Chapter Forty-Six: The Order to Disband, Dragon's Breath Falls

Han Chong turned and returned to the secret mansion. After roughly counting, he found three demon generals and over a hundred lesser demon guards lurking within—truly the heart of the threat to Pei Jun's domain.

With the Fourth King of Grievance departed, the rebellious citizens of Guangwei County faced dire peril. Yet, there was no time to eradicate the demons at this moment.

He sped swiftly back.

“Captain Han, how did it go?”

“The Fourth King of Grievance has already headed for Guangwei County. There are many demons hidden in the secret chamber beneath the governor’s mansion, but the situation is urgent—saving the people comes first.

I will go to Guangwei County immediately. Please escort Governor Wang and have him post the decree lifting the tax increase, and notify each county. We’ll rendezvous at Guangwei later.

Once we have surrounded and killed the Fourth King of Grievance, we can return and sweep the secret mansion clean of demons!”

“That sounds reasonable. Be careful, we’ll arrive soon!”

The group bid him farewell with cupped hands.

Han Chong selected a swift horse and raced south.

Within half a day, as Han Chong arrived at the Guangwei County yamen, he witnessed thousands of commoners, wielding hoes and shovels, engaged in a fierce melee with over thirty armed constables!

The county magistrate was a gaunt figure, standing at the gate, shouting incessantly.

Tensions between the two sides had escalated, a clear sign the Fourth King of Grievance was already here.

According to Governor Wang, this magistrate was a black fox demon in disguise—he did not doubt it.

“Stop!” Riding hard, Han Chong drew the crowd’s attention.

The gaunt magistrate narrowed his eyes, thinking, He arrived so quickly.

“Everyone, stand down! I am Han Chong, Martial Captain of the Demon-Slaying Bureau!”

“Sir, I am You Kai. Welcome, Captain Han. These rabble are openly defying taxes, assaulting the yamen. Please help me suppress them—I would be most grateful!”

“Nonsense! Look at this!” Han Chong pulled several decrees stamped with the governor’s seal from his chest and tossed them forward.

“What! This is the governor’s order to lift the tax increase—how can this be!” The magistrate was stunned. He had just welcomed the Fourth King, who instructed him to incite rebellion and crush it bloodily.

Why would the governor’s office issue such a decree?

Yet, this did not hinder the king’s plan. His main task was to lure Han Chong into the rear court.

“Heh, so that’s how it is. Thank you for your hard work, Captain Han. Please come to the rear court for some tea, so I may report in detail, after which I’ll issue the order to cancel the tax increase.”

Naturally, Han Chong would not enter this trap so easily.

“Tea can wait! Post the decrees, disperse the people, or I won’t set foot in the yamen.”

...

“Very well! Guards, post the decrees and cancel the tax increase.”

The magistrate handed the decrees to a yellow-faced head constable, who began dismissing the rebellious crowd.

“Heh, please, Captain, come in.” Yet Han Chong remained unmoved, watching as thousands of citizens cheered and slowly departed.

The magistrate grew anxious, scratching his head. If this fellow left, his mission would fail.

Even after dispersing the citizens, he feared the wrath of the King of Grievance.

But he resolved that should Han Chong leave, he would simply retrieve the decrees, resume tax collection, and stir up rebellion again.

Han Chong, of course, saw through the black fox’s intentions. He estimated Captain Wu and the others would arrive in three or four hours and had no intention of letting the Fourth King escape.

“Magistrate You, I won’t visit the rear court. Are there any famous sights in Guangwei County? Lead me to see them!”

Han Chong asked with deliberate interest.

The magistrate’s eyes brightened. This fellow really was a playful sort—how convenient. The rear court had too many eyes; a secluded location would do nicely as his grave, and the King would be pleased.

“Heh, Captain Han, though our county is modest, there is one renowned site, twenty miles east: Dragon Saliva Cave.

Legend says this cave is blessed, the abode of immortals. A hundred-foot-wide waterfall pours down like a dragon spewing waves, hiding the cave within.

It’s a rare sight, and everyone who visits lingers long. I am free now and shall personally escort you, if you wish.”

“Very well,” Han Chong replied coolly.

The magistrate turned to a stooped head constable: “Bring two swift horses. We shall accompany Captain Han to Dragon Saliva Cave. Also, inform the lady—go quickly.”

“At once,” the constable replied, running to the inner court. Soon, he brought two horses out through a side gate.

“Captain Han, after you.”

“Mm,” Han Chong followed leisurely.

After two hours, the rumble of the waterfall grew near, and after winding past two ravines, its true form appeared.

Just as described, the Dragon Saliva Falls were magnificent, mist rising from the spray, rainbows shimmering above—a breathtaking sight.

The three stopped by the lakeshore; the gorge was deserted.

...

“Captain Han, how do you find the view?” the magistrate asked, bowing with a smile.

Han Chong suddenly turned, flung his arm, and the golden Demon-Binding Rope wrapped tightly around the magistrate!

“Ah! Captain Han, what are you doing?” The magistrate was terrified, struggling desperately, but the rope only tightened.

“Monster, show your true form!”

Fear flashed in the magistrate’s eyes; the human mask fell away, and in a blink, he transformed into a black fox demon.

Much like the red fox demon, with gaping jaws and black fangs, he tumbled from his horse in a panic.

The stooped constable, equally shocked, transformed into a yellow weasel demon and fled.

But to Han Chong, such a creature was the lowest of the low. With a casual wave, a Demon-Slaying Light Blade shot out, cleaving the weasel in two before it could escape five yards.

The black fox, horrified, howled toward the path: “King of Grievance, save me!”

“He cannot save you.” Another Light Blade flew out, severing the fox’s head with precision; the binding rope recoiled.

Clap, clap, clap!

“Well done, you saw through the special mask that blocks demon aura, and your strike was ruthless—though your cultivation is lacking.”

A shadow flickered left and right, stopping ten yards from Han Chong: the bronze-masked man in black.

Han Chong arched his brow and dismounted.

“Are you human or demon? Why do you sow chaos in Pei Jun’s domain?”

“Hahahaha, what do you think?”

Suddenly, a green, scale-covered tail burst from his back, thick and powerful enough to crack stone with a single lash!

Han Chong’s eyes narrowed. He fired four Light Blades and charged toward the waterfall, igniting and shooting the Black Tiger Cloud-Piercing Arrow.

“Heh, boy, where do you think you can run? This isn’t Pei Jun’s domain—no one will save you today!

I’ll slice your flesh off piece by piece for my wine!”

The man chuckled, stepping forward, instantly covering ten feet, pursuing Han Chong at leisure, his speed nearly matching Han Chong’s own full sprint.