Exterminating Demons (II)

With this thought in mind, Yang Ning nodded slowly:

"Then I thank you all for your generous gifts; I will certainly not fail in my mission."

"Certainly not fail? Patrol Chief Yang Ning, you shouldn't speak so boastfully."

Shen Lian urged his horse forward, looking at the heroic and spirited Yang Ning in the dark night. He felt jealous and hateful inside, but he did not show it on his face.

The moment he thought of the vicious dogs in that alley tearing this meddlesome bumpkin to shreds, he felt a surge of anticipation.

Yang Ning smiled slightly.

"Then why doesn't Young Master Shen do me the honor of entering with us, so I can witness your strength, Young Master Shen?"

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lian loosened his grip on the reins, appearing caught off guard.

"I... I am here to suppress the demons... this..."

Shen Lian had not expected that Yang Ning would not be provoked by his words, but instead turn the tables on him.

Although he possessed some cultivation, it was merely at the Body Tempering stage; even generating Hidden Force was a distant prospect.

Having passed thirty, he had spent half his life in women's beds, and the energy he had cultivated was only meant for indulging in more women.

If he were to go up and suppress a demon, that Spirit Monster would crush him with a single slap.

Just as he stood there with a flushed face, stuttering and unable to speak, Yang Ning had already led his team past him, saying nonchalantly:

"Since Brother Shen is unwilling to enter, then please wait a while. Mind your personal safety, and be careful not to be snatched away by a dog demon."

"Exactly, exactly. The young master of the Shen family is precious; some things can only be done by us officers, hahahaha."

"Hahahaha, a body of gold and jade must never take risks. Just stick to sleeping with women."

The patrolmen held a death-defying resolve for this mission, and seeing Shen Lian's pathetic display, sounds of disdain erupted from all sides.

Even the men from the other four great families who had arrived were secretly laughing.

In the street, the sounds of mockery were everywhere, only fueling Shen Lian's heavy, ragged breathing.

"You... you will surely meet a miserable end. I will wait, I will wait for your corpse to be shattered in the mire of Duck Dung Alley, unable to even be pieced back together."

He could not help but curse viciously.

The surrounding human presence faded away.

Torches flickered in the night wind, casting shifting light and shadow over the solemn faces of the Patrol Bureau members.

The entrance to Duck Dung Alley looked like a greedy, gaping maw—deep, pitch-black, and emitting a strange odor mixed with sewage, decay, and a faint, lingering stench.

The nearby homes, having been evacuated, had their doors and windows tightly shut, leaving a deathly silence where only the crackling of torches and suppressed breathing could be heard.

Yang Ning stood at the head of the team, the hem of his patrol chief's cloak, worn over his dark, tight-fitting martial attire, lifted slightly by the night breeze.

The White Jade Mask covered his face, and a cool sensation spread from the center of his brow. It not only dispelled the interference from the noisy gazes outside but also heightened his five senses to their limit.

The subtle flow of wind within the alley, the faint rustling in the distance, and even the light Demon Qi hidden in the foul air were all reflected in his mind as if magnified.

His thoughts stirred, and in the corner of his vision, pale gold text visible only to him appeared:

[Yang Ning]

[Destiny: Destined Martial Saint, Heaven Rewards Diligence]

[Realm: Tendon Changing (Mid-stage)]

[Techniques: Tiger Soul Fist (Bone Forging 4500/10000)

Wind Howling Blade Technique (Great Success 1800/10000)]

After a month of bitter cultivation, working day and night without pause, and guided by his Destiny, his cultivation had steadily progressed.

Having reached the mid-stage of Tendon Changing, his Tiger Demon Force had become increasingly refined and ferocious.

Within this month, his Wind Howling Blade Technique had reached the Small Success realm; every strike of his blade could now trigger faint wind-blades, swift and unpredictable.

The Storm Blade at his waist hummed with a faint resonance, its grey-blue blade reflecting a restrained, cold glint under the torchlight.

"A Dog Demon Leader who has just broken through to Hidden Force..."

A flicker of burning battle intent flashed in Yang Ning's eyes.

Ever since he learned that this demon might have just broken through to the Hidden Force of Bone Forging, he had pondered it deeply.

He realized that this was the perfect opponent to test his own strength and hone his fists and blade.

He had the White Jade Mask to calm his heart and focus his spirit, the Secret Artifact Ghost Abacus obtained from Chen Qi to foresee the enemy's moves, and the overbearing Tiger Demon Force and Great Success Wind Howling Blade Technique at his disposal.

He was determined to win this battle.

"Follow the plan."

Yang Ning's voice came through the mask, carrying a metallic, icy chill:

"Everyone from the Patrol Bureau, check your medicine and armaments.

Wang Biao, take your men with the heavy crossbows and specialized medicine to the rear, and wait for my command.

Patrol Chief Qian, Patrol Chief Liu, follow me to the front.

Maintain formation, and watch your footing and your flanks."

"Understood!"

The group responded in low voices, gripping their weapons tightly.

Qian Zhong held a thick, copper-clad shield in one hand, while his other hand gripped his unique coin-shaped short weapon.

Liu Qian carried a pair of heavy Refined Iron Short Staffs, his bulky frame appearing uncharacteristically steady at this moment.

Wang Biao and the four other Patrolmen scattered quickly, drawing their crossbows; the arrowheads, coated in special incendiary oil, glinted with a dangerous red light under the torchfire.

The team in the dark night moved like a fiery red blade, slowly slicing into the darkness of Duck Dung Alley.

The light from the torches in their hands could only illuminate a few yards ahead, flanked by crooked earthen walls, piles of debris, and pitch-black gaps in doors and windows.

Sewage flowed beneath their feet, requiring careful navigation.

The deeper they went, the more pungent the stench became, mixed with a hint of blood and rot.

"Watch the rooftops and the walls!"

Yang Ning warned in a low voice.

Under the enhancement of the White Jade Mask, he keenly captured several unnatural claw marks and friction traces high up on the earthen walls on both sides.

Suddenly!

"Swish, swish, swish—"

From behind a pile of discarded bamboo baskets on the left, several small black shadows darted out like arrows, lunging straight for the team's flank!

They moved with ghostly speed, emitting low, guttural growls, their emerald eyes flashing with cruel light in the darkness.

These were the Small Dog Demons mentioned in the intelligence!

They were the size of half-grown wolfhounds, but their fur was matted and filthy, their gaping maws filled with sharp teeth, and their claws glinting with an ominous dark light.

"Fire!"

Yang Ning barked.

"Thrum! Thrum! Thrum!"

Three fire arrows left the strings, trailing tails of flame as they shot precisely toward the lunging demons.

These Patrolmen were all skilled in Body Tempering, possessing powerful arm strength and rapid arrow speed.

"Awoo!"

One Small Dog Demon was struck in the shoulder blade by a fire arrow; the incendiary oil ignited upon contact, causing it to roll and howl in agony, instantly setting fire to the nearby rags and debris.

The other two arrows were nimbly dodged by the demons, but they were clearly afraid of the fire, and their momentum faltered.

"You beasts are courting death!"

Liu Qian roared, his fat body moving with surprising agility as he stepped forward, his twin staffs striking like a charging bull.

Carrying the heavy, fierce Savage Pig Force, he smashed down hard toward another Small Dog Demon that had lunged close.

"Bang!"

The staff shadows were like mountains; though the demon clawed and scratched, it could not shake off Liu Qian's force.

After a brief struggle, it was struck in the waist and abdomen by a staff; the sound of cracking bones was clearly audible as it whimpered and flew backward.

Qian Zhong stood guard on the side, using his copper shield to block a lunge from a Small Dog Demon. The force transmitted through the shield made his arm go slightly numb, and he felt a secret shock at the immense strength of these monsters.

His coin-shaped short weapon slashed out, carrying the unique cutting and rotating force of the Copper Coin Force, leaving a deep, bone-reaching wound on the demon's front leg.

Yang Ning did not strike, his gaze like lightning as he scanned the depths of the shadows.

These small demons were merely appetizers; the true leader had yet to appear.

The White Jade Mask kept his mind clear, his senses expanded as he captured every subtle disturbance in the air.

Sure enough, just as the squad repelled the first wave of attacks and pushed forward another ten yards or so, reaching a relatively open intersection, a sudden change occurred!

"ROAR—!!!"

A roar, far deeper, more violent, and filled with a fierce Sha than the previous howls of the Small Dog Demons, erupted from the darkness behind the corner of the alley ahead!

The sound wave caused the walls to shed dust, and everyone felt their blood and qi churn.

Following this, heavy footsteps rang out, sounding like muffled drums beating against their hearts.

A much larger black shadow slowly emerged from behind the corner, blocking their path.