Chapter Twenty-Six: The Black Soul Vessel

As for the situation in Fairness Town, Baili Feihong could see it clearly enough. The role played by the constables here was self-evident.

“There’s no need for unnecessary words. The corpse of the mountain fiend must be transported to the Demon Suppression Tower in Dongbin City for disposal. Arrange a carriage now, and accompany me back to Dongbin City.”

Baili Feihong was unwilling to linger in Fairness Town any longer. He feared that, in a fit of rage, he might lose control and act without restraint. If he were a Grade A Suppressor, occupying Zheng Yishan’s position, even if he razed Fairness Town to the ground, it could be smoothed over.

Qian Youduo, however, was secretly delighted. Even the apprentices of the Demon Suppression Division were not to be offended. The other man had the good sense to avoid him—out of sight, out of mind. It didn’t matter if he wasn’t liked. He was named Qian Youduo, but he was not real gold; he couldn’t expect to be liked by everyone.

“Sir, I’ll make the arrangements right away.”

He shot a look at Luo Yaoyang. Luo Yaoyang could only force a bitter smile—once again, he’d have to make a trip to Dongbin City. At this late hour, the journey was long and dangerous; should anything happen, his life would be at risk. Fortunately, the distance was only thirty li.

Along the way, neither spoke a word. Luo Yaoyang dared not. The presence of the beast’s corpse behind him made his hair stand on end; he was ill at ease the whole journey. Baili Feihong, meanwhile, kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, alert for any movement. The last thing he wanted was to encounter more monsters.

In truth, he ought to have spent the night in Fairness Town and returned to Dongbin City in daylight. But to him, Fairness Town was a den of corruption and filth—he had no desire to stay a moment longer.

“Sir, Dongbin City is just ahead.”

“Mm.”

“Sir, may I leave after delivering the beast’s corpse to the Demon Suppression Tower?”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Luo Yaoyang felt helpless. In fact, he very much wanted to be acquainted with Baili Feihong. To him, an apprentice of the Demon Suppression Division was destined for greatness. But Baili Feihong’s aloofness kept him at arm’s length. Luo Yaoyang could tell—they were not the same kind of people. If the other man was possessed of an overpowering sense of justice and learned what he had done in Fairness Town, he might strike him down on the spot—and whom could he complain to then? Best to keep his distance.

With the Suppressor’s medallion, the guards at the city gate did not trouble them. In the presence of that token, not even the soldiers dared obstruct them. At that moment, both Baili Feihong and Luo Yaoyang keenly felt the authority that came with the Demon Suppression Division.

“Mission accomplished?”

The on-duty Suppressor blinked in surprise when Baili Feihong reported in. He swiftly checked the records and soon found Baili Feihong’s entry.

“Baili Feihong, Suppressor’s Apprentice, slew a beast in Huangxian Village.”

After marking the completion in the task register, Yang Zheng directed Luo Yaoyang to place the mountain fiend’s corpse in the incineration chamber.

“You actually managed to kill a mountain fiend? Baili Feihong, was it? I’ll remember your name,” Yang Zheng said with a smile.

“Thank you for your praise, senior.”

Baili Feihong, however, looked expectantly at Yang Zheng.

Where was the reward?

“It’s late. Your reward needs to be submitted to the Commandant for approval before it can be issued,” Yang Zheng explained patiently, shaking his head. Newcomers were always like this.

“Thank you, senior. I’ll take my leave,” Baili Feihong said, bowing.

“No worries. After noon tomorrow, just come to the first-floor hall and collect it from Steward Ling,” Yang Zheng replied, waving him off.

Outside the Demon Suppression Tower, Luo Yaoyang felt quite out of sorts. He had thought the Division would at least arrange accommodation for him, but it was clear now that he was entirely dispensable. With a wry smile, he drove the carriage into the city to find an inn for the night.

“A mountain fiend makes a fine offering indeed,” Yang Zheng muttered once Baili Feihong had left, his expression turning cold. From his robes, he produced a small black bottle etched with tadpole-like runes and made his way into the incineration chamber.

The chamber reeked of death—a place loathed by all within the Division.

“One stroke to behead it… The boy has talent. If I could extract his soul, Lord Jiang would be very pleased. But the Commandant keeps a tight watch—if I made a move, she’d surely notice. Consider yourself lucky.”

Yang Zheng sneered, uncorked the bottle, and chanted a strange incantation. A peculiar force enveloped the mountain fiend’s corpse. Wisps of black energy flowed into the soul bottle. Much of the monster’s aura and lingering soul had already dissipated.

“What a marvelous combination of artifacts and sorcery. As expected, the sect possesses methods far beyond those of the Division,” Yang Zheng mused.

As a veteran of the Demon Suppression Division, he had no desire to be entangled in strife between the sects and the Division, but he had little choice. He had once served under the former Left Commandant—and he was getting on in years, nearing forty. Yet, he was still only a Grade C Suppressor. His physical condition was poor, and maintaining his current cultivation was the best he could hope for. Progressing any further was impossible. In a few years, once his prime passed, he would enter the decline of vitality—aging and weakening were unavoidable.

When Jiang Dongliu approached him, he hesitated only briefly before agreeing. If he had refused, he would likely have been silenced. Besides, he was not the only one in Dongbin’s Division to have been bought by this visitor from the sect.

“Just five more fragmentary demon souls and demonic auras, and I can make another trade with our guest from the sect,” Yang Zheng murmured, a hint of satisfaction on his face.

Collecting a few remnant souls and auras in secret was perfectly safe, given his position. He activated the incinerator and burned the mountain fiend’s remains.

Destruction of the evidence. Not even the Commandant would notice anything amiss.

He stowed the soul bottle away.

“These apprentices make excellent helpers,” he mused, before returning to his post and resuming his shift.

The next day.

Baili Feihong practiced the Blood River Blade Technique and the Blood Vitality Formula several times, ate a quick meal, then donned the Suppressor’s dark uniform and headed to the Division’s headquarters, sword in hand.

He had completed his apprenticeship evaluation—he was now eligible to take on further assignments. Soon, he would accumulate the ten Grade D merits required. At the same time, he would push his blood energy to the ninth level and thus begin cultivating the Blood Vitality Formula in earnest.

“Luo Jinglin?!”

Inside the Division, Baili Feihong unexpectedly ran into Luo Jinglin, who had just returned from an assignment.

Baili Feihong was surprised. Luo Jinglin’s abilities were quite meager—when he joined the Division, he was only a third-level blood warrior. After acquiring an Essence Blood Pill, he had managed to advance to the fourth level. Combined with his fine sword, it wasn’t difficult for him to complete assignments against monsters of similar strength. However, when accepting beast-slaying tasks, Assistant Suppressor Ding Bo had made it clear—the threat posed by each beast varied, and assignments were distributed at random. Most beasts possessed strength not inferior to a fourth-level blood warrior. If Luo Jinglin had encountered a mountain fiend, even with his divine sword, he would have stood little chance of survival.

Thinking of this, Baili Feihong could only feel resigned.

He truly was lucky.

“Feihong!”

Luo Jinglin, in high spirits, waved from afar.

“Jinglin, you’ve completed your assignment?” Baili Feihong asked.

“That’s right. I was lucky enough to encounter a wolf demon. Its strength was equal to a fifth-level blood warrior, but I managed to slay it,” Luo Jinglin replied, growing more excited—and even a little boastful.

“Congratulations, Jinglin. You’re now officially a member of the Division,” Baili Feihong said, bowing.

“Congratulations to you as well! Let’s talk more later—I need to deliver the beast’s corpse to the incineration chamber.”

Baili Feihong nodded and walked straight to Steward Ling’s office in the headquarters.

Luo Jinglin was taken aback—this meant Baili Feihong had already completed his own assignment.

“Feihong must have had good fortune as well.”