388: Gongsun Yang came by himself (asking for monthly ticket)

“Hey, was that thing caught last night?”

The next day at noon, the Ninth Mountain Great Camp was bustling with soldiers eating.

A soldier sat down with his plate and bowl, leaning close to a familiar comrade, asking in a low voice. His comrade had been on night patrol yesterday.

The news that a demon had infiltrated the Ninth Mountain Great Camp last night was not deliberately suppressed. Many in the camp had heard about it, but it didn't cause much commotion.

After all, the Fa Shan Army was responsible for handling such matters. Moreover, the Ninth Mountain had a General who had killed countless demons. The corpses of those demons had been transported into the mountain just two days ago, and that shocking sight had not yet been fully processed by most of the new recruits, so they naturally felt little fear towards the unseen demon.

Therefore, even though there had been some disturbances last night, by day, the Restrictions in the barracks were lifted, and everyone went about their business as usual, blowing whistles for training as if nothing had happened the previous night.

“No, that thing reportedly fought with several Piaoji and escaped. Now, no one knows where it's hiding. Everyone should be careful. The Great Camp is outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, so don't take it lightly.”

“Oh, and if you notice anyone around you acting or speaking differently than usual, report it immediately. I heard that monster can possess people; it's very cunning.”

A soldier who participated in the patrol and search yesterday whispered to the newcomer, a solemn expression on his face, and then turned his head to look at a bustling spot not far away.

There, several Green Armored Guards were patrolling, their eyes gleaming, holding a Magical Artifact that resembled a Bagua.

The newcomer looked in the direction the other's gaze was fixed, then smiled,

“Heh, that's natural, we've already received orders. But what's there to fear? We have the General. That demon coming in is just asking for death. Haven't the countless demon corpses from a few days ago shown the outcome?”

“That's right! With the General here, we naturally fear no demons or monsters!” The soldier opposite, upon hearing 'General,' immediately became solemn with respect. “However, we still need to be careful. Don't let those beasts get away with it.”

The inquiring soldier's smile became a bit unnatural when he heard the latter part. He then naturally shifted the topic with his previous words, a flicker in his ordinary eyes. He leaned closer, his voice even lower,

“I understand all that. But, hey, speaking of this, I just remembered, I heard those demon corpses were all transported to the Zhonglang Hall, and it seems not only our Ninth Mountain but also others were responsible for the escort. What's the background of these people?”

The soldier opposite, upon hearing this, immediately straightened his body, glanced sideways at the man, and his voice became much colder,

“Don't inquire about such matters. It's not our place to ask.”

The soldier who started the conversation smiled awkwardly, “Why are you looking at me like that? I was just curious. Never mind, never mind, I won't ask.”

Saying so, he pulled his head back and began to eat his meal, devouring it quickly.

The soldier opposite looked at the man, his gaze somewhat hesitant, but in the end, he lowered his head and ate his own meal.

Soon after, the man finished his meal, said goodbye, and left with his bowl.

After the man left, the soldier opposite's eyes flickered. He still got up and walked over to a Green Armored Guard in the mess hall, said a few words, and then pointed at the back of his comrade.

The Green Armored Guard nodded thoughtfully, then waved his hand back, calling someone to follow.

Shortly after, the person returned to report that the man had been lost as soon as he turned a corner.

Immediately, shouts and curses erupted within the tent!

“Damn it!”

“Find him!”

On the other side, looking up from the Great Camp below, along the swirling snow, towards the higher reaches of the Ninth Mountain, a majestic hall stood with mysterious grandeur amidst the swirling snow.

Since the name of the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General was being spread by more and more people, this Zhonglang Hall, which represented his status, also increasingly displayed a different kind of solemnity and Aura each day.

At this time, the entire Zhonglang Hall was heavily guarded, the mountain was closed to outsiders, and all Restrictions were fully activated.

In the courtyard behind the Zhonglang Hall, where the old man resided for recuperation, all unauthorized personnel had been withdrawn.

Inside the room, Lian Nishang personally held a bowl, bending down to feed the old man Wu the medicinal soup.

“Captain Lian, you've personally attended to my old bones these past few times. Why aren't those young girls here? Has something happened?”

Although Old Wu was weak, having come from the Sky Patrol Division and served as an informant for so many years, how could he not notice such changes? One or two times were fine, but later he felt it was a bit strange, so he slowly opened his eyelids and asked.

Lian Nishang's eyebrows moved. She felt that the old man before her had experienced many storms and wouldn't be flustered by a demon, so she gave a heads-up, “Old Wu, a demon has infiltrated the mountain. My brother's soldiers are pursuing it. For your safety, they have withdrawn the others and are personally guarding inside and out.”

Old Wu, upon hearing this, showed no particular reaction, only feeling bad. “You don't need to do this, Generals. At my age, I've seen some storms. If I hadn't been lucky, I don't know how many times I would have died… If there's a demon in the mountain, they should pay attention to the soldiers, don't… waste resources on me…”

Saying such a long sentence was difficult for Old Wu. He paused from time to time, somewhat out of breath.

Lian Nishang helped him smooth his Qi with one hand. She had also said this, “I understand what you mean. The Generals won't listen. Don't worry about these matters, Old Wu. My brother is skilled in commanding the army; he won't be thrown into disarray by a mere demon.”

“The medicine is finished. You should rest well!”

Saying this, Lian Nishang lowered the backrest behind Old Wu, allowing him to lie flat.

“Sigh,” Old Wu felt willing but unable, and didn't cause any trouble. He responded, his eyelids heavily closing.

He wouldn't be able to recover to his previous state anytime soon. He was old, and his martial Dao Foundation had been destroyed in his early years, making his Qi and blood weak. Even though he had been snatched back from death, he needed to recuperate slowly.

Seeing this, Lian Nishang rose from the edge of the bed and then went to the front hall.

There, a Red Armored Guard sat cross-legged in the Void Realm, opening his eyes.

Cloud Skyborn was stationed in this room, but in fact, there were several layers of protection outside.

He was inside, Lu Ming was outside, and the South City Guard, Mo, who had been invited, used his newly awakened Divine Ability eyes to secretly monitor every movement on the mountain. Liu Qing, meanwhile, was managing the situation down the mountain.

The four had clear divisions of labor and acted decisively, preventing any major disturbances from last night's incident.

“Cavalry General Yun, you've worked hard. Thank you for guarding here. The old man just woke up and sensed the problem, so I told him the truth. He also said it wasn't necessary to go to such lengths.”

Lian Nishang thanked Cloud Skyborn for his hard work.

The other party's feet touched the ground. “It's nothing. There's no need to say that again. Yun and everyone else are just doing their duty. That thing attacked our messenger officer and learned that the General was not in the Ninth Mountain, so it dared to intrude into the camp. It must have some motive. Yun cannot think of anything else, but the Zhonglang Hall must not be lost.”

Lian Nishang nodded, her heroic eyebrows furrowed. “From Cavalry General Yun's previous description, that demon must have strange and powerful methods. It's only right for the Generals to be cautious. But if there's anything needed, please tell me! I will certainly contribute my strength!”

Saying so, she cupped her hands.

“Naturally!”

As soon as Cloud Skyborn finished speaking, his ears suddenly twitched, hearing a faint cry from outside the window.

Then, his body moved, he pushed open the door, leaped into the air, and his gaze sharpened as he looked down the mountain.

And at this very moment, below Yunding Mountain, a silver light streaked through the wind and snow, flying towards the Ninth Mountain Great Camp.

That was the silver light of an Ao Tian Falcon!

Soon, that silver light flew into the Ninth Mountain Great Camp.

“Ao Tian Falcon? Who sent it at this time?!” Lu Ming's voice echoed in Cloud Skyborn's ear.

The other party was standing in the Void Realm dozens of feet away, also startled by the Ao Tian Falcon's movement.

Cloud Skyborn was also unsure, “I don't know. Wait a moment, Liu Qing will surely bring news.”

The two stood there looking and waiting. About half a cup of tea later, in the wind and snow down the mountain, two streams of light broke through the wind and snow, then were blocked by the opened Restrictions, landing on a cliffside covered bridge.

Cloud Skyborn and Lu Ming, including the South City Guard who was in the dark, all flashed towards the direction of the newcomers, landing on that covered bridge.

In front, a thick, hazy light barrier separated this covered bridge.

Cloud Skyborn took out his token and struck it against the light barrier, opening a passage.

Three feet outside the passage stood two people side by side.

One was Liu Qing, clad in red armor!

The other was an old General, clad in green armor!

With a long goatee!

Cloud Skyborn's eyes widened in surprise when he saw this person.

Isn't this Gongsun Yang, whom they were going to find at Chuanzhong Pass!

But at that instant, he also felt some doubt. Yesterday's matter had not yet settled; could it be…

He and Lu Ming couldn't help but exchange glances, seeing the same concern in each other's eyes. Then they tried to see if the South City Guard accompanying them could discern anything, and they transmitted their thoughts.

But suddenly, the Green Armored old General opposite spoke,

“Don't look anymore. This old man just heard the full story from Lang Jiang Liu.”

“A filthy thing, daring to impersonate this old man. This old man has the General's Luck and incense protection on him.”

Saying so, a golden scroll flew out of his sleeve, and then the book cover expanded to two zhang tall against the wind.

Immediately after, the pages rustled, and golden characters flew out, condensing into a golden illusory figure.

Holding a Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear, clad in brilliant armor, with a tall stature, his Aura was as majestic as a high mountain.

“Greetings, General!”

Seeing this golden illusory figure, the few bowed down. (End of Chapter)