Descending the Mountain

Kong Wu picked up the cloth strip, wiped the bloodstains from the Evil-Slaying Saber, and casually asked, "Those two guys from just now, what was their strength among your cultivators?"

Feng Yang was stunned for a moment, then respectfully replied, "Their cultivation is in the late Qi Refining stage. Among the renowned sects in Qingzhou, they are already considered elite disciples."

Elite disciples...

That means there are still Elders, Sect Masters, and other old fogeys above them.

Kong Wu nodded and continued, "As far as you know, what is the cultivation realm of the strongest cultivator in all of Qingzhou?"

"Qingzhou is vast and has many reclusive experts. However, the strongest cultivator in the current cultivation world, openly speaking, is the Thousand Household of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, with a mid Golden Core stage cultivation. As for other sects like ours at Qingfeng Mountain, the strongest among us only has an early Golden Core stage cultivation."

The Great Jing Dynasty had been established for a hundred years. Although it had shown signs of decline in recent years, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Compared to the cultivation sects that occupied a single province, the imperial dynasty, which controlled the power of a nation, was far superior in both talent and resources.

If the strongest cultivator in a province were to no longer be under the jurisdiction of the imperial dynasty, then the dynasty's rule would be nearing its end.

"I still need to act cautiously."

Kong Wu sighed in his heart after listening.

Although he had gained a lot in the past few days, being able to kill a late Qi Refining stage cultivator in such a short time, who knew when he might run into trouble among the countless cultivators in the vast territory of the Great Jing Dynasty.

"How strong is a Golden Core?"

Facing Kong Wu's question, Feng Yang scratched his head awkwardly.

There were less than ten Golden Core experts in all of Qingzhou, and he, a small fry, had never witnessed such powerful individuals in action.

He could only combine what he had heard in his sect and vaguely replied, "This... I've heard that Golden Core True Men have unfathomable abilities. They can divert rivers, stop streams, or even kill people with flying swords from a hundred miles away. Their lifespan can even reach several hundred years. For example, the Grand Elder of our Qingfeng Mountain is already over three hundred years old."

Kong Wu nodded, understanding that with Feng Yang's status, he wouldn't have more information about those Golden Core experts.

He slung the Evil-Slaying Saber onto his back and headed down the mountain.

He had already scouted the mountain before returning and found nothing.

Now that his mission was successfully completed and he had gained so many benefits, it was time to descend the mountain.

The two arrived at the Taoist temple but found no trace of Skinny Monkey. Kong Wu guessed that the guy had probably run straight down the mountain.

Feng Yang cupped his fists and bowed respectfully, "Constable Kong, this humble Taoist will return to the mountain to cultivate. This trip down the mountain has made me realize my cultivation is too shallow, and my past cultivation has been somewhat lax. I will cultivate diligently when I return to the mountain so that I can assist you next time we meet."

Kong Wu nodded and said, "We'll meet again if fate allows."

"Constable Kong, if you ever come to Qingzhou City, you can find me at Qingfeng Mountain."

After speaking, Feng Yang turned to leave.

Hearing this, Kong Wu's eyebrows shot up, as if he had thought of something, and he said, "Wait!"

Feng Yang turned around with some confusion.

Kong Wu asked, "Near Qingzhou City, are there many evil cultivators like the ones today?"

Qingzhou City is located on a spiritual vein of the Great Jing Dynasty, with abundant spiritual energy. Cultivators from all directions gather in the city. Those evil cultivators and demons also need spiritual energy to cultivate, so naturally, there will be more of them.

Feng Yang didn't quite understand Kong Wu's intention, but he still replied truthfully.

"You renowned righteous sects, don't you just watch them run rampant?"

Kong Wu was somewhat surprised.

"This..." Feng Yang's face turned slightly red, and he whispered, "There are also powerful beings among the demons, and they are not so easily dealt with..."

"I understand." Kong Wu nodded and turned to leave.

It seemed he still had to make a trip to Qingzhou City.

In the past year, Kong Wu hadn't encountered many evil cultivators or demons in Qingshan County.

Today, at the White Cloud Temple, he had gained quite a lot.

However, he ultimately had to plan for the future.

Without evil cultivators and demons, where would he get attribute points to become stronger?

Skinny Monkey stumbled along the main road, panting heavily.

After returning to the Taoist temple, he had been torn between going back up to fight desperately or returning to find help.

In the end, he lacked the courage to take the gamble and ran desperately down the mountain, intending to find help from the county yamen before going back up the mountain to assist Kong Wu.

However, the deep forest at night was pitch black. He wandered in the forest for several laps, and only when the sun came out did he find his way out of the mountain.

He licked his dry lips, and at this moment, he desperately missed the sour plum soup sold by Old Li near the county yamen.

He gritted his teeth and quickened his pace.

Constable Kong was still on the mountain, his fate unknown. He had to find help quickly.

Although he felt that ordinary people couldn't do much against those terrifying monsters, this was the only way he could think of to help Kong Wu.

Dragging his legs, which felt as heavy as lead, he walked for another quarter of an hour. Faintly, he saw a group of people walking on the main road.

His eyes lit up, and he hurried forward.

It was a team of seven constables. The one leading them was someone he knew, a good friend from his hometown.

"Skinny Monkey??? What are you..."

Before the other could ask, Skinny Monkey hurriedly said, "Quick! Go back and gather all our brothers. Constable Kong is in danger. Inside White Cloud Temple... there are demons!"

Upon hearing this, the leader's expression remained unchanged. He took out a water flask from his waist and handed it to Skinny Monkey.

While Skinny Monkey was drinking, he hesitated for a moment and then whispered, "This matter has already spread throughout the yamen. The Chief Clerk has already ordered that no one is to go to White Cloud Temple. He said he has invited a cultivator from the prefecture city, and until then, everyone must not act rashly."

Hearing this, Skinny Monkey's eyes widened. He choked on some water and coughed a few times before quickly saying, "Then Constable Kong..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a chill in his heart.

From the beginning, he had learned from Tie Zhu that Chief Clerk Zhong intended to harm Constable Kong. He hadn't expected him to be so ruthless.

Now that the chief clerk of the county had spoken, there was no way he could find any reinforcements.

Seeing Skinny Monkey's face turn pale, the constable opposite him said, "I heard you went along too and thought you wouldn't make it back. You should go back and rest now. Constable Kong... is just a mortal, after all."

"No!" Skinny Monkey shook his head, his face ashen as he said, "How did Constable Kong treat you all normally? I'm going back to help Constable Kong now. Are you coming or not?"

Seeing that they all kept their heads down and said nothing, Skinny Monkey understood.

Ultimately, their own lives were more important.

With a bitter laugh, Skinny Monkey took a large gulp from the water flask and threw it forcefully onto the ground.

Then, without another word, he turned around and walked away.

Behind him, the constable stretched out a hand as if to say something, but in the end, he could only sigh helplessly.

However, in the next moment, he rubbed his eyes with some confusion and looked ahead.

A strong and sturdy figure was walking slowly towards them.

Skinny Monkey stared at the figure, frozen in place.