Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 139 - 117: Canghe Demon Slayer Bureau, Showing One’s Talent!

Shrine for the living?

Upon hearing this, Su Mu, who was drinking medicinal wine, choked. Unlike ordinary shrines erected in memory of the deceased, a shrine for the living is built for the living.

The ancients said: Death is the ultimate.

Therefore, in historical records, very few people had shrines erected for them while alive, usually for those with outstanding achievements and beloved by the people, like Yue Fei's shrine.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as the widespread shrines for Wei Zhongxian during the Ming Dynasty, reflecting the influence of political eunuchs.

"It's none of my business who gets a shrine... but those people should be killed."

Having just killed someone, Su Mu consumed one bite of braised meat, one bite of noodles, three pounds of braised meat, and five large bowls of plain noodles before feeling half full.

A martial artist's physique differs from ordinary people. Once martial arts cultivation reaches a certain level, it can be said that they are no longer the same species as regular humans. Su Mu can now easily consume the amount of food that would feed several ordinary people.

"Guest, the total is 300 cents here."

"Keep the change."

Su Mu casually took half a tael of broken silver from the money bag scavenged from the One-Eyed Daoist and placed it on the table. Then, he donned his conical hat and left, while behind him, drunken voices from the tavern mingled with the cold wind.

"Next, head east to Canghe County Town to deliver the head and complete the task... Uncle Li and Xiaohu are near Canghe City in Donghe Town."

Been two years since leaving Qingshui Town, and Su Mu was somewhat looking forward to seeing Uncle Li and Xiaohu again.

The official road to Canghe County Town was wide; following it ensured one wouldn't lose direction. As one approached the county town, the number of merchant caravans, ox-drawn carts, and travelers increased.

At dawn, the snowstorm, which raged all night, paused for a while, revealing a hint of dawn on the horizon, and the outline of Canghe County Town, built by the river, gradually became visible.

Under the city tower, caravans, darts masters, and Jianghu characters brought news of "Rice Hat Wanderer Li Feiyu from Qingyun County killing Flower-Picking Thief Bai Yi." The crowd outside the city applauded the news, and an old man selling pancakes burst into tears upon hearing it.

"The heavens have eyes!"

"Good riddance! That lecherous thief should have been killed long ago!"

A Rice Hat Wanderer sighed quietly, bypassing the crowd, and showed a Silver Order of the Blade. The Canghe guards immediately changed their expressions and let him through, allowing the Rice Hat Wanderer to stride into the city.

The Silver Order of the Blade permits travel throughout the Three Counties.

"Boss, that Silver Order Blade Catcher looks unfamiliar. Could he be Hero Li, who killed Bai Yi?" A Canghe guard watched the Rice Hat Wanderer's departing figure hesitantly.

"In this world, where would you find such coincidences? Besides, Hero Li is a Rice Hat Wanderer from Qingyun County; he has probably returned to Qingyun County by now."

The Squad Commander glared at him dismissively.

The Rice Hat Wanderer stepped over the city gate's bluestone path, and a winding Bai River unfolded before his eyes. The morning mist was like gauze, with several black canopy boats quietly moored against an arched bridge, while the riverbank's various shop flags half-hidden in the moist fog gave it a bit of a water town feel.

Similar to Qingyun City, Canghe County Town was equally prosperous, with the wide streets bustling with merchants and pedestrians.

"The Demon Slayer Bureau, a government office, is likely on the central avenue of Canghe City."

Su Mu didn't ask for directions. Even though it was his first time in Canghe City, he was quite interested in the city's customs and planned to explore a bit.

Along the way, Su Mu saw many martial arts halls and escort agencies, which were rare sights in Qingyun County.

"Qingyun has more large and small gangs... whereas Canghe exists in the form of martial arts halls and escort agencies."

While walking along Canghe Avenue, Su Mu suddenly stopped, spotting two stone lions as tall as a person guarding a vermilion lacquered gate. Four men, dressed in martial robes, stood by with swords in hand, while behind them, sounds of vigorous martial arts practice echoed from the high walls.

Raising his gaze slightly, a plaque of agarwood showed four gilded characters with strong penmanship: Jin Hong Martial Arts Hall.

"Jin Hong Martial Arts Hall? Truly magnificent, as expected for Canghe's foremost martial arts hall."

Qingyun County has five major powers, and naturally, Canghe County has corresponding major powers. Jin Hong Martial Arts Hall is one of Canghe's four major powers and the foremost martial arts hall.

Having taken in the sights of Canghe City, Su Mu arrived outside a government office surrounded by a crowd. Here stood two wanted lists, each about twelve feet high, one black and one red.

The Rice Hat Wanderer glanced at the black list's bounties, finding only ordinary targets, with most villains being Eighth Grade Bone Forging Realm. Then, his gaze shifted to the red list, and his expression turned surprised.

The red list prominently displayed bounties for capturing Seventh-Grade Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artists, with rewards for services to the Demon Slayer Bureau.

Numerous Jianghu figures and escort agency personnel were meticulously examining both lists while some onlookers stood around for entertainment.

A darts master, after careful consideration, tore off some wanted orders from the black list and proceeded to the entrance of the Demon Slayer Bureau. There, a constable recorded the details as the darts master left with the wanted orders.

"Indeed... Canghe's Demon Slayer Bureau opened the wanted orders, setting them as red and black lists."

Su Mu understood the difference in operation between the two counties' Demon Slayer Bureaus. Opening up the bounties made Canghe's Demon Slayer Bureau look much more affluent than the dilapidated government office in Qingyun City.

"Perhaps that's why Canghe's martial arts halls and escort agencies are more prosperous than Qingyun's."

However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Su Mu observed several people in the crowd showing different expressions after the darts master took the bounty, seemingly trying to remember, most likely informants placed by major powers.

With many people, the situation could become chaotic, possibly mixed with accomplices of wanted criminals. This means not only will the wanted criminals be more vigilant, but those taking the bounties will be in greater danger.