For a moment, it was hard to tell just who was the Demon.
"Uh."
Xie Yutang’s gaze froze, and her mouth fell slightly agape as she stared at the thick stack of Immortal Talismans in her hand. It was nearly half a palm high.
She had once been a Mountain Master of the Yu Family, and though she was still young with a low Cultivation, she had seen her fair share of the world.
But she had never seen a Foundation Establishment Disciple capable of producing so many Immortal Talismans.
"Please, carry on. I’ll be heading back now."
Lin Shu nodded. Even though his Wind-Riding Mountain Patrol Divine Technique was incredibly fast at full power, the journey would still take time.
Lingering outside for too long would inevitably arouse suspicion.
These Demon Slaying Sabers and Foundation Establishment Stage Immortal Talismans were of little use to him now.
’I’ll just consider it an exchange for Chen Xiangzhu’s and Steward Luo’s Storage Bags.’
’After all, I was in the middle of Magical Combat with the Zhao Family disciples. Those two should have been Elder Xu’s spoils of war.’
’Besides, I even made two free bundles of Sin Coins out of it, so there’s no need to be a cheapskate.’
The moment he finished speaking,
Lin Shu’s figure shot toward Yongzhou Pass and vanished from sight.
"How generous of him."
The beautiful woman chuckled softly. No wonder Elder Xu had been in such a hurry to get here; the young man was indeed quite likable.
"Does this mean we have a banner now?!"
The Monkey struggled free, about to start screeching with excitement again.
’Brother Lin gave us Magical Artifacts and Immortal Talismans! This is exactly what a Demon General would do!’
"You silly thing."
Elder Xu laughed in resignation. He didn’t get angry this time, instead patting the Monkey’s shoulder lightly. "He gave you these things precisely because he doesn’t want to get too involved."
’That boy is meticulous about keeping favors and debts separate.’
’The title "Moon-Devouring" was just something he made up, a temporary means to an end.’
"Is that so?"
The Monkey stared in the direction Lin Shu had vanished, slowly lowering the Demon Slaying Saber in his grip.
He was a little disappointed.
But he quickly cheered up. "It’s okay! Once we carve out our own territory, maybe one day Brother Lin’s business will get exposed, and he’ll need a place to hide. He can come to our Demon Mountain!"
"Can’t you wish something good for him for once?"
Xie Yutang laughed in exasperation and kicked him again.
...
「Shihu City.」
It was deep into the night, but the city suddenly lit up with torches.
The city gate was as bright as day.
Fan Qingyang stood in the center, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the group of injured disciples before him.
They all kept their heads down, not daring to speak.
Soon, a figure in a plain Magical Robe floated over, followed by a host of Shihu Stewards.
"Senior Brother Feng!"
Fan Qingyang hurriedly turned and clasped his hands in salute.
’Although we’re both part of Master’s core retinue, I’m only at Jade Liquid Perfection, while he’s already reached Core Formation. Our statuses are worlds apart.’
After completing the salute, he asked, "What’s the situation?"
"We’ve checked. Three people are missing from the city."
"Luo Ming, Chen Xiangzhu, and Lu Yun."
Feng Yinglong strolled to the front of the group. "Junior brothers have already been dispatched beyond the pass to investigate. With any luck, we’ll find the Chen Family’s young lady soon."
Hearing this, the disciples tremulously raised their heads and, suppressing their fear, asked, "Senior, what about Senior Brother Lin?"
"There are priorities. Things must be handled in order."
Feng Yinglong shot a sidelong glance at the group. ’Now that there’s been an incident, the Immortal Descendant is obviously the top priority, followed by the disciples.’
This was the rule at Yongzhou Pass.
’What’s more, that disciple once contradicted our Master. It’s generous enough that I didn’t place him after Luo Ming in priority.’
"Senior Brother, I feel... we still need to inform the Immortal Family Yu Sheng." Fan Qingyang turned his head toward the inn, his expression complicated.
"Suit yourself," Feng Yinglong replied, unconcerned.
’I’m acting under Master’s orders. Besides, with my profound Cultivation, I have no reason to fear that new Immortal Descendant finding fault with me.’
The group strode toward the inn.
Just as they stepped into the main hall, they saw two women rushing down the stairs.
"Sigh."
Seeing this, Fan Qingyang’s expression grew conflicted, but he still offered words of comfort. "Please rest assured, Little Mountain God. Our Master is aware of the situation and will send people to look for Junior Brother Lin very soon."
"Soon?"
Yan Jin froze, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Senior, are you saying that no one has gone to look for him this whole time?"
"..." Fan Qingyang instinctively averted his gaze.
Just then, Feng Yinglong sauntered over to a table and sat down. "If the Immortal Family Yu Sheng," he said nonchalantly, "is willing to go and ask my Master for help, perhaps more men could be spared."
’Master has been rather displeased lately, all because of Shihu City.’
’As his disciple, it is my duty to help alleviate his worries.’
’If that Lin fellow really was ambushed by Demons, he’d be nothing but bones by now.’
’If I can use this to force Yu Sheng to go to the City Lord’s Mansion and humble herself by requesting an audience, the combination of events would surely alleviate some of Master’s displeasure.’
"A life is on the line! How can you be so... Senior..."
Yan Jin understood his ploy, which only enraged her further. She was about to storm out of the inn when she felt her hand squeezed twice.
The little chick was connected to Lin Shu through Essence Blood, so Yu Sheng had already inquired about him with her Heart Thought.
But it wasn’t something she could easily tell Yan Jin.
Still, knowing he was safe was one thing.
This Core Formation Cultivator’s arrogant posture, combined with his earlier words, still managed to thoroughly infuriate Yu Sheng.
It was just that until she saw Lin Shu with her own eyes, she was in no mood to bicker with this man.
"A life is indeed on the line."
Feng Yinglong glanced sideways at Yu Sheng and said softly, "So you’d better hurry. As it happens, my Master has not yet retired for the evening."
His nonchalant tone made anger flash in the eyes of many of the disciples.
’This is the Yu Family’s Yongzhou Pass!’
’We’re out there risking our lives to defend this pass for the Yu Family!’
’And now that something’s happened, even though they clearly have the resources, not only are they only searching for the Immortal Descendant, but they’re using this as leverage to be aggressive, showing a complete disregard for the lives of us disciples!’

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