Chapter Forty-Nine: Swift Horses Bearing Letters, Alone in Shadow

"Daydreaming in broad daylight, what's the use of keeping you around?" Han Chong suddenly stood up, drew the serpent-fanged dagger from his waist, and thrust it straight into the villain’s heart.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for slaying the Fourth Wraith King of the Pei Jun Prefecture, completing the bounty mission, and earning a permanent increase of four points in Luck.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for resolving the crisis of increased taxes and the resulting rebellion in Pei Jun Prefecture, earning 50,000 points of merit.]

[Ding! The system has detected that the host is aware of the impending disaster in Yunzhou and has identified the true master of the Fourth Wraith King. You have earned a permanent increase of five points each in Accuracy, Tenacity, Movement Speed, Critical Hit, Attack Speed, Evasion, Damage Reduction, and Penetration. Simultaneously, you have triggered the merit mission to rescue Yunzhou from the chaos of war. Completing this task will earn you a vast amount of merit.]

The Bloodshadow Serpent had already burrowed into the demon's corpse the instant he died, draining him dry of blood and essence in the blink of an eye before returning to Han Chong’s body.

Everyone watched as Han Chong spat a jet of azure flame, incinerating the demon’s remains. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, only the claws and the sharp horns remained, which he gathered up.

"Captain Han, in resolving the crisis of rebellion in Pei Jun Prefecture and slaying the Fourth Wraith King, you’ve rendered outstanding service. What are your plans next?" Captain Ning asked.

Han Chong pondered briefly. Though he'd braved great danger to kill this fiend, the system had not prompted a level-up—he must still lack some experience. However, now that the Bloodshadow Serpent had returned after draining the foe’s blood, his own physique should be elevated to the peak of mortal martial arts mastery.

"Though we've uncovered the true mastermind behind the scenes in Yunzhou City, Pei Jun Prefecture is far from stable at present. First, there are still many demons lurking in the secret tunnels beneath the magistrate’s office. Second, of the four Wraith Kings, the Black Tiger Demon King remains at Tigerfang Mountain. Both are hidden dangers to Pei Jun Prefecture—we must eliminate them before making further plans."

"Indeed! Let’s hurry back to the magistrate’s office, gather the Discipline Office and constables, and tonight we’ll wipe out the demons hiding below in one fell swoop," Captain Wu responded, eyes shining, fists clenched with eagerness.

The group mounted their horses and rode through the night to the magistrate’s office. The constables were equipped with fire arrows laced with poison. Under Han Chong’s leadership, they opened the secret tunnels.

"We’ll attack after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. I’ll block the other exit first," Han Chong instructed, then used his invisibility technique to enter the tunnels.

...

A thunderous crash sounded—over a hundred demons within the tunnels were thrown into panic as the rear passage was sealed by falling stones. Simultaneously, shouts and the sounds of battle came from the front, and waves of fire arrows rained down, inflicting heavy casualties among the demons.

After two hours of fierce battle, all the demons were eradicated. Vast treasure was hauled out and sealed in the official treasury.

...

At dawn, as Han Chong was preparing to lead the captains south towards Tigerfang Mountain at the southernmost end of Pei Jun Prefecture, the captain with the peach-blossom eyes arrived at the sub-bureau.

However, his expression was grim.

"Captain Chen, what’s happened?" Captain Ning asked with a salute.

"Last night, I received an urgent message by fast courier—rebellions have broken out simultaneously in the other seven counties of Yunzhou. The prefectural office requires each county sub-bureau to send eighty percent of its manpower to Yunzhou for temporary stationing."

"What! But what use would we be to the prefectural office?" Captain Wu asked, perplexed.

"How should I know? But if the rebellion intensifies and threatens Yunzhou City itself, we’ll likely be incorporated into the prefectural forces to help suppress the unrest. Enough talk—Captain Ning and Captain Wu, each of you will take two captains and depart. Captain Han will remain here with two captains. Set out by noon."

"Why should Captain Han stay behind? He’s brave and resourceful, and has performed outstandingly. He’s the best candidate to support Yunzhou City—let me, Old Wu, stay instead!"

"Ahem! Captain Han is still young and needs more experience. There’s no rush for him to go to the prefectural office. It’s settled."

Captain Wu wanted to argue, but Han Chong stopped him. He had not yet reached the stage of spiritual transformation. Even if he went to Yunzhou City, he would accomplish little. It was more important to slay the Black Tiger Demon King first.

Unfortunately, both Captain Wu and Captain Ning had to leave immediately for the prefectural office. That left him with only Ouyang Jingguan as a potential ally, for the Black Tiger Demon King was a true demon king.

"Captain Leng, you’d better go and pack your belongings," the captain with peach-blossom eyes called out to Leng Yueting.

"I’d prefer to stay stationed here at Pei Jun Prefecture with Captain Han," Leng Yue replied coolly.

"Absolutely not! You’re a woman, and with all the strong men going to the prefectural office, how can we leave you here alone?"

"Captain Leng, you should go. The prefectural office will indeed be much safer," Han Chong advised her as well. He guessed that the rebellion was unstoppable and he would be sent for eventually—it was just a matter of time.

After a brief hesitation, Leng Yue saluted and left.

...

At noon, the captain with peach-blossom eyes led the group northward toward the prefectural office, while Han Chong arranged for two captains to guard the county magistrate’s residence and hurried to Ouyang’s mansion.

But when he arrived, he found Ouyang Jingguan also packing his luggage.

"Ouyang, what’s this?"

"Heh, Brother Han, these days spent fighting demons at your side have been most rewarding. But my leave is over and my master has summoned me back to the capital."

"I see. Well then, until we meet again—safe travels," Han Chong replied with a faint smile.

To his surprise, in a single day all his allies had left save for Mingzhen, whose Buddhist arts were particularly effective against ghosts. But Tigerfang Mountain was likely crawling with demons, and Mingzhen would be of little help.

Under these circumstances, Han Chong could only bid farewell and postpone his trip to Tigerfang Mountain.

"Brother Han, I’m sorry I can’t accompany you to Tigerfang Mountain. I advise you not to go, either. The Black Tiger Demon King may not be as strong as the Fourth Wraith King, but with so many demons in the wilderness, to slay him would be like reaching for the stars. Better to patiently build your strength, gather more demon-slaying captains, and go together another day."

"Thank you for your counsel, Ouyang. I know my limits. Someday, I’ll visit you in the capital—don’t you dare shut your doors and refuse me!"

"Heh, don’t worry. I’ll welcome you with open arms."

...

"Little Master Mingzhen, this trip to Tigerfang Mountain is dangerous and must be quick. Please wait for me at the sub-bureau," Han Chong said.

"Very well. I truly am not much help against demons and can only await your good news, Benefactor. Amitabha."

"Farewell!"

"Farewell!" Han Chong turned and rode south at speed.

...

Tigerfang Mountain lay in the southwest of Yichuan County, narrow and long in shape, its outline resembling a tiger’s fang. It extended for nearly a thousand miles, bordering three counties, infested with wild beasts and perilous beyond measure—no ordinary person dared set foot within. In the villages surrounding the three counties, there were frequent tales of demons descending from the mountains to prey on humans; even the most seasoned hunters only dared to hunt at the outskirts.

Three days later, Han Chong reached the edge of Tigerfang Mountain. Gazing at the wild, jagged peaks, his brow furrowed. The range was vast beyond measure—tracking down the Black Tiger Demon King would be time-consuming and arduous. Alone and unaided, even a master at the stage of spiritual transformation would face certain death inside.

Han Chong activated his invisibility as soon as he reached the outer reaches, heading straight for the central region, ignoring wild beasts and lesser demons along the way. Finally, after a day’s journey, he arrived at a bare valley where three mountain ridges met.

Here, every hundred paces or so, small groups of demons could be seen—some chasing and fighting, others dozing lazily in the sun.