The Spirit Cranes steadily descended.
Gradually, an ancient-looking city came clearly into view.
It was dusk.
Cooking smoke curled upward within the city. People streamed along the bustling streets, while vendors on both sides made exaggerated gestures, seemingly doing everything they could to attract passersby's attention.
Zhang Jing shifted his gaze away from these people and looked elsewhere.
The roads outside the city were crisscrossed with gullies, and a faint dark-red hue showed through the earth. Cracks covered the city walls, and nearby stood many collapsed houses, overgrown with weeds.
Desolation! Ruin! Deathly silence!
It stood in stark contrast to the bustling scene in the city center he had just seen.
"Junior Brother, those are the traces left by the earlier fighting between the Dao Academy disciples and the many demons of Langya Commandery."
Senior Brother Ding noticed Zhang Jing's gaze and explained in a low voice beside him.
Then.
He turned toward the other three and called out loudly:
"Bring your Spirit Cranes over here to Junior Brother Zhang and me. I'll go over the details of this mission once more."
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
Everyone answered, steering their Spirit Cranes swiftly toward Senior Brother Ding.
"The reward for this mission is seventy-five Dao Merit. I suggest we divide it equally this time. What do you think? As for demon corpses and various materials, we'll do things the usual way."
Senior Brother Ding glanced at Zhang Jing, thought for a moment, then asked everyone.
"No problem!"
At his words, all three, including Senior Sister Tong, involuntarily looked toward Zhang Jing, knowing smiles appearing on their faces as they answered in unison.
"Since no one objects, I'll explain the specific details of this mission."
Senior Brother Ding cleared his throat, then said:
"According to the mission instructions, we'll start from Black Mountain County's county seat in Langya Commandery and head east, clearing out the demons in nine counties along the way, before finally reaching Langya Commandery City to meet up with our senior brothers."
"Pay attention! Although our senior brothers and sisters have already cleared these places once, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down. Especially Junior Brother Zhang, since this is your first mission and should also be your first encounter with demons. You must exercise the utmost caution and absolutely must not be careless."
"Demons will only be more vicious, cruel, and cunning than you imagine!"
"Yes, Senior Brother."
"Understood, Senior Brother."
"Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother. I'll be sure to keep it firmly in mind."
They each answered, their vigilance unconsciously increasing.
Meanwhile.
At the Black Mountain County offices below.
Inside a lavish hall.
Four people sat around a square table, drinking, chatting, and laughing. Delicacies rarely seen in ordinary times were carried in by serving maids, one plate after another, as though they cost nothing.
Dressed in official robes and wearing a dignified expression, the county magistrate sat in the lower seat, pouring wine into the others' cups from a wine pot as he offered flattering words:
"This humble magistrate thanks you Immortal Elders for tirelessly protecting Black Mountain County all this time. Thanks to your abilities, the many common folk of our county have been able to preserve a haven amid the demons rising everywhere in Langya Commandery! We truly don't know how to express our gratitude."
"I could only prepare a few cups of humble wine as a small token of appreciation. I hope you three won't mind."
Seated above the county magistrate were three men in gray.
One had a copper-coin-sized black mole on his face that looked particularly conspicuous. Another had an aged face and a hoarse voice. The last was tall and powerfully built as an ox, with an exceedingly honest-looking face.
At the county magistrate's words.
The man with the black mole immediately drained his cup, laughed heartily, and declared magnanimously:
"Hahaha! When the world suffers and demons run rampant, cultivators should naturally step forward to safeguard the peace. The three of us brothers have merely contributed what little strength we possess. We hardly deserve such praise, County Magistrate."
"Our elder brother is absolutely right!"
"There's no need to stand on ceremony, County Magistrate. The three of us are already more than satisfied with this hospitality."
Hearing this, the county magistrate could not help breathing a sigh of relief and said with a smile:
"As long as you're satisfied. As long as you're satisfied."
With that, he clapped his hands.
A squad of constables immediately led more than a dozen young women slowly into the hall. For a moment, the three men at the table stared, transfixed.
Noticing their expressions.
The county magistrate nodded almost imperceptibly, then said cautiously:
"These women are mere mortals. Grateful for the tremendous effort you Immortal Elders have put into protecting Black Mountain, they volunteered to come serve and look after you, demonstrating the simple sincerity of our people."
"In this humble magistrate's opinion, why not give them a chance, three Immortal Elders?"
"Well..." The old man among the three seemed conflicted, then sighed. "Very well, very well. After all, the people mean well. If we refuse, we might hurt their feelings."
"Sorry for the trouble, County Magistrate, but please have someone take them to our lodgings to wait."
The man with the black mole spoke.
But just then.
A middle-aged man dressed as a Private Secretary strode into the hall. He had only just approached the County Magistrate's ear to say something when the magistrate interrupted him:
"Private Secretary, the three Immortal Elders are here. Such behavior is rather discourteous. Whatever it is, speak openly."
"Sir, five Daoists in blue robes have come to the county offices. They say they're Dao Academy disciples."
What?!
The County Magistrate's pupils contracted. He hurriedly rose and bowed to the three men. "Immortal Elders, Dao Academy Immortal Elders have arrived. I must go welcome them first. I beg your understanding."
"Haha, naturally. The three of us will go with you, County Magistrate. This is a fine opportunity to see just how impressive the legendary Dao Academy disciples are."
The man with the black mole rose as well, speaking with a calm expression.
Before long.
Under the county magistrate's lead, the four headed together toward the front hall of the county offices.
Elsewhere.
"Senior Brother, why did we come straight to the county offices this time?" Tong Yao asked in puzzlement.
Hearing this, Senior Brother Ding shook his head and explained with a smile:
"This time is different. Junior Sister, did you and the others notice on the way here that Black Mountain County actually looked entirely peaceful, without the slightest sign of demons causing trouble?"
"But the mission issued by the Dao Academy can't be wrong. It's said that the Surveillance Pavilion has an Immortal Mirror that watches over all directions, and the Spirit Dao Pavilion's Demon-Suppression Missions are determined through it. So... there must be demons causing trouble in Black Mountain County."
"We'll first ask at the county offices about any recent unusual occurrences. That will help us narrow down our search."
As he spoke.
A jumble of footsteps rapidly approached.
The next moment, the County Magistrate appeared before Zhang Jing and the others, looking constrained. He bowed deeply. "This humble magistrate is Shen He. I was unaware of your arrival, Immortal Elders, and failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me!"
"County Magistrate Shen, let me ask you: have any strange incidents occurred within Black Mountain County recently?"
Senior Brother Ding, standing at the front, asked.
As soon as he finished speaking.
The county magistrate looked up at Senior Brother Ding and asked with a puzzled expression:
"May I ask where you obtained this information, immortal master?"
"As far as this humble magistrate knows, Black Mountain County has been peaceful and stable lately. Nothing has happened."
"Really?"
"I wouldn't dare deceive you in the slightest, Immortal Elder. Thanks to the tireless efforts of several other Immortal Elders recently, all the demons throughout Black Mountain County have gone into hiding."
"Several others?"
Senior Brother Ding swept his gaze over the Rogue Cultivators standing outside the door, then looked back at the county magistrate.
"In that case, we'll take our leave."