Chapter 180 - 109: Moon-Devouring, Come Out and See Me

Chapter 180: Chapter 109: Moon-Devouring, Come Out and See Me

Previously, he would have jumped at the chance to take this assignment just so he could get closer to Vice General Xu and feel a bit safer.

Now, however, he genuinely saw an opportunity to distinguish himself.

Just like the Spiritual Pill and Magical Artifact Chang Yi had received, the Demon-slaying Bureau might be ruthless, but it genuinely rewarded meritorious service.

"I’ll go."

A new recruit stepped forward and took the Qi-Introducing Gourd. He was about to turn and leave, but after hesitating for a moment, he added, "Captain Chang."

Based on his performance, no one dared to treat this young man like a new recruit anymore.

’This Chang Yi is clearly not someone indifferent to fame and fortune. If he finds the Demon General, his status is bound to rise even higher when we get back.’

’Getting on his bad side now would be a disaster later.’

「」

Having learned in advance of the Demon-slaying Bureau’s arrival, the Demon Generals had already spread their eyes and ears throughout the mountains.

When the twenty-some magnificent, fully armored Spirit Horses set foot in the mountain range, the news spread like wildfire through the Demon Mountains.

"A Profound Armor Vice General has personally come to West Mountain!"

"Feng Yinglong, the Core Formation True Master from the Yu Family, is with them!"

"More than twenty fully-armed Captains! They’re leaving behind an Array every few hundred paces, advancing with extreme caution. Their defenses are too tight—we can’t follow them anymore..."

This was the kind of terrifying force one would assemble to target a specific Demon General and flatten their entire territory.

Not to mention that besides this Vice General, the mountains were also filled with several hundred other Captains and over a thousand constables.

If any of them revealed the slightest weakness, the nine remaining Vice Generals outside the mountains, along with the Yu Family’s contingent of Core Formation True Masters, would descend upon them like a pack of rabid tigers.

Most of the Demon Generals began to watch cautiously.

The few who still harbored delusions of luck continued to send out Little Demons to scout.

But they found that the Vice General and his Captains left no openings whatsoever. They consistently maintained a very precise, tactical distance from the scouts up ahead.

Only after the hundred or so constables ahead had scouted the path and sent back word would they unhurriedly move forward a little more.

’Human shields scouting ahead and warning Arrays guarding the rear. Tsk, tsk.’

"Forget it, come back."

The remaining Demon Generals had no choice but to abandon their plans. They temporarily sealed their domains, deciding to wait and see how things developed.

"General Xu, you are as experienced as they say. I am truly impressed."

Feng Yinglong rode his Spirit Horse, his heart finally feeling much more at ease.

He had seen the General’s earlier disdain and had worried about potential mishaps. He never expected the journey to be so utterly risk-free.

They were in a position to react instantly to the slightest sign of trouble.

"Heh, even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit."

Xu Zhonglin pulled on the reins with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

’The very fact that Yu Duchuan planted this Feng here shows that the Immortal Descendant has lost some trust in me because of the Gong Yue incident.’

But he had no intention of explaining.

’Just as I said before.’

’All this doubt will be washed away by a great victory, one bathed in Demon Blood.’

’That Little Demon, Moon-Devouring, might be low-ranking. But with the other Vice Generals still empty-handed, felling it would count as the first major accomplishment of this campaign.’

"Reporting to General Xu!"

But the one who returned with a shout was not a lone scout.

Nearly a hundred figures swarmed over.

Chang Yi halted his tall horse, clasped his fists, and spoke in a rush, "I led my comrades in tracking the residual Demon Qi of the Moon-Devouring Demon General. We found a highly concealed valley with only one way in or out. We also discovered dried bloodstains on the ground."

"General Xu, we found it!" Feng Yinglong’s eyes filled with a hint of joy.

This was his first mission with the Demon-slaying Bureau, after all. He was naturally eager to get it over with and leave this perilous land.

"..."

Xu Zhonglin swept his gaze over the group of young men who couldn’t hide their excitement, slightly astonished.

’Normally, even with the Demon Qi as bait, we would use the lives of scouts to draw out the Little Demons.’

’First, you get a feel for the enemy’s strength, then you send in Captains to capture one alive, and finally, you interrogate it for answers.’

’Not only did Chang Yi find the Demon General’s trail, but he managed to bring every single one of his men back unharmed.’

’He’s a true talent.’

But the sheer smoothness of it all made a flicker of doubt cross Xu Zhonglin’s eyes.

It was a wariness he had honed over years of climbing the ranks from a mere recruit to his current position as Vice General.

"General Xu, please forgive me for speaking out of turn."

Chang Yi carefully raised his head, choosing his words. "I’ve heard from the senior Captains that when a Great Demon establishes a domain, they create their own territory. But this valley doesn’t look like the Demon Mountains from the stories. And then there are the bloodstains on the ground..."

He paused, then continued, "The Moon-Devouring Demon was so arrogant before. It didn’t seem injured at all. I believe this might be a trap. I implore you, General Xu, to reconsider. Let’s return to Yongzhou Pass first and make a decision after careful deliberation."

"You bear a great responsibility, General Xu! Your safety is paramount. We cannot fall for a Demon Fiend’s plot!" Chang Yi declared passionately, his dark, youthful face etched with concern.

"Insolence!"

Zheng Qiao whipped out his Demon Slaying Saber and roared, "You’re just a scout, you whelp! You just made Captain and you already dare to sow discord? Spout any more of this nonsense and don’t blame me for taking your head as an offering for the war banner!"

’The Demon-slaying Bureau arrived with such a show of force, putting on this whole display.’

’And now we’re supposed to flee back in disgrace without even seeing a single Little Demon?’

’How could General Xu possibly hold his head high after that?’

’Even if the kid is trying to suck up and show concern, this isn’t the way to do it!’

"Enough!"

Xu Zhonglin raised a hand, frowning as he admonished, "They’re new to the Demon-slaying Bureau. They’re inexperienced and don’t know any better. Have a little patience."

He turned back to Chang Yi, his gaze sweeping over the many young constables before breaking into a smile. "Your training is sound, but you must remember not to follow it to the letter. Take your point about the Demon Mountain, for example. The Moon-Devouring Demon General has only just established itself. Where would it find the time to create a proper Demon Mountain?"