The long night is as dark as water, the lights of Anfenghou Mansion are dim and the door is closed.
Qi Jingzhi stood in front of the dense but silent mansion door and clearly heard the long breathing sounds coming and going from behind the door.
Before Changle County Magistrate Cui Zitao, who was dressed in green official uniform, came forward and knocked on the door, the side door on the side of the main entrance was suddenly opened.
A steward of the Hou Mansion came out with a solemn face, waved to Cui Zitao, and looked at Qi Jingzhi and Ban Nu. He did not speak, but made a silent gesture of respecting guests.
Cui Zitao obviously knew the steward. When he saw the other person's appearance, he couldn't help but feel a little shocked, but he knew it and didn't say anything. He immediately held his hand and followed the other person in through the side door.
Qi Jingzhi and Ban Nu followed behind. As soon as they entered the door, they saw a huge dark-lit screen wall standing in the courtyard. There were no pictures or patterns on it, only sixteen huge golden inscriptions: "The blazing furnace, the melting iron collar" Ying, vigorous and powerful, conquers Haidong."
If Qi Jingzhi's perception was correct, this screen wall was actually made entirely of iron cast from the East China Sea, and the golden energy inside was condensed, like a mountain or a sea.
Under the moonlight, in front of the screen wall, there were many tough armored soldiers standing in front of the screen. They all held swords and led horses, standing still. Except for the breathing of men and horses, there was no other sound. It was almost the same. The iron wall behind him merged into one.
Qi Jingzhi noticed that the attire of these soldiers was exactly the same as the sergeants under the command of the Gu team guarding the east gate. They were clearly elites under the command of the commander of the county army, and for some reason they appeared in the Anfenghou Mansion.
Under the leadership of the steward of the Hou Mansion, Cui Zitao, Qi Jingzhi and Ban Nu walked past the formation of these soldiers, only to see another formation of soldiers behind the iron wall. The number of people was much larger than in front of the iron wall. The military appearance is also neat and tidy, and no noise is heard. Even in terms of aura, body, armor and horses, they are better than the elite county troops across the wall. They must be the personal iron guards of Marquis Anfeng.
Qi Jingzhi was heartbroken when he saw this. Last night, the sky dog flew through the air and smashed the city gate. Today, there was another massacre of the Wei family. It was impossible for Marquis Anfeng not to respond to it. Now the Marquis Mansion is clearly a tight-knit family. The situation, and it seems that the Marquis is not satisfied with guarding his own door, but is ready to send troops to quell the chaos at any time.
The few people walked in silence for a moment and entered an extremely open courtyard. There were also many iron guards in the courtyard, tightly protecting a lonely Nuan Pavilion.
Geshu Dashi also wore a pair of heavy iron armor and guarded the door of Nuange with a bamboo ox.
After not seeing each other for a day, it was obvious that this purple-bearded and blue-eyed boy from the Ge Shu family was no longer just a little shepherd slave of the Marquis Mansion.
After he put on the armor, his body became more burly and his aura became more majestic. In addition, his face was solemn and his temperament was calm. Although he was still young, he already showed the air of a general.
Seeing Qi Jingzhi from a distance, Geshu Dashi's face immediately thawed, revealing a bit of a sincere smile, his body moved, and his armor leaves clanked.
This young man with purple beard and blue eyes stood in front of several people. Although he had a smile on his face, he had no intention of exchanging greetings. He only said in a stiff tone: "Mounts are not allowed!"
Qi Jingzhi smiled back, then nodded towards Ban Nu.
Bannu immediately trotted up to the side of the bamboo cow and huddled together with this strange beast that was also reborn and was said to be able to subdue a tiger.
Seeing this, Geshu Dashi stood sideways and opened the way to Nuange.
As the two sides passed each other, he couldn't help but asked in a low voice: "How is Brother Leopard?"
Qi Jingzhi did not turn his head and replied in the same low voice: "The whole clan is dead and the spirit is still strong. In time, Liaozhou Golden Sword Wei will be famous in the East China Sea again."
Geshu Dashi's expression softened again, and then he retreated to Zhuniu's side and stood still.
In this dewy autumn night, inside the Nuan Pavilion there are red furnaces on display, as warm as spring. In particular, there is a huge bronze incense burner in the center of the Nuan Pavilion, with faint firelight and warm fragrance.
The steward of the Hou Mansion did not follow him in. There were only a few people in the pavilion, including Anfeng Hou Ding Chengyuan.
Cui Zitao took a step forward and saluted respectfully: "Cui Zitao, the magistrate of Changle County, has met Dinghou, Han Fujun, Zang Dutong, and all of you!"
This last sentence,
He said this to his entourage after the county guard and county army were united.
When Qi Jingzhi heard this, his heart couldn't help but move.
In addition to the Demon-Suppressing Capital Commander, all the dignitaries from Jiuzhen County were actually present. They were gathering in Anfenghou Mansion at such a late hour. They obviously had important matters to discuss, but they chose to ignore him. The humble Inspector of the Demon Suppressing Academy summoned him, but he really didn't know what Ding Chengyuan was thinking.
As early as Cui Zitao entered the door, County Sheriff Han, Zang Dutong, and the first and second attendants behind them had expressions of surprise on their faces, and their eyes were fixed on his colorful tiger eyebrows and odd-colored eyes.
When Cui Zitao spoke, the sharp fangs in his mouth could no longer be concealed and were clearly displayed in front of everyone.
Sheriff Han couldn't hide the shock on his face. He couldn't help but stand up and walked quickly to Cui Zitao.
He came closer and looked at the Changle County Magistrate for a long time, then suddenly turned back to look at Ding Chengyuan: "Master Hou, he is..."
Ding Chengyuan laughed, obviously very happy in his heart, and then nodded sternly, saying in a solemn tone: "As you can see, my nephew's bloodline has revived, and he is an out-and-out direct descendant of Lord Donglai. The richness is something I have never seen before in my life, and my future achievements will be limitless!"
"Mr. Donglai has already made great contributions to the country, and the Ding and Cui families are blood relatives with a long history. When I declare the master of the country, the title will be reduced soon, and the Cui family of Yecheng will return to the Saint Jiangmen Court." !」
After receiving the confirmation from Marquis Anfeng, Governor Han immediately looked solemn, immediately took two steps back, and bowed his hands to Cui Zitao as a salute: "I'm sorry! Han Songde, the Governor of Jiuzhen County, congratulates the Cui family of Yecheng!"
Almost at the same time, Zang Dutong also stood up, raised his fist towards Cui Zitao, and said with a solemn expression and a deep voice: "Zang Hailiang, Commander-in-Chief of the Jiuzhen County Army, congratulates the Cui family of Yecheng!"
The other attendants bowed deeply and congratulated in unison.
Seeing this scene, Qi Jingzhi couldn't help but be deeply surprised. Only then did he truly realize the weight of the four words "Shengjiang Menting", which could actually reverse the hierarchy and make the county guards and soldiers bow to the same county magistrate.
At the same time, if you want to become the Saint Jiang Gate recognized by the leader of the Qi Kingdom, aristocratic families and officials, it is far more than just being a direct blood descendant of Saint Jiang. For example, Lu Ao also has a revived bloodline, and he is the more ancient and noble Jade Horn Shennong. Although his parents and the elder brother of the Lu family received some benefits, they were completely different from the Cui family in Yecheng.
Listening to Ding Chengyuan's words, if you want to be included in the Saint Jiang Menting, the achievements your ancestors have established in Daqi and the titles they have obtained are the top priority. It is also important to have important relatives such as Anfenghou Ding to write to him to ask for the title. Indispensable.
The county governor, Han Songde, was still a little hesitant at first, but after receiving Ding Chengyuan's personal assurance, he immediately changed his attitude, because in the eyes of these Jiuzhen County officials, the Cui family in Yecheng had these conditions, and the family could be revitalized. It's a done deal.
Amidst the congratulations from everyone in the pavilion, Cui Zitao's body suddenly started to tremble slightly. He seemed to be drunk and unsteady on his feet.
Tears flashed in his eyes, he quickly took a deep breath, and bowed slowly in return: "Thank you all, sir! Cui spent twenty-six years in vain, mediocre and achieved nothing. Fortunately, thanks to the great blessing of the king and the favor of his ancestors, he was able to spread the word With the mantle of Donglaijun, I can carry forward the tradition and serve the king, and I hope to regain my family reputation from now on!"
Speaking of the emotional part, Cui Zitao choked up with sobs: "Zitao knows that his moral character is shallow. He has been frightened and walking on thin ice since he was appointed. I would be very grateful if you can help me and teach you a lesson!"
"Don't dare!"
The governor, Han Songde, solemnly returned the greeting again and solemnly said: "The Cui family is about to be revived, and I have a bright future ahead of me. I only need to wait for the Lord Marquis to write a letter and the Lord to show his favor, and then he will rise to great heights. How can we talk nonsense?"
He paused and then said: "What's more, the situation in the city is corrupt now. Apart from a few people in this pavilion, I don't know who else I can trust. The Cui family in Yecheng is one of the holy gingers, so naturally they can be trusted. I am also the magistrate of Guo County, so I am here at the right time!"
After saying that, Han Songde turned his attention to Qi Jingzhi who was standing aside. Obviously, in the mind of the governor, this unfamiliar boy was not included in the trustworthy people in Nuan Pavilion.
Upon seeing this, Qi Jingzhi immediately took a step forward, cupped his fists and said, "Qi Jingzhi, the police officer of the Linzhou Demonic Academy, is here at the order of Marquis Ding!"
"Huh? But the one who traveled thousands of miles to return the red gold sword to the Golden Saber Wei family?"
Hearing the young man's identity, Han Songde was quite surprised, and the look he looked at him became much gentler, but he was still a little puzzled. He couldn't figure out why An Fenghou wanted to invite a small police officer to enter the Nuan Pavilion. , but Ding Chengyuan obviously hadn't finished speaking yet, so the county guard didn't rush to ask.
"Isn't it him! Qi Jishi is entrusted by others and loyal to others, so he deserves the name of a rebel!"
As soon as Ding Chengyuan said these words, everyone in the pavilion nodded. .
He was naturally aware of everyone's doubts, but he did not rush to answer. Instead, he stretched out his hand and pointed to Han Songde's original seat: "Chief Han, please go back to your seat first. Oh... My nephew and Qi Jishi should also sit down!"
When the county guard walked back and sat down, Cui Zitao sat down below him, and everyone's eyes fell on the young man who was still standing where he was.
Qi Jingzhi cupped his fists and saluted Ding Chengyuan, and said calmly: "Although I am not a self-contemptuous person, I know that I was born in a mountainous country, my cultivation level is no more than the second level, and my position is just an out-of-state police officer with no rank, but I am... When Dinghou summoned him, he was able to enter the hall and sit with the princes. He was even more frightened than Magistrate Cui, walking on thin ice... If Dinghou has an order, please make it clear first!"
"oh?"
Ding Chengyuan suddenly raised the corner of his mouth and asked with a half-smile, "Qi Ji is not willing to sit down first. Is it possible that if what I say next embarrasses you, you will have to walk away?"
Hearing this, Qi Jingzhi smiled casually: "Although Qi is stupid, he also knows that when you treat others with courtesy, you must ask for something. If you don't get Ding Hou's permission, how can you dare to sit down and hear the secrets of the county?" ? After all, I am a police officer in Linzhou, and I am no match for Liaozhou and Dinghou."
"Who said it has nothing to do with you?"
The smile on Ding Chengyuan's face suddenly disappeared without a trace, he shook his head and said: "Now you are the only one left in Daqi Demon Town in Jiuzhen County. If you don't bear witness here, how can we look at each other in the future?" How can you explain it clearly?"
As soon as he said this, not only Qi Jingzhi was surprised, but also everyone else was shocked.
"How could this be?"
The county guard, Han Songde, couldn't sit still anymore and asked with shock on his face: "Didn't you say that a message has been sent to Captain Ji to return to the city immediately? Such a big thing happened in the county, why hasn't Captain Ji come back now? , those people who were originally in charge of the city are no longer here?”
Ding Chengyuan's expression had already turned gloomy, and he nodded lightly towards Zang Hailiang, the commander-in-chief of the county army.
Zang Hailiang also had a gloomy face and said in a deep voice: "In the evening, a fight broke out ten miles outside the east gate. The sound was extremely fierce. When a team of soldiers stationed at the east gate arrived, Lieutenant Ji Du was already dead. On the spot, not a single person was left alive, including the police officers and officers who rushed back with him, as well as the merit officers who went out of the city to meet him!"
Hearing this, County Sheriff Han Songde couldn't help but slapped the armrest of the seat, his face full of shock and anger: "Who is so heartless and crazy that he dares to do this to the Demon-Suppressing Captain of a county?"
"It's not just the Demon-Suppressing Captain... In fact, after the Tengu smashed the east gate of the county city last night, there has been no movement from the county god!"
Unexpectedly, Ding Chengyuan shook his head and said something shocking again: "In order to avoid suspicion, I sat at home all night. This morning, I summoned the meritorious officials who stayed behind to inquire about the situation in the city. Only then did I finally conclude that something happened to the Yin Division, so I went there specially. I went to the Netherworld God's Mansion and found that the door was closed. I called through the door for a long time, but no Yin God responded!"
"Without the channels of the underworld, I'm afraid our urgent documents will either not be able to leave Jiuzhen County, or they will become a reminder for reinforcements. In that vast wilderness, I don't know how many people with ulterior motives are grinding their teeth and sucking blood!"
"Now that I think about it carefully, the evil spirits that have been causing chaos in various parts of the county in recent days are definitely not accidental. If my prediction is true, none of the people from the Demon-Suppressing Lieutenant's Office who are on business trips will be able to come back. Don’t let the news spread out of Jiuzhen County!”
Hearing this, the county governor Han Songde was shocked and angry, but he hesitated to speak.
He watched An Fenghou hesitate for a long time, but in the end he didn't say the words that came to his lips.
Seeing this, Ding Chengyuan just smiled coldly: "I know what Commander Han wants to say, so the plan for now is to either wait until the surrounding counties and prefectures discover something is wrong and come to the rescue in a big way, or we have to send elite cavalry or masters to break out. out."
"Hey, there is a raging storm in the city now, and the army must not move lightly. As for the experts... The one with the highest cultivation level in the city is me. It's a pity that compared to Captain Ji, I am only slightly better. If I dare to leave the city, I will die! "
Ding Chengyuan paused and suddenly looked at Qi Jingzhi again: "Qi Jingzhi, do you still feel that this matter has nothing to do with you now? If we don't work together to overcome the current crisis, I don't know if you, the famous Demon Suppressing Academy Jingzhi How long can I survive?"