31: Running for your life

Xuesha didn't have any thoughts about this group of fleeing Mortals.

In this area, he was the strongest king.

After dealing with this group of Martial Artists, he could go back and find these Mortal blood sacrifices.

The Martial Artists of Qingyun Immortal Sect reacted even more strongly than Xuesha. After the people of Prefecture City fled, the Spirit-Seize Array lost its sustenance, and the Spiritual Qi of the entire Qingyun Mountain almost instantly dropped by more than half.

Many people complained bitterly, but due to their current status as prisoners, they could only endure it silently.

At this moment, Lu Ming and Lin Yao had carefully bypassed the wolf demon guards, escaped from a cave at the foot of the mountain, and followed closely behind a group of Mortals.

The group galloped without stopping.

It wasn't until they had traveled halfway and everyone was exhausted that their Aura gradually slowed down.

"Shopkeeper Jin, I've long admired your name."

During a brief rest, a wealthy merchant stepped forward to greet him.

After seeing who it was, Jin Zihua nodded slightly, a hint of weariness on his face, but he still maintained the composure of a merchant.

"Brother Wang, now is not the time for pleasantries. We must find a safe place to settle down as soon as possible."

"I see a mountain hollow ahead. Why don't we rest there tonight?"

Wang Tu pointed to a spot at the foot of the mountain ahead.

Jin Zihua's gaze swept around.

Dusk was falling, and the distant mountains appeared particularly eerie in the twilight.

Jin Zihua nodded.

The group quickly settled down in the mountain hollow.

Everyone found a place to sit; some started a fire to cook, while others simply lay on the ground to rest.

As night deepened, the campfire's glow flickered in the mountain hollow, casting shadows on everyone's faces, making them appear exceptionally tired.

Jin Zihua sat by the fire, his brows furrowed.

No one knew if they could successfully reach Chang Sheng Village.

Perhaps they would be carried off by demons along the way, or perhaps they would be lucky enough to arrive at Chang Sheng Village.

Now, with more and more people in the group, to the demons, it was like a string of fragrant meat dangling in front of them. Even if some Families had some second or third-grade Martial Artists, there would still be casualties.

In the quiet mountain hollow, only the occasional crackle of the campfire could be heard.

Wang Tu leaned over, seizing the opportunity to inquire: "Shopkeeper Jin, may I ask what our destination is for this journey?"

The young master of the Wang Family, who had been holding it in all along, finally asked the question everyone most wanted to know.

Jin Zihua frowned, "You don't know?"

They ran so happily without knowing the destination.

Wang Tu's face reddened, and he stammered, "Shopkeeper Jin, to be honest, the mountain-protecting array activated without any warning. Everyone sensed that something was wrong and fled in a panic, only caring about following the people in front. How could we have the presence of mind to ask about a destination? We were just grateful to escape with our lives."

"Besides, with the Wanbao Merchant Guild leading the way, even if you lead us into a ditch, we'll accept it."

Wang Tu subtly flattered Jin Zihua; he wasn't a fool and naturally understood the current situation.

Jin Zihua frowned but didn't hide anything.

"Our destination for this journey is Chang Sheng Village. There is a high-ranking individual residing there, so demons dare not approach easily. It can be considered a pure land."

Upon hearing this, Wang Tu lowered his voice and asked, "Shopkeeper Jin, then how much certainty do we have of reaching Chang Sheng Village?"

"Also, regarding Chang Sheng Village, since there's a high-ranking individual residing there, what conditions do we need to meet to enter?"

Indeed, the Wanbao Merchant Guild was well-informed; ordinary people wouldn't know such important matters.

Jin Zihua was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Fifty percent. If we're lucky, perhaps we can arrive safely; if not..."

Jin Zihua didn't elaborate on the rest, leaving everyone to ponder.

Was it a fifty percent chance that five out of ten people could escape if they encountered demons, or a fifty percent chance of not encountering demons at all? "Also, as for the conditions to enter Chang Sheng Village, the situation there is quite special; you'll know when you arrive."

Jin Zihua left them in suspense. When facing their lives, people would worship anything—even demons, devils, or ghosts—without hesitation.

To these people, being able to worship Lord Chuping was a gain.

"By the way, does anyone know why the Qingyun Immortal Sect suddenly activated its mountain-protecting array?"

"We know that. A powerful wolf demon advanced and emerged from seclusion, and it has already occupied the Qingyun Immortal Sect."

Lu Ming stepped forward and explained the reason.

Everyone gasped upon hearing this.

"Such a thing! What about the Immortals of the Qingyun Immortal Sect? Do they just let that wolf demon act so presumptuously?"

Wang Tu's eyes widened as he asked in disbelief.

Lu Ming shook his head, his expression solemn.

"That wolf demon is extremely powerful; I heard it is already the Blood Fiend Wolf King. Now, most of the Martial Artists of the Qingyun Immortal Sect are probably prisoners and cannot resist."

Everyone sighed.

Jin Zihua stood up and clapped his hands, trying to boost morale.

"Everyone, since we have escaped, overthinking is useless. We must now unite and hurry to Chang Sheng Village."

The night grew deeper, and the temperature in the mountain hollow dropped. The night watchmen clutched their sticks tightly, nervously watching their surroundings.

In the mountains, a group of rat demons, sniffing out the scent, were happily preparing to descend the mountain for a feast when a wisp of black Qientanglement them. The rat demons were greatly alarmed.

"Squeak..."

The rat demon's cry for help abruptly stopped. Before long, countless rat demon corpses were left on the ground.

The Devilish Qi killed all the rat demons, then burrowed into the largest corpse, manipulating the rat demon's body to stand up again, swaying as it continued down the mountain.

The night was as dark as ink, and the mountain wind was biting.

The guards of several Families were dutifully patrolling when suddenly, a commotion came from the civilian gathering area in the distance.

At the rear of the group, Wang Damei, who had been fleeing all day, had just put her child to sleep when she looked up and saw a pair of blood-red eyes in the mountains staring intently at the crowd below.

"Husband, something's wrong! Wake up quickly!"

Wang Damei shook her sleeping husband beside her, while urgently calling out in a low voice.

Wang Tieshan woke up with a start, followed Wang Damei's pointing finger, and was also startled by the blood-red eyes.

"What is that!"

He quickly got up, grabbed a nearby farm tool, and vigilantly watched the direction of those eyes.

The commotion quickly attracted the attention of those around them. People woke up from their sleep in a panic, frantically searching for things to defend themselves with.

The guards of several Families also quickly rushed over.

"It's a rat!" someone exclaimed.

"What a huge rat!"

"Damn it! This isn't an ordinary rat; it's a rat demon that has gained sentience!"

Lu Ming noticed the anomaly, drew the short knife from his waist, and stood in front of Lin Yao.

The guards also stood ready, protecting their masters behind them.

The rat demon let out a shriek and pounced towards the crowd, moving extremely fast.

The guards brandished their weapons and fought with the rat demon.

But this rat demon, enhanced by Devilish Qi, possessed astonishing strength. Several ordinary people were no match for it; they were sent flying three meters away as soon as they approached.

Just then, Jin Zihua shouted, "Everyone, attack together! Now is not the time to hide!"

With that, he ordered the Martial Artists of the Wanbao Merchant Guild to act. Seeing this, the Martial Artists of several Families also joined the battle.

Everyone worked together to besiege the rat demon.

After a fierce struggle, the rat demon finally couldn't hold on and collapsed.

Wang Tieshan's Family, hiding behind the guards, was unharmed.

However, his neighbor, Old Mrs. Wang, was not so lucky.

Old Mrs. Wang's son had just had his belly ripped open by the rat demon's sharp claws and had already kicked his legs, passing away.

Seeing the rat demon fall, Old Mrs. Wang tottered forward and fiercely kicked the rat demon a few times.

Everyone tried to stop her but couldn't.

Little did she know, those few kicks directly cost her her life.