In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 37 Staking Out Fishing

"When I encountered him, my spiritual energy sensed it." Ning Xiaoxi didn't know how the other celestial masters identified demons; she could only report based on her own intuition. At least judging from the old man's expression, they seemed unaware of the presence of demon soldiers within the city.

"Sensing?" The old man stared at Ning Xiaoxi and said slowly, "Lord Di An is not at the camp right now. If it is just a demon soldier, I can send Chang Qing with men to capture him. Whether we catch him or not, I will give you credit."

Ning Xiaoxi glanced back at the old man. Was she really concerned about such a small contribution? "I sensed a bloody aura on this demon soldier. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be required to supply his superiors with blood provisions on time." She was clearly trying to shift the blame. "Just now at the grain shop, I heard him say he would be gone for a few days, so I deduced that he was heading out of the city to see his superior." Ning Xiaoxi continued. If this demon soldier was like the other monsters she had encountered before, she could have captured him herself without having to report to the garrison.

The old man sat back down and subtly sized up Ning Xiaoxi again. "You want to fish?"

"Yes, I think if we follow this line, we can at least track down his superior, and maybe even catch an even bigger fish."

"I've taken the liberty of calling you Xiaoxi." The old man finally looked at Ning Xiaoxi seriously. "Before you came in, we didn't have any information about Tao Ji. As you wish, I'll have Chang Qing go with you to investigate. I'll send someone to inform Wu Chatou."

Ning Xiaoxi lowered her head and thought for a moment. When she decided to come here to report the news, she had no intention of continuing to follow up. Although it was just a demon soldier, it could potentially involve Blood Soul or even Hou Qing. She was just a small fry right now and didn't really want to face such a powerful demon lord.

"My lord, my daughter is still a convict. The fact that she can now be free from shackles and go out to purchase supplies on her own is already a special favor. I don't want to make things too difficult for Officer Wu."

"I am Bai Qingnian, currently serving as the strategist under Lord Di An, assisting him in managing matters concerning demons near Panhou Mountain." Bai Qingnian looked earnestly at Ning Xiaoxi. "Xiaoxi, you possess a unique ability to sense demons, capable of detecting demon soldiers that even your subordinates haven't noticed when they are right beside you. I wish to utilize your abilities to help us accomplish the task of exterminating demons. If we can capture his superior, I can request that Lord Di An report to have your sentence lifted." After speaking, Bai Qingnian stared intently at Ning Xiaoxi, not missing a single change in her expression.

Ning Xiaoxi looked up at the old man. He had a serious face, yet he was getting closer and closer to her with his conversation. Was he already talking about lifting her criminal record? She then said sincerely, "Strategist, my strength is meager. I only managed to sense the demon soldier's information a step ahead of you all thanks to my exceptional perception. I will do my utmost to help you lure out his superior." It's pitiful that she's so weak; she can only help gather information.

"Don't worry, Xiaoxi, I will always put your safety first." Bai Qingnian looked at the little girl in front of him with admiration. No wonder she could cause trouble. She was very clever and sensible.

Ning Xiaoxi bowed respectfully. "Then I'll trouble you, strategist, to tell my parents that I'll catch up with them as soon as things are settled here, so they can rest assured." She then smiled somewhat shyly. "Also, sir, my daughter bought some grain at Tao's Grain Shop and arranged to meet Officer Wu at the South Gate tomorrow morning at dawn. I wonder if you could help me deliver the grain to Officer Wu?"

"Okay." Bai Qingnian showed his first smile of the day and called Chang Qing over to instruct him: "Chang Qing, Xiao Xi has discovered demon soldiers in the city. Take some men and go with her to check the situation. If the demons make any moves, follow them and see what happens. When you are tracking them, follow Xiao Xi's instructions."

When Chang Qing heard about the demon soldiers, he couldn't help but show a surprised expression. When he heard that the strategist actually told him to follow Ning Xiaoxi's arrangements, he was even more surprised. But seeing the strategist's serious expression, he solemnly accepted the order.

Ning Xiaoxi said goodbye to Bai Qingnian and followed Chang Qing out of the east wing.

Chang Qing called five or six guards from the west wing to follow Ning Xiaoxi.

Ning Xiaoxi, along with Chang Qing and her guards, arrived outside Tao Jiang's house. She activated her spiritual power to sense the door bolt and detected that the yin energy was still present. Fortunately, Tao Jiang was still inside and hadn't left.

Just as she channeled her spiritual energy to sense the door bolt, she also clearly sensed seven distinct spiritual veins flowing around her—the spiritual energy of Chang Qing and her six guards. It seems her sensory abilities are quite useful!

"Is this the place?" Chang Qing looked around and confirmed that there was no information about this place in the government office, so it seemed that their intelligence was indeed wrong.

“He’s still inside, he hasn’t left.” Ning Xiaoxi nodded. “I’m not sure if he’ll leave tonight or tomorrow morning. If we want to follow him, we’ll have to stay here tonight.”

Chang Qing touched the stabilizing talisman in his pocket, but didn't dare to take it out. Judging from Ning Xiaoxi's appearance just now, she knew that Tao Jiang was still there without using any talismans, so she had no further objection to Bai Qingnian's arrangement for him to obey Ning Xiaoxi's orders. After ordering several guards to scout the terrain and guard the surrounding area, he followed Ning Xiaoxi.

The early spring nights are still quite chilly when the wind blows.

Waiting is always a long time. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to learn more about the Celestial Masters Pavilion and the Celestial Masters. After all, all I knew from my father before was the history of the dynasties, and I knew almost nothing about the Celestial Masters Pavilion and the Celestial Masters.

"Lord Chang, my daughter has some matters she would like to ask you. Would it be convenient for you?"

"Young lady, you are too kind. I dare not address myself as an adult. If you do not mind, Changqing is still young, so you may call me brother."

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony, Brother Chang.” Ning Xiaoxi smiled slightly, neither presumptuous nor obsequious. “I didn’t know much about our Celestial Master Pavilion before. It was only after I followed my parents on their journey of exile that I truly came into contact with things related to demons.”

The spiritual power constantly sensed the situation in the courtyard and also detected that the six guards that Chang Qing had just sent out were divided into three groups and stationed at the back gate of the Tao family and outside the left and right courtyard walls, ensuring that no matter where one left the courtyard, they could be seen.

"Although I came into contact with Master Tianji by chance, I am not actually a member of the Celestial Master Pavilion. So, I wonder if Brother Chang could introduce me to him?"

Chang Qing had a good impression of Ning Xiaoxi and knew some of her situation. Since there was an opportunity to cooperate now, and the strategist valued her highly, it was better to be on good terms than to be on bad terms. "Xiaoxi, you're too kind. Our Celestial Master Pavilion was founded by the first king of the Xia and Shang dynasties at the beginning of the dynasty. Now, the pavilion master, deputy pavilion master, and elders are stationed in the royal city, and the thirty-six Heavenly Gang Lords and the seventy-two Earthly Fiend Lords are stationed and patrolling various parts of the Nine Provinces."

Chang Qing's voice gradually lowered, "This continent was originally ruled by demons. It was the Xia and Shang kings and many powerful human beings who won a chance for humankind to survive on the continent and gradually replaced the demons as the rulers of the continent. Our Celestial Master Pavilion also upholds the legacy of the Xia and Shang kings and many Celestial Masters, taking it as our mission to slay demons and eliminate evil, vowing to wipe out all demons on the continent and establish a prosperous era for humankind."

Ning Xiaoxi's eyes remained fixed on the courtyard, but her thoughts were racing, drifting along with Chang Qing's voice.