When Chen Ku was a Disciple, he no longer had many specific tasks. He only needed to show up at the shop on time or visit a few masters to practice martial arts. This, combined with some alchemy, butchering, and brewing premium medicinal herbs, meant his days were quite leisurely.
He could finish many tasks in just half a day.
Especially now that he held the nominal title of ’Young Shopkeeper,’ no one cared how much or little he did each day, nor what he did.
So, after helping butcher a Second Realm Skinny Dog, practicing knife techniques at his master’s, and preparing some medicine, Chen Ku was free to enjoy his leisure time.
He found an excuse to leave Medicine King Hall.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw the City Defense Forces and Government Officials from the yamen preparing to leave the city to exterminate the Demon People of Peace Path. There were one hundred and fifty soldiers from the City Defense Forces and one hundred and fifty Government Officials, all clad in armor and ready to depart.
Chen Ku even spotted his brother-in-law among them.
He called out from the roadside.
Seeing Chen Ku, Li Yuancheng quickly greeted an arrest officer.
"Brother-in-law? Such a large contingent? Where are you heading?" Although he had some guesses, he couldn’t help but ask.
"Of course, we’re heading into the mountains to eradicate the Peace Path Demon People," sighed Li Yuancheng. "Someone died in the Inner City yesterday, and the order was issued today. Those of us at the bottom are completely in the dark. We have no choice but to go. I reckon we’re just going into the mountains for a look-around."
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Chen Ku had already confirmed his guess but still asked, "Who was it, to warrant such a large-scale operation?"
"It’s said that someone from the Ancient Elephant Sect of the Prefecture City was killed by a Peace Path Incense Master named Yao Wensu. I’m puzzled too. How could the Ancient Elephant Sect have enough influence to mobilize a full three hundred men?"
Li Yuancheng shook his head and said, "Even those two from the Ancient Elephant Sect are allowed to join the expedition. I heard someone went back to the Prefecture City to call for reinforcements. It seems people from the Ancient Elephant Sect will join us to pacify the demons later. I don’t know if it’s true or not."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ku immediately looked towards two elderly men at the head of the procession, both appearing to be in their fifties or sixties.
He memorized their scents.
Then, he turned to Li Yuancheng and said, "Exterminating Demon People is dangerous, brother-in-law, so be careful."
"I know. By the way, don’t tell your sister about this. Just say I’m going on a business trip to the countryside." Li Yuancheng then said, "I can’t talk long; we have to leave the city."
Chen Ku watched as his brother-in-law’s contingent departed.
He then returned to his own home.
He finished a set of the Nameless Stance he’d learned from Shangguan Yun, feeling the gradual, albeit small, enhancement it brought to his Root Bone. It seemed capable of permanently improving its quality.
As expected, I successfully diverted Shangguan Yun’s suspicions towards Peace Path, making him believe they and the Mountain-Lifting Palm technique were responsible. He has no suspicions about me. However, I still need to continue monitoring Shangguan Yun closely. I can’t let him take all the Hero King Treasure for himself and leave me without a share of the spoils.
With a flicker of his thoughts, he dispatched a Volcanic Crow. He instructed it to circle above Shangguan Yun’s manor, ideally keeping an eye on Counselor Sui You.
He wanted to see if he could find the location of the Hero King Treasure.
Afterward, he searched around the house, eventually finding a box of Peace Path Talisman Paper.
He transformed into Yan Longhao’s appearance, donned a conical hat, and quietly slipped out of his house, heading towards the city outskirts.
Although no one suspects me, it’s best if I completely eliminate all potential threats and suspicions against me. Only then can I live my own peaceful life.
He temporarily activated the Hundred Miles Tracking Technique of the Second Realm Skinny Dog.
With one sniff, he sensed that the two men from the Ancient Elephant Sect, who had set off with his brother-in-law’s group, had already reached Snake Fish Town in Baojiao County along with the main contingent.
"Gentlemen, according to previous intelligence, the Incense Altar where the Peace Path Incense Master Yao Wensu resides is in the mountains around Snake Fish Town. Today, the contingent will rest temporarily at the official guesthouse in Snake Fish Town and gather information. We will enter the mountains to purge demons tomorrow!"
The person leading the one hundred and fifty City Defense Forces into the mountains was a Fourth Realm Colonel named Ouyang Lie. After speaking, he turned to the two elders from the Ancient Elephant Sect and said, "I apologize. Although you have both come to assist in exterminating the Demon People, the official guesthouse in Snake Fish Town is, after all, an Imperial Court Yamen. As you are commoners, regulations prevent you from staying here overnight. However, there’s no need to worry. I know of an inn in Snake Fish Town. Though it’s a small-town inn, it has a few superior rooms that I trust will not inconvenience you. We will reconvene here early tomorrow morning."
These two elders from the Ancient Elephant Sect, one named Li Jiuxun and the other Guo Huai, were both from prominent families and dressed in fine attire. They had no intention of crowding into the communal sleeping quarters of the small-town Yamen with the soldiers.
So they said no more, merely cupped their hands in salute, and left the official guesthouse.
Inside the Yamen, several arrest officers gathered. One of them chuckled and said, "I still can’t get used to the food at this official guesthouse. Since we’re out on assignment, I heard there’s a pretty good local restaurant in Snake Fish Town. I ate there once before when I was in the countryside on business. My treat today!"
Li Yuancheng laughed, "With Arrest Officer Chen treating, of course, we wouldn’t refuse."
Ouyang Lie watched from a distance as those arrest officers from the constables’ office chatted and laughed while leaving, his face expressionless.
The City Defense Forces and the Government Officials were from two different establishments. The former were soldiers, while the latter were merely yamen personnel, not subject to as much military discipline and accustomed to a more relaxed and leisurely lifestyle.
Therefore, at their squad leader’s suggestion, the constables all went out to eat. Only the one hundred and fifty City Defense Forces soldiers remained within the official guesthouse, unmoving as mountains, awaiting their meal.