Finding Traces of the Demonic Cult

Chapter 41: Traces of the Demonic Cult Found

Li Kaiyao cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "I heard that three company commander squads were dispatched last night to apprehend members of the Demonic Cult, but they suffered heavy casualties."

"The Imperial Guard lost over two hundred men, and all three company commanders died in battle!"

"What? All three company commanders are dead?"

Ren Hong was greatly shocked, his expression changing drastically.

Bai Yan, however, remained very calm.

After all, they were dealing with the Demonic Cult.

The Demonic Cult had an abundance of experts, with at least ten Grandmasters and even more Masters.

A mere company commander was only at the Innate realm, no different from an ant in the eyes of the Demonic Cult, easily killed with a flick of a wrist.

"How did they track down the Demonic Cult's whereabouts? How come we didn't hear a single whisper about it?"

"That shouldn't be the case..."

Ren Hong muttered, frowning.

He considered himself the resident know-it-all of the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau, the gossip king. There was nothing he didn't know or understand.

Normally, he would be the first to get wind of any slightest disturbance.

He hadn't expected Li Kaiyao to get the news first this time.

Li Kaiyao glanced at Ren Hong with disdain, saying scornfully, "That's because you spent the entire night frolicking at Qionghua Pavilion last night, even saying you were completely captivated. Bah!"

"Look at me, I was on duty all night."

"When they returned after failing their mission, I found out immediately."

"Hiss... So that's how it was. I was careless!"

Ren Hong smacked his forehead in annoyance. If he had known, he would have tried harder. Maybe with a bit more effort, he could have succeeded.

Bai Yan pondered for a moment and then instructed, "Alright, don't spread this around. This concerns the Demonic Cult, and the Imperial Guard won't let this go easily."

"I expect the Battalion Commander will issue a mission soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, an Imperial Guard Enforcer rushed over, panting, "Company Commander Bai, the Battalion Commander requests your presence!"

Bai Yan raised an eyebrow.

Speak of the devil.

"I'm on my way."

Nodding, Bai Yan headed straight for the Battalion Commander's office. When he arrived, he saw three other company commanders also heading there.

The three of them, along with Bai Yan, were all subordinates of Zheng Haihan.

They nodded to each other upon meeting and entered the Battalion Commander's main hall together.

Zheng Haihan stood with his back to the door in the hall, exuding an oppressive aura.

"Your subordinate greets Battalion Commander."

Bai Yan and the other three bowed in unison.

"Very well, dismissed."

Zheng Haihan turned around, his gaze sweeping over the four men, lingering on Bai Yan for a few extra seconds.

"You've likely heard about what happened. The Imperial Guard has already located several Demonic Cult hideouts."

"Last night, Battalion Commander Wang Zheng dispatched three company commander squads to investigate one of these hideouts. They returned in complete defeat, with over half their forces lost and all three company commanders dead."

He paused, his voice growing heavy.

"Now that we've alerted them, we must swiftly move to encircle the remaining Demonic Cult hideouts!"

"I've summoned you four here to act in concert. I will also be personally intervening!"

"The Battalion Commander is going to intervene personally?"

Except for Bai Yan, the other three company commanders looked shocked.

Zheng Haihan nodded.

"The Demonic Cult has an abundance of experts, so we must be cautious."

"The deaths of the three company commanders last night serves as a stark warning."

"The Demonic Cult's presence in Yongtang this time is for a significant purpose. It's highly unlikely they've only sent a few pawns. It's possible a Heavenly Gang Hall Master is leading them."

"A Heavenly Gang Hall Master!!"

The moment they heard those four words, the expressions of the three Company Commanders changed drastically, a hint of panic flashing in their eyes.

This so-called Heavenly Gang Hall Master was a general term used within the Demonic Cult, serving as their codename.

Within the Demonic Cult, excluding the Old Ancestor who was considered a Heavenly Human, the power hierarchy from highest to lowest was: Cult Master, Three Great Demonic Heads, Six Great Protectors, and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gangs and Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends.

A demonic figure bestowed with the Heavenly Gang title had to possess at least the combat power of a Master to be qualified to hold a Hall Master position within the Demonic Cult.

In other words, the Demonic Cult openly had at least thirty-six halls and thirty-six Master-level experts.

This number of openly acknowledged Masters was already comparable to the Imperial Guard.

If a Master-level expert were to truly make a move, dealing with a few Innate-level Company Commanders would be effortless.

Zheng Haihan looked at the four men and said in a deep voice:

"To ensure this operation is foolproof, I will personally take action."

"However, I will not show myself openly, to prevent them from escaping."

"This time, Bai Yan will lead the team, and I will remain hidden in the shadows."

"As soon as the Heavenly Gang Hall Master appears, I will make my move."

Zheng Haihan's reputation was not only renowned within the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau but was also thunderous within the Demonic Cult. He ranked first in the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau, a place filled with talented individuals, thanks to his solid combat prowess. Zheng Haihan's cultivation level was that of a Grandmaster!

Furthermore, he had broken through five years ago, and no one knew how strong he was now.

It was precisely because of his resounding reputation that the Demonic Cult had thoroughly investigated Zheng Haihan long ago.

If Zheng Haihan were to reveal himself from the start, the people from the Demonic Cult would immediately flee upon discovering him, making it difficult to capture the Heavenly Gang Hall Master.

"Alright, immediately gather your men and depart!"

"We obey your command!"

The four men clasped their fists in unison in response.

Regarding Bai Yan leading this operation, the other three Company Commanders had no objections.

Within the Imperial Guard, only hard power mattered. Although Bai Yan was young, his strength was evident to all, and the three Company Commanders were all sincerely convinced.

At the same time, the system's prompt tone also sounded, which was incredibly pleasant to hear.

[Ding! Host has triggered a new mission: Demon Subjugation]

[Slaying demons and upholding righteousness is our duty!]

[As an Imperial Guard Company Commander, the host is naturally opposed to the Demonic Cult. Please destroy a Demonic Cult stronghold and capture a Heavenly Gang Hall Master, dead or alive.]

[Mission Reward: Max Level Talisman of Life and Death]

Upon hearing the new mission issued by the system, a flicker of excitement flashed in Bai Yan's eyes.

In the eyes of others, these demonic rebels might be beasts who committed all sorts of evil deeds, but in Bai Yan's eyes, they were all walking, talking fragments of divine skill exchange points. Killing one would drop a fragment, and eventually piecing them together into peerless divine skills would be incredibly satisfying.

Four Company Commander squads departed from the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau in a grand procession, with a total of over six hundred people, presenting a rather spectacular sight.

After leaving Yongtang City, the group quickened their pace, heading straight for West Mountain in the suburbs, where a place called Yiping Villa was located.

The villa occupied a vast area and was the territory of Mad Saber Xiao Yiping.

Xiao Yiping, in his youth, had apprenticed under a major martial arts sect, the Mad Saber Sect.

Later, after mastering his skills, he ventured into the martial world alone.

With a long saber and a technique called the "Mad Soul Chasing Life Saber Art," he gained fame in the martial world, earning the moniker "Mad Saber."

Later, during his travels in the martial world, he met a female hero. Feeling the dangers and hidden crises of the martial world, he decisively retreated from the fray and retired from the martial world with the female hero, marrying and having children.

Relying on his martial prowess and connections, Mad Saber Xiao Yiping built a considerable fortune, moved outside Yongtang City, and established this Yiping Villa.

Over the years, Xiao Yiping befriended the powerful figures of Yongtang, donated generously during droughts and floods, and gained some renown in Yongtang City, earning the respect of commoners and martial artists alike.

However, no one would have ever imagined that this benevolent Xiao Yiping was actually a hidden agent planted in Yongtang City by the Demonic Cult.

"Whoa—!"

Bai Yan led his men to the entrance of Yiping Villa, raising his hand, and the forces behind him immediately halted their advance.

Seeing hundreds of Imperial Guards with murderous intent, the two Martial Masters guarding the gate were instantly terrified. After closing the main gate, they scrambled into the villa to report.

"Everyone listen to my orders! Surround Yiping Villa, don't let a single fly escape!"

"Anyone who attempts to force their way in will be killed on the spot!"