https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-73-Returning-to-Linjiang-Prefecture/12940951/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-75-Green-Peak-Disciple-Slaying-Demons-and-Exterminating-Evil/12940953/
Chapter 74: The Figure at the Sword Watching Gorge
Chapter 74: The Figure at the Sword Watching Gorge
Linjiang Prefecture, Qingfeng Mountain.
At the Sword Watching Gorge.
Dozens of robust demon horses galloped day and night, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust.
With a long sigh, a deputy commander clad in a black cloak dismounted and looked towards a row of neatly arranged tents ahead.
It was early dawn, and the campfire, damp from the rain, emitted crackling sounds as black charcoal sent up wisps of white smoke.
About a dozen bodies of Golden Eagle Commanders were gathered together, all covered in sword wounds, their skin torn and flesh exposed, revealing bones.
Hong Lei led a demon horse, his eyelids twitching slightly.
If the outer camp captains were more like wandering heroes from the jianghu, skilled in teamwork and solving cases, then the inner camp captains were military men. A hundred of them formed the Demon Suppression Formation, pushing back against the demon caves with unstoppable momentum.
Any injury meant a serious situation, almost out of control.
Perhaps it was the sound of approaching hoofbeats.
A youth, also wearing a cloak but with a Golden Eagle emblem on his shoulder, emerged from a tent.
He looked at least ten years younger than Hong Lei.
His right arm was wrapped in bandages, his face pale, and his breath shallow.
He frowned with dissatisfaction, "Why are you only here now?"
"I was about to ask you the same, Deputy Commander Zhao," Hong Lei's voice carried a chill, and he rested his other hand on his sword sheath. "I gave you forty men, just to guard this Sword Watching Gorge and prevent Qingfeng Sect disciples from leaving the mountain. Is this the result?"
As he spoke, he glanced at the dozen corpses.
The Sword Watching Gorge was a high cliff, a strategic location that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Every move made by the Qingfeng disciples would be noticed by the Demon Suppressing Bureau.
Any unusual activity would provide enough time to report to higher-ups and request reinforcements.
"I don't have a habit of sitting here and daydreaming."
Zhao Kanlin raised his eyebrows disdainfully and sneered, "If not for the sudden appearance of the Wrath Sword Elder, I would have led my men to break through and reach General Chen. I would have been credited with a great achievement."
Upon hearing this, Hong Lei struggled to suppress the urge to slap him.
He lifted his gaze towards the top of the cliff.
On the edge of the cliff, a figure in a gray robe sat cross-legged, with sparse silver hair tied in a bun by a wooden hairpin. His eyes were slightly closed, his face gaunt, and his palms rested on his knees, holding a plain iron sword.
The Wrath Sword Elder of Qingfeng Sect had been a Jade Dew Perfection swordsman for many years and held quite a reputation in Qingzhou.
If not for his old age and declining health, having already lived past three hundred years, he would have had a chance to achieve the Condensation Core Realm, but he feared failure and didn't want to waste the precious opportunity of the Sword Pool.
"Although I'm injured, he also suffered a hidden loss. It'll take at least ten days to recover."
Self-satisfaction flashed in Zhao Kanlin's eyes.
He came from a renowned family and used their secret technique. With his Mid-Jade Dew cultivation, he fought across realms against a famous senior from the jianghu, exchanging injuries, yet he managed to escape unscathed. It was an achievement he could boast about to anyone.
Seeing his exuberance, both the Golden Eagle Commanders at the tent and the outer camp captains on their demon horses had uncomfortable expressions.
"..."
Shen Yi maintained her composure, holding the reins.
So, this was the reason they were forcibly reassigned.
"Hmph, a great achievement," Hong Lei said, giving Zhao Kanlin a long look. "You might as well wait to get whipped when you return."
"You!" Zhao Kanlin clenched his teeth. If not for his bad luck and being stranded here, urgently needing men to guard the area, he wouldn't tolerate a deputy commander from the outer camp speaking to him like this. It was disrespectful and unruly.
Hong Lei ignored him and turned, saying, "Outer camp disciples, dismount!"
About forty people dismounted in unison.
Hong Lei walked past them, "I didn't have time to explain earlier. Most of you aren't under my command. I'm Hong, a deputy commander in the Demon Suppressing Bureau for sixty years, with Mid-Jade Dew cultivation. I've been serving General Chen..." He paused, "...the same General Chen Qiankun who's currently at the top of Qingfeng Mountain."
"I understand your resentment towards these fools from Qingzhou who are as good as brain-dead."
"Rest assured, as long as you don't make any mistakes, you will all be credited with a Condensation Core Realm achievement upon our return."
With these words, the captains' faces finally showed some excitement.
You should know that to advance from a single stripe to a double stripe, one must participate in five demon-related missions in the Jade Dew Realm. To advance from a double stripe to a triple stripe, one needs to participate in over twenty such missions.
Participating in a single Condensation Core Realm demon mission is equivalent to twenty Jade Dew Realm missions.
Moreover, this mission is supposedly in the Condensation Core Realm, but in reality, they don't even need to lift a finger. They only need to guard this mountain for General Chen Qiankun.
"Three bottles of treasure medicine as a reward, an unlimited number of top-grade Initial Realm martial arts techniques, and a lower-grade Jade Dew Realm technique manual."
"Three years of salary and two months of rest."
As Hong Lei extended his hand, not only the others but even Shen Yi's eyes flickered with surprise.
The Demon Suppressing Bureau might be strict, but they are indeed generous with their rewards.
Back in Baiyun County, these rewards were beyond their wildest dreams, yet now everyone was entitled to them.
"All you need to do is guard this Long Cliff for me."
Hong Lei's voice turned solemn as he looked around, then lowered his hand and approached the first person, "What's your name and cultivation level?"
"Liu Daqian, Late Initial Realm, skilled with the blade."
"Wang Meng, Late Initial Realm, proficient in fist and palm techniques."
"Dai Bing, Early Jade Dew Realm, I... use a sword."
Hong Lei's steps faltered slightly, his gaze lingering on the woman's sleeve for a moment, where three cloud patterns stood out prominently.
Such a young Jade Dew Realm cultivator couldn't possibly be an unknown.
He casually reached out to touch the long sword at her waist, and Dai Bing's expression became complicated as she took a half-step back, protecting her sword with her hand.
Hong Lei gave a thoughtful tug at the corner of his mouth.
Then he moved on to the next person.
The young man had a slender and tall figure, with a straight back and a black, straight ceremonial sword hanging diagonally on his waist. His dark robe seemed tailored just for him.
His features were handsome and well-proportioned, and apart from his fair skin, it was hard to find any flaws.
As Hong Lei's gaze swept over the two cloud patterns on the man's sleeves, he asked softly, "Initial Realm Perfection?"
Shen Yi shook her head and said calmly, "Jade Dew Realm."
The captains were all astonished.
Although they were well-traveled Qingzhou Youth, it was usually considered an achievement to break through the Jade Dew Realm in one's seventies or eighties and become a master in charge of a sect.
To reach the Early Jade Dew Realm in one's thirties required the backing of a top-tier sect and exceptional talent.
Even if the person had maintained their youth, and their actual age was forty, it would still be extremely shocking.
Of course, what was even more unacceptable was...
Such a person had only asked a few people, and already two had appeared.
"..."
Hong Lei paused slightly, suddenly remembering the person's face.
In that small courtyard, there were two experts: the commander's apprentice and Miss Li. The big-bellied roughneck beside them looked weak, but since he could stand with them, he must also be a well-known figure, just highly skilled in concealing his aura.
Similarly, it wasn't surprising that the person before him possessed such strength.
The person could have refused, but they still followed Hong Lei to Qingfeng Mountain, a true young hero.
Thinking of this, Hong Lei's expression softened, "Rest assured, we're just guarding the cliff. Elder Chen hasn't truly decided to unsheathe his sword against Qingfeng Sect. As long as they hand over that person, we'll naturally sound the golden bell and return home."
"The prerequisite is not to imitate that spoiled young master. He's already in his forties, yet he acts like an idiot."
(End of Chapter)
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