Chapter 70: Lu · The Divine Detective · The City God

When City God Lu asked like that, Wang Liang quickly pointed nearby. “The demon tiger’s corpse is over there.”

City God Lu glanced in the direction Wang Liang indicated, and his attention was immediately drawn to two fragments of talisman lying on the ground.

“What’s that?”

A myriad of thoughts flashed through City God Lu’s mind.

Like Wang Liang and the others, as a member of the divine hierarchy, City God Lu had his own sources of information and perception.

Upon seeing the two talisman fragments, he already sensed the dissipated aura lingering on them.

That aura, though tinged with a hint of demonic energy, also concealed some of the Heavenly Gang Star's righteous energy beneath.

From this, it was clear at a glance that the demon tiger had forged a Mountain God talisman using Jingyang Ridge, intending to ascend as a rogue mountain deity. The talented comrade here must have marshaled all his spiritual power to invoke the Heavenly Star’s righteous energy, shattering the demon tiger’s life-bound artifact—the Mountain God talisman—and thus managed to slay the beast.

Judging by the scene, it was precisely because the life-bound artifact exploded that the demon tiger lost control over its own power, triggering a similar burst.

No wonder Wang Liang looked utterly drained. That battle must have been perilous indeed.

With this in mind, City God Lu’s gaze toward Wang Liang shifted once again.

To be able to summon the celestial Heavenly Gang Star energy was rare even within this dynasty; it seemed the imperial court’s celestial masters would soon have a new addition.

No, before that, I must ensure this talented comrade’s name is known far and wide.

Thinking so, City God Lu hastily said, “So the demon tiger is dead. Talented comrade, you have removed a great scourge from Yanggu County. I must report your merit to higher authorities.”

“What merit report?”

Before City God Lu could finish, several warhorses charged forward. Mounted upon them were General Hua and several of his subordinates.

However, it was not General Hua who spoke, but the magistrate of Yanggu County, who was guarded by a soldier and mounted on a warhorse.

From his disheveled clothes, it was clear he had endured much hardship on the journey.

“Magistrate Wu, come quickly! Talented comrade just summoned the Heavenly Star’s righteous energy and slew the demon tiger, ridding Yanggu County of a great menace. We ought to report this merit for him.”

Before Magistrate Wu could respond, Wang Liang stood beside them, looking flustered in the wind.

What do you mean I summoned the Heavenly Star’s righteous energy? When did this happen? How did I not know?

City God Lu then grasped the magistrate’s hand and began pointing to the traces on the ground.

“Look here. This is the demon tiger’s Mountain God talisman. Have you figured out why Yin Xun can bear the previous Mountain God seal? It’s because the demon tiger did not rely on that; he intended to merge the talisman himself.

“This way, he could bypass the divine heavens’ authority and turn Jingyang Ridge into his own demon mountain.

“Now look here. Do you notice anything different? There’s blue stone powder.

“I just checked; do you see that blue stone slab? If I’m not mistaken, that slab originally belonged here.”

City God Lu pointed to the spot where the blue stone slab had first been.

“The slab has now flown to that spot and shattered, indicating the demon tiger initially concealed the talisman within the slab to nurture it.

“Look again here. See this? This was the original hiding place of the talisman.

“Do you believe me now?

“Also, consider this: from how the demon tiger exploded, it was a blast from within outward. Only the Heavenly Star’s righteous energy could shatter the talisman, causing the demon tiger to lose control of its power and explode similarly. Nothing else could cause a demon to explode from the inside out.”

As City God Lu spoke, the bewildered Magistrate Wu nodded, and even General Yu, listening nearby, was convinced by the battlefield reenactment.

Had Wang Liang not already known what had occurred, he might have believed City God Lu’s assessment as well.

Just as he was about to speak about the battle’s details, City God Lu waved him off and clasped Magistrate Wu’s hand.

“So, Magistrate Wu, don’t you think such a great achievement should be reported?”

As he spoke, City God Lu winked.

Magistrate Wu was no fool. He immediately saw this as a prime opportunity to curry favor.

“Absolutely. I shall report this great merit as soon as I return.” Magistrate Wu’s eyes gleamed as he turned to the demon tiger’s corpse. “It’s a pity the tiger’s pelt is so shattered. Had it been intact, sending a complete tiger skin might have even earned entry to the imperial palace.”

Wang Liang’s heart stirred. Suddenly, he said, “I can craft tiger bone ornaments to recreate the demon tiger’s original form.”

Hearing this, Magistrate Wu hurriedly asked, “But the tiger bone ornaments of the Xiao family from southern Gan—I heard of them when I took office in Yanggu County. They are famed tiger slayers; many tiger demons met their end by their hands. I even wrote them a letter hoping they’d come deal with the demon tiger at Jingyang Ridge.

“But they never came, perhaps never receiving my message. I hadn’t expected you, sir, to be skilled in making tiger bone ornaments. Come, come, tell us what you need. If we make these tiger bone ornaments well and present them, there will certainly be benefits.”

“What kind of benefits?” General Yu knew Wang Liang, a man of pride, wouldn’t ask directly, so he helped by prompting the question.

“You don’t know?” Magistrate Wu said proudly. “At this level of demon tiger, anything crafted from it is an auspicious omen. Twenty years ago, someone presented a massive white tiger skin—the skin of a demon tiger. It was discovered to nurture weapons and was enshrined in a White Tiger Hall built by the current court.

“This demon tiger was so fierce that tiger bone ornaments made from it will naturally possess the same effect as the white tiger skin. The court will surely grant corresponding rewards. Rest assured, young sir, I will make sure you receive them.”

As Magistrate Wu spoke, he looked at Wang Liang with a gaze that clearly urged him to start crafting.

Meeting Magistrate Wu’s eager look, Wang Liang did not refuse. Instead, he pointed toward the battlefield.

“Please arrange some men to gather the tiger bones. I will rest a while and recover before handling the work.”

Before Magistrate Wu could say more, City God Lu interjected, “Exactly. Magistrate Wu, please arrange it so the talented comrade can have a good rest. That invocation of the Heavenly Star’s righteous energy drained much of his strength; we mustn’t wear him out.”

Only then did Magistrate Wu notice Wang Liang’s pale complexion. Realizing it would be unreasonable to press him for crafting immediately, he consulted with General Hua and had several attendant soldiers begin sorting through the shattered demon tiger remains.