Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Ning City's County Magistrate, named Fang Yong, was a middle-aged man with a gaunt face and a few whiskers on his chin. He had been serving in Ning City for twelve years and was deeply loved by the people.

"Lord, this is Gu Chen, Master Gu, an Inspection official from Jing Tian Department in Tiandu," Wu Qian said to Fang Yong with a fist-and-palm salute and respectful tone.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yong looked at the youthful appearance of Gu Chen, his eyes suddenly brightened. He quickly walked over to greet him, performed a courtesy, and said, "Ning City's County Magistrate Fang Yong, has seen Lord Gu Chen."

The County Magistrate of Ning City held a seventh-rank official position, whereas Gu Chen, as an Inspection official of the first order of Jing Tian Department, did not have a specific title. But in truth, he ranked half a level higher than a seventh-rank official in Da Xia.

"No need for such formalities, Lord Fang," Gu Chen said as he helped Fang Yong back to his feet.

Afterward, the two sat down, and Fang Yong personally poured a cup of tea for Gu Chen and asked, "Lord Gu, when did you arrive in Ning City?"

Gu Chen picked up the teacup, took a sip and replied, "I set out directly from Tiandu after receiving the message yesterday and arrived in Ning City this morning."

"Do you have a place to stay, Lord Gu? If you don't mind, there are many vacant rooms in the Ning City government office," Fang Yong said with a smile.

"There's no need, thank you for your kind offer, Lord Fang," Gu Chen politely declined. He added, "Lord Fang can simply call me by my name or Master Gu. There's no need to be so formal; it makes us seem too estranged."

"Absolutely, Master Gu is right," Fang Yong nodded, smiling warmly, and said, "Master Gu has just arrived in Ning City, and you probably haven't had the chance to eat yet. I'll have Constable Wu go buy some food."

With that, he was about to give instructions to the reverent Wu Qian who was standing aside.

"There's no need, Lord Fang. I had already tasted the local snacks of Ning City before I came. These minor matters can be put off until later. For now, let's discuss the urgent matter at hand," Gu Chen interrupted.

"Of course, there's no problem, it was remiss of me," Fang Yong slapped his forehead and then instructed Wu Qian, "Constable Wu, come and explain the specifics to Master Gu in detail."

"Yes!"

Wu Qian nodded and briefed Gu Chen on the complete circumstances of the case.

Several days earlier, someone had reported to the county office that, overnight, all the villagers of Liu Family Village, located fifty miles away, had disappeared.

The person reporting was a villager from Liu Family Village who, having stayed in Ning City for business overnight, found the entire village empty upon his return, even the livestock was gone.

This bizarre occurrence terrified the villager, prompting him to hurriedly return to Ning City to report the incident.

After learning of the situation, Fang Yong had immediately sent Wu Qian to the scene to investigate. Despite searching inside and out numerous times, aside from the slightly dense and sinister aura in the village, no useful clues were discovered.

Therefore, Wu Qian could only bring his men back to Ning City and report the situation to Fang Yong. After discussing, they decided not to delay, fearing the situation may worsen with time, and immediately reported the incident to allow the Jing Tian Department in Tiandu to dispatch someone to handle it.

After listening to Wu Qian's description, Fang Yong looked at Gu Chen and asked, "May I ask if Master Gu has any insights?"

Gu Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Insights are a stretch to say; it seems we'll have to visit the scene first to determine more."

With the original host's memories integrated, Gu Chen knew that dealing with such fiendish beings was tricky due to their unpredictable and cunning methods.

In the original host's memories, there were several instances where, despite being stronger than those evil beings, he nearly suffered defeat at their hands precisely because of this.

So, to confront these demonic creatures, merely listening to Wu Qian was useless; he must see the situation for himself to draw conclusions.

"Alright, I'll immediately have Wu Qian accompany you, Master Gu, to the site for an investigation," Fang Yong said. Then, turning his head, he issued an order to Wu Qian, "Constable Wu, I command you to gather the men immediately and escort Master Gu to Liu Family Village as quickly as possible. During the entire process, you are to prioritize Master Gu's orders and show no neglect.

If there's any issue, you alone will answer to me, do you understand?"

"By your command!"

Wu Qian bowed with his hands in salute and then said to Gu Chen, "Master Gu, please follow me."

"Lord Fang, I entrust this matter to you. On behalf of all the people of Ning City, I thank you in advance. I await your safe return to Ning City!" Fang Yong stood up, his expression serious, and gave a formal bow to Gu Chen.

"Rest assured, Lord Fang, it is my duty," Gu Chen said solemnly, bowing back with his hands folded in salute.

After that, he left the hall with Wu Qian. On the way, Gu Chen asked Wu Qian, "Constable Wu, is Lord Fang also a martial artist?"

Wu Qian was slightly startled by the question but still answered, "Lord Fang did have a period of martial arts training before becoming an official, though it wasn't for long. Over the years, my impression is that Lord Fang does not seem like a martial artist; if he is, he probably wouldn't have surpassed the Body Refining Stage."

Gu Chen nodded, not asking further. After the two arrived in the outer hall, Wu Qian began calling roll. The constables he called out promptly stepped forward and stood behind him.

"Depart!"

Following Wu Qian's command, Gu Chen followed them out of the city and arrived at Liu Family Village, which was fifty miles away from Ning City.

As they neared Liu Family Village, Gu Chen suddenly felt a wave of discomfort.

There was a faint coldness that appeared, seeping through his skin, trying to burrow into his body through his pores.

This feeling was just like the sensation Gu Chen experienced when he held a soul crystal in his hand, the distinct aura that belonged solely to evil spirits. They were excessively sinister and opposed to all living beings, with every single one of the evil spirits being like this.

Based on the original host's experiences, Gu Chen was certain that an evil spirit must have lingered in Liu Family Village for a long time, or else the aura wouldn't have been so intense.

Gu Chen frowned slightly. A gentle circulation of the robust energy within his body completely eradicated the cold sensation that had infiltrated him.

"Master Gu, we have arrived," Wu Qian said to Gu Chen at that moment.

Gu Chen nodded, and he discovered that upon actually stepping within the boundaries of Liu Family Village, the previously faint cold feeling had become much stronger.

It was only because their group was comprised entirely of martial artists, with even the weakest among them at the great perfection of the Body Refining Stage, that they were able to remain unharmed for the time being.

If an ordinary person were here, they wouldn't need to stay more than half an hour before they would likely fall seriously ill, or in more severe cases, with a weaker constitution, they might even die on the spot.

This was the danger that evil spirits posed to ordinary people.

Moreover, judging by the intensity of the residual evil aura in this place, it seemed unlikely that it was caused by any random malicious entity. No wonder Wu Qian had opted to report to the Jing Tian Department.

Clad in black garments and with a long sword at his waist, Gu Chen took the lead and walked towards the village. Along the way, the entire Liu Family Village was eerily quiet, to the extent that the silence was frightening, without a single sound to be heard or a living being in sight.

What was most peculiar was that everything in the village was well-placed, showing no signs of disturbance, appearing extremely neat.

This gave people the impression that all the villagers had vanished into thin air at the same exact moment.

"How can it be this quiet, not even a bird in sight?" Gu Chen murmured with a slight frown, immersed in this unsettling calm.

By his side, some of the constables seemed to be struggling to adapt to the ambiance here, rubbing their hands and even a few reached back to touch their necks, as if they felt a draft passing through.

"Master Gu, have you discovered anything?" Wu Qian asked, as puzzled as Gu Chen had been on his first visit, unable to find any clue.

Moreover, because he had stayed too long during his previous visit, searching the village inside and out, several of his weaker subordinates fell severely ill upon returning and had yet to recover.

For this reason, the constables he brought today were some of the strongest available.

Gu Chen didn't answer; he was busy probing house by house.

Seeing this, Wu Qian simply sighed and said no more, quietly following behind Gu Chen.

After all, upon their arrival, Fang Yong had said to follow Gu Chen's lead. Besides, Wu Qian was merely a constable from Ning City, whereas Gu Chen was the Inspector from the Jing Tian Department in Tiandu; he had no right to say much in Gu Chen's presence.

As time went by, more and more constables began to feel uncomfortable, with waves of coldness seeping into their bodies. They wanted to leave, but without a word from Gu Chen or an order from Wu Qian, naturally, they could do nothing.

Meanwhile, seeing that some of his subordinates seemed unable to bear it any longer, Wu Qian was about to suggest something to Gu Chen again.

But just then, he saw Gu Chen's expression change suddenly, and then Gu Chen's body shuddered as he stamped his foot violently on the ground. Wu Qian, standing by his side, felt a surge of mighty wind rush towards him, almost causing him to lose his balance.

Just as he was confused, something horrifying happened before everyone's eyes: their world, like a shattered mirror dropped on the ground, was covered with countless black cracks spreading all around.

The terrifying sight stunned everyone.

Then, the next moment, with a loud crack, the entire world before their eyes burst apart.

It was not until that moment that the true view was revealed before them.