Chapter 254: Killing Intent in the Dark Night
“Explain it carefully.”
Li Qingqiu looked at Jiang Zhaoxia as he spoke, raising his hand to signal for Jiang Zhaoxia to sit.
Jiang Zhaoxia sat beside Li Qingqiu and began recounting what he had seen and heard.
He had noticed that there were not many defending troops in the state capital. Every single one of them looked tense. The commoners in the city had all shut their doors tightly, and when night fell, there were no lights at all, making it resemble a dead city.
“The Northern Court Heavenly Son was possessed by an evil entity. Perhaps this matter has played out once again in the Cangzhou state capital,” Jiang Zhaoxia said coldly.
For this operation, he had made up his mind to produce a battle record even more eye-catching than Xu Ning’s.
Of course, he had not acted rashly for the sake of his own vanity. He could not affect the sect’s plan, nor could he become a flaw for Senior Brother.
After hearing this, Li Qingqiu felt that Jiang Zhaoxia’s speculation was very likely correct.
Great Demon Luo had a goal of revenge. To the north lay the Land of Demons and Devils, to the west the Azure Dragon Domain, and to the east the boundless ocean. For him, the south was already the weakest direction and the most likely land to help him establish the Ghost Dynasty. He needed a powerful Ghost Army.
Judging from surface strength alone, Great Demon Luo’s side was stronger. Naturally, he had greater confidence and dared to take risks.
This battle would be different from the past. It was a true test for the Clear Sky Sect.
No matter how strong Li Qingqiu was, it was impossible for him to intercept all evil ghosts and the Ghost Army alone. The Clear Sky Sect had to participate. This calamity targeted everyone under heaven, and it was time for the True Transmission Disciples to shoulder the pressure.
After Jiang Zhaoxia finished speaking and saw that Senior Brother did not say anything, he could roughly guess what Senior Brother was thinking.
“Senior Brother, not to mention comparing with aristocratic clans or dynasties—even compared with Jianghu sects, the Clear Sky Sect has not sacrificed many disciples over these years. You’ve already done more than enough,” Jiang Zhaoxia said seriously.
He truly felt that the Clear Sky Sect’s development up to this point had been far too smooth. Of course, he also knew that behind this smoothness was Senior Brother resolving, time and again, troubles the sect itself could not handle.
Li Qingqiu looked at him and said, “I’m not being sentimental. I’m just thinking about how to fight.”
Jiang Zhaoxia revealed a smile and did not expose Senior Brother.
He no longer disturbed Li Qingqiu and also began to sit down and cultivate, restoring his Vital Energy.
The snow grew heavier and heavier, as if it were going to bury the entire human world.
……
Another evening arrived. Qin Ye finally led his three hundred thousand troops to the front of the Cangzhou state capital.
The Cangzhou state capital was named Cloud Emperor City. A thousand years ago, Cangzhou had not been a province but a dynasty. Its ruler, the Cloud Emperor, had once marched north to strike the Northern Court and established tremendous military achievements.
Cloud Emperor City stood upon the wasteland. Outside its walls stretched an endless expanse of land where not even weeds grew. Flying snow danced in the air, unable to bury this ancient city.
Qin Ye looked from afar and frowned. Rolling dark clouds churned above Cloud Emperor City, making the entire city look incomparably oppressive.
“Great General, why have we stopped?” Jia Guang asked.
Along the way, they had encountered Corpse Ghost attacks many times. The strength Qin Ye displayed had utterly convinced him. In the past, he had only heard that Qin Ye was strong. This time, marching with the army, he had finally witnessed Qin Ye’s power with his own eyes and at last understood what it meant to be an Immortal Cultivator.
Qin Ye said, “I sense that something is wrong with this city. Let’s not rush into entering it. Send people to investigate first.”
Although Jia Guang was puzzled, he still obeyed the order and turned to relay the command.
Soon, two generals spurred their horses forward, galloping toward the towering city. Their figures vanished into the vast snowstorm.
The three hundred thousand troops halted in place and began to rest.
The sky gradually darkened, and the snow grew heavier. Many soldiers felt the cold and huddled together tightly.
Noticing this, Jia Guang could not help but say to Qin Ye, “The snow is too heavy tonight. If we don’t enter the city, I’m afraid illnesses will break out again.”
After a long march, and with it being winter, many soldiers had already fallen ill along the way. This area had no forests and was far too open, making the cold feel even more biting.
Qin Ye stared ahead and said, “If we rashly enter, I fear there will be even greater casualties.”
As an Immortal Cultivator, although his cultivation was only at the fifth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he could sense that something was wrong with Cloud Emperor City ahead.
Seeing his grave expression, Jia Guang chose to trust his judgment.
Li Yuzhong dismounted and began swinging his Fangtian Halberd to warm his body.
Whispers spread through the army. Some were uneasy, some dissatisfied, yet no one dared to stand up and defy Qin Ye’s command.
After night fully fell, the two soldiers who had been sent out still had not returned, causing Qin Ye’s brows to knit even tighter.
Li Yuzhong walked over and asked, “Do you need me to go take a look?”
Qin Ye shook his head and said, “No. You can’t go. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
He had already formed some guesses about Li Yuzhong’s identity. Aside from rumors, the main reason was that Li Yuzhong’s facial features indeed somewhat resembled Li Qingqiu.
This was also why he did not dare get too close to Li Yuzhong, for fear of crossing the line.
Hearing this, Li Yuzhong frowned. Just as he was about to speak again, the sound of hooves came from ahead.
One of the two generals sent earlier returned. He looked completely uninjured, and his expression even carried a hint of excitement.
He rode swiftly to Qin Ye, clasped his fists in salute, and said, “Reporting to the Great General, the Inspector-General has already set up a banquet and is waiting for you to enter the residence. There’s nothing unusual in the city. The troops in the city have all gone north to the border to set up defenses.”
Set up defenses?
Qin Ye frowned, feeling that something was amiss. However, since Cloud Emperor City had no troops guarding it, they no longer needed to be afraid.
“Give the order—enter the city!”
Qin Ye commanded, and Jia Guang immediately went to relay the order.
Under normal circumstances, armies were not allowed to enter cities. But it was far too cold outside, and he had no choice but to consider the soldiers.
Just like that, the three hundred thousand troops advanced again, like a long dragon moving toward Cloud Emperor City.
After one incense stick’s time.
Qin Ye, Li Yuzhong, and Jia Guang arrived first at the city gate. The main army behind them was still a hundred zhang away.
Only two city guards stood watch at the gate. They immediately saluted Qin Ye’s group, keeping their heads lowered.
Qin Ye’s gaze turned toward the city interior. Only a few houses were lit, and the overall scene looked dim and oppressive, like a ghost city.
He tilted his head toward the guard on the left and asked, “Has anything out of the ordinary happened in Cloud Emperor City recently?”
That guard replied, “The disturbances caused by evil entities in the Northern Border have made Cangzhou uneasy as well. There have been quite a few strange incidents in the city, but overall, it’s still fairly peaceful.”
Hearing this, Qin Ye instead felt reassured.
If the other party had spoken too absolutely, he would have grown suspicious.
Qin Ye nodded, then entered the city.
Li Yuzhong and Jia Guang followed closely behind. The three hundred thousand troops soon reached the city gate and entered in succession.
Amid the snow-filled mist across the sky, Jiang Zhaoxia stood high above on his flying sword and saw this scene. He turned and vanished into the vast snowstorm.
Cloud Emperor City, inside the Inspector-General’s Residence.
Inside a grand hall, a hunched old man with disheveled hair sat cross-legged upon a jeweled couch. His hands rested on his knees, palms facing upward, as wisps of Ghostly Energy coiled around his body. Candlelight cast his shadow onto the wall, elongated and narrow like that of an evil ghost.
Standing in the hall was another person with a refined temperament, appearing around thirty years old, handsome in appearance, dressed in a white robe. His name was Li Changjie, a descendant of the Li Family of Linchuan.
Li Changjie looked at his father, who had become neither human nor ghost, and felt as though his heart were being carved by knives.
He gritted his teeth and said, “Liu Jing’s army is entering the city. I’ve done everything you demanded. When will you leave my father’s body?”
Hearing this, the old man on the jeweled couch slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were entirely black, with blood-red pupils—terrifying to behold.
Great Demon Luo looked down at Li Changjie and said, “Once this seat assimilates that army, there will be plenty of bodies for this seat to choose from. Naturally, this seat will no longer make things difficult for your father.”
Li Changjie stared at him, his face filled with unwillingness.
If Great Demon Luo succeeded, Li Changjie dared not imagine the calamity that would follow. Yet he could not abandon his father.
A burst of cold laughter came from a dark corner of the hall. The voice was sharp and indistinguishable between male and female. “Big Brother, that army has abundant Blood Essence. It will certainly allow you to forge the Ghost Army you desire. And the one leading them is even an Immortal Cultivator—you must not miss this.”
Upon hearing that there was an Immortal Cultivator, an unexpected look appeared on Great Demon Luo’s aged face. He showed no joy and instead instructed, “Go take a look outside the city. See if there are any other Immortal Cultivators.”
“Yes!”
After the cold voice fell silent, Li Changjie clearly felt a wave of chill recede into the distance.
Within the state capital, aside from the evil entity occupying his father’s body, there were other evil entities running rampant as well. This was also why he had no way to escape.
Even upon hearing that Immortal Cultivators had arrived, his heart was filled only with despair, not knowing how to break free from this dire situation.
Perhaps even if Clear Sky Sect Master Li Qingqiu arrived, he still would not be able to contend against this evil ghost.
Thinking of this, Li Changjie clenched his fists tightly inside his sleeves.
“Go out and watch the show,”
Great Demon Luo said, then closed his eyes again.
Li Changjie hesitated for a moment but still chose to turn and leave. He knew that among Liu Jing’s subordinates there were members of the Li Family serving as generals and officials. If he encountered clansmen, he could at least warn them.
……
As a state capital city, Cloud Emperor City had broad streets. Uneven snowdrifts piled up along the sides, and the eaves of every building were covered in ice and snow, clearly untended for a long time.
Qin Ye, Li Yuzhong, and Jia Guang rode side by side, holding torches in their hands. Their expressions grew increasingly solemn.
From the moment they entered the city, even Jia Guang—who was not an Immortal Cultivator—had sensed that something was wrong.
“Should we withdraw?” Li Yuzhong looked at Qin Ye and asked in a low voice.
Qin Ye replied, “It’s too cold. If we order a retreat now, I’m afraid the army’s morale will waver.”
Li Yuzhong turned back and saw some soldiers breaking into buildings along the streets. Before any orders could be issued, many soldiers had already been unable to endure the cold and found places to rest.
“Why is it getting colder and colder? Could it be that ghosts are casting spells?” Jia Guang muttered, hugging his arms as his whole body trembled.
Hearing this, Qin Ye subconsciously looked up at the night sky. Rolling dark clouds slowly churned, as if they might collapse at any moment.
Suddenly.
“Who goes there?!”
Li Yuzhong roared. As he spoke, he flipped off his horse and was about to rush toward a narrow alley, but Qin Ye stopped him with his Golden Staff.
Li Yuzhong turned his head to look at Qin Ye, only to see Qin Ye staring in the direction he had intended to rush toward, his gaze cold and sharp.
“Don’t act rashly. It seems there will be a fierce battle tonight.”
Qin Ye said in a deep voice. He immediately turned around and began issuing orders one by one, having the soldiers seal off the surrounding streets and courtyards.