Sir, This Subordinate Suggests Calling for Backup!

An hour later, inside a temporarily requisitioned courtyard in Qinglin City, a hundred miles northeast of Black Stone City.

Wei Qing looked at the seven or eight people standing sparsely before her, her eyes twitching almost imperceptibly.

This… is all the elite she could gather in this area on short notice?

The highest cultivation was Centurion Zhao Changyuan, at the sixth level of the Qi Induction Realm.

The rest were patrol officers from nearby towns who had fortunately not been out on missions, mostly hovering around the first or second level of the Qi Induction Realm.

There was even a young man who had just barely stepped into the Qi Induction Realm, his aura still unstable.

Centurion Zhao saw Wei Qing's gaze sweep over them, and a wry smile spread across his face as he cupped his hands.

"Reporting to Pacification Envoy, it's not that your subordinate wasn't diligent."

"It's just… Yuan Province is currently experiencing an explosion of Yao and Mo incidents. My subordinate's command should have dozens of patrol officers…"

"But now, more than half have been dispatched or have gone to support various locations on their own. Only a handful, like Brother Li Si, remain here."

"Just two days ago, I dealt with three second-tier Yao creatures within Qinglin City. I was about to rest and then head to another location for support when I received your Beacon Fire Token."

The implication was that if it hadn't been a coincidence, even he, the pillar of support, might not have been here.

Wei Qing nodded slightly, understanding the situation, and didn't blame them without reason.

She swept her gaze over everyone, her clear and cold voice ringing out, "The situation is urgent, so I'll keep this brief."

"Black Stone City has been completely sealed by an unknown black mist. Its aura is extremely malevolent. It's feared that a monstrous Yao or an evil entity of immense power has appeared."

"The Prefect cannot provide aid and has ordered us to investigate first."

Li Si, upon hearing this, turned pale, his palms sweating.

He's really just a patrol officer at the first level of Qi Induction.

He struggles to deal with minor first-tier Yao normally. Now, even a Pacification Envoy at the mid-stage of Spirit Condensation finds it troublesome…

This is clearly a high-stakes game of sending oneself to death!

Ever since that incident in Creek Stone Village, if not for Young Master Wang Lang's intervention, he probably wouldn't have been able to deal with that white fox Yao.

It was after that that the chaos in various parts of Yuan Province completely got out of hand.

Thinking of Wang Lang, his eyes darted around, and he quickly bowed.

"L-Lord, this humble subordinate has something to say…"

Wei Qing looked at him. "Please speak."

"We're short on people, why don't we… invite some outside help?"

Li Si swallowed and continued.

"Within a hundred-mile radius, there might be reclusive experts or traveling disciples from sects."

"For example, the three second-tier Yao creatures from a few days ago were not actually slain by us.

It was Young Master Wang Lang of Listening Waves Mountain Manor and a few rogue cultivator experts who helped resolve them."

Zhao Changyuan also nodded. "That's true. Although that Young Master Wang is young, he has the cultivation of the Spirit Condensation Realm, his Dharma Idol is quite extraordinary, and he's a righteous person. Perhaps… we could ask for his assistance."

"Oh?" Wei Qing raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

In such a remote area, there are cultivators in the Spirit Condensation Realm in seclusion?

This is an unexpected bonus.

She pondered for a moment, her eyes shifting slightly, and immediately took out a jade token. "Alright! If that's the case, I, Wei Qing, swear in the name of the Jade Faced Guard Pacification Envoy of the Demon Subduing Division:

Anyone who assists in handling the Black Stone City incident this time, regardless of their background or cultivation, after the matter is resolved, may choose one artifact of corresponding grade from the Demon Subduing Division's armory based on their merits, or one cultivation technique or spell secret manual!

Furthermore, all personnel participating from the Demon Subduing Division, as long as they do their best, will be credited with a major contribution, regardless of the final outcome!"

As soon as she said this, the originally anxious crowd's eyes immediately lit up.

The Demon Subduing Division's armory collection and cultivation technique manuals held immense appeal for rogue cultivators and disciples of small sects!

And a major contribution was directly related to promotion, resources, and even the blessings of their descendants.

Even Centurion Zhao's breathing became heavier.

He had been stuck at the sixth level of the Qi Induction Realm for a long time. Perhaps with this, he could get a chance to break through!

Wei Qing put away the jade token and quickened her pace. "Now, Centurion Zhao, Patrolman Li, the two of you will accompany me to Listening Waves Mountain Manor to pay a visit to Young Master Wang Lang."

"The rest of you, immediately disperse and head within a hundred miles of Qinglin City to seek out Qi Refinement masters and Body Tempering warriors with true skills, and invite them with sincerity."

"Yes, sir!"

The crowd responded in unison, their eyes filled with burning fighting spirit instead of worry, and then they quickly dispersed, each going to their assigned task.

Mingyue Mountain, Listening Waves Mountain Manor.

Wang Lang had just finished completely skinning the tiger demon yesterday, and the meat was cut and hung to dry.

The whip-like object was also taken by Su Yao to soak in a secret medicinal wine, as she had requested, with great interest.

At this moment, he was contemplating his next round of going to the bottom of the Dadu River to AFK and cultivate.

As soon as he pushed open the manor gate, he saw three people standing outside.

Two were old acquaintances, Centurion Zhao Changyuan and Patrolman Li Si from the Demon Subduing Division.

The other was a woman with a tall and straight posture, her handsome face carrying a heroic air.

Although she was wearing practical, close-fitting clothes, the material and the details of the tailoring, as well as the Demon Subduing Division jade token hanging from her waist, all indicated her extraordinary status.

Wei Qing was also sizing up Wang Lang.

Upon seeing him, a hint of surprise flashed through her mind.

The man before her had a robust and powerful physique, his muscles flowing with a sense of strength, making him seem more like a martial artist specializing in Body Tempering than a common Qi Refinement cultivator.

Yet, he was subtly enveloped by an indescribable aura, which was not the blood energy of martial arts, but rather felt like...

the Righteous Qi cultivated by scholars?

No, more than that. The purity and abundance of this righteous energy were more awe-inspiring and transparent than that of many great Confucian scholars she had met.

Of course, she didn't understand that this was the passive effect brought about by Wang Lang's trait called Righteousness.

Upon seeing Wang Lang, Li Si's face immediately broke into a smile like he had seen a savior. He quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"Young Master Wang, apologies for the intrusion!"

"This is Pacification Envoy Wei, a Jade Faced Guard from the Demon Subduing Division headquarters in the Central Province. She has come with an urgent request!"

Centurion Zhao also cupped his hands in greeting, then added with a grave expression:

"Young Master Wang, something major has happened in Black Stone City."

"According to Pacification Envoy Wei, the entire Black Stone City has been completely enveloped by a strange demonic mist, with an extremely ominous aura."

"Pacification Envoy Wei was ordered to investigate, but is short-handed and has come to ask for your assistance."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lang's relaxed expression instantly vanished, replaced by surprise: "Black Stone City is completely enveloped by demonic mist?"

"This... I only went there late a few nights ago, and I didn't detect anything unusual in the city!"

"What? Young Master Wang went to Black Stone City a few nights ago?" Wei Qing's eyes narrowed, and Li Si and Centurion Zhao also looked astonished.

Wang Lang nodded and explained, "After I dealt with those three demons in Qinglin City a while back, on my way back to the manor, I heard that Qi Family Village nearby was suffering from famine, so I stopped by to take a look."

"Many of the young and strong men from that village were conscripted to work in the western district of Black Stone City."

"I had my doubts, so I infiltrated the city that night to investigate."

He naturally omitted the details of killing and distributing grain, continuing:

"There were indeed many workers resembling villagers in the western district of Black Stone City constructing fortifications, and... the order was maintained, lights were bright, and although the supervisors were strict, I didn't sense any demonic or ghostly energy."

After hearing this, Wei Qing pondered, "Was Young Master Wang primarily using spiritual perception or visual observation at the time?"

"Both. I used my eyes in the dark, supplemented by spiritual perception," Wang Lang replied.

Upon hearing this, Wei Qing's tone became solemn: "Then it is highly likely that what Young Master saw at the time was already an illusion."

If you find this book to your liking, please remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.