China, this ancient and mysterious land, is like a heavy tome, recording the condensation of five thousand years of civilization. However, the history truly woven by human hands is but a fleeting moment in these long years, merely a little over two thousand years.

Before the bells of the Western Zhou Dynasty rang, this fertile land was a paradise for gods, demons, and monsters. Especially in the legendary times of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, if you were not immensely powerful, without a few celestial or demonic protectors by your side, and lacking in magical prowess, life would be arduous.

In that era where myth and reality intertwined, Ling Ji was one of the most renowned demons.

Her fame was not due to her immense strength. According to ancient texts, Ling Ji was merely a fledgling who had just learned to spread her wings. Although she possessed remarkable power, she was still far from being comparable to those great demons capable of moving mountains and filling seas.

What set her apart among the many great demons, allowing her to survive until today, was the support of a certain individual.

That individual came from a prestigious lineage, was extraordinarily talented, brave and wise, and had a compassionate heart, holding great renown among humans. Under his protection, Ling Ji was nurtured to be robust and plump, far exceeding her peers. Even after his death, his influence remained, allowing Ling Ji to stand out among her kind.

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"You mean to say that the demon who was sentenced to life imprisonment has been released?" Director Song Qiang of the Special Administration Bureau showed rare astonishment. Although he was an ordinary person, he had heard tales of this formidable figure's "heroic deeds" from the previous director.

"Oh, you just said she's now in Fengchuan County, stopped the heavy rain there, and receded the flood near the rescue station?" Song Qiang, experienced as he was, quickly grasped the key points after a brief surprise. "Can we ask her to help with the flood?"

As for the troublesome dragon that had previously vexed the Bureau, it was already out of his mind.

A dead dragon that could no longer cause trouble did not warrant much attention.

"That's exactly my point," Zhou Cen nodded, his long fingers tapping lightly on his thigh before seemingly making a decision. "Director, given her special status, I must go personally."

Song Qiang understood the importance of the matter and immediately agreed. "Handle this carefully. Whatever conditions she may ask for, try to meet them. If in doubt, seek my special approval. Remember, do not offend her."

That one's temper was reportedly not very good.

They couldn't afford to deal with a dragon due to the death of a mere snake.

"I understand," Zhou Cen replied solemnly, a determined look flashing in his eyes. He had long heard of this formidable figure's temper and knew this was no small matter. "Time is of the essence. I'll travel by sword. I've already informed the aviation authorities. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Song Qiang nodded, a serious expression on his face. "Go ahead, and be discreet on your way." He cautioned. Although the aviation authorities wouldn't be alarmed by his presence, in today's technologically advanced world, there was always the risk of being spotted by civilians using telescopes or drones.

...

Ming Ying, having received news of the deputy director's imminent arrival, put away his phone and took the demon core from Guo Xiaoxiao to examine it closely. The more he looked, the deeper his frown became.

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"Elder, is something wrong with the demon core?" Guo Xiaoxiao asked, curiosity piqued.

Ming Ying handed the core to Zhao Jiong, "Smell it. Do you detect a particular scent?"

Zhao Jiong, seeing the seriousness of his question, took a sniff and frowned as well. "…Elder?"

"I thought I smelled it correctly," Ming Ying's brows furrowed deeply. The light demon core in his hand felt unbearably heavy, weighing down on him.

"What scent could make you both react like this?" A bearded man in his thirties stepped forward, sniffed the core, and exclaimed, "Disinfectant?"

His voice, though unexpectedly clear and clean, rose in surprise, contrasting sharply with his rugged appearance.

"How could a demon core smell like disinfectant?" Guo Xiaoxiao's mind struggled to process this, utterly baffled. "Did this dragon get vaccinated like pets at an animal hospital?"

"But that doesn't make sense. This dragon wasn't domesticated." Guo Xiaoxiao continued, looking perplexed.

As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to look at him. Guo Xiaoxiao, with a lollipop in his mouth, asked blankly, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, on the contrary, you might be right." Zhao Jiong, a seasoned criminal investigator, seemed to have a breakthrough. "Elder, have you noticed the increasing frequency of demon sightings in major cities over the past few years?"

He narrowed his eyes, doing a mental calculation. "Are demons so easily transformed?"

"Impossible," Ming Ying instinctively refuted. "With the dwindling spiritual energy, it's rare for a demon to gain intelligence and transform."

"Are you suggesting someone is cultivating demons?" Yi Yang stroked his beard, his eyes deep in thought.

"It's highly possible, but we need more data for further validation." Ming Ying's voice carried an undeniable seriousness.

"This is a serious issue. A single mistake could lead to unrest. Until we have concrete evidence, keep this to ourselves." Ming Ying's tone was grave, commanding.

"The deputy director will be here soon. Our priority is to deal with the flood first." His gaze was resolute, as if already seeing a solution.

"Deal with the flood?" Guo Xiaoxiao's mouth dropped open, the lollipop fall to the ground with a slight "plop."

"Elderly, we can handle demons, but dealing with a flood is beyond us." His tone was tinged with helplessness, foreseeing a future of being at the mercy of the disaster management department.

"I didn't mean you." Ming Ying glared at him, casting his gaze towards the young girl in black who had just finished eating and was wiping her hands. Her movements were graceful and unhurried, as if everything around her was irrelevant.

Guo Xiaoxiao and the others followed his gaze and met Ling Ji's eyes. Guo Xiaoxiao smiled and waved, only to receive a cold nod in return before she looked away.

Guo Xiaoxiao awkwardly scratched his nose. "Elder, your plan sounds nice, but she might not cooperate."

"Terms can be negotiated," Ming Ying said, though he was internally uncertain. As the leader of this operation, he couldn't show doubt. His gaze was sharp, like an eagle's, seemingly able to see through everything.

"By the way, Zhao, do you know the young man with Ling Ji?" Ming Ying suddenly asked, breaking the brief silence.

"Yes, I met him while investigating a major case years ago. He was a witness then." Zhao Jiong's voice was calm, but his eyes showed complex emotions.

Actually, Mu Bai had overthought it. Zhao Jiong mentioning the old case wasn't about holding Ling Ji accountable but testing the waters. Now that Ming Ying had thoroughly briefed them, Zhao was even more certain that Ling Ji was responsible for the case. However, he didn't have the intention Mu Bai feared of using this against her.

Firstly, he was no longer a policeman. Secondly, the case had been closed as an internal conflict among the traffickers. Thirdly, he personally wished for those inhumane scum to die.

Following the clues from He Kun's group, they had cracked a major trafficking ring in Y Province after months of investigation, arresting dozens of leaders and shutting down five trafficking routes. They rescued hundreds of women and children who hadn't yet been sold.

Seeing the numb faces of those rescued, Zhao Jiong, a man over six feet tall, had tears in his eyes. Those beasts had destroyed so many families' happiness and so many girls' dreams and lives!

Had it not been for his police uniform and the principle of law, his anger and desire for vengeance might have led him to do something irrational.

His work on that case had earned him a promotion to the Peng City Police Department. He was then unintentionally involved in a demon attack case and was invited to join the Special Administration Bureau by Deputy Director Zhou Cen. His life changed dramatically, but his sense of justice remained unwavering.

"Human laws, demon rules. If human laws can't punish those villains, why not use the methods of demons?" Zhou Cen's words had a sly hint, like finding a glimmer of light in the dark.

Those words awakened the beast in Zhao Jiong. The relentless detective of the Major Crimes Unit vanished, replaced by Deputy Captain Zhao Jiong of the Special Administration Bureau's First Action Team.

Few knew that Zhao Jiong joined the Bureau for another reason. The trafficking ring they dismantled in Y Province was just the tip of the iceberg. A larger force lurked behind it. As a small unit leader, even if he uncovered hints of the bigger picture, he couldn't bring them to justice.

For his beliefs and justice, he was willing to abandon his past glory. Even if it meant walking in the shadows, he would fight for the land that nurtured him, giving his life to light up the darkness with a glimmer of hope.

But the kid across didn't seem to trust him. Zhao Jiong offered Mu Bai a friendly smile, met with even more guarded eyes.

Zhao Jiong awkwardly scratched his chin and looked around. The sky was clear, the ground muddy and yellow.

Not far away lay a large yellowish corpse, a stark visual impact.

Zhao Jiong frowned, a complex emotion rising

within him.

"Elder," Zhao Jiong squinted, nudging Ming Ying, "that dragon might be cultivated, but there's still good meat on it." He nodded towards the horns of the dragon, each adorned with two thick, short straight horns.

"Forget it." Ming Ying glanced at the horns, hiding his desire. "That's Ling Ji's trophy. It's generous of her to give us the demon core. Let's not push our luck."

Zhao Jiong wasn't surprised but still disappointed, muttering, "What if we trade food for it?" He had observed that Ling Ji seemed to favor modern food. Didn't Guo Xiaoxiao trade a few lollipops for the demon core?

"Eh?" Ming Ying's eyes lit up, forming a plan as he stepped towards the other side.

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