Chapter 11: Chapter 11 official office

Huaicheng was considered a city of considerable size.

While its geographical location was not as strategically vital as Jiuli City, the largest in Dongjun, it still bustled with a significant volume of commercial trade.

Ordinarily, the city streets would be graced by the sight of numerous women, their figures graceful and their faces charming.

Yet, at present…

Yin Luan, trailing beside Du Xuan, was strikingly conspicuous, drawing a multitude of gazes wherever they went.

Yin Luan possessed an exceedingly beautiful countenance; every subtle movement and expression radiated a captivating allure, making her a ‘gaze-reaper’ (TL Note: A phrase describing someone who effortlessly draws everyone’s attention due to their beauty or charm.) anywhere she went.

With not a single young woman visible on the entire street, her presence became even more remarkably eye-catching.

Du Xuan was not one to feel uncomfortable under scrutiny, but the collective stares of an entire street full of people still made her somewhat apprehensive.

“Alright, stop being difficult,” Du Xuan sighed. “I’ll arrange a place for you to stay first.”

After several days of traveling together, she and the little snake demon had become thoroughly acquainted, and Du Xuan understood that despite her rather unrestrained demeanor (especially considering Du Xuan’s ‘male’ disguise), Yin Luan was surprisingly obedient.

“No!” the little snake demon declared, her voice laced with alarm. “Are you planning to abandon me? Are you going to cast me aside like this, after toying with me, you ungrateful wretch, boo hoo hoo…”

Yin Luan had made no attempt to lower her voice or avoid the passersby, and the gazes directed their way immediately converged on Du Xuan.

This only amplified the pressure on the esteemed official of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

“Didn’t we agree…”

“We agreed I could follow you to Huaicheng,” the little snake demon interrupted. “We’re still *in* Huaicheng, aren’t we? You have a case to handle here, right? So I have to stay with you!”

“You…!”

Du Xuan felt a surge of both anger and exasperation.

How could this creature be so adept at pushing her luck? Did she not fear that Du Xuan might become enraged, and in a moment of impulse, ruin her reputation?

With her seductive, even scandalous, physique, wouldn’t any man with slightly less self-control have long since lost all composure?

“Fine, fine, you can stay by my side,” Du Xuan conceded through gritted teeth. “I’m still uneasy about you roaming around alone while the city’s case remains unsolved. But let’s be clear: this is the very last time, understand?”

“Hehe, you’re the best, my lord!”

Yin Luan immediately beamed with delight and clung to the arm of the Demon Suppression Bureau official.

Gazing at her smiling face, Du Xuan felt much of her anger dissipate.

‘She’s too good at this…’

‘If I were truly a man, I would fall completely under her sway within three days!’

****

Upon entering the city, the two headed directly for the local government office.

Before arriving, Du Xuan had only received a brief report; the precise details of the situation still required her personal investigation.

Presumably, the string of homicides had caused widespread panic, as the guards at the City Lord’s manor entrance were several times more numerous than usual, their faces etched with tension.

If these cases were indeed the work of malevolent spirits, the perpetrators might very well target the government office, which posed the greatest threat to them.

“I am Du Xuan, from the Dark Observation Hall of the Demon Suppression Bureau, here to investigate a case.”

Du Xuan presented her token, and moments later, a somewhat portly middle-aged man, accompanied by several attendants, scurried out, as if he had just spotted a savior.

“Lord, Lord Du Xuan, you’ve finally arrived!” the middle-aged man exclaimed, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow and forcing a smile. “This subordinate, Fang Qian, has been awaiting your presence for a long time!”

“There’s no need for such formalities,” Du Xuan stated calmly. “Your rank surpasses mine, so all matters here still fall under your authority.”

Although the Demon Suppression Bureau reported directly to the imperial court and possessed special powers for handling urgent matters, these powers were not to be abused unless the presence of ‘demons, devils, or monsters’ (TL Note: A common Chinese idiom referring to evil spirits or supernatural beings.) was confirmed.

Of course, despite these rules, the extent of their adherence ultimately depended on an individual’s character.

“How could I dare? You are the savior we have been longing for, day and night!”

Fang Qian had navigated the officialdom for decades; while his abilities might not have been exceptional, his discernment was sharp, and he understood that the person before him was likely an incorruptible and just official, not one seeking pleasure.

Naturally, there were aspects that puzzled him… for instance, why such an upright individual would be accompanied by a woman so seductive and charming, a beauty whose equal would be hard-pressed to find in all of Huaicheng.

Could it possibly be one of those clichéd tales of “you saved my life, so I’ll pledge myself to you”? Was such a thing still encountered in this day and age?

“The hour grows late; please, both of you, come and rest at my humble residence,” Fang Qian offered. “I have already dispatched someone to organize the relevant case files, which you may peruse at your leisure.”

“Very well,” Du Xuan replied, glancing at the rapidly dimming sky. “That would be most convenient.”

****

The magistrate proved to be quite accommodating, having already arranged for a carriage to be prepared, which then transported the two to his own estate.

The mansion itself was of considerable size, its decor impressively grand, surpassing that of typical wealthy households by a significant margin.

“Quite rich, aren’t we…”

Yin Luan remarked casually.

“Ah, it’s an old family home, an old family home,” Fang Qian stammered. “Passed down through generations; I’ve merely made a few minor renovations…”

Fang Qian chuckled awkwardly, subtly glancing at the official from the Demon Suppression Bureau.

“There’s no need to be concerned,” Du Xuan stated, sitting ramrod straight, a stark contrast to the woman beside her who was slouching idly, lacking any proper decorum. “The Demon Suppression Bureau only concerns itself with demons and monsters; we do not interfere with other matters.”

The magistrate visibly relaxed, then addressed Yin Luan.

“And this esteemed lady… Madam Du?”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

At this implication, the usually composed Du Xuan nearly leaped from her seat, coughing hastily.

“Her name is Yin Luan,” Du Xuan quickly clarified. “We met on the road; there’s no special relationship between us!”

“Ah, yes, this subordinate understands!”

‘A mistress, then? Perfectly understandable! Even those formidable individuals from the Demon Suppression Bureau must have their personal needs, right?’

“Lady Yin Luan, have you perhaps heard the rumors circulating in the city recently?”

“I have,” Yin Luan replied. “We can’t go out on the streets, right?”

The little snake demon was idly resting her head on one hand, prompting the Demon Suppression Bureau official beside her, who could no longer bear the sight, to nudge her with an elbow.

“That’s correct,” Fang Qian affirmed, nodding. “The veracity of these rumors cannot be confirmed, but for your safety, should you wish to go out, it would be best to inform us. I will dispatch guards to protect you.”

“How many people have been killed?”

Du Xuan asked, her expression serious.

“Six,” Fang Qian stated. “All were women of exquisite beauty. The first three died in their own homes, while the latter three perished even under our protection.”

“There’s absolutely no trace of the culprit?”

“None at all,” he replied, shaking his head with a sigh. “It’s truly shameful to admit, but we haven’t even caught a glimpse of this individual’s shadow. My constables, while not on par with the esteemed officials of the Demon Suppression Bureau, are certainly not entirely useless. If they could just encounter this person, they would at least be able to put up some kind of fight.”

The perpetrator was elusive, leaving no trace, and their methods were cruel.

Capturing such a ‘culprit’ would likely prove to be exceedingly difficult.

“What about the other young women in the city?” Du Xuan inquired. “If you were to assign guards to all of them, your forces would surely be insufficient, correct?”

“Precisely,” Fang Qian confirmed. “Therefore, I ordered that some of the women most likely to be targeted be brought to this residence for unified protection, ensuring their safety to the best of our ability.”

As they spoke, the carriage slowly came to a halt directly in front of the mansion’s main entrance, and the group disembarked.

“Esteemed sirs, the wine and dishes have been prepared,” Fang Qian announced. “Please, enter the residence and let us converse.”