I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 134 - 108 Wu Chang! General Flag Envoy!

Chapter 134: Chapter 108 Wu Chang! General Flag Envoy!

The incident at Jinliu Manor has already spread to Qifeng Prefecture City.

High Willow City, being the closest, thus dispatched a large number of people to rush to the scene as quickly as possible.

By comparison, the assassination of Judge Wang Yuan had been temporarily set aside.

The Left City Guard Army received orders to abandon the pursuit and gather in full force to defend Jinliu Manor.

The Observatory saw a Deputy Commander from within High Willow City arrive with three General Flag Envoys and nine Flag Commanders, along with twenty-seven smaller banners, racing on horseback.

The City Guard Mansion sent the Deputy City Governor from inside the city, as well as sixteen chief officials.

Liu Venerate Temple, two temple priests, twenty incense burners, followed suit.

"People from Qifeng Prefecture City have already been dispatched, but the journey is long, and they are expected to arrive tomorrow," someone said.

"There are still more than sixteen hundred people left within Jinliu Manor, with no large Pure Lands nearby to accommodate them."

"We must quickly disperse them and escort them to various medium and small Pure Lands, leaving behind provisions, as it will be difficult to offer further assistance."

"Most likely, we won’t have time to send them away tonight. It falls to us all to patrol day and night, slaying the darkness’s evil spirits, and guard for one more night!"

"The precious treasure of Wutong Divine Mother must be brought here as quickly as possible; otherwise, tonight, with the large number of people and their robust vitality, will certainly be extremely perilous, and we are bound to suffer heavy casualties!"

——

Meanwhile, inside the manor.

Han General Flag Envoy was taking Lin Yan up the mountain.

"According to tradition, we must inquire about last night’s events. Since you were in Jinliu Manor, a thorough investigation is required," he said slowly.

Han General Flag Envoy continued, "I was originally your direct superior and logically should recuse myself, but the Deputy Commander has heard of your reputation, knowing that you are easily angered by others’ questions, which is why he had me come..."

"Hm?"

Lin Yan frowned slightly and said, "The Observatory always values intelligence most, gathering information from all quarters to monitor the various powers... Does the esteemed Deputy Commander also believe in outside rumors?"

"Whether it’s rumors or not, let’s set that aside for a moment."

Reaching the mountaintop, Han General Flag Envoy turned around slowly and stared at Lin Yan, asking, "Are you of the Refining Essence Realm?"

"I..." Lin Yan was about to elaborate.

"Just answer me: yes or no!" Han General Flag Envoy said solemnly, "No need for idle chatter."

"Yes!" Lin Yan replied. Being at the peak of the Refining Essence Realm, he naturally belonged to that realm.

"You..."

Although Han General Flag Envoy had suspected as much, he was still deeply shocked, his eyes revealing amazement.

After a moment, he sighed and said dejectedly, "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"..."

A twitch appeared at the corner of Lin Yan’s eye as he responded gruffly, "Have you thought it through? How many times have I tried to come clean, only for you to cut me off?"

"Was that the case?"

Han General Flag Envoy furrowed his brows.

Then Lin Yan reminded him.

Previously, after returning to the city at night, and again after slaying Liang Hu.

"Now that you mention it, it does ring a bell."

Han General Flag Envoy was indeed a person of the Refining Essence Realm with a good memory. After contemplating briefly, he added, "Even if I interrupted you, couldn’t you have brought it up again?"

"..."

Lin Yan did not respond.

Han General Flag Envoy remembered.

Back when Lin Yan demonstrated the second level of martial cultivation, he had seen through Lin Yan’s solid internal realm. In actuality, Lin Yan was at the Refining Essence Realm.

At that time, he had been quite pleased with himself, thinking that Lin Yan’s skill in hiding his powers was insignificant in front of him and easily seen through.

And then there was the night he slayed Liang Hu... Never mind... An awkwardness arose in Han General Flag Envoy’s heart, causing him to cough lightly.

"I thought I had given you sufficient regard, yet I underestimated the greatness of your natural talent, which turned out to be so astonishing."

Han General Flag Envoy exclaimed, "The realm of Refining Essence is beyond the limitations of human physique, bursting with life force, capable of regenerating severed limbs, almost transcendent from the ordinary, no longer a mundane person!"

Lin Yan was just about to declare that he had almost reached the end of the Refining Essence Realm.

He then heard the General Flag Envoy huff, "However, don’t get too pleased with yourself, boy. The path of the Refining Essence Realm is still long..."

With hands clasped behind his back, he reflected aloud, "I’ve cultivated for many years, struggling hard in the Refining Essence Realm, advancing step by step, and barely managed to reach the end, but the transformation from Refining Essence to Qi Refinement is still a distant dream."

Placing a hand on Lin Yan’s shoulder, he advised, "Work hard, and don’t slacken or rest on your laurels after some achievements. Keep striving and aim to reach the end of the Refining Essence Realm within ten years."

"With my discernment, I can assure you that with your talent, it’s possible to touch the threshold of the Qi Refining Realm within twenty years!"

Han General Flag Envoy’s gaze was filled with encouragement and expectation.

"Understood."

Seeing this, Lin Yan could only hold back his original words and responded in a subdued voice.

"Let’s go!"

Han General Flag Envoy spoke earnestly, "For now, let’s keep your true cultivation level under wraps! Currently, you’re at the peak of solid internal strength. After we return to the city, I’ll discuss with Mr. Lu to find an opportunity to naturally reveal your Refining Essence Realm capabilities to everyone..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Can your old self really secure a genius like me?"

"Mr. Lu may be able to keep half a genius safe."

Han Commander chuckled and said, "There will be a proper way to resolve this matter, you don’t need to keep it up. You have considerable skill, yet you choose to humble yourself, to serve as a mere Flag Commander..."

"Humble myself?"

Lin Yan laughed, but didn’t respond.

"Go on, the Deputy Commander is waiting for you below. I’ll dismantle this heavy-duty crossbow. You’re in luck, lad."

Han Commander suddenly said with a smile.

Lin Yan was somewhat puzzled, and frowned, "In luck?"

Han Commander pointed to the heavy-duty crossbow and said, "This thing, from now on, belongs to your Linjiang Station."

"This thing is too cumbersome, difficult to transport, move, and adjust its direction, making it hard to track targets."

Lin Yan shook his head and said, "Moreover, it requires three martial artists with inner strength cultivation to operate it, and my Linjiang Station can’t muster that."

"Besides, even for someone in the Refining Essence Realm, leading two ordinary martial artists, they could at most barely manage to fire it two or three times."

"This thing is too much of a white elephant, not very useful."

As he spoke, Lin Yan looked up again. He didn’t think much of the heavy-duty crossbow.

Although this heavy-duty crossbow could shoot as far as three thousand steps and had immense power, almost comparable to the abilities of someone in the Qi Refining Realm!

But for those in the Qi Refining Realm, wielding their power freely, they could easily target their foes!

What’s more, the "True Qi" of the Qi Refining Realm has the ability to exterminate evil spirits!

This heavy-duty crossbow, even using the temple’s techniques, could at best only kill ordinary wandering spirits!

"Don’t underestimate this thing; it can pose a threat even to those in the Refining Essence Realm!" Han Commander said solemnly. "Like the bear demon that intruded into Linjiang Square that night, if the heavy-duty crossbow had been set up earlier, one arrow could have killed it!"

"It’s not easy to kill with it." Lin Yan shook his head and said, "Although the bear demon is cumbersome, it can still run, and this heavy-duty crossbow struggles to track a moving target... My assessment is, it’s no match for the means of the Qi Refining Realm."

"How many in High Willow City are in the Qi Refining Realm?" Han Commander said irritably. "You’ve just reached the Refining Essence Realm, and you’re so arrogant that you don’t even care for such a treasure!"

"Moving it to Linjiang Station would work, but we would have to demolish a wall to create enough space to place it."

Lin Yan massaged his temples and said, "Most importantly, you need to assign me three martial artists with inner strength cultivation, otherwise, this thing will just sit there, unusable."

Having said that, he merely waved his hand and started walking down the mountain.

Upon his arrival at Jinliu Manor, he saw a person slowly approaching.

This person was tall and upright, with a long sword hanging from his waist.

Dressed in a light blue robe, imprinted with the insignia of the Observatory.

His eyes were bright, shining brilliantly.

One of the three Deputy Commanders of High Willow City, Zhou Yuan.

This man had a handsome face that appeared no older than thirty, but in reality, he was nearly sixty, with snow-white hair.

"Are you Wu Chang?"

The Deputy Commander approached, his expression solemn, and asked, "I heard that you were by Mr. Lu’s side before he died?"

Lin Yan nodded slightly.

The Deputy Commander fell silent for a moment and then asked, "What did Mr. Lu say?"

Lin Yan spoke somberly: "He said that he did not bring disgrace upon the Observatory."

The Deputy Commander nodded and sighed, saying, "The Commander himself is preoccupied with important matters, otherwise he would have come to see Mr. Lu off one last time and bestowed rewards upon you."

At this point, the Deputy Commander reached into his chest and said, "Under the circumstances, we must act swiftly and keep things simple, so I will now award the position of the General Flag Envoy to you."

In his hand was a flag banner.

But it was very different from the one used by Linjiang Station.

The colors of the flag were black with silver patterns, forming the image of a soaring divine bird.

"You have recently distinguished yourself with your merits, and Han Commander has repeatedly reported on your behalf. After several confirmations, the Commander himself has approved the granting of the position of General Flag Envoy to you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan roughly understood. It seemed that after the death of the city defender Wang Yuan, the authorities had re-examined the slaughterhouse incident more thoroughly.

Han Commander had clearly argued for more merits on his behalf.

"Starting this month, your salary, medicinal baths, and elixir pills will all be increased by one level."

"However, in view of your cultivation, which has not yet entered the Refining Essence Realm, you will continue to handle the affairs of Linjiang Station for now!"

"But soon, High Willow City will be expanding. The new city will extend outwards, with the southernmost area tentatively divided into sixteen squares."

"By the time the new city is built, you could be hopeful of reaching the Refining Essence Realm."

"When that time comes, you will be the first General Flag Envoy of the new city!"

He handed the flag banner to Lin Yan and said solemnly, "Wu Chang General Flag Envoy, not only are you getting a promotion but there are also many rewards. When you return to High Willow City, further rewards will be conferred upon you!"

"Moreover, last night, together with Pei Xiong Han Commander, you can be said to have pulled disaster back from the brink, saving over sixteen hundred people from Jinliu Manor."

"In addition, reclaiming all kinds of stolen items, and numerous merits will all be rewarded."

"Thank you, Commander Zhou!"

Lin Yan accepted the flag banner, feeling rather mixed inside. He held no joy for the promotion or expectation for the rewards.

He looked out over Jinliu Manor and said slowly, "So these people from Jinliu Manor, they will soon be able to gather in High Willow City and rebuild their homes, right?"

"For now, only a select group of young and strong individuals willing to go to High Willow City and participate in the expansion and construction can be chosen."

The Deputy Commander said softly, "The burden on your shoulders will be heavy from now on..."