Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"Lord Li, you're too kind." Cui Can said calmly, "It seems I haven't been of much help. I heard before that you single-handedly killed three demon kings, but I thought it was an exaggeration. Now that I've seen it, I realize how narrow-minded we were."

"Lord Cui, you flatter me."

"But the person who attacked me is dead, the trail has gone cold, and the mastermind behind it is unknown."

He turned to the side, letting Cui Can see the headless corpse on the ground.

Cui Can's gaze fell on the corpse, and his brows furrowed slightly: "It's actually a human?"

"Exactly." Li Yuan observed his expression. "This person joined forces with the demon race to set up an ambush, and he also carries a celestial-level magic treasure. His status should be considered conventional."

Cui Can's expression was solemn. He squatted down and carefully examined the corpse. The man's head had been smashed to pieces. He could only examine the sword in the man's hand and then pick up the Soul-Suppressing Mirror. He couldn't help but be moved.

"It really is a celestial-level magic weapon."

"Magic treasures of this caliber are rare in the world. If we follow this lead, we might find something of value."

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow, not holding out much hope. If the other party dared to take out the magic weapon, they naturally weren't afraid of being investigated.

"It's all my fault for being reckless. I didn't see clearly and was too eager to help, which unintentionally interrupted the clues."

Cui Can looked regretful, then turned to Li Yuan, his eyes filled with inquiry: "Lord Li, did you get a good look at this person's appearance?"

"No." Li Yuan shook his head. "This person was masked the whole time. I just subdued him and haven't had a chance to check him yet."

"What a pity." Cui Can sighed, his face showing regret. "I will investigate this matter with all my might and will definitely give Lord Li justice."

Li Yuan's doubts had not faded. He nodded and said nothing more.

However, it is unwise to unfoundedly suspect a colleague without solid evidence, especially at such a sensitive time.

"Oh, right, Lord Cui," Li Yuan suddenly remembered something, "there's another ape that escaped from the Ape Dynasty. Did you encounter it on the way?"

"You mean that gray-haired ape demon?" Cui Can nodded. "We encountered it."

"It tried to break through, but I killed it with a single palm strike. I've already had its body collected, and we'll bring it back to the capital for inspection later."

Li Yuan's heart sank. The old ape was dead too. The last survivor was gone, and all the clues had been completely cut off.

His eyes flashed, and he cupped his hands in thanks to Cui Can: "Thank you, Lord Cui, for your help in resolving this trouble for me."

"It's my duty, no need for thanks." Cui Can waved his hand. "Vice Envoy Li's injuries are quite serious. He should find a place to rest for a few days. Once he's recovered, we can return to the capital together to report back."

Li Yuan nodded and did not refuse again. His injuries were indeed quite serious. He had used his demonic power to suppress them before, but the toxins inside had not been completely eliminated.

Those people in the capital only dared to use underhanded tricks and schemes, not to make a move openly. Once he returned to the Demon Suppression Division branch, he would be safe.

In the following days, under Zhao Peng's arrangement, Li Yuan moved into a quiet courtyard. Han Kuo, Wu Yu, and others took turns guarding him, and Ji Fanghua arranged his meals and took meticulous care of him.

Under their careful care, Li Yuan's injuries recovered quickly. Three days later, the wounds were basically healed and all the toxins had been cleared.

As for Cui Can, he was busy investigating clues and eliminating the remnants of the Golden Scale Lizard King within Yichang, and was nowhere to be seen all day.

Li Yuan and Han Kuo carefully analyzed the situation that day. He recalled the details again and again, trying to find clues that he had overlooked, and even asked Ji Fanghua to draw a portrait of the masked man.

He knew that three days would be enough time for the authorities in the capital to cover up any overlooked clues, but he did not intend to publicly investigate.

The fact that the other party could arrange such a grand scene and casually discard a celestial-level magic weapon shows that he is definitely not someone he can contend with now. Continuing to investigate will only further anger the other party and create a situation of no return.

He was thinking about something else. When they were at Longhu Mountain, Zhang Daojing told him that there would be a great calamity. Now that he thought about it, he was probably referring to this very calamity.

It was precisely because of his advice that Li Yuan remained vigilant and survived this ordeal.

But Master Zhang also said that this matter was related to the secret of his coming into this world.

He clearly comes from the 21st century, so wasn't it a random time travel? Or was it due to some kind of opportunity?

No matter how he analyzed it, this assassination had nothing to do with his time travel, and no force in the Tang Dynasty had such heaven-defying ability to tear through the void and bring over a soul from another world.

He recalled what Li had said, that it concerned the origin of this world. Could this parallel universe have some special significance?

Li Yuan was in a state of utter confusion, vaguely sensing that this assassination attempt might only be the beginning.

On this day, after completing his mission, Cui Can and his group decided to set off.

Not long after leaving Yichang City, a group of people came towards them on the official road ahead. At the head of the group was a woman in a red official robe. She was very imposing and had an air of authority that made people afraid to look directly at her.

It was Ye Hongyu.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau, and one of the most powerful women in the Tang Dynasty court.

"Master!"

Ji Fanghua jumped off her horse, a smile spreading across her face, and pounced on him.

She was always aloof and taciturn, only revealing her girlish side when she saw her master, like a young girl in the prime of her life.

Ye Hongyu reached out and caught her, her expression softening instantly. She patted her hair and said, "Fanghua, you must have had a long journey."

"It's not bitter, I just miss my master a little."

Li Yuan was dumbfounded. He had known Ji Fanghua for so long, but this was the first time he had ever seen her act coquettishly.

Everyone hurriedly dismounted and paid their respects. Li Yuan also cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate Li Yuan greets Lord Ye!"

Ye Hongyu reined in her horse, looked down at him, and scanned him over to make sure he was alright before saying calmly, "Are you all healed?"

"He's alright now." Li Yuan asked in confusion, "Why is Lord Ye here?"

"Just passing by," Ye Hongyu said coldly. "I'm handling a case nearby, and I heard you were returning to the capital today, so I thought I'd stop by and give you a ride."

Given Ye Hongyu's current status, only major cases would warrant her involvement. Recently, apart from her assassination attempt, there haven't been any other major cases reported in the Yichang area.

Li Yuan vaguely sensed that Ye Hongyu's appearance was not just a casual occurrence; she was there specifically for him.

He was startled; it seemed that this journey home was not going to be peaceful, otherwise Ye Hongyu would not have personally stepped in to keep order.

But he didn't press further, only cupping his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Lord Ye."

Ye Hongyu waved her hand, turned her horse around, and rode at the front of the group. The group followed the official road towards the capital.

Ji Fanghua lagged behind her by half a horse length, chattering and talking to her in hushed tones the whole way, though it was unclear what they were saying.

That night, the group settled in the post station.

Just as they settled in, a demon-hunting guard came and knocked on the door.

"Lord Li, Commander Ye requests a meeting with you."

Li Yuan followed him to the backyard of the post station. There was an old locust tree in the yard, and a stone table was placed there. Ye Hongyu sat alone at the table, with a pot of tea in front of her.

Seeing Li Yuan approach, she casually pointed to the stone bench opposite her: "Sit down."

Li Yuan sat down opposite her and poured her tea attentively.

Ye Hongyu took a leisurely sip: "Tell me the whole story of the attack in the Three Gorges, from beginning to end, without omitting any details."