He started as a shepherd and took on countless jobs.

Two strings of incense money.

Manager Zhao: "An invitation letter is needed to attend that exchange meeting."

Pei Si nodded, resting his chin on his hand, and asked, "How long?"

"Two days."

"I'll add another half string of cash, and I need it before tonight," Pei Si said with a smile, his arms crossed.

"Half a string of cash, sure. I'll deliver the invitation to Young Master Pei's room before tonight." Steward Zhao's smile widened.

Upstairs.

Before Pei Si was the scene reported back by the officials and soldiers of the Great Road.

Xiao Ren and Qi Wei changed their clothes and were having a private conversation with someone.

He was handsome and refined.

Xiao Ren addressed the other party as Commander Huo.

Commander Huo was fiddling with a pair of jade walnuts, nodding occasionally.

After Xiao Ren finished speaking, Commander Huo said calmly, "I grant you two permission to investigate this matter secretly."

"Xiao Ren, you're an old man, you should know the rules."

Xiao Ren was filled with excitement; he hadn't misjudged him after all!

Commander Huo is different from everyone else!

"Yes, Commander!"

"By the way, tomorrow is the Prefect's mother's birthday celebration, and she has invited the entire Demon Suppression Division to attend. You two should change your appearance and come to the birthday banquet first," Commander Huo suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ren hesitated, looking troubled, and said, "But..."

"Xiao Ren, for a birthday banquet of this scale, what kind of rare and precious treasures do you think will be served?"

"This will greatly benefit your path of cultivation," Commander Huo interrupted.

Commander Huo is such a kind-hearted person.

"So, what kind of gift should we prepare for our wedding?"

"The Demon Suppression Division is sending a large portion; you two don't need to worry about it. You may leave now."

After the two left, Commander Huo's hand, which was holding a walnut, bulged with veins.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes.

.........

Pei Si took it all in.

Is Commander Huo also a wolf?

Even within the Demon Suppression Division, there is open and covert infighting.

Pei Si took out the bottle containing clouds in the blue sky and water, and absorbed the water energy.

evening.

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), there was a knock on the door.

Pei Si opened the door.

Manager Zhao stood respectfully outside the door, holding a jade plate in his hands.

On the jade plate lay a pure black invitation card with gilded gold trim.

"Young Master Pei, the time and place are on this invitation."

Pay in one hand and deliver in one hand.

Pei Si returned to the house and unfolded the invitation.

The day after tomorrow, at midnight, in Huanlong Valley.

Holding this invitation, wearing a mask, we will exchange our experiences in paper-making.

It allows trading in paper items, paper-making techniques, and other items.

Huanlong Valley is located about 100 li north of the county seat.

There are also many strange and wonderful stories in Huanlong Valley.

Legend has it that when the ancient Wei emperor led his army on a southern expedition, the army was cursed by a demon king, which caused the soldiers to suffer from unbearable thirst, and drinking ordinary water had no effect.

The ancient Wei emperor dreamt of a deity who told him that there was a type of plum in Huanlong Valley called the Thirst-Quenching Plum. Eating the Thirst-Quenching Plum would break the curse.

…………

The next morning.

Xiao Ren disguised himself and changed his clothes.

"Captain Xiao, the two of us..." Qi Wei hesitated, yawning and looking dejected.

"The commander has assigned us new identities. My name is now Shi Zhong, and your name is Shi Ji."

"Brothers."

"You call yourself young? You can't even handle one night?"

Xiao Ren straightened his clothes in front of the bronze mirror.

"Okay, brother." Qi Wei turned and left.

Unnoticed by anyone, a glint of purple light flashed deep within Xiao Ren's eyes.

Wu Mansion.

Doorposts were placed on either side of the vermilion gate.

Prefect Wu Lingyu held a grand banquet, inviting officials of all ranks from Shu County.

The fifth military governor of Shu Commandery, Xun, was naturally among those invited.

Wu Lingyu was seven feet tall, dressed in casual clothes, and had a refined and scholarly air about him.

"Master, the servant who was sent to deliver the invitation reports that the Fifth Military Governor said he was too busy with military affairs to come, so he sent a gift to express his apologies," a trusted confidant whispered in his ear.

The Wuling fish nodded.

"Wanqitong has arrived!"

"Yao Zan must be there!"

"Commander Jiang has arrived!"

"Commander Lin has arrived!"

"Commander Huo of the Demon Suppression Division has arrived!"

……

Congratulatory chants rang out.

Wu Lingyu, beaming with joy, greeted each of the visiting guests.

Wu Lingyu led Commander Huo to a side room.

Commander Huo smiled and said, "I'd like to present a congratulatory gift to the Old Madam."

"Are you ready?"

"All set, now we're just waiting for your Demon Slayer from the Demon Suppression Division to arrive."

…………

Xiao and Qi sat side by side, waiting quietly for the banquet to begin.

Qi Wei gazed at the luxurious furniture in the Wu family mansion and felt a surge of emotion.

With his salary, how long would it take him to afford such a mansion?

He had managed to get into the Demon Suppression Division by sheer luck, and had just been promoted from a trainee demon slayer to a full-fledged one. This was the first time he had ever met the high and mighty Commander Huo.

"Brother, I'm new here. What do you think of Commander Huo's character?" Qi Wei asked curiously.

Xiao Ren glanced at Qi Wei and said softly, "Second Brother, it's not good to talk about your superiors behind their backs."

"This Commander Huo is very different from Commander Lu, whom Ouyang Dou and others are trying to curry favor with."

"Commander Huo once pursued a heretical cultivator wanted by the imperial court. All the demon-slaying envoys in his team were killed in action. Commander Huo led his troops deep into the Xuan Kingdom and beheaded the heretical cultivator."

"It seems that Commander Huo and I are of the same ilk."

Xiao Ren placed his hands on his knees, looking quite emotional.

Qi Wei seemed to be deep in thought, and the image of Commander Huo suddenly became much more imposing in his mind.

A lone hero, compassionate towards his subordinates.

"The food is served." Xiao Ren raised his head.

Qi Wei looked in the direction Xiao Ren was looking.

One by one, graceful young women with open-fronted shirts carried trays and slowly walked towards the guests.

Qi Wei finally understood.

What does it mean to look down and not see your toes?

Plates of exquisitely presented dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, are laid out on the table.

Among them, the bamboo tube placed in the very center is particularly eye-catching.

"Brother, what is this bamboo tube?"

Xiao Ren rubbed his hands together and looked around. Every guest's table had this dish on it.

"This is the core of the spirit bamboo. Taking it can clear the meridians and is of great benefit to us martial artists."

Qi Wei suddenly realized.

This is the celestial treasure that Commander Huo spoke of, possessing such wondrous uses.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

In the blink of an eye, half an hour had passed.

Qi Wei was so engrossed in the song and dance that he couldn't come back to his senses for a long time.

"Snapped!"

Qi Wei winced in pain and clutched his head.

It turned out that Xiao Ren had given him a flick on the forehead.

"Let's go, Commander Huo wants to speak with us." Xiao Ren, with his sharp eyes, said in a low voice.

Just now, Commander Huo made a gesture indicating that there was something going on inside the Demon Suppression Division, and asked the two of them to come out.

The two left the banquet and followed Commander Huo's retreating figure.

Commander Huo stopped in front of a small pavilion overlooking the lake.

"Commander." The two men clasped their hands in a fist salute.

Commander Huo said coldly, "Just now I had a sudden inspiration and suddenly felt that there seemed to be an evil aura in this Martial Academy. You two come with me to investigate."

Upon hearing this...

Xiao Ren's expression was solemn.

This is the Martial Arts Academy.

Is there an evil spirit lurking in the prefect's residence?

Was it an unintentional intrusion, or a deliberate act of hiding?

"There's no time to lose, let's move out." Commander Huo didn't hesitate and turned to leave.

Xiao Ren followed.

Qi Wei's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

A chance to make a name for yourself has arrived! This is the prefect!

If this matter is handled properly, he might be promoted three ranks!

Fifteen minutes later.

Three large, dark doors stood before the crowd.

The central door is the largest, while the side doors are relatively small.

Red door frame, copper door knocker.

A large plaque hangs above the door.

Wu Clan Ancestral Hall!