Down the Mountain

Kong Wu picked up a strip of cloth, wiped the blood from the Evil-Slaying Saber, and asked casually, "How strong were those two just now among you cultivators?"

Feng Yang paused, then answered respectfully, "With their Late Qi Refining stage cultivation, they would already count as elite disciples among the famous sects and great clans of Qingzhou."

Elite disciples...

So that meant there were elders, Sect Masters, and other old monsters above them.

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

"Qingzhou is vast, and many reclusive experts live here. But among the strongest cultivators publicly known in the Cultivation World right now is the thousand-household commander of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, whose cultivation is at the mid Golden Core stage. As for other sects like our Qingfeng Mountain, our strongest is only at the early Golden Core stage."

The Great Jing Dynasty had been founded for a hundred years. Although it had shown signs of decline in recent years, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. Compared with the cultivation sects entrenched in a single province, the dynasty, which commanded the strength of an entire nation, was still far superior in both talent and resources.

If the strongest person in a province ever no longer belonged to the dynasty's jurisdiction, then the dynasty's rule would already be nearing its end.

"We still have to act cautiously."

After hearing him out, Kong Wu sighed inwardly.

Although he had reaped a rich harvest over the past few days and had already managed to kill a Late Qi Refining cultivator in such a short time, who knew when he might run into an iron plate among the countless cultivators spread across the vast territory of the Great Jing Dynasty?

"How strong are Golden Core cultivators?"

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

There were fewer than ten Golden Core experts in all of Qingzhou. As a minor nobody, how could he have ever seen such a powerhouse make a move?

He could only draw on what he had heard in his sect and answer ambiguously, "Well... I've heard that Golden Core True Persons possess unfathomable methods. They can sever rivers and block their flow, or send flying swords to kill someone from a hundred li away. Even their lifespans can stretch for several centuries. Our Qingfeng Mountain's Great Elder, for example, is already over three hundred years old."

Kong Wu nodded, understanding that with Feng Yang's status, it was impossible for him to know any more about those Golden Core experts.

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

Before coming back, he had already searched the mountain, but found nothing.

Now that this mission had been completed perfectly and he had gained so many benefits, it was time to go down the mountain.

The two of them arrived at the temple, but found no sign of Skinny Monkey. Kong Wu guessed that the fellow had probably run straight down the mountain.

Feng Yang clasped his fists and bowed respectfully. "Constable Kong, I'll return to the mountain to cultivate. Coming down this time made me realize how shallow my cultivation is. I've been somewhat lax in my cultivation before, so once I return, I'll work hard and strive to help you the next time we meet."

Kong Wu nodded. "Until we meet again, if fate allows."

"If you ever come to Qingzhou City, you can find me at Qingfeng Mountain."

With that, Feng Yang turned to leave.

At those words, Kong Wu raised an eyebrow, as though he had thought of something. "Wait!"

Feng Yang turned back in confusion.

Kong Wu asked, "Are there many evil cultivators like the ones we encountered today near Qingzhou City?"

"Qingzhou City lies atop one of the Great Jing's spiritual ley lines, so spiritual energy is dense there and cultivators from all over gather in the city. Those evil cultivators and demons need spiritual energy to cultivate as well, so naturally there are more of them."

Feng Yang did not quite understand what Kong Wu meant, but answered truthfully.

"Do you orthodox sects just watch them run rampant and throw their weight around?"

Kong Wu was somewhat surprised.

"Well..." Feng Yang's face flushed slightly as he said in a low voice, "There are great powers among the demons and monsters too. It's not so simple to..."

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

It seemed he would have to make a trip to Qingzhou City after all.

In the entire year he had spent in Qingshan County, Kong Wu had barely encountered any evil cultivators or demons.

Today, he had reaped a rich harvest at White Cloud Temple.

But in the end, he had to make plans for what came next.

Without evil cultivators or demons, where was he supposed to get attribute points and grow stronger?

Skinny Monkey staggered along the main road, panting heavily.

After returning to the temple, he had agonized for a long time over whether to charge back up and fight for his life or return for reinforcements.

In the end, he had not possessed the courage to stake everything on one throw. He had run desperately down the mountain, planning to find help at the county office before returning to assist Kong Wu.

The deep forest was pitch-black at night, however, and he had gone around in circles several times. It was only after the sun rose that he found his bearings and made it out of the mountains.

He licked his cracked lips. At that moment, he desperately craved the sour plum drink sold by Old Li near the county office.

Gritting his teeth, he quickened his pace.

Constable Kong's life or death was still unknown on the mountain. He had to find help quickly.

Although he felt that ordinary people would be helpless against those terrifying monsters, this was the only way he could think of to help Kong Wu.

He dragged his leaden legs forward for a quarter of an hour before vaguely spotting a group of people walking along the main road.

His eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

It was a team of seven constables. He even recognized their leader, an old friend from his hometown.

"Skinny Monkey? What happened to you...?"

Before the other man could finish asking, Skinny Monkey hurriedly said, "Quick! Go back and call all our brothers! Constable Kong's in danger. There are demons and evil spirits in White Cloud Temple...!"

Hearing this, the leading constable's expression remained unchanged. He took the waterskin from his waist and handed it to Skinny Monkey.

While Skinny Monkey drank, he hesitated before saying in a low voice, "This matter has already spread through the yamen. Chief Clerk Zhong has ordered that no one is to go to White Cloud Temple. He says he's already invited a cultivator from the provincial city. Until that person arrives, no one is allowed to act rashly."

Skinny Monkey's eyes widened at this. He choked on a mouthful of water, coughed several times, and hurriedly asked, "Then Constable Kong..."

Before he could finish, his heart turned cold.

From Tie Zhu, he had learned at the very beginning that Chief Clerk Zhong intended to set Constable Kong up. He had never expected him to go this far.

Now that the chief clerk of the county had already issued the order, he definitely could not find reinforcements.

Seeing Skinny Monkey's face gradually turn pale, the other constable said, "I heard you went along too. I thought you wouldn't make it back. Now just go home and rest. Constable Kong... is still only a mortal, in the end."

"No!" Skinny Monkey shook his head, his face turning ashen. "How has Constable Kong treated you all usually? I'm going back to help him. Are you coming or not?"

Seeing the men lower their heads without saying a word, Skinny Monkey understood.

In the end, their own lives mattered more.

With a bitter laugh, Skinny Monkey grabbed the waterskin, took a great gulp, and hurled it viciously to the ground.

Then, without saying a word, he turned around and walked away.

Behind him, the constable stretched out a hand as though he wanted to say something, but ultimately could only sigh helplessly.

The next moment, however, he rubbed his eyes in confusion and looked ahead.

A burly, powerfully built figure was slowly walking toward them.

Skinny Monkey stared at the figure and froze in place.