After hearing this, Lu Guan exchanged a look with the sleepy-faced Tang Jun. Neither said a word.
The latter half of the night had been anything but peaceful.
The source of the disturbance was none other than nearby White Bone Mountain.
As for the true reason, only the two of them, both feeling slightly guilty, knew.
A full twelve White Bone Demons had died. Even for a force the size of White Bone Mountain, that counted as damage to its sinews and bones.
If there had been no reaction at all, that would truly have been uncanny.
Soon, when Wu Yong emerged from the central command tent with a grave expression, the officers fell silent.
"Something is amiss on White Bone Mountain. Strengthen the watch today."
The young company commander's gaze was solemn, his brows tightly furrowed, his fingers unconsciously resting on his silver-sheathed saber.
His gaze swept over everyone as he said heavily, "Demons are savage creatures. Their dispositions cannot be judged by ordinary reason. Although yesterday passed without incident, there is no guarantee they won't attack today."
Tang Jun's expression turned somewhat strange at that.
The corner of his mouth twitched. He lowered his head, pretending to adjust his belt.
Who said yesterday passed without incident?
Besides, as far as I can see, Lord Lu seems even more savage than the demons.
Recalling the youth slaying demons beneath last night's moon, Tang Jun unconsciously cast Lu Guan a look of reverence.
Huh... why does Lord Lu seem a little strange today?
He seems stronger than yesterday?
Tang Jun rubbed his eyes and took a careful look at Lu Guan.
The youth stood tall in the morning light, his expression unchanged, yet for some reason, Tang Jun kept feeling that there was an extra, indescribable layer to him.
At that thought, he could not help shaking his head.
It must be an illusion. I didn't sleep well last night, and my eyes are playing tricks on me.
A martial artist's cultivation was all about leaving a footprint with every step. Without accumulating those little steps, one could never reach a thousand miles. How could anyone suddenly grow stronger, let alone ascend to heaven in a single bound?
That was merely a fanciful tale from a storyteller's lips.
He had seen all those monstrous prodigies in the commandery city. Which of them had not been soaked in medicinal baths since childhood, guided by renowned masters, and built up with heavenly materials and earthly treasures?
Even then, they needed three years for a small step forward and over a decade for a great one.
Who could possibly shed their old bones and be reborn overnight?
Tang Jun shook those jumbled thoughts from his head, yawned, and turned toward the cooking stoves.
Lu Guan paid it no mind, though anticipation stirred in his heart.
The White Bone Demon King...
I wonder how much cultivation it would be worth.
He suppressed the thought and followed along to the cooking stoves, where he drank a bowl of hot porridge.
After such a commotion last night, if the White Bone Demon King was going to react, they would know today or tomorrow. He could make his plans then.
White Bone Mountain, the Demon King's Cave.
A bloody stench assaulted the nose inside the cave. Corpses, bones, and rotting flesh littered the ground. At its center lay a small lake, with an opening overhead through which daylight spilled, casting a ghastly white pillar of light onto the water.
Beside the lake, two enormous figures sat facing each other.
Ghostly flames flickered restlessly in the eye sockets of a nine-foot skeleton. "Those damned blackskins! I hadn't even made a move, and they went and slaughtered twelve of my brothers."
"They're... they're simply courting death!"
As it spoke, it looked across at the other figure.
It had an extraordinarily muscular humanoid body. Beneath bronze skin, every inch of muscle knotted and coiled, sleek and brimming with strength.
Its shoulders were broad enough to carry an ox, its arms as thick as the trunks of century-old trees.
And its head was an enormous tiger's head, its eyes as large as lamps.
The tiger demon of Yellow Flower Ridge!
It spoke with a savage grin, revealing a mouthful of stark white fangs. With every breath, muffled thunder rolled from its chest. "Such fine blood food delivered right to our door. Wouldn't it be squandering heaven's gifts not to enjoy it?"
The White Bone Demon King hesitated a moment before saying, "But Zhou Kaishan only asked us to butcher that blackskin called Lu Guan. The others aren't part of the deal."
The ghostly flames in its sockets flickered, and a measure of concern entered its voice.
"That's why I say you're a pedant." The tiger demon was dismissive. "Who the hell is Zhou Kaishan? Am I supposed to spit out something I've already swallowed?"
"What could he possibly do to me?"
It plainly thought nothing of that commandant of the Demon Suppression Bureau.
And indeed, that was the case.
This was a great demon comparable to the late True Qi Realm!
Its flesh and bones were impervious to blades and spears. Ordinary True Qi Realm martial artists could not even break its skin.
It was precisely this creature's presence that had turned Qianqiu County into a flesh-and-blood granary for demons. Even Zhou Kaishan, a commandant in the mid True Qi Realm, had to obediently cooperate.
No one could count how many of the missing people had ended up in this tiger demon's belly.
"Since you've spoken, Lord Tiger, naturally I'll do as you say."
The White Bone Demon King gave a fawning laugh, its bony jaws clacking together with a strange "clack, clack, clack."
"Then... shall we go together?"
The tiger demon glanced sidelong at the White Bone Demon King and asked oddly, "What would you go for?"
With that, its massive body abruptly rose. Its shadow engulfed the nine-foot skeleton entirely, as though a small mountain had pressed down upon it. Scarlet light gleamed in its lantern-sized tiger eyes.
It stretched its mouth into a grin, revealing a row of coldly gleaming fangs:
"I alone will suffice."
Fuck!
With its intentions laid bare, the White Bone Demon King cursed inwardly.
That damned stupid tiger only knows how to eat alone. It won't even give me a share.
Truthfully, with so many Qi and Blood Realm human treasure demons before it, it would have been a lie to say it did not crave them.
But cowed by the tiger demon's ferocity, the White Bone Demon King could only laugh ingratiatingly. "Yes, yes, yes. Naturally, they're for you alone to enjoy, Lord Tiger."
The tiger demon nodded in satisfaction, then turned sideways, revealing a petite figure.
The woman's hair was disheveled and her face filthy, but her delicate features were still faintly visible. A wad of cloth was stuffed tightly into her mouth, bulging her cheeks, and only terrified whimpers could be heard.
Her hands were bound behind her back with hemp rope. Her blue-green blouse and gauze skirt were covered in mud, and several tears in the hem exposed her mud-stained calves.
"This is...?" the White Bone Demon King asked curiously.
The tiger demon's expression abruptly grew solemn, the vicious light in its slit pupils diminishing somewhat.
"This is something Lord Mountain Sovereign of Ailao Mountain has entrusted to my temporary care. While I go to feed, I'll leave this person in your keeping."
The White Bone Demon King did not look at the bound woman. All its attention was on the Mountain Sovereign the tiger demon had mentioned.
"Lord Tiger... you mean Lord Mountain Sovereign has come to Qianqiu County!"
The ghostly flames danced within its eye sockets. The skeleton was clearly far from calm.
How rare it was for white bones to become a demon.
Had that lord not casually enlightened it, it would still have been nothing but a pile of rotten bones buried in the earth.
The tiger demon shot it a glance, a warning in its slit pupils. "Lord Mountain Sovereign came here to visit a friend. His whereabouts are secret. If you hadn't been enlightened by Lord Mountain Sovereign himself, I would never have breathed a word."
"Remember to keep your mouth sealed tight, or it'll cost you your miserable life!"
The White Bone Demon King naturally nodded repeatedly. "This lowly demon understands. This lowly demon understands."
It paused, its ghostly flames dimming slightly, and a trace of cautious hope entered its voice:
"After so many years, might this lowly demon have a chance to see Lord Mountain Sovereign once more?"
The tiger demon considered for a moment, then pointed at the woman. "Keep a close eye on her. After today, come with me to wait at Yellow Flower Ridge. Once Lord Mountain Sovereign returns from visiting his friend, you'll naturally be able to see him."
With that, its massive body headed out of the cave.