Prefectural Governor of City Defense

The sun dipped west, its last rays like blood.

Darkness approached, the evening glow fading.

An uneasy aura enveloped the city walls.

In charge of the southern gate's defenses was one Grand Commander, along with three Deputy Commanders.

The city defense commanders typically rotated shifts day and night, but tonight, they would all stand guard together in the darkness.

"As you all know, Lord Liu has been dormant for over a month. Recently, within a hundred-mile radius of Gao Liu City, twelve extremely powerful Demonic Evils have appeared, exceeding Gao Liu City's capacity to handle them."

"If they are drawn by the immense life force gathered from the city's populace and attack simultaneously, the city faces annihilation."

"The inner city has already begun preparations. Tonight, an altar will be erected to borrow Lord Liu's divine body, channeling the vast power of incense accumulated in the temple outside the city to send away the unwelcome guests."

"These powerful Demonic Evils within a hundred-mile radius of Gao Liu City, once they receive the incense, will be compelled to leave the hundred-mile range afterward."

The Grand Commander of the South Gate, Zhao Zhou, was already past seventy, his Blood Essence declining, but his gaze remained sharp.

He swept his gaze towards the direction outside the city and said in a deep voice, "But besides these twelve great Demonic Evils, there are countless wandering spirits, ghosts, and various monsters in the darkness."

"They will inevitably be drawn by the aura of the ritual altar and gather here!"

"Once they enter the city, they will devour the residents!"

His tone was heavy as he slowly stated, "Therefore, we must repel the Demonic Evils outside the city!"

As his voice fell, his gaze swept over the three Deputy Commanders.

Commander Zhou, whom Lin Yan had seen last night, was among them and immediately stepped forward.

"All personnel from each department have been mobilized, including the Day Patrol and Night Patrol."

"According to past practice, Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamps will be hung every thirty paces."

"Furthermore, a guard will be stationed every thirty paces to watch over the Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamps, and each formation will have an additional six people to patrol the city with lamps within their jurisdiction."

"In addition, each person has been granted a packet of incense ash produced by the Temple of Lord Liu, a pair of candles, and three incense sticks."

Hearing this, the grim-faced Grand Commander Zhao Zhou nodded slightly.

However, another Deputy Commander, surnamed Gu, frowned slightly and stepped forward, saying in a low voice, "The Lin Jiang Department might have a problem."

Grand Commander Zhao Zhou frowned slightly and said slowly, "In the past, the Lin Jiang Department was vacant, managed by Qing Shan Ward, and the situation was still stable... I heard that the new Banner Bearer took charge of the Lin Jiang Department today, so why is there a problem?"

Deputy Commander Gu replied, "This new Banner Bearer has abolished the original twelve Junior Banners, and he has no old subordinates."

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Zhou's expression grew even more displeased. "Are you saying that the current Lin Jiang Department only has one Banner Bearer?"

"The rest are only Chief Clerks, scribes, laborers, cooks, and so on, none of whom are martial practitioners," Deputy Commander Gu stated grimly.

Zhao Zhou did not reply, only frowning more deeply.

How could one person defend the city?

Was this not child's play?

"I don't know what this person is thinking. He hasn't sought help or made any requests for assistance yet."

Deputy Commander Gu replied, "The Outer Southern Department has acquiesced to his actions, and just now, this new Banner Bearer also accepted the token of aid from our city defense."

Zhao Zhou pondered, "I've heard of this person's reputation. He is extremely bloodthirsty, but his cultivation doesn't seem too high. He should have just entered the second stage, the Blood Refining realm."

"With his cultivation, he likely cannot hold the entire position responsible for the Lin Jiang Department."

Speaking of which, Zhao Zhou's expression turned solemn as he looked outside. Seeing the sky gradually darken, he suppressed the urge to assign blame.

He swept his gaze and said in a deep voice, "The city's defenses cannot afford any lapses. Do any of you have spare personnel you can allocate?"

The faces of the three Deputy Commanders changed; no one responded.

This was no simple task!

Tonight was bound to be perilous. Sending people to assist would be akin to using lives to fill the void for this new Banner Bearer.

And if their own forces were reduced, it would create gaps, making their own situations more dangerous.

"You all are still focused on your own responsibilities..."

Zhao Zhou shook his head slightly and said, "You must understand the bigger picture. If the Demonic Evils breach the city within the three hundred and sixty paces under the Lin Jiang Department's jurisdiction, what use will our steadfast defense be?"

The three Deputy Commanders were silent for a moment. Deputy Commander Gu finally spoke, his tone heavy.

"This is the responsibility of the Lin Jiang Department."

"If he can hold it, it's his capability."

"If he cannot hold it, he should be held accountable."

"And the Commander Han of the Outer Southern District should be held even more accountable!"

He said this, then looked up and declared, "The Prefectural Governor's Mansion intends to petition Phoenix Perch Prefecture City to remove the Heavenly Supervision Department. This matter can serve as a major reason."

Upon hearing this, another Deputy Commander's expression changed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "If that's the case, should there be any mistakes in the Lin Jiang Department tonight, thousands of lives will be laid at the feet of the Heavenly Supervision Department... I imagine the Governor will not only not be angry but will be pleased."

Deputy Commander Zhou thought for a moment and added, "In fact, as long as we do our best and hold our own positions, we are fulfilling our duties."

Zhao Zhou's face turned ashen, and he remained silent.

He was part of the third batch of city defense soldiers after Gao Liu City was established.

Yet, among the first four batches of veteran soldiers in Gao Liu City, only a handful remained.

Even the current governor of the Prefectural Governor's Mansion was not the first to hold the position.

The various powers within the city played their games, using Gao Liu City as their chessboard, its citizens as pawns, and even sacrifices.

He couldn't recall how many old comrades had charged forward, one after another, spilling their blood here, all to build this city and carve out a place of refuge for humanity in the darkness.

In just a few decades, before the previous generation had even passed, the later generations had become so decadent?

"How innocent are the citizens of this city?"

A look of sorrow crossed Zhao Zhou's face, and he sighed. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice from outside.

A soldier came to report.

"Fifteen minutes ago, Wuchang, the Banner Bearer of the Lin Jiang Department, carrying the Lin Jiang Banner, collected twelve Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamps, twelve packs of incense ash, and twelve pairs of incense and candles from the storeroom. However, he only took three sticks of incense."

"He was alone?"

"Just one person came."

"Did he leave any message? For example, requesting reinforcements from our city defense?"

"No."

"Arrogant!"

Zhao Zhou became furious and roared, "If his position falls tonight, even if he miraculously survives, I will not let him off!"

As his voice fell, he reached into his robes and took out a talisman and a willow branch.

"Immediately deliver this to him."

"And tell him that this is a Haoyang Talisman from the Phoenix Perch Prefecture City, produced by the Wutong Temple. It can greatly boost one's yang energy and dispel symptoms of evil spirits entering the body!"

"As for the willow branch, it comes from the divine body of Lord Liu itself, capable of whipping and driving away wandering spirits and malevolent spirits."

The three deputy commanders' expressions shifted slightly upon hearing this.

These two items were privileges only the Commander was qualified to possess.

Normally, the three deputy commanders took turns sharing a single branch from Lord Liu's divine body.

Wandering spirits and malevolent spirits were formless and intangible, impervious to swords and untouchable by fists or feet. They posed a significant threat to any powerful Martial Artist.

They could usually only rely on the strong vital energy generated by their Martial Arts cultivation to bluff and scare away these wandering spirits and malevolent spirits.

The items that allowed Martial Artists to pose a threat to "wandering spirits and malevolent spirits" were exceedingly few.

A branch from Lord Liu's divine body was one such item!

Did Commander Zhao attach such great importance to this person?

Perhaps the reason this new Banner Bearer didn't request outside help and remained silent, waiting, was because he knew Commander Zhao would definitely come to his aid?

The three deputy commanders exchanged glances, even beginning to suspect if this new Banner Bearer was the Commander's illegitimate son.

However, as they continued their discussion, not much time passed before the sky darkened. Suddenly, the same soldier who had reported earlier hurried back, holding out the branch from Lord Liu's divine body and the Haoyang Talisman.

"Fifth Master said that as Commander Zhao's duty is paramount, both of these are life-saving items. Please keep them for your own use."

"He also said that as a peak Inner Strength Martial Artist, you can use these divine objects to greater effect in dispelling malevolent spirits."

"As for this Haoyang Talisman, it can perfectly enhance yang blood essence. Commander, you are advanced in years, and you will need this item even more during the night."