Chapter 68: Great Righteousness

West City.

In a dilapidated mansion, the side buildings bore scorch marks; the courtyard’s pond was rotten, overgrown with weeds and green moss.

No one lived here anymore.

Inside the courtyard, Li Yuanzhao and others, dressed in black robes, followed Cui Fan, each carrying their weapons as they searched the mansion for traces of demons.

But clearly, the demon had long since departed—there was no trace of it.

Just as Cui Fan was about to order the group to stand down, a gray sparrow suddenly flew in.

Cui Fan, startled, raised his hand to catch it.

The sparrow landed calmly, a scroll tied to its leg.

Cui Fan unrolled the paper with his fingers, read it carefully, and his face instantly changed.

“What’s wrong?”

Yu Wei, nearby, immediately asked.

Cui Fan clenched the scroll, his face grim: “The patrol mission is over. We just received word—a demon attacked the city. We’re to report immediately to the western city defenses for deployment.”

“A demon attacked the city?”

All of them froze, stunned.

Even though they had lived deep within the interior, they knew how grave a demon attack on a city truly was.

“Then let’s hurry!” Li Yuanzhao was the first to react.

Cui Fan’s expression shifted constantly—he couldn’t fathom how a demon had attacked the city.

Was the intelligence exaggerated? He’d have to go to the west and see for himself.

“Let’s go.” He called out and turned to leave.

Suddenly, two figures shot toward them at high speed, descending from the sky, then rushing forward one after the other.

“Qianqian!”

“Yuanzhao!”

It was Wei Feng and Li Fu—they had already learned of the demon attack and seen the thick demonic mists gathering to the north; the situation was dire.

“Uncle Wei?” Ren Qianqian was startled—she hadn’t expected Uncle Wei to follow her here.

Quick-witted, she quickly realized he must have been secretly trailing her all along, protecting her from the shadows.

This made her frown slightly, feeling helpless—she had come to train, yet her father still couldn’t let her go. How could she ever stand on her own? “Uncle Fu?”

Li Yuanzhao also froze, then understood—Uncle Fu was worried about Hao-ge.

“Where’s Hao?” Li Fu scanned the area, not seeing Li Hao, and asked urgently.

Li Yuanzhao answered honestly: “Hao-ge ate too much at lunch and went to the latrine.”

“This guy, why isn’t he here at a time like this?” Li Fu grew anxious and irritated.

Cui Fan, sharp-eyed, immediately realized these two elders were the powerful protectors behind these youths. He inwardly sighed with envy and respectfully spoke:

“Elders, we just received word of a demon attack—is it true?”

“Do you not trust your own city’s intelligence?” Li Fu glanced at him, tone sharp.

Cui Fan was rebuffed, embarrassed, and secretly alarmed—the intelligence was real. This was a once-in-a-century crisis.

“Is there truly a demon attack? How many?”

Ren Qianqian asked quickly.

Li Yuanzhao and the others were all deeply concerned.

Wei Feng sighed lightly: “The demons planned this long ago. You just happened to arrive at the worst moment. Qianqian, come back with me—I can guarantee your safe exit from the city.”

Ren Qianqian shook her head immediately: “I won’t leave. I came to train—this is a rare opportunity. Uncle Wei, if even you can’t repel them, you’re a Fifteen-Li Realm cultivator—you should be able to hold a major city!”

Wei Feng’s expression darkened: “I sensed a profoundly deep demonic aura within the mist—it’s also Fifteen-Li Realm, and among the strongest of its kind. Whether other demons lurk unseen, I don’t know. If I were alone, I’d risk confronting them. But you, Miss…”

“You don’t need to worry about me—I’ll protect myself,” Ren Qianqian said at once.

Wei Feng shook his head: “There are too many demons. I was entrusted by my master—my duty is to protect you.”

“Uncle Wei, how can you—” Ren Qianqian grew furious.

Beside them, Li Fu, hearing Wei Feng’s words, looked troubled. He turned to Li Yuanzhao: “Find your Hao-ge. Stay with him. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll send a message back to the mansion. It’s Xia family territory, but right now I can’t care about overstepping—I’m going north to help. Otherwise, this city will fall.”

He turned to Wei Feng: “Wei brother, please watch over my two young Li family members. This favor, the Li family will never forget.”

Wei Feng didn’t refuse—it was a rare chance to earn the Li family’s gratitude.

Watching one child was the same as watching three.

“Alright, are you truly going north to fight the demons?” Wei Feng asked.

“As a general’s son, how could I flee from demons? Even if this is Xia family territory, if I’ve seen it, I can’t stand idle!” Li Fu said solemnly.

Wei Feng’s gaze grew solemn. He bowed to Li Fu: “Li brother, your righteousness is admirable. Go. As long as I live, I’ll protect them.”

“Good. With your word, I’m at ease.” Li Fu nodded.

With a Fifteen-Li Realm guardian watching over them, they were safer than if he were there himself. He immediately told Li Yuanzhao: “Yuanzhao, listen carefully—stay put, find Hao-er!”

As Li Yuanzhao nodded firmly, Li Fu leapt away, racing toward the north.

Wei Feng watched Li Fu depart, then turned to Li Yuanzhao: “Let’s go find your brother.”

Li Yuanzhao was now deeply worried about Li Hao’s safety and nodded quickly, his eyes turning to Cui Fan.

Cui Fan smiled bitterly: “Then let’s regroup first, then head to the west?”

Wei Feng shook his head: “Defending the city is your duty. I’m only responsible for protecting my mistress and the Li family’s young master. I won’t involve myself in anything else. As for your evaluation credits—do as you please.”

He emphasized “do as you please.”

He wasn’t Li Fu, bound by the status of a general’s family—he could come or go as he pleased, entirely on his whim.

Cui Fan fell silent, then hurriedly said: “The patrol mission is over. Their performance was excellent. I’ll grade them fairly. But…”

Wei Feng sneered—he knew Cui Fan wanted to tie him to this city. He was about to snap back when Ren Qianqian shouted loudly:

“Uncle Wei, I’m going to defend the city. I won’t let these people be slaughtered by demons!”

Wei Feng turned, shocked.

Ren Qianqian drew her sword and pressed the blade against her own arm, staring solemnly at Wei Feng:

“Uncle Wei, if you dare knock me out and drag me away, I’ll cut off my arm the moment I wake up.”

“Miss…” Wei Feng felt his heart clench—he knew she was inexperienced, still soft-hearted, but this stubbornness was extreme.

He sighed: “Fine. I’ll accompany you to assess the situation. But if things turn bad, you must obey me—or I’ll take you straight back to the mountain for my master to deal with.”

Ren Qianqian paled slightly, then nodded: “Agreed.”

They made their pact and immediately left the mansion, racing back to the Demon Suppression Office.

But the office was in chaos—its headquarters was empty. After asking a lone warehouse keeper, they learned all personnel had been dispatched to the four city gates under the city defense army’s command.

“Hao-ge! Hao-ge!”

Li Yuanzhao shouted through the Demon Suppression Office, searching everywhere—but found no trace of Li Hao.

Meanwhile, yellow smoke rose from the city walls.

Wei Feng nodded, though he wasn’t overly anxious—the senior from the Li family hadn’t appeared yet; Li Fu had dared to leave earlier mostly because that senior was secretly watching over them.

Ren Qianqian paled: “No time. Let’s head to the west wall. Uncle Wei, use your spiritual sense—find where Hao is.”

Wei Feng nodded, though he wasn’t overly anxious—the Li family elder he’d met on the road hadn’t appeared yet. Li Fu’s departure likely meant that elder was still watching secretly.

That elder could effortlessly slay two Fifteen-Li Realm demon serpents—if he chose to act, this demonic crisis could be resolved.

Under Wei Feng and Cui Fan’s lead, the group headed to the western city wall.

Wei Feng revealed his power, and under the respectful escort of the city defense commander, they ascended the ramparts.

As soon as they reached the top, they saw countless demons charging across the wasteland.

The demons poured out from distant forests, seemingly coordinating with the northern horde to breach the city simultaneously.

It was no wonder they were like this—even some veteran city defense soldiers couldn’t help trembling, their hearts pounding hard.

Seeing the stampede, Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian turned pale.

It was no wonder—they were shaken. Even veteran city defense soldiers trembled, hearts pounding.

The approaching demons numbered in the thousands, massive and grotesque, some transforming into rolling clouds of demonic mist.

The scene was pure demonic chaos.

The piercing, mocking laughter had already made many feel their scalps crawl.

“Uncle Wei, have you found Hao-ge yet?”

Li Yuanzhao, pale-faced, asked urgently beside Wei Feng.

Wei Feng was about to answer when his gaze suddenly shifted—he saw two figures racing toward them, one ahead of the other.

When he saw the young man in black robes ahead, Wei Feng froze.

If he hadn’t misseen, that boy was the Shenniang Mansion brat he’d been following all along!

But now, the boy was flying through the air?!

[94] In Wei Feng’s stunned gaze, Li Hao arrived with City Warden Yue Shuhong, hovering above them.

[95] Li Hao also noticed Li Yuanzhao and the others, and descended gracefully before them.

[96] (End of Chapter)