171: I heard you're going to run away (asking for monthly tickets)

North of the Sky Patrol Division's station, there was a large manor.

Outside the manor, several camps were set up, with soldiers patrolling and horses whinnying.

Then, the sound of hooves became denser, and shouts rang out.

"The This General is back!"

At the entrance of the manor, a silver-armored figure dismounted from a white horse adorned with a silver saddle.

Chen Yuan took off his helmet, handed it to a soldier who had followed him, and turned to instruct, "Have someone take that Commandant Xie for treatment."

Then, he strode towards the manor.

The soldiers guarding the entrance quickly pushed open the main gate. Just as Chen Yuan ascended the steps, preparing to enter the courtyard, a clatter of armor came from the side, followed by a figure darting up behind him.

"Sir, I have something to report." Behind him, illuminated by the flickering firelight at the entrance, was a face with a goatee—it was the Storyteller, Gongsun Yang. He looked somewhat serious and kept glancing around, appearing very cautious.

"Come in!" Chen Yuan found his expression strange. Was it about the storybook? But he figured it wouldn't warrant such a reaction, so he spoke.

After speaking, he stepped into the courtyard, and Gongsun Yang followed him in.

Upon entering the manor, they went straight to the main hall directly opposite the entrance. Chen Yuan didn't sit down. He turned around, looked at Gongsun Yang, his expression somewhat strange, and asked, "Mr. Gongsun seems to have been waiting for me. Is it about the storybook?"

Gongsun Yang shook his head and scanned the main hall, seemingly uneasy.

Chen Yuan frowned, "It's just the two of us here. Speak, what is it?"

Gongsun Yang took two steps forward, bowed slightly, cupped his hands, and with a raised eyebrow, whispered, "Sir, I have a habit. Whenever I arrive at a new place, I like to inquire about things to write into my storybooks. After you left, I thought of getting closer to the Local General of the Guard's colleagues, and as a result, I unintentionally overheard a piece of news."

At this point, he pursed his lips and stopped, his expression somewhat grave.

"Don't play games. This isn't storytelling." Chen Yuan's brows furrowed.

"I heard one of the Commandants instructing a few of his subordinates, saying... 'Have you packed everything? People are coming from our side, strictly ordered to keep quiet,' and so on. That's roughly the meaning."

As Gongsun Yang spoke, his cloudy eyes flickered a few times.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan's eyes widened in anger, his body leaning slightly forward, his gaze fixed on Gongsun Yang, word for word, "You mean these people want to run?"

Gongsun Yang felt his hair stand on end under Chen Yuan's stare and retreated a step, "Your subordinate dares not make a rash judgment, so I reported it to you, Sir. You decide."

With that, he lowered his head and slowly cupped his hands.

Chen Yuan's expression flickered, uncertain.

Just then, a voice announced from outside.

"This General, Commander Gou from Guangan Prefecture is here and says he wants to see you."

"Invite him in!" Chen Yuan's brow furrowed, then he lowered his gaze and said to Gongsun Yang, "Go wait in the back."

"Yes!" Gongsun Yang responded and went to the backyard.

As soon as his figure disappeared, a voice, tinged with urgency and enthusiasm, came from outside, "Deputy General Chen, you're back!"

Then, a small figure quickly strode in.

"Commander Gou!" Seeing this person, Chen Yuan's originally gloomy expression changed instantly. He smiled and gave a deferential salute, "It's late, Chen didn't disturb you upon his return. Please don't take offense."

With that, he gestured to a seat beside him and then sat down.

Gou Zhi, the Junior General from Guangan Prefecture, smoothly hopped onto a grand armchair nearby and sat down, then turned his head and asked in a very concerned tone:

"Deputy General Chen, you know, when you left, This General's heart was so anxious. You know the current situation outside; even several of us Zhonglang Generals have fallen. And you were so eager to go investigate the situation outside the pass. Sigh, Gou doesn't know what to say. It's better not to personally take such risks in the future. Our lives are connected to too many people."

"Oh?" Chen Yuan looked at the youthful face before him, and the old-fashioned, full beard, a half-smile playing on his lips, "I truly appreciate Gou's concern."

"Alas, we are in the same boat, what's this?" Gou Zhi waved his hand, not understanding the subtle meaning. He shifted back a bit, turning his body towards Chen Yuan, and with a raised eyebrow, "Deputy General Chen, this time you personally went out to investigate, did you find anything?"

"Indeed, there was some progress. Chen already knows that Jiangan County, the closest to us, is also secretly controlled by demons, and the people inside are completely unaware. Furthermore, from a Commandant who was rescued and miraculously survived the great battle in Weiyuan Prefecture, I learned that the entire Weiyuan Prefecture has now become a demon kingdom." Chen Yuan's voice was heavy. As he spoke, he observed the expression on Commander Gou's face.

Gou Zhi, upon hearing this, although he had anticipated it, was still startled.

He had sent several subordinates to investigate outside the pass, but none of them returned. He had actually already made a calculation at the time, but he was somewhat scared out of his wits by the continuous bad news and didn't personally investigate, which was a bit like burying his head in the sand.

So he looked at Chen Yuan and quickly said, "Deputy General Chen, the situation is so dire. Fortunately, you've come. I imagine the Fushi already has a response; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly!"

With that, he smiled and tried to get closer:

"You are my savior!"

At this moment, Chen Yuan tapped his finger on the table by the armrest, looking at the smooth-talking, overly enthusiastic Commander Gou. His expression slowly became blank, and his tone was indifferent:

"But why do I hear that Brother Gou wants to run away?"

As soon as he spoke, the smile on the Local General of the Guard's face froze, his eyes widened, and his expression was one of shock.

The next second, the full beard on his chin suddenly fell off!

At this moment, outside the manor, two pairs of soldiers stood guard at the main gate. Inside, a dazzling golden light suddenly flashed out.

Outside the gate, a Patrolling Mountain Commandant who had come with the Local General of the Guard was waiting. Seeing the golden light flickering inside the courtyard, his expression became suspicious, and he couldn't help but take a few steps forward, only to be immediately blocked by two crossed blades.

The two gate-guarding soldiers were expressionless.

"The This General is discussing matters inside. Please wait outside."

"There seems to be movement inside. Haven't you brothers seen it?" The Patrolling Mountain Commandant frowned at the gate guards, looking inside.

"No entry without the This General's command!"

"Clang!"

The gate guard flicked his thumb on the hilt of his blade, revealing about a foot of the blade, which gleamed coldly.

The Patrolling Mountain Commandant's face darkened at the sight. These Ninth Mountain soldiers were truly overbearing. A few Qi Refining Major Achievements dared to draw their blades on him, but in the end, he didn't flare up. He flicked his sleeve and turned away,

"Hmph!"

After about a dozen breaths, a sudden explosion was heard from inside, startling everyone.

'What was that sound?'

The soldiers and horses outside the gate were all alarmed.

"Clang, clang, clang!"

Outside the manor, the sound of drawing swords was incessant.

Just then, a familiar voice came from inside, "Commander Gou, walk slowly!"

After a while, the courtyard gate was seen opening.

Then, a small figure stumbled out, looking disheveled.

His sleeves were torn, his beard was gone, and the small braid at the back of his head was singed.

The Patrolling Mountain Commandant waiting outside the gate was startled when he saw this person. "Sir, you..."

Gou Zhi, however, maintained a stern face, "It's nothing. This General hasn't sparred with anyone in a long time, so I had a small practice with Deputy General Chen. It was enjoyable."

With that, he stomped his foot and disappeared from the spot.

Shortly after, Gou Zhi appeared in his study, then a spiritual light shot out from his hand, activating the Restriction in the study. His expression instantly became vivid, and he opened his mouth to curse, "My @#$$$. Chen Yuan, you #$$%%!"

Damn it, Chen Yuan actually pulled his little braid just now.

But even as he cursed, the thought of the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General's absolute strength, which he had just witnessed, filled him with both alarm and joy.

He was alarmed because this guy somehow got wind of his plan to run. Fortunately, he explained that he couldn't bear to see the city's people suffer from the demon calamity and intended to evacuate them together. He felt a pang of fear at that moment, thinking that if he hadn't spoken up, he might not have walked out of that room alive.

He was joyful because the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General's displayed strength far surpassed his own; he was truly a great asset.

At once, the Local General of the Guard's mood was complex!

On the other side, in the main hall where Chen Yuan was,

Gongsun Yang came out from the backyard and cautiously asked, "Does Sir believe what that Junior General said?"

At this moment, Chen Yuan's eyes were gloomy, "What if I believe, what if I don't?"

"This General has his own judgment!"

Happy Qixi Festival, my benefactors.