Chen Xuanze secretly decided in his heart that after buying the books and preparing the tree core today, he would no longer wander aimlessly. The outside world is too dangerous; it's safer in the Demon Suppression Bureau. First, he encountered a deceptive monk, then walked into a fox's den. What kind of world is this?

Better to stick around the Demon Suppression Bureau, fish when there's nothing to do, and suppress demons when needed. Wait until he becomes invincible before considering anything else.

At this point, he still didn't know that the eight-armed Dharma form of that monk represented his status as a fourth-rank expert in Buddhism, responsible for judgment and execution, eliminating those who refused to convert.

Casually picking a shop, he bought several volumes of classics and histories, grabbed a copy of "Nine Provinces Mountains and Seas," left the tree core behind, and agreed to pick it up in two days. Then, Chen Xuanze hurriedly returned to the Demon Suppression Bureau.

It was already afternoon. Upon entering the Demon Suppression Bureau's gate, he felt that the Bureau's work might be dangerous, but at least when not on duty, his life was secure, and they provided meals. In these troubled times, where else could he find such a good place?

Without paying attention to the continuous tents of refugees outside the outer city and the carts carrying corpses to mass graves, he was about to find Ma Baihu, the leader of the Yellow Second Group. Seeing Chen Xuanze coming in with a few books, Ma Baihu, with a smiling face, said, "Xuanze, bought some books?"

It was quite rare. Below him, there were about forty or fifty people, and not everyone remembered their names. The fact that Ma Baihu remembered Chen Xuanze's name was because this kid was quite lucky. Much luckier than the chubby guy. This kid was genuinely lucky!

"Yes, sir. I believe as an official demon suppression guard, I must study hard to enrich myself. This way, I won't let down your cultivation, sir."

This sentence, coupled with Chen Xuanze's honest face, made Ma Baihu feel awkward. However, it sounded reasonable.

"Well, our Yellow Second Group needs energetic young people like you. Here's the reward for this mission." Ma Baihu tossed a silver ingot over.

Chen Xuanze took it and weighed it in his hand. It was at least five taels, equivalent to his two months' salary.

"A reward?"

"Yes, given by the Lord Suppressor. Five taels per person. Take it, eat well, considering how thin you are."

Ma Baihu was genuinely happy. This time, he went out and didn't lose a single person, and the Lord Suppressor praised him for the first time.

The exact words were, "You kid doesn't look good, but your performance is decent."

Even if it was praise.

Chen Xuanze smiled and put away the silver. Just as he was about to run to the canteen to get some leftovers, he heard Ma Baihu continue, "New recruits are coming tomorrow. I told Li Gou, and this time, you'll be in charge of two newbies. Be attentive. I have high hopes for you."

Nodding, Chen Xuanze didn't ask much. This was customary. Official demon suppression guards who passed the probationary period in the Demon Suppression Bureau had to lead new recruits. When he and the chubby guy came, Lord Qi Li personally led him because he looked honest. Otherwise, he would have been grouped with the chubby guy and lived a different life.

After grabbing some leftover food in the canteen, Chen Xuanze, with a big smile, went to the Yamen.

Lying by the river fishing, Chen Xuanze, basking in the warm sunshine, was completely at ease. He wasn't afraid of sunburn anymore, with about ten years of magical power; this sunlight wouldn't even make him sweat.

"This is what life is all about!"

Lying on the ground, Chen Xuanze looked content.

"In the morning, were you following me? Little brat, if you have money, you can come upstairs. What's the point of following me?" A seductive and charming voice sounded, and Xiaocui, the fox demon, rarely appeared in the afternoon on the small building's railing.

Chen Xuanze felt uneasy but maintained his usual simple and honest expression. He turned to look at Xiaocui. By now, she had changed into a light green chiffon outfit. With her arms resting on the railing and her two straight long legs slightly crossed, she displayed a graceful figure. At the same time, she skillfully concealed the provocative points under the chiffon.

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"Miss, what are you saying?"

Chen Xuanze pretended to be silly and clueless, and besides, he didn't really follow Xiaocui. The fox demon pouted, "Huh, you men are all hypocritical liars. Take your Baihu for example, every time he calls me Little Sweet, he won't show up for a long time."

Continuing to wear a silly smile, Chen Xuanze pretended not to understand what Xiaocui was talking about. Ma Baihu's romantic affairs, he could gossip privately, but if the parties involved spoke to him directly, he dared not listen.

Turning his head to stare at the fishing rod in front of him, hey, got a fish.

Lifting the rod, Chen Xuanze judged from the force that this was a big catch.

Indeed, it was a big catch. Staring at what he pulled from the water, Chen Xuanze was dumbfounded—a corpse bound with hemp rope and adorned in the uniform of the Black Guard Flying Fish.

"Damn bad luck!"

The fox demon was watching nearby. Without even looking, Chen Xuanze could feel the shock emanating from the fox demon.

The Black Guard, the elite force that oversaw the entire Great Liang Dynasty, capable of silencing crying children and striking fear into high-ranking officials. Chen Xuanze really wanted to throw the fishing rod, fishing line, and the corpse into the water altogether, but the circumstances did not permit it.

"Damn fox demon, why don't you usually show up at this time!"

Unable to do anything else, he dragged the corpse to the shore. Strangely, the stone tied to it wasn't very heavy. With a mournful expression, Chen Xuanze glanced at the slightly open mouth of the fox demon Xiaocui, then headed towards the Demon Suppression Bureau.

The skilled technique did not come down on the corpse of the Black Guard, as one had to be cautious in front of outsiders. Too bad, there should be some silver notes on the Black Guard, right?

Should he go back and check once Xiaocui was not around?

Or forget it. Since he had the Demon Suppression Chart, Chen Xuanze realized he had been a bit too unsteady lately. Otherwise, he wouldn't have followed the fox demon.

Shaking his head to dispel the desire brought by money, he ran to a place where the fox demon couldn't see and quickly used the divine art to return to the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Arriving at Ma Baihu's courtyard, Chen Xuanze skipped the formalities and said directly, "Sir Baihu, I was just fishing by the Yanzi River and pulled up a Black Guard corpse bound with a stone. Miss Xiaocui from Xingchun Tower also saw it. The body is currently by the riverbank. How should we handle it?"

Without saying a word, Ma Baihu got up and headed straight for a small courtyard deep in the Demon Suppression Bureau, where Lord Wang, the first group leader, conducted official business.

Chen Xuanze didn't wait for Ma Baihu to decide what to do next; it wasn't his business anyway. At most, he would be called over to understand the situation. So, he returned to his room to rest.

The room was a unified residence for the Demon Suppression Guards, not far from the north gate of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Most members of the Yellow Second Group lived here. Those who had businesses in the capital city would also come to the Demon Suppression Bureau during the day when they were not on a mission.

People above the rank of Baihu mostly lived in the Demon Suppression Bureau. Just as he returned to the room and hadn't rested for long, Chen Xuanze heard footsteps approaching.

Opening the door, he saw Lord Qi Li walking towards him with a limp.

"Xuanze, Sir Baihu is calling you. Change into your Demon Suppression uniform and follow me."

The tone was urgent. Chen Xuanze estimated that he had probably alarmed the Lord Suppressor; otherwise, there wouldn't be such emphasis on changing into the Demon Suppression uniform.

Quickly changing his clothes, he walked out of the room and supported the limping Qi Li, heading towards the north gate.

Seeing the two approaching, Ma Baihu quietly greeted, "Xuanze, lead the way. Li Gou, you go back and rest."

It wasn't that Ma Baihu was taking care of Li Gou; he was afraid that Li Gou would delay their pace. Moreover, Chen Xuanze had informed him that Xiaocui, the girl from Xingchun Tower, had seen the situation. They needed to hurry; others didn't know Xiaocui's circumstances, but he was well aware of it. If this fox demon acted recklessly and destroyed the body, and Lord Wang blamed them, he might end up on the road to the afterlife.