Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"There's a demonic aura?" Wu Yu exclaimed in surprise. "This little girl doesn't look like a demon."

"She is indeed not a demon, but it is very likely that she has been in contact with them. In other words, the identity of the distinguished guest she is serving is highly suspicious."

Since passing the first trial of the Myriad Realms Palace, Li Yuan's connection with the bronze palace has become even stronger.

Although he cannot fully control the power of the palace, he can mobilize it at any time, so his ability to sense demonic energy is much sharper than before.

The demonic aura emanating from this little maid was so faint as to be almost negligible; most others would not be able to sense it, but it could not escape Li Yuan's perception.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yu's eyes lit up: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's capture this little maid and find out the truth with a few questions."

"No need. I tampered with that silver pomfret. If there really is a demon, I will be able to sense it."

"You're really something."

Wu Yu couldn't help but praise, "Li Yuan was a special forces soldier in his previous life. He had systematically studied reconnaissance and interrogation techniques, so he was naturally much more experienced than the greenhorn Wu Yu."

"Alright, then I'll wait and see what happens."

When the two returned to the Demon Suppression Bureau, it was almost dusk. As soon as they arrived at the gate, they saw the steward of the Sun family waiting there. Upon seeing them, he greeted them with a big smile.

"Lord Li, we've been waiting for you." The steward said, secretly slipping two silver notes into his hand. "This is a small token of my master's appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

"Sun Fu is a child who is ignorant and has caused trouble for the adults. If it is convenient for you, could you please let him go home as soon as possible? His mother misses him terribly and has even fallen ill."

Li Yuan calmly accepted the silver note, glancing at it casually. It was two hundred taels. A satisfied smile appeared on his face: "Steward Sun, you're too kind. I've investigated Sun Fu's matter thoroughly; it was indeed a misunderstanding."

"There are still some procedures to go through. I'll have someone send him back first thing tomorrow morning. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Lord Li!" Overjoyed to receive the correct answer, the steward thanked him repeatedly and left happily.

Looking at the silver notes in Li Yuan's hand, Wu Yu clicked his tongue and sighed, "Two hundred taels of silver. This Vice Minister Sun is quite generous, even to his servants."

"Keep this safe, hand it over later." Li Yuan tossed the silver note to Wu Yu and turned to walk towards the dungeon.

In the dungeon, Sun Fu lay on a pile of dry hay, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, looking quite relaxed. Hearing footsteps, he sat up abruptly, and upon seeing that it was Li Yuan, he quickly scrambled to his feet.

"Lord Li, can you let me go now?"

"Your father just came by. I've already spoken to him and we'll finish the formalities first thing tomorrow morning and then send you back."

As Li Yuan spoke, he placed a food box on the ground: "This was sent by your father. Eat it."

He opened the lid, and inside was a plate of braised beef, several steamed buns, and a pot of wine.

Sun Fu had been locked up in prison for so long and was starving. When he saw the good wine and food, his eyes lit up, and he grabbed the beef and wolfed it down.

While eating, he mumbled, "Lord Li is truly a good man. When I get back, I will definitely put in a good word for you with my master."

"Oh? Your master may be the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but he doesn't have jurisdiction over our Demon Suppression Division, does he?"

Li Yuan asked casually.

"Lord Li, you don't understand. My master is about to be promoted, and he might actually be able to give you a helping hand then."

"Really? Lord Sun is getting a promotion?" Li Yuan asked, feigning surprise. "Where will he be promoted to?"

Sun Fu smiled smugly and lowered his voice, saying, "I heard from my father that... he's going to be the Minister of Rites, which is a promotion of two ranks."

"My master has connections, you know what I mean..." she said, giving Li Yuan a knowing look.

Li Yuan's heart stirred, but he remained outwardly calm, simply nodding with a smile: "Congratulations, congratulations. Your master's superior is quite influential. The Minister of Rites is not a position that just anyone can hold."

"That's natural."

Sun Fu wolfed down his food, looking smug. Li Yuan wondered to himself, could it be that Grand Secretary Wang was really pulling strings behind Vice Minister Sun?

After leaving the dungeon, Li Yuan went to process Sun Fu's release papers. Han Kuo's face was grim: "Li Yuan, are you really going to release him?"

"I really released them," Li Yuan said frankly.

"Someone reported that you accepted money from the Sun family. Is that true?"

"It was indeed received."

Seeing Li Yuan readily admit it, Han Kuo's expression darkened even more. He stared at Li Yuan for a moment, snorted coldly, and strode towards Ye Hongyu's courtyard.

Wu Yu leaned closer with some concern: "Brother Li, Brother Han seems angry. Did he go to Lord Ye to complain?"

"Let him go," Li Yuan said dismissively.

Sure enough, not long after, Han Kuo returned, coldly tossing out, "Lord Ye wants you to come over."

Li Yuan nodded, straightened his clothes, and walked slowly into Ye Hongyu's courtyard.

Ye Hongyu was sitting in her study handling official business when she saw Li Yuan enter. She said calmly, "We've discovered another spies from the demon race in the West Market."

"West Market? Have they caught them?"

Li Yuan was slightly surprised that she didn't ask him about the bribery at all.

"We haven't alerted them yet." Ye Hongyu shook her head. "The people from the Demon Suppression Division are already keeping an eye on them, trying to see who they're going to contact."

Li Yuan nodded.

"These two cases might be related." Ye Hongyu's gaze was serious. "If there's any progress over there, I'll let you know immediately."

Li Yuan frowned in thought. He had just returned from the Northwest front and was familiar with the situation there. Judging from the way the demon race fought, it didn't seem like they were about to start a full-scale war.

Under such circumstances, why are the demon race frequently sending people to contact high-ranking officials in the imperial court? It's truly baffling.

"Lord Ye, are you aware of any changes in the situation at the front lines?"

No matter what, what the demon race wants is profit, and it's inextricably linked to the front lines.

Ye Hongyu was not surprised by his question. The Demon Suppression Division had special information channels that were independent of other systems.

"According to the latest news, the demon race has abandoned its strategy of attacking and capturing passes, and has instead adopted a tactic of raiding and plundering."

"They would rob and run away each time, and by the time the Demon Suppression Bureau and the border troops arrived, they had already fled into the deep mountains." She sighed, "This caused our Great Tang to be exhausted and waste a lot of manpower and resources, but with little result."

Li Yuan nodded: "It seems that my analysis is correct. The demon race is only interested in plundering resources and does not intend to actually start a war."

Ye Hongyu glanced at him, a hint of approval in her eyes: "Not bad. So, what I want to know most right now is, what exactly does the demon race want to get in Chang'an?"

Meanwhile, in the flower hall of the Sun family's rear residence, candlelight flickered red, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

A stunningly beautiful woman was reclining on a brocade couch, holding a white jade wine cup in her hand, a bewitching smile playing on her lips.

She wore a crimson gauze dress with an open neckline, revealing skin as white as snow, and her eyes exuded a captivating charm.

This woman is named Manbo. She is a water demon who has taken human form. After taking human form, she is extremely beautiful and usually uses her beauty to seduce people and extract information.

Opposite her sat a young man in his early twenties, dressed in fine clothes and quite handsome, though his eyes seemed somewhat unfocused.