Young Jiang Ziya

Luo Xuan's farce faded after two days of being told in Xiqi City.

People are more concerned about the upcoming meeting – the Quad is now formed, where should it go next?

The atmosphere in the council chamber, however, was far from relaxed.

"My lord," Yun Zhen spoke first, "Beichong has been pacified, and the alliance with the four sides has been established. The most urgent task now is to gather our forces to jointly combat the blood plague. As for the purge of sorcerers within Xiqi… could it be postponed?"

Ji Chang sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed, and did not respond immediately.

"Although I have no fondness for the sorcerers," Wu Dan coughed lightly and stepped forward, "Yun Zhen is absolutely right."

Recent reports from border scouts indicate that the Blood Puppet activity in the North is becoming increasingly frequent, suggesting a possible southward shift.

If preparations are not made soon, a major disaster may ensue.

"Blood plague?" Lei Kai's cold, hard voice interrupted. He stood to the side of the hall, hand on his sword hilt. "The blood plague, though ferocious, is ultimately a mindless monster. What we should truly guard against are those mad sorcerers, and Chaoge itself!"

His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone as obstinate as ever: "The world knows that the Yin Shang dynasty coveted Xiqi."

The four-nation alliance, though impressive in appearance, actually gave Chaoge a pretext to attack.

If they take advantage of our forces being scattered while fighting the blood plague to launch an attack, how will Xiqi resist? Moreover—"

He paused, his voice growing colder: "There are still so many sorcerers imprisoned in the Tower of Purity."

If war breaks out, these people will be the biggest hidden danger.

In my opinion, instead of wasting time trying to unite with outsiders, we should first purge our own forces, strengthen the city's defenses, and be wary of Chaoge!

Yun Zhen and Wu Dan exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

They knew that Lei Kai's wariness of sorcerers was almost pathological, and his hostility towards Chaoge was even more deeply rooted.

"General Lei Kai," Yun Zhen wanted to persuade him again, "the spread of the blood plague is causing immense suffering and death. This is a great calamity for the entire world, not just a matter for Xiqi alone..."

"Enough," Lei Kai interrupted him. "My duty is to protect Xiqi, not to save the world. Please reconsider, Lord Marquis."

Ji Chang rubbed his temples and waved wearily, "This matter... will be discussed later."

Yun Zhen and the others had no choice but to take their leave.

As she walked out of the council hall, Wu Dan sighed softly, "Lei Kai is trying to trap Xiqi within the high walls he has built himself."

***

In another side hall, Ji Fa, Lü Shang, Han Ling, Shen Gongbao, and several others gathered together, the atmosphere equally somber.

"As long as the Demon Lord lives, the Blood Puppet Army will never be eradicated." Han Ling's voice was deep. "Our current campaign to wipe them out is futile—we'll only eliminate one wave, and a new army of Blood Puppets will appear. Unless we can find the Demon Lord's true form and destroy him in one fell swoop."

"But the Demon Lord is hard to find." Ji Fa frowned. "We can't just sit and wait for it to show itself."

"Perhaps..." Shen Gongbao began, a sharp glint in his eyes, "we should seek more allies. The Four Kingdoms Alliance is powerful, but it's not enough to fight the Demon Lord and what's behind him."

Wu Dan happened to walk in and shook her head upon hearing this: "The four regional lords are already the strongest forces in the land besides the Yin Shang. Who else can we turn to?"

"Demon race," Shen Gongbao uttered.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Yun Zhen followed Wu Dan in and, upon hearing this, smiled bitterly and said, "Shen Gongbao, thirty years ago, in the Battle of Wanling Valley, the Yin Shang dynasty allied with several other countries to conquer the capital of the Demon Kingdom. The Demon race was severely weakened and is no longer a threat."

Most of the surviving demon tribes have hidden themselves deep in the mountains and forests over the years, struggling even to protect themselves; how could they possibly be relied upon?

Wu Dan also said, "To put it another way, even if there were a powerful demon tribe willing to cooperate... the demon elders are almost all sorcerers."

Inviting them to join the alliance would likely generate controversy within the four-nation alliance itself.

"What's wrong with the warlock?" Shen Gongbao's voice suddenly rose, filled with suppressed anger.

"Have there been few sorcerers throughout history who have made great contributions on the battlefield? Why send us to the front lines when we need to kill the enemy, and then discard us after we've used us?"

Han Ling was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Shen Gongbao's words were harsh, but... they are not without reason."

Even within the Crimsonbrow Watchers, warlocks are an indispensable and powerful force.

Abandoning potential support from demon sorcerers would likely be unwise.

Shen Gongbao looked at Ji Fa: "In ancient times, the demon race was powerful and their understanding of spiritual energy, the Azure Sky, and even the source of the blood plague far surpassed that of our race."

If we can gain their allegiance, perhaps there will be a turning point in the fight against the Demon Lord.

Ji Fa pondered for a long time before finally nodding: "Master Han Ling, do you know where we can still find a large-scale demon tribe?"

Han Ling took out a leather map from his pocket and spread it out on the table: "In Luoshui, there is a wild demon tribe that calls itself 'Witch Prayer'. They have always maintained ancient customs and have never been assimilated into the human race."

According to the Watchers' records, they live in isolation, but their power remains. However… they have an extreme distrust of humans.

"We have to give it a try," Ji Fa said. "Make preparations, we'll set off in three days."

Lu Shang stood behind Ji Fa, his gaze falling on the words "Luoshui" on the map, and his heart suddenly clenched.

The banks of the Luo River... the hometown that Chao Di once spoke of.

He lowered his head, concealing the turmoil that instantly welled up in his eyes.

Chaodi's death must never be known to anyone—especially Ji Fa.

If Ji Fa knew that the "monster" he personally shot that night was actually the girl he had promised to protect... he would only feel more guilty.

***

Three days later, the group, traveling light, left Xiqi and headed northwest.

The closer you get to the Luo River, the more desolate the scenery becomes.

Following the map markings, they found the demon territory hidden deep in the dense forest on the afternoon of the fifth day.

There are no city walls, no houses, only huge ancient trees hollowed out to form natural treehouses.

Some caves were carved into the rock walls, and totems woven from animal bones and feathers hung at the entrances.

But the scene before them was far removed from the mysterious and powerful demon settlement they had imagined.

A tall, elderly man draped in animal skins emerged from the largest treehouse.

His face was covered in white mud paint, and his eyes were sharp but tired.

"Humans," the old man's voice was hoarse, spoken in a strange but understandable Mandarin Chinese dialect, "you are not welcome here, please leave."

Ji Fa stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "I am Ji Fa of Xiqi. I have come here not as an enemy, but to seek cooperation in the fight against the blood plague."

"Blood plague?" The old man—elder Mu Ke of the demon race—sneered. "Our race is struggling to survive, and has no power to help others."

"Elder, what makes you say that?" Han Ling stepped forward, revealing his Crimson Eyebrow Mark.

"I am a Crimson Eyebrow Watcher, and the Watcher's Covenant applies equally to the demon race. With the current blood plague, I have the right to conscript your troops. If your race is truly in trouble, we may be able to assist you."

Mu Ke stared at the bloodstain for a moment, his vigilance lessening slightly, but his weariness growing: "Help? You can't help."

My people are on the brink of death—we've been attacked by the 'Cursed Ones' for three months now.

"The one who has been cursed?" Shen Gongbao frowned.

"Bu Xiao." When Mu Ke uttered this word, his voice was filled with deep hatred and fear.

"The wounded members of our tribe either die or transform into those monsters at night."

We tried everything—medicine, spells, seals… but nothing worked.

They could only watch helplessly as their tribe dwindled while the number of monsters increased.

He looked at Ji Fa: "Want the demon race's aid? Fine. But you must first help us eliminate the source of the curse—'Ice Fang'."

"Ice Fang?"

"A giant wolf." Mu Ke's gaze fell into the depths of the dense forest. "It is the original 'cursed one' of this mountain forest, the most powerful, and the source of all the evil."

Killing it might end the curse. Otherwise, our entire race will be wiped out here, and we won't be able to help you fight against the blood plague.

Ji Fa exchanged glances with the others, and finally nodded: "Please show us the way, Elder."

***

On the way to the "Ice Fang" lair, Mu Ke recounted the past of the demon race.

"In ancient times, the demon race was the master of the land of gods." His voice echoed in the dark forest.

"We are virtually immortal and possess immense innate spiritual power. This blessing comes from our God."

"The gods are divided into two factions, the good gods and the evil gods, and the war never ends."

Until a god named "Keran" appeared—the people called him "Greedy Wolf".

"Greedy Wolf" Ke Ran moved between the two factions, gaining the trust of all the gods.

Then, he betrayed everyone.

Mu Ke's tone turned somber: "Ke Ran lured the gods together and used a scheme to seal them all away."

The war ended, but the demon race also lost the protection of the gods.

The power of immortality dissipates, and psychic energy gradually weakens.

"Later, humanity rose to power and defeated the demon race."

Some of the tribesmen fled into the mountains and forests, maintaining their ancient customs and calling themselves "wild demons".

Another group was captured and taken to human cities as slaves, where they were called "barbarian demons".

We have gradually lost our own culture and power.

He looked at Ji Fa: "This is the 'demon race' you've been looking for. A surviving race that has lost its gods, lost its homeland, and is being devoured by a curse."

As they spoke, they ventured into an area known locally as the "Forest of Atonement."

The trees here are twisted and bizarre, with dark purple leaves, and the ground is covered with a thick layer of moss.

Muke stopped there, saying he would wait for their message at the entrance to the woods.

After bidding farewell to Mu Ke, the group continued on for another half an hour.

Suddenly, the shadows in the woods swayed.

Several dark figures swooped down from the treetops—wolf faces, ape bodies, leopard tails, and fleshy wings on their backs.

It was none other than Fu Xiao, a name that Lü Shang knew all too well!

The battle erupted instantly.

These ferocious beasts were even more ruthless than those Lü Shang had encountered before; they were swift in their movements and coordinated perfectly.

Shen Gongbao unleashed a barrage of spells, while Ji Fa's sword flashed like lightning.

Lu Shang protected the flanks, not daring to use his spiritual power easily, and could only rely on his agility to maneuver.

Just as the fierce battle was raging, an even larger dark shadow descended from the sky and landed on a boulder at the edge of the battle zone.

This shrew is significantly larger than its counterparts, with darker fur and strange silver-white patterns on its wing membranes.

What's most special is its eyes—not pure dark red, but with a hint of a lingering, almost rational, deep blue.

It didn't attack; it just stood there quietly.

Seeing this, the other rebels slowly retreated and stopped their attack, but still formed a siege.

"Human race".

A deep, hoarse, yet exceptionally clear voice resounded directly in everyone's minds.

It was the arrogant beast on the boulder. It slowly surveyed the crowd, its gaze lingering longest on Mu Ke, filled with deep-seated hatred.

"My name is 'Silent Owl'." Its voice carried a weary yet authoritative quality. "I still retain some of my sanity. Therefore, I choose to communicate with you."

Ji Fa gripped the sword hilt tightly, staring at it warily: "What are you trying to say?"

"Leave here." Ji Xiao's voice was resolute. "This is an internal feud between him and me."

Let that old man pay for his blood debt.

This is the retribution they deserve; you humans should not interfere.

Ji Xiao's deep blue gaze fell on Ji Fa: "Do you know how many things that old man has been hiding from you?"

About this land, about the truth of the curse, about... the 'ally' you are searching for.

It let out a low growl that sounded almost like a sneer: "Being kept in the dark by him must be unpleasant, right?"

After saying this, it spread its wings and soared into the sky.

The other arrogance, as if given a command, retreated into the depths of the dense forest and disappeared.

Ji Fa and his group were left standing there, looking at each other, their hearts filled with doubt.

Lu Shang stared in the direction where Ji Xiao had disappeared, his palms sweating profusely.

He looked ahead into the dark depths of the dense forest, which resembled the maw of a giant beast, where "Ice Fang" awaited them.