Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"It's us. We haven't congratulated Lord Li on his promotion yet..."

Xu Sheng looked reserved. Since Chen Shuo disappeared, the group of them had become homeless and were often seconded to various places to carry out missions, where they suffered all kinds of cold treatment.

Now that they finally have a permanent position, even though Li Yuan is an old acquaintance, Chen Shuo is gone after all, and people forget about him. How could they dare to be presumptuous?

Moreover, Li Yuan is now a favorite of His Majesty, a young hero whose fame has spread throughout the land.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuan helped him up with both hands: "Brother Xu, what are you saying? Don't call me 'sir' or anything. Just call me Brother Li like before. It's been over a year since we last met, why are you being so distant?"

Xu Sheng looked up and saw the sincerity in Li Yuan's eyes. He moved his lips and said, "Brother Li."

"That's right. I'm young and inexperienced, and I'll have to rely on you all for guidance in the future."

Li Yuan looked at the people lined up behind him and bowed respectfully.

Zhao Hu, Qian Feng, Sun Lang, Zhou Yuan, and Zheng Dong were all deeply moved and hurriedly bowed in return, saying, "Brother Li, from now on... we brothers will follow you."

"Brothers, please don't stand on ceremony. I've already asked someone to inquire about Brother Chen's matter. I'll take this opportunity to check on him during my trip to Hexi Road."

Chen Shuo's whereabouts were a major worry for Li Yuan. He had to find him no matter what, otherwise he would not be at peace.

"Brother Li, on behalf of the boss, I, Lao Xu, thank you..."

Xu Sheng choked up and remained silent for a moment.

Li Yuan sighed softly and patted his shoulder: "We're leaving tomorrow, so go pack your bags and say goodbye to your families."

Xu Sheng nodded and led the group away.

After nightfall, the West Market of Chang'an was bustling with activity, with crowds of people and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares rising and falling.

Li Yuan, dressed in a blue robe, looked like an ordinary young man. He walked through the bustling crowd and turned into an alley.

Deep in the alley, there is a familiar general store, neatly tidied up, and under the dim light, you can vaguely see busy figures.

Li Yuan stopped at the doorway, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Knock knock knock"

He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door frame.

"Coming, coming!" A clear female voice came from inside. The girl lifted the curtain and came out. When she saw Li Yuan, she was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened and she exclaimed in surprise.

"Aji, come quick and see who's here!"

"Is that your older brother?"

Aji came running out, looking even more sturdy than before. When he saw Li Yuan, he grinned and said with a big smile, "Big brother, I was so worried about you!"

The assassination attempt on Li Yuan shocked the world, and Aji also heard about it. Seeing that Li Yuan was indeed unharmed, he was finally relieved.

"You must have heard about the establishment of inspectors by the Demon Suppression Division, right?" Li Yuan told them as he walked with the two towards the backyard.

"I heard it was my eldest brother who suggested it."

Aji was filled with pride. His good brother, with whom he had once wandered the streets, had now become a famous figure.

"I have now taken up the post of Inspector of Hexi Circuit and will be assuming office tomorrow."

Li Yuan sat down at the table, and Ahua busied herself making him tea. He took a sip and casually asked, "How's business lately?"

"It's alright, that's fine." Aji smiled憨厚ly. "Brother, please sit down. I'll go get some dishes. Let's have a drink together tonight."

"No need to trouble yourself, I brought some braised vegetables..."

Li Yuan took out several lotus leaf packets. He had come here today specifically for a small gathering and had made preparations in advance.

"Alright, let's drink like this then."

Although their statuses are now vastly different and they see each other less often, their friendship remains unchanged; they simply have their own lives now.

Over braised beef, the two chatted and drank, and Li Yuan briefly recounted the details of his trip.

"The waters of Chang'an are too deep, and my elder brother has no powerful backing. It's better for him to leave."

Aji sighed deeply. Li Yuan's journey may have seemed glamorous, but in reality, it was fraught with difficulties.

Li Yuan smiled and said casually, "That's what I thought too. It's just a change of workplace. But you guys..."

"Be careful in the capital. If anyone comes looking for trouble, go to the Demon Suppression Bureau and find Lady Ye. I have already asked her to take care of you."

He had already implicated Aji and the others once before, so there was no guarantee they wouldn't try again. Previously, Chen Shuo had helped look after them, but now they could only rely on Ye Hongyu.

He handed over a token as he spoke.

"Okay, I won't hesitate to help if anything happens. Don't worry, we'll take good care of ourselves."

Aji smiled and agreed. He knew that Li Yuan was destined for great things, and the only thing he could do was not hold him back.

"Come, let me toast you."

Li Yuan raised his glass, looking at the two of them teasingly, "Aji, when are you two getting married?"

Ahua was taken aback, then blushed: "Ayuan, don't talk nonsense, he and I are just siblings..."

"I……"

Aji glanced at him furtively, his expression somber. Li Yuan had long seen that the two had developed feelings for each other over time, but one was insecure and the other was timid, which meant that even though they lived together, they didn't understand each other's feelings.

"I'm telling you two, you're not really siblings, why stick to these fallacies?"

He put down his wine glass. "I've made the decision today. Consider this an engagement. I'll come back next time to officiate your wedding."

Ahua hesitated, then blushed and lowered her head: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Aji wanted to say something, but Li Yuan stopped him with a glass of wine: "Come on, I wish you two a long and happy marriage! Haha..."

Early the next morning, outside Chang'an City.

A team of more than thirty people was ready to set off on the official road.

Li Yuan and his group of eight, along with the twenty-seven reinforcements led by Ji Fanghua, formed a sizable team.

Ye Hongyu personally saw her off. Dressed in a smart outfit, she looked dashing and rode over on horseback, her gaze towards Ji Fanghua filled with affection.

"The Longyou region is in great turmoil right now, so be careful on your journey and try not to get separated from others. I have already written to Lord Feng and asked him to keep an eye on things."

Since leaving for the Northwest, Feng Wuhen, the Left Demon Suppressor, has not returned. With him in charge of the Demon Suppressorate in Longyou, at least those demon saints are deterred from being too presumptuous.

"Yes, Master, I understand."

Ji Fanghua's eyes were slightly red.

Ye Hongyu then looked at Li Yuan: "Although there is no large-scale war in Hexi Road now, it is the throat of the Northwest, and caravans and military supplies have to pass through there."

"The current obstruction of the passage is seriously affecting the battle situation in Longyou Road. After you get there, you must focus on clearing it."

Li Yuan solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your subordinate understands."

"Alright, let's go."

Ye Hongyu waved her hand, "Have a safe journey."

Li Yuan nodded, whipped his horse, and rode to the front of the group.

Wu Yu spurred his horse and caught up, raising his eyebrows and laughing, "How about we have a horsemanship contest to see who's the best?"

"OK."

Li Yuan readily agreed, then turned to Ji Fanghua and called out, "Junior Sister Ji, let's go."

"drive!"

Ji Fanghua's eyes darted around, and she cracked her whip. The chestnut horse neighed and charged off.

"Hey, you cheated!"

Wu Yu yelled and urged his horse to chase after them.

Li Yuan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. Over the past two years, Ji Fanghua had become more and more normal, and had already shown the playfulness of a normal young girl.

"Come quick!"

Wu Yu turned his head and urged him on. Li Yuan smiled and raised his whip.

The three rode their horses along the official road, galloping freely. Seeing this, the other cultivators, not wanting to be left behind, joined in one after another.

For a moment, the streets were filled with laughter and chatter.