Honored Guest, Unwelcome Guest

Only one day remained until the City God Festival.

Hun City was already bustling with excitement.

On that day, every household was required to send at least one person to the City God Temple to pay respects. If a family had only one member, and they were unable to attend due to injury or other reasons, they could be exempted from the ritual.

Even on Qixia Street, where only a few households remained, red lanterns were hung everywhere.

Jiang Wang lay on a rattan chair in the front courtyard.

He listened to the slightly noisy sounds from outside and thought that the Green-robed Cultivator, White-robed Cultivator, and Purple-robed Cultivator were all bound together, practically inseparable. If they were enemies, they wouldn't have targeted just the Purple-robed Cultivator.

Even if Feng Linghuai had the ability to kill cultivators, he couldn't fight three at once. He had chosen to defeat them one by one.

Perhaps because the Green-robed and White-robed Cultivators had never been separated, and also because his disciple had been killed, Feng Linghuai had stopped attacking and had focused his primary target on himself.

Jiang Wang had reason to suspect that if Feng Linghuai found an opportunity, he would do his best to kill the Green-robed and White-robed Cultivators as well.

On the day of the City God Festival, people going out would try their best to return home, and Hun City's defenses would be stricter than usual.

If Feng Linghuai were to make a move, he would either choose today, or he would have to wait until after the City God Temple Fair ended.

But the City God Temple Fair lasted for a full ten days. Plans often couldn't keep up with changes. In ten days, no one knew what would happen.

Jiang Wang eagerly hoped Feng Linghuai would be a little braver.

Not so cowardly.

But before Feng Linghuai appeared, at the second quarter past the hour of Shen, someone from the Xunyang Marquis Manor paid a visit.

The White-robed Cultivator opened the door.

Standing outside the manor gate was a middle-aged man in a green brocade robe, accompanied by a little girl who was holding a chicken leg and had her mouth smeared with oil.

"Who are you two?" The White-robed Cultivator's gaze fell on the middle-aged man's brocade robe, and his expression suddenly changed. He immediately lowered his stance and said cautiously, "Are you Your Excellency from the Qingxuan Bureau?"

The Brocade-robed Man raised his eyebrows slightly. "A Cave Nether cultivator?"

He looked into the Marquis Manor, and his brow furrowed deeper.

Such a strong demonic aura!

The White-robed Cultivator thought to himself that Mr. Jiang was truly extraordinary, to have even a big shot from the Qingxuan Bureau come to visit. He said fearfully, "I am just a small cultivator from Moonlit West Tower. I was unaware of the esteemed presence from the Qingxuan Bureau and failed to welcome you from afar. I beg your forgiveness."

The Brocade-robed Man said in a deep voice, "Why is a cultivator from Moonlit West Tower here?"

The White-robed Cultivator dared not deceive him. Although Moonlit West Tower did not interfere with the court, it feared the court even more.

He recounted everything, from coming to Hun City to search for Immortal Traces, to encountering Jiang Wang, and the deaths of the monster Ao Yin and the Purple-robed Cultivator.

The Fish Abyss Academy, which also belonged to the court, had far less deterrent power over cultivators throughout the land than the Qingxuan Bureau. It could be said that apart from the sect leaders of major sects, everyone showed respect or even fear towards the Qingxuan Bureau.

The Brocade-robed Man looked at the trembling White-robed Cultivator, was silent for a moment, and then walked straight past him into the Marquis Manor.

The little girl gnawing on the chicken leg glanced at the White-robed Cultivator, as if with some pity.

This left the White-robed Cultivator bewildered.

Jiang Wang lay comfortably on the rattan chair.

The rattan chair was placed under the banyan tree.

The Green-robed Cultivator stood guard nearby, his posture much more proper than Zhao Si's.

However, with the arrival of the two cultivators in green and white robes, Zhao Si was finally at ease.

He had been holed up in his room all day, studying paintings, and no one bothered him anymore.

The White-robed Cultivator quickly ran up to Jiang Wang and said in a low voice, "Mr. Jiang, an adult from the Qingxuan Bureau has arrived."

Before Jiang Wang could ask, the Brocade-robed Man had already appeared in his sight, leading the little girl who was eating a chicken leg.

"So it's you, greedy little girl."

Jiang Wang's gaze immediately fell on the little girl.

The little girl also recognized Jiang Wang and instinctively hid the chicken leg behind her back.

Jiang Wang looked dejected.

He was just bored and sitting by the entrance of the tailor shop on Qixia Street, glancing around a few more times, and had been mistaken for someone trying to snatch her food.

"You are Jiang Wang?"

The Brocade-robed Man said with a faint smile, "Indeed, you have remarkable skills. To be a demon with two cultivators guarding you."

Jiang Wang pointed at himself, "Are you talking to me?"

The Brocade-robed Man said, "The demonic energy here is very strong. I assume your cultivation is quite profound. It's a pity you met me. Today, I shall subdue you, and my Monster Slaying Record will have another entry."

Jiang Wang's expression turned serious, and he looked at the White-robed Cultivator beside him, saying, "Why did you bring in someone with delirium?"

The White-robed Cultivator was astonished and looked at the Brocade-robed Man, saying, "Sir, how can you speak such nonsense, calling Mr. Jiang a demon?"

The Green-robed Cultivator had already summoned his flying sword. The moment the other party spoke, he knew they were not here with good intentions.

Even if he was a big shot from the Qingxuan Bureau, he was willing to risk his life for Mr. Jiang.

The brocade-robed man chuckled lightly, "You two are likely being kept in the dark. This person is a demon. Don't think just because he's shown you a little kindness that you should defend him blindly. This demon lurks in Hun City, even willing to kill its own kind. He must have grand ambitions. Since you don't know the truth, stand with me now, and I'll let bygones be bygones."

The white-robed cultivator finally realized the problem and said angrily, "This is utter nonsense! Although the Qingxuan Bureau is responsible for overseeing cultivators in the Sui Kingdom and the important task of slaying demons, arbitrarily accusing others of being demons is a grave mistake!"

"You say this place is filled with demonic energy, but I can't sense any!"

The brocade-robed man said in a deep voice, "That's because you've been deceived by monsters. Furthermore, your cultivation is low. This demon's power surpasses even Ao Yin's. How could cultivators like you possibly sense it easily?"

Jiang Wang pondered, then looked up at the banyan tree and said, "There was indeed a demon here before. The demonic energy you sensed should belong to that demon."

The brocade-robed man said, "That demon must be you. Your defense is rather laughable."

"Originally, I doubted the rumors that a demon was lurking in the Xunyang Marquis Manor, but the facts have proven them true. I only believe what I sense. If you can reveal your hidden purpose, perhaps I can grant you a swift death."

Jiang Wang wondered if Miss Shu was behind this.

He couldn't think of anyone else in Hun City who would call him a monster.

The white-robed cultivator drew his sword, his face grim. "I thought you were a distinguished guest, but it turns out you're an unwelcome one. Insulting Mr. Jiang is worse than insulting me. Today, I'd like to see the capabilities of a Qingxuan Bureau cultivator!"

He drew his sword first.

The green-robed cultivator followed closely behind.

The brocade-robed man said in a deep voice, "Since you are stubborn and aiding the wicked, the Qingxuan Bureau has swords to slay demons and suppress cultivators!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Two flying swords appeared out of thin air.

The two green-robed cultivators became entangled with the flying swords, unable to get close to the brocade-robed man.

The little girl gnawing on a chicken leg walked directly towards Jiang Wang.

"Is the chicken leg tasty?"

Jiang Wang sat leisurely on the rattan chair.

The little girl paused, then quickly finished the chicken leg, tossing the bone at Jiang Wang. She pouted, "Do you want to eat it?"

Jiang Wang looked down at the dirt-covered chicken bone and smiled, "Little girl, fighting and killing isn't suitable for you. How about I get you something delicious to eat, and you can play in the mud nearby?"

The little girl raised her head, and a large scythe instantly appeared in her hand. "My name is Akong, and I've already come of age."

Jiang Wang was very surprised.

So she was a grown woman?

But her figure was so small and delicate.

"Although I'm at the age where I should be getting married, I'm still a young girl."

Akong's face immediately turned cold. She wasn't stupid and naturally understood what Jiang Wang meant.

The once adorable little girl gnawing on a chicken leg now seemed to have swung to the other extreme.

There were cracking sounds in the air. Her black dress, unstained by oil, fluttered in the wind, her dark hair flew wildly, and her eyes became extremely cold. The large scythe in her hand exuded a chilling aura.

"Why do you have two faces?!"

The fierce wind almost overturned the rattan chair. Jiang Wang held on tightly, his body swaying with the chair.

"Mr. Jiang!" Even though he knew Jiang Wang didn't need his help, the white-robed cultivator still charged towards Akong at top speed, risking being struck by the brocade-robed man's flying swords.

A cold glint flashed, and Akong's scythe slashed directly at the white-robed cultivator.

The scythe collided with the long sword. The white-robed cultivator continued forward, but the sword in his hand was knocked away, even causing his tiger's mouth to split open.

Akong followed up with a kick, and the white-robed cultivator vomited blood and fell to the ground.

Seeing this, the green-robed cultivator was slightly distracted. The next moment, a flying sword was pressed against his forehead.

The brocade-robed man sneered, "Is this all the skill you have?"

Jiang Wang steadied the rattan chair, breathing a little heavily. He also found it hard to believe, "Although I guessed you were weak, I didn't expect you to be this weak."

The white-robed cultivator felt ashamed.

In fact, he shouldn't have lost so quickly.

The moment he came into contact with Akong, he clearly sensed that the young girl was only at the Cave Nether Realm.

Logically, within the same realm, he had deeper cultivation and more experience. There was no reason for this outcome.

But in reality, the force of Akong's scythe slash was incredibly powerful. As the saying goes, a single misstep can lead to the loss of the whole game. This was difficult to compensate for in an instant.

Jiang Wang thought of how the two white-robed cultivators had desperately protected him, and his previous words were inappropriate. He then comforted them, "It's alright. Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Let me avenge you."

Akong's expression changed, and her aura was indeed terrifying, but it also pushed Jiang Wang's combat power to its limit.

He finally stood up from the rattan chair.

He casually picked up the Long Night Saber placed beside him.

The blade pointed at the flying sword pressed against the green-robed cultivator's forehead. Following that, the flying sword, like a kite with a broken string, gently fell to the ground.

The moment the green-robed cultivator was freed, he immediately retreated, helped up the white-robed cultivator, and they both retreated to Jiang Wang's side.

The brocade-robed man's expression became solemn. It seemed as if he had lost control of his flying sword, or perhaps some power had directly severed his connection to it.

This demon is indeed fierce!

"Akong, come back." The brocade-robed man conjured another sword. He stared cautiously at Jiang Wang.

Things seemed more troublesome than he had imagined.

After Akong retreated behind him, the brocade-robed man said in a deep voice, "It seems today I'll have to update my Monster Slaying Record."