191: You'd better listen to my general's words (5000 monthly tickets required)

Chapter 191 My This General Says You Better Listen (5000+ words, seeking monthly votes)

The next morning, Guangan Prefecture was shrouded in a hazy mist.

Dark clouds hung low in the sky, with lightning snakes slithering through them.

A torrential downpour poured down.

The air was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

In the distance, the majestic city walls, as if steeped in ink, emerged indistinctly against the backdrop of the sky and earth.

“Rumble”

A flash of lightning tore through the gloomy sky, illuminating the West City gate tower.

At this moment, on the city tower, a burly Hunter, clad in armor with a beard on his Face, gazed grimly at the mountain forests in the distant rain.

This person was the Local General of the Guard, Gou Zhi.

He was a completely different person from the small, childlike figure he had been before.

Or rather, this was his original self.

Ever since his Cultivation of Divine Ability went awry, his body had gradually shrunk, almost returning to childhood, and his strength had also greatly diminished. However, by using a secret art, he could temporarily restore his body to its original appearance and his strength to its Peak, but it came at a significant cost. If prolonged, he would suffer from the backlash of the secret art.

But now, Gou Zhi could no longer worry about that.

Ever since he received the news of the lockdown from Ninth Zhonglang Chen Yuan, he had ordered the sealing of Guangan Prefecture and dispatched scouts to investigate the situation. However, the successive reports brought back made his heart pound.

First, the three counties of Jiang'an, Zhangtian, and Gulan had their cities breached, with Yao Race corpses everywhere and large numbers of refugees on the roads.

Then, news came that the Yao Race in the Southwest direction had rioted.

He vaguely guessed the intention of this Ninth Zhonglang, but he dared not delve too deeply, finding it somewhat absurd.

But the more he thought about it, the more his heart pounded.

Damn it!

The five of them shouldn't be playing such a big game, should they?

Last night, after receiving news of the Yao Race riot in the Southwest, he had immediately dispatched troops out of the city overnight to cover the retreat of the refugees, but no news had come back yet!

This made him worried, always feeling that something big was about to happen.

At this moment, looking at the distant rain, he was in a truly bad mood.

Just then, one of his subordinates, a Captain, came forward.

“This General!”

Gou Zhi's expression immediately turned serious.

“What? Is there news from the front?”

The Captain replied, “This General, a Captain named Liu from Ninth Mountain wants to see you!”

When Gou Zhi heard it was a Captain from Ninth Mountain, he did not slight him. If a mere Captain sought him out, it was likely that the Ninth Zhonglang had some news. “Let him in!”

His tone was a bit urgent. Regardless of how this Ninth Zhonglang treated him, Gou Zhi now only wanted to hear news from this Ninth Zhonglang, as it would put his mind at ease.

“Yes!”

The subordinate Captain withdrew, and after a moment, a figure in green armor, with a clanking sound, entered the gate tower.

“Your subordinate Liu Qing greets Lord Gou!”

“Is there news from your This General?” Gou Zhi did not wait for him to continue and stepped forward to ask.

Liu Qing shook his head, “My This General has not sent any news yet, but the night before last, the This General dispatched his Contracted Demons to relay a message: there are Six Mountains Yao Race spies in Guangan Prefecture. The This General intercepted their message. Today, the Xiao Estate in South City will hold its youngest daughter's birthday banquet, and these Yao Race will seize the opportunity to cause trouble. Your subordinate heard that the Xiao Family has considerable prestige locally, and the previous Junior General was an ancestor of this Family. May I ask how much the This General knows about this Xiao Family?”

As Liu Qing spoke, his expression grew serious. This was a matter entrusted by the This General, so he was exceptionally diligent.

Upon hearing this, Gou Zhi's expression changed slightly, then his gaze sharpened as he stared at Liu Qing.

“Six Mountains Yao Race spies? Are you saying there's an internal mole within the Xiao Family?”

“Your subordinate does not know. Since my This General has ordered us to take over this matter, your subordinate can only be more cautious. After all, the Xiao Family has invited many local forces this time, and even the Sect Disciples who came to support have received invitations. I heard that Lord also received one and is on good terms with the Xiao Family, so I came to ask, and I hope Lord will forgive me.”

Gou Zhi waved his hand upon hearing this, “The previous Zhonglang General came from the Xiao Family, and their Family Head also has some connection with me. However, the Xiao Family has always been quite supportive of This General's work. This time, the Yao Race is coming fiercely, and many people fled with their families when they received the news, while the Xiao Family is working to defend the city. Yesterday, when they sent the invitation, the Xiao Family Head even invited This General and your This General to come, but This General turned them down. It's impossible for them to be so bold as to collude with the Yao Race!”

Gou Zhi's voice was a bit heavy, a bit angry.

Angry at the suspicion of a mere commanding Captain!

And at this time, he only told him now. Was he afraid that he would betray them?

“Lord, please do not be angry!” Facing the anger of the Local General of the Guard, Liu Qing cupped his hands, his expression calm and composed, “This matter was entrusted by my This General, and currently, the This General's whereabouts are unknown. If there is chaos within the city at this time, your subordinate would be to blame even if I died ten thousand deaths, so naturally, I must be cautious.”

When Gou Zhi heard him bring up Chen Yuan, he thought for a moment that he shouldn't let personal emotions get in the way, and his gaze shifted downwards.

“Tell me, what do you plan to do?”

“.”

At this moment, in South City, the wide bluestone road was deserted, with only a few hurried pedestrians, wearing straw cloaks, splashing water from the flagstones as they rushed on their way.

At the entrance of a tavern, raindrops from the eaves fell like pearls on a jade plate, pattering down onto the ground, forming small puddles that rippled outwards.

A figure in a straw cloak rushed to the entrance, took off his cloak, and called for a waiter. A runner quickly responded, hurried over, took the cloak, and enthusiastically said, “Sir, please come in!”

“What would you like? I'll bring it right up?”

Under the straw cloak was a Hunter with a few messy whiskers and dressed in a blue tight-fitting suit. He patted the rain off his body and said, “No need, someone is waiting for me.”

With that, he quickly entered the tavern.

At this moment, upstairs, a figure emerged, “Brother Zhang, here!”

The person immediately hurried upstairs.

Along the way, compared to the desolation outside, the tavern was now filled with people from all walks of life, with every table occupied. Everyone spoke in hushed tones.

Their expressions varied: some were surprised, some worried, some became flustered upon hearing something.

The appearance of this person did not cause any ripples. He quickly ascended the stairs and entered a private room upstairs.

As soon as this person entered, several people in the private room, dressed like Jianghu travelers, immediately stood up.

“Brother Zhang, have you inquired about the news?”

The Hunter in the blue tight-fitting suit entered and closed the door, his expression immediately changing, his voice becoming somewhat urgent,

“I found out!”

“I asked my father-in-law's cousin's daughter, who is married to a Captain in the Prefecture Army, to pull some strings. According to that Lord, the atmosphere within the Prefecture Army is very tense right now. They are all sharpening their weapons and preparing for battle. I heard that even their Zhonglang General is personally stationed at the West City Gate, and also…”

At this point, the person lowered his voice, his expression somewhat grim, “Some troops were suddenly ordered to set out last night in the middle of the night, and we still don't know what the situation is.”

“Are the Yao Race going to attack?” Someone thought of this, and their expression changed.

“Brother Zhang, did you ask if that person could help us open a small gate and let us leave? We only just received the news. If the Prefecture Army hadn't suddenly sealed the city, causing panic, and the news of the Yao Race hadn't emerged, we would have been completely unaware.” Someone quickly asked in a whisper, adding, “How much does that Lord need for a bribe? We brothers can chip in.”

However, when the Hunter in the tight-fitting suit heard this, his expression hardened, and he quickly whispered, “No, I am also worried about the lives and property of my Family, and I spoke to that person about a favor, but that person's expression immediately changed and warned us not to even think about it.”

“Do you know about the Fa Shan Army?”

“We do.” Several people nodded.

“The Ninth Mountain Fa Shan Army is stationed here. I heard that many people in the Prefecture Army who tried to send people out were caught and killed directly without even asking for permission. They are ruthless!”

“Ah? How can they be so overbearing? Doesn't the Prefecture Army's higher-ups care?”

Several people seemed a bit flustered.

Just then, there was a commotion outside.

Shouts erupted, and outside the tavern, on the wide street, a convoy of carriages passed by.

Strong servants rode horses to clear the way, with several grand carriages in the middle, pulled by four exotic horses in a row, with dozens of people traveling, a magnificent sight. The heavy rain outside was kept at bay.

“It's the Zhang Family! Which important figure from the Zhang Family is out?”

“Today is Young Miss Xiao's birthday banquet. The Zhang Family must be going to the banquet, didn't you know?”

“Heh, what kind of time is it now, and they're still having a birthday banquet? These Family members really have too much good fortune and nothing to do.”

“What do you know? They’re just using this banquet to invite all the important figures in the city to gather and perhaps come up with a way to deal with the current situation. If only I could attend! I heard that Young Miss Xiao is as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal.”

“…”

The people in the tavern saw the commotion outside and whispered among themselves, sometimes getting off-topic and talking about how wonderful Young Miss Xiao was.

Meanwhile, at the Xiao Estate, despite the pouring rain and the desolate atmosphere outside, the mansion's entrance was bustling with activity, with teams of carriages and horses gathering there.

Above the low sky, streaks of light pierced through the rain curtain and landed one after another!

Someone at the entrance shouted loudly:

“The Wang Family Patriarch has arrived…!”

“The Jiu Family, one Jade-Faced Muscle-Generating Pill, one Fire-Resistant Robe!”

“Mingwang Mountain…”

At this moment, the voice suddenly rose an octave.

“Ji Young Master, Chief Disciple of Canghai Peak, Shu Mountain Sword Sect, has arrived!”

Then, a low murmur was heard,

“Quickly inform the Patriarch!”

At this moment, a hearty laugh rang out, “No need!”

The Xiao Family Patriarch himself came out to greet them, walking to the door. He smiled at a young Young Master who had just entered, dressed in white with a golden collar, gentle as jade, and carrying a sword on his back. Behind him followed several Shu Mountain Disciples. “I never expected Ji Young Master to show such Face to the Xiao Family by coming. Please, everyone, come in quickly!”

At this time, inside and outside the Xiao Estate, everyone was surprised to see the Xiao Family Patriarch personally greeting this young man, and hearing his title, they couldn't help but be astonished.

The Shu Mountain Sword Sect, that Sect often mentioned in storybooks, and he was even the Chief Disciple.

They never imagined the Xiao Family could even invite a Disciple from such a major Sect.

And when several gazes fell upon this Chief Disciple of Canghai Peak, they were even more surprised.

“Tian Guan Dao Seed Realm!”

The head of a certain Family in the city exclaimed in a low voice, his eyes filled with shock.

Such a young Tian Guan Dao Seed, truly worthy of being a Disciple of a major Sect. Several figures immediately stepped forward to greet him.

At this time, on the side, the Xiao Family Eldest Young Master was greeting his good friend, Sima Pu.

Sima Pu narrowed his eyes, looking at Ji Wuming, who was surrounded by others like stars around the moon.

“Brother Xiao, who is that?”

“He is the Chief Disciple of Canghai Peak from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect. Father said he is very young and has already achieved a Breakthrough to the Heavenly Gate, becoming a Dao Seed, which is why Father came to greet him personally,” Xiao Qingxiong introduced, with a hint of envy.

“Oh?” A cold sneer flashed in Sima Pu’s eyes. He then turned to Xiao Qingxiong, took out an item, and said:

“Since it is your sister’s birthday today, I must show my appreciation. This is a precious spice from the Southern Ridge called An Shen Xiang. When a woman wears this, it can calm her mind and leave a lasting fragrance. When used for Cultivation, it can help one quickly enter a meditative state, calm the Qi, and enter a Cultivation state. I obtained this with great difficulty, and for your Face, Brother Xiao, I will give it to you.”

Xiao Qingxiong was greatly moved upon hearing this. “Brother Sima, I am deeply touched that you would bestow such a treasure. I truly wish to perform a blood oath with you today, Brother Sima, and become…”

Before he could finish, he heard his father, the Xiao Family Patriarch Xiao Yuanshan’s voice suddenly call out, “Qingxiong, come over quickly. You and Ji Young Master are both young men. You should take Ji Young Master around and make sure he is well taken care of!”

Xiao Qingxiong’s eyes immediately lit up. Without even glancing at Sima Pu, he said, “Brother Sima, please excuse me for a moment!”

With that, he vanished from in front of Sima Pu in a flash, and a few seconds later, appeared before the Shu Mountain Chief Disciple. Soon, his characteristic words could be heard:

“Brother Ji is truly a Prodigy of his generation. I truly admire him. If I, Xiao, could have a friend like you, I would have no regrets.”

In the distance, Sima Pu stared blankly at the Demonic God Incense in his hand, then looked at his “friend” saying the same words he had used when they first became friends. His eyes revealed a hint of ferocity. He truly wanted to transform right now and tear this guy apart.

Hypocritical Human Race, truly disgusting!

His eyes darkened, and in various corners of the Xiao Estate, he subtly met a few pairs of eyes, then his lips moved slightly.

Meanwhile, in the Xiao Family's back garden, in a quiet pavilion by a clear pond, the rain poured down, disturbing the pond's surface.

Through the rain curtain, by the pavilion window, Xiao Qingzhi, dressed in a green vine dress with her hair draped to one side, looked at the distant bustling activity. In her clear black and white eyes, a faint light seemed to flicker.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside, followed by a call.

“Young Miss, Young Miss!”

Then, with a “bang,” the door opened.

A maid with two small pigtails rushed in from outside.

“Did that person come?”

Xiao Qingzhi turned around at this moment, her eyes filled with a mix of conflict and anticipation.

She hadn't expected a casual action of hers to cause her such distress.

However, the maid shook her head.

“Young Miss, I waited outside as you instructed, but I didn’t see him for a long time. By now, most of the guests have arrived! That person probably won’t come.”

“Perhaps, he felt that he didn't know you, Young Miss, and thought it would be presumptuous, or perhaps he heard you are the Young Miss of the Xiao Family and didn't dare to come!”

“Or perhaps, people in the city have been in a state of panic recently and are not in the mood, who knows!”

The young woman sighed softly upon hearing this.

“Let it be!”

“Don’t sigh, Young Miss! Do you know, I saw the Chief Disciple of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect in the front yard? Everyone calls him Ji Young Master. He’s a Disciple of a major Sect, as handsome as a jade tree, and I heard he’s also a Heavenly Gate master! Everyone respects him greatly. Young Miss, Young Miss, do you want to go and see?” At this moment, the maid Xiao Jiu excitedly chattered, her eyes sparkling.

Xiao Qingzhi, however, shook her head, showing no interest.

“Never mind, you go play by yourself. I’ll stay here for a while.”

Seeing her mistress like this, the maid Xiao Jiu muttered, somewhat confused, “Young Miss, it can’t be, right? You just glanced at him, there’s no need to be so sad about it. Oh, that person really won’t come…”

As her words fell, a sudden clap of thunder echoed in the sky.

The little maid’s neck recoiled in fright, followed by loud “rumbling” and “rumbling” sounds.

The little maid couldn't help but murmur, “Why is there so much thunder? It’s terrifying.”

But then, her Young Miss suddenly turned around, “It’s not thunder!”

As she spoke, a black armored torrent, like a wave splitting the rain curtain outside the Xiao Estate, galloped wildly, splashing water on the bluestone slabs.

Fine raindrops fell on the Black Armored Soldiers, shattered into mist by an invisible Qi.

In a flash, like swirling clouds, they left trails of misty, flowing shadows.

“Rumbling!” The ground rumbled.

A dense group of Black Armored Soldiers advanced towards the Xiao Estate in three columns.

Inside the Xiao Estate, a commotion arose, and figures flashed out of the Xiao Estate's gate, or onto the rooftops.

Soon, three tall horses, neighing loudly, carried three Green Armored riders.

The horses neighed, exhaling white mist, and the dense ranks of Black Armored Soldiers behind them exuded a pressing deterrent force in the rain.

“Fa Shan Army!”

“Ninth Mountain!”

Someone shouted, with some apprehension.

Why were so many soldiers here?

At this moment, the Xiao Family Patriarch Xiao Yuanshan stepped out of the main gate. Seeing the imposing military Formation behind them, his heart tightened. “Xiao Yuanshan of the Xiao Family, what is the meaning of this, gentlemen?”

Liu Qing reined in his horse and moved forward from the middle, a grin spreading across his lips.

“Has the Xiao Family Patriarch forgotten? You sent an invitation to my This General. My This General is busy, but he sent us to deliver a gift.”

“This gift is to ensure everyone’s safety.”

After speaking, he waved one hand.

“By my This General’s order!”

“From now on, the Xiao Family is sealed off!”

“No one is allowed to enter or exit!”

As his words fell, two columns of soldiers immediately shouted and surged to both sides, quickly sealing off the Xiao Family. At the same time, the Fashan Flags on their backs flew up with a whooshing sound, ascending above the Xiao Estate to form a large Formation.

Only, this Formation was somewhat different from the original one.

Xiao Yuanshan’s eyebrows twitched at this sight, a mix of shock and anger in his expression.

“What are you doing?!”

“My Xiao Family has done nothing. Today is my daughter’s birthday!”

However, Liu Qing’s expression remained blank.

“Xiao Family Patriarch, do not be angry. Because of your Family, there are spies from the Six Mountains Yao Race today, planning to act at your Young Miss’s birthday banquet!”

“This is my This General’s order!”

“Xiao Family Patriarch, and everyone present, please cooperate.”

These words were like a clap of thunder, instantly throwing the Xiao Estate into chaos.

“What?!”

“Yao Race spies are mixed in among us.”

“Is that true or false?”

“This Ninth Mountain is so overbearing. This Lang Jiang is merely at the Body Profound Realm, yet he dares to speak like this.”

“…”

At this moment, in the crowd, Sima Pu immediately turned his head, a hint of brutality flashing in his eyes.

I need to add another update tonight, probably around midnight. Also, I’ve created a group chat; those interested can join.