The Visit

A quarter of an hour later.

The demons still there turned and scattered in every direction.

But in fact, only a few hundred demons remained.

[Host has slain twenty demons. Reward: Demon Lifespan, 430 years.]

The system's notification brought a smile to Chen Guan's face.

"Lord Mu, shall we continue pursuing them?"

Chen Guan's question made Mu Yuan shake his head. "There's no need. The remaining demons pose no threat to the people in the city. Once the new magistrate of Qingshi County arrives, he can send troops to wipe them out!"

Now, they had only one enemy left to face.

That was the Great Demon of Tushan who had already fled.

Chen Guan nodded, then returned to the city with Mu Yuan and the others.

Although, compared to these Demon Suppressing Division officials, Chen Guan's cultivation was far behind theirs,

his performance on Tushan had won everyone's respect.

After returning to the city, they were all happy to build a good relationship with him.

"Lord Mu, who is Mr. Zhao? He said someone higher up had instructed him to do this. Who was that person?"

That evening, Chen Guan went to Mu Yuan's room and asked.

Mu Yuan shook his head. "I'm investigating that too, but so far I haven't found a single clue! The Blazing Flame Sect colluded with demons, so they must know something. Tomorrow, we'll go straight to the Blazing Flame Sect!"

Chen Guan agreed.

The night passed without sleep.

The next morning,

Chen Guan and several Demon Suppressing Division officials set off toward the Blazing Flame Sect with Mu Yuan.

"Lord Mu, we killed Xiong Yan this time. The Blazing Flame Sect probably won't let us off easily! Won't just a few of us be too small a group?"

Chen Guan wasn't afraid.

It was just that this was his first time dealing with a martial sect, so they had to be prepared for every eventuality!

"No matter. I've already spread the word that we're going to the Blazing Flame Sect. If they dare attack us, they'll be openly defying the Imperial Court! They wouldn't have the nerve!"

Mu Yuan smiled and shook his head as he explained.

His words put Chen Guan at ease.

By dusk,

they had reached the Blazing Flame Sect.

"Lord Mu, it's been a long time! I heard you were coming, so I came out personally to welcome you!"

An old man in a red robe was already waiting in front of the Blazing Flame Sect.

Mu Yuan nodded, his expression unchanged. "You're too kind, First Elder. Is the sect leader here?"

"He is. The sect leader has already prepared a grand banquet at the sect, waiting to welcome you and your party!"

The First Elder hurriedly flashed an ingratiating smile, then led them into the Blazing Flame Sect.

The sect's disciples were training, and when they saw the visitors, they all looked displeased.

"The Blazing Flame Sect has more than a thousand disciples in all, and quite a few of them are powerful. It's an old-established sect in the martial world, with quite a reputation."

Seeing Chen Guan's puzzled expression,

Mu Yuan explained in a measured voice.

Chen Guan warily watched the Blazing Flame Sect disciples around them, ready to strike at any moment.

They entered the main hall of the Blazing Flame Sect.

The sect's senior figures had all gathered there, and the banquet had long been prepared.

"Lord Mu, please, have a seat! I've wanted to invite you here for a visit for a long time, but never had the chance!"

An old man dressed in a fiery-red robe rose to his feet.

His seat made it clear that he was the sect leader of the Blazing Flame Sect.

Mu Yuan led Chen Guan and the others straight to the guest seats without another word. Soon, several women came over to pour them wine.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes,

the Blazing Flame Sect's leader, Sun Shihu, asked directly, "Lord Mu, may I ask what brings you to the Blazing Flame Sect?"

"Sect Leader Sun, your Third Elder, Xiong Yan, accompanied me to Tushan. Today, he died there along with the other Blazing Flame Sect disciples. Naturally, I had to come and give you an explanation."

Mu Yuan lifted his cup and drained it in one go.

Sun Shihu was astonished. "That happened? Were the demons of Tushan really that powerful?"

"Not at all. Xiong Yan colluded with the demons of Tushan and tried to have me killed, so I killed him. Did you know about this, Sect Leader Sun?"

Mu Yuan spoke slowly, his expression unreadable.

But the Demon Suppressing Division officials around them had already gathered their inner energy.

The Blazing Flame Sect might not dare to go to war with the Imperial Court, but no one could be sure Sun Shihu wouldn't suddenly lose his mind.

"That can't be right, can it? I know Xiong Yan. He was a little impulsive, but he was an honorable man. Lord Mu, could you have made a mistake?"

Sun Shihu looked thoroughly unconvinced.

But Chen Guan's hawk-like eyes stayed fixed on his face.

He had clearly seen a crafty smile on Sun Shihu's face. That proved the man couldn't escape responsibility for this!

But Mu Yuan hadn't made a move, so Chen Guan continued drinking without revealing what he'd noticed.

Mu Yuan gave a cold laugh and shook his head. "So you're saying this was all Xiong Yan's personal doing, and your Blazing Flame Sect had nothing to do with it?"

"Of course. If Lord Mu has conclusive evidence, then I have nothing to say. But you mustn't accuse an innocent man! The Blazing Flame Sect has always robbed the rich to help the poor. We would never oppress ordinary people!"

Sun Shihu hurriedly nodded, speaking with an air of righteousness.

Though Chen Guan could tell there was something wrong with Sun Shihu,

he had no way to alert Mu Yuan in front of everyone.

"Good. I came here only to warn you, Sect Leader Sun: opposing the Imperial Court leads only to a dead end. I hope you'll think carefully about that!"

Mu Yuan raised his cup and drank with Sun Shihu.

His words finally put those around them at ease, and everyone drank and chatted merrily.

That evening, at Sun Shihu's warm invitation, they planned to stay at the Blazing Flame Sect for the night.

After returning to their rooms, Mu Yuan called them all together.

"Lord Mu, there's definitely something wrong with the Blazing Flame Sect's leader! I saw a crafty look on his face!"

Chen Guan's words pleased Mu Yuan, who nodded at him.

Only then did he speak. "I know. How could Xiong Yan have done something like that alone? Sun Shihu must have instructed him! But we can't attack them directly right now. Some disciples of the Phoenix Perch Sect are still here!"

"What? They brought the captives back here?"

Chen Guan asked in shock.

The Phoenix Perch Sect disciples had already suffered inhuman torture, and now they'd been brought back to be tortured again.

The Blazing Flame Sect's people truly weren't human!

"Exactly! And there must be demons lurking here as well. If a fight breaks out, they'll be hard to deal with. So our task now is to find where the Phoenix Perch Sect disciples are being held, then join forces with them to attack!"

Mu Yuan gave them their orders.

Just then, a Demon Suppressing Division official suddenly let out a scream, his face as pale as paper.

Then he collapsed to the floor, frothing at the mouth.