0113 No Entry Allowed

Wen Liangji stepped out of the prefecture office and was immediately approached by a man who asked in a low voice, “How did it go?”

Wen Liangji’s face was as cold as still water. “Too much selfishness involved. We can’t count on it.”

The man pressed on, “What about the Mustard Seed Pavilion?”

Wen Liangji’s expression darkened further. He clenched his fists tightly and shook his head. “Too many constraints. The situation isn’t looking good there either.”

Both men felt a heavy weight settle in their hearts, though they both understood what was happening.

For a long time, the Chong family had been torn between two forces. One side was committed to fulfilling the ancient vow of their ancestors from a thousand years ago—to regard the fight against the demon race as the family’s greatest duty and mission. The other side insisted the family maintain its current aloof strength and focus more on worldly affairs.

Even the previous heads of the family had wavered between these two positions, one after another.

The current leader, Madam Chong, was a staunch proponent of war. Yet within the family, there was another voice suggesting that her stance was a means to secure the support of the Qianzhong Army faction, thereby protecting her frail only son.

In recent years, Madam Chong’s influence had waned, and the anti-war faction’s voice grew louder. If Wen Liangji’s suspicions were correct, this conflict would soon reach its resolution. But now, undoubtedly, it was the darkest hour before dawn. Even as pavilion master, Wen Liangji’s control over the local Chong family forces had been greatly diminished.

This was most evident in the present moment. He had already sent out an urgent notification through special channels, but the response was sparse. Especially from the Qianzhong Army, from whom he most expected support—there had been no reply so far.

The Qianzhong Army would never abandon the demons to their own devices. This silence filled Wen Liangji with an ominous premonition.

After a brief silence, the other man sighed deeply. His hand trembled slightly, a flicker of firelight danced at his fingertips, and moments later, a plume of smoke escaped his mouth.

The firelight illuminated his handsome, somewhat disheveled face. Hua Su said calmly, “In that case, there’s only one option left.”

He flicked the ash from his cigarette, suddenly looking up with a smile. “Perhaps, this is exactly what they wish for.”

Wen Liangji smiled bitterly. Hua Su continued, “Anyway, you keep thinking of a plan. Leave things on this side to me!”

He turned around lightly and strode off toward the distance. Wen Liangji watched his silhouette, the soft contours revealing a clear resolve. Then he turned and headed firmly in another direction.

…

Jiang Feng’s worries grew heavier with each passing day.

Thanks to the help of Wandao, the situation in the Shizistreet demon lair had improved considerably, but the steady stream of news made it clear this was only a slight improvement.

The conditions in other demon lairs were growing increasingly tense. Every day, large numbers of soldiers were wounded or disabled and had to withdraw. Those who were less severely injured, no matter how exhausted, still pressed on. Behind them were the tens of thousands of civilians in Taicang City—there was no room for retreat, not even a single step.

Everyone gritted their teeth and fought on with sheer willpower, holding onto the hope for an end that seemed forever out of reach.

During this time, although Wandao was the main combatant, Jiang Feng was far from idle.

Besides gathering intelligence from all directions, he closely monitored Wandao’s condition.

He vaguely suspected that Wandao’s current state was linked to the golden bloodline coursing through his own body, but the exact nature of this connection required further study.

The golden blood energy recovered one stage each day, and the next day he conducted another experiment on a different lieutenant-level demon.

The results proved that either this form of control was accidental, or he could only control one demon at a time—either way, the second experiment failed. The lieutenant demon attacked him without hesitation and was swiftly cut down by Wandao’s blade, which shattered its demon core.

On the fourth day of the grand examination, at noon, Jiang Feng stood beside the demon lair, staring down into its depths.

At noon, the magical energy was at its peak, and demons appeared less frequently, making the lair seem deceptively calm.

Still, the abyssal sight below made Ning Changkong warn cautiously, “Be careful. Falling in would mean certain death.”

Nothing sharpens a person like war. After only four days in the grand examination, Ning Changkong had changed utterly.

His youthful innocence and pride had vanished without a trace. He had become more composed, more mature.

Jiang Feng nodded at him with a smile and suddenly asked, “Do you know what lies beneath the demon lair?”

He fixed his gaze on the bottomless abyss, where something seemed to emit a powerful allure, tempting every human to throw themselves in.

Ning Changkong had tried once before but became dizzy after a short while and felt an inexplicable impulse welling up. He quickly retreated while still lucid.

That Jiang Feng could now stand so close for so long was impressive enough, revealing an extraordinary willpower.

Jiang Feng pondered aloud, “It’s said the demons come from inside here, and that the other side faces the Great Wilderness Mountains. If one were strong enough, could we reverse course and strike into the demons’ lair from here?”

Ning Changkong nodded. “That’s right. In theory, it’s possible.”

Most of Jiang Feng’s knowledge came from books, but some secrets were never written down.

This was when the advantages of an ancient family became apparent.

Ning Changkong said, “Long ago, Chong Qianfan traveled through the demon lair to the Great Wilderness Mountains and sealed the portal, pushing the demons back completely.” He took a deep breath. “But even someone as powerful as Chong Qianfan disappeared forever on the other side. He never returned to see his wife or children.”

Ning Changkong spoke solemnly, “So don’t entertain any other ideas! You’re already doing well, but everyone has their limits.”

Jiang Feng was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah.”

At that moment, Wandao suddenly emitted a sharp cry, her face contorted in pain.

Jiang Feng glanced at her and ordered, “Find a safe place and get some rest.”

A soldier nearby laughed. “Jiang Feng, you really don’t spare her any mercy, do you? At least let her rest properly.”

Over the past few days, Wandao had been guarding this area and had helped them tremendously. Their fear of this demon was much diminished. Plus, Wandao’s outward appearance showed fewer demonic features, which easily misled people. The soldiers’ attitude had subtly shifted.

“Don’t be fools!” Shi Zhongming happened to pass by and overheard the remark. He immediately cursed, “Look closely! This isn’t some girl you’ve seen in a brothel. She’s a demon—a school-level demon!”

He slammed his hand on his shoulder and shouted, “This arm of mine was ripped off by her, eaten bite by bite! The brothers in the neighboring battle zone were all sucked dry by her into mummies! Merciful to her? Spare your own life first!”

The soldier was left ashamed. Jiang Feng spoke seriously, “Exactly. And the reason she’s so docile now is because her consciousness has been completely replaced by another will. The one protecting us right now isn’t really her!”

Ning Changkong heard this for the first time and asked in puzzlement, “Replaced?”

Jiang Feng nodded. “I only discovered this recently. The female demon you see now is just an empty shell, invaded by something unknown... In two days, she’ll recover. When that happens, we must kill her.”

Ning Changkong’s face grew grave as he nodded. Shi Zhongming shouted, “Stay sharp! In two days, the hardest part begins!”

At that moment, a man strode up briskly, calling out, “Lord Jiang, are you here?”

Most people had developed a strange mix of respect and fear for Jiang Feng in recent days, but this was the first time someone addressed him as “Lord.”

Shi Zhongming recognized the man and stepped forward. “Mr. Zheng, what’s the matter?”

The man was Zheng Qi, an aide from the Hundred-House Office, who had served there since the previous captain’s time. He was not an ally of Jin Zifu, but he was fair, and Shi Zhongming respected him.

Zheng Qi glanced at Jiang Feng and Wandao, then saluted Jiang Feng and cut to the chase, “Lord Jiang, how much control do you have over this female demon?”

Jiang Feng replied, “I have two days. Within that time, control shouldn’t be a problem.”

Zheng Qi asked, “I mean, can you take her somewhere else?”

Shi Zhongming tensed up immediately. “This female demon has already killed many enemies and is a formidable asset!”

Zheng Qi said, “Of course. Because of her, the Shizistreet area has become the safest demon laI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.