Chapter 155: Chapter 60: Settling In

The Northern Army Governor’s Mansion issued bounties for the Demon Cultivators running rampant in the Northern Domain. Anyone who took down a wanted Demon Cultivator could go to the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion to exchange the kill for a higher-than-usual amount of Merit Points.

This measure was intended to keep the Demon Cultivators in the Northern Domain from acting too unscrupulously.

However, with the Dao waning and demons waxing in the Northern Domain, this measure instead became a means for those Demon Cultivators to flaunt their power. To raise their bounties, they would even commit major crimes intentionally.

The Northern Army Governor’s Mansion focused its main efforts on the Four Demon Sects. These lesser Demon Cultivators were like flies; as soon as one group was exterminated, a new one would spring up, making them impossible to guard against.

Wu Siming inspected the heads once more. Upon confirming they belonged to the Cold Spring Three Demons, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.

These three demons had exceptionally sharp Spiritual Sense. Whenever the Governor’s Mansion prepared to make a move, they would flee at the first sign of trouble, right as personnel were being deployed. Because of this, they had remained active for decades, becoming a thorn in Wu Siming’s side.

As it happened, it was a coincidence. Yang Jing had never even heard of the Lengquan Three Friends before his trip. It was only upon seeing the gathering of demons that he had the idea to earn a quick batch of Merit Points.

He was well-practiced in the art of the ambush. Before he decided to strike, he used his Autumn Sword Intent to completely conceal his killing intent, while his four disciples targeted the Independent Cultivators present.

That was how he had so easily taken down the slippery Lengquan Three Friends.

Wu Siming had long ago memorized every Demon Cultivator on the wanted list. In just a few breaths’ time, he calculated the total Merit Points for the pile of heads on the floor.

“A total of 8,135 Merit Points.”

Just as he was about to record the Merit Points onto Yang Jing’s Jade Token, a troop of fully-armed Demon Suppression Army soldiers, bristling with killing intent, surrounded the office. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator clad in Armor even burst in.

Though Yang Jing was unsure what was happening, he immediately drew his Flying Sword and materialized Five-Colored Flying Swords with his Magical Power to circle around him.

His four disciples also grew vigilant and prepared to fight.

“Lou Chenglong, what do you think you’re doing?”

Wu Siming, stunned for a moment, demanded in shocked anger.

“The Array Department reported a strong Demonic Qi signature within the Governor’s Mansion. They suspect a Demon Cultivator has infiltrated the complex, so they sent me to investigate.”

The cultivator in Heavy Armor scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.

Wu Siming pointed to the pile of human heads on the floor.

“That is the source of the Demonic Qi. Go and file a report with the Array Department for me.”

Realizing it was a misunderstanding, Yang Jing waved his hand, dismissing the Five Elements Magical Sword and returning his Flying Sword to his Storage Bag.

After this unexpected incident, Wu Siming swiftly registered the Merit Points for Yang Jing and his four disciples and processed their official appointments.

“My apologies. Lou Chenglong is a disciple of the Dharma Image Sect. He tends to act rashly and I’m sorry he startled you, Junior Brother Yang.”

He added a few words of explanation about Lou Chenglong.

Demon Cultivators are masters of Illusion Skills, particularly techniques like the Inconstant Illusionary Form Technique. To prevent them from infiltrating the Governor’s Mansion, the Restrictions will trigger an alarm whenever Demonic Qi exceeds a certain threshold.

“Fellow Daoist Lou was merely performing his duty. Of course, I don’t mind,” Yang Jing said.

He was quite interested in the Dharma Image Sect for two reasons. First, the Dragon Taming Dong Family hailed from the sect. Second, their cultivation technique allowed one to condense a Lifebound Dharma Aspect from their own Magical Power. Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, they could release this Dharma Aspect to fight their enemies.

“There are still over twenty vacant residences in the Governor’s Mansion. The best of them is a Tier Three Middle Grade courtyard, which I’ll assign to you, Junior Brother Yang.”

Once Wu Siming realized that Yang Jing was genuinely capable and not just someone who had come to the Northern Domain to coast, he became much more enthusiastic.

The Governor’s Mansion sat on a Tier Five Spirit Vein, but nearly half of the Spiritual Qi was reserved for the Governor, a Nascent Soul True Cultivator. Consequently, the best residence a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator could be assigned had Spiritual Qi of only Tier Three Middle Grade.

Previously, Wu Siming had even considered assigning Yang Jing—whom he expected to just be coasting—to a Tier Two Upper Grade residence.

“Many thanks, Senior Brother Wu.”

Yang Jing had looked into the situation at the Governor’s Mansion before his arrival, so he naturally knew that a Tier Three Middle Grade residence was the best a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could hope for.

Soon, an Armored Warrior arrived to lead Yang Jing to his new Cave Mansion. Before departing, Yang Jing also received two items from Wu Siming: a Jade Scroll containing all the current bounties and a roster of the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion.

As space within the Governor’s Mansion was limited, the residence assigned to Yang Jing was only about one-sixth of an acre. But though small, it was fully equipped, boasting fifteen rooms complete with a Fire Room and a Quiet Chamber.

Iron Head and the others were appointed to the roles of Judge, Secretary, Military Officer, and Scribe, respectively. They were entitled to their own separate quarters, but they declined the offer.

Wu Siming had also offered to assign a few soldiers to serve as Officials under Yang Jing’s command, but he rejected this as well.

After Yang Jing had settled into his new residence, his neighbors came to visit, bearing gifts.

The story of his journey to assume his post as Demon Patrol Envoy—during which he had slain sixty-five Demon Cultivators, including four Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators—had already spread throughout the Governor’s Mansion. As a result, his new neighbors were all quite enthusiastic in their welcome.

Yang Jing had already memorized the Governor’s Mansion roster, so he recognized them at a glance.

There were three men and two women. The oldest was Wang Xu of the Supreme Profound Upper Yang Sect. With his cultivation at the Eighth Layer Foundation Establishment, he held the rather high-ranking post of Capital City Commander in the Governor’s Mansion. The next man was Xu Mingqi, also a disciple of the Supreme Profound Upper Yang Sect, at the Seventh Layer Foundation Establishment. He served as a Chief Pursuit Officer for the Governor. The last man was named Pei Jizhen, a disciple of the Profound Pure Sect at the Third Layer Foundation Establishment, who served as an Inspector.

The two women were Yang Jingxu and Zhang Lu. Both were at the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment, hailed from the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, and served as medical officers.

Some Demon Cultivators specialize in using poisons, which was why the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion was staffed with a considerable number of medical officers.

Among the Six Great Sects, the Alchemy Cauldron Sect was particularly skilled at refining elixirs. When other sects needed important Spirit Pills refined, such as the Golden Core Pill or the Nascent Soul Pill, they would gather the necessary Spirit Medicines and Spiritual Materials and send them to the Alchemy Cauldron Sect.

Although the two women’s cultivation levels weren’t high, their status was by no means low, thanks to their skill in Alchemy.

Yang Jing’s new residence was completely bare, so he was in no position to host a proper welcoming banquet. Instead, he took his four disciples and led his guests to Feixian Tower in the city.

The Spiritual Food at Feixian Tower was primarily intended for the Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Governor’s Mansion. For Foundation Establishment Cultivators like them to dine there, they had to spend additional Merit Points.

However, the dishes were truly extraordinary. Even for someone with a profound foundation like Yang Jing, just a few bites were enough to make his qi and blood surge.

Yang Jing was in the process of storing qi and blood for his second Cocoon Formation and Embryonic Development. The amount required had increased tenfold, but the qi and blood he gained from this single meal of Spiritual Food surpassed what he had accumulated over the past month.

This was a pleasant surprise.

His four disciples, meanwhile, were completely engrossed in their food, focusing all their energy on the roasted suckling pig that had just been brought to the table.

At the table, Zhang Lu discreetly nudged Pei Jizhen’s foot with her own. Pei Jizhen cleared his throat and said:

“Those must be your children, Junior Brother Yang? I wouldn’t have guessed. To think you’ve already started a family at such a young age.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep