Chapter Twenty: Outside Fengyang City

Upon hearing this, Xia Qinghe introduced the two to each other.

Zhao Yang muttered to himself, "So it is you."

Clearly, due to the recent events involving Chen Kai and his associates in Nanyang County, Gu Xian had gained significant renown among the Demon Slayers.

The resolute man looked hesitant. "Lord Xia, are just the three of us going?"

It was not that Zhao Yang was unwilling to return to Fengyang County; it was that he had already witnessed the terror of those ruthless fiends. The entire city had fallen into their hands. While Gu Xian and Xia Qinghe were certainly exceptional—young geniuses who had recently made a name for themselves across the province—they had yet to truly come into their own. Against such cunning and veteran demon-cultists, they would surely appear hopelessly outnumbered.

Xia Qinghe immediately understood Zhao Yang’s concerns. She spoke up at once: "The situation in Fengyang County is known to all Demon Slayers within Ling Province. Many are already on their way. If you are unwilling to return, you may safely retreat to the commandery’s yamen."

Hearing this, a heavy burden lifted from Zhao Yang’s heart, and his gaze grew firmer. "With the blood debt of my fallen comrades yet to be avenged, how could I, Zhao Yang, continue to live in cowardice?"

Gu Xian gathered the belongings from the men on the ground, then walked to the edge of the woods to retrieve their cooking utensils. The three set off immediately. Xia Qinghe watched this, a slight frown creasing her brow, though she said nothing more.

On the road, the three consumed a Spirit-Nourishing Pill each—one of the most common elixirs used by cultivators to practice and restore their internal energy. Once finished, they quickened their pace. Zhao Yang, having fled from Fengyang County, knew the path well. Along the way, the resolute man recounted the origins and methods of the demon-cultists occupying the county.

After listening, Gu Xian frowned deeply. "Cultists of the Demonic Path? Since the Great Exorcism performed by the Great Perfected One of Mount Sanqing three hundred years ago, most of the demonic sects have vanished. How is it that they are appearing so openly again?"

According to Zhao Yang, the chaos in Fengyang County was orchestrated by the Everlasting Tower, one of the seven great sects of the Demonic Path. One of its nine masters had arrived, accompanied by several high-level subordinates, all of whom were incredibly formidable. Zhao Yang’s group had been nearly wiped out in a single encounter, unable to even breach the city gates. Because of this, the Imperial Court remained uncertain of their true objectives.

At midnight, the trio finally arrived at Fengyang County. As the silhouette of the city emerged, Gu Xian activated his spirit vision. From afar, he saw the city of Fengyang wreathed in surging black mist, tainted with wisps of blood-red aura—a most ominous sight. The entire city looked like a savage beast crouching in the darkness.

Just then, the tokens at the waists of Xia Qinghe and Zhao Yang began to vibrate, glowing with a flowing light. After receiving the message, Xia Qinghe said, "Follow me." She flashed forward, moving rapidly in a specific direction, with Gu Xian and Zhao Yang in close pursuit.

About a quarter of an hour later, they arrived at a forest outside Fengyang. The night was heavy, and a few scattered lanterns flickered in the distance. As they drew closer, Gu Xian realized it was a makeshift camp with several tents. Six or seven Demon Slayers in black official robes stood guard.

Inside the camp, a sturdy man appeared before them. Xia Qinghe and Zhao Yang presented their tokens. After verifying them, the man turned his gaze toward Gu Xian. "And this is?"

Xia Qinghe introduced him briefly: "This is Gu Xian, a cultivator from Wuwang Mountain. He is here with me to assist in resolving the crisis in Fengyang."

The sturdy man looked at Gu Xian intently. "Enter. Lord Liu is waiting inside."

Inside the central tent, a dozen people sat in discussion, all wearing the black robes of the Demon Slayers’ Bureau, each exuding a sharp, piercing aura. At the head sat a man in his fifties, a long, slender talisman-etched blade hanging at his waist. The characters carved into the hilt shimmered with celestial light—clearly no ordinary weapon.

As the three entered, the discussion ceased, and every eye turned toward them. Instantly, a pressure like that of towering mountains descended upon them. Outside, a cold wind whistled, causing the tent flaps to flutter. Facing this immense pressure, Zhao Yang, only at the Fetal Breath stage, felt sweat bead on his forehead, his body trembling slightly. Gu Xian and Xia Qinghe, however, remained calm.

"So, Qinghe has arrived." A moment later, the elderly man at the head of the table withdrew his presence, smiling faintly.

Xia Qinghe bowed slightly. "Greetings, Lord Liu." She then introduced Gu Xian and Zhao Yang to the assembled Slayers.

Everyone, including Lord Liu, turned their gaze toward Gu Xian. The man in the green robe met their stares without fear, reading the complex expressions in their eyes: astonishment, mockery, appreciation, indifference—a mix of everything.

After a long silence, the old man sighed. "Qinghe, so this is Gu Xian. Before I left, I often heard Lord Wu speak of him in glowing terms."

A trace of surprise flickered in Xia Qinghe’s eyes. "My senior brother truly said that?" She knew her brother well; as the Commander of the Ling Province Demon Slayers’ Bureau, he held a prestigious position, respected even by the Governor. In all the years she had known him, she had never seen him praise a young talent so highly.

Lord Liu chuckled. "Would I lie about such a thing?" He gestured to the others. "Take your seats. We were just discussing the situation in Fengyang."

Once seated, Gu Xian asked softly, "Lord Liu, what is the current situation in the city?"

The man looked at him and gestured for a Silver-Ranked Demon Slayer to explain. The man cleared his throat. "The situation is dire. This is the first time since the Great Exorcism of the Jiazi year that the Demonic Path has acted with such brazen scale."

"They hold the entire city. At night, one can hear the wails of the common folk. Lord Qi, an expert in formations, has concluded that the cultists are performing a sacrificial ritual." The Slayer’s expression was grim. "If they succeed, not only will Fengyang be lost, but I fear a catastrophe unprecedented in scale will befall all of Ling Province, and perhaps even the entire Great Feng Dynasty."

Hearing this, the faces of Gu Xian and his companions turned pale. Xia Qinghe asked with a heavy heart, "Is there any viable solution?"

At these words, Lord Liu and the other high-ranking officials of the Demon Slayers’ Bureau exchanged glances, and the atmosphere grew stifling. Gu Xian and his two companions already had their answer.