Druid Fairy

Chapter 183 The law does not punish the public
In the banquet hall.

The gilded pillars are adorned with lifelike dragons, and each table is meticulously carved from thousand-year-old ironwood. The cups, plates, and bowls on the tables are made of top-quality porcelain from the official kiln.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of roasted rare beasts and the mellow fragrance of spirit wine.

As soon as Han Youwei entered, his already small eyes narrowed into slits.

He leaned close to Li Mengjin's ear and whispered, "Brother Li, look at the sash around that dancer's waist, see? It's made of mermaid tears! What a waste! What a waste of heavenly resources!"

Li Mengjin's gaze did not linger on the luxurious furnishings or the alluring dancers.

He simply looked calmly at the middle-aged man in the main seat, dressed in a brocade robe, who exuded an imposing aura without being angry.

This man is Wang Tianba, the head of the Wang family.

He did not possess the fierce and menacing aura of ordinary military generals; instead, he exuded a calm and dignified air befitting someone who had long held a high position.

His hawk-like eyes seemed to casually sweep over every young talent present, yet they appeared to see right through everyone's thoughts.

Li Mengjin didn't like this feeling.

He felt like a piece of merchandise on a shelf, its value being assessed and its use being planned.

After several rounds of drinks, the singing and dancing ended.

Wang Tianba waved his hand, signaling all the servants to leave. The entire banquet hall instantly fell silent, leaving only the few dozen young people who had passed the second round of assessment.

Everyone knew that the main topic was about to be introduced.

Wang Tianba stood up, his gaze sharp as he slowly swept over the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, you are all pillars of the future of Songling Prefecture and even the entire Dayu Dynasty. I have invited you here today not just for a simple welcome, but because I have an immense opportunity to bestow upon you a great fortune, an extraordinary chance that will allow you to rise to the top and bring glory to your ancestors!"

His voice was strong and carried the authority of a superior, which made many young people with weak wills in the audience feel their blood boil.

Immense wealth? A meteoric rise to power?
Who doesn’t want it!

"I'm sure you're all curious about what identity I, Wang Tianba, have besides being the head of the Wang family."

Wang Tianba didn't keep them in suspense. He took out a jet-black token from his pocket. On the token, two large, elegant characters were engraved in golden ancient seal script: "Suppress Demons".

"Devil-Suppressing Division?"

Han Youwei gasped in shock, then quickly covered his mouth.

Everyone else present gasped in shock, and their gazes toward Wang Tianba instantly changed.

The Demon-Suppressing Division!
That was no ordinary government office; it was a mysterious organization directly under the Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty, dedicated to dealing with demons and monsters from all over the land, as well as those evil cultivation sects that refused to submit to the Emperor's rule and caused chaos in their respective regions!
Those who can enter this department are all ruthless and highly skilled individuals who wield the power of life and death, and whose power is even greater than that of the prefectural governor!
No one expected that Wang Tianba, the local tyrant of Songling Prefecture and head of a powerful military family, was actually a commander of the Demon Suppression Division!

Li Mengjin's heart sank slightly.

Sure enough, getting involved with the imperial court never brings good. My father's admonition still rings in my ears.

"Not bad." Wang Tianba was satisfied with everyone's reaction. He put away the token and said coldly, "Within the territory of my Songling Prefecture, there is a demonic sect called the 'Blood Fiend Sect'. The demons of this sect act mysteriously and are cruel. They cultivate evil arts using the resentment of living souls and have committed countless bloody crimes over the years. They have long been on the kill list of my Demon Suppression Division!"

"Unfortunately, the Blood Fiend Sect's lair is hidden in a forbidden area called 'Wind Valley'. The valley is shrouded in poisonous miasma all year round and is protected by a natural maze. Our Demon Suppression Division has launched several strong attacks, but all have failed due to the unfavorable terrain."

"The Blood Fiend Sect Master is a suspicious and cunning man by nature. Ordinary spies simply cannot get close to his core."

At this point, Wang Tianba's gaze sharpened once again.

"Therefore, we need a group of exceptionally talented young people with impeccable backgrounds who are unknown to the Blood Fiend Sect, to infiltrate them and become my eyes and ears!"

"After this is accomplished, everyone involved will be granted the position of 'Blue-Clad Captain' of my Demon Suppression Division, a reward of ten thousand gold pieces, and a mansion. The one with the greatest merit will be personally petitioned by me to His Majesty for a title of nobility! Think it over carefully!"

He was granted titles and honors!

These four words hold a fatal allure for any ambitious young person!
Many people were so excited that their faces turned red and their breathing became rapid, as if they could already see themselves rising to prominence and returning home in glory.

But Li Mengjin felt a chill in her heart.

Undercover?

To put it nicely, they're just cannon fodder sent to their deaths!
The "immense wealth" that Wang Tianba is talking about right now is nothing more than a carrot dangling in front of a donkey; if you want to eat it, you have to risk your life for it.

This deal is not worthwhile.

Li Mengjin remained completely unmoved, even feeling a slight urge to laugh. He had come to participate in this so-called exchange competition merely to find a few worthy opponents to hone his swordsmanship, not to be a tool for the imperial court.

He just wanted to cultivate quietly, protect his family, and watch his younger siblings grow up.

What are titles and honors? They're all fleeting. What can compare to the comfort of family sitting together by the warm glow of lamplight?

He almost instinctively wanted to stand up and refuse.

But when his gaze swept across the room and he saw those faces that were either excited, greedy, or hesitant, he abruptly stopped himself from having that thought.

He suddenly realized a serious problem.

What would happen if he were the only one to stand up and refuse at this moment?
In Wang Tianba's view, this was undoubtedly a public slap in the face, an act of ungratefulness. At best, he would be resented and find it difficult to move an inch in Songling Prefecture in the future; at worst, he might even be accused of "colluding with the demonic path."

The Demon Suppression Division is absolutely capable of doing something like this.

No, I can't be the one to stick my neck out.

Li Mengjin's mind raced, and an idea flashed through his mind.

He glanced at Han Youwei, whose chubby face was clearly marked with "fear of death."

This overly friendly, chubby guy might be the key to breaking the deadlock.

He subtly nudged Han Youwei's arm and asked casually in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Brother Han, this is a great opportunity to bring honor to our ancestors, why do you seem a little unhappy?"

"Happy? Happy my ass!" Han Youwei lowered his voice, put his mouth close to Li's ear, and began to complain like pouring out beans, "Brother Li, you don't know! I've heard of the Blood Fiend Sect. Every one of the demons in there can devour people alive! For us delicate people to go in as undercover agents? That's like throwing meat buns to a dog, a one-way trip!"

"Being granted titles and honors is good, but you have to be alive to enjoy it! I'm my father's only son. If I die here, wouldn't he be devastated? Wouldn't all our family's wealth just go to outsiders?"

This fat guy really knows how to live life to the fullest.

Li Mengjin chuckled inwardly, but feigned surprise on his face: "However, judging from Lord Wang's demeanor, it seems we cannot refuse. If we anger him, I'm afraid we won't have a good outcome."

"This is exactly what's bothering me!"

Han Youwei's face was scrunched up with worry. "If I refuse, I'm afraid I'll be retaliated against. If I agree, I'm afraid I'll lose my life. Ugh, this is driving me crazy! Brother Li, what do you think the others are thinking? Could there be others like me who don't want to go?"

Here it comes! That's exactly what Li Mengjin wanted to hear.

He sighed softly and said, "There must be. After all, we are all the chosen ones, whose life isn't precious? It's a pity that you can't see into people's hearts, and no one dares to speak first. If... there were someone who could connect everyone's thoughts and unite them as one, perhaps... there would still be a chance for things to turn around."

He stopped there, said no more, and simply picked up his glass and took a sip.

Han Youwei, however, was struck as if by lightning, and a flash of inspiration struck him.

Yup!

D!

If Han Youwei alone refuses, what can Wang Tianba do to him? But what if... most of the people present are unwilling to go?

He, Wang Tianba, couldn't possibly convict everyone, could he? How could he carry out the mission of the Demon Suppression Division then? Wouldn't that leave a gap in the pool of geniuses in Songling Prefecture?

"Brother Li! How could I not have thought of that! You wait, leave this to me!"

Han Youwei slapped his thigh, instantly regaining his full strength.

His chubby face was etched with an air of self-assurance and ambition. He picked up the wine jug and, under the guise of offering toasts, began to wander around the banquet hall.

He was naturally very popular and could chat with anyone.

"Hey, Brother Zhao, congratulations! This is a great opportunity to be ennobled; your ancestors' graves must be emitting auspicious smoke!" He walked up to a cold-faced cultivator in blue robes and said with a smile.

Brother Zhao twitched the corner of his mouth and said with a wry smile, "Brother Han, please don't make fun of me. The Blood Fiend Sect is a den of dragons and tigers; my meager skills are probably..."

“That’s exactly what I’m saying!” Han Youwei immediately chimed in, lowering his voice. “Who can argue with that! We’re just pebbles used to scout the way, pure expendable resources! Hey, tell me, what would Lord Wang do if none of us went?”

Brother Zhao was taken aback upon hearing this, and a hint of interest flashed in his eyes.

Seeing this, Han Youwei knew what was going on and ran to another table.

"Brothers Sun, come, come, let me toast you both! I wish you both great success, and that you will become generals in the future. Don't forget to give me a helping hand!"

The two brothers, who looked seven or eight parts alike, exchanged a glance, and one of them sighed, "Brother Han, we two brothers are just worthless lives, and we don't care if we die. But we still have an elderly mother to support, and we really dare not gamble our lives on this uncertain future."

"I understand! I understand perfectly!" Han Youwei said with a look of deep empathy. "You can't be loyal to your country and be filial to your parents at the same time!"

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Han Youwei had made a round and figured out most of the thoughts of the people present.

The results were as expected.

Most people, like him, were filled with concerns and resistance.

Li Mengjin watched this scene and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

This fat guy is indeed a born persuader.

Wang Tianba frowned slightly upon seeing this, and snorted coldly in his heart.

A bunch of little guys who won't act until they see a clear opportunity.

It seems that without offering some real incentives, it's impossible to keep these proud and arrogant individuals in check.

"Everyone, please quiet down!"

"I know that you all still have concerns. Going undercover is a life-or-death mission, and I will not force you to do anything against your will."

Upon hearing this, Han Youwei and the others were immediately delighted.

"However!" Wang Tianba changed the subject, "Fortune favors the bold! To show my sincerity, and to ensure that the heroes of my Great Yu Dynasty shed blood but not tears, I will add another prize!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room. "I have a young daughter, sixteen years old, named Linglong. Since childhood, she has admired heroes and once said that she would not marry anyone but a hero of this era. Today, I hereby promise that whoever makes the greatest contribution to this mission will not only be granted a marquisate, but I will also be willing to marry my daughter to you! With the full support of my Wang family!"

These words caused a huge uproar!
The eldest daughter of the Wang family!

She is a top-tier rich and beautiful woman who ranks among the best in Songling Prefecture, and even in the entire Dayu Dynasty!

Marrying her would mean gaining the support of the entire Wang family!
That's a family of generals, the family of the commander of the Demon Suppression Division! The weight of this support is far greater than that vague "nobility title"!

The atmosphere, which was filled with anxiety and hesitation just moments before, was instantly ignited!
"Is Lord Wang truly telling the truth?!"

A burly, silent man was the first to step forward. His eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing was heavy, like a bull in heat.

"My word carries the weight of nine tripods!" Wang Tianba said proudly.

"Good!" The burly man thumped his chest and shouted, "I, Lei Dong, am willing to die for Lord Wang! I swear I will not be a man if I do not kill all the demons of the Blood Fiend Sect!"

"well said!"

Another young cultivator with a delicate, effeminate appearance stepped forward. He bowed deeply to Wang Tianba and declared loudly, "I am Wu Qian, and I am willing to serve Lord Wang with my life!"

"Count me in!"

"And I!"

With someone taking the lead, most of the young people who were still hesitant before instantly switched sides.

They all stood up, expressing their loyalty with great fervor, as if the demon of the Blood Fiend Sect was already theirs for the taking.

The "anti-undercover united front" that Han Youwei had just established collapsed instantly in the face of the enormous temptation of "marrying a rich and beautiful woman and reaching the pinnacle of life".

He stared dumbfounded at these "allies" who had been calling him brothers and pouring out their grievances just a moment ago, but now they were as if they had been injected with chicken blood, wishing they could rush into Wind Valley immediately.

"Holy crap!"

Han Youwei felt his worldview had been greatly shaken. "These guys change their tune so fast! It's just about getting married, is it really worth risking their lives for?"

He instinctively turned around, wanting to see Li Mengjin's reaction.

Li Mengjin held his wine glass, still with that calm and collected demeanor, as if the scene before him had nothing to do with him.

However, deep within his lowered eyes, a barely perceptible hint of...mockery flashed.

Wang family's support?
In his opinion, it might not be as practical as the array that his own father, Li Pingcan, casually crafted.

(End of this chapter)