Chapter 103: Targeted by the Imperial Guards
“Changxi, the Imperial Guards have entered the district.”
Hua Changxi spent the night organizing the books within her prayer beads. These contained many divine abilities and cultivation methods of the Demon Race, including not only the 《Great Strength Bull Demon Technique《, 《Heavenly Dog Swallowing the Moon《, 《Divine Rooster Announcing Dawn《, and 《Dragon Soaring Across the Seas《, but also cultivation methods like the 《Earth Element Art《, 《Gold Element Art《, and 《Supreme Goodness Art《.
The white-robed monk had collected a considerable number of cultivation methods. Before she could finish organizing them, Pu Cao knocked on her door.
Hua Changxi opened the door and glanced at the sky. The Imperial Guards had arrived just as dawn broke, indicating the Imperial Court was very concerned about last night’s events.
It was true; cultivators could fight to their heart’s content outside, but fighting in a crowded area was indeed disruptive to order.
“Where are the Imperial Guards now?”
“They are currently investigating the houses that collapsed. They should come to question us soon.”
Hua Changxi knew the Imperial Guards possessed spirit detecting devices. She had initially intended to dismantle the defense formation, spirit concealment formation, and spirit gathering array in the apothecary shop, but after some thought, she decided it was unnecessary.
The Imperial Guards knew she was a cultivator, and it was normal for cultivators to have such means.
With this in mind, Hua Changxi went to the front of the apothecary shop. Just as she was changing the bandages for the patients injured last night, several Imperial Guards strode in.
“Oh, it’s you.”
Pang Shaoyu saw Hua Changxi as soon as he entered the apothecary shop. He had a vivid memory of this young woman who dared to confront the Imperial Guards, and he was surprised to encounter her again today.
“What are you doing here?”
Hua Changxi also recognized Pang Shaoyu. Sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations from him, her eyes flickered. The Imperial Guards indeed had remarkable methods; the last time she saw him, he was a mortal, and now he was a cultivator.
“Officer, this is the apothecary shop I opened.”
Pang Shaoyu looked at Hua Changxi and began to wander around the shop. He then lifted the curtain to the back door and peeked into the backyard. Smiling, he said, “I thought you were working in the Labor Department and that your family was struggling. I didn’t expect your family to be quite well-off. You even have such an industry set up for yourself, a young woman like you.”
Hua Changxi smiled faintly and offered no explanation.
Pang Shaoyu gestured for the men behind him to inspect the backyard. He then smiled, took down several bottles of pills from the medicine cabinet, and opened their stoppers one by one to smell them. He exclaimed in surprise, “Did you refine all these pills?”
Hua Changxi nodded.
Pang Shaoyu appraised Hua Changxi again. “I didn’t expect your alchemy technique to be so formidable. The quality of these pills is excellent.”
They were even better than those he received from the Imperial Guards.
Hua Changxi smiled modestly, “It’s just a skill to make a living.”
Pang Shaoyu walked up to her and looked at her curiously. “You said the same thing last time at the Labor Department. I just can’t understand it. You’re a young woman, and you’ll get married someday. Why do you need to come out and support your family?”
Hua Changxi smiled at him. “Officer, not every young woman needs protection. I just want to support myself.”
Pang Shaoyu looked unconvinced. “You’re looking for hardship when you don’t have any.”
Hua Changxi suppressed her impatience and continued to smile. “This kind of hardship, I am willing to endure.”
Pang Shaoyu shook his head. “You look so intelligent, I didn’t expect you to be foolish.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi’s hands itched. She took a deep breath to suppress her temper and quickly changed the subject. “Officer, are you here about last night’s incident?”
Getting down to business, Pang Shaoyu immediately became serious. He first questioned the injured patients in the apothecary shop before returning to Hua Changxi’s side.
“What do you think about what happened last night?”
Hua Changxi stated righteously, “The authorities must apprehend the culprits to uphold justice. If cultivators fight in the city, they might feel satisfied, but the common people suffer.”
“Officer, I know the Imperial Guards have extensive authority. You must suggest to your superiors that the Imperial Court issue a decree strictly prohibiting cultivators from fighting within the city.”
Pang Shaoyu looked at the indignant Hua Changxi and asked with a smile, “Aren’t you a cultivator too? If the Imperial Court truly restricts the actions of cultivators, you will also be affected.”
Hua Changxi replied, “I detest the killing of innocent people. If there is to be killing, let it be of the main culprits.”
Pang Shaoyu was somewhat speechless. “You are quite direct.”
Hua Changxi raised her chin. “I am this open and upright.”
Pang Shaoyu smiled. “Your thick skin… is truly remarkable.” Saying this, his smile vanished, and he stared intently at her. “Hua Changxi, last night’s incident has nothing to do with you, right?”
Hua Changxi met his gaze directly. “Of course not.”
At this moment, the Imperial Guards who had been inspecting the backyard emerged.
Pang Shaoyu saw them and walked over. One of them immediately whispered to him.
‘There is a green ox in the backyard. It is a Demonic Beast.’
Hua Changxi’s expression shifted upon ‘hearing’ this. The Imperial Guards were indeed not to be underestimated; they had discovered the Green Ox Demon upon their first encounter.
After hearing his subordinate’s report, Pang Shaoyu said nothing and glanced at Hua Changxi. “Since we found nothing, we will proceed to the next location.”
As he stepped out of the apothecary shop, Pang Shaoyu looked back at Hua Changxi. “Treating the injured for free, you are truly a good person.”
Hua Changxi’s expression remained unchanged. “It is merely a small contribution.”
Pang Shaoyu said, “I hope you can continue to be this good.”
Hua Changxi smiled. “I am who I am; I do not live by your hopes, Officer.”
Pang Shaoyu sighed. “Have your family members ever spoken to you? Your mouth… is quite unlikable.”
Hua Changxi looked at Pang Shaoyu with feigned surprise, as if he had said something unbelievable. “Why should I be likable?”
Seeing her reaction, Pang Shaoyu was left speechless and quickly led his men away.
As soon as they left, Hua Changxi’s expression changed. She called Pu Cao to her side. “They discovered the Green Ox. The apothecary shop will definitely become a primary target for the Imperial Guards’ investigation.”
Upon hearing this, Pu Cao looked anxious. “What should we do? Should we have the Green Ox hide in the mountains for a while?”
Hua Changxi shook her head. “The Imperial Guards have already discovered the Green Ox. Having it leave now would be like trying to hide something that is already obvious.”
“I am a cultivator, so it is not strange for me to keep a Demonic Beast. However, when the Imperial Guards come to the apothecary shop again, you and A Niu must handle them carefully.”
Pu Cao nodded. “Don’t worry, we will.”
Hua Changxi still had to go to the Labor Department for her shift. Knowing Pu Cao had fire and wood spiritual roots, she gave her the 《Drill Wood to Get Fire《 cultivation method from her prayer beads.
Pu Cao excitedly accepted the cultivation method. “Changxi, I will cultivate diligently and strive to help you as soon as possible.”
Hua Changxi chuckled. “You are already helping me. I am going to the Medical Affairs Department. I will be coming here these few days. If the Imperial Guards cause trouble at the shop, endure it for now, and I will resolve it when I return.”
“Captain, Hua Changxi has gone to the Medical Affairs Department for her shift.”
Pang Shaoyu heard his subordinate’s report and stroked his chin. “As expected of someone who can awe even her uncle. Her composure is quite strong.”
The subordinate asked, “Captain, I strongly suspect Hua Changxi was behind last night’s incident.”
Pang Shaoyu glanced at him. “Don’t jump to conclusions. There are more and more cultivators now, and quite a few are causing trouble from the shadows.”
The subordinate added, “It’s a confirmed fact that Hua Changxi keeps a Demonic Beast. Just for that, we could arrest her and send her to the Imperial Prison.”
Pang Shaoyu was somewhat exasperated. “Can you stop thinking only about arrests? Do you know Hua Changxi’s cultivation level? Are you sure we can defeat her?”
“If she was indeed the one causing trouble yesterday, believe me, she could silently kill all of us.”
“Use your brain, or having subordinates like you will make me very tired.”
Although Pang Shaoyu berated his subordinate, he turned around and went to report Hua Changxi’s matter to Yin Jianxiong.
Yin Jianxiong listened and told him not to act rashly.
Pang Shaoyu said, “Hua Changxi keeps a Demonic Beast. Even if she has Hua Shiniang behind her, arresting her is still justifiable.”
Yin Jianxiong handed Pang Shaoyu a document he had just received.
Pang Shaoyu’s eyes widened after reading it. “Hua Changxi is impressive. She’s even managed to get close to people from the Eastern Depot.”
Yin Jianxiong looked at him. “Guo Xuan is someone who doesn’t act without benefit. The fact that he actively befriended Hua Changxi and bought many pills from her apothecary shop indicates he thinks highly of her.”
Pang Shaoyu asked, “So, we’ll leave Hua Changxi alone then?”
Yin Jianxiong replied, “Keep the matter of Hua Changxi keeping a Demonic Beast quiet for now. Everything is in chaos everywhere. The appearance of cultivators has broken many existing rules, and we cannot act rashly. As for Hua Changxi, have someone keep a close eye on her from the shadows.”
