Chapter 74: Xia Qingshuang

While the City Defense Force was clearing away the demon corpses beyond the city walls, Song Yueyao reported the situation at Black Wind Mountain Range to Yue Shuhong.

Yue Shuhong immediately dispatched scouts to investigate. When the scouts arrived and laid eyes on the mountain—its peak piled high with lifeless demon carcasses—they were utterly stunned.

The number of corpses was no less than those piled outside the city. Most striking was the square, meticulously stacked platform of demon bodies at the summit, packed full of Great Demons. A rough count revealed over twenty of them.

Worse still, the scouts spotted the famed True God of Great Strength bear spirit beast—renowned throughout the region for its ferocity—now reduced to a rotting, foul-smelling corpse, stacked beneath the flesh platform like common refuse.

Trembling with fear, the scout fled back to the city, delivering the report in full to Yue Shuhong.

After hearing it, Yue Shuhong stood frozen for a long moment, then exhaled a long, slow breath of Qi.

For decades, he had held the city’s fate in his hands. He knew—without a doubt—that all the Great Demons lurking around Cangyu City had been eradicated by Li Hao.

Had it not been for the timely dispatch from Tan Palace Academy—had Li Hao not happened to receive the mission—Yue Shuhong couldn’t bear to imagine what Cangyu City would have become.

A hell on earth.

He felt both elation and sorrow. For years, a great weight had pressed upon his heart. Now, at last, it had been lifted.

Two days later.

The demon corpses beyond Cangyu City had been fully cleared. Li Hao and the others’ academy mission was officially concluded.

They had arrived in haste, but their return was calm and relaxed. Yue Shuhong personally arranged a carriage for them and escorted them to the city gate.

“Sir,” Yue Shuhong said, his expression solemn as he bowed deeply, “I’ve already reported the matter to the Prefectural Office.”

“Once everything is settled here, I will travel to the Imperial Capital myself… to request the Death Penalty.”

Outside the carriage, his voice carried quiet resolve.

Li Hao glanced at him, instantly understanding. He was taking full blame.

“You know,” Li Hao said, “if all these charges fall upon you alone, innocent families will be dragged into the punishment.”

Yue Shuhong’s face remained calm, his voice steady. “I know. That’s why I severed ties with my entire clan twelve years ago. Under the Great Yu Law, if relations are severed for over ten years, they are considered nonexistent—no kinship, no connection, and no punishment by association.”

Li Hao studied him for a moment. “So you’re quite the player at this game of chess.”

“Sir, you’ve honored me with your presence,” Li Hao replied, then withdrew his hand and lowered the carriage curtain.

“Too bad,” he added softly, “you’ll never get to taste the wine brewed from Hupao’s head.”

Yue Shuhong’s body stiffened. He fell silent for a breath, then slowly lifted his face, a faint smile spreading across his lips.

“If you ever pass through Cangyu City again, and happen to walk this road… pour a cup of wine. Let it be as if we’re drinking together.”

A breeze stirred the curtain, fluttering it slightly.

From within, a single word emerged.

“Alright.”

Yue Shuhong’s smile widened.

The carriage began to move, urged forward by the whip of the driver, gliding beneath the morning sun along the Emerald Cypress-lined Imperial Road.

The city, and the figure at the gate, slowly shrank into the distance—tiny, fading.

Yet faintly, one could still make out the man waving his arm in farewell, then bowing deeply.

Until they were lost to sight.

…

Inside the carriage, only Li Hao, Ren Qianqian, Li Yuanzhao, and the others remained.

The driver was a soldier from Cangyu City. After delivering them to Qingzhou, he would return alone.

Wei Feng had parted ways with them the previous day. With Li Hao present, there was no longer any need to secretly protect his mistress.

Now, his concern had shifted—how could he possibly stop her from agreeing to become Li Hao’s attendant?

Though Li Hao was of noble blood, Ren Qianqian was the daughter of a master. To serve as an attendant—her status would be etched into her name for life.

He needed to return at once and request reinforcements. Only her master could sway her.

As for Li Fu, still recovering from his injuries, he remained behind in Cangyu City.

Less than half a day after leaving the city, the Imperial Road ahead suddenly bore the sound of galloping hooves. Two swift horses burst into view.

The riders—recognizing the Cangyu City banner on the carriage—slowed abruptly after passing by, then abruptly turned around, reining in their horses and returning to block the carriage’s path.

“Halt!”

Two figures emerged—one man, one woman.

The man, in his twenties, wore purple battle armor, a sword at his waist, and a Feiyu hat atop his head. He carried himself with the bearing of a warrior born to command.

The woman wore fine, soft purple armor, a bow slung across her back, a sword at her hip. No helmet—her long black hair streamed behind her like a banner, flowing with the wind as she sat atop her steed.

“You’re from Cangyu City’s defense force?” The man gripped the reins tightly, his voice sharp with suspicion.

The driver, startled, barely managed to rise and kneel. “Captain Yue Ming, of Cangyu City’s Defense Unit, reporting to your honor!”

“Why are you here?” the man demanded. “Who’s inside the carriage?”

“Hear the news,” the man growled, eyes narrowing. “Cangyu City was invaded by demons. Are you deserters?”

His gaze turned icy, a killing intent flickering deep within.

The driver stammered, “No, sir! The demon crisis has been resolved. I’m escorting these Tan Palace Academy students back to Qingzhou, under the orders of the City Guardian.”

“Tan Palace Academy students?” The two riders exchanged a glance. The man’s expression eased slightly. “Have them step out. Let me see them.”

Tan Palace Academy of Qingzhou was legendary across the realm. They knew of it—but for them, it wasn’t a place they’d ever consider joining.

Inside the carriage, Yu Wei sat by the door, instantly pulling back the curtain to peer out. Who are these fools? he thought. They’re not afraid of trouble, but this carriage holds Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao—two Li clan members.

“The armor… it’s from the Xia Family,” Li Yuanzhao said, peering through the curtain.

Same Divine General’s Residence. Though he rarely traveled far, Li Yuanzhao knew the basics of the top noble families.

Seeing the youthful faces of Li Hao and the others, combined with their Tan Palace Academy uniforms, the riders immediately believed the driver.

“Now,” the woman said, her voice cold, “you said the demon crisis was over. What did you mean?”

The driver, still nervous, replied, “The demon creatures caused chaos, but luckily, the Young Master of the Li Clan intervened. He subdued the spirit beasts.”

“The Young Master of the Li Clan?” The man frowned. “Which Li Clan?”

“The Li Family of Qingzhou General’s Mansion.”

“Hmm?” Xia Yong and Xia Qingshuang exchanged a glance. Could it be them?

Then—Young Master?

To be called such, the individual must be of the third generation.

After all, the second generation were all middle-aged men—only three remained, each a legend across the land.

And yet, this demon invasion had involved fifteen Li Stage Great Demons, with tens of thousands of spirit beasts. To suppress such a force, the Xia Family would have needed two of their own fifteen Li Stage prodigies.

But the third generation? No names had surfaced in recent years.

More than a decade ago, there had been whispers of three exceptional children.

One, at six years old, had entered the sect of Wuliangshan Buddha Master—his direct disciple.

Another, trained under the Qianjishan Daoist, also a direct disciple.

And a third—born with boundless fortune and blessings. Emperor Yu himself had bestowed his name upon the child. All the world believed him a prodigy of unparalleled talent.

But then, silence.

Rumors spread—some said he had taken up the path of the Worthless One, a forbidden cultivation. Others claimed he vanished. No one knew the truth.

“Could it be the one from Mount Wu Liang?” Xia Yong muttered.

Only a third-generation Li Clan heir could be called Young Master.

And the one who had slain his way into the Qian Rank just a year ago? That was unlikely—she was a girl.

“Mount Wu Liang’s Li heir,” Xia Yong mused, eyes narrowing slightly. “She’s eighteen now. An eighteen-year-old fifteen Li Stage cultivator…”

A flicker of battle lust stirred within him.

Beside him, Xia Qingshuang remained calm. “Then we can rest easy.”

She turned to the driver. “Tell me—how many casualties?”

“Only two hundred defense soldiers injured, and thirteen fallen,” the driver replied, voice trembling with reverence.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end