Chapter 316: Encountering Demons on the Road
Night fell, and within Lanruo Temple the campfire swayed with the wind.
Laughter and cheerful voices echoed through the hall. Yan Chixia, a man fond of good wine, had loosened up after a few bowls and was chatting freely with the group.
He and Xu Caichen spoke about their experiences over the years.
When they finished, both burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha…"
Yan Chixia raised his wine bowl. "Little Brother Xu, I didn't expect you to enter the tutelage of such a renowned master. Truly, I envy you."
Xu Caichen clinked his bowl against his. "Brother Yan, your life of freedom and righteousness is what I envy. When I finish my studies and return, I'll travel the world with you."
Yan Chixia: "Good, cheers!"
Xu Caichen: "Cheers!"
Just as the group was enjoying themselves, the howl of wolves suddenly came from outside.
Sensing no demonic aura, no one paid much attention. If those wolves were foolish enough to approach, they would simply end up as a late-night snack.
Moments later, the sound of footsteps approached, accompanied by an anxious, panicked voice.
"Hero Yan, Hero Yan!"
Everyone instinctively cast their divine sense toward the source.
They saw two disheveled young people, a man and a woman, stumbling into Lanruo Temple.
Upon recognizing them, Yan Chixia immediately set down his wine and asked, "Ning boy, what's happened to you?"
Ning Qi'an cupped his fists. "Hero Yan, Wu Kingdom is in chaos from a demon's rampage. Please lend your aid."
Yan Chixia, ever a man of chivalrous spirit, stood at once, his expression turning solemn. "Where is the demon now?"
Ning Qi'an took a breath before speaking. "I don't know exactly, but it should be heading toward Lin'an City."
Yan Chixia said, "Tell us what happened."
"Alright."
Ning Qi'an recounted everything since parting ways with Yan Chixia. He had planned to return to Lin'an and work as a private tutor but was captured by bandits on the road.
Later, the bandits were destroyed by government troops, yet he was mistaken for one of them and thrown in prison. Fortunately, he met a high-level cultivator there who helped him escape.
After leaving prison, he encountered Ming Yuexi and her companions at a charity burial ground while they were attempting to save her father, Minister Ming.
With the help of a cultivator, they rescued him and planned to travel to the capital to overturn his wrongful conviction.
However, the imperial preceptor, Master Xuanbei, intercepted them. Using demonic arts, he scattered the group. Ning Qi'an and Ming Yuexi narrowly escaped and, recalling that Hero Yan was cultivating in seclusion here, made their way to Lanruo Temple.
When the tale ended, everyone's eyes turned toward Chu Feng.
Chu Feng studied the young man with interest. Inwardly, he thought, This boy seems to be following the script that would have been Caichen's.
But since Caichen had chosen not to let Xiao Zhuo reincarnate and instead went to Wendao Academy, that storyline had fallen to another scholar.
Seeing Chu Feng's group remain silent, Yan Chixia spoke up. "There's no time to waste. Let's prepare horses and set out now to catch Master Xuanbei."
"Alright."
Hearing this, Ning Qi'an's face lit up with joy.
Beside him, Ming Yuexi's eyes also shone with hope.
Xu Caichen said, "Master, I wish to do my part for Wu Kingdom as well."
Chu Feng smiled. "Of course. Follow your heart. Even if you can't handle that demon yourself, we have plenty of people here, don't we?"
"Mm."
Xu Caichen nodded.
The group quickly packed up and, under the moonlight, rode swift horses toward Lin'an.
By midday the next day, they were less than twenty li from the city.
Suddenly, the sky darkened as a fierce demon wind rose, and thick demonic clouds gathered overhead.
The sudden change made Yan Chixia's heart sink. He muttered, "What is going on? Three years ago, the nation was still bright and upright—how has such a terrifying demon appeared all of a sudden?"
Chu Feng smiled faintly. "When a country is on the brink of collapse, demons appear. It seems Wu Kingdom is about to see a change of dynasty."
Hearing this, Yan Chixia fell silent.
The demon wind grew stronger, the dark clouds thicker. The once-bright sky dimmed into gloom.
"Master, the Heavenly Dog devours the sun."
Xiao Chen looked at the sun above, its light fading, then instinctively turned to Cao Youqian beside him—just as Cao Youqian also turned his head.
When their eyes met, both saw the eager spark in the other's gaze.
Chu Feng's expression did not change as he said lightly, "A demon of this level shouldn't appear here under normal circumstances. Could Wu Kingdom be hiding some unknown secret?"
Those present showed varied expressions but chose not to pursue the topic.
As they drew closer to their destination, the wind intensified.
Night had fallen completely. Feeling the oppressive demon wind, Yan Chixia said, "With this wind filling the sky, our horses won't be able to go further."
Chu Feng said nothing. Cao Youqian and Xiao Chen also made no move. The disciples of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute all turned their eyes to Xu Caichen.
Xu Caichen understood—this was a chance for him to show his ability. He said simply, "This is easy."
He took a brush from his storage ring and, with a wave of his hand, wrote the large character "Open" in mid-air.
The moment the word appeared, the demon wind blocking their path vanished, and a clear road stretched before them.
"Let's go."
Xu Caichen tugged on his reins and rode forward.
Soon, they arrived at an ancient temple.
Ming Yuexi looked at the stone stele before it. "Dazhao Temple—this is Master Xuanbei's dojo. He's likely hiding inside."
Her words had barely fallen when three figures—two men and one woman—flew toward them from the sky.
Behind them trailed a group of demon monks wreathed in demonic qi.
"Hero Yan, save them!"
Seeing the three, Ning Qi'an shouted to Yan Chixia.
"Alright!"
Yan Chixia swiftly formed a hand seal, and the sword on his back shot into the sky.
Clang!
A flash of sword light—then the demon monks were pierced through and reduced to ash.
The three descended from the air, and Ming Yuexi and Ning Qi'an rushed to them at once.
"Father, Yue Zhen, are you alright?"
Minister Ming said, "We're fine. This place isn't safe—let's leave quickly."
"Alright."
The two instinctively agreed and turned to go, but stopped when they saw Chu Feng's group still mounted, unmoving.
Yan Chixia smiled. "There's no need to worry. With my old friend here today, that demon won't be able to stir up any real trouble."
The words were like a calming pill to the three.
The young male cultivator, who had remained silent until now, cupped his fists. "I am Gu Qingqiu of the Lingjian Sect. May I ask how I should address you, fellow Daoists?"
Yan Chixia said, "We can talk later—here comes the demon."
As he spoke, a terrifying pressure descended from the sky…
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