Chapter 26: Chapter 24: Seeing Through Everything
The Pingjiang Yuan Family was a prominent clan in Pingjiang City, with a history spanning seven generations.
In the world, prominent families would send their disciples into the mountains to seek the Dao. Those who succeeded in cultivation would then enter the Demon Control Department to gain experience and accumulate merit.
The Imperial Court would take note of this, and it had immeasurable effects on these individuals' future.
As in the case of Lin Liuli, although she was a woman, she had excellent aptitude and joined the Purple Cloud Sect at a very young age.
People weren't too surprised by Yuan Shaobai's addition. They were envious of his background and amazed at his strength.
A disciple from a prominent family with a Refining Realm Sixth Transformation instantly attracted the gazes of many women.
Among the Demon-slaying Guards, there were many beautiful women with outstanding talent and beauty. When they saw an affluent second-generation like Yuan Shaobai with such a great strength, they couldn't help but be moved.
But throughout it all, Yuan Shaobai remained friendly and approachable, without any emotional fluctuations.
However, Zhou Dao instinctively noticed a subtle strangeness in his eyes.
Compared to Xu Qian's arrogance and conceit, this Eldest Young Master from the Yuan Family appeared more tactful.
"He's somewhat more pleasant than Xu Qian." Even Wang Xiaoyi couldn't help but comment.
Although his family had money, they were nothing compared to the Yuan Family of Pingjiang.
Despite his illustrious background, Yuan Shaobai didn't exhibit any arrogance that would put people off.
Such an impression directly put some distance between him and Xu Qian.
Zhou Dao watched for a while before withdrawing his gaze. He turned and headed towards the Demon Gathering Room.
"Junior Sister Xiangling, who is that man?" Yuan Shaobai's gaze had been fixed on Zhou Dao the entire time. Seeing him leave now, he pointed to Zhou's retreating figure, and asked Gu Xiangling.
"His name is Zhou Dao, and he's one of our Demon Sealing Masters. He has been in the department for two years."
"A Demon Sealing Master?!" Yuan Shaobai was momentarily stunned, and a trace of astonishment flashed across his eyes.
That day, he had sent someone to follow Zhou Dao , which resulted in a Seventh Transformation Expert warning them.
As far as he knew, Chen Qinggang was now the only Seventh Transformation Expert in Peace Town.
To be able to have such a powerful person protect him, Yuan Shaobai initially guessed that Zhou Dao might be Chen Qinggang's illegitimate son.
Therefore, when he met Zhou Dao, he felt both surprised and in line with expectations.
However, a mere Demon Sealing Master? How could Chen Qinggang's illegitimate son be a mere Demon Sealing Master?
But soon, Yuan Shaobai understood.
Only by being a Demon Sealing Master could they avoid suspicion. Otherwise, Chen Qinggang would arouse suspicion and speculation if he kept such a young man by his side.
Moreover, who would be willing to do the hard work of sealing demons at such a young age if not for Chen Qinggang? And he had been doing it for two years.
"Junior Sister Xiangling, does he have any living parents?" Yuan Shaobai continued to ask.
Gu Xiangling looked at Zhou Dao's retreating figure, then at Yuan Shaobai, a trace of something odd flashing in her beautiful eyes.
She didn't know why this Eldest Young Master from the Yuan Family would be so interested in a mere Demon Sealing Master in the Demon Control Department.
Although puzzled, Gu Xiangling still answered.
"He seems to be an orphan, with no living parents."
"I see!" Yuan Shaobai's heart tightened, and a look of understanding appeared on his face.
Everything matched up.
No parents, being kept in the Demon Control Department by Chen Qinggang, using the identity of a Demon Sealing Master to hide in plain sight, and secretly looking after him.
This kid was indeed Chen Qinggang's illegitimate son.
"It turns out he really is a bastard." Yuan Shaobai felt relieved.
Besides coming to Peace Town for the objects suppressed by the Demon Control Department, he was also here for Old Yuan.
If this kid truly had any connection with Old Yuan, then he could not be allowed to live.
Now it seems that since it's just a wild seed born of Chen Qinggang, there's no need to look after it.
"Shaobai, you've just arrived, you can take a look around the department." Chen Qinggang suddenly said.
"Although the talents of these youngsters can't compare to you, their passion for slaying demons is known to heaven and earth."
"Take our Zhou Dao here, though he's just a Demon Sealing Master, he's dedicated and has been working hard for two years, which shows his determination." Chen Qinggang casually mentioned.
Yuan Shaobai felt a pang in his heart and his gaze became a bit ambiguous.
"This old man, acting like no one else knows that's his illegitimate child, praising him to death."
Yuan Shaobai sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he was respectful: "Is that so? In that case, I should take the opportunity to get closer to Brother Zhou."
"Xiangling, you show him around." Chen Qinggang instructed and left immediately.
He had too many things to do these days.
"Thank you, Junior Sister Xiangling." Yuan Shaobai smiled.
Although Gu Xiangling, a beauty like her was living in such a remote mountain town, it couldn't conceal her charm.
Such a taste made Yuan Shaobai, who was accustomed to women, couldn't help but feel joy.
"Let's go!"
Gu Xiangling gave a shallow smile, quite appropriately, and made a gesture of invitation.
"If Xu Qian were here, he'd probably be furious." Someone watching the two of them leave whispered with a light laugh.
Everyone in the Demon Control Department knew that Xu Qian was interested in Gu Xiangling.
However, this woman was extremely skillful, and no matter how much Xu Qian tried to please her, she had always managed not to let him succeed.
...
In the Demon Gathering Room.
Wang Xiaoyi burst in, "Got gossip, want to hear it?"
"What gossip?"
Zhao Guangming became interested, and when these two were together, they were like flies meeting a dung pit, inseparable from each other.
"Do you know why that Young Master Yuan came to our Peace Town?" Wang Xiaoyi asked mysteriously.
"Why?" Zhao Guangming asked.
"I heard that there's an elder from the Yuan family living in our Peace Town, and this kid is here to pay his respects." Wang Xiaoyi said.
"Who did you hear it from?" Zhao Guangming couldn't help but ask.
Wang Xiaoyi had the most connected information within the Demon Control Department, like a diligent fly.
"I have my sources, and from their tone, it doesn't seem to be a secret."
"Cough, cough, cough... Get back to work."
At that moment, Zhou Dao let out a low shout, interrupting everyone's conversation.
Almost at the same time, Gu Xiangling and Yuan Shaobai walked past the door without entering.
Wang Xiaoyi and Zhao Guangming looked at each other and exhaled somewhat guiltily.
It would have been too embarrassing if they had been overheard, luckily Zhou Dao had stopped them in time.
"This is the Demon Gathering Room, where we usually dispose of demonic corpses. After burning the corpses, we will first seal them in the backyard..." Gu Xiangling pointed to the backyard.
Yuan Shaobai listened carefully, took a casual glance, and immediately turned his gaze back, walking towards the backyard.
Zhou Dao sat in his seat, expressionless, and inside the Green Coiling Treasure Bag, the long-dormant Crimson Spirit Peach Sword suddenly moved a bit.
"A familiar demonic energy, that stupid dog has returned!"
Zhou Dao seemingly casual, but a touch of laziness surged in his eyes.