I defeated the saint with a parry.

"Eunuch?"

Zhang Li nodded: "Although that person didn't say it, the spirit in his bones couldn't be completely concealed. It seemed like he was a close attendant of the emperor, specially sent to deliver an imperial edict."

Xu Ling: "Did the garrison commander say anything?"

Zhang Li thought for a moment: "He didn't say anything in particular, but when he was giving me instructions, he gave me a meaningful look."

"It seems I was right," Xu Ling thought, recalling what Xu Huaixu had said: "I guess the garrison commander doesn't want me to go at all."

"You could say I'm still seriously injured and unconscious, or... never mind, since you sent people to find me, you must know I'm awake; there's no way to hide it. So, the only way is to say I have something to do. What's the biggest case in Fancheng right now?"

Zhang Li actually had an idea: "We've already found some information about the spirit pearl you brought back from the underworld. Now that you're awake, why don't you investigate it yourself?"

"Perfect." Xu Ling was overjoyed. The spirit pearl that Zhang Li mentioned was the array eye spirit pearl that Li Xi gave him before he left. Although Xu Ling did not know why Li Xi did this, it was a good thing as long as he could find out.

It allows you to investigate cases while avoiding those corrupt high-ranking officials in the capital—a perfect solution.

"Senior Brother Zhang, would you like to come along?"

"Of course we have to go together. If you don't go now, what if the higher-ups blame me for not communicating properly? I've only just become a Demon Suppressor, and I don't want to offend my superiors so early."

While saying this, Zhang Li used the communication talisman in his hand to send a message directly to the garrison commander.

Inside the Demon Suppression Office over there.

Inside the lakeside pavilion, Xu Huaixu's favorite place, the same tea, but three different people.

Xu Huaixu was the head of the group, with one person sitting on each side of him.

The old man on the left was neatly dressed, but the hat on his head could not hide his silver hair at the temples. He was "frighteningly clean" and his every move was meticulous. Even when drinking tea, he would first wipe the table in front of him with a handkerchief before taking small sips. Afterwards, he would wipe his face with a special towel.

He spoke as if he were an ordinary person, but the air in his eyes was one of arrogance: "Lord Xu has quite a capable subordinate. He's just recovered and he's already investigating a case. Does he not even value his life?"

Xu Huaixu waved his hand and presented the refilled teacup to him: "Please don't be offended, Eunuch Wang. The people in my yamen are all martial artists. They only know how to share the emperor's burdens and pacify the world. They don't even respect me normally. Just treat this Demon Suppression Bureau as a martial arts school, please don't blame them."

"We are all working for the Emperor, so there is no reason to blame him. I am just envious of Lord Xu for having so many talented people under his command."

Wang Jian gave a forced smile and didn't expose the "fake news" that Xu Ling had sent back. After all, everyone knew what Xu Huaixu was up to.

However, Wang Jian glanced at the man on his right, his eyes holding an ambiguous meaning: "Why would Prince Kang have time to reminisce with Lord Xu?"

Kang Wang Ji Ruikang was a tall and imposing man. His physique, typical of a military general, was noticeably larger than that of Xu Huaixu and Wang Jian.

At this moment, King Kang was wearing a black python robe, but his hair was simply tied up with a headscarf, with a few strands of hair floating in front of his forehead.

With his thick eyebrows, fierce eyes, and square face, he could frighten children on the street with just a glance.

Prince Kang drank his tea with his eyes closed. Hearing Wang Jian's words, he didn't open his eyes either, and replied softly, "You're quite nosy, Eunuch. I'm just moving around in my own fiefdom. Who does it bother? You're just being nosy."

"With such a big event happening in Fancheng, how could I not come and see?" King Kang opened his eyes with satisfaction and said to Xu Huaixu, "This tea is really good. Could you spare some for me before you leave?"

Xu Huaixu chuckled: "King Kang, don't be silly. I bought this tea from your business. You're asking me what's going on?"

"Let's not delve into why you two came here." Xu Huaixu tossed out a jade slip: "My subordinates have written down the entire process of what happened this time, from beginning to end, in this report. You two can take a look and you'll understand."

After glancing at the jade slip, neither King Kang nor King Jian touched it; they both smiled.

How could they not know exactly what happened?

"Let's not beat around the bush. I'm not interested in the dirty dealings of the demon race and Jin Yulou, but I do greatly admire that demon slayer named Xu Ling." King Kang put down his teacup. "Lord Xu, would you be willing to part with him?"

Wang Jian also said, "This boy can thwart the demon clan's conspiracy; he should be sent to the capital to serve."

The two of them were indeed there for Xu Ling.

Xu Huaixu knew he couldn't keep this a secret, but he didn't expect these people to confront him directly and demand Xu Ling. Fortunately, he was prepared.

"I never expected that you two would care about a demon slayer instead of the demon race." Xu Huaixu said, rubbing his temples. He then used his supernatural powers to materialize the scene he saw in his mind, and the pavilion in the middle of the lake changed completely, as if he had arrived in some mountain.

If Xu Ling were here, he would definitely recognize this place as Peach Blossom Village.

Xu Huaixu pointed to Peach Blossom Village and said, "A month ago, Xu Ling encountered a heretic who used evil magic to transform from an ordinary person into a Spirit Platform Realm cultivator in just a few breaths. If no one had stopped him, he might have been able to go directly to the Sea-Viewing Realm."

"A few breaths?"

Upon hearing this, the other two became interested, firstly because Xu Ling had handled this case again, and secondly because of the timing.

"When I traced the evil magic back to its source, the person behind it severed my karmic ties."

"Afterwards, I checked the records of the Demon Suppression Bureau in various places. Over the past few decades, similar sacrificial cases have occurred in various parts of the Great Chu. In all of them, an entire village or a small sect was mysteriously wiped out during the demon calamity. Later, some powerful figures with unknown backgrounds would appear in the area..."

King Kang said in a low voice, "You mean these upstarts emerged using this evil magic?"

"Exactly." Xu Huaixu named a few names: "There are two in Kangzhou. One is the Gentleman's Sword, and the other is the King of Hell's Blade."

King Kang's expression turned cold, because he was familiar with both names, and one of them, Gentleman Sword, was even one of his advisors.

Is this really true?

Xu Huaixu tossed out a roster: "You two can take a look for yourselves."

He wouldn't talk nonsense about something like that.

The roster was opened, and hundreds of names filled several folded pages.

"hiss!"

Wang Jian glanced at it, then gasped and closed the booklet.

The more King Kang looked, the more profound his expression became.

Wang Jian no longer tried to suppress his sharp voice, staring at Xu Huaixu as he reminded him, "Governor Xu, everyone on this list is involved in evil magic, which could be a matter of national importance."

Xu Huaixu snorted coldly: "You two should know best who I am, so why would you speak carelessly in front of such an important matter?"

King Kang asked coldly, "Do you know who spread this evil magic?"

Xu Huaixu shook his head: "I only know that it is related to the demon race. This matter is also related to the changes in Fancheng. The evil magic was planned earlier than the changes in Fancheng. Someone is trying to use such means to shake the foundation of my Great Chu."

"If everyone knew about this evil magic, I'm afraid..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the two people in front of him understood.

Do not attempt to challenge human nature. Let alone such evil magic, even a treasure bowl meant to earn ordinary gold and silver can lead to cannibalism. In some people's eyes, mortals are no different from cattle and horses, so once the evil magic becomes completely uncontrollable, the Great Chu will become a slaughterhouse.

"I will report this matter to His Majesty immediately." Wang Jian put the register into his robes and bowed towards the northeast.

On the other side, King Kang also said coldly, "I will investigate the matter of the Gentleman's Sword. If it is true, I will continue to investigate. At the very least, such evil arts will not be allowed in Kangzhou."

"Don't panic, you two!" Xu Huaixu tapped the table. "That evil technique has drawbacks. First, it's time-consuming, and second, once it starts, it can't be interrupted, so it can only be done secretly. That's why the person behind it hasn't publicized it widely. After all, if everyone knew about this kind of evil technique, it would become useless."

"What I want you two to know is... there are many different kinds of evil spells like these, circulating in ghost markets and marketplaces all over the place. No one is paying attention now, simply because these evil spells appear strangely; anyone with eyes can see that someone is stirring them up. But once the people on the list I just mentioned become role models, then it will be a completely different story."

King Kang said in a low voice, "If I remember correctly, the list includes disciples from famous sects and aristocratic families, as well as some who are renowned outside the palace."

"So you two understand now, right? If this matter isn't thoroughly investigated, its impact will be far greater than that of the demonic calamity. If everyone in Great Chu tries to take shortcuts, the nation will perish."