Chapter 225: The Wang Fei's Furious Rage, Desolation in Songzhou (4000)

In the Imperial City, at the Ji Wang Fu.

The Wang Fei sat before the mirror, gazing at the noble and elegant face reflected in the glass, her makeup exquisitely applied, yet the smile on her lips slowly faded away.

She played with a jade bracelet in her hand.

As her five fingers clenched, the bracelet exploded with a bang, the shattered jade fragments failing to harm her Bai Xi skin.

"Are you saying the Qingzhou Regional Commander did not come to the Wang Fu to pay his respects?" The Wang Fei turned her head, her voice calm yet chilling.

She had waited a full day and night with high hopes, already imagining how she would mock Jiang Yuanhua.

But until this very moment, the entrance to the Wang Fu remained empty.

The maid knelt on the ground, trembling all over: "Wang Fei... this Regional Commander entering the capital is not the one you know... it is the Black-Armored General who visited the Wang Fu last time."

"..."

The Ji Wang Fei raised an eyebrow.

Qingzhou has changed its Regional Commander, so what about Jiang Yuanhua?

Dead?

If so, the current crisis in Qingzhou is likely far more severe than she had anticipated.

"Hmph."

She sneered; Jiang Yuanhua's obedient disciple did not come, but sent that young General Shen instead, unwilling to bow to her.

Thinking of this, the Ji Wang Fei lightly waved her sleeve: "If he comes to pay respects, simply tell him I am not in the residence. There is no such cheap thing in the world; the main figure does not appear, sending a subordinate to stand in front."

Just because he was given the empty title of Regional Commander for a young man, does he truly think I will treat him as a Regional Commander?

"Wang Fei..."

The maid's delicate body trembled even more, her voice small and terrified: "That General might not come to the Wang Fu at all."

As those close to her, they best understood how to guess the master's thoughts.

Last night, before seeing the Qingzhou Regional Commander, they had already sent people in the Wang Fu's name to inquire at the Wumiao.

When that group of guards returned today, their expressions were extremely strange.

"What do you mean?" The Ji Wang Fei's fingers stroking her hair paused slightly.

"General Shen was promoted to Regional Commander; coming to the Imperial City was not to seek aid..." The maid raised her head, then received a kick to her face, her entire body rolling four or five times, her cheekbones collapsing inward.

She covered her face in terror, yet still tried hard to swallow the blood into her throat.

"Are you playing riddles with me?" The Ji Wang Fei slowly rose and walked to stand before her.

The maid suppressed her sobbing, gasping for breath: "Lord Shen was promoted again; he is now the Deputy Inspector of the Zhen Mo Si! Nor has there been any news of demon calamities in Qingzhou."

Hearing this, the Ji Wang Fei was instantly stunned.

Deputy Inspector of the Zhen Mo Si?

She suddenly realized she seemed to have guessed wrong.

Could the demon calamity in Qingzhou already be resolved? But even so, how did he rise to become an Inspector?

Even if he personally slew the Demon King, it would absolutely not be enough for this position.

"Lord Shen! Lord Shen entered the First Courtyard of the Wumiao! He is now a disciple of the Wumiao."

The maid dared not stutter again, spitting out all the information she possessed in one breath, then covering her face and bowing down again.

"Hoo."

The Ji Wang Fei's body stiffened for a long time, then she let out a long sigh and sat back down.

If the identity of Inspector only made her surprised, then the significance represented by being a Wumiao disciple was entirely different.

In name, the Wumiao is an entity equal to the Xuan Guang Cave and Mount Wutong.

Even though it has declined now, there are still cultivators of the Transformation of Spirit Realm stationed within.

The Ji Wang Fei's arrogance stemmed from the disdain of the Immortal Sects toward the mortal dynasties, but now that Shen Yi has entered the true Wumiao, he is a proper disciple of an Immortal Sect.

Moreover, the Wumiao specially prepared an Inspector vacancy for him, showing its regard for him; calling him a direct disciple would not be an exaggeration.

In terms of status, he is even higher than her, a Wang Fei with some connection to the Xuan Guang Cave.

After pondering for a long time, she forced a smile: "Have someone select one of my treasures, something that nourishes the soul and spirit, and send it to the Wumiao to congratulate Lord Shen on his promotion."

Several guards outside nodded in agreement.

Before they had gone far, they suddenly heard the Ji Wang Fei speak again: "Forget it, prepare the carriage; I will go to congratulate him personally."

If she remembered correctly, she had no grudge with the young General Shen.

For such a young genius, forming an alliance early is never wrong; one must not let the Jiang master and disciple cause any misunderstanding between herself and Shen Yi, leaving unnecessary barriers.

The guards were all stunned, then secretly criticized in their hearts.

Previously she said she would refuse them at the door, now how has it become the Wang Fu actively going to congratulate?

But on the surface, they dared not show the slightest disrespect: "We will go prepare the carriage immediately."

About an hour later.

The magnificent carriage of the Wang Fu slowly drove out of the long street and soon stopped in front of the Wumiao.

Inside the carriage, the Ji Wang Fei opened the box beside her, looking at the deer antlers within that looked as if they were crafted from green jade; she reached out and gently stroked them for a moment, confirming the gift was substantial enough, before nodding in approval.

Two maids got out of the carriage and walked toward the main office of the Zhen Mo Si.

Liu Kun had just finished the day's official business, rubbing his sore wrists, when he heard a gentle voice come from the counter.

"The Ji Wang Fei has come to visit; please help announce her arrival, my lord."

Hearing this, Liu Kun looked up in confusion: "Visiting whom?"

A proper Wang Fei, and the notorious Ji Wang Fei, coming to the main office of the Zhen Mo Si for what?

"Could it be to visit you?"

One of the younger maids glanced around, not seeing the figure she wished to see, and immediately frowned.

The slightly older one patted her arm and still spoke gently: "Wang Fei came in person to congratulate the newly appointed Shen my lord; she and Shen my lord are old acquaintances."

Another old acquaintance?

Liu Kun suddenly recalled Jiang He from this morning—given her status as Ji Wang Fei, she shouldn't be blowing wind.

But if they were truly close friends, why would she come to this place to ask about a mere officer of Zhen Mo Si?

Add to that Wang Fei's reputation—huh, does she really think she's a fool?

He shook his head and said politely: "I'm sorry, Shen my lord is not here. Please return."

The young maid froze slightly, then changed expression and said coldly: "Where did Shen my lord go?"

Listening to the tone of this question.

Liu Kun raised an eyebrow, slowly rose, and looked down at the two maids.

He calmly closed the document, a sardonic smile curling at his lips: "Hmph."

Two servants of Wang Fu were inquiring after the whereabouts of a Xun Cha Shi—this was so absurd that even if Ji Wang Fei herself had asked, she'd only earn a sneer.

The Zhen Mo Si Xun Cha Shi investigates demons, evil spirits, noble houses, and sects.

Among them, Ji Wang Fei of Xuan Guang Cave was the most conspicuous.

This situation had become as ridiculous as a bandit asking after the captain of the constabulary.

"..."

The two maids were swept by that mocking gaze.

They suddenly realized this was Zhen Mo Si—an institution independent of the imperial court, which did not bow to Wang Fu's authority.

"I, Liu Mou, am of lowly status and dare not casually reveal Shen my lord's whereabouts."

Liu Kun packed his things and walked toward the gate, saying casually: "If needed, I will report to Shen my lord when he returns. If it's truly urgent, wait outside. How many days you'll wait—I can't say."

"You!"

The young maid stared wide-eyed as he walked away, wanting to curse him, but another maid pulled her back.

The two hurried back to the carriage and stood beside the curtain, whispering their report.

"Not there?"

Ji Wang Fei lifted the curtain, her gaze calm.

She gazed at the towering Wumiao, silent for a long while, then a knowing smile touched her lips: "So you want me to wait?"

She lowered the curtain.

Ji Wang Fei's face darkened with gloom.

A mere disciple who just joined Wumiao—doesn't study cultivation arts, isn't at the office—does she think he went for a countryside outing? Try fooling ghosts! He clearly gave orders in advance to avoid her.

Doesn't matter.

He's just a Wumiao disciple—what's so great about him?

Does she really think he's some big shot?

She steadied her rapid breathing, then moments later, lost composure and slammed her hand down, shattering the green jade deer antler: "This is too much!"

On a certain imperial road of the Da Qian Dynasty.

The black-scaled demon horse galloped with extraordinary grace, streaking like a beam of light, as if a wicked dragon soared through the sky.

Zhang Xuan suddenly slapped his forehead: "Damn!"

Shen Yi pulled the reins and turned back: "What's wrong?"

"Shen my lord, this subordinate forgot to collect the reward for my colleagues..."

Zhang Xuan wore a dark, icy xuan armor, yet carried no aura of authority—he looked more like an old farmer bent by life's burdens.

"It's fine. Collect it when you return." Shen Yi turned his gaze away and continued riding.

"Return?" Zhang Xuan found this Xun Cha Shi's words always confusing, and his actions even more so—just like how he himself had inexplicably left the imperial capital.

He'd heard the man came from Outside Qingzhou—could it be that all Zhen Mo Si officers there speak and act like this?

"Shen my lord, this subordinate wishes to report again on Songzhou's situation."

Zhang Xuan hesitated; though he'd already spoken of it five or six times, he still felt uneasy.

Because after listening, Shen my lord showed no change in expression, replied only with a nod—and he began to wonder if the man had even heard him.

Those were two Yao Wang!

"Do as you like."

Shen Yi didn't care—he could talk if he wanted. At least it was better than Jiang Yuanhua endlessly praising his disciple.

He truly couldn't understand how Jiang Yuanhua managed to praise Qiu Lan from every angle, then force it into his ears like brainwashing.

"..." Zhang Xuan sighed: "Forget it."

There wasn't much to say anyway—Songzhou was the smallest of the Nine Provinces, governing only eight commanderies.

Yet this tiny place had drawn the attention of two Yao Wang.

For the past two centuries, Songzhou's Zhen Mo Si and demon hunters had done only one thing.

That was to desperately provoke conflict between the two Yao Wang.

From framing their wives, children, and subordinates, to deliberately leaking news of treasures to incite rivalry, to spreading rumors about which was stronger—nothing was left untried, until finally the two became mortal enemies.

Even so, Songzhou paid a heavy price.

Four of the eight commanderies were lost.

One Yao Wang now controls those four, while the other is kept locked outside Songzhou.

A three-way stalemate has formed.

The Songzhou General has lost half his cities, his incense power insufficient—even his Wu Xian realm is nearly unsustainable.

But what truly shattered this balance…

Was the Lone Horned Demon King beyond Songzhou, whose lifespan was nearing its end, whose underling Demon Lords had been killed off seven or eight out of ten, the survivors scattering like birds and beasts, now powerless to resist another Demon King?

"That Demon King seeks to establish a temple through incense and vows to become a god... If it seizes Songzhou, only a Soul Transformation cultivator can stop it."

Zhang Xuan sighed.

Who among those who became generals of the True Demon Temple wasn't once bold and fiery, full of hot blood, swearing to achieve great deeds?

Who ever imagined using demonic power to resist demons?

Even the death of a single Demon King could cause them unbearable headaches.

Become a god?

Shen Yi furrowed his brow slightly.

He had encountered this before—the river demon of Shuiyun Village, who had declared itself River God.

But no matter how you spun it, it relied only on geography, seizing an obscure village, not even earning the respect of the county seat.

Yet this Demon King of Songzhou had seized four entire commanderies.

The incense and vows gathered there were nearly enough to sustain a Wu Xian.

"Will the people believe it?"

The river demon had the Yangchun River, and the villagers depended on it for their livelihood.

What could a single Demon King do for the common people of four commanderies?

"If you don't believe, you die—you have no choice but to believe."

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes. What they called "combining mercy and authority" was not so—once authority was pushed to its extreme, mercy became irrelevant.

In that earthly hell, merely surviving was the greatest mercy.

"Lord Shen, the Zhen Mo Si generals of Songzhou are already half-dead or wounded; we can barely hold the last four commanderies."

It was less a plea for aid than a lament.

Zhang Xuan wasn't merely complaining—he still had a chance to go to the capital, still had time to chat here; compared to the people of the four commanderies, this pressure in his heart was negligible.

He desperately wanted Lord Shen to understand the gravity of this.

The man had just entered the Wumiao; he hadn't lived long enough like other Wumiao disciples to stop seeing himself as mortal, to look down upon Jiuzhou with lofty detachment.

To him, death was merely a number lost after defeat.

Something that could be made up.

If the Wumiao would lower its pride and beg the Immortal Sects, many disasters could be avoided.

Strength is already insufficient—why cling to the delusion of rising again, clinging pathetically to the nominal Sanfangtong Alliance?

Even if you recalled just one Hunyuan Master from Xuanguang Cave!

"…"

Shen Yi said nothing more, only tightened the reins; his demonic steed quickened its pace—not turning back toward the imperial capital, but still heading toward Songzhou.

"Sigh."

Zhang Xuan helplessly bowed his head and followed.

He only hoped that after witnessing Songzhou's devastation firsthand, the man would speak on Songzhou's behalf to the Wumiao—as a disciple.

As the road grew increasingly rugged,

A bleak city appeared ahead, its gates flying tattered banners, skulls piled high along the walls.

"Lord Shen, we must detour to the right."

Zhang Xuan raised his eyes, ashamed, unable to finish the sentence.

A Zhen Mo Si official returning to Songzhou…

Must first avoid demonic territory—how laughable and absurd that sounded.

"…"

Shen Yi pulled the reins, calmly gazing at the distant city wall.

He closed his eyes.

The next moment, a yin spirit surrounded by auspicious clouds quietly appeared in midair, like a celestial immortal descending.

The yin spirit's expression was cold, its eyes filled with slaughter.

Lady Qinghua did not know what lay ahead, nor did she care to know.

She only knew that when summoned by her master, it was time to slaughter without mercy.

Even if it were a Demon King, so what?

Hmph—she'd killed one before.

(End of Chapter)