Chapter 108: North Camp

“Stop pretending.”

Zheng Ci said coldly: “Bring out that high-level cultivator. Let’s see who’s stronger—you or me. By the way, perhaps the person your Gao family secretly hired is a remnant of the Demon Cult.”

With that, his sharp gaze swept over everyone present.

Huh?

Judging from the reactions of these people, they truly didn’t know about any high-level cultivator—especially Gao the Squire and Gao Youyao, who both looked at each other with questioning expressions.

The only odd one was this scholar; his expression remained calm.

Yet this young man was clearly just a scholar who couldn’t cultivate at all.

“Could it be there’s no high-level cultivator at all? Did Ruan the Retainer misperceive something? Or did this martial man, Wu Feng, set this up?”

As Zheng Ci thought this, a faint smirk curled his lips, revealing a mouth of rotten teeth. He was about to speak when his pupils suddenly contracted.

No!

There truly was a high-level cultivator hiding nearby.

Zheng Ci felt the air around him solidify—he could barely move. Boom! A gust of force erupted from his body, shattering the table and chair he sat on into fragments.

“Since you’re here, why not show yourself?”

He rose, alert and scanning the surroundings, but after a long while, there was no response. His expression grew darker.

“Leave!” Zheng Ci said grimly, turning away.

Zheng Bao and Zheng Youqing exchanged glances, then quickly led their men out of the Gao family’s main hall.

“What happened to Father?”

Zheng Bao hurried forward to ask.

Zheng Ci’s face was grim: “The Gao family truly has a high-level cultivator hiding in the shadows. I couldn’t sense his presence at all, and I don’t know his strength. If we rashly raid the Gao household, trouble will surely follow.”

Zheng Youqing, upon hearing this, looked crestfallen: “Grandfather, what should we do now?”

Zheng Ci sneered: “The monk may run, but the temple won’t. As long as we trap the Gao family members, that high-level cultivator won’t dare leave. Bao’er, go to the North Camp outside the city and bring reinforcements.”

…

In the hall.

“Why did they just leave like that?”

Wu Feng asked, puzzled.

Gao the Squire sighed: “Wu younger brother, you really came alone—didn’t hire any high-level cultivator to hide in the shadows?”

Wu Feng shook his head, equally confused.

Gao Youyao’s eyes lit up: “The Gao family has done so many wicked things—perhaps the hidden high-level cultivator has a grudge against the Zheng family.”

This possibility was extremely slim.

But after eliminating all other impossibilities, this one seemed slightly more plausible.

Of course, she had suspected Lu Fang—but a scholar who can’t cultivate at all? If she couldn’t detect him, how could Wu Feng miss it?

Could Zheng Ci, a high-rank martial man, have missed him?

So they unconsciously dismissed Lu Fang, leading to confused thinking.

Gao Youyao pinned all her hopes on the hidden high-level cultivator, repeatedly pleading earnestly—but the hidden figure showed no intention of appearing.

This left everyone in the Gao family disheartened.

At present, their situation was perilous—describing it as “nine deaths, one life” was no exaggeration.

Lu Fang saw their worried faces and smiled: “Don’t worry, everyone. When I returned from the birthday banquet earlier, I stepped out for a moment—I sent someone to the North Camp outside the city to fetch reinforcements.”

Gao Youyao frowned: “Why didn’t you warn me beforehand? How could anyone possibly come just because you randomly sent someone to the military?”

Gao the Squire sighed and shook his head: “Young Master Fang means well, but alas—the heavens intend to destroy our Gao family.”

Lu Fang reassured them: “Don’t be so discouraged. I’m confident—the man I sent to request the North Camp troops will be taken seriously. I estimate reinforcements will arrive within five or six hours.”

Wu Feng shook his head with a bitter smile:

“Young Master Fang, you don’t understand—the North Camp troops only mobilize for special missions. Normally, even imperial officials can’t get them to respond.”

Lu Fang smiled and said nothing more.

Gao the Squire forced a weak smile and prayed: “High-level cultivator, if you’re willing to protect our Gao family, I’ll give you half of our family’s wealth.”

No one answered him.

Not even if he offered all their wealth—no one responded.

He’d even considered making peace with the Zheng family, but after careful thought, he abandoned the idea—their demeanor made it clear they intended to annihilate the Gao family.

…

In the night.

A thousand-man army marched straight into Beicheng.

From the “North Camp” inscriptions on their armor, some recognized them as coming from the North Camp outside the city.

The soldiers seized a local man to guide them and headed toward Gao the Squire’s residence in eastern Beicheng.

“Grandfather, the North Camp troops have arrived!”

Zheng Youqing said excitedly.

Zheng Ci had been meditating. Hearing this, he frowned and muttered: “How could reinforcements arrive so soon? Bao’er just left!”

As he wondered, he saw the massive thousand-man force and was startled—he’d sent Zheng Bao to request Xu the Hundred-Commander, but this was a full thousand men. Had Xu been promoted?

Yu the Thousand-Commander, clad in heavy armor, spurred his tall steed forward and halted before Zheng Ci, looking down with hesitation:

“What assistance does this gentleman require?”

Zheng Ci beamed: “Your Excellency, you arrived so quickly! There are remnants of the Demon Cult hidden in this mansion, and their cultivation base is high. We specifically requested you to eliminate them.”

He assumed Xu the Hundred-Commander had indeed been promoted, and this man was his subordinate—he never imagined Lu Fang had gone to request troops from the North Camp.

“Demon Cult remnants?”

Yu the Thousand-Commander paused, then said coldly: “Surround this estate. You, sir, come with me inside to search.”

Zheng Ci nodded eagerly, then suddenly asked: “My son went to summon you—why isn’t he with you?”

Yu the Thousand-Commander snapped: “He’s behind us—he’ll arrive shortly. Don’t waste time. Come inside, sir—before the Demon Cult remnants escape.”

Zheng Ci nodded and led the way into the Gao household.

The Gao family had already been in panic; seeing this display, they rushed back to report.

“What! The North Camp commander has arrived?”

Gao the Squire’s vision darkened—he nearly collapsed. It was over. Everything was over. Even if a high-level cultivator hid within, he’d surely retreat before a North Camp commander.

Wu Feng frowned tightly: “I didn’t expect the Zheng family could summon the North Camp so quickly—this is bad…”

Lu Fang’s expression turned thoughtful, then he smiled: “Perhaps… this North Camp commander was sent by me.”

Gao Youyao gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh: “If you really summoned the North Camp commander, I’ll worship you as a god from now on.”