62: Demonic Plot

The Demon compound. Sun Qianqiu opened the sealed iron gate, and before his eyes lay human remains everywhere, blood splattered about, with some demons still gnawing on flesh.

Five or six demons were gathered here, massive in stature, with hideous appearances, their bodies covered in cyan scales, with demonic markings flickering slightly.

These demons were sent by the great sea demon from the Canglong River. The lead demon was known as General Xie, a capable lieutenant of the great sea demon. The Cao Gang was responsible for providing their sustenance.

"You've come just in time. Today's blood food is gone. Go catch a few more people. These commoners have poor Qi and blood; get us a few Innate martial artists to taste," General Xie said, picking up a piece of human flesh and tossing it aside.

Sun Qianqiu cursed inwardly: He had delivered thirty people today, all Acquired martial artists. Although their Realm was not high, their Qi and blood were sufficient. Yet, he was actually demanding Innate blood food. Sigh. Regardless of who it was, being forced to cooperate with demons was never an easy arrangement.

"In the past few days, the Demon Suppression Division has sent people to investigate, claiming that my Cao Gang is colluding with you. They intend to send troops to exterminate us. Perhaps you all should head out and lay low for a while?" "Once the situation improves, I will certainly prepare generous gifts for you," Sun Qianqiu urged.

"What? Are you trying to drive us away?" General Xie snorted, his tone unfriendly.

"I wouldn't dare. I am only speaking out of good intentions. If you all continue to stay in the Cao Gang, we will certainly do our utmost to protect your safety," Sun Qianqiu quickly replied.

"You're sensible enough." "And today's Innate blood food must be delivered before dark," General Xie smirked, glancing sideways at Sun Qianqiu.

"I will do my best to arrange it." Sun Qianqiu cursed silently. At a time like this, all they could think about was eating. It seemed he had no choice but to find that person to resolve this matter. He then turned and left without looking back.

General Xie watched Sun Qianqiu's retreating figure and sneered inwardly. Naturally, they could not leave this place. They had come here with the resolve to die. The goal was to attract the attention of everyone, including the Demon Suppression Division, to the Cao Gang, covering the implementation of the Demon Clan's plan: to summon the Demon Clan's giant demon—the Brahma True Demon.

Once the Brahma True Demon descended, it would occupy the entire Yunzhou region, establish a Demon Kingdom in Yunzhou, and rapidly sweep across the entire Great Chu world, turning Great Chu into the Demon Clan's backyard.

The more General Xie thought about it, the more excited he became, though it was a pity he would not live to see that scene. As bait, he would certainly be slain by the Demon Suppression Division. For a demon on the verge of death, what was wrong with enjoying a few good meals before the end?

The Flying Dragon camp. "General Zhang, a letter has arrived from the Magistrate of Linjiang County. Chu Jiang has ordered the Flying Dragon Army to mobilize and surround the Cao Gang headquarters completely. Not a single person is to be allowed to escape!" a chiliarch said, handing over a letter stamped with the official seal.

"General Zhang, they do not have a military deployment token. Even if we do not move, nothing will happen. If we send troops to surround the Cao Gang headquarters, it will certainly cause dissatisfaction from the person behind them," another chiliarch added.

Behind the Cao Gang stood a powerful figure; otherwise, they would not have remained standing for decades. Every time there was a major commotion, it ended with little actual impact. If their Flying Dragon Army were to strike rashly, they would certainly Face fierce retaliation afterward.

"General Zhang, I believe we must send troops. This time, Chu Jiang represents the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division; he is the Pacification Envoy's man." "If we do not cooperate with his actions, we will certainly anger the Pacification Envoy." "That other person is, after all, far from Yunzhou, while the Pacification Envoy is our actual direct superior. A strong dragon cannot crush a local serpent."

"This time, Chu Jiang dares to be so bold, which indicates he has already received secret support from the Pacification Envoy and is determined to uproot the Cao Gang. We must stand on the side of the Pacification Envoy," the last chiliarch analyzed the current situation calmly and offered his advice.

The scene fell into a deathly silence. The three men ceased speaking and waited patiently. The more critical the moment, the more it tested the wisdom of the decision-maker. One wrong step could lead to a chain of mistakes.

General Zhang stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the others. After a moment of contemplation, he said with a grim expression: "Pass on my order: The Flying Dragon Army shall leave one hundred men to guard the camp, and the rest shall depart immediately to surround the Cao Gang headquarters. Without my permission, not a single person is to be released."

The three men had different expressions, slightly surprised by General Zhang's decision, but since the military order had been issued, they immediately clasped their fists in salute and said in unison: "Understood!"

The military orders were passed down layer by layer. The Flying Dragon Army, which had been dormant for decades, began to awaken like a prehistoric beast, its Aura majestic.

General Zhang snorted coldly. Chu Jiang's actions likely contained a motive to test them. If he dared to act this way, he must have something to rely on; it was possible he even carried the Pacification Envoy's token. Although the probability was low, he could not take that gamble. If he refused to send troops, the consequences would be unpredictable.

"Brother Sun, if you were just an ordinary Demon Suppression Guard, I would give you some Face, but unfortunately..." General Zhang shook his head, donned his battle armor, and stepped out of the camp.

Half an hour later, Fu Yunxuan and Xi Fuliu arrived at the Flying Dragon camp and found that the army had already departed.

"It seems this General Zhang has a clear head. He must have sent the troops as soon as he received the order; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so fast," Xi Fuliu said in a deep voice. In such critical moments, not everyone possessed General Zhang's judgment. The two did not linger and left immediately.

Outside the Cao Gang headquarters, the Flying Dragon Army had already arrived, a vast sea of black. Three thousand martial soldiers, all at the Seventh Realm of the Acquired stage or higher, spread out, their Qi and blood surging like a river. They immediately formed an encirclement. As the premier army of Canglan County, the Flying Dragon Army was indeed incomparable to ordinary ragtag troops. In just a moment, they had surrounded the Cao Gang.

Cao Gang, Council Hall. The six Grand Elders were discussing how to deal with this crisis.

"I hope the Gang Leader's trip goes smoothly. The Cao Gang's crisis can only rely on him." The other Elders echoed him. Every major crisis of the Cao Gang had been resolved by him, and this time would be no exception.

At this moment, someone suddenly ran into the hall, shouting as they ran: "It's bad, Elders! Something terrible has happened!" "Why are you so flustered? The Elders are all here; can the sky really turn upside down?"

"The imperial court has sent troops to encircle and suppress us! There's a massive sea of them, it looks like... the Flying Dragon Army!"

Everyone present turned pale. How could the Flying Dragon Army come to suppress the Cao Gang? What was that fellow General Zhang playing at? He dared to send troops without a token. Several people walked out of the hall, gathering in twos and threes, with discussions arising everywhere. Some newly joined Cao Gang Disciples showed fear; where had they ever seen such a grand scene?

"Who can tell me what is going on?" "Is our Cao Gang really colluding with demons?" The Gang members were both shocked and angry. Just a moment ago, the Elders had guaranteed them that the rumors from the outside were nonsense, that the Flying Dragon Army would not come, and that they would settle the matter as soon as possible. They had already begun to doubt the Elders' words.

This was the Flying Dragon Army. Everyone was an elite; they were not only cavalry but also archers, all equipped with Qi-breaking arrows.

"Useless trash!" "My Cao Gang has stood tall in Canglan County for decades, and you are scared out of your wits by this small scene? You spineless things!" the Fourth Elder of the Cao Gang roared, his eyes filled with ferocity.

"Fourth Elder, the Flying Dragon Army has only surrounded us but has not attacked. It seems there is still a chance for a turnaround." "A turnaround?" "They are merely waiting for orders." "It is nothing more than a contest of who has the greater backing. Follow me outside to see!" the Fourth Elder said coldly.