Chapter Five: The Exorcist Division and Saltwater Tea Town

At the distant edge of the sky, a faint sound echoed high above, as if a black tiger was descending the mountain, its image suspended in the air.

The distance was so great that no one in the restaurant, nor even in the whole Guangwei County, could possibly see the strange phenomenon, a mere black speck, hundreds of miles away.

Yet the woman in black seemed to sense it, her movements calm but swift as she turned her head thoughtfully, set down her wine cup, tossed a piece of broken silver onto the table, and left with her sword.

The patrons of the restaurant only felt a shadow flicker before their eyes, a faint black blur that swept past; by the time they looked again, the remarkable woman was gone, leaving them sighing in regret and disappointment.

Half a day passed, and Han Chong had already recovered his energy. By his calculation, it restored at two points per hour—a snail’s pace.

At noon, the county office delivered wine and food. Kong Liyan and the Inspector from the Department of Heaven’s Nose clinked cups and drank themselves drunk.

Now the Inspector slumped in the seat of honor, while Chief Constable Kong lay snoring atop the table.

Han Chong sat by the window, poring over the detailed explanations of the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Techniques.

Suddenly, Han Chong jolted upright, startled by the sight of a graceful woman in black, her figure as lithe as a willow, descending from the sky into the courtyard like a startled swan.

Seeing her rush toward the rear hall, Han Chong quickly gathered his energy, darted forward with a burst of speed, and stopped a yard ahead of her, raising his hand to block her path.

“Pardon me, miss. I am Han Chong, Deputy Chief Constable of Qingqian County. May I ask what brings you here?”

“Step aside,” the woman in black replied coolly, pressing forward.

Han Chong tried to stop her again, but with a sudden metallic ring, a shining sword was already at his throat!

“Miss, this is a restricted area of the county office. Attempting to assassinate an imperial official is tantamount to rebellion!” Han Chong’s face darkened. This woman had not only scaled the wall and forced her way into the county office—now, at the slightest disagreement, she had drawn her sword!

“Are you not afraid of death?” Her voice was cold and clear as an oriole’s song.

Just then, Chief Constable Kong and the Inspector from the Department of Heaven’s Nose came out. The Inspector, his hand resting on his official’s sash, was about to scold her when he caught sight of the black tiger jade pendant at her waist. His neck shrank abruptly, and he stepped forward quickly, saluting with both hands in respect.

“Wang Hongda, Inspector of the Department of Inquisitions, greets the Exorcist Envoy. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar!”

With a soft sound, the sword returned to its sheath.

She was none other than the legendary envoy of the Demon-Slaying Division!

Han Chong’s heart tightened. As he had suspected, the envoy’s martial skills were extraordinary!

“Were you the one who sent the Sky-Piercing Signal? What demon or monster is here?”

“Yes, yes!” The Inspector replied in a trembling voice, sweat beading on his brow, not daring to look up. “I heard that in Xianshui Town of Qingqian County, dozens of people have disappeared. I had no choice but to send the signal, hoping to request your investigation.”

“You only heard? Summoning me for a rumor—do you realize the gravity of your offense?” Her voice was cold, yet carried an unmistakable sense of oppression.

“No, I wouldn’t dare! I—” The Inspector’s legs went weak, his whole body shaking violently. He glanced desperately at Han Chong and Chief Constable Kong for help.

“Your Excellency, it was I who asked Inspector Wang to summon you,” Han Chong stepped forward and cupped his hands.

“You?” The woman turned her cloak, and a breeze lifted the edge of her veil. Han Chong’s eyes widened briefly before he quickly looked away, realizing his impropriety.

“Yes.”

It was a face as luminous as the cold moon, with elegant brows, phoenix eyes, and delicate features.

“Think carefully. If you cannot explain yourself, you will be held accountable.”

Han Chong patted the pouch at his side, drew out the foreleg of the demon fox, and handed it forward.

“Please examine this, Envoy. This is the leg of a fox demon. The creature impersonated our magistrate and stole from the treasury. I slew it and retrieved this. Therefore, I suspect the troubles in Xianshui Town are also caused by demons.”

The woman in black fell silent, took the fox leg, and examined it.

“Hmmm. This truly is the limb of a fox demon. For a fox to reach such size, it must be at the mid-level of human-like cultivation.”

“You—a mere deputy constable—managed to sever a demon fox’s foreleg?” She regarded him with a hint of suspicion.

Han Chong’s expression did not change. “It was sheer luck.”

She did not pursue the matter further; evidently, Qingqian County was indeed plagued by demons.

“The three of you, depart at once for Xianshui Town. I will protect you from the shadows.”

The Inspector and Chief Constable exchanged glances—surely not! Were they to serve as bait?

“Your Excellency, with the county office leaderless, I should remain here. Let Deputy Constable Han accompany you instead!” Chief Constable Kong’s already red face flushed deeper. Sensing danger, he quickly excused himself and pushed Han Chong forward.

“Ah, well, Your Excellency, I’ve had stomach troubles lately—perhaps an old illness. I fear I can’t accompany you, but Deputy Constable Han will serve you loyally.” The Inspector’s face stiffened; he thought Kong was even more cowardly than himself! He straightened and said sternly to Han Chong, “Deputy Constable Han, the task of investigating Xianshui Town falls to you. Do not shirk it. The people’s safety comes first—do not defy the Envoy.”

Han Chong pondered for a moment. A visit to Xianshui Town was inevitable, so he nodded in agreement.

Only then did the woman in black turn and leap onto the eaves, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

...

“Someone, bring a swift horse! I’m heading to Xianshui Town to hunt demons!”

Han Chong entered the front hall, his voice ringing out to the idle, listless constables and yamen runners.

At once, over twenty officers erupted into excitement. Of late, no one in Qingqian County had made such a name for themselves as Deputy Constable Han!

Han Chong’s exploits were well-known within the office and quickly spread throughout the county. Whether peddler or laborer, in the streets and alleys, teahouses and taverns, all marveled at the stories.

Some claimed Han Chong had a man’s head but the body of a black bear; others said he had three eyes and six ears; still others insisted he was a fire salamander in disguise, able to spit flames and smoke—his abilities the stuff of legend!

“Master Han, are you really going to Xianshui Town to hunt demons? Take me with you! I’ll lead your horse and serve you faithfully!” cried a scrawny yamen runner, half-laughing, half-crying, as he hurried to fetch a horse.

“Yes, Master Han! You’re my idol—let me join you! I want to be your disciple!” A crowd of officers surrounded Han Chong, pleading loudly for the chance to follow him.

Though it smacked of flattery, their words were not without heartfelt admiration for a true hero.

“You, you, you, and you—four of you come with me. But you must obey my orders.”

In a world overrun by demons and ghosts, commoners revered those who could turn the tide—the demon-hunting immortals. That was why the Envoy of the Demon-Slaying Division ranked above local officials by three grades!

The four chosen men were ecstatic, bustling around Han Chong, helping him onto his horse.

The rest sighed aloud, shaking their heads in envy.

Han Chong tested the mount—a red steed with a coat like snow—but it was so bony and thin, he doubted it could manage a long journey.

...

“Boss, do you think there are really demons in Xianshui Town? I heard from a neighbor that Xianshui is the richest town in our county, famous for its tea houses. Every household grows and sells tea, but in the past three months, disappearances have skyrocketed!” the scrawny runner asked with a cheeky grin.

“Please, Skinny Monkey, your news is outdated. I have a relative in Xianshui Town. He says that in the past three months, the Ye family’s tea has soared in quality, now supplied directly to the imperial kitchens in the capital, leaving the rival Xia family struggling! I’ve also heard that it’s not just people disappearing—the Ye and Xia families have been fighting constantly, and now the main street is deserted; no one dares open shop!” said another officer, round-faced and talkative, his expression tinged with disdain.

Han Chong’s heart grew more puzzled. Clearly, the case in this town was anything but simple.

The four officers bickered all the way, and by sunset, they still hadn’t reached Xianshui Town. They stopped instead at a farmhouse to rest.

The courtyard was tidy and pleasantly arranged, with chickens calling and dogs running about.

A peasant woman answered the door, her face tear-stained, fear plain as she saw Han Chong’s party. She forced a smile once she learned they only sought lodging.

She seemed more composed, but sorrow remained etched on her face.

“Please, sirs, have some tea.”

Despite her rustic appearance, she brought out five fine porcelain cups and brewed a pot of excellent green tea.

She stirred the tea leaves with the lid, releasing a fragrant aroma that lingered after each sip.

“Delicious tea!”

“Boss, you really know your tea! You’re a model for us all!” exclaimed another officer, a burly man whose eyes sparkled—he had always admired scholars and poets since childhood.

“I know a little. Madam, your courtyard seems spacious—why are you alone? Where is your husband?” Han Chong asked gently, sensing that her sorrow hid a deeper trouble.

Having accepted her hospitality, it was only right to ask about her troubles and help if he could, to right a wrong for the people.