"Hm?" Andrew Han looked at the text message from the Riverford City Government on his phone, surprised.
The prefecture-level city government does not have the authority to issue Martial Communicator tasks. So when seeking help, they can only send veiled text messages to registered local Martial Artists.
Whether Martial Artists respond is entirely up to their own will.
There are three reasons for this.
First, the government cannot issue mandatory orders. Second, these incidents usually occur outside the populated urban area, so it is not considered the responsibility of martial practitioners. Third, after resolving the problem, all you receive is a paper certificate of commendation.
However.
What piqued Andrew Han's curiosity was that he had just returned from Yunton Forest Park yesterday, and now there were reports of Demons or Specters there?
"It's only a thirty-minute drive over."
"Any Demon or Specter that breaks into the city should at most be General-class. With my current strength, even if I can't defeat it, I can still retreat safely." His eyes reflected deep thought, a hint of intent stirring within.
At that moment—
A small head bumped into him with a soft grunt.
It was Lucy Han, charging angrily at her brother's chest, trying to overthrow his 'rule.' She even took a couple of running steps... Andrew Han quickly bent backward, removing any rebound force from his chest, and caught Lucy's head gently with a soft touch.
"Bad brother!"
Lucy Han twisted her little head, refusing to give up.
"Alright, be good, let's go wash up together." Andrew Han, both amused and helpless, picked up Lucy and headed for the bathroom.
His heart was filled with warmth—and a trace of lingering fear.
Fortunately, after days spent outside refining his control, he could now manage his strength smoothly. Otherwise, Lucy's headlong charge into his chest might have been extremely dangerous.
......
Late morning.
Andrew Han made up an excuse to his parents, went downstairs, got in his car, and drove to Yunton Forest Park, intent on discovering whether it was a Demon or a Specter.
It was probably a Demon.
If it were a Specter, it couldn't withstand the full sunlight, not even with the shade of the trees.
Vroom vroom.
Andrew Han slammed down the accelerator with his right foot.
With a roar, he sped toward Yunton Forest Park.
There were two or three cars on the road. For some reason, a couple of them overtook him twice, leaving Andrew Han feeling quite baffled.
After about twenty minutes, he arrived smoothly at the main gate of Yunton Forest Park. Without delay, Andrew Han headed straight inside.
The scene of the incident was exactly where Andrew Han had practiced his stance yesterday.
The official in charge, Vincent Wen, had been waiting for some time. Seeing Andrew Han arrive, his eyes lit up with excitement: "Andrew Han is here!"
Within Riverford City, Andrew Han's name was known to all.
Not only because he was Miles Ning's sole disciple, but also because, right after graduating high school, Andrew Han had forcefully defeated Martial Artist Mr. Stone. Now, more than two months later, Andrew Han was likely even stronger.
"Mr. Han."
"You finally made it. None of Riverford's registered Martial Artists have arrived yet." Vincent Wen straightened his suit and greeted Andrew Han with a warm, respectful smile.
"Vincent, no need to be so formal." Andrew Han shook his head.
Back when Miles Ning ordered him to search for the gray-white mist, it was Vincent Wen who accompanied him all over Riverford City, from museums to private collections.
Though it was a command from his Master,
Andrew Han and Vincent Wen had gradually become familiar. If not for Vincent's WeChat request this time, Andrew might have hesitated to come.
"Tell me, what happened?"
Andrew Han strode forward with a powerful gait, taking a close look at the corpse half-covered by a white cloth. It seemed to be the young man who had asked him for directions yesterday.
There was a bloody line on his neck.
When the cloth was lifted, his arm was even more miserable—reduced to bare bone, clearly gnawed by a Demon.
Vincent Wen, standing beside Andrew Han, spoke in a low voice: "This was discovered this morning. Besides the victim, four university students managed to escape, but three others who separated from them are likely still trapped in the mountains. About an hour ago, a First Rank martial practitioner entered the mountains to search for them."
Andrew Han frowned. "Mm."
There was no path here, only a sign forbidding entry. Yesterday, when Andrew Han practiced his stance, he hadn't crossed this sign.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."
"I'll head into the mountains and take a look right away." Andrew Han nodded, casually accepted the information Vincent handed him, and strode forward.
Vincent Wen watched from behind, letting out a sigh of relief.
The other government officials looked at each other in confusion, shocked by the victim's injuries and puzzled as to why their leader had asked such a young man to help.
They still didn't know the truth about Demons and Specters.
They simply assumed it was a ferocious wild animal. The only thing that truly unsettled them was the horrific state of the victim, as if he'd witnessed something unimaginable before dying, his face frozen in terror.