Demon Extermination Order

"It smells wonderful," Zhao Ji said softly.

Su Ming laughed out loud and lifted the teacup before him before looking at Zhao Ji. "I heard that the prince likes tea and once used tea to befriend the grandmaster of Jing Yang Temple.

"I've also visited that person before. I wonder what's so special about him that you would send him the rare Cassia Cloud Snow from the capital?"

Master Zhang from Jing Yang Temple?

Zhao Ji gently put down his teacup.

Actually, when he started to befriend Zhang Li, he was just following orders.

The mysterious expert who lived in Jing Yang Temple was very likely a banished immortal cultivator. The third prince wanted to borrow his power to help his own situation.

However, after a few visits, Zhang Li gave off an increasingly mysterious aura.

This went on until the day he gritted his teeth and gifted him the Cassia Cloud Snow. He was prepared to invite Zhang Li to Prince Yu's residence at first, but he was unexpectedly intimidated by Zhang Li.

The sword that Zhang Li gave him and Zhang Li's parting words left a big impact.

What did he want?

What could he give?

Zhao Ji was too afraid to speak or think about it.

"I think Mr. Zhang is very special," Zhao Ji said softly.

He was special.

Su Ming nodded slightly.

Indeed, that person was completely different from the other immortal cultivators.

"Mr. Su Ming, you've met Mr. Zhang?" Zhao Ji looked at Su Ming and asked, "Did the state minister request it?"

If Prince Yu encountered a problem while he supervised his investigation, it would definitely be solved if the state minister stepped forward.

The minister was not only a martial arts grandmaster, but he was also the pillar that controlled the Zhao dynasty and stabilized the state.

Only with Minister Dongfang Jing could the great Zhao's power be stable.

"The minister didn't request it." Su Ming's words caused Zhao Ji to feel slightly disappointed.

Su Ming turned his head around to look at Yu Mengmeng and softly said, "Mengmeng asked me to go."

What did he mean?

Zhao Ji frowned.

"Prince, do you think there are any good demons in this world?" Su Ming asked again.

Good demons?

If demons could recover, there would not be so many murders on the Luo River.

Zhao Ji raised his eyebrows. Just as he was about to answer, Su Ming continued, "Mr. Zhang said that there are good demons in this world."

Zhao Ji's shoulders trembled.

He could not compare himself with Mr. Zhang in terms of knowledge.

He actually said that there were good demons. Were there really good demons?

"Yongzhou is a water town. Mengmeng grew up by the water.

"She's seen demons in the water."

Su Ming's words caused Zhao Ji to lift his head and look at Yu Mengmeng.

"Ms. Yu, have you seen a demon?"

This was an extremely important clue!

Zhao Ji was overjoyed.

As long as someone could prove that they had seen a demon, the investigation would have a clearer direction.

"Her name is Qing Yue. She's a fish demon with the bloodline of a flood dragon," Yu Mengmeng said softly and lowered her head slightly. "She said it herself."

The fish demon, Qing Yue, lived in the Yun Cang River beside Yongzhou City. Ten years ago, she saved Yu Mengmeng who accidentally fell into the water.

"Qing Yue doesn't kill or eat people. She only cultivates by borrowing the power of the water vein. 

"She told me that in another 500 years, she would be able to truly transform into a human."

This fish demon sounded good, but Zhao Ji did not believe it.

How could there be such a good demon in the world?

The demon was likely just showing Yu Mengmeng her good side.

"Did she come to Luojing?" Zhao Ji asked.

Yu Mengmeng nodded.

Half a year ago, there was a flood in Yongzhou. For some reason, Qing Yue got extremely angry. She bade farewell to Yu Mengmeng and went back to the source of the river.

"Have you met her in Luojing?" Zhao Ji asked again.

Yu Mengmeng's body stiffened, and Su Ming's gaze fell on Zhao Ji.

The prince surprised him.

These two questions were both extremely important.

Before Yu Mengmeng could answer, Zhao Ji had already stood up.

"If you're able to see Qing Yue again, please ask her to visit the third prince's residence or the imperial palace on her own.

"It doesn't matter if she's a good demon or an evil demon.

"Invite her regardless of whether the murders on the Luo River have anything to do with her or not."

As he looked at Yu Mengmeng, Zhao Ji calmly said, "This is to save her life."

With that, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Imperial Censor Su. Thank you for the tea, Ms. Yu.

"If you have the time in the future, please visit me at the third prince's residence. I will repay the favor."

Zhao Ji stood at the bow and flew out like a wild goose as he crossed several feet.

Su Ming shook his head as he watched him leave. "See? He's a member of the imperial family after all. He can't possibly help you."

Yu Mengmeng looked dejected and sat on the deck. "Qing Yue wouldn't have done those things. Our aunt taught us not to kill..."

Su Ming sighed softly as he looked at her. He turned his head around and looked at the ships that were moving along the river not too far away. "Maybe she's facing her own challenges," he said gently.

"Maybe she really didn't do all of this."

Yu Mengmeng's eyes lit up as she nodded slightly.

"Master, can you take me to Jing Yang Temple?

"I, I want to see Auntie."

Su Ming frowned, and his expression turned grim.

He looked at Yu Mengmeng, and his initial easy-going demeanor was replaced by the dignified aura of an imperial censor.

"Yu Mengmeng, you're a demon.

"Jing Yang Temple's Demon Subduing Pavilion is filled with your kind."

Yu Mengmeng's face turned pale, and tears flowed out of her eyes.

"You humans, are all of you so heartless?"

"Dongfang Jing personally sent my aunt to the Demon Subduing Pavilion. Now, you-you won't even let me go to Jing Yang Temple."

Her words caused the imposing air around Su Ming to dissipate, and he returned to his scholarly self.

"Mengmeng, I don't know what my master does, but I know that he's not a heartless person. 

"I'll take you to Jing Yang Temple, but you have to listen to me. Otherwise, you might not be able to come back."

Su Ming's words made Yu Mengmeng laugh through her tears.

"Yes, Master. You care about me so much.

"When you visit the East China Sea in the future, please take the demons there under your wing.

"You gave me and Qing Yue a valuable lesson in Yongzhou and taught us how to carry ourselves. Then, Shi Guang…"

The light boat swayed as if it had returned to the water village.

...

Zhao Ji returned to his ship with a happy expression and ordered it to return to the city.

Standing at the bow of the ship, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"There really are demons in the Luo River."

Although Sun Jinran did not know why Zhao Ji was so certain, there would be new developments in Prince Yu's investigation if this was true.

After returning to Prince Yu's residence, Zhao Ji hurried off to see his father, who was sitting with a pile of files.

"Is there really a demon?"

Hearing Zhao Ji's explanation, the third prince stood up, and his face revealed unmistakable joy.

Qian Yanci was also delighted.

"Since the minister's disciple is here, there is no need to investigate the matter.

"There is a demon in the Luo River!" The third prince waved his hand and shouted in a low voice.

Taking a deep breath, he turned around with a solemn expression. "I will immediately enter the palace to meet Father.

"Please ask Father to issue a decree to the state guarding sect, Jing Yang Temple. It is time to issue the Demon Extermination Order.

"Once the Demon Extermination Order is issued and the three grandmasters join forces to suppress the demons again, I…"

The third prince's team had made this discovery. Even if they were just running errands for such a major event, the third prince would still be remembered by the world.

In the future, he would definitely be recorded in the history books!

"Demon Extermination Order?" Zhao Ji was shocked. He quickly whispered, "Father, Yu Mengmeng said that the demon is good. I told her that as long as—"

"My prince, you can't be soft-hearted at a time like this." Qian Yanci's voice rang out behind Zhao Ji.

"For the third prince's honor and the safety of the millions of people in Luojing, that demon must be destroyed."