Chapter 23: The Old Ox Asks the Way, The Prince’s Retainers

The three hurried back to the branch office, where Captain Ning and Captain Wu stood at the head, flanked by six lieutenants. At their side was an official from the Magistrate’s Department, a man in his fifties, with a hooked silver belt at his waist, clad in deep green robes and possessing a pair of sharp, triangular eyes.

The Magistrate’s Department had brought quite a retinue: over forty men, divided into four lines—seventh-rank officers in pale blue robes and constables in dark red linen. Each turned their eyes toward the Demon Slayer Division’s lieutenants with expressions of admiration and respect.

Stepping past the Magistrate’s men, Han Chong shared his plan with the two captains, who exchanged a glance and immediately voiced their approval.

“Lord Yin, we ask that you lead thirty swift constables with us to the demon's den, leaving a dozen behind for Lieutenant Leng’s command.”

“Captain Ning, it is an honor for the Magistrate’s Department to assist the Demon Slayer Division in banishing monsters and evil. Please, command as you wish!” The triangular-eyed official clasped his hands and bowed with a smile, before turning to assign a seventh-rank officer to lead a squad, leaving them under Leng Yue’s direction. The rest cleared a path, respectfully inviting the captains to set out.

When the company arrived swiftly at the entrance of the Flower Burial House, the triangular-eyed official’s mouth soured, and his heart cried out in misery. These Demon Slayer lieutenants truly knew how to stir up trouble; after thirty years in Pei Jun Prefecture, he understood all too well the dangers here!

“Captains, is this the demon’s den?” he nearly pleaded.

“Why? Lord Yin, do you have advice?” Captain Wu’s eyes narrowed, voice deep.

“No...no, but Captains, do you know this Flower Burial House is the property of Lord Lingzhen Hou? Prefect Wang praises this establishment often. Entering without evidence to seize someone could bring punishment!” The official waved his hands, speaking softly to dissuade them.

“Hmph! Lord Yin, do you take us Demon Slayer lieutenants for fools? We summoned you because we have solid evidence. If you wish to leave now, you still can! But should your department seek favor from us later, don’t expect any!” Captain Wu’s glare was fierce, his words sharp, frightening the official into hurried apologies, though he remained anxious and uneasy.

At that moment, ten thugs lined up at the entrance, the burly man with a black mole on his right cheek and a voluptuous madam stepping forward.

“Well, which office is this? Blocking our door in broad daylight—how do you expect us to do business? Be careful, or I’ll report you to Prefect Wang for dereliction of duty. That won’t be fun!”

“Nonsense! We are lieutenants of the Demon Slayer Division. I suspect monsters are hidden here! Clear the way, or those who obstruct us will be killed without mercy!” Captain Wu and his men drew their swords halfway from their belts, murderous intent filling the air.

Yet the madam showed no fear, instead growing more belligerent. The ten thugs wielded sharp blades, their presence undiminished.

“Hmph! Go ahead and kill. Do you think I, the madam here, am afraid of a few petty officials? Let me tell you, the Flower Burial House belongs to Lord Lingzhen Hou. Who in Pei Jun Prefecture doesn’t know that? If you wish to search, show Prefect Wang’s warrant, and I’ll let you inside for some fun!” The woman stood defiant, daring them to act.

Suddenly, Han Chong delivered a swift kick to her chest, sending her flying into the waiting arms of the thugs behind. She writhed in pain, barely able to stand, groaning in agony.

“This wretched hag was too noisy, so I had to silence her,” Han Chong said, expressionless, bowing to the captains in apology.

Captain Wu clapped Han Chong’s shoulder, roaring with laughter, “Well done! That kick was like an ox finding its path, or a tiger descending the mountain—excellent!”

“You’re bold!” The burly man with the mole pointed at Han Chong, his eyes wild with anger, mouth twisted.

Han Chong’s eyes narrowed, ready to strike again, when a voice called out, “Stop! Who are you, to cause trouble here—assaulting merchants in the street? Does the law mean nothing?”

Everyone turned. The speaker was a gaunt old man with gold-buckled belt, protruding ears, and thin lips, clad in pale crimson robes embroidered with eight python serpents and five-clawed white pheasants. He rode a fine horse, accompanied by dozens of bailiffs.

“Oh, I wondered who it was—turns out to be the two captains and Lord Yin!”

“Heh, Prefect Wang, such authority! We act under the imperial order to investigate monsters and evil—do you intend to obstruct us?” Captain Wu rolled his eyes, ignoring the prefect, while Captain Ning bowed and raised an eyebrow.

Prefect Wang smiled, “Captain Ning, you speak well. When it comes to monsters and demons, you have authority to act first and report later. How could I interfere? I would rather curry favor. Yet, in broad daylight, with the people living peacefully and businesses thriving, to claim monsters here seems far-fetched. Just now, your young captain assaulted a merchant for no reason. As prefect, I must question it according to the law.”

He pressed his horse forward, while his bailiffs blocked the entrance.

“Hmph! There are monsters here, and today we will search this place! Prefect Wang, do not bring trouble upon yourself!” Captain Wu’s temper flared; he could wait no longer.

“Enough! No one enters without evidence!” Prefect Wang raised his hand, smirking inwardly. These Demon Slayer lieutenants were nothing more than brawny men with a bit of sorcery—still too inexperienced to play against him.

“Prefect Wang, do you truly wish to oppose our Demon Slayer Division?” Captain Wu slowly drew his sword, anger rising. Captain Ning and the others followed suit, their faces dark, disgusted by these cunning civil officials who aided and abetted evil.

“Heh, I may let you through, but if there are no monsters inside, you must give an explanation.”

“Oh? And what explanation do you require?” Captain Ning’s eyebrows arched.

“Ha, nothing much—just ask you to sign a statement. If no monsters are found, I’ll present it to Lord Lingzhen Hou, who will send it to the Imperial Secretariat. A nobleman of such distinguished military merit will surely attract imperial attention!”

“You!” The two captains’ faces turned ashen, their fists clenched in rage. Who would have thought a humble district’s demon house could escalate to the emperor’s notice? After all, they were but fifth-rank martial lieutenants; a single command from above could wipe them out.

Han Chong grew anxious. If this continued, Lord Lingzhen Hou would be alerted, and catching the fox would become impossible. He had to act swiftly—rush inside, subdue the monsters, and present the accomplished fact when the nobleman arrived.

But he was only a minor seventh-rank lieutenant—his words carried little weight.

As he brooded, his gaze caught the dragon-engraved jade pendant at Ouyang Jingguan’s waist. Captain Ning had reacted with shock upon seeing this pendant, as if encountering a great personage.

Han Chong took a deep breath, tore the pendant off, and held it aloft. Ouyang Jingguan glared at him, caught off guard.

“Prefect Wang, will this be explanation enough for you?”

“Impossible!” Prefect Wang shuddered at the sight of the pendant, stumbling from his horse, approaching with utmost reverence.

“May I ask if you are a retainer of the prince? This humble official failed to recognize your eminence—please forgive my offense!”

A retainer of the prince! Han Chong’s hand sweated—he hadn’t expected the pendant to command such respect. Yet fortune favored him. He glanced at the furious Ouyang Jingguan and found amusement in his predicament.

“Hmph! Prefect Wang, such authority you wield, daring to obstruct the Demon Slayer Division. Beware your own career! Move your men aside!”

Han Chong knew well that only by aggressive intimidation could he cow these corrupt officials.

“Yes, yes! I know my fault—please speak kindly of me to the prince!” Prefect Wang bowed, wiping cold sweat from his brow and gesturing frantically behind his back, prompting his bailiffs to withdraw.

Yet even with the prefect retreating, the ten thugs remained impassive, their faces fierce and threatening.

“Bold indeed! To resist the Demon Slayer Division—those who defy shall be killed!” Han Chong drew his sword and charged, engaging the thugs in battle.

The others, snapping out of their surprise, drew their blades and rushed forward.

Though Han Chong had reached the pinnacle of postnatal martial prowess, he possessed only brute strength with little technique. The thugs, however, were skilled fighters, rivaling Leng Yue in ability. Han Chong could only rely on raw power, hacking fiercely but achieving little.

Suddenly, a silver-winged folding fan whirred through the air—Ouyang Jingguan, unwilling to lag behind, joined the fray. Dressed in white, his movements were graceful, and the thug before him was swiftly struck, blood streaming from fan-inflicted wounds. A fan concealing blades indeed! Han Chong saw clearly—three-inch knife edges sprang from the fan’s silver handle, a superb weapon.

Captains Wu and Ning, both at the peak of refined martial cultivation and hardened by years in the martial world, struck with overwhelming force.

Though it seemed complex, the battle lasted only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The ten formidable thugs were slain on the spot by their mighty opponents.

Han Chong kicked open the door of the Flower Burial House, and the company stormed inside.

Yet the entire house was empty, save for a few bewildered mortal women standing about.

“Captains, where are these monsters you spoke of? Are you referring to these few women?” Prefect Wang, though cowed by Han Chong’s status, asked with a sly, sarcastic tone from the side.