https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-371-The-Frostblade-Sword-s-Movement-Part-2-/12980543/
Chapter 370: Where is the Nightmare Demon? [Two-in-One]
Chapter 370: Where is the Nightmare Demon? [Two-in-One]
"Peace and safety!"
Everyone roared in unison.
They looked at each other, and in each person's eyes, there was a sincere expression of 'treasuring' each other.
Quietly, they went about their assigned duties.
Fang Che turned and entered his office with a somber expression, gently closing the door behind him.
In this private space, he sighed softly, looking up.
Peace and safety to all.
He said to himself.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door was knocked on gently.
The knocker was hesitant, knocking once, and then the second and third knocks were much lighter.
"Come in!"
The door opened.
Tang Zheng stepped in, looking awkward: "Greetings, Deputy Hall Master Fang."
"Tang Zheng."
Fang Che composed himself and smiled, "Take a seat. We've been partners for a long time, why so nervous? Relax. Forget the formalities; just call me Director Fang as before."
"Director Fang."
Tang Zheng tried to relax, but he still couldn't, slightly bowing, "Well, I just wanted to see you. The medicinal pills you gave me were excellent, and I..."
Fang Che smiled and said, "What brings you here today? Just tell me. Don't hold back. You know me; if I can do it, I will, and if I can't, there's no point in saying it."
Tang Zheng chuckled, scratching his head, then took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.
"What is this?" Fang Che's eyes narrowed.
"This is my... application to become a formal priest, which requires your approval, Director Fang."
Tang Zheng nodded and bowed, saying, "Director Fang, please, take a look at this..."
Looking at Tang Zheng's bowing and the humility on his face, the pleading and hope in his eyes.
Fang Che's heart suddenly warmed.
This was a truly critical moment.
The Nightmare Demon of the Only Righteous Sect.
If they encountered it, it was uncertain how many people in the Guardian Palace would survive.
But at this moment, this usually timid and fearful guy had submitted an application to become a formal priest.
"Become a priest at this time?"
Fang Che held the application, saying calmly, "If you don't become a priest, you can stay in the hall and continue doing odd jobs. There's no danger at all!"
"But if you become a priest, you'll be assigned to shifts, go out on missions, and face death."
"Have you thought this through?"
Tang Zheng's eyes instinctively shrank, but he still gathered his courage, "Yes, I have."
He said seriously, "Director Fang, don't think I'm a coward. But ever since I was young, my dream has been to become a Guardian. I've always dreamed of it. However, as I grew up, I became more and more timid. I tremble at the sight of blood, hide when there's a fight, and I'm even more afraid to kill. I practice hard every day, but to no avail."
"I'm deeply disappointed in myself, but I just can't muster the courage. I've cursed my cowardice countless times and sworn to change, but when the time comes, I still can't even kill a chicken at home."
"Until I grew up, I had sealed away my dream. I admitted to myself that I was a useless person. I knew that in this lifetime, I would never become a Guardian. So, I begged my brother-in-law to pull some strings and got me a job at the Guardian Palace. I said it was for a living, but my family is actually quite well-off, and I don't earn much here."
"At first, I just thought that if I couldn't become a Guardian, I could do something related to Guardians, even if it was just serving them tea. But after coming here, I became lazier. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I dream of my past self and call myself naive."
"It wasn't until you, Director Fang, a true Guardian, came along that I understood what it meant to be a real Guardian."
Tang Zheng's eyes shone with eagerness as he said, "Director Fang, you are a true Guardian!"
"For a long time, I've been thinking that if I can't become a Guardian, I want to be a Guardian like you. But to be a Guardian, one must at least reach the rank of a priest. Someone like me can only be considered a staff member of the Guardian Palace, not a Guardian."
"So, I changed my goal. I want to become a priest. Director Fang, I've been working hard for half a year."
"Recently, I finally broke through to the Second Rank General. And now, even though I'm still timid, when I see a fight, I don't hide anymore. I..."
Tang Zheng straightened his chest and said, "This morning, I even killed seven chickens at home with my own hands!"
"I know others will laugh at me, but... this is the first time I've taken a life. Before this, I didn't even dare to kill a fish. The most I've killed are mosquitoes, and I'm even afraid of cockroaches..."
Fang Che smiled warmly.
There was not a hint of ridicule in his smile.
Tang Zheng looked at Fang Che's smile, and his eyes suddenly turned red.
From Fang Che's smile, he deeply felt understood.
This understanding warmed his heart.
"How did it feel to kill the chickens?" Fang Che asked with a smile.
"The first one, I was afraid. When I saw the chicken's blood flowing out, I trembled, and my hands were shaking."
Tang Zheng continued, "When I killed the second and third chickens, I still felt some fear, but it was much better. By the seventh chicken, I could remain calm, but my heart was still pounding."
"Fang Che couldn't help but laugh sincerely and said, "Congratulations, Tang Zheng. You've conquered yourself."
With just these words, Tang Zheng suddenly choked up, "Thank you, Director Fang."
"In life, we encounter countless battles, but the most challenging battle is conquering ourselves!" Fang Che spoke gently, "Anyone who can overcome their inner struggles is a true warrior."
"Conquering our cowardice, laziness, physical limits, and reliance on luck, and leaving everything behind... that's what makes a warrior. Tang Zheng, you've taken the first step."
He picked up Tang Zheng's application and placed it in the most noticeable spot in front of him, smiling, "I'll discuss your application with the Hall Master, and I'll sign it. I believe you'll become a true Guardian, and in the future, you might even become a genuine Guardian!"
"I'll sign it anytime!"
Fang Che said, "Tang Zheng, work hard!"
Then, with certainty, he said, "Starting today, you can go on patrol by yourself."
"Yes!"
Tang Zheng responded enthusiastically, his voice filled with vigor as if using all his strength to salute respectfully, his face glowing with excitement.
"Thank you, Director Fang."
Watching Tang Zheng leave, Fang Che couldn't help but shake his head.
Tang Zheng's cultivation was sufficient, but his courage needed more work, and Fang Che was willing to acknowledge his progress.
For so long, Tang Zheng's every action had been observed by Fang Che, and all his improvements were noticed.
He believed that with just a little more courage, Tang Zheng would become a truly qualified Priest.
A truly qualified Guardian!
Guardians don't necessarily need exceptional martial skills, but they must possess adequate abilities to handle general situations with force when necessary.
Most importantly, they must have great love in their hearts!
...
Tang Zheng left with a radiant face. Facing the teasing of the crowd, he proudly announced, "I can patrol the streets independently!"
Instantly, everyone burst into laughter, "Congratulations, congratulations!"
Tang Zheng was surrounded by the group, his face filled with pride, repeatedly bowing in gratitude.
Previously, Tang Zheng had to patrol with others as an assistant or helper. He didn't have the authority to manage a territory on his own and could only assist other Priests.
So, what did independent patrolling represent? Everyone understood it better than anyone else.
Jing Xiuyun smiled and said, "Tang Zheng, you must perform well. You've come this far thanks to Director Fang, so don't forget him in the future."
Tang Zheng smiled widely but spoke seriously, "In this life, Director Fang will forever be my idol and my savior!"
He solemnly said, "A debt of gratitude as heavy as Mount Tai!"
Everyone's faces turned serious.
These four words, 'A debt of gratitude as heavy as Mount Tai,' were not spoken lightly.
But thinking about Fang Che's arrival and Tang Zheng's transformation during this time, which could be described as a 'complete metamorphosis,' they couldn't help but acknowledge it silently.
Everyone had witnessed Tang Zheng's growth.
Sincerely, they said, "Tang Zheng, work hard!"
"Yes!"
...
In the office, Fang Che suppressed his surging emotions.
He took out the communication jade and contacted the Five Spirit Gu.
He sent a message to Yin Shengong: "Master, my vacation is over, and I've returned to the Guardian Palace. Moreover, my position and rank have been promoted. I'm now the Chief Priest of the White Cloud Continent Guardian Palace and the Deputy Hall Master of the Battle Hall."
"Congratulations on your promotion, Director Fang," Yin Shengong sent his regards.
"Master, don't tease me. I haven't received a promotion in the One Heart Sect yet, but I've jumped several ranks here." Fang Che took the opportunity to ask for a promotion.
Yin Shengong's expression turned awkward.
This guy is an office-seeker.
Always asking for promotions every few days, is there anything else on your mind besides this?
"Was the vacation enjoyable?" Yin Shengong changed the subject.
"It was great. I had about ten days and went back to Azure Wave City."
Fang Che said, "At home, I brought Night Meng to my mother to kowtow. She said that she wanted to meet you in person to express her gratitude for the match you made."
Yin Shengong's expression became complicated, and he said, "I'm not in a convenient position to visit your family. Let your family develop naturally, and don't make any special changes."
"Okay. I'll listen to you, Master."
"Be mindful of your family's safety; I'll also keep an eye on them."
"Yes."
"Is there anything else? The rest of the group might arrive this afternoon. But this batch needs proper guidance from you. I took a look, and they do seem a bit mixed." Yin Shengong said this with a slightly heated face.
Thinking about the big talk he had made.
And then looking at the current group.
This is just ridiculous!
"Huh?"
Fang Che screamed, "Master, you wouldn't, would you? If they're like the previous batch, I'll be truly dumbfounded. If clients see such escorts, they'll be scared out of their wits, let alone entrust their goods to them."
Yin Shengong coughed, wanting to say that this batch is even worse than the previous one.
However, he didn't dare to speak up.
The crime of being a pitiful disciple, he himself was probably going to escape.
"Just do your best. Even the demon in headquarters listens to you, so our sect should be even easier," Yin Shengong encouraged.
"Those in headquarters are killers... Do I have to kill everyone in our sect too...?"
Fang Che couldn't help but feel resentful, "Master, what are these people like?"
Yin Shengong sighed, "If they need to be killed, then kill them. It's no big deal, and after they're dealt with, Master will give you another batch."
"Master, hearing those words, I feel completely hopeless."
Yin Shengong was left speechless.
"Focus, and do your job properly."
"I can't focus... Sigh, Master, I've been in the Guardian Palace for two days and two nights without going home. I'm so busy that I'm at my wit's end. Something big has happened here, and I can't even make it to the Escorts."
Yin Shengong was taken aback and asked anxiously, "What's the matter?"
"We've been attacked by the Nightmare Demon. Over fourteen to fifteen thousand people have died in White Cloud Continent. Moreover, White Apple Continent and White Elephant Continent have also received news of similar occurrences. The entire Southeast is on high alert, and no one is allowed to go home. Everyone is on duty, ready to respond at any time."
"Sigh, White Cloud Continent is truly a land of troubles. I just got back, and now I'm at my wit's end."
Fang Che began to reveal his true intentions.
"Nightmare Demon?"
Yin Shengong's expression turned solemn, "The Nightmare Demon has appeared in White Cloud Continent?"
"Yes."
"Then you must be careful."
Yin Shengong explained, "The Nightmare Demon has likely just awakened and needs to absorb the energy of dream spirits. During this time, many lives will be lost."
"What?"
Fang Che hurriedly replied, "Let me just wail first. Why did the Nightmare Demon choose White Cloud Continent? Couldn't he have chosen somewhere else? Moreover, if he just awakened, why not rest in headquarters? What's he doing here? And what does 'just awakened' mean?"
Yin Shengong finally moved on from the topic of the 'new escort captain who pits his disciples'. He said, "According to legends, around three thousand years ago, the Nightmare Demon mastered the Grand Dream Art and infiltrated the Guardian Continent, planning to ambush the Eastern Military Advisor. In the dream, he intended to kill the highest-ranking members of the Guardians. However, for some unknown reason, the Eastern Military Advisor counterattacked after entering the dream, shattering the Nightmare Demon's dream world and dream heart, causing the Grand Dream Art to backfire. The Nightmare Demon has been asleep for three thousand years."
"Since the Nightmare Demon has appeared in White Cloud Continent, and he's taking lives in dreams, it seems he has awakened."
Yin Shengong said, "But a battle of this level shouldn't have much to do with a small deputy hall master like you from the Guardian Palace."
Fang Che responded, "I was hoping to make some achievements, but I can't possibly capture the Nightmare Demon to gain merit. That's too much credit."
Yin Shengong laughed, "Don't be so ambitious. Now that the Nightmare Demon has awakened, his nightmare guards will also wake up. With just two of them, they can easily destroy White Cloud Continent."
"Then I should stay far away and pray that I don't encounter them during my mission."
"Yes, there shouldn't be any issues. The Nightmare Demon is probably focused on restoring his strength. You just need to be cautious of the Divine Deity Sect. The Nightmare Demon shouldn't target you, and it's said that his martial prowess isn't very strong. His true strength lies in the Grand Dream Art, which can instantly put his opponents to sleep and kill them silently."
"Master, the Divine Deity Sect? Why is the Divine Deity Sect involved?"
"Now that the Nightmare Demon has come to the Southeast, he must have a target. And in the Southeast, the Divine Deity Sect's leader, Kou Yifang, gained his position by flattering one of the Nightmare Demon's nightmare guards. In other words, the Divine Deity Sect is the backer and support of our sect."
"The Nightmare Demon has been dormant for so many years, and his faction's strength has greatly weakened. As for Kou Yifang in the Southeast, they can't even stand tall, always inferior to me and Hai Wu Liang, and their status is even lower than Guan Shandu. This is the reason."
"But let's not get ahead of ourselves. If the Nightmare Demon is awake, he won't need to rely on Kou Yifang."
As Yin Shengong spoke, he became more concerned, "But with the Nightmare Demon's appearance, the Divine Deity Sect will gain confidence. If we can seize this opportunity to help the Nightmare Demon recover, it might even impact the status of our One Heart Sect."
Fang Che was dismissive, "The Divine Deity Sect is nothing compared to our One Heart Sect."
"That kind of thinking is unacceptable. The Divine Deity Sect has been dormant for so many years, recuperating and growing in strength. The sect is not weak, and they have many experts.
"Moreover, due to their dormancy, the location of their main hall is unknown even to me."
"Now that the Nightmare Demon has come to the Southeast, he will definitely settle in a densely populated area. Once he does, Kou Yifang and his people will surely follow closely. This power is beyond what your Guardian Palace can match."
"You must be careful. Don't provoke him; the Nightmare Demon's terrifying power is beyond your imagination."
"Yes, Master."
Fang Che's eyes lit up, "Then I'll just put on a show and get by with superficial efforts."
Yin Shengong still had some concerns, "Our sect is already well-known in headquarters. If the Nightmare Demon comes looking for us, it's not surprising. During this time, no matter what, keep a low profile.
"Yes, sir."
The communication ended.
Fang Che sat in his chair, his brows furrowed in deep concern.
Yin Shengong had revealed a lot of information to him.
But from the news provided by Yin Shengong, it was evident that this incident was extremely severe.
Nightmare Demon, Nightmare Soul, Divine Deity Sect.
Moreover, there would undoubtedly be more deaths, and the number would certainly not be small! Because the Nightmare Demon needed Dream Spirits to recover.
However, the bodies of those killed by the Nightmare Demon the previous night had all been cremated. It was uncertain how many Dream Spirits could be absorbed.
But regardless of the number, it was certain that it wouldn't be enough.
Next, in the southeast region, there would be mass deaths on a large scale.
If the Nightmare Demon wasn't eliminated, as long as it continued to exist, then the seven continents of the southeast would turn into a ghostly realm, and it wouldn't be surprising if over a billion people were wiped out in their sleep.
Then, he suddenly remembered something and rushed out in a hurry.
"Everyone, assemble!"
"Hua!"
In an instant, everyone gathered together.
"We've overlooked a major matter. With the appearance of the Nightmare Demon, and just from investigating the bodies in the city, we've found so many. What about the villages and towns outside the city? What about the estates?"
"How many more people have died? Have the bodies been cremated?"
"Spread out and go outside the city! Hurry and take care of it."
"Yes, sir!"
Over two hundred people immediately dispersed.
Tang Zheng also followed.
Fang Che quickly left after informing Yuan Jingjiang.
Yuan Jingjiang rushed to report to the Palace Lord.
Song Yi Dao suddenly realized that they had only been focusing on the city, and with their minds constantly on edge, they had overlooked the areas outside. Their faces paled at this realization.
An emergency mobilization was quickly initiated.
Indeed, the areas outside the city had also suffered a devastating calamity.
In some villages, not a single person was left alive.
As the guardians from the Guardian Palace arrived, numerous bonfires were lit, and the sky was filled with rising flames. These were the bodies being burned in the name of the plague.
By the middle of the night, when everyone rushed back to tally the numbers, they were all stunned.
"Sixteen thousand?"
Fang Che's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling, and his face turned pale. "Are you sure there's no mistake in the count?"
"No mistake! Although the villages have fewer people and are not concentrated, there are still many of them... The nearby villages have thousands, and there are quite a few small towns with significant populations..."
Everyone's faces grew heavy with concern.
"In just one night, on White Cloud Continent alone, thirty thousand people..."
Fang Che felt as if his heart was being wrung, and tears finally escaped his eyes.
"Chief Fang, look!"
Zhao Ying pointed towards the direction of the raging fires, her face filled with terror.
Amidst the countless fires, there were still faint flickers of light rising into the sky.
It was as if countless fireflies filled the night sky! These were the Dream Spirits being absorbed and taken away.
"Has the hour of the rat passed?" Fang Che turned abruptly.
"Yes, it has." Everyone lowered their heads, their faces showing exhaustion and shame.
But with the entire White Cloud Continent under the Nightmare Demon's attack, the few guardians from the Guardian Palace were simply overwhelmed.
Fang Che's eyes turned bloodshot. In his mind, he issued an order.
It was better to let the Golden Horned Serpent try to intercept and devour the Dream Spirits rather than letting them return to the Nightmare Demon.
However, these Dream Spirits didn't belong to the realm of death or the realm of evil.
They could only watch helplessly as the Dream Spirits vanished into the sky.
Fang Che punched the hard ground, creating a crater.
"Nightmare Demon, where is this old bastard hiding?"
...
Late at night.
Ye Meng was resting when he suddenly received new intelligence.
It was sent by the mysterious shadow.
It contained information about the Nightmare Demon and the Divine Deity Sect.
Ye Meng couldn't sleep anymore.
He immediately edited and sent out the information.
By the time Fang Che finally returned to the Scholar's Residence, it was already dawn.
"Why haven't you come back these past few days? Have you been busy?" Ye Meng asked.
"Many people have died in the city these past few days." Ye Meng handed him a bowl of thick porridge.
"Yes, I've been busy with this matter. Everyone's leave has been canceled, and I only managed to squeeze in some time to come back and let you know, so you wouldn't worry." Fang Che wearily drank the porridge. It was already dawn, and he needed to rest for a while before heading back to the Guardian Palace at daybreak.
"Take care and don't worry about home." Ye Meng said with concern.
"I know."
As the sky brightened, Fang Che returned to the Guardian Palace. Later, he left the group and headed to the Sky Escort Agency.
Here, the presence of the Nightmare Demon was like a ticking time bomb.
Any action from the Nightmare Demon would only bring more disaster to the already troubled White Cloud Continent.
(End of Chapter)
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