Chapter 439: Grand Marshal Before the Demon Palace Gate

The three of them snuck into the Demon City stealthily; the journey was extremely smooth. Not to mention soldiers, they didn't even see a single ordinary member of the Demon Race.

Every household in the city had their doors and windows shut tight, with no lights on and no sounds made. It was extremely eerie; being in the midst of it felt like entering a ghost city.

When things are abnormal, there must be demons at work!

This is just great. The original plan was to disguise themselves and sneak in, but now that they haven't even seen a shadow of a person, it seems there's no chance.

Just as Long Qi was wondering if the people of the Demon Race simply didn't like light, Adao suddenly blocked their path.

"There is the smell of blood..."

The smell of blood?

Long Qi sniffed around, but he couldn't smell a thing.

This was only natural; Adao was a wild beast by nature and possessed the cultivation of a demon, so how could his sense of smell be compared to that of an ordinary person?

"It's the Royal Palace!"

That was correct; the source of the scent was indeed coming from the Royal Palace, but why?

Adao couldn't figure it out, but he suddenly became nervous.

"Is Master... alright..."

Long Qi's expression turned stern, and he lost all interest in joking around. He exchanged a glance with Chiyanzi, who nodded, and the three of them hurried toward the Royal Palace.

Before they even reached the Royal Palace, they heard sounds of fighting like a tidal wave. The clashing of weapons was incessant, and the explosions of Witchcraft could be heard from time to time. From a distance, it sounded just like the New Year.

But how could there be endless screams during the New Year?

The three of them were confused, so they snuck in and saw a group of Daoists blocked outside the palace gate, locked in a bloody battle with the Demon Soldiers.

This group of Daoists was exceptionally brave; they looked nothing like practitioners who were indifferent to fame and fortune. They were clearly gods of slaughter on the battlefield, as if they were desperate to carve out some glory for themselves.

Long Qi recognized the Yuanqing Daoist Robe at a glance, and there were others that looked familiar, though he couldn't recall where he had seen them for a moment.

But that didn't matter.

Long Qi had originally thought it was Shoucheng and the others, but he didn't expect to see Mucang piercing through a Demon Soldier with his sword in the crowd.

As for Mucang, Long Qi only knew that he was the Head Disciple of Donghui Zhenren. They weren't exactly close; after all, the Head Disciples of every Elder were very busy, so how would they have time to pay attention to new disciples like them?

Long Qi suddenly felt a bit indignant. He thought that he, Long Qi, at least held the title of Head Disciple of Qingwei Peak, which seemed to be of equal status to Mucang and the others, so why had he never been in charge of any affairs?

But then he thought again: apart from the herb fields and the thatched cottage, Qingwei Peak didn't even have a training ground, so it seemed there was nothing that needed managing.

After all, he didn't understand pharmacology, he didn't know medicine, and let alone anything about the Dao of alchemy. Even if he wanted to help, he feared Lingxiang wouldn't feel at ease, so he only had his physical strength to help repair the buildings.

At the thought of this, Long Qi's face grew hot, and he actually felt embarrassed.

Seeing that Long Qi could still be distracted at a time like this, Adao couldn't help but roll his eyes—what kind of worldly suffering was it that made him recognize such a blockhead...

Immediately after, Adao fell into deep thought.

It seemed the old Daoists of the Yuanqing Sect had received the map; it wasn't in vain that he had sold his services to Yue Niang of Liuyunxuan.

Back then, when Lingxiang ordered Zhanli and Adao to run around everywhere, it wasn't without purpose; it was to draw the Map of the Underworld. At that time, Lingxiang had already set her sights on the Demon Race.

It was just that Wumin Jun had intervened halfway, which caused it to be shelved for a long time. However, thanks to this Wumin Jun, the map had been drawn even more detailed.

When they first returned to the human world, Adao had wanted to go straight to Yuanqing, but due to Zhanli's identity as a member of the Demon Race, he had to beg Liuyunxuan for help.

He couldn't just leave Zhanli behind, could he? After all, he was the senior brother and had to take care of his junior brother.

But who would have thought that Yue Niang of Liuyunxuan was so detestable, actually demanding that he work for her for a hundred years before she would be willing to help. To save Lingxiang, he had no choice but to agree, but Adao had kept his guard up.

He only said he would work, but he didn't say when he would work or when he would go after the matter was settled—wasn't that for him to decide?

He supposed it was for him to decide...

Adao wasn't very sure, but the current situation didn't allow him to think too much.

Below the city walls, the battle was raging like fire. Although they weren't losing the upper hand, they hadn't been able to take the palace gate, and the Demon Soldiers were coming in an endless stream. If this continued, he feared it wouldn't be long before they lost.

How could the physical strength of mortals compare to that of the Demon Race?

But relying on just the three of them, even if they went up to help, it would be like trying to put out a burning cart of firewood with a single cup of water. It would also carry the risk of exposure, increasing the difficulty of sneaking in.

But if they didn't help, once these Daoists exhausted their strength and the battle was lost, even if the three of them snuck in, they might not be able to handle the remaining Demon Soldiers once discovered.

Not to mention that it was impossible for there to be no other guards in the city; that old demon hag Guihua hadn't even been seen yet!

They seemed to be in a dilemma; they could neither advance nor retreat.

Just as Adao was caught in a bind, he saw Long Qi covering his face with a cloth from who knows where, roaring as he charged down, and Chiyanzi followed closely behind.

Were these two crazy?!

Long Qi, that reckless ghost, was one thing, but what was up with that old man? Why was he so impatient too?

Please... you... add to your library_(!)

Besides, what was the point of covering his face with that cloth? He was wearing the Yuanqing Daoist Robe! Did he think the Demon Race were all fools like him?

Adao clutched his forehead, feeling a sudden headache, but no matter what, it was too late to fix it. He could only observe from the shadows and wait for an opportunity to act.

Although Lingxiang had indeed taught Adao many skills, most were for human cultivation, and for a demon like Adao, they were somewhat inapplicable.

Lingxiang did not understand the Demon Path and knew her teachings were limited, so this time before they set out, she had repeatedly exhorted Adao: if possible, never show himself rashly, and leave everything to others.

Adao knew the stakes and understood it was for his own good, so he kept Lingxiang's instructions in mind throughout the journey. Except for the time he blocked Xin Yi, he had never made a move, leaving all the fighting to Zhanli.

Although he was unwilling, he had to admit that Zhanli was indeed stronger than him, his senior brother.

Hah!

Just by a little bit, though...

Adao thought awkwardly, then suddenly felt he was being a bit petty, and quickly shook his little head.

What time was it now? How could he be like that blockhead Long Qi?

Really, he was being too inconsiderate of the big picture!

The trouble right now wasn't those Demon Soldiers, but the Grand Marshal guarding the palace gate.

Others only knew of Guihua and the two brothers Feilian and Shanglu, as most wars were led by these three, but few people knew that behind them stood the Grand Marshal who commanded the three armies.

Without some real ability, how could he keep those three so completely submissive?

When gathering information, Lingxiang had once said that the Grand Marshal had a fiery temper; although he lacked cunning, his strength could not be underestimated.

Just looking at the fact that he dared to shout in front of the Demon Lord, this old man was clearly no simple character, not to mention that when the Demon Lord was away, he could entrust the entire safety of the Demon Realm to him.

The Grand Marshal truly enjoyed the deep trust of the Demon Lord.

Moreover, Lingxiang had probed openly and secretly for so long without discovering the Grand Marshal's true depth; even when she asked Wumin Jun, she only received the remark that he was a "veteran general of three reigns," and knew nothing else.

Now that not a single formidable old Daoist had come, and relying only on these minor Daoists, how much of a chance of victory could there be?

Adao looked worriedly at the Grand Marshal, who was sitting steadily in front of the palace gate; the latter seemed to disdain taking action, even sitting there drinking tea.

Tea?

Adao suddenly had an idea; he had some good things given to him by Lingxiang in his hands, but he did not know how to temporarily divert the Grand Marshal's attention.

While he was pondering, a long sword flew straight toward the Grand Marshal, who only tilted his head slightly and dodged it with ease, as if what had flown at him was merely a leaf.

What a display of remaining composed even when Mount Tai collapses before one; this level of poise is truly extraordinary!

And the one who threw this sword was none other than Long Qi.

Seeing this, Adao could not help but clutch his forehead again—

This reckless brute really does think his life is too long...