Chapter 211 Ominous Signs

The third day, late at night. The moon was hidden, and the stars were sparse.

Rapid hoofbeats tore through the silence again, but this time, there was only an old horse that knew the way, its back completely empty.

It rushed into the yamen like it had gone mad, running until it reached the center of the training grounds before collapsing from exhaustion, foaming at the mouth, convulsing all over. Hanging beside the saddle was a leather pouch, from which a cracked jade Talisman fell out—it was the core component of the communication Magical Artifact carried by the Tian Di Xuan Three Teams before they departed, now completely ruined.

At the same time, the copper lamp on Cheng Xiaoqing's desk, capable of receiving golden bell signals, suddenly swayed violently, becoming brighter and more frantic than before.

The golden bell signal was still there!

The main hall was brightly lit. Cheng Xiaoqing, Huo Chao, and several other department heads who had rushed over gathered around the desk, their expressions growing uglier by the second.

"The Xuan Team... I'm afraid they are also in dire straits," Medicine Demon Division Medical Chief Duan Shenxing frowned deeply.

"The golden bell signal hasn't extinguished; it's even stronger and more urgent, which means the Bell Guards are still alive, but their situation must be extremely critical. This demon infestation is likely exceptionally dangerous."

Demon Search Division Hundred-Household Zhao Kai looked at the copper lamp, his eyes full of worry.

"The Tian Di Xuan Three Teams have fallen one after another. What kind of demon infestation could cause these three elite teams to not even be able to send out a definitive message?!"

Huo Chao said, smashing his fist onto the table in frustration, causing the solid wood table to groan twice.

Cheng Xiaoqing remained silent, his finger tapping on the position of Black Rock Mountain on the map. After a long while, he slowly looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.

"The golden bell is calling for aid. According to the rules, we must answer. The Tian Di Xuan Three Teams have lost contact, and the situation is unclear, but the golden bell signal remains, which means things haven't reached the worst-case scenario yet. At least those Bell Guards are still fighting."

"It's just that the Prefecture has no troops to spare right now. Other teams are either out on missions or have just returned and need to rest. We can't pull any extra strength from the city's defenses either..."

After a moment, he paused, sighed, and ordered.

"Pass the order: Team C of the Demon Hunting Division, under the command of Chief-Lieutenant Huo, and the unit led by Bai Junyi, are to prepare immediately. Depart in one hour to the outskirts of Black Rock Mountain to provide support and reconnaissance."

"The primary mission is to provide as much support as possible to any Bell Guards and our colleagues who can break through, and to ascertain the actual situation in the Youxu Valley area. Report back with the highest priority at all times. If it cannot be done, prioritizing self-preservation and delivering intelligence is the primary task."

The order quickly reached the Team C barracks. Everyone, just awakened by the sound of hoofbeats, was stunned as they listened to the messenger repeat the order word for word.

Lu Dachuan sighed. Feng Qing silently took down his longbow, and Ling Xiaoning wore an expression as if the sky had fallen.

Team C? Us?

Having just experienced the fierce battle at Shi Town, the captain was still recovering from his injuries, the team was missing one person in its formation, and because Zhao Si was seriously injured, they were down another. Among the remaining nine people, two were newcomers...

Such a Team C was to go and replace the lost Tian Di Xuan Three Teams, venturing deep into the Youxu Valley, where even the Bell Guards and elite teams had fallen?

"What about Chief-Lieutenant Huo?"

Bai Junyi's brows were knitted so tightly they almost formed a knot.

"Chief-Lieutenant Huo has already collected the Magical Artifact command Talismans from the Demon Archive Division and will come to see you off shortly."

The messenger lowered his head, not daring to look anyone in the eye, and hurriedly backed out after finishing.

The barracks were left in a deathly silence.

After a long while, Lu Dachuan took a hard swig of wine, wiped his face, and cursed.

"Damn it, I knew these merits weren't easy to come by. Can't avoid it when it's time to step up."

Feng Qing had already strapped on his iron bow and began checking every arrow, his voice calm and ripple-free.

"It was only a matter of time."

Shen Suning also trotted over. Hearing the news, she took a deep breath and quickly packed her Medicinal Pills and Talismans. Ling Xiaoning, pale-faced, looked at this one, then at that one, gritted his teeth, and rushed back to his bunk, stuffing things into his bag in a flurry.

Chen Mu stood up slowly. He didn't show it on his face, but the fire that had been suppressed in his heart for several days had completely ignited.

The prey—it was finally his turn to enter the hunting ground.

Heavy footsteps sounded at the door. Huo Chao strode in, holding several leather pouches and command Talismans. He swept his gaze over the silently preparing group, paused for a moment on Bai Junyi's face, and then distributed the items in his hand one by one.

"This is the Miasma-Breaking Pill. Its effect is better than the previous ones and can last for three hours."

"This is the Antidote Powder. The poisonous insects and miasma in Black Rock Mountain are no small matter."

"The tracking disk can sense the special fluctuations of our Demon Suppression Division's special waist tokens and the golden bells within a certain range. It might help you quickly find the missing colleagues and Bell Guards."

"..."

He chattered on, instructing everyone on how to use the Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts, and finally solemnly placed an iron token into Bai Junyi's hand.

"Junyi, you are the captain. No matter what happens, keep your footing. Bring the brothers back alive. Remember, getting the intelligence is the primary task. The situation in Youxu Valley is unclear; do not advance recklessly. Focus on support and reconnaissance on the periphery. Understand?"

Bai Junyi took the command Talisman, gripped it tightly, and nodded heavily.

"Understood, I will definitely not fail the mission."

Huo Chao looked at the others again, lingering on Chen Mu's face for a moment longer, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he just patted his shoulder firmly.

"Chen Mu, I have seen your skills. Protect them this time, and protect yourself as well."

Chen Mu nodded slightly, meeting his gaze.

"Set off!"

The night was deep. The nine members of Team C led their horses and quietly walked out of the side gate of the Demon Hunting Division, galloping toward the southwest.

On the city wall, Cheng Xiaoqing and Huo Chao stood side by side, looking in the direction they disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

...

Hoofbeats shattered the night, and the nine riders galloped along the official road.

Chen Mu rode in the middle of the team, his eyes occasionally scanning the continuous mountain shadows to the southwest. Ling Xiaoning stuck close to Chen Mu, his face looking somewhat pale in the moonlight.

It had been nearly two hours since they left the Prefecture. Everyone was silent, with only the sound of hoofbeats.

Chen Mu's brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

From the moment he received the order, a sense of indescribable discord had been lingering in his heart.

The Tian Di Xuan Three Teams had lost contact, with no news at all. The three elite teams combined had over thirty experienced Demon Suppressing Soldiers, among whom were many Heart-Awakening Realm experts, and Zhang Ye was even a veteran General Squad Leader with unfathomable strength.

Such a force couldn't even send out a definitive message, just disappearing silently in the depths of Black Rock Mountain.

Yet that golden bell's distress signal had never ceased, becoming even clearer and more urgent than before.

This was unreasonable.

"Squad Leader Bai."

Chen Mu rode forward a few steps to ride alongside Bai Junyi.

"I have a question."

Bai Junyi was looking down at the tracking disk and looked up upon hearing this, his face weary from the long journey.

"Speak."

"The Tian Di Xuan Three Teams have fallen one after another, and even experts like Chief Banner Officer Zhang... yet the Bell Guards' distress signal has never extinguished, and is growing stronger. This goes against common sense."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding team members subconsciously slowed their horses.

Lu Dachuan took two breaths, wiped the dew off his face, and said in a muffled voice.

"Brother Chen hit the nail on the head with that. I've been pondering this the whole way too. If even Chief Banner Officer Zhang fell, then how are those Bell Guards still holding on for so long?"

Feng Qing reined in his horse, and after a moment of silence, he spoke.

"Unless... the Bell Guards' cultivation is far superior to Chief Banner Officer Zhang's."

"Impossible."