Chapter 337: The people of this city are not as good as Tong Tianyou?
"Boy, what do you want from our Demon Suppression Division?"
Yang Guang looked at the young yamen runner and asked casually.
"Several officials have come from the south, and the county magistrate would like to meet with you to discuss important matters." The young yamen runner replied hurriedly.
"Let's wait until we meet Mr. Tong before going to see the county magistrate." Qi Yuan said casually.
To investigate the cause of Tong Youwei's death and find Tong Tianyou, we also need to get some clues from the county magistrate.
The young yamen runner showed a joyful expression on his face: "I will wait for you gentlemen here."
The young bailiff was very excited as he had finally invited the people from the Demon Suppression Bureau.
According to what the county magistrate said, the Demon Suppression Division is the most powerful in Fengyuan, specializing in slaying demons and monsters. Maybe it can help lift the siege of Zhenyang.
Zhenyang has been an isolated city for three years.
The people of Zhenyang have suffered from demons for a long time.
Led by the steward, a group of people marched towards the depths of Tong Mansion.
The deeper you go, the more you can see guards patrolling with burly build and strong aura.
They wore soft armor, fine swords hung from their waists, and were well-equipped.
"Your Tong family's guards are very strict. How could they be invaded by monsters and kill Tong Youwei without us knowing?" Yang Guang couldn't help but ask.
In just a short while, he saw no less than fifty private soldiers patrolling.
The Tong Mansion is more like a large manor than a courtyard, and it even has a martial arts arena.
The steward lowered his head and said, "I don't know about this matter, but there are rumors... that there is a thief in our Tong Mansion.
At that time, after Master Youwei died, the master was furious and cleaned out the servants. Anyone suspected was beaten to death! "
Hearing this, Qi Yuan couldn't help but say, "This game is still too rigid. There should be a mission for us to find out the cause of death of these people who were beaten to death. This way there will be a reversal."
An Qiao quickly agreed: "The master's life is life, but the servant's is not?"
Yang Guang smiled and said in amazement: "No wonder everyone wants to be a powerful family. They have everything, including soldiers, food, land, etc. The Tong family is like a small royal family."
The communication between the three of them was through telepathy.
Otherwise, if the steward heard it, he would think that the imperial court was suppressing the Tong family and accusing them of treason.
Maybe, if you want to get out of Tong Mansion, you have to fight a big battle.
As a local aristocratic family, the Tong family had nearly a thousand private soldiers and hundreds of armored soldiers.
These forces should not be underestimated.
About a quarter of an hour later, after wandering around, everyone finally arrived at the residence of the master of the Tong family.
Outside the courtyard, there were many maids standing, all with gloomy expressions.
It seemed that he was worried about the young master being abducted by the demon tribe.
The steward couldn't help but wail: "Our ancestors have worked for the Tong family for generations. If the young master doesn't come back and the Tong family disbands, where should we go?"
His sadness was not fake.
After all, being a servant in a prominent family like the Tong Mansion is much better than being a peasant, and it is also respectable.
"Let's go and meet your master." Qi Yuan said.
After about dozens of breaths, in an ancient house.
Qi Yuan and others filed in and looked at the master of the Tong family who was leaning on the bed.
Mr. Tong is only sixty years old, very old and breathing weakly.
A white-haired woman sat on the edge of the bed, crying.
The woman was only in her forties and had well-maintained skin, but she also had a head full of white hair.
This woman was the old lady Tong who went to Wangshan Temple and kowtowed every step to ask for medicine.
Seeing the visitor, Master Tong opened his cloudy eyes and said, "My lords, you must bring my grandson back.
If you bring it back... you will be rewarded handsomely."
Mr. Tong waved his hand.
The steward gave the order, and after about a few dozen breaths, several burly soldiers entered the room carrying wooden boxes.
The wooden box was opened, revealing a lot of silver and some jewelry.
An Qiao was moved when she saw this scene.
If she had not entered the underworld, she might have been moved when she saw these things, but now she is completely calm.
However, this financial resources plus private soldiers have already demonstrated the Tong family's powerful influence.
Despite such a powerful force, the eldest master was killed for no reason and the younger master was abducted.
It seems that the water behind is very deep.
Yang Guang looked at Master Tong and asked softly, "Master Tong, we will go find Tong Tianyou. What we want to know now is... the cause of Tong Youwei's death."
The white-haired woman's hands froze, as if she had heard her son's name, and tears fell like rain: "My poor son, who I carried for ten months...I failed to protect you well."
There was also a look of sadness in Master Tong's eyes.
"Youwei...should have died at the hands of...the flower demon Manluo!" Hatred flashed in Master Tong's eyes.
Yang Guang's eyes lit up.
Sure enough, the important information is here.
Qi Yuan stood quietly aside, looking amused.
His nose did not grow longer, which meant that what Master Tong said was correct. Tong Youwei did die at the hands of the flower demon Manluo.
"My poor grandson was also abducted by the flower demon Manluo!" If hatred in the eyes can kill people, the flower demon Manluo would have been killed by Master Tong's eyes.
Well, my nose didn’t get longer, that’s the truth.
This mission is… so simple? Just ask an NPC and you will know the result? "What is the grudge between the flower demon Manluoke and the Tong family?" Yang Guang continued to ask.
Investigate the truth and also find out the murderer's motive.
When Master Tong heard this, his expression changed slightly.
Mrs. Tong's tears, which had originally stopped, began to flow again at this moment.
Master Tong's voice also became hoarse and sad.
"In my entire life, I have been obedient to Youwei. I agreed to whatever he said, for fear of going against his wishes.
If he wants the oiran, I will give it to him; if he wants the blood of a unicorn, I will send people to hunt it in Shu Yao Mountain.
But he... wants to marry a monster into my Tong family.
This is also the first time I lost my temper with him. We humans and the demons are irreconcilable. If you want to marry a demon, it’s impossible!"
"So, this flower demon Manluo is the one Tong Youwei loves?" An Qiao asked.
Many thoughts flashed through An Qiao's mind.
Based on her many years of experience watching TV, she knew that the master of the Tong family broke up the couple, and the flower demon Manluo held a grudge against her.
She blamed Tong Youwei for changing his heart, so she dug out Tong Youwei's heart and snatched Tong Youwei's son.
Things fell into place all at once, and it seemed simple.
“Yes, I didn’t want her to enter my house at first, and Youwei resented me, but later… Youwei still understood our difficulties.
He and Yunniang treated each other with respect, and he never remarried after Yunniang passed away." Mrs. Tong said, her eyes full of nostalgia for the past, "I really hope that what Manluo dug out was my heart, not Youwei's heart, my poor son."
Mrs. Tong was a little excited.
Qi Yuan listened to this, but his nose did not grow longer.
This means that what Mrs. Tong and Mr. Tong are saying now is true.
Tong Youwei was indeed killed by the flower demon Manluo who dug out his heart.
"Cough cough..." At this moment, Old Man Tong coughed and blood came out of the corner of his mouth.
Mrs. Tong hurried over to serve.
Yang Guang and others also understood that it was not appropriate to stay here now.
"Mr. Tong, you should take good care of yourself first. We will find Tong Tianyou." After Yang Guang said this, he left with Qi Yuan and others.
"What do you think?" Yang Guang said at this time.
"If what they said is true, Tong Youwei's death would be very simple.
We just need to find the flower demon Manluo, and everything will be revealed." An Qiao responded.
"Okay, then let's go see the county lord.
It seems that the difficulty of this mission does not lie in the death of Tong Youwei, but in finding Tong Tianyou.
There are three thousand demon soldiers in this Shu Demon Mountain. It looks like it will be a tough battle!" Yang Guang was full of fighting spirit.
He prefers a head-on confrontation to investigating the truth.
…
There were black bloodstains on the mottled wall, and many knife marks on the brick wall.
The county lieutenant was dressed in armor, had a burly build, and sunken eyes that sparkled brightly, but his expression at this moment was not friendly.
"Humph, Zhenyang has been under siege for three years, and we have sent letters to the court countless times, but no one has paid any attention.
When a Tong family heir went missing, the imperial court sent the Demon Suppression Division to investigate.
Hehe...are all the people in this city worse than Tong Tianyou?"
The county lieutenant was particularly dissatisfied and even more disgusted with the aristocratic families.
He was born as a refugee leader and once led an army to resist the demon tribe.
However, he was outnumbered and ultimately failed, and entered Zhenyang City, becoming a county lieutenant, in charge of the county's military affairs.
The county magistrate was a little old man, always with a kind smile on his face: "Old Li, you may be dissatisfied, but when the angels come later, don't show it."
"Humph." County Lieutenant Old Li snorted coldly, looking reluctant, and then sighed, "I understand, the people in the city can't wait."
When he was young, he led hundreds of young and strong men in the village to kill monsters and protect their homes and villages, with great success.
At that time, the government sent people to call for amnesty. He had won many battles and was proud and conceited, so he naturally did not take the government seriously.
When the government saw that their appeal for amnesty failed, they colluded with the demon clan, and all his soldiers died at the hands of the demon clan.
He was too embarrassed to return to the village.
Otherwise, when the old and young, women and children asked about their sons, husbands or fathers, he would not know how to answer.
He was resentful towards Shu Yao Mountain.
This was because the military advisor of Shu Yaoshan was a government official who had issued an edict to pacify him.
"Alas, I wonder how long we can hold on to Zhenyang City." The county magistrate hunched over, as if this would make him more comfortable.
Just then, footsteps were heard.
The county magistrate's spirits lifted, and his back straightened at this moment. He looked towards the door hurriedly and went to greet it.
The county lieutenant also hurried over.
"The angel has come from afar, so I have prepared a banquet for you, please enjoy it!" The county magistrate spoke with a smile on his face.
Outside were the young yamen runners, Qi Yuan and others.
Qi Yuan's eyes lit up: "Eat a feast, not bad, it's better to eat in advance."
Last time, he didn’t even get to eat after the game was over.
The county magistrate reminded him that he could eat the meal first.
It would be great if we could kill the monster after the feast.
"Angel, please follow me into the house." The county magistrate said hurriedly.
The county lieutenant was also looking at the three people from the Demon Suppression Bureau with a serious expression.
Obviously, he realized that the person from the Demon Suppression Bureau was quite powerful.
After a few brief greetings, everyone went into the house.
In the room, there was a banquet table with more than a dozen hot dishes, all steaming hot. Qi Yuan and others sat casually, the aroma overwhelming.
"I love banquets the most." Qi Yuan said without hesitation and started eating as soon as he sat down.
Most of these dozen hot dishes are vegetarian, with only four meat dishes.
Qi Yuan ate with gusto, but An Qiao and Yang Guang did not touch their chopsticks.
Neither of them was interested in ancient delicacies.
Moreover, the food looks very ordinary and a bit simple.
Seeing that the two refused to eat, the county magistrate said hurriedly: "Zhenyang City has been under siege for three years. Supplies are in short supply. We can't offer anything good to entertain you. Please don't blame us, angels!"
"I just had dinner, so I'm not hungry." Yang Guang replied, picking up the chopsticks and picking up a piece of radish.
However, the taste of the radish was a bit bland, as if not enough salt was added.
"You didn't put enough salt." Yang Guang commented casually while touching his bald head.
The county magistrate smiled awkwardly: "Zhenyang City is under siege, the trade routes are cut off, and private salt is in short supply."
"So serious?" Yang Guang was stunned. Suddenly, he thought of what he saw on the way to the county government office.
It seemed that there were no young and strong people to be seen, only the old, the young, the women and the children.
Even the runners in the yamen seemed to be half-grown children.
Before the county lord could speak, the county lieutenant could not help but say, "Angel, you don't know, ever since the noble families migrated south, we, the northerners who stayed behind, have become food for the demons.
There was a shortage of food and salt in the city, so people had to be sent out of the city to buy food and salt.
The journey was extremely dangerous. If you were not careful, you would fall into the hands of the demons and become their food. Three out of ten times you go there, you will die. Alas."
There was deep helplessness in the county lieutenant's eyes.
Ten teams set out, but only three were able to return with salt or food.
The rest were either eaten by the monster or... their whereabouts are unknown.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
When Yang Guang heard this, anger burst out of his eyes: "These monsters should be wiped out!"
The county lord asked hurriedly at this time: "Angel, is there any news from the court? When will the royal army recover the north?"
The county lieutenant also looked at Yang Guang with anticipation.
Being stared at like this, Yang Guang felt a little embarrassed. He touched his head and said, "I don't know about this."
Although he is from the Demon Suppression Bureau, he is not a member of the Demon Suppression Bureau.
Naturally, he didn't know when Feng Yuan would recover the north.
When the county magistrate got this answer, his originally straight back became hunched again, and his energy and spirit instantly dropped to his hips.
The Demon-Suppressing Division is the emperor's personal guard and the most well-informed in the court.
These people all said they didn't know, which shows that... there was no mention of recovering the north in the court.
The last hope in the county magistrate's heart was extinguished.
Then he smiled bitterly again. Now, the migration to the south was still going on, and the Northern Expedition was just a luxury.
"Do the officials in the court have any imperial decree to convey?" the county magistrate asked again.
"No." Yang Guang continued to eat the radish.
The truth is that he didn't recognize other wild vegetables and was afraid of getting sick from eating them.
When the county magistrate heard this answer, he was choked for a moment.
The court has forgotten about Zhenyang City.
He was unwilling to give up and asked again: "When will the angel return from Zhenyang this time?"
"I will leave after I find Tong Tianyou." Yang Guang answered truthfully.
The county magistrate's face changed slightly.
The county lieutenant slammed his chopsticks on the table: "The court is concerned about the descendants of the Tong family!"
As for the people in the city, was there any mention? The county lord quickly stood up and apologized, "I'm sorry for disturbing the three angels."
"It's okay." Yang Guang replied in a low voice.
Having completed many missions, he naturally knew that the people in these mission worlds were real people.
Not the data in the game.
Seeing the people of Fengyuan suffering, he felt very uncomfortable.
At this time, the county magistrate said, "When you leave, can you take some...children with you?"
Now, there is no hope for Zhenyang City.
Breaking through is impossible.
It would be safe only if a small elite team like the Demon Suppression Division left.
The county magistrate wanted to rely on these nearly twenty members of the Demon Suppression Bureau to bring some fire out.
Although, I may only be able to bring a dozen people.
But if one person can survive... isn’t that also living?
In today's Zhenyang City, young and middle-aged people have suffered heavy casualties.
Only one-third of the people guarding the city walls are young and middle-aged.
The remaining two thirds, half are gray-haired soldiers and half are child soldiers.
When Yang Guang heard this, he looked ashamed: "We can't do this... Sorry."
After completing their mission, they will leave this world directly and return to their base.
Unable to bring anyone back.
Upon hearing this, the county magistrate's body stiffened and the signature smile on his face disappeared.
The county lieutenant picked up the chopsticks, picked up the food, and ate slowly. As he ate, he said, "The angel has important military affairs to do. Why are we delayed?"
The voice of County Lieutenant Lao Li was quite sarcastic.
He was very dissatisfied with the court.
Yang Guang became increasingly embarrassed and speechless.
The atmosphere on the field became awkward.
Everyone was enjoying the banquet, and the intimacy and familiarity that they had just had were no longer there.
The county magistrate hunched over and said nothing more, as if whoever spoke would be embarrassed.
After about a hundred breaths, Qi Yuan put down his chopsticks.
"Okay, the feast is over, and it's time for us to kill some monsters!" Qi Yuan clapped his hands and stood up.
We have eaten the feast, but if we don’t kill the monster, it will all be in vain.
"Angel...want to kill the monster?" The county magistrate was slightly stunned.
Aren’t these members of the Demon Suppression Bureau here with the mission of rescuing Tong Tianyou?
Why would you go and kill monsters?
"Well, I have long been fascinated by the monsters on Shu Monster Mountain, and I am ready to go monster hunting.
By the way, do you have a map of Shu Yao Mountain, as well as their troop distribution and strength? "Qi Yuan was asking for help again.
“Could it be that the Demon Suppression Division intends to take action against Shu Demon Mountain?” The county magistrate’s eyes lit up.
"No, I want to attack the monster in Shu Monster Mountain." Qi Yuan said softly.
Yang Guang added: "Brother Qi wants to hunt some monsters and extract their blood to improve his strength."
Hearing this, the county magistrate's newly ignited hope disappeared again.
Extracting the essence and blood of monsters to improve strength, the number of monsters to be hunted is definitely not large.
It seems that the court really has no intention of managing Zhenyang City.
However, no matter what, the angels go hunting monsters, killing one is a good thing for Zhenyang City.
The county magistrate is willing to help.
"Someone, bring up the map of Shuyao Mountain!"
Not long after, the overly young yamen runner handed the map to Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan took the map and said, “Thank you, as a reward, after you kill the monster, I will give you the body as food.
Do you want to send some people to help me move the monster's corpse?"
“But, Huo Mushi, haven’t you always wanted to go to Shuyao Mountain to take a look?
This time we have a chance to take a few people and follow these angels." The county lieutenant spoke, his voice rolling.
The young man named Huo Mushi's eyes lit up and he immediately clasped his fists: "Thank you, angel."
This Huo Mushi was the yamen runner encountered in Tong's residence before. Judging from his age, he was only twelve or thirteen years old, and could be considered a child soldier.
"Your name is Huo Mushi?" Qi Yuan was surprised, with a strange look in his eyes.
Huo Mushi was slightly stunned: "My Lord, you have heard of me."
"I've heard of Huo Mushi with the same name, but he... was a great general." Qi Yuan recalled that some time ago, he and Ning Tao pretended to be students and attended class, and learned a piece of history.
In history, there was a famous general named Huo Mushi.
The experience of this famous general was quite peculiar. When he was young, he received military tactics and martial arts from a god in his dream.
This Huomushi became the leader of the refugees. At the height of his power, he had over 100,000 elite soldiers under his command.
This man ended the chaos of the world.
In terms of achievements, he is comparable to Guo Ziyi of the Tang Dynasty on the Blue Planet.
But Qi Yuan didn't think much about it.
As a game, it is normal for the setting to refer to reality.
Perhaps, the prototype of this Huomu Shi is the real Huomu Shi.
"Call the people over, let's go and hunt the monster!" Qi Yuan said.
After eating and drinking, I have a strong desire to kill some white moonlight.
"Okay!" Huo Mushi quickly straightened his back with a happy expression.
At this time, Qi Yuan asked: "Does the county master know where the flower demon Manluo is now?"
“I have heard a little bit about this demon. It is said that the chaos in Tong Mansion was caused by the flower demon Manluo.
This monster should be in Shuyao Mountain. If you ask me its exact location, I don’t know.
If the angel is anxious to find this demon, he can go to Wangshan Temple to see its abbot.
Before this demon transformed, it lived in Wangshan Temple and had a close relationship with the abbot, so he might know about it."
"Oh, Wangshan Temple?" Qi Yuan opened the map and saw Wangshan Temple at once.
He wondered in his heart: "Wangshan Temple is in Shuyao Mountain, why... did the monster tribe still keep this temple?"
"Humph, because the military advisor of Shu Yao Mountain is the disciple of the abbot of Wangshan Temple!" The county lieutenant mentioned this in a bad tone.
He has a blood feud with the military advisor of Shu Yao Mountain.
"This setting is a bit complicated. It seems that the abbot of Wangshan Temple... is also a key mission figure." Qi Yuan said casually.
Based on his many years of experience in playing games, he knew that there must be something wrong with the abbot of Wangshan Temple.
Yang Guang nodded, agreeing with Qi Yuan's words.
The county magistrate and county lieutenant next to him were confused and could not understand Qi Yuan's words.
"Let's go to Wangshan Temple first, and then kill the monster." Qi Yuan stood up.
As a temporary bodyguard, Yang Guang also hurried to follow.
An Qiao is the same.
Soon, the county magistrate and the county lieutenant were the only ones left in the room.
"Hurry up and clean up these delicacies...reward the soldiers on the city wall. They probably haven't had the taste of meat for some time." The county magistrate hunched over, looking at the hot food on the table, a hint of aftertaste in his eyes.
His meals had not been this good for a long time, and it was thanks to the Demon Suppression Bureau that the food he prepared was more sumptuous.
“These people from the Demon Suppression Bureau… should have taken the Tong family away.
Can you please leave the Tong family's food... and livestock... to us?" The county lieutenant pinched his beard, looking puzzled.
Once the Tong family is taken away by the Demon Suppression Bureau, the power of the city will decline.
Zhenyang City...there is really no hope.
"Alas." The county lord sighed, "The noble families are good."
When Zhenyang City was in danger, the county magistrate often went to Tong's manor for help.
Unfortunately, Master Tong doesn’t care about defending Zhenyang City at all.
Neither send troops nor provide food.
Even as a county magistrate, he couldn't do anything to Master Tong.
Firstly, Master Tong is from a powerful family with thousands of private soldiers and a fortress built inside. In terms of strength, he is even stronger than Zhenyang City.
Secondly, Master Tong was also an official, and he was from a very filial family. Fengyuan ruled the country with filial piety, and being from a very filial family was a great honor, a golden ticket to avoid death.
Thirdly, Master Tong has connections in the court. If he offends them severely, he may lose his legitimacy as a county magistrate.
The county magistrate doesn't care about the last two points.
But the first point he couldn't ignore.
He was very jealous of the Tong family's private soldiers. If they could help guard... life in Zhenyang City would be much better.
pity……
(End of this chapter)