158: Bad situation

Yun Province, Tianshi City.

A towering city wall appeared before the advancing contingent. This wall, built from massive stones, stood on a vast plain, its surface weathered and covered in mottled marks as if by wind and rain.

As one of the few large cities in Yun Province, Tianshi City was located on a vital transportation route, and numerous mineral resources had been discovered nearby. Its importance was second only to a few cities in Yun Province City.

In the past, Tianshi City's trade flourished, with an endless stream of merchant caravans. However, since a plague appeared in the city half a year ago, the number of caravans has significantly decreased, especially after a long period of lockdown. This once prosperous city has become less populated and relatively deserted.

Lu Ming looked up at this great city, his gaze cold and unmoved.

He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he keenly sensed an unusual Qi from within the city, an Qi he was very familiar with, precisely what he had felt from the snake demon.

Wu Mingjian stopped several hundred meters outside the city, his gaze warily fixed on the city. He then gestured with his hand.

The personal guard beside him immediately understood and spurred his horse, galloping towards the wide-open gate.

Xing Zhentian, leading his eight hundred odd soldiers, entered the city first with a warrant. Although there were no signs of resistance, it was always better to be cautious.

Soon, the personal guard ascended the city wall, waving a small flag to signal that there was no danger.

"Enter the city!" Wu Mingjian shouted, giving a concise command.

Immediately, the vast Demon Suppression Division army entered the city through the West City Gate, creating a considerable commotion. The residents of Tianshi City in the streets watched this army, filled with Killing Intent, enter the city, their eyes filled with bewilderment and panic.

The initial entry of nearly a thousand people had already attracted the attention of the city residents, but seeing that they did not enter the urban area and only stationed themselves by the city wall, they did not pay too much attention.

But who would have thought that less than an hour later, an even larger contingent would enter the city?

One must know that a large army entering a city is never a small matter, regardless of the time. To see such a seemingly Killing Intent-filled army enter without prior notification, even if they knew there were no major disturbances within Yun Province, they couldn't help but feel terrified.

As the army entered the city, many vendors could be seen frantically packing up their stalls, and pedestrians on the streets hurried their steps, heading towards their homes.

"How is the situation?" Wu Mingjian looked at the hurrying passersby, not paying them much mind, and asked indifferently.

Beside him, Xing Zhentian had already descended from the city wall. He cupped his fists and said, "Reporting to the General, all four city walls have been taken over by our Demon Suppression Division, and no resistance was encountered."

After a slight hesitation, Xing Zhentian continued, "The city's Yamen, upon learning of our entry with a warrant, dispatched a Clerk surnamed Zhao to inquire. The City Lord will arrive shortly."

"Have that Clerk come to see me," Wu Mingjian commanded.

Xing Zhentian cupped his fists in affirmation. A moment later, he returned with a portly official in a dark green robe.

"Greetings, General Wu. May I ask the purpose of the army entering the city? I will report to my superiors and cooperate with your work," Clerk Zhao forced a smile, wiping the sweat from his plump chin, his tone sounding very obsequious.

It was no wonder he acted this way; after all, this was simply a calamity from the heavens.

He knew these troops meant trouble, but their Yamen could not ignore it, so he was pushed forward to handle this most difficult negotiation.

Now, Clerk Zhao was filled with regret to the point of death. After all, he was facing a Demon Suppression General. If the other party became displeased and chopped him down on the spot, no one would likely say anything afterward.

"I ask, you answer. If you dare to conceal anything, you die," Wu Mingjian said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Clerk Zhao was drenched in sweat. He trembled with fear, his face turning deathly pale.

"This humble subordinate would never dare to conceal anything, sir. I will tell you whatever you ask," Clerk Zhao quickly said, head bowed, not daring to hesitate in the slightest.

"Is there a sect called the Golden Lotus Sect in this city? I hear this sect is quite large in Tianshi City."

"Reporting to sir, that is indeed true. The Golden Lotus Sect has only developed in recent years, and now it has gathered at least 100,000 followers in Tianshi City."

"I remember that according to regulations, if a scale exceeds the limit, it should be reported to the Prefecture City. Why have I not found any information about the Golden Lotus Sect?"

"This... this humble one does not know," Clerk Zhao stammered, trembling.

"Do you know if the Golden Lotus Sect colludes with demons?" Wu Mingjian glanced at him, speaking each word distinctly.

The moment he was stared at by those indifferent eyes, Clerk Zhao immediately fell to his knees on the ground. He kowtowed repeatedly, quickly explaining, "Mercy, sir, this humble one truly does not know. I would not dare to conceal anything from you, sir. I couldn't resist the temptation and accepted benefits from the Golden Lotus Sect, providing some conveniences, but I truly do not know if the Golden Lotus Sect colludes with demons."

"Moreover, I am not the only one who has accepted benefits. As far as I know, almost everyone in the Yamen, from top to bottom, has accepted money."

At this moment, to save his own life, Clerk Zhao no longer cared about anything else and spilled everything he knew.

"Mercy, sir, mercy, sir." Clerk Zhao kowtowed until his head bled; he was truly terrified now.

Wu Mingjian snorted coldly. He had basically figured out everything, knowing that the Tianshi City Yamen, from top to bottom, was probably rotten to the core. It was no wonder the Prefecture City had not received any news.

"Take me to the Demon Suppression Division. This is your only chance to live," Wu Mingjian said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Clerk Zhao quickly nodded, not daring to entertain any thoughts of refusal.

"The four of you, come with me," Wu Mingjian said in a deep voice, looking at Lu Ming and the others.

Lu Ming had naturally heard this conversation. After learning the scale of the Golden Lotus Sect's development in Tianshi City, a look of solemnity appeared in his eyes.

He knew that the so-called 100,000 followers were merely a rough estimate; their true scale would likely be even larger.

Who would have thought that under the very nose of the Demon Suppression Division, a sect closely related to demons would develop to such a scale? If it hadn't been for an accidental discovery, waiting until the day it actively erupted would likely cause a huge impact.

This made him a little worried. The Golden Lotus Sect had already developed to such a scale in Tianshi City, even infiltrating the city's Yamen. What then was the situation with the Tianshi City Demon Suppression Division? He could only plan for the worst possible outcome.