The messenger official galloped all the way on his horse, rushing toward the Xizhuang area of Maji Street. This place was near the Donghua Gate and featured a mountain born of heaven and earth called Wanshou Mountain.
Wanshou Mountain was located in the northeast, standing opposite the Kaifeng Prefecture with the imperial palace in between. It was surrounded by Yuan Lake. After the founding Emperor ascended the throne, he ordered ten thousand plum trees and a thousand varieties of immortal herbs to be planted at the eastern foot of the mountain.
When the plum blossoms bloomed, Wanshou Mountain was a riot of color and fragrance. The souls of the plum blossoms drifted between heaven and earth, lonely and sharp.
It was said that ducks and geese often played on Yuan Lake, white cranes spread their wings, and there were thousands of koi and countless fragrant lotuses.
A waterway had been opened on the mountain using water from the Jinglong River, and thousands of spirit herbs were planted there. Consequently, the area was perpetually shrouded in immortal mist and moist vapor.
Since the previous dynasty, this land had been allocated to the Demon Suppression Division. Later, the Shangqing Baolu Palace, Auspicious Cloud Nunnery, and the Demon Suppression Monastery were built there. Because of this, the common folk often jokingly referred to the mountain as Demon Suppression Mountain or Demon Vanquishing Mountain.
During the Qingming and Ghost Festivals, incense burned incessantly as countless believers visited. The smoke rose straight into the clouds, making the place look like a dwelling for immortals when viewed from afar.
On ordinary days, the gates of the Demon Suppression Monastery remained wide open, with a constant stream of demon suppressors coming and going.
Although the people of Bianjing often saw members of the Demon Suppression Division walking the streets, few were ever able to enter and see the inside.
As the minor official hurried to the front of Maji Street, he saw the yamen of the Demon Suppression Monastery standing tall. The eaves were upturned, and the Chaofeng on the roof seemed to swallow the mist. The plaque in front was painted with gold lacquer, looking magnificent and grand.
Even the two stone lions in front of the gates were a full size larger than those at the Kaifeng Prefecture. Their manes stood on end, and they looked as if they were ready to devour anyone who approached.
The opulence did not make it look like a demon suppression yamen; instead, it resembled a royal palace.
The stone tiles on the ground were swept clean, without a speck of dust. Eight men sat at the gate with sabers in hand, looking incredibly imposing.
The minor official summoned his courage and led his horse forward to report. Just then, the gates of the Demon Suppression Monastery swung open, and a group of young men and women dressed in purple robes dashed out.
“Hurry up! Do not let that cat from the Kaifeng Prefecture beat us to it!”
The young girl leading them barked out an order:
“What on earth are those stupid birds at the Feiluan Pavilion doing? They only sent word after the person already entered the city.”
“If we lose face for the Demon Suppression Division this time, you can all take off your official uniforms and go to the mountains to feed pigs when we get back!”
This girl had a face like a delicate flower and skin like white jade. She wore purple robes with a golden heart-protecting mirror on her chest, a red cloak over her shoulders, and a string of purple gold bells at her waist. As she moved, the bells let out a crisp “cling-clang” sound.
She was truly valiant and dashing.
The minor official recognized her at a glance. This was Lord Xu Zi, a second-class arrest officer of the Demon Suppression Division.
As for the “cat” she mentioned, it surely referred to Guard Zhan of the Kaifeng Prefecture.
Xu Zi walked with great strides. As she passed the minor official, she suddenly glanced at him.
“Someone from the Transport Office? Your superior is quite a talent, hedging his bets on both sides.”
With that, she hurriedly mounted her horse and galloped away with her small squad of demon suppressors.
Before the official could react, a grey-eyed demon suppressor appeared and said with a polite smile:
“It has been a long journey from the docks to deliver the news. You have worked hard.”
“Our Lord already knows. Little brother, come inside for some tea. Let your horse rest a bit and give it some fodder and water.”
The people of the Demon Suppression Division already knew?
The minor official was struck with a sudden chill. He recalled a street rumor:
It was said that the Demon Suppression Division had extraordinary individuals who were fluent in the languages of birds and beasts. Not a single matter, large or small, that occurred in Bianjing could be hidden from them.
Seeing that the grey-eyed demon suppressor was handsome and appeared friendly and kind, he felt a desire to be polite and get closer, so he hurried inside.
...
Wanshou Mountain, Plum Garden.
Although the hottest days of summer had passed, it was still late summer. The garden was a sea of lush green, and the sound of a babbling stream added a sense of peace and leisure.
“Snip.”
A woman in palace attire held golden shears, meticulously pruning the branches of a potted plum tree. She worked carefully, and those waiting nearby held their breath, not daring to speak.
“You, really.”
A man with a beautiful beard sitting at a stone table stroked his whiskers and shook his head in disapproval.
“If Daizi comes back and sees you messing with her disciples and grand-disciples again, she will surely have a row with you.”
“If the plum trees in these pots aren't pruned, they will only grow more and more crooked.”
“A-Zi only knows how to plant trees in this garden, but she has no idea how to maintain them. If I leave them alone, the Demon Suppression Monastery might as well change its name to the ‘Garden of Ten Thousand Plants.’”
The woman set down her shears and washed her hands in a basin of fresh water brought by an attendant before sitting down to drink tea and talk with the man.
“If you ask me, it is you and A-Zi who give me the biggest headaches. One is a perfectly good Supervisory General who changed her name to be a low-level arrest officer.”
“The other is an Arrest General in charge of captures who spends all day in my Plum Garden drinking tea and chatting, completely ignoring the storms outside. If you ask me, it would be better if the two of you swapped personalities.”
“Although Daizi is flighty, she knows her limits. Otherwise, she wouldn't have suppressed her cultivation and changed her name.”
“It is her nature. If she were forced to stay in one place, she would probably die of boredom.”
The man stroked his beard and said complacently:
“If you ask me, she was meant to be the Arrest General. Finding people and catching demons is not what Yi is good at.”
“What do you mean by ‘nature’? Is it the nature of a tree to pull up its roots and walk around?”
The woman gave him a light glare. “You are clearly just lazy and coaxed Daizi into doing your work for you.”
“Sister Miaoyun sent word from Chenzhou saying that Lord Jiao has entered the sea and she will arrive in Bianjing in a few days.”
“As for those two precious disciples of Daoist Qinglong, they are currently in the Shouzhou area investigating the withdrawal of the demon suppression case.”
“That pair of senior and junior siblings are honest and kind-hearted, but they have never traveled in the mortal realm before. They haven't seen much of the world, so they likely won't find anything. We should still send more people.”
The man swirled the tea in his cup, then suddenly used his pinky to pick at his ear, saying nonchalantly:
“The little demon suppressor coming to the capital this time seems to be highly regarded by Sister Miaoyun. After only meeting once, Sister Miaoyun was willing to gift her personal prayer beads.”
“It is rare to see Sister Miaoyun being so generous. It’s highly likely that this little demon suppressor has extraordinary talent and she’s considering taking her as a disciple.”
“Sister, do you think we should strike first and snatch her away from our senior sister?”
“Not only is your Records Division short on people, but the Judicial Division is also severely understaffed.”
“If we don't act fast, Daizi will realize what’s happening and start competing with us for her.”
Just as the woman was about to reply, a maid in palace attire hurried over and bowed deeply to the two of them.
“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress and the State Uncle.”
“Word has come from the palace. Lord Bao entered the palace this morning and has been arguing with His Majesty for over half an hour regarding the disaster relief in Chenzhou!”
Here we go again.
The word “arguing” probably wasn't quite right. It was more likely that the Emperor had been endured a scolding for half an hour and couldn't take it anymore, which was why he sent someone to fetch them.
The man and woman looked at each other, both seeing a trace of helplessness in the other's eyes.
...
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