Chapter 178 - 108: Going on the Offensive

Chapter 178: Chapter 108: Going on the Offensive

The plain-clothed disciples stared blankly as they watched these events unfold.

Although they were also at the Jade Liquid Perfection Realm, these Captains’ experience and methods in Demon Slaying and Magic Fighting were vastly superior.

"Chang Yi, how are your injuries?"

Xu Zhonglin glanced to the side. In the distance, standing before the hundred-plus new recruits, the dark-faced youth had donned the black uniform of a Captain and looked surprisingly imposing. He lacked none of the standard-issue Magical Artifacts.

In addition, a Copper Plate hung from his waist.

It was the Magical Artifact Xu Zhonglin had specially granted him earlier. The item had the effect of Qi Seeking to find demons, making it a perfect match for the Qi-Introducing Gourd.

Not only had he been rewarded with a Spiritual Pill and Magical Artifact, but Vice General Xu had even personally helped him regulate the Qi Family’s Immortal Power. This, combined with the Spirit Pill, had helped him reach the threshold of Foundation Establishment. Soon, he would become a true Captain of the Demon-slaying Bureau.

"Replying to the Vice General, I’m fine now."

Chang Yi stepped forward, his face flushed with excitement, and respectfully cupped his fist.

"In that case, although your Cultivation is insufficient to fight Demons, your grasp of Qi Seeking techniques is solid, and you remain calm under pressure."

After a few words of praise, Xu Zhonglin waved his arm and said, "You will lead them into the mountain ahead of the others."

As his voice fell, the envious looks on the faces of the new recruits suddenly changed.

They looked up, stunned and disbelieving.

’So all those rewards were just a condemned man’s last meal?’

’In the end, they were still going to use our bodies to scout the path.’

Chang Yi, however, seemed to have been blinded by the prospect of glory. Far from resentful, he gave a joyful, low cry, "I will not disappoint you, General Xu!"

If Chang Yi hadn’t just been promoted to Captain, Wang Hong would have barely been able to stop himself from kicking him.

’Damn it, you should have been left to die on that tree!’

Seeing this, Xu Zhonglin was slightly surprised, then he smiled in amusement. "Go on. If you find the Moon-Devouring Demon General, I will credit you with another great merit."

"As you command!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Chang Yi turned and led the mighty procession of over a hundred men out of Yongzhou Pass.

"He’s just feeding you empty promises, man... What if we faked our deaths, escaped, and went back to Black Water City to live as rich playboys? Hey, say something!"

Wang Hong nearly ground his teeth to dust, but that damned Blackhead acted as if he were deaf, resolutely leading the group to their deaths without a second thought.

Once the group had vanished at the end of the mountain path, Xu Zhonglin opened the booklet in his hand again, gently stroking the last name on the list. "To be honest, I haven’t dealt with a Little Demon like this in a very long time. It feels rather beneath me."

"You have to take things one step at a time."

Yu Duchuan walked forward with a grin. "Before long, this entire Demon Mountain will know your name, General Xu. When you return from this Demon Cleansing and collect your reward from the Demon-slaying Bureau, the next time we meet, perhaps even I will have to call you Grand General Xu."

"Then let’s hope your auspicious words come true, Mountain God Duchuan."

Of course, Xu Zhonglin knew these were just pleasantries.

In the Nine Prefectures of Yongzhou, there were only a handful of Grand Generals in the Demon-slaying Bureau, and every single one was a Golden Core True Master.

He was still a long way from that position.

But regardless, it was still pleasant to hear.

"I’m lending you more than just good wishes... I’m also lending you a man."

"Yinglong, come over here." Yu Duchuan glanced back slightly.

"Master?"

For a moment, Feng Yinglong was stunned, his thoughts suddenly thrown into turmoil.

’He was perfectly comfortable at Yongzhou Pass; he didn’t want to go to the Demon Mountain and fight for his life.’

Yu Duchuan called him to his side and casually set up a Sound-Concealing Array, his gaze falling upon the disciple’s face. "Xu Zhonglin has come to me. He has already failed once. He cannot afford to make any mistakes this second time, or it will affect Uncle Qiheng’s attitude toward me."

"Do you understand?" he asked, his voice heavy.

"I understand. It is my duty to share my Master’s burdens, and I would go through fire and water for you, but..."

Feng Yinglong hesitated, wanting to explain further, but his Master quickly cut him off.

"Do you remember those two slaps?" Yu Duchuan asked with a small smile.

"..." Feng Yinglong’s expression stiffened, his face burning with humiliation.

Since that night, although no one dared to mention it openly out of consideration for his Master’s dignity, in private, he had long become the laughingstock of Yongzhou Pass.

A mighty Core Formation True Master, slapped in front of everyone, yet he hadn’t dared to so much as breathe a word in protest.

"Do you hold any resentment?" Yu Duchuan asked softly.

"I wouldn’t dare to resent the Little Mountain God." Feng Yinglong shuddered and hastily denied it.

"Yu Sheng is a Mountain God Clan Descendant; of course she is not someone you can touch."

"However..."

Yu Duchuan’s expression was indifferent, his voice laced with ice. "If the Demon Cleansing goes smoothly, then after it’s all over, I can turn that precious disciple of hers into a Human Swine in front of all the Immortal Descendant Disciples of Yongzhou Pass. Then, I’ll hand him over for you to dispose of as you wish."

Hearing this, Feng Yinglong’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

’Master is right,’ he thought. ’That night, it was clearly that whelp Lin whose insolence led to everything that followed.’

’With his meager Foundation Establishment Cultivation, he’s as lowly as a pig or a dog.’

’Relying on Yu Sheng’s favor, he actually dared to look down on me.’

’If Master’s status completely crushed Yu Sheng’s, then he could do the same and make that lowly pig-dog repay the humiliation a hundred times over!’

"Go. He’s just a Little Demon who has only recently come into power. His only victory worth mentioning was against Gong Yue, that good-for-nothing who just reached Core Formation. Other than that, all he does is cower and hide, launching sneak attacks on Immortal Descendants who haven’t even fully developed."

"Xu Zhonglin will lead the main assault; you’ll only be responsible for providing support from the flanks."

"Surely you aren’t afraid of a Little Demon like that, are you?"

After just a few simple words from Yu Duchuan, Feng Yinglong’s breathing had grown ragged.

Feeling the phantom, burning sting on his cheeks, he suddenly cupped his fist.

"I will retrieve that Demon’s head for you, Master, and restore the prestige of our name!"