In no time, Zheng Qianhu hurriedly arrived, taking Chen Xuance into the hall of the Black Guards with large strides. Both parties took their seats, with two guards standing behind Zheng Qianhu, closely watching Chen Xuance, who sat steadily as if they could discern every detail.

Soon, tea was served. Chen Xuance remained silent, sitting in the modest hall, sipping tea slowly, one gulp at a time.

"Hey, the tea of the Black Guards is authentic," remarked Chen Xuance.

Zheng Qianhu was growing a bit impatient, but he couldn't push too hard. Seeing Chen Xuance sitting there so calmly, drinking tea with a simple and honest expression, he couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated.

Watching the Ninth-rank Demon Suppressor seemingly savoring the tea like it was the elixir of life, Zheng Qianhu broke the silence, "Young man, if you like this tea, take a pound with you when you leave, let your brothers in the office taste it."

Not sensing the urgency in the words, Chen Xuance politely replied, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"It's not the finest tea, and there's plenty in stock. Just take it," said Zheng Qianhu, waving his hand to signal his subordinates to fetch it.

Chen Xuance's eyes followed the departing men, lingering even after they left the room. Observing his behavior, Zheng Qianhu reconsidered, realizing that maybe someone just needed to be straightforward and direct with him instead of beating around the bush.

He dismissed the attendants around them, saying, "You can leave."

Once the lone attendant exited, Zheng Qianhu spoke, "Young man, I haven't asked for your name yet. Did you find any clues about yesterday's incident?"

Chen Xuance took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Zheng Qianhu, saying, "I am Chen Xuance, a Ninth-rank Demon Suppressor from the Demon Suppression Bureau. My lord instructed me to deliver this to you. Take a look. If there are no questions, I'll be on my way."

The letter was unsealed, and Chen Xuance had already read it on the way. Unexpectedly, the situation in the capital was so complicated.

Earlier that morning, Zhao Baihu had mentioned that the death of the Black Guards might be related to the demons in the White Mountain and Black Water. Now, in the afternoon, Chen Xuance learned from the letter that it was actually the work of the beasts from the Plateau Buddhist Kingdom.

The specifics were unclear to him. He took the letter and quickly glanced over it. Zheng Qianhu's face turned grim.

The content inside was enraging, "After investigation, the murderer is from the Plateau Buddhist Kingdom, a three-hundred-year-old ox demon with the same origin as the demon queen four years ago. Zhongzheng Temple official Zhao Laojiu accepted a bribe of ten thousand taels of silver, accommodating the demon in the Prince Jin's mansion. The Black Guard Liang Sida accidentally discovered the existence of the ox demon, tracked it upstream of the Rouge River, and was unfortunately discovered and killed. In a critical situation with many pedestrians around, the ox demon had to escape. Later, Zhao Laojiu informed about the incident, and he immediately went to the crime scene to fake wounds and sink the body in the Rouge River. He intended to let it flow downstream to the canal and into the Tian Water. - Demon Suppression Bureau, Great Liang."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Suppressing his anger, Zheng Qianhu shook his head, indicating that he had no further questions. Even if he did, he couldn't ask. The Demon Suppression Bureau was only responsible for demons and monsters; the ox demon's arrival in the capital was not their concern.

In a moment, Zheng Qianhu lifted the tea bowl from the table. Chen Xuance stood up, bowing in respect, "Lord Zheng, this humble one takes his leave." Seeing Zheng Qianhu nod, Chen Xuance turned and left.

As he walked out of the room, a guard brushed past him, slipping a thin piece of paper into Chen Xuance's sleeve. The technique was familiar, and Chen Xuance's expression showed satisfaction.

A considerable distance away from the Black Guards, Chen Xuance took out the white paper from his sleeve, exclaiming, "Well, well, quite generous!" It was a one hundred taels silver note. Black Guards didn't usually receive such gifts; usually, others offered them silver. Except for those in the palace, the Demon Suppression Bureau rarely saw anyone voluntarily giving them money. And this was a considerable amount. Wei Gonggong had instructed them to foster a good relationship with the Black Guards.

The Demon Suppression Bureau focused on supernatural beings, but its members also needed to eat, drink, rest, and sleep. If it were Ma Baihu who came this time, Zheng Qianhu would have already invited him for drinks, arranged a night of entertainment, and perhaps even a demon-slaying mission to strengthen their 'brotherly' bond. For a Ninth-rank Demon Suppressor, receiving one hundred taels was quite generous.

Chen Xuance didn't rush back to the Demon Suppression Bureau; instead, he took a detour to Wenhua Street and retrieved the six wooden pendants carved from tree demon cores.

Casually strolling, he found himself in the Eighth Grand Alley. Standing at the alley entrance, he observed a scene completely different from Yanzhi Street: a bustling crowd, occasional men approaching half-concealed doorways, exchanging a few words with the people inside before leaving or entering. Whenever someone went in, the half-concealed door would close.

"Tsk tsk, broad daylight, shameless, what a disgrace! I'd really like to give it a try."

Muttering to himself, Chen Xuance turned and left. He genuinely wanted to explore, see if there were any creatures hiding in this filthy place that could escape his detection. All for the sake of work. However, it was getting late, and he decided to head back.

"Forget it, forget it. If I want to go, I should go to Yanzhi Street. One must have standards."

As the sun set, the city of Kyoto became livelier. On his way back to the Demon Suppression Bureau, Chen Xuance inexplicably found himself near Qingshen Tianzhu, a place he had visited in the morning.

He entered a three-story restaurant nearby, not too busy, and treated himself to a good meal. No need for alcohol; it could cause trouble. After satisfying his hunger, Chen Xuance, with nothing to do, used his aura-seeing technique to look towards Qingshen Tianzhu through the window. He noticed the twin-headed giant snake on the rooftop had now grown a third head, and dark energy soared into the sky.

"This is pushing it too far!"

Where was he? Yanzhi Street! This establishment was just two miles straight from the northwest corner of the Demon Suppression Bureau. They had barely spared the Bureau's face in the morning, and now they had added a third head in the afternoon. It was audacious.

This was not just reckless; it was suicidal.

Shaking his head, Chen Xuance stood up and went downstairs, ready to report back to the Demon Suppression Bureau.

As he stepped out of the restaurant, he casually glanced behind the counter. The restaurant owner had just returned, sitting behind the counter, clattering away on an abacus, with a sly and cunning appearance.

"Rat demon, fifty years of cultivation, forcibly transformed. Evil, be suppressed!"

Chen Xuance's spirits were lifted; what was this? It was like being handed a pillow when one was about to sleep.

Stopping his departure, he walked towards the counter, staring at the owner, saying, "Boss, reserve three tables, deliver them to the north gate of the Demon Suppression Bureau as soon as possible." Saying this, he pulled out a ten-tael silver ingot from his sleeve and tossed it to the owner.

"You personally deliver it, and an extra tael for your troubles. Keep it well. Times are tough in the capital, don't you think?"

Without waiting for the owner's response, Chen Xuance, with a mysterious smile on his lips, turned and left.

The owner was stunned, trembling as he watched the departing customer, cold sweat streaming down his face.