He was a newcomer, a stranger in a strange land. This was his first time leaving his small courtyard, so it was impossible that he could have offended anyone.
’Who would be so bold as to want to kill a Mountain Master Disciple of the Yu Family for no reason?’
After a moment of thought...
’Aside from that flock of Wind-Riding Cyan Simurghs, there didn’t seem to be any other suspects.’
’It’s like they’re afraid I won’t have enough to eat.’
’It seems the plan I made earlier will need some adjustments.’
He let out a breath.
Lin Shu collected his thoughts and followed the Demon-slaying Bureau constables, quickly leaving Anren Prefecture City.
Time flew by, but the landscape of green mountains and clear waters remained unchanged.
When he came from Dragon Ridge before, he had been lying on Yu Sheng’s back and hadn’t really noticed.
Only now, riding a Spirit Horse, did he realize the sheer vastness of this land was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Even on a Spirit Horse, the journey between the Prefecture City and the counties below took several days of relentless travel.
’Absurd.’
And when he saw Wuyang County with his own eyes, Lin Shu couldn’t help but marvel internally.
Though it was called a "county," this massive, ancient city was completely different from the county towns he was used to.
No wonder no one had bothered with Black Water City, even after it was sealed for a decade.
A small county like that, bordering the barren Border Region and with poor communications, probably never got much attention anyway.
"Senior Brother Lin, we’re almost there."
Lu Chengyu led the group, bypassing the magnificent city and heading straight for Seven Stars Mountain.
He already possessed very clear intelligence, so there was no need to enter the county to investigate.
Now that they were far from the city, the Vice Generals and Captains all noticed the change in General Lu’s speech. He had quietly dropped the words "Mountain Master."
Strange smiles tugged at the corners of their lips.
’It doesn’t matter which family you’re from. Once you enter the Demon Mountain, you’re on the Demon-slaying Bureau’s turf.’
’Forget this fake Mountain Master. Even a true Mountain Master Disciple from an Immortal Sect, venturing into the mortal world to temper themselves, has to ask the Demon-slaying Bureau for their opinion before dealing with Demons.’
’Only they were the Cultivators who truly understood Demons!’
"All of you, follow me."
Lu Chengyu leaped from his horse, his gaze turning to the quiet mountains before him.
He suddenly switched to a peculiar gait. Spiritual Light glowed from his tall boots as he led the men, pacing back and forth on the flat ground.
As he slowly came to a stop, the mountains before them rippled, and a continuous, towering mountain ridge appeared out of thin air.
"What a move, General Lu! You broke through the Demon Mountain’s Array with ease!" the Vice Generals and Captains chimed in with flattery.
"Heh."
Lu Chengyu chuckled, clearly enjoying it.
Lin Shu looked around. His understanding of Arrays was still limited to the Breath Concealment Array left by Yu Sheng in the Old Woodshed and the Blood Spirit Stone Array set up by the Zhao Family disciples.
’To conceal such a massive ridge out of thin air with an Array...’
’The Demons who dared to linger in the Nine Mansions really were something else.’
’If he hadn’t known better, he might have been impressed by Lu Chengyu’s abilities. But after hearing Old Xu’s explanation... this was simply a case of someone selling the method to enter Seven Stars Mountain to the Demon-slaying Bureau.’
"Lin Shu, although you are the Yu Family’s Mountain Master and hold a noble status, you are ultimately here representing the Martial Arts Academy. Since this is a matter of slaying Demons, it’s best we delineate our responsibilities clearly."
Lu Chengyu turned and said slowly, "The Demon-slaying Bureau and the Martial Arts Academy have different operational styles. We aren’t familiar with each other’s methods and have always acted separately, each fulfilling our own duties."
He waved his hand, and his Spiritual Power materialized in mid-air as a clear map.
"Seven Stars Mountain has three exits. Seeing as you’re on your own, I will take responsibility for two of them. You only need to guard this last one here."
"As long as you don’t let any Demon Soldiers or demon people escape, I will report your contributions truthfully upon our return to Anren Prefecture."
"Does this arrangement seem reasonable?"
Lu Chengyu’s words made the faces of his men change.
’Weren’t we supposed to put this guy in his place and tear his false reputation to shreds? Why is he being given such an easy job?’
’A Mountain Master Disciple of the Yu Family, responsible for just holding back Demon Soldiers?’
’This was arranged by Vice General Lu himself. It’s like he’s giving the man an easy way out. How is this supposed to ruin his reputation?’
"Reasonable."
Lin Shu glanced at the detailed map in mid-air.
’They’ve barely set foot in the Demon Mountain, and they’ve already figured out all the enemy’s defensive positions.’
’Slaying Demons this way is certainly easy.’
He shook his head and turned to walk deeper into the mountains.
"General Lu, did the higher-ups change their minds?"
Once the young man’s figure had vanished into the woods, a few of the Vice Generals finally voiced their suspicions. "We’re doing all the hard work slaying Demons. Why should he get to share in the glory?"
"Share in the glory?"
Now that they were surrounded only by his trusted confidants, Lu Chengyu’s expression darkened. He finally let out a sneer. "That path... is the one I left open for Fei Huang."
"Fei Huang?"
His men froze, looks of instinctual fear flashing across their faces.
They had assumed that following General Lu meant dealing with just a few obscure Demon Generals. How had this mission come to involve such a Fierce Demon!
Even among Demon Generals, there were clear differences in rank.
The way to judge was very simple.
The official Demon-Slaying Rankings listed a total of one hundred Great Demons.
After accounting for Demon Kings and Demon Monarchs, fewer than sixty spots remained. Any Demon General who made it onto that list was one of the top three commanders under a Demon Monarch.
Demon General Fei Huang’s name had been on that list for many years.
He was once Demon Monarch Bi Hai’s most trusted general.
True to his name, the Demon was cruel by nature, viewing human life as worthless. When he made a move, it was like a swarm of locusts sweeping through, leaving nothing alive in its wake.
Without a Golden Core Senior taking action, trying to kill such a Great Demon was almost impossible.
"Of course, I have no intention of killing him."
"But I am truly curious... after I ’rescue’ him, drag him back to Qiankun Academy like a beaten dog in front of everyone, will this esteemed Senior Brother Mountain Master of ours still have the face to wear that Flowing Cloud Sword Robe ever again?"

Comments

Loading...