Chapter 19: Bureau of Heaven Monitoring

Hongjia Village.

A few days after discovering that Hong Sanjiang had gone missing, the brothers Hong Sheng and Hong Wen finally welcomed back Hong Tianyun.

Following beside Hong Tianyun were also two men dressed in Taoist robes.

“These two are Lord Ding Fan and Lord Xu Han of the Yongzhou Bureau of Heaven Monitoring Branch, holding the rank of Seventh Grade.”

“Many thanks, my lords, for being willing to come to Hongjia Village to exterminate the demon. The people of Hongjia Village are deeply grateful.”

Faced with the thanks from the Hong family uncle and nephew, Ding Fan smiled and helped them up:

“There’s no need for excessive courtesy. Exterminating demons and expelling evil is precisely the duty of our Bureau of Heaven Monitoring. Now that there are rumors of a demon eating humans in the mountains, we have come for the sake of your village’s safety.”

Although Hong Tianyun was the eldest among them, his face was flushed red, extremely excited.

Clearly, he had never imagined that as a villager of a remote mountain hamlet, he could actually invite the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring to come eliminate demons.

“We have come here to slay demons, yes, but after a long journey, we are weary. Might we first find a place to rest? In the meantime, you may also tell us the details of how you discovered this demonic beast.”

Facing Ding Fan’s suggestion, Hong Sheng spoke:

“Would the two lords be willing to go to the house of our missing Uncle Sanjiang? In order to await your arrival, we did not disturb the scene left behind after the snake demon broke in.”

Ding Fan and Xu Han looked at each other, then nodded:

“Good.”

Thus, the two Taoists of the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring and the three members of the Hong family went together to Hong Sanjiang’s home.

As for Hong Xiu, who had first discovered that Hong Sanjiang was in trouble, he excused himself, saying that he knew no more than Hong Tianyun.

Arriving at Hong Sanjiang’s home, it was indeed just as Hong Sheng had said—everything remained exactly as when Hong Xiu first found Sanjiang missing.

Even the conspicuous bloodstain on the ground had not been cleaned.

Only because much time had passed, the bloodstain had dried, leaving behind only a red mark.

Sitting inside the house, Ding Fan and Xu Han listened to Hong Tianyun’s account, as well as Hong Sheng’s speculations and reasoning, nodding repeatedly.

Ding Fan looked at Hong Sheng and smiled kindly:

“Who would have thought? Young friend Hong Sheng, though not yet of age, is quick-witted. Once we have exterminated the demon, would you be willing to accompany us back to the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring and take part in the great cause of slaying demons?”

Hong Tianyun and Hong Wen froze.

The Bureau of Heaven Monitoring was inviting Hong Sheng?

What a fortune!

One must know, the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring was a true government office. Although it often remained far from the political center, because it bore the responsibility of slaying demons and exorcising spirits, its status within the Great Qian Dynasty was extraordinary.

To join the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring was to gain an official position—something countless scholars strove for their entire lives and still failed to obtain.

Hong Wen kept winking at his younger brother, urging Hong Sheng to quickly agree.

Wasn’t this precisely what their father, Hong Tianfeng, had longed for all his life—the moment of transforming from snake into flood dragon?

Yet, faced with the invitation of the two Taoists, Hong Sheng hesitated:

“My lords, might I be allowed some time to consider?”

“Hong Sheng, what are you saying! The lords of the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring look upon you with favor, and you dare not recognize this blessing!”

Hong Tianyun nearly panicked, shoving Hong Sheng repeatedly, but Hong Sheng remained unmoved.

Though he did not know why, deep within, he felt he and the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring were not meant to walk the same path.

Ding Fan also paused, surprised. He had never thought that inviting a boy from a remote mountain village to join the Bureau would be refused.

But since the Bureau bore the responsibility of exterminating demons across the land, it naturally had no petty habit of punishing those who spoke against them.

Thus Ding Fan only smiled and shook his head:

“No matter. Think on it again. Before we capture the snake demon and depart from Hongjia Village, you may still change your mind.”

Hong Sheng silently nodded, but in his heart he already knew he likely would not.

“Ahem.”

Fearing that his nephew’s words might anger the Taoists he had worked so hard to invite, Hong Tianyun hurriedly changed the topic:

“My lords, from your words, do you also believe this was truly the work of a snake demon?”

Ding Fan saw through Hong Tianyun’s caution but did not press it. He simply nodded:

“In these times of turmoil, with the dynasty’s fortune shifting, it is inevitable that demons will rise in the world.

Even had you not sought us out, before long our Bureau would have mobilized to cleanse Yongzhou of demons.

Based on Hong Sheng’s reasoning, I believe there is a ninety percent chance this incident was indeed caused by a snake demon.”

Hearing this, Hong Wen could not help but cry out anxiously:

“Then what are we waiting for, my lords? Time is of the essence, let us quickly go up the mountain and capture the demon!”

Ding Fan shook his head:

“To hunt demons is perilous beyond measure. One must not act rashly. Xu Han.”

Xu Han nodded, taking a compass from his satchel and handing it to Ding Fan.

Holding the compass, Ding Fan said:

“This compass is our treasure for seeking demons. If a demon is nearby, it will point the way. It also serves as a means of guarding against ambush.

Alas, we came too late. Had we arrived sooner, with the demonic aura still thick inside this house, we could have traced the snake demon at once.

As it is, we can only go up the mountain, search along the main paths, and see what we may find.

Since this snake demon already dares descend the mountain to eat humans, perhaps we will soon discover its trail.”

With that, the five of them set out for the mountain to hunt the snake demon.

......

Mo Lin still had no idea that five men already had him in their hearts.

But even if he knew, he would hardly be pleased.

At this moment, he was gnawing at the crocodile he had dragged ashore.

Indeed, crocodile hide was thick and tough. With only his snake fangs, Mo Lin felt as though he were biting into a walnut shell from his youth.

Yet he could clearly feel that as he tore the crocodile apart, his own snake scales grew increasingly resilient, as though the crocodile’s keratin scales were merging into his own.

Just then, a sudden sense of danger surged over him.

“Swish!”

Following his instincts, he darted away from the crocodile’s corpse.

In the next instant, a slender claw struck down upon the crocodile’s head.

Had Mo Lin not moved, that claw would have pierced his skull.

Before him now stood a bird with a hooked beak like an eagle, long legs like a crane, a feathered crown atop its head, and snow-white plumage.

Behind its head, dozens of black feathers stood out conspicuously.

Mo Lin’s serpent eyes narrowed.

A secretary bird?

The secretary bird, also called snake eagle, fed on serpents.

But what puzzled Mo Lin was this: secretary birds lived on the grasslands. Why would one appear in the forest?

And then, something even more shocking happened.

The secretary bird, standing on the crocodile’s head, tilted its neck, opened its beak, and spoke human words:

“Snake demon?”

Mo Lin’s serpentine body trembled.

A secretary bird that could speak!

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