Chapter 379: Chaotic City

After escorting the dilapidated carriage carrying Wei Ziyang to the main gate of the County Government Office, the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang whipped his horse and returned to his temple.

Before dawn, he had climbed out of bed to wait for Wei Ziyang outside the East City Gate; now that he had finished escorting Wei Ziyang, his sleepiness surged up, and he felt extremely weary, swaying in his saddle and yawning incessantly.

He had originally intended to return to the City God Temple to quickly catch up on his sleep.

But just as he arrived at the temple gate, he saw that in the dim light of dawn, three people were already waiting there. Seeing that all three were carrying bundles, he guessed they were going on a long journey and had come to pray for safety.

When he rode over, the three had already seen him, so Xu Dongyang had no choice but to open the temple gate and be forced into business.

After preparing the safety talismans and sending the three off, perhaps seeing that the temple gate was already open, people kept coming in to burn incense and draw lots, so Xu Dongyang had no choice but to take a nearly bald horsetail whisk and stand beside the statue of the City God, nodding off.

It was not until the hour for the midday meal that there was finally no one left in the temple.

Xu Dongyang didn't care about much else; he simply closed the temple gate and went inside to have a good sleep.

This sleep lasted for the entire afternoon. He rose from his bed, walked out the door, and stood in the Back Courtyard of the City God Temple, only to see that the sun had already tilted to the west.

Just at this moment, Xu Dongyang suddenly heard a burst of chaotic clamor outside.

"Someone's been killed!"

"It's the Filthy Blood Sect! They were shot to death in the street!"

Xu Dongyang's heart skipped a beat; although his cultivation of the Filthy Blood Divine Art was decent, his martial arts were low, so the matter of disguising himself as a guard had not been arranged for him at all.

Xu Dongyang immediately bolted out of the City God Temple, only to see figures scurrying about in the market, which had turned into a complete mess.

Moving against the flow of people, he hunched over and hid in a narrow alley entrance, staring intently, only to see a headless corpse on the side of the street not far away, its entire body covered in wriggling blood-filaments...

And on the ground not far from that blood-corpse, a pitch-black mysterious iron arrow was stuck at an angle!

Seeing that arrow, Xu Dongyang's brow twitched. This arrow was exactly the same as the one that had shot Bai Rong to death last night!

"Something's happened! Something must have happened!"

Xu Dongyang felt a bit panicked, and just at this moment, he heard the cry of an eagle from the high sky above his head!

He looked up and saw a large eagle circling above Xiangu City, and then four black dots jumped down from the circling large eagle.

In Xiangu County, Xu Dongyang was responsible for the secret correspondence with various Branch offices and Halls, so he had gained quite a bit of knowledge over the years.

"This is... a Cloud-Feather Mad Eagle?!"

"It's people from the Taiyi Sect!"

Hiding at the alley entrance, Xu Dongyang peered toward the direction of the County Government Office gate and soon discovered Wei Ziyang being besieged by the four people.

He stood there hesitating for a while, feeling that this situation looked ominous. Although he found it hard to abandon his homeland, saving his own life was ultimately more important.

Xu Dongyang immediately returned to the City God Temple, packed up some silver notes and valuables, and prepared to slip away.

He had long ago dug a dog hole at the base of the city wall not far from the City God Temple, covering it with a withered tree, originally kept for the purpose of escaping.

Xu Dongyang had just reached the base of the city wall and pulled away the withered tree, revealing a hole. Just at this moment, the sound of chaotic horse hooves, like sudden rain and rolling thunder, suddenly rang out from far outside the city.

Xu Dongyang's expression changed. "Damn it! I'm going to be too late!"

He immediately dove into the hole and crawled out as if he were in a desperate hurry.

Who would have thought that just as he pushed aside a clump of withered grass from outside the city and poked his head out, a troop of soldiers in armor and holding spears had surrounded the city, catching him right in the act.

On West Street, beside the large crater where Wei Ziyang had exploded.

Jiang Zhe, Bai Yuan, and Lu Jin were still there sitting cross-legged and circulating their Qi.

Not far away, the leader of the heavy cavalry, dressed in heavy armor and holding a long spear, suddenly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask, which lord is holding the tiger tally?"

Hearing this, Jiang Zhe's breathing paused slightly, and he opened his eyes; in just this instant, blood spilled from the corners of his mouth again.

Jiang Zhe fished an object out from his bosom and threw it toward the heavy cavalry leader.

The heavy cavalry leader reached out and caught it, fitting it against the other half of the tiger tally in his own hand, and finding that they matched perfectly, he immediately cupped his hands to Jiang Zhe and said, "Colonel Yuan Ye, leading one thousand heavy cavalry, reports to you, my lord!"

When Jiang Zhe and his group came to Xiangu County, they had let the Cloud-Feather Mad Eagle stay in the Wild Forest outside the Prefecture City for an hour. And Jiang Zhe had specifically entered the city to see the Yuanyang Prefecture Master and requested one thousand heavy cavalry from him to launch a surprise attack on Xiangu!

Jiang Zhe barely held on, his eyes listless, and said, "Commander Yuan, I am currently severely injured! It is inconvenient for me to command you all!"

As Jiang Zhe spoke, he glanced at Duan Rong not far away and said, "Duan Rong! Come here!"

Duan Rong's expression shifted, and he walked over slowly.

Yuan Ye glanced at Duan Rong, only to see that Duan Rong's clothes were tattered, his hair was greasy and dirty, and there was even a patch of scabs on his face; he looked exactly like a beggar, yet he was carrying a sword and arrows, looking quite incongruous.

Jiang Zhe said, "Commander Yuan, you shall take orders from him!"

Yuan Ye frowned and said nothing.

When Yuan Ye had arrived, Duan Rong had just been standing to the side; he had never seen Duan Rong fight, nor did he know his identity.

Jiang Zhe naturally saw through Yuan Ye's thoughts and said, "He is an Outer Sect Disciple of the Sect. The major case in this place was uncovered by him. The dozen or so headless blood-corpses on the streets of Xiangu were all shot to death by him alone!"

Hearing Jiang Zhe's words, not only did Yuan Ye's expression change, but even the seven or eight heavy armored cavalrymen behind him changed their expressions, looking at Duan Rong with some awe.

They had charged all the way from the city gate, so they had naturally seen the dozen or so headless blood-corpses on the street.

At this moment, Yuan Ye finally noticed that there were still three pitch-black arrows in the quiver on Duan Rong's body. The style of those arrows was exactly the same as the arrows beside the headless blood-corpses on the street.

Yuan Ye immediately cupped his hands to Duan Rong and said, "We, the heavy cavalry, are willing to follow your orders, my lord!"

In the army, it had always been that the strong were respected; whoever had the biggest fist, their words were the truth!

"Commander Yuan, there is no need for such formalities," Duan Rong said with a modest attitude, then changed the subject and said, "Commander Yuan, take your men and surround the County Government Office for me!"

Yuan Ye was slightly startled. "The County Government Office?"

Duan Rong suddenly pointed to a blood-corpse not far away and said, "That person is the local County Magistrate, Sun Qian!"

Yuan Ye's expression was one of astonishment; blood-filaments were wriggling on that corpse, clearly indicating he was a member of the Filthy Blood Sect. The County Magistrate of this Xiangu County was actually a member of the Filthy Blood Sect; no wonder they had to mobilize their one thousand heavy cavalry!

Yuan Ye cupped his hands and said, "Yes!"

Just as Yuan Ye was about to go and assemble his men, Duan Rong said, "Wait!"

"After surrounding the County Government Office! The Yuanshun Escort Agency, Huaying Pavilion, the Weapon Shop, the dye house, Chunfeng Inn... and Wei Yutian's old residence!"

Duan Rong listed over a dozen forces in one breath, pointing out almost every major power within the entire county!

"Surround these places as well!"

"This..." A hint of hesitation appeared in Yuanye's eyes.

Duan Rong said, "These are all strongholds of the Filthy Blood Sect."

"My lord..." Yuanye seemed to want to say something more.

Duan Rong interrupted him directly and said, "Commander Yuan, I know what you are worried about! I will find someone to lead the way for you!"

Duan Rong suddenly turned his head and looked toward a certain window on the second floor of the teahouse facing the street; Yang Zhen was still sitting there.

"Yang Zhen! Come down!" Duan Rong suddenly called out.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen immediately stretched his body and jumped down from the window on the second floor of the teahouse.

Yang Zhen walked to a spot not far from Duan Rong, cupped his fists respectfully toward Duan Rong, and said, "My lord!"

Duan Rong was slightly taken aback; this was the first time Yang Zhen had called him that, and he discovered that in the gaze Yang Zhen directed at him now, the lingering sense of provocation had vanished completely; the look he gave him now was one of absolute submission.

Yang Zhen's gaze did not make Duan Rong happy; instead, it caused a sense of loss to well up in his heart.

Duan Rong suppressed his inner feelings, looked at Yang Zhen, and said, "Yang Zhen, you and Commander Yuan go together and surround all the places I just mentioned! Before the search is complete! Only entry is allowed, no exit!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen said, "Yes!"

Duan Rong turned his head, looked at Yuanye again, and asked, "Commander Yuan, have the four city gates been sealed?"

Yuanye said, "My thousand iron cavalry have already taken over the city gates! My lord, rest assured, not even a fly will fly out!"

"Good!" Duan Rong said, "You may go!"

Yuanye and Yang Zhen then departed.

Duan Rong glanced at Jiang Zhe and the other two, who were pale and performing Qi circulation to heal their wounds beside the large pit, then suddenly turned around; he saw Xiao Yu, Ximen Kankan, and the others standing not far away.

Xiao Yu was carrying a round object wrapped in clothing, which was clearly Ruan Fengshan's head, yet no blood was seeping out from the clothing!

Although Ruan Fengshan knew he was doomed to die, he had used the Filthy Blood Divine Art to hold on until the very end before being beheaded by Xiao Yu, and by that time, the blood in his body had been completely exhausted due to repeatedly driving the Filthy Blood Divine Art.

Duan Rong walked over quickly, looked at Ximen Kankan first, and said, "Kankan, go to the City God Temple and see if the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang is there! He is also a member of the Filthy Blood Sect!"

"Xu Dongyang?!" Ximen Kankan's expression was one of shock. "I'll go right now!"

As Ximen Kankan said this, he exerted his movement technique and flew off! Ximen Kankan truly had not expected that Xu Dongyang was actually a member of the Filthy Blood Sect! His family had been the Temple Keepers of the Xiangu City God Temple for three generations!

When Duan Rong shot and killed more than a dozen True Qi Realm martial artists of the Filthy Blood Sect on the street, he had realized that Xu Dongyang was not among them. Therefore, he had immediately asked Ximen Kankan to go and check.

Duan Rong then looked at Xiao Yu and said, "Xiao Yu, go to the old residence of Xie Lei, and together with Xiao Qi, take Hu Huanhuan to the Medical Hall. She is seriously injured and cannot be delayed any longer!"

"Good!" After Xiao Yu agreed, he turned and left.

After Ximen Kankan and Xiao Yu left, Shen Mizhi also looked at Duan Rong with expectant eyes and said, "What about me? What do I do?"

Duan Rong said, "Get me something to eat; I'm a bit hungry!"

Shen Mizhi glared at him and said, "Starve to death, you little beggar; this lady doesn't have the leisure for that!"

Duan Rong smiled, looked at Shen Mizhi and Liu Shushan, and said, "The three Senior Brothers are healing their wounds here! You two stay here and guard them!"

Hearing what Duan Rong said, Shen Mizhi and Liu Shushan glanced at Jiang Zhe and the others not far away; the three men's condition was indeed very poor.

Duan Rong turned and left after finishing his sentence.

Seeing that Duan Rong was about to leave, Shen Mizhi immediately shouted at his back, "Where are you going?"

"To bathe and change clothes. What? Do you want to come along?" Duan Rong said.

"Pah!" Shen Mizhi spat on the ground.

Duan Rong laughed heartily and strode away!

He indeed needed to take a bath and change his clothes! The stuff on his body and face had been caked on for several days; it was truly too uncomfortable!

Duan Rong walked along the alleyway toward his old residence!

Returning to the old residence, Duan Rong drew clear water from the well, wrapped soap locust in a towel, and rubbed it into a lather.

As Duan Rong washed, the Xiangu County city was already becoming chaotic, with noises from near and far faintly drifting over. Yuanye and Yang Zhen and their men had already taken action!

Since this place had been turned into a stronghold by Sun Qian, then all the Tainted Blood Remnants inside had to be rooted out!

After Duan Rong finished his bath, he found a set of clothes in the old residence's wardrobe to change into before returning to the place where Jiang Zhe and the others were sitting on the ground performing Qi circulation to heal.

By now, the sky had turned dark, and the seven or eight iron cavalrymen in heavy armor had already lit torches!

Shen Mizhi and Liu Shushan were standing not far from Jiang Zhe and the others. Furthermore, Ximen Kankan was also there, chatting with Liu Shushan; the two were talking and laughing about something.

Duan Rong walked over and saw that Lu Jin and Bai Yuan were still deathly pale with their brows tightly locked. But Jiang Zhe seemed much calmer; it appeared his injuries had mostly recovered.

Seeing Duan Rong approach, Ximen Kankan said, "The City God Temple is empty, and in a room in the back courtyard, several trunks were left open. I think that old fellow probably ran away!"

Duan Rong sighed slightly; there was nothing to be done about that. The people from the Sect had arrived late. With only this many men, it was inevitable that some would slip through the net.

At this moment, Jiang Zhe suddenly opened his eyes; his gaze was no longer listless and pained, but clear and bright.

Jiang Zhe stood up; although he had been performing Qi circulation to heal just now, he had heard every word of how Duan Rong had made his arrangements and deployments.

Sealing the city gates and focusing on a thorough search could be called meticulous in thought and swift and decisive in action. In his heart, Jiang Zhe already held Duan Rong in high regard.

Jiang Zhe stood up and saw that Duan Rong had changed his clothes and looked much more spirited; he was just about to walk over and chat with Duan Rong for a bit.

But he suddenly heard a burst of noise behind him.

It turned out that Yuanye and Yang Zhen had come to report back!

Yuanye walked out from the darkness and saw Duan Rong standing over there at a glance. Although Duan Rong had changed his clothes, the bow and arrows on his person and the Minghong Saber at his waist were still there!

Yuanye also saw Jiang Zhe, who had just stood up; Jiang Zhe's gaze was clear and his expression calm, clearly no longer in any serious trouble.

Yuanye's gaze hesitated slightly, but he still only cupped his fists slightly toward Jiang Zhe before striding to Duan Rong's side and saying respectfully, "My lord! All strongholds have been surrounded. May I ask, my lord, where should we begin the search?"

"Good!" Duan Rong said, "Start with the County Government Office!"

Just at this moment, Yang Zhen was seen dragging a person over and pushing him to the ground! That person was covered in dust, his hair gray and disheveled!

When Duan Rong saw that person, his eyes lit up with joy; this person was actually the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang!

Yang Zhen said, "This old thing tried to crawl out through a dog hole dug at the base of the city wall, but he was caught red-handed by the iron cavalry brothers surrounding the city!"

At this time, Jiang Zhe walked over; seeing that Yuanye and Yang Zhen were only reporting to Duan Rong and completely ignoring his existence, he already felt somewhat displeased.

Jiang Zhe glanced at Xu Dongyang on the ground and said, "He's just an old thing, hack him to death!"

"You cannot!" Duan Rong said.

Jiang Zhe's brows knitted together.

Duan Rong said, "He is the person responsible for delivering secret letters. He knows many secrets, he cannot be killed!"

Jiang Zhe's heart stirred. Looking at Xu Dongyang's old and weak body, he said with some disbelief, "He is also a member of the Filthy Blood Sect?"

At this moment, Xu Dongyang suddenly kowtowed on the ground like a pestle hitting garlic and cried out, "My lords, I am wronged! Three generations of my family have been Temple Keepers at the local City God Temple. I was merely afraid and fled first to avoid the limelight. How could I be a member of the Filthy Blood Sect? I serve the gods; I don't even kill chickens in my daily life!"

At this time, not only was Jiang Zhe looking at Duan Rong with suspicious eyes, but even Ximen Kankan seemed somewhat doubtful. Watching Xu Dongyang's snot-and-tears appearance and his old, frail body, it was truly hard to believe this person could be from the Filthy Blood Sect.

Duan Rong noticed everyone's gaze, but his expression remained calm, without a trace of emotion. He suddenly drew the Minghong Saber and shouted abruptly, "Xu Dongyang!"

"Ah!" Hearing this, Xu Dongyang raised his head.

"Go to hell!" The moment Xu Dongyang raised his head, Duan Rong shouted with a fierce look in his eyes. Suddenly, the light of the Minghong Saber in his hand flashed, and the tip of the blade had already struck at the center of Xu Dongyang's brow.

In a flash of lightning, Xu Dongyang's scalp felt as if it had been electrocuted, suddenly turning cold. At that moment, he truly thought Duan Rong was going to kill him!

The cold light of the Blade Shadow and the biting killing intent rushed toward his face!

As the cold light flashed, the tip of the blade had already struck the center of his brow...

Under the crisis of death, the Filthy Blood Divine Art activated automatically. Blood threads all over Xu Dongyang's body burst forth, wriggling and gathering at the center of his brow, blocking this strike from Duan Rong!

Duan Rong knew the level of Xu Dongyang's Filthy Blood Divine Art; the power he used in this strike was merely that of the True Qi Realm First Stage, completely unable to break through the defense of the Filthy Blood Divine Art!

He did not want to kill Xu Dongyang; he simply wanted to force out his Filthy Blood Divine Art!

(End of this chapter)