Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 124

Li Chengfeng, Li Yanran, Mo Ronghua—these people were all from prominent families in the capital.

Were they from the so-called Eight Great Families?
Or perhaps…
No wonder people from these major families, like Li Yanran, joined the Xuan Bird Guard.

Presumably, it was for those slots to enter the Spirit Ruin Realm.

The Great Xia Imperial Clan’s seventy percent share of the slots was indeed enough to make people flock to them, even go mad for them.

Those so-called great families probably found their own allocated slots insufficient, so they simply joined the Xuan Bird Guard to get more.

Otherwise, why would these spoiled young masters and mistresses from powerful families, with nothing better to do, join an organization like the Xuan Bird Guard where you risk life and limb?

Putting these thoughts aside, Lu Xuan walked out of his training room and headed straight for the main gate of his courtyard.

Just as he stepped outside, the Xuan Bird Guard stationed at the entrance immediately stepped forward to report.

“Commander, Vice-Commander He has sent word. The Prefect requests an audience. He is already waiting for you in the main hall.”

Main Hall of the Estate!

Two figures sat in the hall, each seated in chairs on opposite sides.

These two were Vice-Commander He Yan, and Hong Zhi, the Prefect of Baidao Prefecture.

The Prefect of Baidao Prefecture looked similar to He Yan, with a full head of silver hair, appearing to be in his forties or fifties. His face was ruddy, and he carried a naturally authoritative air even without seeming angry.

The two chatted and laughed amiably, like old friends who had known each other for years.

Having served in Baidao Prefecture for many years, Vice-Commander He Yan naturally had frequent dealings with the local government offices.

After repeated interactions, and considering this Prefect was also an Internal Qi realm martial artist, the two had naturally become somewhat familiar.

However, in the next moment.

They both seemed to sense something, stopped their conversation, and turned to look towards the door.

Seeing it was Lu Xuan, Vice-Commander He Yan rose from his chair.

“Commander!”

Noticing this, Prefect Hong Zhi, who sat beside him, didn’t dare remain seated either and stood up following He Yan’s lead.

When Hong Zhi got a clear look at Lu Xuan’s appearance, his eyes widened, visibly shocked.

Although He Yan had previously told him that the new Commander was quite young, Hong Zhi still found it unbelievable.

‘Quite young’?!
This new Commander looks like he’s only about twenty years old.

He’s the same age as my own sons! And you’re telling me he’s a martial artist at the Great Achievement level of the Internal Qi realm or higher?!
Hong Zhi thought of his own good-for-nothing sons, who did nothing but sleep and visit pleasure houses all day.

Compared to this exceptionally distinguished Commander, the difference was like that between heaven and earth.

“Hmm.”

Lu Xuan walked in through the door, acknowledging He Yan calmly.

Only after Lu Xuan had taken the main seat at the front did Vice-Commander He Yan speak again.

“Commander, this is Prefect Hong Zhi of Baidao Prefecture. He came today seeking an audience with you regarding a matter.”

“Old Hong, what are you standing there dazed for?”

“This is the new Commander of our Xuan Bird Guard. He is temporarily managing the Baidao Prefecture branch in place of Commander Li Chengfeng.”

Seeing Hong Zhi’s utterly astonished, world-view-questioning expression, He Yan felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

Seeing someone else react the same way was reassuring.

When he had first met Lu Xuan, he too had fallen into a similarly deep state of bewilderment.

Was the gap between people really this vast?

Did the world truly contain monstrous geniuses like Lu Xuan?

He Yan’s reminder made Hong Zhi instantly aware of his impropriety. He quickly schooled his features back to normal and adopted a humble posture.

“This lowly official, Hong Zhi, Prefect of Baidao Prefecture, pays his respects to the Commander!”

As a Heaven-tier Xuan Bird Guard, Lu Xuan’s official rank was naturally higher than that of a Prefect.

Be it in terms of court rank or the strength of a Heaven-tier Guard, both far surpassed that of a Prefect.

Therefore, Hong Zhi naturally didn’t dare act presumptuously or put on airs just because the other party looked young.

Otherwise, if the Commander decided to make things difficult for him, he would be in for a world of trouble.

After giving the Prefect a glance, Lu Xuan casually said, “Be seated, both of you.”

Upon hearing this, He Yan and Hong Zhi returned to their original seats.

“Thank you, Commander!”

The moment Hong Zhi sat down, without a moment’s delay, he addressed Lu Xuan.

“Commander, this lowly official came here today to report a critical matter.”

“The county seat of Fenglin County sent word to inform this official that two monstrous creatures, suspected to be demon beasts, have appeared there.”

“The County Magistrate, Deputy Magistrate, Chief of Security, and other key officials of the county office were all slaughtered by those two demonic creatures.”

“That is why this official rushed over urgently to inform you, Commander.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan immediately frowned and looked towards Vice-Commander He Yan.

Understanding Lu Xuan’s silent cue, He Yan spoke up.

“So that’s why you’re here, Old Hong.”

“Regarding those two monsters you mentioned—they were two demon beasts at the Greater Demon realm.”

“A few days ago, the Commander already went to Fenglin County and slew both Greater Demons.”

He Yan’s words caused Hong Zhi to exclaim in surprise.

“What? Old Yan, are you saying the two demon beasts in Fenglin County were Greater Demons?!”

Greater Demon realm demon beasts, and two of them at that.

No wonder the officials at the Fenglin County office had been powerless to resist, with almost all of them falling victim.

So it was two Greater Demons.

Forget the people of the Fenglin County office; even he, an Internal Qi realm martial artist, probably wouldn’t be a match for two Greater Demon realm demon beasts if he encountered them.

The physical strength of demon beasts far surpassed that of human martial artists at the same realm.

Under equal cultivation levels, humans simply couldn’t be a match for demon beasts.

However, upon hearing that the two Greater Demons had already been slain, Hong Zhi’s anxious heart relaxed.

He then stood up and bowed to Lu Xuan with a respectful expression.

“Oh, so the Commander has already eliminated those two Greater Demons.”

“This lowly official offers thanks on behalf of the people of Fenglin County for your intervention, Commander.”

Hearing these words of praise, Lu Xuan remained expressionless and unemotional, as always.

“It’s of no consequence. It is merely my duty.”

Seeing Lu Xuan’s consistently calm and composed demeanor, Hong Zhi marveled inwardly.

Truly, a hero emerges from the youth!

It was simply incredible that a young man around twenty years old could possess such composure.

“This lowly official has one more matter to report to you, Commander!”

“The Magistrate of Lanshan County sent word that a few days ago, a family within the city walls… the entire household died suddenly and mysteriously. The corpses were emanating a Yin-cold aura all over, their skin had turned ashen white, and their faces were contorted fiercely.”

“This lowly official believes this is a supernatural phenomenon. It should be that Bloodsucking Corpse Fiend from years past.”