The General's Path Had Strange Methods

As soon as Li Yueying destroyed the formation eye, the kitchen—where everything had seemed perfectly normal when they inspected it earlier—underwent a tremendous change in an instant.

At the cellar entrance, vines coiled everywhere. Looking down, they saw bones piled high, a ghastly white mountain.

The Demon Persons hiding beneath Spring Full Pavilion had clearly harmed plenty of people over the years.

"To think something like this could appear in Chaotian Capital right under the Demon Subduing Bureau's nose." Liu Yong wore a solemn expression, his heart weighed down.

Every skeleton in the cellar silently testified to the incompetence and dereliction of duty of Demon Subduing Captains like them.

They had allowed a festering tumor to remain hidden in Chaotian Capital for so long.

"Brother Liu, don't dwell on it just yet. Let's go down and take a look," Qin Ben said.

Liu Yong nodded. "Yueying, set up a Signal Arrow, just in case. If something happens to us down there, at least the other Demon Subduing Captains in the bureau won't be left completely in the dark."

The Signal Arrow was a method of communication unique to the Demon Subduing Bureau, one that could be activated remotely.

Once its maker triggered it, the Signal Arrow far away would immediately send a plume of wolf-smoke into the sky as a warning.

After Li Yueying had set it up, Liu Yong immediately led the way down, with Ning Xiu close behind.

The cellar was obviously no ordinary place. It might well conceal another world.

If they ran into danger, Ning Xiu could help Liu Yong in time.

They descended the wooden ladder. The entire cellar was steeped in Evil Qi so dark it seemed black. Anyone without a way to dispel Evil Qi from their body would start feeling all sorts of discomfort after staying there for a while.

All four of them were in the Eighth or Ninth Rank of their respective paths and had their own ways of dealing with it, so they could ignore the Evil Qi.

Crack, crack!

As they stepped over the thick layer of bones, Ning Xiu soon spotted a hole hidden in a corner.

The opening led farther down underground, and nobody could tell where it went.

But clearly, the Demon Persons hiding here had to be somewhere below.

"Everyone, hold on. I'll lead the way from here," Qin Ben said, eyeing the tunnel that seemed to have no end.

Ning Xiu's eyes immediately filled with curiosity.

Qin Ben had chosen the General's Path.

Those who followed the General's Path had to enlist in the army, fight on the battlefield, and earn great military merits.

After tempering their Military Heart and Military Soul, they officially entered the Ninth Rank. Then they could rise to the rank of general and lead troops into battle.

At that point, those on the General's Path had two choices.

One: remain on the battlefield and continue fighting the Demon Country's armies.

Two: return and join the Demon Subduing Bureau to carry out various missions.

So, strictly speaking, Ning Xiu and the others ought to address Qin Ben as General Qin.

Until now, Ning Xiu had only heard about the General's Path's divine abilities. He had never seen someone following it in action. Tonight, he was finally going to feast his eyes.

"Then I'll leave it to you," Liu Yong replied with a nod.

Qin Ben pulled a palm-sized triangular flag from his robes. It had a yellow background and red edging.

Embroidered in the center of the flag was a profound black character, "Ben." It looked imposing.

"Wolf Pack Squad, form up!" Qin Ben shouted, raising the flag.

A breeze stirred around them, and green light shimmered. Five tall soldiers emerged from its glow, wearing wolf-head helmets and wolf-patterned armor, with spiked clubs in their hands.

They came before Qin Ben and stood in a single-file line.

Their helmets covered their entire faces, making it impossible to see what they looked like.

But the murderous aura and the pressure of a hundred battles radiating from them were unmistakable.

"Form the Wild Goose Formation and scout ahead!" Qin Ben commanded.

The five Wolf Pack Soldiers obeyed, rearranging themselves into a V-shaped formation: one in front, two in the second row, and two in the third. Then they headed into the tunnel.

Ning Xiu watched, secretly impressed.

These five Wolf Pack Soldiers were Qin Ben's Military Soul. As long as Qin Ben remained alive, his Military Soul could neither die nor perish; it would exist forever.

The type of Military Soul one cultivated depended on one's temperament.

Honest, dependable people usually formed giant shield guards.

Those who were hearty and chivalrous formed axemen.

Those who were calm and collected tended to form archers or crossbowmen.

Impulsive, reckless people commonly formed cavalry or spearmen.

Of course, some stranger and more unusual types of Military Souls could appear, like Qin Ben's Wolf Pack Soldiers.

The General's Path was divided into three grades:

Ranks Nine through Seven were the Lower Three Ranks. The title was Squad, and the Military Soul numbered five.

Ranks Six through Four were the Middle Three Ranks. The title was Battalion, and the Military Soul numbered a thousand.

Ranks Three through One were the Upper Three Ranks. The title was Army, and the Military Soul numbered ten thousand.

Once someone reached the Upper Three Ranks, they truly became a one-man army, just as the legends said.

A Military Soul that could not die or perish was perfectly suited to scouting ahead.

The four followed behind the five Wolf Pack Soldiers and soon disappeared into the depths of the passage.

As the blue markings spread across Han Wan'er's body, Steward Chu began to feel more and more uneasy.

The ghost-face totem on Han Wan'er's chest, in particular, had become increasingly lifelike as the vital essence of the living flowed into it.

It looked as if it might turn into a real ghost face and fly out at any moment.

The pool that had been accumulating for years was nearly drained, yet Han Wan'er still showed no sign of waking.

Steward Chu couldn't help but feel a bead of cold sweat gather.

For some reason, the sect master placed immense importance on Wu Huannian. Half a year ago, the master had even sent someone to deliver a message.

Steward Chu was to bring Wu Huannian out of Chaotian Capital at all costs—alive or dead, he had to be found.

Whether Han Wan'er could be brought back to life was the key to getting Wu Huannian out of Chaotian Capital.

Wu Huannian had been willing to give up even his royal status as Marquis Wu Yi, voluntarily throwing himself into ruin and accepting help from the Black Heaven Gate.

Other than Han Wan'er, his weakness, there was no one in this world who could sway him.

If Han Wan'er failed to rise from the dead as planned, then with Wu Huannian's devotion to his wife, he would surely refuse to leave Chaotian Capital. He would stay and be buried alongside Han Wan'er.

As Steward Chu watched anxiously, all the vital essence of the living flowed into Han Wan'er through the streams of water.

The pool finally ran dry, and the ice coffin holding Han Wan'er settled onto the stone floor.

In that instant, the eyes of the woman who had been dead for many years, and should have long since been laid to rest, suddenly opened. Her body slowly rose from the ice coffin.

"It really worked!" Steward Chu stared in shock.

Years of effort had finally paid off today!

The Black Heaven Gate's sect master had a way to bring the dead back to life, but nobody had ever seen it with their own eyes, so its truth remained uncertain.

After all, bringing the dead back to life was a heaven-defying divine ability. Even immortals might not be able to do it.

Now that Steward Chu had witnessed Han Wan'er's resurrection firsthand, she was utterly shaken.

To turn the impossible into the possible—just who was the sect master?!

Han Wan'er gazed around blankly, her expression utterly cold.

Just as Steward Chu was about to explain the current situation, Han Wan'er's face suddenly twisted into a savage grimace.

She leaped straight out of the ice coffin and lunged at the nearest Demon Person.

"Ah!!!"

The Demon Person had no time to react before Han Wan'er bit through his throat.

She then latched onto the wound and greedily began gulping down his warm blood.

Steward Chu swallowed all the words she had been about to say.

If this were truly Han Wan'er, Marquis Wu Yi's wife, she would never behave like this.

Seeing the scene, Steward Chu understood, at least in part.

She had indeed succeeded in bringing Han Wan'er back to life, but the one she had resurrected was probably not the real Han Wan'er.

But what did that matter? All Marquis Wu Yi had ever asked the Black Heaven Gate to do was bring his wife back to life.

"Tell Marquis Wu Yi's people they can start preparing to flee Chaotian Capital," Steward Chu said to another person, turning away as Han Wan'er sucked at the dying Black Heaven Gate disciple.

They had traveled more than twenty zhang through the tunnel. It had been quiet all the way, with no Demon Persons attacking them.

That only made Ning Xiu and the others more vigilant. The calmer it was, the greater the scheme lurking beneath the surface.

"Even for Demon Persons, it can't have been easy to build a hideout like this beneath Spring Full Pavilion. With the concealment formation outside, no wonder they managed to hide here without the Demon Subduing Bureau noticing," Li Yueying said.

"I'm more curious why these Demon Persons are so willing to risk their lives by hiding in Chaotian Capital. What exactly are they after?" Qin Ben replied.

Suddenly, Ning Xiu, standing on the left side of the group, hurled the Startling Thunder Hammer from his hand with all his strength.

The hammer shot like a meteor toward a patch of empty ground ahead.

Just as Qin Ben and the others were wondering what he was doing, the Startling Thunder Hammer stopped in midair for about a breath.

A scream cut off abruptly, and the hammer fell to the ground.

Killed Demon Person, Universal Proficiency +200

A Demon Person with crystal fish scales covering his body appeared on the ground. His skull was smashed, and red and white matter had spilled everywhere. The Startling Thunder Hammer had clearly crushed his head in a single blow.

"It was a disguised Demon Person!" Li Yueying looked at Ning Xiu in surprise. "There was a Demon Person right beside us, and I didn't sense a thing."

"Ning Xiu, how did you notice him?" Qin Ben and Liu Yong both looked at him curiously.

"I've cultivated a Pupil Technique that lets me observe Evil Qi. The Evil Qi where that guy was hiding was clearly denser than in the surrounding area. I didn't actually know it was a Demon Person. I just thought I'd try hitting it with a hammer. Didn't expect to hit the jackpot," Ning Xiu said with a smile.

He walked over to pick up the Startling Thunder Hammer and was about to return when three figures suddenly emerged from the far end of the tunnel.

All three were covered in black cloaks, making their faces impossible to see. But their bodies were extremely tall and thin, which made them stand out.

The moment the three appeared, Qin Ben immediately raised his flag and ordered, "Attack!"

The five Wolf Pack Soldiers charged forward with their spiked clubs, rushing toward the three figures.

The two sides quickly clashed. The Demon Persons' hands, hidden beneath their cloaks, had long, knife-like nails that were razor-sharp.

Even when they collided with the Wolf Pack Soldiers' spiked clubs, they showed no sign of being outmatched.

Five against three, yet the Wolf Pack Soldiers couldn't gain the upper hand. Instead, the three Demon Persons managed to suppress them somewhat.

Qin Ben's expression darkened. He quietly shouted, "Wolf Run Like the Wind!"

A wolf-head pattern appeared three feet above his head and sent a green ripple spreading in every direction.

Under the ripple's enhancement, Ning Xiu could see the five Wolf Pack Soldiers' speed and agility increase by several levels.

The tide turned in an instant. Within moments, one Demon Person was caught off guard and beaten to death by a barrage of spiked clubs.

"Could that be the Military Heart?" Ning Xiu asked, looking at the wolf-head pattern above Qin Ben.

"Exactly," Qin Ben replied with a nod.

The Military Heart of someone on the General's Path could grant their Military Soul various enhancements.

Some people's Military Heart strengthened their Military Soul's power, while others strengthened their Military Soul's constitution.

Some strengthened their Military Soul's agility. Qin Ben's Military Heart, "Wolf Run Like the Wind," did just that.

With the Military Heart's enhancement, the five Wolf Pack Soldiers' strength surged. The remaining two Demon Persons stood no chance against them and soon met the same fate, bludgeoned to death.

After wiping out the Demon Persons, the four quickly hurried on. Before long, they saw the end of the passage.

It opened into a cave covered in vines. What drew the eye most was the dried-up pool at its center.

And the elegant beauty with blue markings all over her body, standing in the ice coffin inside the pool.

"Ah!" Liu Yong exclaimed as soon as he saw the woman with the ghost-face totem on her chest. "How could it be her?!"

"Brother Liu, you know her?"

"Who is she?"

Liu Yong's voice trembled. "The late wife of Marquis Wu Yi, Madam Han."

Madam Han had been dead for many years. Everyone in Chaotian Capital knew that.

In everyone's mind, Madam Han had long been laid to rest. How could she possibly be here now?

Ning Xiu's eyes also fell on the Demon Persons holding Spirit Gathering Banners beside the pool.

Their Spirit Gathering Banners were exactly like the ones he had brought back from Wendeng County. Could the two incidents be connected?

Before anyone could think further, Han Wan'er leaped up, seized a Demon Person beside the pool, and began biting him. The scene was gruesome.

Marquis Wu Yi... Madam Han... Demon Persons hiding beneath Spring Full Pavilion...

In an instant, several seemingly unrelated pieces of information joined together in the minds of Ning Xiu and the others, forming a clear picture.

The Demon Persons had been hiding in Spring Full Pavilion, and Marquis Wu Yi had to be behind it. His goal was clearly to bring his late wife back to life.

"Move! Leave one alive for interrogation. Execute the rest of the Demon Persons on the spot."

By now, they had discovered everything they needed to. With the evidence and the culprits all caught, there was no need to observe any further.

Liu Yong, acting as the temporary team leader, drew his saber and shouted the order. Then he charged at one of the Demon Persons.

After finishing his instructions, Steward Chu turned around and saw the four Demon Subduing Captains in Mysterious Silver Lock Armor emerge from the cave entrance. Clearly, all the disciples she had sent to hold them off had been defeated.

At this point, they would have to activate the means they had prepared to flee Chaotian Capital ahead of schedule.

Now that the Demon Subduing Bureau had discovered the concealment formation, the entire city would be sealed off and searched with unprecedented intensity after tonight.

If they didn't escape tonight, they might never get another chance. They had to hurry.

"Hold them back. Kill them if you can," Steward Chu said as she rushed toward Han Wan'er. She yanked her away from the Demon Person, who was dying with his blood drained, and prepared to take her away.

Han Wan'er was their greatest leverage over Marquis Wu Yi. If they didn't bring this woman, Marquis Wu Yi wouldn't obediently leave Chaotian Capital with them.

If she failed to bring Wu Huannian back to the Black Heaven Gate, Steward Chu couldn't even imagine how that mysterious, unfathomable sect master would punish her.

The moment Steward Chu grabbed Han Wan'er's arm, Han Wan'er turned and tried to bite her.

Han Wan'er had been infused with an unknown amount of vital essence from the living. The essence had become so concentrated that it had even turned into liquid in the pool.

Such a situation was extremely rare. Apart from the Black Heaven Gate's sect master and the hidden powerhouses of the Demon Subduing Bureau, probably no one could say what Han Wan'er would ultimately become.

Steward Chu frowned in displeasure, grabbed Han Wan'er's cheeks, and forcibly clamped her jaw shut. Then she hoisted her up and ran toward the other side of the cave.

Even a crafty hare had three burrows. These Demon Persons had been hiding here for years, so naturally they wouldn't have left themselves with only one way in and out.

Since Demon Subduing Captains had already found their way here, killing them all would be utterly meaningless. Surely more would soon find their way to Spring Full Pavilion.

From tonight onward, Chaotian Capital would be no place to stay. They had to seize their chance and escape.

With that in mind, Steward Chu had no desire to keep fighting. She left the other disciples behind to tangle with Ning Xiu and the others.

"We can't let that demon escape with Madam Han. She's the only proof that Marquis Wu Yi fell from grace halfway through. Who'll go after them?"

Qin Ben drew his saber and engaged three demons blocking his way, shouting as he fought.

Looking across the battlefield, Liu Yong, Li Yueying, and Ning Xiu were each surrounded by several demons. Breaking through quickly to pursue Steward Chu would be no easy feat.

After all, these demons were all the remnants Black Heaven Gate had planted in Chaotian Capital.

"I'll go."

Ning Xiu's body suddenly swelled, his already tall frame growing another foot.

The Mysterious Silver Lock Armor, which had been a little loose before, instantly became a poor fit.

Heavenly King Vajra Art!

As his body grew, the Startling Thunder Hammer in his hand grew much lighter.

Ning Xiu swung with all his might, driving the Great Sun Profound Scripture at full force. With sheer brute strength, he knocked two demons back with a single blow.

Seizing the opening, Ning Xiu charged out of the encirclement and raced after Steward Chu, his footsteps swift and nimble.

Seeing this, the demons hurried after him. In an instant, a strange scene unfolded: the demons chasing Ning Xiu, and Ning Xiu chasing the demons.

"What the—what kind of art is that?"

Qin Ben had seen Ning Xiu grow a full foot taller right before his eyes, becoming a little giant in the blink of an eye.

His eyes widened like copper bells, his face full of disbelief.

But the situation left no room for distraction. Every demon left behind to cover the others' retreat was a formidable fighter.

Surrounded by several demons, Qin Ben hurriedly called back his five Wolf Riders. Only then did the two sides reach a standoff.

That was thanks to Qin Daorong and his men killing many demons when they raided Spring Full Pavilion last time, greatly reducing the number of fighters under Steward Chu.

Otherwise, the number of demons Qin Ben and the others faced now would have been far more troublesome.

The moment the demons closed in, Li Yueying acted decisively and activated the Signal Arrow she had left outside.

In an instant, a column of crimson smoke shot skyward from Spring Full Pavilion, standing like a pillar that held up the heavens within Chaotian Capital. It could be seen from every direction.

Countless Demon Subduing Captains sprang into action.