After Zhao Baihu finished speaking, he decisively turned around, leading the group away. Ma Baihu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Zhao Baihu stopped him with a stern look. The group safely exited Qingshen Tianzhu and quickly headed in the direction of the Demon-Sealing Bureau. The woman did not intervene, watching as the group from the Demon-Sealing Bureau departed. She then turned and went back upstairs in Qingshen Tianzhu.

After a considerable distance, Ma Baihu finally voiced his confusion, "Zhao Jun, are we just going back like this?"

Zhao Jun's face darkened, and he replied in a low voice, "The ways of White Mountain and Black Waters. Let's report to Lord Wang when we return. This group of people is likely related to the Black Guards who died yesterday. The two of us are not enough to handle them."

Hearing Zhao Jun's words, Ma Baihu suddenly realized. Afterward, the group silently returned to the Demon-Sealing Bureau.

After parting ways with Ma Baihu and the others, Chen Xuanze and his two companions headed towards their residence. The Taoist hesitated for a moment before asking, "Brother Chen, are White Mountain and Black Waters those 'immortals' from beyond the border? Do they dare to act in the capital?"

Chen Xuanze did know about this matter. After thinking for a moment and finding nothing that needed to be kept secret, he explained, "That's right. In recent years, they have surrendered to the Mongols, and the 'immortals' now serve in the Mongol court."

The monk, practicing his silent meditation, spoke up, "Is today's matter related to them coming here to help the Mongols? If they don't take action, does it mean we have no jurisdiction?"

Chen Xuanze smiled playfully, "Technically, that's how it is. However..."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "But they have already taken action, targeting the Demon-Sealing Bureau. Haha, interesting, isn't it?"

The monk and the Taoist suddenly understood.

That's right, they had just taken action.

After Ma Baihu and his group left, in the top-floor attic of Qingshen Tianzhu, a white, double-headed serpent over ten meters long spoke human words from its mouth, "The Patriarch is too cautious. It's just the Demon-Sealing Bureau. As long as we don't violate the rules, they won't take the initiative."

Two human-like expressions appeared on the two white heads, mocking, "Are they fools? These rules are restricting themselves, not others."

The woman who had just appeared in front of Chen Xuanze and his group knelt nearby, flattering, "Lord Unparalleled is correct. Moreover, their strength isn't that impressive."

She finished speaking and giggled incessantly.

In a corner of the attic, a coiled white snake grumbled discontentedly, "That White Qian guy doesn't help at all! What's he doing in Daliang? Still hoping for a pardon from Daliang? Dream on!"

He was referring to White Qian, the person in charge of the Demon-Sealing Bureau's new recruits training ground, a snake demon.

Upon hearing him mention White Qian, the woman, in human form, showed displeasure.

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This White Qian was her younger brother from the same womb.

In the early years, he ran to Daliang and hadn't returned to White Mountain and Black Waters for several decades.

This was the first meeting between the siblings in decades, but thankfully, their sibling bond remained intact.

However, after learning about their frequent presence in the capital and their ulterior motives, Bai Qian not only explicitly stated that he wouldn't provide any assistance but also continuously urged them to return to White Mountain and Black Waters, advising them not to linger in the capital. She even threatened them, saying that if they didn't leave, she would report them to the Demon-Sealing Bureau. This forced the group to pretend to leave the capital behind Bai Qian's back, circling around for thirty miles before returning.

Before coming, she had solemnly promised to handle her own younger brother. Now, he turned out to be a headache. Fortunately, the double-headed serpent didn't care about this matter. Instead, it instructed, "On the Ghost Festival, when the gates of the underworld open, the city of Kyoto will surely be lively due to its ranking. This matter must not be overlooked, as it is related to the grand plan of opening the Yellow Springs route for the royal court! You all must be vigilant."

After speaking, the double-headed serpent slowly closed its four eyes and fell into a deep sleep. The entire attic became chilly.

Not long after returning to the Demon-Sealing Bureau, Chen Xuanze was sent out again. It was Li Gou who found him, with a sarcastic tone, "The Commander specifically named you to go to the Black Guards and report on last night's incident."

After giving the instructions and tossing the letter to Chen Xuanze, Li Gou added, "Xuanze, tell me the truth. Do you have any family relationship with the Commander? Don't worry, I won't spread it."

Chen Xuanze's honest face showed helplessness. He couldn't tell Li Gou that the Commander did this out of respect for Lord Wang, right? Should he explain how he flattered Lord Wang? That wouldn't be a good idea, so he could only joke, "Boss, don't tease me. Running errands in this scorching weather, that's what we're here for, right? If you want to do it, go ahead."

Li Gou thought about it and realized that errands like this had no profit, so he left without further ado.

In the scorching July heat, Chen Xuanze felt anxious. Since discovering the existence of the Demon-Sealing Chart, he had encountered more and more demons. Thinking about it, it made sense. He didn't notice so many demons in Kyoto before because he was too weak. However, the feeling of seeing but not being able to touch was truly unpleasant. His cultivation was insufficient, he lacked spells to deal with demons, and being able to see them without being able to catch them was frustrating.

The office of the Black Guards was located in a courtyard one li outside the east gate of the imperial city. Similar to the Demon-Sealing Bureau, the place was deserted, and passersby would avoid it due to its imposing crimson gate.

In Kyoto, and even throughout Daliang, the legends of the Black Guards were more well-known among the common people than those of the Demon-Sealing Bureau. The large courtyard below the imposing crimson gate was the infamous Daliang Zhaoyu (Daliang Prison).

There were three hundred and sixty different stories about this place from storytellers in teahouses and taverns.

In Daliang, those who could come out alive from Zhaoyu were considered legendary. In the over two hundred years of Daliang's history, only a handful of such legends existed.

Chen Xuanze didn't feel as much, as this place was not as evil as the Demon-Sealing Bureau.

Wearing the Demon-Sealing uniform, carrying the letter, and taking square steps, he headed straight for the Black Guards' gate.

Two guards wearing Feiyu uniforms were stationed at the entrance. The scorching sun did not make them wilt; they stood straight like iron spears. It was evident that they were newcomers.

As Chen Xuanze approached, one of them raised his hand to stop him, and all four eyes stared at him. One of them asked in a deep voice, "Who are you? What's your business?"

Chen Xuanze clasped his hands, "I am Chen Xuanze, a Demon-Sealing Guard from the Demon-Sealing Bureau. I have official business to visit Commander Zheng."

The other guard, clearly impatient, waved his hand and shooed him away, "Demon-Sealing Bureau? What office is that? Never heard of it. Go, go, go, hurry up, or you won't make it through the day!"

Clearly, they were newcomers.

After seeing Chen Xuanze walk over, the one who remained in place continued to stare at him, while the other turned and went to report.