In the thirty-third year of the Dagan Wushen Sect, on the third day of the third lunar month.
On his way back to Yangzhou City after visiting his family, the Cao Gang's newly appointed Dragon King, Li Xian, killed the Crimson Viper Snake Demon, one of the Seventy-Two Demon Marshals, at Twin Hump Peaks in Bai Liu City. He wiped out the rest of her subordinates as well, leaving none alive.
The news spread quickly throughout Qingzhou Prefecture, carried far and wide by people with their own agendas.
By comparison, the news that the Escort Association in Nanfeng City had vanished without a trace overnight seemed rather feeble.
In the prefectural capital of Qingzhou, people everywhere were discussing Li Xian's slaying of the Crimson Viper Snake Demon.
"This new Dragon King of the Cao Gang is so bloodthirsty. He just killed the White Dragon Temple's Buddha Son, and now he's going after demons?"
"What are you talking about? They said he was just passing through. He didn't specifically go after demons."
"Please. That's what they say on the surface. Maybe he's just trying to pull the wool over your eyes."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Idiot. If the Cao Gang wanted to make a move against the demons, would they go around announcing it?"
"Isn't that giving them too much credit? Could the Cao Gang really be a match for the Seventy-Two Demon Routes?"
"Exactly. They're not even in the same league. The Cao Gang is strong, sure, but compared to the demon calamity that's left Qingzhou Prefecture in ruins, they're nowhere near strong enough."
"Sigh... Even if they're no match, the Cao Gang's daring to act now is still worthy of our respect!"
"What's there to respect? It's just the Cao Gang. They've rounded up a bunch of