After leaving the Hongn Martial Arts Hall, Su Mu walked straight toward the governnt office of the Changfeng Demon Slayer Bureau in the north of Changfeng Avenue. From a distance, Su Mu saw the strands of destiny flowing atop the Demon Slayer Bureau.
"Compared to several days ago... it has beco even clearer."
Since his comprehension advanced from Hidden-Dragon Level to Dragon-and-Phoenix Level, Su Mu's ability to observe destiny also improved.
"The Demon Slayer Bureau is an important place, halt where you are."
Noticing soone approaching, a constable of the Demon Slayer Bureau imdiately stepped forward to block the way. Without wasting words, Su Mu took out the Silver Order and shook it before him.
The constable's eyes lit up at the sight of the Silver Order, recalling Director Xu Zhen's instructions from a few days ago. He promptly and respectfully led Su Mu into the office.
"You bear the Cyan Cloud Silver Order of the Blade—are you 'Unparalleled in Boxing and Stick, Li Feiyu... Hero Li?'"
"Indeed, that is I. Lead the way."
Su Mu nodded slightly, proud and aloof. The constable showed no sign of displeasure at his words, his face revealing that he'd expected as much. Su Mu did not need to think further—he knew the news of the Qifeng Mountain Range demon beast hunt from a few days prior must have reached the Demon Slayer Bureau's ears.
Passing through the front courtyard, outside a study within a small courtyard stood several tall n, each ard with Yanling Sabers and wearing Black Leather Six Harmonies Boots on their feet.
All the way, Su Mu keenly observed that the atmosphere in the Changfeng County Demon Slayer Bureau was particularly tense and lethal. Both Visible and Hidden Guards wore guarded expressions. As the two approached, sharp gazes swept over them instantly.
"May I trouble you to report to Lord Xu that a subordinate has brought the Cyan Cloud Silver Order Blade Catcher, Li Feiyu, seeking an audience."
"Hero Li?"
The lead guard was visibly surprised at these words. Raising his hand, the guards on both sides of the courtyard promptly stepped aside in an orderly fashion, while another guard hurried into the study.
"So it is Hero Li. Lord Xu gave orders to await your arrival. Please, co in!"
Deep within the courtyard, in the antique study, two n wore tight frowns, discussing sothing. Upon hearing footsteps outside, their conversation ceased.
"Enter."
A guard imdiately ca up and whispered a few words in the ear of one man. Hearing this, the burly man's tight brow relaxed and a hint of joy appeared on his face.
"Lord Xu, is there good news?"
"Not particularly. It's the one who accepted Yuan Dong's bounty."
Once the words fell, seeing the burly man rise to greet them, the other person in the room grew solemn and stood up as well. "Tomorrow is the start of autumn, and this official should be heading back. Since this is the person that took on Yuan Dong's bounty, how about I join Lord Xu and take a look as well?"
The speaker was about fifty, with a resolute face and dressed in a scholar's blue robe—this was Changfeng County Captain Liu Qing, whose duty it was to execute prisoners.
Under the eaves, both parties t.
"Director, County Captain!" The escorting guard imdiately knelt on one knee and greeted respectfully.
"Li Feiyu greets you, my lords." Su Mu, seeing the two, rely cupped his fist in salute.
"So you are Li Feiyu—truly extraordinary and heroic even in youth. Hero Li, no need for further ceremony, please co in!" The burly, stern-faced man around forty years old spoke loudly.
With these words, not only were the Demon Slayer Bureau guards stunned, but even County Captain Liu Qing was sowhat surprised. By custom, civilians must kneel before officials, yet Li Feiyu not only failed to do so, his bearing was also distinctly haughty.
Just a re Silver Order Blade Catcher, what makes him worthy of Director Xu Zhen's regard?
His thoughts racing, Liu Qing buried his displeasure deep in his eyes, then forced a slight smile. "I have long heard of Hero Li's reputation. Director Xu, I have business to attend to and shall take my leave now—no need to see off."
Once Liu Qing departed, the two ca to the study. Xu Zhen personally brewed so tea and poured a cup for Su Mu. "Hero Li, try Changfeng County's Wushan Tea."
Su Mu gently pushed the teacup, took a sip: "The fragrance is rich, crisp and lingering—excellent tea."
After so brief conversation, with a few mouthfuls of tea, Director Xu Zhen of the Changfeng County Demon Slayer Bureau quietly observed Su Mu. He'd received a confidential ssage days earlier that Li Feiyu had gone with Hongn Martial Arts Hall into Qi Peak Mountain to hunt demon beasts, and had encountered Black Mountain Rebel Army experts in the mountains.
It was said that Li Feiyu had fought the Black Mountain Rebel Army's masters in Qifeng Mountain, and even the second instructor of Hongn Martial Arts Hall, Li Yuanshan, addressed him as Mr. Li.
Yet, seeing him today, he was still so young that Xu Zhen was montarily doubtful; could the secret ssage have been mistaken?
"I hear that a few days ago, Hero Li entered the Qifeng Mountain Range with Hongn Martial Arts Hall to hunt demon beasts and encountered an attack by the Black Mountain Rebel Army. Is that true?"
"It is true."
"Do you know who the attackers were?"
Su Mu understood instantly. Linking what he saw—the tight security along his path through the Demon Slayer Bureau—with the knowledge that the soon-to-be-executed Yuan Dong's identity must be extraordinary, Su Mu realized Xu Zhen ant to test his strength.
Thinking further, he knew the Cyan Cloud Demon Slayer Director Li Zhihe's network was exceedingly sharp, and Xu Zhen must have already learned of the Hongn Martial Arts Hall Qi Peak expedition. This line of questioning was just Xu Zhen's attempt at a final confirmation.
Su Mu directly explained.
"There were two attackers: one was the Cyan-faced Bat King Wei Ming, the other was the Red-Bearded Tiger King Xie Li."
At these words, Xu Zhen's eyes flickered—he was astonished. These two were among the Four Protectors of the Black Mountain Rebel Army, top experts of the Three Counties personally subdued by the Black Mountain Celestial King.
The status of the Four Protectors in the Black Mountain Army was second only to one, above all others.
"Just two? Whether it's Wei Ming or Xie Li, both are top experts among Seventh-Grade Martial Artists. But Li Yuanshan was there too that day, so each dealt with one opponent. To best a Black Mountain Protector—Li Feiyu truly possesses impressive strength..."
"As for the rumors of a Protector advancing to Sixth Grade—they are certainly groundless. Otherwise, if two Sixth-Grade Martial Artists had attacked together, even Li Yuanshan and Li Feiyu combined would have had no hope of survival. Sixth Grade Martial Artists are not opponents Seventh Grade Martial Artists can match!"
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