National Division

Chapter 27 Lord Xue, just give orders!
In the dilapidated temple
Shen Xian looked at his father with a worried expression, wanting to help but feeling powerless to do so.

Because, below the Innate Realm of Martial Arts, one's lightness skill can only allow one to fly over rooftops and walk on walls, but not to levitate off the ground.

High in the sky, Xue Zhihua looked at the ferocious three-headed snake, her eyes cold and clear beneath her delicate brows.

A sword engraved with phoenix and auspicious cloud patterns appeared in his palm. There were four glittering stars in the middle of the sword, exuding a strong aura of war. This was a four-star Dao weapon, which he usually kept in his storage ring.

As the daughter of the Duke of Xue, her family was naturally rich in rare and precious materials. When she broke through to the third realm, the Xue family prepared a four-star Dao weapon for her protection.

As a prodigy of the Immortal Path [Danxia Realm], Xue Zhihua, being in the third realm, naturally had the ability to travel on clouds, her figure flashing by.

Under the moonlight, she wore a flowing red dress with cloud-patterned sleeves, held a divine weapon, and the peach blossom petal between her brows made her skin appear snow-white and radiant. At this moment, she was absolutely stunning.

The four-star Dao soldier transformed into a streak of light and swiftly stabbed towards the three-headed serpent.

The three-headed serpent, which was originally heading towards Shen Bin to kill him, suddenly sensed a sharp aura of weaponry and became alert almost immediately, with a black demonic wind rising from its feet.

"who!"

Shen Bin, who had been struggling to withstand the three-headed snake's attack, was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Monster, die!"

Xue Zhihua's four-star Dao soldier in her palm transformed into a rainbow of light and shot towards the three-headed snake.

The three-headed serpent sensed a life-or-death crisis and dodged to the side.

"Not good, it's the aura of the third realm..."

"Pfft!"

The starlight shone brightly, piercing straight into a snake's head. Under the sword's light, it was as easy as slicing melons and chopping vegetables. Black blood spurted out, and with a "boom," the snake's head fell to the ground.

"Roar!"

One of the three venomous snakes was severed, and it was clearly in great pain. The pain spread rapidly in mid-air, and venom was spewed out from its mouth everywhere.

Shen Xian watched as the sword severed the head, and thought to himself, "Is this a sword immortal?"
My gaze fell upon the woman in the red dress, holding a divine weapon. Her long hair flowed like a peach blossom in full bloom, and beneath her cloud-like hair, her eyebrows were like crescent moons, her clear eyes were frosty, reflecting the moonlight, and her face was as fair as ice and jade.

Who is this person?

Shen Bin also realized what was happening, looked at Xue Zhihua high in the sky, and remained silent for a long time.

This is a powerhouse of the third realm!
The third realm of immortality allows one to ride the clouds; the third realm of martial arts allows one to fly through the air.

His face is so young; he must be from a prominent family.

After Xue Zhihua appeared, she undoubtedly took over the situation.

"County Lieutenant Shen, I'll deal with this monster!"

As Xue Zhihua spoke, the starlight in her palm intensified, heading towards the remaining two heads of the three-headed snake.

Seeing the situation was not good, the three-headed snake tried to escape, but how could Xue Zhihua let it get away? She rose into the air and transformed into a red light, while the four-star Dao weapon in her hand once again slashed at the snake's head.

The two venomous snakes rode the black wind, fleeing for their lives.

"Pfft!"

The starlight slashed like lightning, striking the snake's head with a "whoosh." Another snake head fell to the ground, and the blood-soaked ground turned the withered grass scorched yellow.

At this moment, the three-headed snake, now only having its middle head remaining, cried out, "Fairy, spare my life!"

"You fiend, your time is up!"

Xue Zhihua felt that the floating, uncondensed cinnabar in her newly broken-through Danxia Realm had become completely stable and solid.

It seems this was the opportunity that led to her travels!

Those who cultivate the Tao will go out to travel after breaking through a certain realm, partly for the sake of opportunity and partly to broaden their horizons.

When the three-headed venomous snake saw that Xue Zhihua ignored its pleas for mercy, it knew that it was in grave danger and its life was hanging by a thread.

The snake opened its mouth, revealing a faint green mist, from which a cloud of poisonous smoke rose and spread rapidly, seemingly spreading in an instant.

"A demon core?" Xue Zhihua was startled, but upon closer inspection, she saw that the demon core was covered with spider webs.

This is not a demon of the second realm, but a demon of the third realm. However, its demon core is damaged, and its strength is less than one-hundredth of what it used to be!

Xue Zhihua sensed the beauty's feelings through the Taoist soldier in her palm.

At this moment, Shen Xian saw the female sword immortal go to chase after the demons and quickly came over to check on them, asking with concern, "Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Zhao Lang replied, though his clothes were disheveled.

Although Shen Bin was not injured at the moment, his face was pale and sallow, clearly indicating that he was somewhat weak.

"Who is this?" Li Yan asked, puzzled.

Shen Bin's expression was solemn as he said, "Judging from her attire, she must be from the capital." After all, she was a member of the Shen family of Lanxi and had spent her early years in the capital. Apart from the capital, there were very few young and beautiful female sword immortals like her in the world.

Shen Xian nodded and said, "Father, no matter what, we are friends, not enemies."

With strong reinforcements nearby, at least their safety was guaranteed.

Shen Bin nodded, feeling relieved as well.

This was truly a close call with death.

At this moment, Shen Xian also went over to check on the injuries of several yamen runners.

It was just some minor, superficial injuries.

Meanwhile, Xue Zhihua looked at the demonic poisonous mist formed by the explosion of the demon core, and waved a fan-shaped magic weapon in her hand, gradually dissipating the demonic poisonous mist that filled her vision.

Xue Zhi's expression was cold and aloof, indicating some displeasure.

In his heart, he thought, "This demon is quite decisive. It used its demon core to self-destruct and create a poison barrier, hoping to gain a sliver of hope!"
However, they can't get far!
Xue Zhihua composed herself, turned around, and flew down on a cloud, landing in front of Shen Xian and the others, saying, "County Commandant Shen."

"My lady, where is that demon?" Shen Bin asked.

"She detonated her demon core, was severely injured, and escaped. But don't worry, Magistrate Shen, I won't let her go!" Xue Zhihua said in a clear voice.

Shen Bin asked, "May I ask how you are addressed, Fairy? And from which sect or school do you come?"

Xue Zhihua didn't say much, but took out a token and said, "County Commandant Shen should recognize this, right?"

Upon seeing this, Shen Bin's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Vermilion Bird Division."

"My surname is Xue, and I am only a nominal commander in the Vermilion Bird Division," Xue Zhihua nodded and said.

"This humble official greets Commander Xue," Shen Bin said.

Xue Zhihua said, "You've all worked hard this time. I will definitely report this to my superiors and ask for credit for you."

Shen Bin said, "It is my duty, and I dare not take credit. However, there are evil spirits causing trouble in the county. It is difficult for us government officials to deal with them with martial arts alone. I wonder when the Vermilion Bird Division will send someone?"

"The Vermilion Bird Division is short-handed and may not be able to take care of this place," Xue Zhihua said. "As for the disciples of the three religions, the imperial court is actively negotiating with them on the matter of slaying demons and monsters."

Xue Zhihua didn't want to say more, so she turned to Shen Xian beside her and praised, "Is this your son? I saw him just now. He is brave and resourceful, loyal and righteous, and has a rare pure heart."

This female immortal was twenty years old, but at this moment she spoke with the air of an elder.

Of course, at this moment, in the eyes of the daughter of the Duke of Xue, Shen Xian was nothing more than a decent young man.

Shen Bin said, "My son is young and impulsive. Lord Xue is too kind."

Xue Zhihua said in a clear voice, "Recently, I have been traveling in Guhe County and I am in need of a local guide. If your son has nothing else to do, he can stay by my side and serve me for now."

Although it was supposed to be a solicitation of opinions, it was more like a notification.

Shen Bin said, "Lord Xue, please feel free to give orders."

He secretly thought that if he could use this opportunity to get his son into the Suzaku Division, his future would be limitless.

Xue Zhihua parted her red lips slightly and said, "The situation of evil spirits causing trouble in Guhe County, and even the whole of Anzhou, is not unknown to the capital. The Empress Dowager will deal with it sooner or later. It's just that she has freed up her hands for the time being. County Commandant Shen, you should try your best to maintain order for now."

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin was startled and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state. There are priorities and urgency in everything. I understand."

He said that Magistrate Lu was a deadbeat who did nothing, ignored worldly affairs, and disregarded the safety of the people. Did the imperial court really not care?

Shen Xian watched from the side and sighed inwardly.

He felt that the Empress Dowager probably didn't have much energy to pay attention to a small county like Guhe.

The territory of the Great Jing Dynasty is vast, encompassing countless prefectures and counties. Demons and evil spirits wreak havoc throughout the land, and the Li imperial family, in alliance with powerful clans, continues to rebel against the Empress Dowager.

It's not something that can be figured out overnight.

Of course, the most urgent task now is to keep this Lord Xue in check and see if we can get through to the Vermilion Bird Bureau.

He is currently lacking both immortal cultivation techniques and money.

Once we get back, we can come up with some business plans.

Distilled spirits and refined salt are tempting profits, so we can put them aside for now, but perfume is worth a try.

Women and children are the easiest to earn money from.

Just as Shen Xian was pondering back and forth, he heard Xue Zhihua's voice beside him, saying, "Young Master Shen, tell me about the situation in Guhe County."

Shen Xian quickly agreed.

(End of this chapter)