Patrol Captain

As dawn breaks, golden rays of light illuminate the night, and all things awaken from their darkness.

On the ninth mountain, the early bird catches the worm; birds fly out of the forest, chirping and chattering.

In a secluded courtyard halfway up the mountain, where An Ge used to live, a woman from the Western Regions dressed in a golden veil and a burly, muscular, and hairy-chested Hu man knelt on the ground.

Before them stood Chen Yuan, dressed in a blue robe, with his hands behind his back, and spoke calmly.
"Get up!"

The Hu woman and the burly man then raised their heads and stood up, their manners respectful and somewhat reserved.

The two were Miayi and Baturu, who had previously followed An Ge.

In this separate courtyard also lived other Hu people who followed An Ge.

As An Ge's "family," Chen Yuan had always arranged for them to live here and never treated them poorly, but he hadn't figured out how to arrange things for them, so he just let them live here.

Inside the room, Miayi was surprised to see Chen Yuan. Facing this "prince consort," she didn't know what to do with her little hands, her blue eyes filled with unease, nervousness, and anticipation.

Chen Yuan glanced at her and looked at Miayi, asking, "Are you settling in well here? Are there any difficulties?"

Miayi quickly replied, looking obedient: "Thanks to the general, this servant and the others are doing well."

"We miss you terribly, Miss, since you're not here."

At this point, she couldn't help but ask:
"General, how are Miss and An'an? Ayi misses them a little."

She used to serve the princess, and now that the princess and Xiao An'an have been taken away by the general, she misses them dearly. She hopes that the general's visit this time is to bring her to his side.

As she said this, Miayi's eyes were almost brimming with anticipation.

Chen Yuan could naturally see through her thoughts. Logically speaking, it was normal for An Ge, as her personal maid, to be taken to Qingshan County when she resigned from her official post and returned to her hometown.

However, he didn't do that, and he had his own reasons.

"They're perfectly fine with me around. What, are you afraid I'll mistreat them?"

Chen Yuan's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

But when Miayi heard this, she panicked. "No, I wouldn't dare. I didn't mean that."

"I misspoke."

She was so flustered that she didn't know what to say. She gripped her sleeves tightly and even had to bend down to apologize.

The main reason is that she has an ingrained fear of Chen Yuan, even though Chen Yuan seems to act friendly.

It's just that Chen Yuan left a rather strong impression on her during their first encounter.

She only felt bolder in front of the general when the young lady was by her side.

Chen Yuan found it somewhat amusing to see the Hu woman so frightened.

"Alright, am I really that scary?"

"Let's get down to business!"

"I have come here today to entrust you with a task."

Upon hearing this, Miayi and Baturu's faces turned solemn.
Baturu quickly placed his hand on his chest, bowed, and said respectfully, "I will obey the general's orders!"

Miayi quickly did as she was told.

Chen Yuan lowered his eyelids and his voice became somewhat deep, "I just extracted information about their headquarters from that holy maiden of the Western Regions Holy Sect."

"This Holy Church headquarters is very mysterious. It has no exact location and can only be found by using specific methods."

“I am preoccupied with worldly affairs and have no time to travel thousands of miles to investigate. You are people from the Western Regions and are familiar with the customs and culture there. Moreover, you know a bit about the Holy Religion. I need to find a few people among you to help me gather information.”

"Do you dare to take on this mission?"

Despite the risks involved, he didn't use his power to intimidate her, and his tone wasn't harsh, after all, they were An Ge's family.

"My slave is willing!"

Unexpectedly, Miayi answered the fastest, making a decision almost immediately.

"Baturu is willing to go through fire and water!" Baturu followed suit.

Chen Yuan looked at Miayi and shook his head, "Forget about you. Your cultivation level is too low, and this trip is quite risky. Your young lady wouldn't agree to it either."

"Find someone else with higher cultivation levels."

"Baturu would be suitable."

Unexpectedly, Miayi became anxious and straightened her body. "General, please don't underestimate me. Although my cultivation is low, I have been following Miss and have learned a lot. Before, when we were at Tianxiang Tower, I was the one who did most of the intelligence gathering."

At this point, her voice softened, and her expression became sentimental. "Besides, I have been away from the Western Regions with you for many years, and I also want to go back and see our homeland. This has been your wish for many years."

They followed their mistress away from their hometown, and their longing to return has never ceased. The deep attachment to their homeland cannot be expressed in just four words.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan raised his eyelids slightly, and could sense the surging emotions within Miayi.

He overlooked this point.

An Ge had never mentioned it to him.

Loulan, their homeland they could never return to.

But with him around, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

He nodded. "In that case, I grant your request, but you will have one more task."

Under the gazes of Miayi and Baturu, his eyes were as deep as an abyss, and he said lightly, "Go to Loulan and send back news about the royal family there."

"I cannot simply stand by and do nothing."

These words startled the two people opposite them, followed by an overwhelming sense of joy.

The general is standing up for the young lady!

As for any worries or concerns, there were none at all.

What need is there for a general? Just sending out the Ninth Mountain would probably be enough to plow Loulan twice over.

"Thank you, General!" The two men were overjoyed and couldn't contain their excitement. They couldn't wait to share the news with the other clansmen in the courtyard.

Seeing this, Chen Yuan was infected by this emotion and a smile appeared on his face.

If I can't go back to my own hometown, helping others fulfill their dreams doesn't seem so bad.

However, these people are too poor at protecting themselves, so he has to leave them some options.

"Baturu, go down first and select the men. You don't need too many."

“As for you, come with me!” he said to Miayi.

With that, he walked straight into the room.

Baturu respectfully replied "Yes," and hurried out, not forgetting to close the door behind him.

Miayi followed Chen Yuan inside.

Half a day later, a group of Hu people, hundreds of miles northeast of Chengdu, were transported away in a desolate mountain range, riding a beam of white light that shot into the sky.

They will leave Tianxiong Pass with Chen Yuan's letter and head towards the Western Regions.

As the silvery-white beam of light disappeared into the sky and earth, a giant silver tree in this desolate mountain rapidly shrank, and was then absorbed into a sky-covering green sleeve.

Then, the blue light disappeared into the distance, heading east.

When Chen Yuan returned, it was already dark.

At the front door, a small blue bird was perched on the opposite courtyard wall, preening its feathers meticulously with its beak.

When he came out silently and opened the courtyard gate, the little blue bird opposite him immediately noticed him, then chirped and fluttered its wings, flying towards him.

Chen Yuan raised one hand, and the bluebird landed on his wrist. With a grab of its two claws, its eyes, the size of mung beans, shone with a human-like light.

"grown ups!"

"A guest has arrived from outside the mountain and is waiting for you!"

Before Chen Yuan could speak, the bird spoke in a clear, distinct voice, like that of a young girl. Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan subconsciously raised an eyebrow, but he quickly deciphered the meaning behind the bird's words.

guest?

The demon didn't say he was someone of unknown origin, but rather a guest. Could he be an acquaintance?
"where?"

Chen Yuan asked.

"In the cave of the Nine Lives, the man was dressed in white robes, with very dark eyes and great power. All the servants rushed over and asked, 'Sir, where are you?'"

“Say he's a guest you invited!”

"We've come here for a drink."

The bluebird is called "Swift as the Wind," and "Nine Lives" is a cat demon. These are the names that Gongsun Yang gave to his contracted demons when he wrote "The Tale of the Demon Slayer of Qingshan."

As soon as the phrase "swift as the wind" described the other person's clothing, Chen Yuan immediately knew who it was.

Luo Cheng, the White-Robed Monarch!

He then became somewhat puzzled. He had previously invited the other party to visit Qingshan County, but after several meetings, the other party had kept a low profile and remained in Youmen Pass.

Was my trip to Qingshan County simply to have a drink with him?
Never mind, I'll find out when I get there.

He didn't bother to think too much, closed his eyes to investigate for a while, then closed the courtyard gate and disappeared into the courtyard in one step.

On the eastern foothills of Langdang Mountain, seventy li east of Qingshan County, on the mountainside of a low mountain two hundred zhang high, there is a cliff with a dozen or so vigorous old pines, winding their way out of the cliff, their branches and leaves flourishing and forming a large expanse.

And nestled within the vigorous canopy of trees, stands a treehouse.
The treehouse is made of wooden planks, with exquisite craftsmanship. It occupies a square area of ​​about 30 feet, which is not large, but it has a delicate and charming feel.

Inside, the place exudes an antique charm, with screens, incense burners, dressing tables, rouge and powder, hibiscus curtains, and even a guzheng (a traditional Chinese zither). These furnishings create the impression of a quiet and secluded place where a woman lives alone, and it is kept very clean.

At this moment, outside the wooden house, a figure in white sat gazing at the mountain scenery, his eyes as deep as ink.

One hand rested on the pearwood wooden table beside him, which was piled with fresh fruit from the mountains and forests, and a cup of tea that had long since gone cold.

There is no one around.

But not far away in the treetops, pairs of eyes peered out from between the branches, observing the man in white, their pupils darting around.

The dog hesitated, too afraid to approach.

The adult guests sat there motionless, and they all felt afraid.

They've been waiting for almost half a day, but unfortunately they can't get in touch with the adults, and since they're not leaving, they don't dare to leave either.

Just then, they saw the sitting white-clad figure move, stand up, and look westward.

A moment later, a stream of light descended, revealing Chen Yuan's figure.

Chen Yuan looked at the white-robed king, confirming his suspicions. He flicked the bluebird in his hand, then took two steps forward.

"squeak"

"squeak"

The wooden planks underfoot creaked.

"Senior Luo, it is an honor to have you here. I was unable to greet you properly. I was away on business and my subordinates informed me of my arrival. I apologize for keeping you waiting!" Chen Yuan said apologetically, gesturing with his hand.

When Luo Cheng saw him, he didn't exchange many pleasantries.
"So, you, General, have really resigned and returned to your hometown?"

It seems they didn't expect that what Chen Yuan said back then was true.

"Of course, have you forgotten, senior? In that battle against the heavens, you warned me that 'the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.'"

"So Chen resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown to find some peace and quiet!"

As Chen Yuan spent more time with this person, he became more casual in his speech.

Luo Cheng, dressed in white, nodded slowly. "You are decisive, but is the imperial court willing to let a martial saint like you resign from his post?"

Chen Yuan chuckled, "Then that's none of my business."

After saying that, he asked with a questioning look in his eyes, "Senior, have you come here today to have a drink with me?"

"Yes and no!" Luo Cheng's tone was ambiguous.

Chen Yuan's brows twitched. "This place is simple. Please, senior, move to another room to talk."

After speaking, he glanced at the several pairs of eyes among the tree branches.

"What are you hiding for? Come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, figures with human bodies and demonic appearances emerged from next door.

Each one has its own unique appearance.

Like two chubby, endearing brothers, Benboerba; Zhu Ziqing with big pig ears; a little boy with two deer antlers; and Jiutiaoming with a graceful figure and cat ears.
"grown ups!"

"grown ups"

One by one, they knelt down and bowed.

"Disperse and prepare the dishes; I am about to host a banquet."

Chen Yuan gave the order, and the contracted demons immediately chattered excitedly and transformed into birds and beasts, scattering away.

"Interesting 1"

"But these little demons are not worthy of your status," said Luo Cheng, the white-robed king, casually, observing the situation.

"These are all the demons who followed me in the early days." Chen Yuan didn't say much more.
"Please follow me, senior!"

After saying that, he used his escape technique and continued eastward.

Luo Cheng said nothing and followed.

And so, Chen Yuan traveled another hundred miles east, and his escape light landed in a stream!
Night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were few. The stream was shrouded in mist, obscuring the view of the valley.

There are restrictions inside!
Chen Yuan did not force his way in, but instead revealed his aura.

A short while later, a passage appeared in the mist, and Chen Yuan dashed in.

Just as he rushed into the valley below, a white light greeted him, accompanied by that familiar muttering.

"Young Chen, what a strange thing, why did you suddenly come here to this old man?"

"How was the wine last time?"

"Huh, there's one more?"

The voice abruptly stopped as he spoke.

In the white light, Old Man Dong appeared, hovering in mid-air, looking at the white-robed monarch behind Chen Yuan with a look of surprise and doubt.

My goodness, he's seen this person before!
In that godforsaken place, that burial ground, this big shot was once able to command a huge following, with an overwhelming army of white bones roaring wildly, which was terrifying.

This guy is something else!
Why did Chen Yuan bring this master here?
He quickly winked at Chen Yuan, blinking rapidly. Chen Yuan found it amusing, took a step, and came to stand in front of him.

Old Man Dong quickly pulled him aside and secretly transmitted his voice.

"What are you doing bringing this guy here?"

"Even I, an old man, feel apprehensive when I see this."

He addressed Chen Yuan as "young man" and acted freely and casually because he had laid a solid foundation for the revolution.

But then this person suddenly appeared, and he felt awkward and uncomfortable.

Chen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle at his cautious manner.

"The wine you gave me last time was for this senior. He thought you were a good person, so he came to drink with me this time."

"So I brought my men here."

"Old Dong, you know what I mean." (End of Chapter)