Chapter 571 Swords Drawn, Bows Bent

Several hours of brutal fighting had left all of Taiyuan Prefecture in ruins, with hardly a single building left intact.

Fortunately, thanks to the unified efforts of the major families and numerous masters, the Demon tide was suppressed.

However, some Demons still lurked hidden within the city, and it would be impossible to exterminate them all in a short amount of time.

Zhu Mansion.

Compared to other areas, the Zhu Mansion was still relatively intact.

The rear courtyard, where the women resided, was especially untouched, with few casualties.

A dozen or so Demon corpses were piled on the Martial Arts Arena, the pungent, coppery stench of blood filling the air.

“Young Master.”

Nursing Director Zhang said, his voice filled with excitement:

“This time we killed three Tier Seven Demons, and with Miss Zhou’s help, we also killed a Sixth-Grade one.”

“Just the meat and blood from these Demons will fetch a handsome sum.”

“Mm.” Zhu Ju nodded, then glanced aside to ask,

“How are things in the city?”

“It’s not as bad as we feared.” Zhou Ruxuan, having access to the Zhou Family’s information channels, had a more detailed understanding. She began to explain,

“This Demon invasion was primarily aimed at the Sanhe Gang. The City Lord’s Mansion, the Zhou Family, and the Nie Family faced comparatively little pressure.”

“The City Lord’s Mansion was the first to stabilize the situation, followed by the Nie and Zhou Families, who also quelled the demonic disaster.”

“The Sanhe Gang…”

“They’re fine, too!”

“Fine?” Ming Nianwei asked, her voice laced with astonishment.

“Several Fifth-Grade Demons appeared there. How could Li Xianshan possibly have dealt with them?”

Fifth Grade.

It was a major dividing line.

While Sixth-Grade Martial Artists and Demons were strong, a gap in power could be overcome with sheer numbers.

Dealing with the Fifth Grade, however, was much harder—because they could fly.

Large numbers…

…were of little use.

“The Sanhe Gang just so happened to be hosting an Upper Fifth Grade master. He helped Li Xianshan stabilize the situation.”

Zhou Ruxuan said,

“Also…”

“Gang Leader Li somehow acquired several thousand pounds of Demon-Devouring Iron and forged it into thousands of arrows. He caught the attacking Demons by surprise, inflicting heavy casualties, and managed to hold on until other masters from the city arrived as reinforcements.”

“What a coincidence, to have a guest over.” Zhu Ju said with a smile.

“That Gang Leader Li truly is a remarkable man.”

He had met Li Xianshan a few times and knew the man concealed his Cultivation and was incredibly shrewd.

“Actually, according to my older brother’s speculation, the root of this demonic disaster lies with the Sanhe Gang,” Zhou Ruxuan said.

“Li Xianshan offended the Hai Family of the Flood Dragon Race, and this disaster is their revenge. After all, Taiyuan Prefecture is a good distance from the front lines.”

“Furthermore, of the four city walls, only the eastern wall, the one closest to the Sanhe Gang, was breached by the Demons. That’s clear proof.”

“My lord,” Ming Nianwei said softly.

“Even if this is the Hai Family’s revenge, Taiyuan Prefecture is no longer safe. We should leave.”

Zhu Ju stroked his chin, lost in thought.

‘Time was on his side. After all, he had only lost his Cultivation, not his Realm.’

‘This meant…’

‘…Zhu Ju still possessed the lifespan of a Third Grade master—in fact, due to his Cultivation Technique, it was even longer than that of an ordinary Third Grade expert.’

‘Given enough time, his Cultivation would eventually recover. There was no need to put himself in danger.’

BOOM!

Just as he was about to speak, a loud crash echoed from the outer gate, followed by the sound of frantic footsteps.

“Who’s there?”

“What are you doing?”

“AHH!”

An aggressive group of people stormed into the Zhu Mansion, shoving aside the guards from the Nursing Home who tried to block their path, and appeared before the crowd.

“Zhu Ju!”

Pang Fei, a disciple of the Wenda Sect, stared directly at Zhu Ju with a grim expression.

“Where were you last night?”

SHING…

Fang Zhuo drew his sword, its Sword Qi aimed from afar, and demanded furiously:

“Speak!”

“Insolence!” Ming Nianwei’s face hardened. The Fuyao Sword shot out with a whistle, scattering specks of starlight.

Since inheriting Li Chengxia’s memories and receiving Zhu Ju’s guidance, her Cultivation and power had progressed by leaps and bounds.

Others might fear the Wenda Sect.

But with Li Chengxia’s memories, she felt no fear—especially not of a few juniors from the sect.

CLANG…

Their blades clashed.

The Fuyao Sword, imbued with the Power of Heaven and Earth, was exceptionally agile, its sword force shifting a hundred times in the blink of an eye.

Fang Zhuo’s expression changed dramatically. The Treasure Sword in his hand trembled violently as blood-red lotuses blossomed from thin air.

But it was no use.

The starlight was overwhelming.

Like the galaxy falling from the highest heavens, its infinite power crushed down, instantly shredding the blood-red lotuses to pieces.

“ARGH!”

Fang Zhuo roared as the Qi Blood surged through his body, and the Longsword in his hand began to radiate an eerie light.

The power of his already formidable Sword Momentum intensified yet again.

“The Blood Remnant Sword?”

Ming Nianwei sneered.

“A Secret Technique that burns one’s potential is nothing more than career suicide. Since you’re looking to die, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

SHIING…

The blade of the Fuyao Sword hummed, its Sword Light flaring magnificently.

“Junior Brother!”

A man and a woman leaped from the crowd. One struck with an open palm, the other with a clenched fist, both rushing toward the Fuyao Sword.

BOOM!

The Powerful Qi roared.

Everyone staggered back, and many of the Zhu Mansion’s Nursing Home guards were sent flying.

“What an incredible Sword Technique!”

Pang Fei’s expression was grim, his eyes filled with apprehension.

“Who are you? With such skill, why would you debase yourself by staying in the humble Zhu Mansion?”

“Hmph!” Ming Nianwei snorted.

“You coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong. I’ll stay wherever I please. What need is there to explain myself to you?”

“Excellent!”

A low shout came from the entrance. Before the sound even faded, a figure appeared before them:

“Excellent Sword Technique!”

“Excellent skill!”

“I am Wang Dian of the Wenda Sect. And you are…?”

“Hmph!” Ming Nianwei snorted, clearly having no intention of humoring him.

Wang Dian’s face darkened, and anger surged within him, but he suppressed it in an instant.

He wasn’t afraid of a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist, but a Sixth-Grade Mage often had a powerful force backing them.

Rashly offending one was highly unwise.

“Zhu Ju.”

He turned to Zhu Ju and said in a low, rumbling voice:

“Where were you last night?”

“The City Lord’s Mansion.” Zhu Ju’s expression was serene.

“The Wenda Sect is truly tyrannical, assaulting the guards of the Zhu Mansion’s Nursing Home for no reason. I will, of course, go to the City Lord’s Mansion to seek justice for this.”

“The City Lord’s Mansion?” Wang Dian frowned.

“Do you have a witness?”

“Of course,” Zhou Ruxuan sneered.

“Just ask anyone, and you’ll find out.”

Wang Dian tilted his head, his eyes flickering slightly as another look of surprise crossed his face.

‘What is going on with this Zhu Mansion?’

‘It has a Sixth-Grade Mage and a Battle Array, and even this woman is a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist practicing a top-tier Method.’

“Last night, my junior brother, Zhang Fang, was murdered. And the Half-Demon, Qian Hu, who was locked in the prison, has also vanished.”

As his thoughts raced, Wang Dian spoke slowly,

“Young Master Zhu, I need you to come with me to be investigated.”

Zhang Fang’s status was not ordinary. Moreover, as a disciple of the Wenda Sect, his death in a place like this demanded that someone be held responsible. They had no intention of letting anyone even remotely suspicious off the hook.

And the Zhu Mansion…

…was the prime suspect!

“What do you mean by that?” Zhou Ruxuan demanded coldly.

“Are you suspecting us?”

Zhu Ju raised a hand, his face a mask of confusion.

“The Half-Demon, Qian Hu?”

“That’s right.” Wang Dian nodded, then after a moment’s thought, explained,

“That Qian Hu is a Half-Demon, and the bloodline in his veins is connected to a particularly special Demon.”

Zhu Ju frowned.

‘It was true he had killed Zhang Fang last night, but he hadn’t rescued Qian Hu.’

‘Qian Hu’s bloodline was special; saving him would have attracted the attention of Wenda Sect’s top masters. Besides, his life wasn’t in danger.’

‘That’s why he hadn’t saved him.’

‘But someone else had rescued him last night…’

‘Who was it?’

“Young Master Zhu.”

Wang Dian said,

“Come with us. If I have to resort to force to persuade you, it might spoil the friendly atmosphere.”

The atmosphere in the courtyard changed abruptly.

Ming Nianwei and Zhou Ruxuan both tensed up.

The guards from the Zhu Mansion’s Nursing Home, however, hesitated.

They weren’t afraid of a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist, but Wang Dian was Fifth Grade—and far from an ordinary one.

Furthermore, making a move would mean offending the Wenda Sect, a fact that clearly gave them pause.

Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes.

He then looked toward Ming Nianwei.

“Go to the rear courtyard and check on Zhenzhen and the others.”

Ming Nianwei’s lovely eyes glinted. To an outsider, it seemed as if Zhu Ju was giving his final instructions, but she knew he was preparing to leave.

With Zhu Ju’s true strength and hidden trump cards, he wasn’t necessarily powerless against Wang Dian.

Wang Dian obviously sensed something was wrong. His expression shifted slightly, and the Qi Blood within him began to stir.

“What a lively scene!”

Just as the tension in the courtyard was about to break, a new voice called out from behind them.

“Isn’t that Senior Brother Wang from the Wenda Sect?”

“What a coincidence.”

A handsome young man holding a folding fan strolled in. He offered a cupped-fist salute to Wang Dian and said,

“Ji Wenchang of the True Martial Sect. I greet you, Senior Brother Wang.”

‘True Martial Sect?’

Wang Dian’s expression changed.