The Demon Race Provokes, Corpses Hang from the City Gates

Compared to the past few days, Du Guinian's face had gained a little more color. He slowly put away the map on the table and said solemnly, "Over the next few days, if there's nothing important, try not to let the brothers from the Constable Office leave the city."

When Lu Yang heard this, his brows furrowed slightly. He asked, "Why is that?"

Du Guinian said, "The situation outside the city is even worse than you imagine. If Black Mountain County hadn't made preparations, and if he weren't afraid of provoking the imperial court, Lord Black Mountain would likely have already slaughtered his way in."

Lu Yang nodded. "I know that. Over the past few days, many commoners from outside the city have come in to avoid disaster. Black Mountain County is already packed to bursting."

A few days ago, Niu Hanshan, who had never liked entering the city, had personally brought the villagers into the city as well, and Lu Yang had even found time to meet him.

Because of that, Lu Yang had gained a rough understanding of the situation outside the city.

It could be said that among the commoners in the many villages and towns outside the city, those who could leave had basically already left.

"Letting the Demon Race run rampant can't be a long-term plan. The supplies inside the county city will run out one day. What do you intend to do, My Lord?" Lu Yang asked.

"Heh, be patient." Du Guinian said, "The county city is protected by a formation, so there won't be trouble in the short term. Three days ago, this official sent seven messengers out of the city one after another, taking the mountain paths to Wanlin Prefecture to request aid. As long as even one of them can reach Wanlin Prefecture alive, reinforcements will surely arrive within ten days!"

"I hope so." Lu Yang sighed, but a faint unease stirred in his heart.

Under normal circumstances, one messenger would have been enough.

Du Guinian had sent out seven messengers at once; that alone showed just how dire the situation outside the city had become.

As if unwilling to dwell on this subject for too long, Du Guinian immediately changed the topic. "Right, you still haven't said why you requested to see me this time."

Lu Yang paused, then said, "As far as I know, My Lord once cultivated the Returning Origin Art as well?"

"That's right." Du Guinian said, "If not for that, this county would not have fallen for that Fox Demon's trick."

Lu Yang continued, "Then do you know if there is any way to obtain the later portions of the Returning Origin Art?"

The true qi cultivated from the Returning Origin Art, whether in quality or quantity, far surpassed ordinary Mystic Grade Techniques.

So much so that although Lu Yang had recently earned quite a bit of money, he simply could not find a suitable technique that could replace the Returning Origin Art.

It was like a wealthy man accustomed to mountain delicacies and sea treasures; if one made him turn back and eat wild vegetable cornbread, he would never be satisfied.

The Returning Origin Art was simply too good. No matter which Mystic Grade Technique he switched to, Lu Yang felt that he would be taking a massive loss.

After thinking it over, he had decided to ask Du Guiyuan whether there was any other way.

"It's undeniable that aside from the lingering demonic qi, this technique truly has no flaws." Du Guiyuan smiled and said, "Back then, this county also spent several months thinking it over before deciding to switch techniques."

Hearing this, Lu Yang felt a slight disappointment in his heart. "In that case, My Lord, you also don't know where the later portions of the Returning Origin Art are?"

Du Guinian smiled and said, "Back then, this county also made inquiries in many places about the whereabouts of the later portions of this technique. I only barely learned that this technique might have come from the army. If you truly have the mind for it, perhaps once you reach Wanlin Prefecture, you may be able to find some clues."

"Wanlin Prefecture?" Lu Yang committed Du Guinian's words to memory.

"Heh." Seeing him like this, Du Guinian smiled faintly. "How could a golden-scaled fish be a thing of the pond? Your talent far surpasses mine. Sooner or later, you will leave this shallow water of Black Mountain County and develop in Wanlin Prefecture. At that time, perhaps you may obtain some information about the Returning Origin Art."

Lu Yang nodded and cupped his fists. "Many thanks, My Lord."

As the two were talking, a servant walked in, his expression somewhat panicked.

Du Guinian swept the servant with a displeased glance and said, "There are no outsiders here. If something has happened, speak freely."

The servant subconsciously glanced at Lu Yang, then immediately said, "Reporting to My Lord, Commander Wang Liao sent someone to report that something has happened at Jing'an Gate."

As if he had thought of something, Du Guinian's expression changed. With a swish, he stood up. "Lu Yang, come with me to Jing'an Gate."

A quarter of an hour later, atop the city tower of Black Mountain County's Jing'an Gate, Du Guinian, Lu Yang, and Wang Liao stood shoulder to shoulder.

Outside the city gate, about a dozen meters away, a tall round log had been planted there.

A rope was tied to the top of the log, and strung upon it were a jade slip and seven bloody human heads.

After seeing those heads, Du Guinian's face turned pale. His feet staggered, and he nearly failed to stand steady.

Fortunately, Lu Yang and Wang Liao reacted quickly and supported him.

"My Lord, those seven heads?" Lu Yang seemed to have thought of something and asked.

Du Guinian barely steadied himself and let out a long sigh. "You guessed right. They were all trusted men I sent out."

Lu Yang frowned and asked again, "Is there no Communication Jade Slip that can directly contact Wanlin Prefecture?"

Wang Liao said, "Low-level short-distance communication is still manageable, but high-level Communication Jade Slips are extremely rare. Not only are the materials uncommon, the maker also needs to possess both high-level artifact-refining and formation abilities. Looking across all of Great Jun, there are not many people now with such capability. Even most of the high-level jade slips used by the imperial court's central administration were passed down from several thousand years ago. Every one used is one fewer remaining."

Lu Yang nodded, which counted as gaining some understanding of this world's communication methods.

Moreover, from the look of it, Wang Liao seemed to know quite a bit about matters outside. Lu Yang decided that if he had time in the future, he could seek him out for a private chat.

"In that case, we're trapped in Black Mountain City," Lu Yang said with a frown.

Du Guinian sighed. "You could say that."

At this moment, the guards of Jing'an Gate had already retrieved the seven heads along with the jade slip hanging from the rope.

"Find a place with good feng shui and bury those seven brothers!" Du Guinian crouched down and personally helped the seven messengers, who had died with their eyes wide open, close their eyes. A trace of grief and regret showed in the depths of his eyes.

These seven had all been Houtian Realm martial artists. Since even they had died, unless someone in the Xiantian Realm acted, there was probably no one who could reach Wanlin Prefecture alive to request aid.

And after that string of events some time ago, many of the Xiantian Realm martial artists in the city had already died.

Setting aside the Qianfeng Merchant Association, which only did business and spoke of nothing else, looking across the whole of Black Mountain County, there were probably only Du Guinian and Lu Yang left.

As the County Magistrate, Du Guinian had the Great Seal on his person and controlled the formation hub of the entire Black Mountain County, so he could not leave lightly.

At this thought, Lu Yang said, "My Lord, why not let me go to Wanlin Prefecture to seek aid?"

"Absolutely not!" Du Guinian advised against it. "If this official's guess is correct, that Lord Black Mountain is probably waiting outside the city for you to go out right now. He is an ancient demon, and an unusual breed among demons. His strength far surpasses others of the Demon Race in the same realm. As you are now, I fear you are still no match for him."

"But if we keep dragging this out, the food in the city probably won't last much longer," Wang Liao said.

Du Guinian said, "Bring me that jade slip. I'd like to see just what that Lord Black Mountain wants to say!"