Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 60 Unexpected Mission (Please read on, and give me your monthly votes!)
In the small courtyard.

A cyan snake-like shadow undulated and rolled, leaping up trees and scaling walls, dazzling the eye.

In an instant, a foul wind blew, and a hissing sound filled the air. A glint of cold light flickered, sharp and piercing, yet held back, making one's eyes sting at the sight of it.

"That's... mastering it?"

Old He squatted in the corner, his one eye gleaming, his face full of disbelief.

Liu Sheng had only practiced the Green Snake Sword Technique for five days... yet he was already no less skilled than him...

You know, he's practiced his whole life!

"Is this the mark of a prodigy? A few days of cultivation are equivalent to a lifetime for an ordinary person..."

Old He gave a bitter smile, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes:

"If that's the case, he has a very good chance... of becoming a disciple of the Old Mother Temple!"

Before the age of twenty, if one's true form is perfected and the true blood of the green snake condenses within one's body, one is qualified to participate in the Old Mother Temple's disciple-acceptance trial.

Once approved, they will be included in the inner circle and their names will be recorded in the imperial register.

"Fizz!"

Suddenly, two snake-like hisses rang out in the arena, a flash of blue light appeared, and sword energy burst forth like a bolt of lightning, sweeping across all directions, its killing intent soaring to the heavens…

In an instant, sand and stones flew, and grass and trees trembled.

suck!
When all the strange phenomena dissipated, only one person and one sword remained in the arena.

Liu Sheng stood tall, holding the Green Serpent Sword in his hand, his eyes slightly closed, his breath hissing like a green serpent shooting its breath.

It looks like a human, yet it gives off a feeling of being a snake or python.

"This...this...clearly, he has grasped a wisp of the true essence of the Green Serpent!"

Old Man He jumped up, his face full of excitement, and strode forward.

When they were about three zhang away, they felt a chill in their throat, as if a sword tip was pressing against them, and dared not go any further.

call!
A quarter of an hour later, Liu Sheng slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, opened his eyes, and saw Old Man He standing stiffly three zhang away, his face flushed and his eyes burning.

He was startled and gripped the Green Serpent Sword tightly in his hand:
"Old He, what's wrong with you...?"

"Brother Sheng, you have the makings of a sword immortal!"

Old He opened his mouth and launched a fierce attack, wanting to step forward, but his feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, and he dared not move.

"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it!"

Liu Sheng's lips curled up slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, the Green Serpent Sword was sheathed with a "whoosh".

He is an honest person and especially loves to hear the truth.

"Five days! You grasped the true essence of the Green Snake Sword Technique in just five days! If the Qi cultivators of the Old Mother Temple knew this, they would surely have sent you up the mountain to become a true disciple..."

Old He's voice trembled slightly as he spoke. Seeing Liu Sheng's doubtful expression, he hesitated for a moment before revealing the truth:

"This 'Green Snake Sword Manual' is one of the foundation-building techniques of the Old Mother Temple, and is for outer disciples to practice."

My mother was once... an outer disciple of the Old Mother Temple..."

So that's how it came about?
No wonder you, Lao He, with your mediocre skills, were able to befriend Captain Huang…

However, since your mother knew the "Green Snake Sword Manual," how come you only have the "Green Snake Sword Technique"?

"...The previous leader of the Green Snake Gang was, in terms of blood relation, my... younger brother from the same mother. He inherited the 'Green Snake Skill,' so..."

Old He's words were somewhat vague, but Liu Sheng guessed the gist from the words "blood relation" and "brother from the same mother."

It's just "half-siblings".

However, out of respect for the elders, some things are best left unsaid.

Since the matter involved Old He's mother, Liu Sheng didn't bother to investigate further out of respect.

However, his statement confirms that Xu Qiqiu's scheme was not just wishful thinking.

The fusion of "Green Snake Sword Technique" and "Green Snake Skill" forms the "Green Snake Sword Manual".

This skill is destined for me!
Since that's the case, then let's go to the Green Snake Gang and steal the "Green Snake Skill".

Liu Sheng touched the corner of his mouth, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

During this period, he went to the Demon Suppression Bureau's office every day to report for duty and to gather information.

The atmosphere in Black Wind Mountain grew increasingly tense, and the losses of the Demon Suppression Division increased daily.

In just a few days, at least a hundred beast hunters have perished in the mountains. However, the number of martial artists joining the Demon Slayer Division is steadily increasing—

Most of them came from nearby prefectures and counties.

Perhaps it was because of Xie Bao's reputation as the Demon-Subduing General, or...

Hoping to get a share of the profits in Black Wind Mountain, they set their sights on the Divine Man's Cave.

Amidst the chaos, Liu Sheng proceeded methodically, completing one task every three days on average and accumulating merits.

At the same time, due to his talent of "concealing his breath", he was disliked by others and was not selected for the demon-slaying team.

Yesterday, he learned news of his master, Wu Song…

A few days ago, by the Jade Cauldron Lake, he single-handedly slew a bull and a snake demon, and then...

Surrounded by three demon-subduing generals, thirty-six demon-slaying captains, and hundreds of demon-catching warriors, they killed over a hundred people and left triumphantly!

That's incredibly awesome!
It is said that he was also injured and was being pursued by four other demon-subduing generals and three commanders of the Suspended Mirror Division.

In addition, the 300,000 troops deployed on the perimeter were frequently mobilized to coordinate the encirclement and interception.

All the militia, archers, patrolmen, and constables under the jurisdiction of Shanyang County Government were dispatched.

While the Demon Extermination Bureau appeared to be holding back, eight demon-slaying captains actually led teams out of the city yesterday…

Their movements are unclear.

As for the demon-subduing general Xie Bao, no one knows where he is.

"Now that Shanyang County is undefended, the White Lotus Sect... is it likely about to make a move...?"

Liu Sheng's eyes darted around, recalling the secret letter Fan Shaoming had written that day, and he had a vague guess in his mind.

After chatting with Old He for a while and having breakfast, he got dressed and went to work.

Upon arriving at the Demon Suppression Bureau's office, he noticed two heavily armored soldiers standing at the entrance, carrying crossbows and wielding swords, exuding a fierce aura.

The two men had a badge of a white elephant with gold tusks engraved on their breastplates.

Are they Xie Bao's retainers?

They were actually assigned to stand guard at the entrance of the government office. Could it be that something has happened in the Demon Suppression Division?
Liu Sheng's pupils contracted, and he immediately slowed his pace, hesitating whether to turn around and leave.

At this moment, one of the guards suddenly sensed something and turned to look at his… waist badge:

"Beast Hunter? Enter immediately, the general has given orders."

Upon hearing this, the other hunters in the vicinity immediately quickened their pace and rushed towards the government office.

This was the first time the Demon-Subduing General had sent someone to the courtyard to deliver his orders since he took up his post.

Left with no other choice, Liu Sheng had to go with the flow and enter the government office.

Upon entering the courtyard, there were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps, creating a tense atmosphere.

The hunters who arrived earlier, numbering about two or three hundred, had already been gathered in the open space.

Ahead were several demon-slaying captains dressed in fish-scale armor and with chains wrapped around their arms, along with their demon-catching warriors.

One of them was a tall and imposing figure, standing there like a wall, holding a long spear, with an indifferent expression.

Among the eight demon-hunting warriors behind him, Liu Sheng saw a familiar face—

Xu Qichun!
This person looked very much like Xu Qiqiu, only more profound and reserved, wearing a gray rhinoceros leather armor and holding a three-pointed knife in his hand.

"So, this demon-slaying captain is the same Captain Qi?"

Liu Sheng raised an eyebrow and glanced at the imposing demon-slaying captain.

At this moment, the man seemed to notice something and suddenly turned to look at Liu Sheng.

A smile immediately appeared on Liu Sheng's face, and he nodded in respect.

"Does this young man know me? Perhaps he wants to join my team..."

Qi Gang was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head, not taking it to heart.

He's seen plenty of people like that these days.

At the same time, Liu Sheng discovered another "acquaintance," the one with extremely bad luck...

Commandant Du!
This beautiful captain had a fierce look in her eyes, as cold as ice.

only……

(End of this chapter)