Chapter 79: The Ghost-Slaying Bureau

Follow you?

Zhou Yan gazed at the girl, her aura shattered and fragile, yet her eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

He gave a bitter laugh, speaking with a hint of meaning, “Long, I am but an ‘outsider’—like a rootless duckweed, with no beginning and no destination. Are you sure you wish to follow someone like me?”

The girl hesitated for a moment, but then her eyes grew even more determined. “Master Yan, now that my father and mother are gone, I am nothing but a wandering soul, lost to my past. I…I wish to follow you!”

“Even if it’s only for ‘thirty days,’ are you still willing?” Zhou Yan asked softly, helplessly.

“Master Yan, I don’t understand what you mean, but I am willing,” the girl replied, confusion flickering across her face, but she nodded earnestly.

This talk of being an outsider and thirty days—she truly could not grasp the hidden meaning in Zhou Yan’s words.

Zhou Yan sighed quietly and nodded.

“Then, for this time, you may come with me.”

He agreed to her request.

*

A little over an hour later, Zhou Yan and Long, carrying a large bundle on her back, arrived at the village chief’s home.

The village chief was also an elderly man, appearing slightly older than Long’s adoptive parents, but his spirit was still robust. Seeing Long, he was first surprised, then his expression shifted to one of understanding. “Long, does this mean you’re preparing to leave?”

He glanced at Zhou Yan, who stood silently beside her. “You’re planning to go with this gentleman?”

At this moment, Zhou Yan had pulled another pair of trousers over his strange garb and donned a simple robe over his torso. If one didn’t look too closely at the faintly visible armor beneath the overlapping collars, he hardly appeared out of place.

Long lowered her eyes and nodded lightly. “Grandfather Chief, I… I was only ever an outsider, adopted by Father and Mother. Now that they’ve been… killed by the demon, I have no reason to stay. I intend to travel with Master Yan, to see if I can find any clues to my origins.”

The village chief sighed deeply. “That makes sense. Though you’ve lost your memory, your looks and bearing are exceptional. The villagers always sensed you were not ordinary—only a noble family could raise such a child. It’s good to seek your roots.”

“Wait here, I have something for you.”

He retreated into the back room and returned with a leather scroll, handing it to the girl. “Long, our village is poor. Even as the chief, I have little to offer. Take this map of the Yuanlu Kingdom.”

“Thank you, Grandfather Chief. This is exactly what we need,” Long replied obediently, bowing as she accepted the scroll.

The village chief shook his head, his face growing somber. “Long, do not grieve too much. Your parents were deeply happy to have a daughter as good as you in their later years. In these last months, we all saw the joy you brought them. Though tragedy struck, I believe your arrival filled the regrets of their past lives.”

Long bowed again, her voice choked. “I know, Grandfather Chief. Thank you for caring for me these past months. I am truly grateful. I…I’m going now.”

“Go on, then…” The chief waved his hand.

Long bit her lip, turned, and was the first to step outside.

Just as Zhou Yan was about to follow, the old chief’s raspy voice called out from behind, “Master Yan, though I have no right to say this, please take good care of Long…”

At these words, Zhou Yan paused, then turned and replied solemnly, “As long as I live in this world, I will do my utmost to look after Long. You have my word.”

“That’s good… That’s good…” the old chief muttered, as if finally at ease, though worry still creased his brow.

How much could he truly trust Zhou Yan? It was nothing more than a hope for peace of mind.

After all, in the eyes of ordinary people, in a world plagued by demons, with the authorities powerless—a beautiful girl accompanying a mysterious, tall stranger was tantamount to surrendering herself entirely to him.

Once they left the chief’s house, Zhou Yan looked at Long, burdened with her heavy pack. Though she did not seem to struggle, compared to his own small bundle, it left him feeling somewhat uneasy.

He offered, “Long, why don’t we switch bags? You’re carrying far too much.”

Long quickly shook her head. “That’s not necessary! I’m stronger than most men, and since I’ve decided to follow you, I should serve well as your attendant. I’m fine, really.”

Zhou Yan tried to insist, but the girl was adamant. In the end, he had to give up.

Long, perhaps fearing further argument, quickened her pace, nearly jogging as she led Zhou Yan out of the mountain village.

*

Just half a day after Zhou Yan and Long left the village.

At dusk, a team of five arrived at the settlement. They wore crisp white uniforms, draped in black haori marked with flame-like symbols on the back. Each had a long sword at their waist, longer than the usual blades, making for a formidable sight.

They went straight to the chief’s house and knocked on the door.

“Coming!” the chief called, shuffling over to open it. At the sight of their attire, he grew visibly agitated.

“Honored exorcists of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, you’ve finally arrived!”

“Greetings. I am Oi Kengo, captain of the Demon-Slaying squad stationed in Otome County. We received your report about a red demon causing trouble, so we hurried over from the neighboring post,” the leader announced, nodding coolly at the old man, pride evident in his bearing.

Not only him—the four members behind him all wore equally cold expressions.

The chief paid their attitude no mind, forcing a fawning smile. “Captain Oi, the red demon did attack our village. It ate an elderly couple—just outside the village, at the teahouse. The demon’s corpse is still there!”

“A corpse?” Oi Kengo’s face turned grave. “You mean the red demon is already dead?”

“Yes, yes!” The chief nodded repeatedly. “It was slain by the couple’s adopted daughter, together with a guest staying in their home.”

“Ridiculous…” Before Oi Kengo could reply, a team member behind him scoffed in disbelief.

Oi Kengo shot him a sharp glare, which instantly silenced the group.

Without arguing, he gave a crisp order: “Let’s go check it out.”

“Yes, sir!” his team responded at once.

*