0122 The Veteran Chain Ming

Shangguan Qing's clear energy penetrated into Jiang Feng's body, but he saw nothing.

Inside Jiang Feng was complete chaos, as if shrouded in a dense fog. The Mingxin Seed, the Yuan Branch—everything was tightly sealed and concealed.

Shangguan Qing furrowed his brow, casting a glance at him. "You’re quite fortunate to have such a powerful protector shielding you."

This was not uncommon. Among the core heirs of noble clans, if they mastered an advanced Ming Energy martial technique, the family elders would add a Ming Energy defense specifically to prevent outsiders from probing their energy flow and stealing the technique.

If the viewer’s ability did not surpass the one who set the defense, they would see nothing—just as now.

Shangguan Qing smiled faintly. "No matter. If I can’t see it, I’ll just listen to what you say."

A flash of blade light flickered between his fingers as he stepped forward. "Come, I’ll ask and you answer. First, tell me, what level is the Mingxin Seed you fused…"

…

The dungeon was cut off from the world. Shangguan Qing received orders to use every means possible to force Jiang Feng to reveal his secret.

Meanwhile, outside, the situation in Taicang City had begun to shift.

A group of people silently entered Taicang City and quickly reached the demon lair.

Normally, this was extremely dangerous, but Taicang City had suffered severe damage. The situation was worsening, and there were simply no troops available to manage this. So when these people arrived at the front lines, hardly anyone noticed.

Their strength ranged from Yangming to Shenming realms, each with extensive experience dealing with demons.

By the time they arrived, the defenses around the demon lairs were already nearing collapse. As soon as they appeared, they launched a powerful counterattack against the demons!

They ignored the weakest demons, targeting only the mid-level Xiao and Wei-class demons. The Wei-class demons fell with a mere glance; the Xiao-class demons were slightly tougher but still only took a few moves.

In fact, these were the toughest enemies for the city’s defense forces. With their arrival, the battle lines were pushed back steadily.

Whenever they had a moment’s respite, they showed their credentials to the local hundred-house chiefs.

All the hundred-house chiefs were stunned.

These men were all former members of the Demon Suppression Army—retired veterans.

They had fought for years in the Demon Suppression Army and retired due to serious injuries, returning home to live ordinary lives. Few survived like them in the army; they were either exceptionally strong or extraordinarily lucky.

Even with irreparable injuries, they still possessed formidable combat power.

Their lifespans were usually short; they could have lived out their final years in peace, but upon hearing the news from Taicang City, they had rushed back once more.

Watching them fight, the city’s defense soldiers felt an indescribable surge of emotion; some even had tears welling in their eyes.

Moments later, a long-lost morale rose from their hearts, and the soldiers roared, “Forward! Drive the demons back!”

“Drive them back!”

In that moment, exhaustion and pain seemed to vanish. They charged to the front lines once more, fighting side by side with these veterans of the Demon Suppression Army.

At the same time, another group arrived at Qianshi Bridge.

Near Qianshi Bridge, on the Changchuan River, there was another demon lair—one of the earliest formed in Taicang City, and larger than the others.

The number of demons emerging from it was three tiers greater than elsewhere. Just after the fourth upgrade finished, six Xiao-class demons leapt out simultaneously!

Hu Xueguan, a Mingxin scholar, had been guarding here all along. With a grand flourish, he summoned a golden dragon to block three of them. The other three were engaged by the city’s defense forces.

Hu Xueguan had been on guard for sixteen days; his clothes were stained deep black with demon blood, and the wrinkles on his face had deepened. The three Xiao-class demons attacked together, seizing the golden dragon. After a fierce struggle, the Ming Energy-formed dragon was forcibly dispersed!

Hu Xueguan himself was at the Shenming realm, equal in rank to the Xiao-class demons. Facing three at once was already unfavorable; after sixteen days of exhaustion, he was at his limits.

The golden dragon, formed from his own Ming Energy, was shattered by force. He grunted deeply, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Two Xiao-class demons flashed forward like lightning, one in front and one behind, aiming for his chest.

Suddenly, a long red shadow swept past, intercepting the two demons. It was a crimson whip, blazing with intense heat, brushing past Hu Xueguan’s body.

The whip swung wide.

Before it reached the demons, their bodies froze mid-motion. Then, with a loud pop, they exploded into countless black powders!

The whip’s fiery heat ignited the black dust, and in an instant, the two Xiao-class demons turned to blue smoke, vanishing without a trace!

Hu Xueguan had thought this was his death, but suddenly rescued, he looked around in shock and delight, just in time to see two people stepping onto Qianshi Bridge.

One wore plain clothes, their long hair loose and somewhat disheveled; the other wore fine brocade robes, delicate and as beautiful as a spring blossom. The latter had just withdrawn the crimson whip and glanced at the companion, asking, “Your strength…”

Hu Xueguan hurried forward, calling out, “Lord Wen! This is…”

Before Wen Liangji could speak, the plain-clothed man snapped his fingers, and an iron token fell into his hand.

Hu Xueguan looked down and was immediately astounded. “Demon Suppression Army, thousand-man captain!”

Hua Su waved his hand, his clear voice echoing across Qianshi Bridge: “Retired veterans of the Demon Suppression Army reporting for duty! We will not return until the demons are exterminated!”

“We will not return until the demons are exterminated!”

Several others followed, all clad in coarse linen garments. Upon arrival, they leapt forward, and the strongest demons on Qianshi Bridge immediately met their toughest opponents!

…

Wanqi Yu strode onto Qianshi Bridge. Seeing the scene before him, his pupils constricted slightly.

A burly man wielded a wolf-tooth club, swinging it as lightly as straw. The demon before him instantly had a large dent crushed into its chest and collapsed.

The man noticed Wanqi Yu, sizing him up with a cold glare that made the stout man instinctively straighten his back.

He took a deep breath and calmly stepped forward.

Qianshi Bridge had three pavilions; two were already smashed to ruins, the last one still intact.

Under the pavilion, several people were gathered, speaking quietly.

Wanqi Yu approached with a broad smile, firmly shaking the hand of the man in the middle. “On behalf of Taicang City, I thank you all!”

A glint flashed in Hua Su’s eyes. He extended his hand for a brief shake. “I have gathered 192 retired soldiers from Yushui Prefecture and surrounding regions. Sixty-eight have arrived; the rest are on their way.”

Wanqi Yu frowned slightly, concern in his voice. “I heard that only those Demon Suppression soldiers with Mingxin Seed injuries so severe their realms reversed can retire. Retired soldiers never exceed the Shenming realm; their Ming Energy constantly dissipates, making them unable to fight…”

Hua Su interrupted coldly. “That is our concern. Lord Wanqi need not worry needlessly. We have come here today because we are resolute!”

Wen Liangji strode forward, voice cold. “Fighting demons is every human’s responsibility. If the government and noble clans cannot help, then we must act ourselves!”

Wanqi Yu fell silent for a moment, then smiled meaningfully. “Oh? Then feel free to handle things yourselves. May I ask why I was summoned here?”

Hu Xueguan angrily retorted, “Why were you summoned? As the governor of Taicang Prefecture, have you once come to inspect the situation these past days? Coward! You hide behind schemes and tricks!”

He almost shouted curses. Wanqi Yu remained calm, smiling. “Master Hu is a refined man; there is no need for harsh words.”

Hua Su sneered. “Taicang City is in this state now, and Lord Wanqi must take responsibility.”

Wanqi Yu smiled. “After this is over, I will humbly offer my apologies to the king. But the most urgent matter now is to seal the demon lairs. What do you think, Master Hu, Master Hua?”

Hu Xueguan gritted his teeth but could only nod reluctantly. Hua Su said coldly, “Indeed. We have a plan. We ask Lord Wanqi to consider it.”

Wanqi Yu raised an eyebrow, surprised. “A plan? I’m all ears.”

Hua Su led Wanqi Yu under the pavilion, where a stone table held a scroll. A man stood nearby, sketching and writing.

Three fine diagonal stripes embroidered on his shoulder caught Wanqi Yu’s eye, causing him to pause. “A triple-line artifact master!”

Hua Su nodded coolly, introducing him: “This is Master Gan Fuxing, a triple-line artifact master we specially invited. He will use his artifacts to construct a great demon-sealing array, locking down Taicang City’s demon lairs.”

Indeed, sealing demon lairs required artifact assistance; this was a key aspect of Taicang City’s external aid.

Wanqi Yu nodded, regretful. “Thank you, Master Gan. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have enough Mingxin Martial Sovereigns…”

Hua Su cut him off. “We have enough.”

Wanqi Yu was stunned. “Enough? How come I didn’t know?”

Hua Su explained, “I’ve recalled all retired soldiers from the Yushui, Dan’yan, Shenyan regions. With their help, we can muster enough power to seal the lairs.”

Wanqi Yu asked doubtfully, “But aren’t all retired soldiers below the Xinming realm?”

At that moment, Hu Xueguan was frowning deeply, lost in thought. Suddenly he exclaimed, “Could it be you intend to use the Linked Ming Technique?”

Hua Su and Wen Liangji exchanged a look, nodding simultaneously. “Exactly, the Linked Ming Technique.”

Wanqi Yu had never been to the Demon Suppression Army and was less knowledgeable than Hu Xueguan. “What is the Linked Ming Technique?”

Hu Xueguan cast a complex look at Hua Su and whispered, “The Linked Ming Technique is a secret method unique to the Demon Suppression Army. It links the Yuan Branches of three to five people, combining their power to reach maximum strength for a short time. Five Shenming Martial Sovereigns using it together can unleash the power of a single Xinming Martial Saint!”

Wanqi Yu’s eyes brightened, and he smiled. “That sounds perfect.”

Hu Xueguan’s voice turned grave. “The Linked Ming Technique is a double-edged sword. Its power is immense, but its aftermath is terrifying. After its use, all practitioners’ martial cultivation realms permanently regress!”

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Finish work quickly today; this afternoon, I’m going to watch The Return of the Great Sage!