12: Demon Suppression Guard

Aside from mountains of gold and silver, several rows of heavy ebony shelves stood prominently in the depths of the treasury.

Red Lacquer Brocade Box were neatly arranged on the shelves, each box adorned with a gilded label clearly marking the name and function of its contents.

Xiao Zhuo lifted the lids one by one, seeing that most contained precious spiritual medicines emanating Spiritual Qi, while the rest were lustrous jade artifacts and antiques.

Without hesitation, he waved his hand and collected them all into his storage ring.

The entire west wall was adorned with various cold-gleaming weapons, more than thirty sharp and imposing!

Beside them stood three sets of profound iron heavy armor, their dark blue luster shimmering in the dim light, exuding a dense, murderous aura.

Xiao Zhuo brushed away the thin layer of dust accumulated on the armor, then stored both weapons and armor in the storage ring space.

Several exquisitely crafted long sabers were among them, perfect for backup.

Next to the weapon racks, ten heavy iron chests were particularly striking.

Lifting the lids, inside were brand new, gleaming military crossbows, identical in design to the one in the Xiao Residence, except the bowstrings still carried the strong scent of freshly applied tung oil—clearly never used!

In the corner were twenty more boxes of meteorite crossbow bolts, and ten boxes of treasures carefully wrapped in soft velvet cloth.

Unveiling the velvet, blood-red arrowheads pierced his vision!

That crimson color was not dye, but forged from demon-breaking blood steel, specifically designed to counter demonic Evil Qi!

Between the intricate patterns, faint golden runes could be seen flowing ceaselessly, emitting a unique suppressive aura against evil spirits.

Xiao Zhuo sighed inwardly, "If Zong Qing had deployed this batch of powerful crossbows and demon-breaking arrows in time to face the demons head-on, the outcome would have been uncertain!"

He no longer hesitated, collecting all these precious military supplies into his possession.

Looking around, the vast treasury was more than half empty.

Any treasure Xiao Zhuo deemed valuable or useful had already fallen into his storage ring.

Without further delay, Xiao Zhuo turned and walked towards the exit.

Returning to the plaza where he had fought the Ox Demon, the massive Baleful Rank demon's corpse had shrunk to the size of a normal person due to the dissipation of its power.

Xiao Zhuo casually collected it into his ring—this was the Physical Body of a Baleful Rank demon, containing immense vital energy, an invaluable tonic rarely found outside!

Previously, he had no place to store it, so how could he waste it now?

Exiting the City Lord's Mansion, he also collected the corpses of several Fierce-rank Ox Demons at the entrance before heading out of the city.

Soon after Xiao Zhuo left the City Lord's Mansion—

"Thump-thump... thump-thump-thump..."

Two riders, like dark lightning, broke through the remains of the city gate and charged into this silent city! Their direction was opposite to Xiao Zhuo's departure route, so they did not encounter each other.

Two pitch-black warhorses neighed loudly, their cries like tearing silk!

The riders were entirely encased in dark profound iron full-body armor, their faces obscured by ferocious masks, revealing only star-like eyes.

Prominent dark crane feathers were Insert behind their shoulders, trembling slightly in the wind.

Those warhorses were even more extraordinary!

Completely black as ink, without a single stray hair, their muscles were knotted like forged steel, and a pair of crimson pupils gleamed with bloodthirsty ferocity—they were clearly specially bred, half-demon horses capable of traversing demon lands!

The two profound-armored riders clearly originated from the same source, belonging to a mysterious and powerful organization.

As soon as they entered the city, they headed directly for the City Lord's Mansion with a clear objective.

The scattered limbs and severed arms of Ox Demons along the way made their faces beneath the armor grow increasingly grim.

They were Centurions of the Yuji City Demon Suppression Guard, both at the True Essence Realm cultivation level!

The Demon Suppression Guard, the Great Chen Dynasty's sharp blade for slaying demons and devils, and the position of Centurion could only be held by someone in the True Essence Realm!

Their urgent journey to Peng City was due to a sudden, violent anomaly in the monitoring array of the Yuji City Demon Suppression Guard branch.

The two were dispatched by the Commander of the Yuji City Demon Suppression Guard to investigate the matter.

However, the deathly silence covering the entire city and the thick, suffocating smell of blood all indicated—they were too late!

Witnessing the hellish aftermath of the blood sacrifice, even though they were accustomed to demonic rampages, their fists beneath their armor remained tightly clenched, knuckles white!

Towering rage surged in their chests.

The half-demon horses' speed was astonishing; in moments, they reached the gates of the City Lord's Mansion.

Looking at the chaotic scene of Ox Demon corpses in front of the mansion gate, the two exchanged glances, their gazes grim beneath their profound iron masks, and a thought of surprise and suspicion arose simultaneously: there seems to have been a third party involved here!

Without needing to speak, the two dismounted and, like streaks of lightning, swept into the mansion.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, their gazes were firmly caught by the monstrous giant pits all over the ground!

"Brother Cen, this level of destructive power... I'm afraid it's already the might of a Baleful Rank demon, isn't it?!" one of them spoke, a clear, cold female voice emanating from beneath her mask.

"Centurion Yu is not wrong, it is indeed the work of a strength-type demon that has just entered the Baleful Rank," Cen Jue nodded, the joints of his armor rubbing with a low metallic sound.

He slowly stepped forward, carefully examining every trace of battle.

Yu Jingxuan followed silently, her powerful perception spreading like mercury, trying to capture every trace of energy fluctuation remaining in the air.

After half an incense stick's time.

Cen Jue straightened up from the largest deep pit, holding a pair of broken demon claws and a ferocious broken horn in his hand, his tone carrying unprecedented gravity: "A newly entered Baleful Rank Ox Demon... actually had its claws broken and horn snapped here! This must be what was left by the culprit who initiated the blood sacrifice."

"The blood Evil Qi is too dense; the True Essence Qi of the other party has been completely dispersed and annihilated, making it impossible to perceive," Yu Jingxuan shook her head slightly, stating the investigation's result.

Cen Jue nodded, the broken claws and horn in his hand instantly vanishing, collected into his Magical Artifact: "This Ox Demon should have been slain. But it was certainly not done by Zong Qing, the City Lord of this city. Zong Qing is an Outer Sect Disciple of the Yuyang Sect and definitely does not possess such strength."

"Brother Cen, let's split up and search the city again! If you find anything, send a signal immediately!" Yu Jingxuan proposed decisively.

"Good!"

At the same time, Xiao Zhuo had exited the North Gate.

He moved like the wind along the clear carriage tracks on the official road.

With matters here resolved, he decided to first rendezvous with the Xiao Family members and escort them safely to Heavenly Wolf City.

Once the Xiao Family was completely settled, the Karma of his kindness to the Xiao Family would also reach a Perfection.

The Xiao Family was, after all, too small.

With his panel, he was destined to climb to the Peak of the Martial Dao amidst slaughter and powerful enemies.

If he stayed too long, he feared it would only bring disaster upon the Xiao Family.

Now, with a large number of Secret Manuals acquired and an abundance of Attribute Points on his panel, it was an excellent time to find a quiet place to focus on improving his strength.

From Peng City to Heavenly Wolf City, it would take about a day and a night on foot.

With his pace, catching up to the group was not difficult.

Xiao Zhuo's toes tapped the ground, his figure like an arrow released from a bowstring.

Two hours later, the migrating caravan finally appeared in his sight.

"Brother Zhuo is back!"

"Brother Zhuo!"

Seeing Xiao Zhuo return safely, the Xiao Family servants and guards excitedly greeted him, their faces filled with awe and joy.

The Xiao Family father and son in the carriage were also startled and quickly dismounted.

Xiao Ningzhi's hair and beard trembled slightly, his eyes full of relief and excitement.

Although Xiao Shaoyou's face was still pale, his breathing had stabilized significantly.

"Master! Young Master!" Xiao Zhuo approached and bowed with clasped fists.

"No need for formalities! No need for formalities!" Xiao Ningzhi waved his hands repeatedly, stepped forward, and clapped Xiao Zhuo's shoulder firmly, a wide smile on his face: "Xiao Zhuo, I intend to adopt you as my godson, are you willing?"

At these words, Xiao Zhuo paused slightly.

Xiao Shaoyou, standing behind Xiao Ningzhi, suddenly looked up, staring in surprise at his father's back.

Xiao Zhuo was silent for a moment, then bowed deeply again, his voice calm yet clear: "Thank you, Master, for your kindness and the honor you bestow upon me. Xiao Zhuo is deeply grateful. However... please forgive Xiao Zhuo for not being able to accept."

Xiao Ningzhi's smile instantly froze, a hint of displeasure flashing across his brows.

Before he could speak, Xiao Zhuo continued: "Master, Xiao Zhuo has been indebted to you for saving his life since childhood. The entire Xiao Family has treated me with profound kindness, a debt I will never forget. However, this is a chaotic era of demons and devils. Xiao Zhuo's only ambition in this life is the Peak of the Martial Dao. The road ahead is full of thorns, surrounded by powerful enemies... I fear that one day, making enemies will implicate the entire Xiao Family."

His words were sincere, every syllable clear.

After listening, the displeasure in Xiao Ningzhi's eyes gradually turned to contemplation, finally settling into a long sigh: "Alas... Xiao Zhuo, I understand what you mean. But you must remember, no matter when, the Xiao Family's door will always be open for you!"

"Thank you for your understanding, Master!" Xiao Zhuo nodded solemnly.

Xiao Ningzhi gave him a deep look, then turned and boarded the carriage with a complex-looking Xiao Shaoyou.

Xiao Zhuo, meanwhile, quietly sat by the carriage door.

Those words just now were not only for Xiao Ningzhi but also a response to Xiao Shaoyou's hesitant gaze.

He had embarked on a completely different Dao, and his future was destined to drift further and further from the mundane world.

It was better to state it clearly now, severing unnecessary ties, and allowing the Xiao Family father and son to no longer worry.

That night, the caravan stopped at a post station to rest.

The post station had limited rooms, with only two remaining.

Xiao Ningzhi and Xiang Yanliu took one, while Xiao Shaoyou occupied the other alone.

Xiao Zhuo leaned against the carriage shaft, gazing up at the moon.

The cold silver light spilled onto his shoulders, outlining his tall figure, making him appear even more solitary.

The night passed without a word.

The next afternoon, the majestic outline of Heavenly Wolf City finally appeared in the distance.

However, in front of the towering city gate, the crowd was dense and swarming like ants.