Ling Yan had been waiting in front of the Demon Slaying Division's Mission Hall since early morning.
He was incredibly excited at the thought of spending so much time alone with Si Miaoyin.
From the very first moment he saw Si Miaoyin, Ling Yan had fallen for her beauty.
After some inquiries, he learned that she wasn't just a pretty Face, but an absolute Martial Arts Genius!
A seventeen-year-old Xuan Realm Martial Artist! She came from the Si Family, a Martial Arts aristocratic family from the Royal City!
Her family background was illustrious, and her Martial Arts talent was terrifying.
If he could win Si Miaoyin's favor, not only would he have a beauty in his arms, but his career would also be smooth sailing!
It would truly be a double harvest of love and career!
Ling Yan made up his mind that he had to perform well during this mission.
As he waited expectantly, Si Miaoyin, dressed in an elegant robe, walked lightly along the path.
The light pink was as delicate as spring peach blossoms, and a refined ribbon was tied around her slender waist, outlining her slim figure.
Her clear eyes were lively and spirited, like black gemstones set upon fine jade.
Ling Yan was instantly dazed.
Si Miaoyin was also momentarily stunned when she saw Ling Yan, a hint of helplessness appearing within her faint smile.
This annoying guy again!
Ling Yan quickly realized his gaffe and immediately composed himself.
"Miaoyin, shall we set off now?"
Si Miaoyin frowned slightly, displeased by the intimate way Ling Yan addressed her.
But she didn't say much; after all, he might become a capable general under her uncle in the future.
She still had to give him some face.
So she just nodded slightly without saying a word.
Ling Yan nodded and immediately channeled his True Qi to perform Sword Control.
Si Miaoyin took out a sachet; once opened, a white-furred fox jumped out.
The fox gave a gentle cry, and its body gradually grew larger.
Si Miaoyin smiled as she sat on its back, dotingly stroking the white fox's head.
Ling Yan narrowed his eyes; as expected of a young lady from a Royal City Martial Arts family.
Even her mount was at the level of a Xuan Realm Demon King!
Such a foundation was truly enviable.
"What are you still standing there for? Let's go!"
Si Miaoyin's brow furrowed slightly.
"Ah, uh, okay."
Ling Yan immediately focused himself and flew into the air.
...
Ning'an City.
Li Xuanxiao stood in front of a roadside stall.
"Sister, less spice, more green onions."
The woman making pancakes acknowledged him and lowered her head to continue her work.
In the distance, several children were enthusiastically kicking a ball-like object.
Cuju? (T/N: Ancient Chinese Football)
The word flashed through Li Xuanxiao's mind.
However, in the next second, an older child gave it a powerful kick.
The ball-like object instantly soared into the air and flew straight toward Li Xuanxiao.
Hmm?
Li Xuanxiao originally wanted to dodge, but the pancake stall was right behind him.
Left with no choice, he turned sideways to block it.
When the children saw the ball hit someone, they were instantly terrified.
Especially after seeing the Constable uniform on Li Xuanxiao, one child even burst into tears on the spot.
In the eyes of commoners, these officials were people even their parents couldn't afford to offend.
We're doomed!
This was the thought in almost every child's mind.
However, Li Xuanxiao just smiled slightly and shouted to the children, "What are you all staring for? Catch!"
He kicked it back, though he naturally held back his strength.
The ball traced a graceful arc in the air before rolling into the center of the children.
At this, the children were stunned.
This official seemed different from what their parents had told them.
He didn't even scold them or cause them trouble.
And that kick just now was so cool!
It went so high and far!
Children didn't understand rules; in their eyes, this was a display of greatness.
"Sir, your pancake is ready."
"Great, Sister. How much?"
"No charge, it's free."
"How can that be!"
"These aren't worth much."
"I still have to pay!"
The middle-aged woman spoke cautiously, "Five... five Wen."
Li Xuanxiao took out a handful of copper coins from his waist and glanced back at the children playing ball.
"Sister, here is fifty Wen. Make a pancake for each of those children as well!"
The middle-aged woman took the coins. "Thank you, Sir. I'll call them over right away."
Li Xuanxiao nodded, looking at the passionate children, and unconsciously smiled.
Since I can't buy sea cucumbers, I'll treat you to a pancake.
...
Ning'an City, Yamen.
Since the death of the County Magistrate, this place had come to a complete standstill.
But several Head Constables still liked to hang around here every day.
Playing chess and occasionally sparring with their Martial Arts.
There was no helping it; they were too idle.
Li Xuanxiao had slain all the demons inside and outside the city.
Day after day, they didn't know what to do.
Without demons causing trouble, people could support themselves through labor.
Crimes and misdeeds had nearly vanished.
It left them with nothing to do all day, forced to slack off and lie flat.
Li Xuanxiao found a place to sit and enjoyed a moment of peace.
Since entering the Xuan Realm, he had returned to Ning'an City.
The nearby demons had been completely wiped out.
Demons slightly further away had also fled upon hearing the news.
Now, going out to find demons was purely a matter of luck, with both low efficiency and low returns.
"Ning'an City is just too small after all..."
Li Xuanxiao sighed softly. Looking at the entire Dayu Dynasty, or even just Pei Prefecture, Ning'an City was a very small place.
Ambitious, high-Realm demons would target high-level Martial Artists in big cities and couldn't be bothered to come to such a backwater.
Those who came near here were all low-Realm demons who couldn't compete with other demon tribes or high-Realm human Martial Artists.
They could only hide here and develop slowly.
The strongest demon nearby had barely entered the Extreme Realm and had basically been uprooted by Li Xuanxiao.
Now, his Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques had all reached the highest level.
If he didn't practice new, higher-grade Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques, his Realm would be difficult to improve further!
And the Xuan Realm-grade Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques that met his requirements...
...were certainly not to be found in Ning'an City.
He had to go to a larger place!
Where to go?
After some thought, Li Xuanxiao suddenly thought of a place!
The Demon Slaying Division!
There must be Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts suitable for the Xuan Realm there!
"When the Inspector arrives this time, I'll just ask!"
...
With both Ling Yan and Si Miaoyin, two Xuan Realm Inspectors, patrolling together, the efficiency was certainly much faster than one person.
In just a few days, they had finished patrolling most of the cities.
Si Miaoyin took out a map, her slender fingers moving slowly across it.
"This place has been checked, and so has this one..."
Her finger slid slowly and stopped at the edge of the map; she paused. "Ning'an City..."
She put away the map and adjusted her direction.
"That should be the last stop. Let's go!"
Ling Yan nodded in agreement.
He was a bit sad; along the way, he had used every trick in the book, but with little effect.
Si Miaoyin completely ignored him, focusing her mind entirely on the state of these cities.
Coming all this way, the situation in many small cities was not very optimistic.
Most of the people living in the cities were frowning, and many cities appeared lifeless, clearly having been ravaged by demons for a long time.
This was also a microcosm of the current Dayu Dynasty; overall, the demons had the upper hand over humans.
It was just that in these frontier small cities, this phenomenon was more prominent.
For many small cities, just maintaining survival was extremely difficult.
Along the way, the two had slain many demons for these small cities, which could be considered as relieving some of their pressure.
But this was not a long-term solution; Inspectors couldn't stay here forever, but the demons would return!
According to intelligence, Ning'an City, where they were going next, was also a disaster area for demon activity!
Si Miaoyin sighed softly, feeling a sense of powerlessness.
An individual's strength was ultimately limited; all she could do was her best to slay a few more demons for the people.
To truly and completely clear the demon chaos and restore peace and tranquility to the people, the strength of the entire nation was required!
However, the demons were powerful now, and throughout Great Feather, they were exhausted from dealing with them, remaining in a state of passive defense overall.
To clear the demons and restore peace to the people, who knew when that could be achieved...
"Ning'an City is just ahead. Let's descend!"
Ling Yan's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
She nodded, and the white fox beneath her understood, beginning to descend.
However, as they approached the ground, the scene before her caused her beautiful eyes to gradually widen.
On the main street, the crowds were bustling, and vendors on both sides of the street were shouting to promote their goods.
Groups of three or five children were running together, their faces filled with happy smiles.
"This..."