Chapter Twenty: The Demon-Slaying Bureau, Ouyang Jingguan

On a tributary of the Silver River, the Egret River winds past Jade Lake, a land rich in fish and grain, blessed with beauty and talent. Here lies Peijun Prefecture, the principal stronghold of Yunzhou. Rows upon rows of blue-tiled, white-walled houses cluster tightly together; three vertical and three horizontal waterways crisscross the town, with red mansions and private gardens scattered gracefully, and painted barges with black awnings flowing ceaselessly down the canals.

Han Chong and Leng Yue rode their horses to the southern gate of Peijun Prefecture the following afternoon. As they gazed at the bustling marketplace before them, a sense of relief filled their hearts. Since arriving in this world, they had repeatedly encountered ferocious demons and vengeful ghosts; now, hearing the clamor of humanity all around, they felt an indescribable peace.

Leng Yue had donned her gauze hat again. As the two rode through the market, they drew many respectful and envious glances from the townsfolk. Particularly when people noticed the black tiger insignias hanging from their waists, their awe was tinged with fear.

"Ah! I am Guan Zi'an, chief constable of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office. I greet you, esteemed officers!" From a tea house beneath an archway, a bearded constable emerged with several deputies, just in time to see Han Chong and Leng Yue approach. He hurriedly saluted, holding his blade upright.

"Mm," Leng Yue replied, nodding slightly, uttering only a single syllable.

Han Chong, upon seeing the constables, felt a surge of friendliness. "So it’s Chief Constable Guan. Forgive me! I am Han Chong. I hope we can become well acquainted."

To Han’s surprise, the bearded constable stared at him in astonishment, making him uneasy, as if he’d misspoken. The deputies behind him looked equally perplexed.

"Let’s go," Leng Yue said coolly, urging her horse forward.

Only after the two riders had gone did the bearded constable recover, exchanging glances with his colleagues. "Did I hear that right? A Demon-Slaying Bureau officer treating me with such courtesy? That’s unheard of!"

"Chief, you didn’t mishear! I heard that lord say ‘forgive me’ to you as well!"

They stared at each other in disbelief.

Soon after, Han Chong and Leng Yue arrived at the Demon-Slaying Bureau’s branch office, a few miles from the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office. The gates were tightly shut; when they entered, the place was utterly deserted.

Leng Yue seemed unperturbed, heading straight to the side hall, settling into a round chair and leafing through several letters laid on the long table before her.

"Commander Leng, why is the branch so empty?" Han Chong sat down, scanning the surroundings.

"If there are people in the bureau, it means the city is peaceful. If the bureau is empty, it means there’s a difficult case. I imagine someone will return by evening."

"I see!"

They waited for three hours. As dusk approached, the sound of doors opening echoed outside. Two officers in gray, accompanied by six in black, returned.

"Greetings, Captain Wu, Captain Ning!" Leng Yue rose and saluted, Han Chong following her lead. Judging by their appearance, Han guessed the tiger-eyed, dark-faced man was Captain Wu, and the tall, strong, square-faced one was Captain Ning.

"Ah, so Leng Officer has returned. And this young man is?" Captain Wu, evidently sociable, smiled as he asked.

"Reporting to Captain Wu: this is the newly appointed Yihui Officer, Han Chong, approved by Captain Jiang and granted a badge," Leng Yue replied, her expression unchanged, intriguing both captains.

"Is something wrong?" The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly tightened.

"Reporting, captains, during our mission at the Tomb of Princess Yu in Yixian County, Captain Jiang and his team perished!" Leng Yue declared.

"What!" The eight officers stared, stunned, exchanging incredulous looks.

"This can’t be! Captain Jiang was a master of the Qi Refinement realm. How could he fall so easily? What demon was responsible?" Captain Wu demanded.

"It was the corpse of Princess Yu and a black tiger demon attacking from both sides. Captain Jiang and his men fought valiantly, but were outnumbered and fell together. Han Chong and I barely survived."

Hearing this, the officers believed her, and Han Chong felt relieved. Sometimes, even when defending oneself, one might face vengeance from the deceased’s kin. By attributing their deaths to monsters, Leng Yue preserved their reputations—a debt of gratitude repaid.

After a moment of silence, both captains sighed in grief, their brows furrowed, as though troubled by another matter.

"Leng Yue, tonight you must write a detailed report. Tomorrow I’ll submit it to the Yunzhou Bureau. I’ll also draft Han Officer’s registration," Captain Ning said with a bitter smile.

"Thank you, captain!"

"But tomorrow, you two must join us—with the Judicial Bureau and the Prefectural Constables—to investigate a new case. Over the past three months, many officials and nobles in Peijun Prefecture have contracted a strange illness: depleted vitality and blood, dazed spirits, medical treatments ineffective. It seems their essence is being drained by monsters, and the number of victims grows daily. Yet the three bureaus have found nothing. It’s bizarre!" Captain Wu said gravely.

Han Chong was startled. In the mighty Peijun Prefecture, with the Magistrate’s Office, Judicial Bureau, and Demon-Slaying Bureau present, such strange events had occurred. Could it be connected to Lady Baiyu?

Even if that serpent demon had subordinates who could drain human essence, surely some clue would be left behind?

"Reporting, captains: while passing Jade Lake, Officer Leng and I captured a toad demon. It confessed that its superior, the White Jade Serpent, resides in Peijun Prefecture and can craft human skins to conceal its demonic aura. This strange illness is likely related!"

"Oh? Is that true? Then it’s highly probable! Serpent and fox demons are most skilled at draining human essence. But even if the serpent conceals its aura, it should be exposed when acting. Yet after investigating for so long, we’ve found not a single clue!" Both captains exchanged looks, pondering deeply.

"The urgent task is to find the monster’s whereabouts. Once we locate their lair, we can interrogate them," Han Chong said, preferring to use magic to hunt demons rather than speculate.

"By the way, I heard from Magistrate Wang of the Judicial Bureau that his cousin is a disciple of the Astronomical Bureau's Chief. He recently returned home and should be arriving in Peijun Prefecture soon. The Astronomical Bureau specializes in divination and prediction—perhaps he can help us!" Captain Wu exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

"The Astronomical Bureau!" The others were equally astonished.

The Astronomical Bureau is a transcendent institution overseeing the nation’s astronomy and calendar. The emperor places great trust in their predictions, often using them to decide major affairs and appointments. It has always been shrouded in mystery.

The Demon-Slaying Bureau, though short-staffed, had more than enough rooms—one per person.

Early the next morning, Han Chong and Leng Yue, led by Captain Ning, sought out Magistrate Wang of the Judicial Bureau nearby. They learned that the Astronomical Bureau’s young disciple had returned home the previous day. Together, they took a boat to his cousin’s house.

He appeared just over twenty, clad in a moon-white brocade robe and holding a silver fan, tall and noble, like a mountain standing serene. His gaze was sharp, his demeanor melancholic and aloof, yet his lips always wore a faint smile—a rare and handsome man indeed! Not only women, but even men felt inexplicably drawn to him, secretly awed.

When Captain Ning saw the jade dragon pendant at his waist, he was even more shocked, greeting him with utmost respect.

Han Chong was surprised—this young man clearly had extraordinary background, yet he was a native of humble Peijun Prefecture!

"Ah! Why such courtesy, sir? I am Ouyang Jingguan, without rank or title, unworthy of such respect!" Ouyang returned the salute, glancing at Han Chong and Leng Yue behind Captain Ning, acknowledging them with a nod.

In the garden pavilion, Captain Ning sat opposite him.

"To be candid, Ouyang, we are delighted to hear that a high disciple of the Astronomical Bureau has returned home. We have come to pay our respects—and seek your aid with a matter!"

"Oh? Even the renowned Demon-Slaying Bureau officers are stymied? I am but a humble student of the Astronomical Bureau, hardly qualified. But since you have doubts, I am all ears."

"Haha, Ouyang, you are indeed generous. Here’s the situation: our investigation uncovered a serpent demon and its followers, capable of refining snake-shed human skins that conceal their aura. They have drained many lives in the prefecture. We cannot find their lair, so we hoped you might help!"

"Haha, that’s no trouble at all," Ouyang replied, smiling. Han Chong’s mouth twitched—this man was either truly capable or merely boastful, for he treated this needle-in-a-haystack task as trivial.

He patted his chest, and in his left hand appeared a black crystal tortoise shell covered in seal script. He clasped both ends, shaking it so it clinked, murmuring incantations with a smile. His eyes flashed, and he spread the shell onto the table, several golden coins scattered across the surface. With a gesture, he arranged them into a mysterious pattern. With a sweep of his sleeve, the shell and coins vanished, and his confidence grew, seeming ever more inscrutable.

Captain Ning paused, marveling. Anyone can feign mystique, but to do so with such elegance is truly rare!

"Commander Ning, those monsters are in the center of the city. You can go capture them directly."

"Oh? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely! I happen to be free and can accompany you three."

"Haha, excellent! No time like the present—shall we go now?"

"I dare not refuse!"

"Wait, Ouyang—can you divine the purpose behind these monsters’ presence in Peijun Prefecture?" Han Chong asked, thinking that knowing their motive would guide the investigation.

"Ah, that’s difficult. Divination can predict what is already determined or inevitable, but for matters that change with intention, even my master finds it hard to foresee," Ouyang replied, smiling apologetically as he sized up Han Chong.

"I understand! Thank you for the insight," Han Chong nodded.

The four of them boarded a black-awning boat, weaving through the waterways until they reached the city center, strolling down the main street.

"This area is bustling, lined with shops—how could monsters hide here without attracting attention?" Leng Yue frowned.

Han Chong suddenly paused, his brow creasing as he looked up.

At the distant intersection, on the second and third floors of a red mansion's balcony, stood more than a dozen alluring women with slender waists and delicate faces. Dressed in gauze robes and holding round fans, they lounged languidly against the railings, sneaking glances this way, laughing and flirting.