Brother, I Didn't Misjudge You

The next day, Old Hu still went out early to gather information.

Su Fan took out the ancient book detailing the extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons and continued to flip through it.

After all, extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons hadn't appeared in a long time. He used to read this book like it was just a web novel.

He never expected to actually encounter one.

Unfortunately, the book's records on extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons were only a few simple sentences.

Su Fan flipped through it for a long time without any gains, so he could only put the book away.

Whatever, what did the extraterrestrial Heavenly Demons have to do with him?

He didn't want to get involved in this mess.

He couldn't wait any longer. If there were no boats leaving today, he would leave Luqu County overnight.

Anyway, this was already the edge of the True Demonic Sect's territory. It shouldn't be a problem to leave at night.

Just then, Old Hu returned from outside.

He walked into the house as if he had lost his soul, sat down with a face full of grief.

"The county's chief constable led a team yesterday, and everyone on the boat is gone..."

Su Fan didn't respond, poured a cup of tea, and placed it beside Old Hu.

"Was there anyone you knew among them?"

Old Hu nodded and said, "A brother I grew up with. He has two children, the younger one is only five years old."

After speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, then wiped his mouth.

"The county is recruiting young men. I have to go with them..."

"Old Hu, I advise you not to go. It's best to stay out of this."

Hu Guanghai gave a bitter smile and said, "I know, don't try to persuade me. This time, the Celestial Master from Qingsong Temple is leading the team, and they're traveling by land."

Su Fan thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I'll go with you..."

Old Hu was stunned for a moment, looked up at Su Fan, then waved his hand.

"Brother, what's been happening these past two days is strange. You shouldn't get yourself into this mess. You're not like me; I have no choice but to go."

"Brother, I'd still like to go. I can at least lend you a hand then."

Old Hu looked up at Su Fan for a while, then patted his shoulder.

"Brother, I haven't misjudged you..."

After speaking, he stood up and said, "I still need to find a few more people. You get ready; we'll set off at noon."

After Old Hu left, Su Fan began to ponder.

He would go along this time to see what was happening. If he encountered danger, he would do his best to help Old Hu escape.

Old Hu had taken good care of him these past few months. He might as well help him out before he left.

Then again, if he really encountered some extraterrestrial demon, there would be nothing he could do.

Su Fan sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes focused, and began to scan the ghost face tattoo on his arm with his divine sense.

He scanned it several times but found nothing unusual.

Ever since he left Black Profound City, he had been constantly checking the ghost face tattoo every day.

This was already Liangzhou, thousands of miles away. Would that demoness really chase him all the way here for that trivial matter?

Sometimes Su Fan even wondered if he was being too cautious.

As it was nearing noon, Old Hu took Su Fan to eat a meal in the city.

Ever since the monsters appeared in the city, the once prosperous and lively Luqu County had become deserted.

Most of the shops along the street were closed, and there were few people walking around.

The entire county town was in a state of decline.

After the two had a simple meal, they went to the county yamen together.

By the time they arrived, a crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the county yamen.

More than a dozen constables stood around several carriages. Beside them, dozens of young men with bows and swords slung over their backs led horses. Some of the young men's families had come to see them off.

Everyone greeted Old Hu when they saw him.

A burly man walked over and cupped his fists towards Old Hu.

"Big Brother, the two horses you wanted are ready. I picked them out myself."

Old Hu nodded and asked, "Where are Dahai and the others?"

"They're being held up by their families. They'll be here soon, haha..."

Su Fan didn't go forward; instead, he found a place where no one was paying attention and stayed there.

Old Hu had considerable prestige in the county. Several young men followed behind him, acting like a gang leader.

At this moment, several important figures from the county emerged.

They respectfully escorted the Celestial Master from the prefectural city to his carriage and then exchanged pleasantries with the recruited young men.

"Let's go..."

With a shout from the leading constable, dozens of young men mounted their horses and followed the convoy out of the city.

Su Fan felt uncomfortable on his horse; in both his lives, he had never ridden one before.

Fortunately, the horse was quite docile and didn't throw him off.

Leaving Luqu County, the group of dozens slowly proceeded along the Qingcang River.

Because the carriage moved slowly, it was estimated they wouldn't reach Sishui Crossing until noon the next day.

"This whole thing is a bit weird. People at the dock said no ships have come from the north for days."

"I've been to Sishui Crossing before, and trouble always happens there. Could there be demons?"

"It's fine, with a Celestial Master from Qingsong Temple accompanying us, what's there to fear from demons?"

"Yeah, so what if there are demons? We have so many people, if they dare to come, we'll chop them."

"You're all talk. When that demon was in the city, I didn't see you step up."

"I was out of town that day. If I had been there, I would have chopped that demon to death with a single blow."

Su Fan followed behind Hu Guanghai, listening to the conversations of the young men around him.

Hearing one of the young men bragging, Su Fan almost burst out laughing.

If there were truly otherworldly demons there, not a single one of these people would escape; they would all die.

The sun set, painting the sky with blood-red hues.

At the distant horizon, the fiery sun slowly sank, dyeing the entire sky a deep crimson.

As darkness fell, the group stopped and found a spot by the river to set up camp.

Everyone was exhausted from traveling all day.

They ate a simple meal and then went to sleep.

Beside the campfire, Su Fan sat cross-legged on the ground.

He fully released his spiritual sense, encompassing dozens of feet around him, not even the insects underground escaping his scan.

He glanced at the carriage in the distance; the Celestial Master residing inside hadn't detected his spiritual sense.

Just then, Hu Guanghai walked over and sat beside him.

"Brother, you go get some sleep. I'll keep watch for the first half of the night..."

Su Fan shook his head and said, "Old brother, I can't sleep anyway. Let's not keep each other awake..."

Old Hu smiled, took out a bottle of wine from his embrace, and handed it to Su Fan.

"The wind is cold at night, take a swig if you get chilly..."

At midnight, the surroundings were utterly silent.

Su Fan sat cross-legged on the ground, picked up the wine, and took a sip. The spicy liquid felt like fire, searing his throat.

Strong...

Much better than the Spirit Wine that cost ten Spirit Stones. He should buy some good worldly wine to take back before leaving the mortal world.

Suddenly, Su Fan turned his head, looking towards a patch of trees in the distance.

He patted his Storage Bag, summoned the Evil Ghost Banner, and released Sister Zhen.

Activating the Hidden Breath Art, he slapped an Invisibility and Qi Concealment Talisman onto himself. With a movement, he vanished into the pitch-black night.

Two people in black robes stood in the forest, coldly observing the distant camp.

"Heh heh... all young men. Capturing them should be enough..."

"First, kill the Celestial Master in the carriage, then deal with these mortals."

"Nonsense, someone at Qi Refining First Layer dares to call themselves a Celestial Master..."

"Alright, we still need to get back before dawn. Let's move..."

Just as the two were about to step out of the forest, a figure suddenly appeared before them.

They were nearly scared to death. As they reached for their talismans, their necks were grabbed, and their bodies were lifted off the ground.

Su Fan stared at them coldly. He tightened his left hand.

"Crack..."

He snapped the neck of the person on the left. His head lolled to the side, and he knew no more.

"Senior, spare... spare my life... I..."