ghosts, demons, Buddhists, and Daoists; the ultimate combat power remains unknown to Lu Zheng.
Given this, isn't having long-distance communication methods quite normal?
"We must thank Young Master Lu for this matter." Chu Jin cupped his hands in gratitude, "Speaking of which, the news about the Primordial Saint Sect wizard also came from Young Master Lu and your esteemed master brother Daoist Yuan Jing. Now, the young master has slain this wizard himself, your contributions are significant."
"No, no, it was mainly because the opponent came to us, a lucky coincidence!" Lu Zheng returned the salute.
"Young Master Lu is quite modest." Du Huanzhen laughed.
Yan Xiaolou also chuckled, "Not candid!"
Lu Zheng laughed helplessly, isn't it said that being courteous does no harm? Why are they so straightforward?
Chu Jin nodded and said to Lu Zheng, "I will report this, if there's a reward, it will be sent to White Cloud Temple."
Lu Zheng nodded in thanks, "Great, thank you, Lord Chu!"
Then Chu Jin turned to Duan Changzai, "Take Young Master Lu around Yizhou City, show him proper hospitality."
Duan Changzai saluted, "Yes!"
Escorting Lu Zheng out of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, Duan Changzai glanced at the two parcels Lu Zheng carried, "Came early in the morning, haven't found an inn yet?"
"I initially thought I'd deliver the items and leave." Lu Zheng looked at the sky; he had spent half the day at the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, it was now mid-9 a.m.
"At least stay one night." Duan Changzai smiled, "I'll take you to Xiuyun Building to broaden your horizons, so you don't keep treasuring your Tonglin County's Chunfeng Building."
Lu Zheng argued, "I've never been to Chunfeng Building!"
Duan Changzai chuckled, "That scorpion demon recognizes you, don't think I didn't notice."
Lu Zheng's eyes widened, "It was once when I inadvertently met her while buying jewelry, don't misunderstand!"
Duan Changzai displayed an understanding look, "Right, right, met coincidentally, and then got acquainted, I understand, just happened to be so."
I've a heavy grievance but don't know if it's proper to express it! My purity, is it gone just like that?
Then Duan Changzai, without giving Lu Zheng a chance to explain, led him to a reliable inn, stabled the horses and items, and then dragged him to a renowned tavern in the city west.
"This tavern's aged wine is the best in Yizhou; you must try!"