Chapter 100: The Divine Eye Surveys the Territory [Please Subscribe]

Is there really a connection? How many people have died because of the giant poppy trees? Baili Feihong paid no attention. The internal notice from the Demon Suppression Division did not provide detailed figures, but many demon suppression agents knew the number was in the tens of thousands.

Meanwhile, the division had received a secret report: the Flower Realm Sect was one of the main culprits. They had cultivated poppies that were no longer limited by geography. Once again, the Flower Realm Sect was labeled an evil faction by the Great Yuan Empire. The Demon Suppression Division issued a death warrant for them.

This was the major event that occurred within the Great Yuan Empire during Baili Feihong’s time adrift at sea. The secret report had been submitted to the Demon Suppression Headquarters when he received his appointment letter. He did not involve Gongyang Yan in the matter.

Now, within the Great Yuan’s borders, another evil sect that held a deep grudge against him had appeared—the Flower Realm Sect. The Hundred Flowers Fairy had escaped. Her identity was not worth scrutinizing.

As for why the Underworld had remained silent, Baili Feihong suspected that the Eastern Marquis’s army commander had monopolized the information he passed along. The Gate of the Yellow Springs, the method of immortality, the will of the Demon God—all of these were irresistible temptations to anyone who dabbled in the dark arts.

Baili Feihong was certain the Eastern Marquis’s army commander would keep it all to himself. Even those from the Underworld who had come to besiege him were in danger.

Whether the Ancient Ice Maiden Han Su had obtained the so-called method of immortality was a fabrication by Baili Feihong. He understood clearly that the very existence of the Underworld was to seek a way to immortality.

“If there’s nothing else, have the other demon suppression agents stay inside the Demon Suppression Building,” he instructed. “Do not go out until I have met with Commander Yan.”

After finishing his porridge, Baili Feihong wiped his mouth and reminded Hu Zuowei.

“Sir, may I bring my family to the Demon Suppression Building for refuge?”

“No need. If you don’t die, you are one of us. No one dares harm the family of a demon suppression agent. If they do, I will petition for a Demon Extermination Order.”

“What is a Demon Extermination Order?”

“It’s a report to headquarters, requesting that they dispatch the commanding officers to Feiyuan Island to eliminate anyone the Demon Suppression Division deems hostile,” Baili Feihong said coldly. Targeting family is taboo.

“Is there such a regulation?”

“No, but as a guardian agent, I can submit a proposal to headquarters to establish such a regulation.”

A vague sense of being watched crept over him again. His opponent was more cautious this time but Baili Feihong clearly detected it. Following the other’s divine awareness, he even traced their location.

His divine eye opened slightly—a silver vertical line, subtle enough to be mistaken for nothing more than a pattern. A vision appeared in Baili Feihong’s sight: the Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo!

A group of warriors clad in gray and black checkered kimonos, wearing wooden clogs, holding samurai swords, repeatedly slashed and practiced kendo. Their moves were ruthless, and a few strikes showcased the full lethal potential of their blades.

Above the dojo, a man in a black kimono sat with his sword sheathed on his knees, eyes closed, seemingly meditating and observing the Demon Suppression Building.

A land of cherry blossoms? Samurai swordsmanship?

Who was this sharp and formidable kendo master? His vitality was restrained but condensed into his sword. His true power was hidden; the swordsmanship flair he displayed was a mere disguise to deceive the world.

This man was about to enter the realm of transcendent swordsmanship, a grandmaster at the Nascent Soul stage.

“He tried to spy on my aura last night. Not the strongest, but not to be underestimated,” Baili Feihong commented.

It was said that on Feiyuan Island, Commander Yan’s martial skills were peerless. Yet now it seemed otherwise.

The disciples of the Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo trained in pure swordsmanship, unlike the diluted martial arts taught in dojos within the Great Yuan Empire.

If this faction turned hostile, the Southern Garrison Navy would suffer greatly on land; it would cost much to subdue the Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo.

“Old Hu, are you familiar with the Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo?” Baili Feihong suddenly asked.

The sense of being watched vanished as he snapped Hu Zuowei back from his thoughts about the giant poppy trees.

“Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo? The master is quite skilled. Their training methods differ from ours, but this master, Kanda Ichigatsu, is an expert swordsman. He once killed a demon of the Refined Filth tier with a single strike,” Hu Zuowei explained.

“What’s the matter, sir? Why bring up the Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo? That faction merely came to Feiyuan Island to spread swordsmanship. I heard it was a wandering samurai who offended the authorities in the Cherry Blossom Country and fled south to Feiyuan Island.”

Baili Feihong nodded. Such a strong figure could never be a mere wandering samurai. His identity was clearly more complex.

“Nothing, just asking casually.”

Baili Feihong did not instruct Hu Zuowei to gather intelligence on Kanda Ichigatsu. With Hu Zuowei’s skills, investigating would surely alert the other party. Stirring up trouble was minor; losing Hu Zuowei’s life was major.

Currently, Hu Zuowei was the only subordinate Baili Feihong could rely on. Thinking of this caused him a headache—the lack of capable aides was his greatest weakness. Even finding a runner was difficult.

Hu Zuowei, however, did not think this way.

The lord had only been on the island for two days. The first day was spent killing or traveling to kill. It was barely the second day, and he hadn't even left the gate—how could he already know about the Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo? Could the lord have other sources?

“Don’t overthink it. After cultivating the spirit, one’s divine awareness can be projected externally, observing the world. Naturally, he can see some scenes of Feiyuan Island,” Baili Feihong said, picking up his sword and stepping out of the Demon Suppression Building.

“Don’t follow me,” he warned, then took a single step spanning a hundred meters, shifting and vanishing so swiftly that in the blink of an eye, Hu Zuowei lost sight of his lord.

Hu Zuowei sighed in relief and happily packed up his ceramic pot.

“Little Hu, you’re not playing fair,” Qin Tiesheng suddenly appeared behind him, startling Hu Zuowei.

“You limp, yet make no footsteps?”

“I have no legs left, so naturally no footsteps. How could there be any?”

Qin Tiesheng rolled his eyes.

“Did the lord say where he was going?”

“To kill,” Hu Zuowei snorted coldly.

“Watch your tone.”

“You called me unfair, why should I be polite?”

“You came early this morning carrying that huge ceramic pot, trying to curry favor. Is that fair? You didn’t even bring me along as your big brother for flattery,” Qin Tiesheng scolded.

“You should focus on how to retrieve the books originally stored in our library.”

Hu Zuowei carried the pot away.

“Can stolen things really be taken back?” Qin Tiesheng fumed.

“No, wait—we have the lord, right? We can report to him. Anyone who refuses to return the books will be cut down by the guardian agent.”

Qin Tiesheng muttered to himself.

“The lord should be very willing. I heard that’s how he reclaimed his mansion. Oh no, it’s borrowed books that need returning, and rent must be collected. One book for ten thousand gold coins? At least a hundred gold coins, right?”

“Sir is indeed wise and powerful,” Qin Tiesheng’s eyes sparkled.

He immediately did a handstand, walking on his hands instead of feet.

Returning to the library, he looked sadly at the empty shelves of the Demon Suppression Division’s collection. If he were thirty years younger, he would have drawn his sword to demand their return himself.

“Think positively. If the library has money, that means I have money. For work convenience, it’s not wrong to embezzle—er, apply for public funds to install a mechanical prosthetic limb, right? There are skilled alchemists in the city; prosthetics can be better than real limbs. Heh heh.”

Qin Tiesheng was immediately energized.

He grabbed paper and began listing the missing books from the library along with their values for rent collection.

Baili Feihong wandered aimlessly through Zhen Nan City.

Wearing the six-clawed python robe still served him well—at least no one disturbed him. Those unfamiliar with the white python robe wouldn’t provoke him. The arrogant and strong had all heard that the guardian agent had landed on the island.

They recognized the Demon Suppression Division’s attire and instinctively avoided him.

Few knew Baili Feihong personally, but many recognized the white six-clawed python robe.

“Sakura Swordsmanship Dojo,” he murmured as he passed by without stopping.

Baili Feihong sensed that the master Kanda Ichigatsu was restraining his aura, hiding deeply.

“Chen’s Rice Shop!”

On the busiest street, the grandly decorated rice shop sold more than just rice. It offered grains from many nations; business bustled.

As Baili Feihong passed by, the shop owner squinted in surprise. At that moment of inattention, Baili Feihong’s divine eye caught a familiar aura.

He did not slow down, continuing through Zhen Nan City.

Though seemingly aimless, those with insight could tell he was inspecting his domain.

“Yunlai Tavern.”

Baili Feihong stopped outside this tavern, took out two Great Yuan gold coins, toyed with them, and entered.

“Sir, hello. May I ask if you have a reservation?” A young man dressed in the long-tail coat and gentleman’s hat worn only by Farrah Empire nobility greeted him respectfully, speaking with a thick Farrah accent.

For a moment, Baili Feihong felt a temporal rift.

“No reservation? So you cannot dine here without one?”

Baili Feihong frowned, displeased.

“Sir, you misunderstand. If you don’t have a reservation, I’ll arrange a table for you now,” the attendant said politely.

He led Baili Feihong upstairs to a window seat in a semi-enclosed private area, where diners ahead could not disturb guests.

“This style is odd,” Baili Feihong shook his head.

He picked up the menu and glanced around. The place was bustling with customers.

Indeed, the wealthier citizens of Zhen Nan City favored this atmosphere.

Reading the menu almost made Baili Feihong curse under his breath.

Today’s Farrah Empire dishes:

[Farrah Royal Red Wine – 10 gold coins per bottle]

[Lemon Royal Refreshing Water – 1 silver coin per cup]

[Farrah Royal Steak – 299 silver coins per serving]

He recalled when his home in Dongbin City was demolished—how much compensation did he receive? Twenty silver coins in hand. After splitting sixty-two to twenty-two, the total compensation was 100 silver coins.

One steak cost more than three of his houses combined.

Though Baili Feihong had money in his pocket, seeing the menu gave him a sting.

Lemon Royal Refreshing Water for one silver coin? Isn’t that just lemon water? Adding “Royal” suddenly made it unrecognizable? Was this a rip-off?

But Yunlai Tavern openly posted prices, so Baili Feihong dared not complain.

“Waiter!” Baili Feihong called out.

The entire room fell silent; all eyes turned to him—some with disdain, some mocking, others just watching for entertainment.

“Yes, sir? If you need service, please ring the bell on your table,” the attendant replied politely.

“Is this beef and wine authentic?” Baili Feihong pointed to the menu with a smile.

“Of course! Our beef is shipped by sea from the Farrah Empire. We raise it on our own ranch, select only the finest Farrah cattle, and present it to guests so they may enjoy the royal flavors of the distant Farrah Empire,” the attendant spoke confidently, his voice reaching every ear on the second floor.

“So I take it this beef really is from the Farrah royal family?” Baili Feihong squinted.

“Of course…” The attendant was about to elaborate.

“Shut up,” a middle-aged man wearing the Great Yuan long coat interrupted brusquely.

The room went silent, all eyes on the man.

“Boss,” the attendant said nervously, bowing.

“You are the owner of Yunlai Tavern?” Baili Feihong’s smile grew wider.

The owner wiped sweat from his brow, bowing deeply.

“I am indeed the owner, Jia Renyi,” he said, his face full of terror and cold sweat.

“Jia Renyi? A fine name,” Baili Feihong laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the tavern.

“Seems you recognize me. Let me ask you—are the prices on this menu genuine?”

Jia Renyi fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing. “Please have mercy, sir! The menu is just a gimmick, not to be taken seriously!”

“You know what I want to ask?”

“Sir, the beef is raised on a ranch on the east side of Feiyuan Island, not from the Farrah Empire. The wine is cheap stuff bought from some unknown country. It’s all a sham, sir, please forgive me!”

Jia Renyi’s forehead was red and swollen from frantic kowtows.

“You have a stubborn head—can’t even cut it off. Boring,” Baili Feihong stood, stepping over Jia Renyi’s head with cold disregard and left.

Jia Renyi hurried to see him off, secretly slipping a bundle of gold tickets into Baili Feihong’s pocket, which he pocketed with a silent hand.

“Little Jia, you’re clever. Next time, make sure your waiters recognize this outfit, got it?”

“Got it! I was blind. I’ll teach them a lesson when I return.”

At that moment, a commotion broke out in Yunlai Tavern—customers demanding justice from Boss Jia.

“Little Jia, looks like you’re in trouble. No need to see me off; I appreciate the sentiment,” Baili Feihong said happily, patting his pocket.

“As long as the lord is pleased,” Jia Renyi said, bowing low.

Only after Baili Feihong left did his expression darken like still water.

Almost blew his cover.

Royal steak? Just a gimmick, right?

And yet this guy actually believed it, trying to pin the crime of colluding with the Farrah Empire on him.

But it almost became real.

Next time, I’ll ask the Apostle to have that blonde brat killed.

My gold tickets!

My egg-laying tavern is doomed!

“The third one,” Baili Feihong muttered.

“The divine eye can see through their true cultivation—quite a skill.”

“Can’t keep probing. If pushed too hard, they might try to kill me.”

“Before the battle with Yan Fei, no need to stir up trouble.”

“Besides, who are they? Without knowing their identities, stirring the pot risks losing the opportunity.”

He walked along the street to the seaside.

The brothels were built along the coast, sprawling for ten miles.

This brothel district was said to be Feiyuan Island’s treasure trove.

Its tax revenue alone could pay the Southern Garrison Navy’s salaries for a whole year.

“However, I hear the biggest contributor is the Southern Garrison Navy,” someone said.

“At leastI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.