Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"The student is worried that he has been targeted by bad guys because of me, and the situation is unclear."

He raised his head, his usually calm eyes filled with anxiety; at this moment, he finally looked more like a young man.

"This case involves demons, and the students wish to seek help from the Demon Suppression Bureau for timely rescue."

Liu Hongyan and Mr. Mo exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with understanding. Sure enough, the reason this kid had suddenly risked breaking through was for this matter.

They also bear some responsibility for Aji's situation. They had previously sent people to protect him secretly, but they never expected that the Dark Pavilion would take him into custody right under their noses.

"I will inform the Demon Suppression Division of this matter immediately," Liu Hongyan said solemnly. "However, you must promise me that you will not leave the academy to investigate on your own before the matter is resolved."

Although Li Yuan was anxious, he also knew that the other party's real purpose was to target him. If he rashly went there, he would only fall into their trap.

"The students understand that everything is up to the instructors."

"Okay, you go back and consolidate your cultivation first. I will let you know as soon as I have any news." Liu Hongyan waved her hand.

Li Yuan bowed to the two men and walked out of the courtyard. The morning light was already bright. He clenched his fist, feeling the true energy flowing through his body, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Whoever harms his people must pay the price.

Upon receiving Liu Hongyan's message, Chen Shuo did not make a big fuss. He took a few trusted men, changed into civilian clothes, and quietly entered the West Market.

Since the last assassination attempt failed, the Dark Pavilion has been lying low, but now it can no longer hold back.

In the secluded general store, business was slow. Aji was wiping away dust with a rag when he saw Chen Shuo walk in, and he quickly put on a smile and greeted him.

"Sir, what would you like to order?"

Chen Shuo glanced around the shelves; they were all ordinary daily necessities like oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, with nothing particularly special.

"Our shop also buys some mountain products. If you have any, feel free to take a look."

Seeing that he didn't speak and that he was a stranger, Aji smiled.

What kind of mountain products do you buy here?

"We collect all kinds of animal hides, bones, and mountain delicacies. The price depends on the quality."

Aji's expression was normal, and Chen Shuo did not sense any spiritual energy fluctuations from him. There was nothing unusual about the general store either.

Not wanting to alert the enemy, Chen Shuo asked a few casual questions, then claimed he hadn't brought any goods that day and left.

Soon after, several subordinates returned, and one of them made a discovery.

"Boss, I've detected some demonic energy fluctuations in the backyard, and the neighbors all say that Aji has suddenly become withdrawn and taciturn lately, rarely venturing out."

After pondering for a moment, Chen Shuo went to the academy to see Liu Hongyan.

"Aji has probably been bewitched and controlled," Chen Shuo stated his judgment. "I suspect it's the work of the Dark Pavilion, and their purpose is naturally Li Yuan."

Liu Hongyan's phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent: "Just as I thought."

Thinking back to the last time the demon core was tampered with, the method was so clever that it fooled the gatekeeper's inspection and almost caused a disaster.

"The Dark Pavilion probably won't let this go easily. Rather than waiting for them to make a move, we should take the initiative." Chen Shuo raised a thick eyebrow and looked at Liu Hongyan.

"Are you saying that instead of guarding against thieves for a thousand days, it's better to remove the firewood from under the pot?" Liu Hongyan said thoughtfully.

These demons lurk in the shadows, watching Li Yuan closely and infiltrating every nook and cranny. If he were to be careless again, wouldn't that lead to a major disaster?

Rather than living in constant fear, it's better to cut the Gordian knot and get it over with once and for all.

"So, what does Captain Chen mean?"

"I want to use this opportunity, using Li Yuan as bait, to lure out the person behind it all and take them down in one fell swoop!"

For many years, the Dark Pavilion has been lurking and causing trouble in the capital, making it difficult to guard against and giving the Demon Suppression Bureau a headache. If we can take this opportunity to eradicate them completely, it would indeed be a good thing.

Liu Hongyan hesitated, "Wouldn't using Li Yuan as bait be too dangerous? After all, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light..."

"There is definitely danger," Chen Shuo said in a deep voice. "The Dark Pavilion's assassination attempts against him will not stop. He can dodge the first day, but he can't dodge the fifteenth. Rather than being on guard every day, it's better to play along with their plan."

"With careful planning, a counterattack is not impossible."

However, Liu Hongyan, who has always been decisive, still couldn't make up her mind. As an instructor, she couldn't gamble with the lives of her students.

"Fine, I'll go ask Li Yuan myself."

"He is no longer a child and has his own judgment. Besides, this matter arose because of him, so his opinion must be respected."

Liu Hongyan pondered for a long time, and finally sighed. Li Yuan has always been very opinionated, so let him decide for himself.

At this moment, Li Yuan is practicing a new concealment technique in Mr. Mo's courtyard. This technique can effectively conceal his cultivation level and maintain his appearance at the mid-stage of the Subtle Realm.

Unless one is a master at the Qi Condensation Realm, it is difficult to see through this disguise.

After hearing Liu Hongyan's fishing plan, he hardly hesitated.

"I'll go."

"Aji was implicated because of me, how can we sit idly by? Besides, this secret society is like a leech, it can't be left unpunished. If we can take this opportunity to expose them, it's worth the risk."

He bowed to the two men with his hands clasped, saying, "I would be grateful if Lieutenant Chen and Instructor Liu could make the arrangements; I will certainly cooperate."

Chen Shuo gave him a deep look, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and patted him on the shoulder heartily, "Good! You've got guts!"

"Don't worry, the Demon Suppression Division and the Divine Martial Academy will never let you venture out alone. This time, we'll make sure those cowardly rats who hide their tails never return!"

In the following days, Chen Shuo and the others were busy making plans, while Li Yuan focused on his cultivation and waited for the right opportunity.

Soon, the summer vacation for the academy arrived, and the students went home one after another.

Li Yuan sent a letter to Aji, saying that due to his cultivation level, he had not yet used the demon core he had received last time, and that he would visit him in the West Market when he had some free time.

The letter also included some silver coins for him to use in purchasing demon cores.

In a secluded cellar somewhere.

Ying Shisan looked at the letter in his hand, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"That brat, he's really lucky, he managed to escape again." She murmured. "But you won't be so lucky next time."

"My lady, our opportunity has arrived." She turned into the shadows of the cellar. "Li Yuanxin said he would come to the West Market, but the exact time is uncertain. Should we...?"

After a long silence in the shadows, a hoarse voice finally came: "I'll leave this matter to you. I'll send someone to lure Mo Wentian away, and you and the Shadow Blade Squad will be responsible for intercepting and killing Li Yuan."

"Shadow Blade Squad?" Shadow Thirteen was overjoyed.

"Success is the only option this time; failure is not an option. Otherwise, you'll have to answer to me with your head."

Before she could even feel happy for long, a sinister voice came from the shadows. The intense killing intent made her freeze and her face change drastically.

"Understood, I will not fail you!" Shadow Thirteen hurriedly bowed, his back already feeling cold.

……

Before the holiday, the entire Tian Shu class had a small gathering. Learning from their previous experience, they chose the second floor of the academy's dining hall as the location.

After a year of getting to know each other, they have developed a strong bond, not only through competition but also through deep affection. Most importantly, none of them have been eliminated throughout the year.

The next day, everyone left Shenwu Academy one after another, leaving only Li Yuan, who moved back into Mr. Mo's courtyard.

The sky was overcast that day, and the West Market was as noisy and bustling as ever, with crowds of people everywhere.

A young man wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a worn-out blue shirt, and a middle-aged man in a gray cloth robe with a stubble beard, strolled over slowly.