Chapter 23: The Daytime Procession of a Hundred Demons

Xiaolin Town lies northeast of Fenglin City, separated from the city by Qingshan Town. In terms of straight-line distance, it is the town furthest from the main city within the Fenglin territory.

Under Wei Yan's leadership, the group traveled without pause, passing through Qingshan Town without stopping, arriving at the outskirts of Xiaolin Town in just half a day.

There were no actual green mountains outside Qingshan Town; the name had been passed down for countless years, perhaps originating from a time when they once existed before the world changed.

However, there was indeed a grove of Moon Cypress trees outside Xiaolin Town, though it was small enough to be seen in a single glance. Moon Cypress was known for its calming properties, and furniture made from its wood was highly sought after.

It was said that the forest was once vast, but because the trees were extremely valuable, many townsfolk had engaged in illegal logging, causing the grove to shrink steadily. Had the Fenglin City authorities not issued a specific order prohibiting illegal logging, this small grove would likely have vanished years ago.

The constables dispatched from Qingshan Town were stationed within the forest, sitting or lying about in a rather lax manner. Only upon hearing the rhythmic sound of approaching hooves did they gather to welcome the group.

These constables possessed only mundane martial strength; naturally, they did not dare enter the town to investigate under the current circumstances, serving only as observers and sentries.

Wei Yan reined in his horse outside the forest, cast a casual glance at the men, and asked, "What is the situation in Xiaolin Town?"

The head constable leading the Qingshan contingent was a broad-faced man in his forties. Hearing the question, he replied, "Starting five days ago, a fog began to rise outside Xiaolin Town. We didn't pay much attention at the time, thinking it was just a change in weather. Back then, we could still see the silhouette of the town and faint human figures; people from our Qingshan Town were even visiting relatives there. Since yesterday, we received orders to set up a checkpoint here to observe. We haven't seen anyone come out, but the fog is growing thicker, and now we can't see anything at all."

Among the Dao Academy disciples, Jiang Wang craned his neck to look toward Xiaolin Town. The Fenglin territory was his home, the place that raised him; though he had grown up in Fengxi Town, he was no stranger to Xiaolin Town.

The bandits of West Mountain, whom he had once defeated single-handedly with his sword, were entrenched in the West Mountain area ten miles north of Xiaolin Town.

In the past, one could see Xiaolin Town from the Moon Cypress grove; the town was not wealthy, but it was peaceful and prosperous. Now, looking out, there was only a shroud of mist.

At that moment, Wei Yan's voice rang out: "I ordered you to observe Xiaolin Town, yet you are undisciplined and lax. Worse still, you have taken the opportunity to illegally log the Moon Cypress trees. Are you here on official business, or for personal gain?"

The constables of Qingshan Town turned pale, and the head constable bowed repeatedly, attempting to explain.

But Wei Yan's judgment was final: "Any Moon Cypress trees already felled are to be sent to the City Guard camp. Furthermore, everyone's salary is to be docked for one year. As for the head constable, you are responsible for leadership—you are dismissed!"

The broad-faced man's face turned ashen, but he did not even dare to protest, retreating in dejection.

Hearing Wei Yan's decision, Jiang Wang finally noticed the few felled Moon Cypress trees.

Wei Yan, however, had taken everything into account the moment he arrived.

While Jiang Wang marveled at Wei Yan's keen perception, he also felt that the man was truly severe.

With Xiaolin Town fallen, this Moon Cypress grove was temporarily ownerless. These constables were merely risking their lives to man a checkpoint outside the town, and cutting a few trees to supplement their livelihood was, while a dereliction of duty, somewhat understandable.

Qingshan Town was not wealthy; a one-year salary deduction meant these constables would suddenly face extreme hardship. Especially for this middle-aged man in his forties, being a head constable might have been the pinnacle of his life's struggle. With one sentence from Wei Yan, he was back to square one.

However, this expedition was akin to a military march. With Wei Yan leading, he was the commander. His orders were military commands, and none could be disobeyed.

Having finished his disciplinary action, Wei Yan pulled his reins and led the charge toward Xiaolin Town.

The horses were warhorses from the military camp, and the riders were cultivators from the Dao Academy. Though there were only about thirty of them, their discipline and lightning-fast movement carried the momentum of a thousand troops.

The sound of hooves rolled like thunder across the ground, only to come to an abrupt halt!

The battle-hardened warhorses reared and neighed loudly before the mass of mist enveloping Xiaolin Town. No matter how much the riders urged them, the horses refused to take another step.

The thirty-odd warhorses were gripped by terror, neighing in unison as if something profoundly frightening existed within Xiaolin Town. The scene was chilling.

Even though the riders' strength prevented the embarrassment of falling from their saddles, their morale plummeted, losing the high spirits they had possessed upon leaving the city.

Even Wang Changxiang, who was usually calm and composed, had a solemn look in his eyes.

Only Wei Yan's expression remained unchanged.

His armor was mottled with many marks. The saber at his waist was long and straight. The warhorse beneath him was tall and magnificent.

It was well known among people that Wei Yan had three great loves.

Suddenly, he drew his saber!

As if a bolt of lightning had flashed through the air, the blade's light vanished. In that same instant, the neighing of his magnificent horse ceased abruptly; its massive head fell from its body, sprayed a distance by the gushing torrent of blood from its neck.

The horse's carcass crashed to the ground.

Wei Yan held his saber, staring at the town within the mist, his voice cold: "What use is a man who falters in battle?"

"Good!" The first to respond was Du Yehu. He was naturally fierce and preferred directness; he immediately slammed a fist down, shattering the horse's head. "Wei, how do we charge next?"

Wei Yan raised his right hand slightly. "Follow my command. Dismount and prepare for battle. Form a wedge formation, with me as the tip, and charge straight into Xiaolin Town!"

Wei Yan's killing of his own horse made everyone realize there was no turning back. With no room for hesitation, they all dismounted in unison.

Wei Yan commanded again, "Draw weapons!"

A synchronized, sharp ring of blades leaving their scabbards echoed through the air!

At this moment, Wei Yan's plain-looking adjutant stepped forward. He held his right palm upward, performed a hand seal with his left, muttered an incantation, and finally commanded, "Sharpness!"

Jiang Wang felt the sharpness of the longsword in his hand surge instantly. This sword, which could only be described as high-quality, suddenly gave him the illusion that it could cut through anything.

"Flame!"

Flames erupted upon every weapon! The cultivators held their blades and swords like torches, intending to pierce through the mist obscuring the town.

"Solidify!"

Ling He felt his body become resilient, a sense of fullness as if he could clash fists with anyone. But he merely glanced at the nearby Du Yehu, whose hair and beard were bristling with rage, and quietly dismissed the sensation.

Zhao Rucheng, however, was thinking that this group-buff Daoist art was at least a high-grade Bing-rank technique. And this unremarkable adjutant of Wei Yan's had cast three consecutive spells without even changing his expression; the Ministry of War truly hid dragons and tigers.

Regardless of what anyone thought, there could only be one will during a march. Under the enhancement of the Daoist arts, Wei Yan led the way, his saber raised, as he was the first to step into Xiaolin Town.

As they moved, they observed; the town was so silent that only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.

As they progressed, the fog seemed to grow even thicker.

The mist was so heavy it felt almost physical; one could not see a figure more than three paces away. They could only see the firelight from their weapons standing stubbornly against the seemingly endless, dense fog.

Forced to contract their formation once more, the distance between the men changed from five paces to three. Any closer would interfere with combat.

Jiang Wang and his brothers were positioned toward the rear of the middle of the formation. Being of the lowest cultivation realm, they received the default protection, which was an accepted and honorable tradition of the Dao Academy.

Du Yehu's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. He wasn't nervous, but rather excited, eager to test his strength.

Jiang Wang had no doubt that even if the Nine Great Human Demons, whose fearsome reputations were known throughout the world, stood before him, he would strike without a second thought. Whether he could win or not was another matter entirely.

Just then, a sudden cry of alarm erupted from the outer perimeter of the formation: "What is that?!"

Another voice grumbled, "Just ghosts, what's there to fear?"

But it was quickly followed by a panicked exclamation: "So many of them?!"

Hearing this, Wei Yan turned sharply and swung his saber in a horizontal slash!

A massive arc of blade light tore through the air, momentarily cleaving the heavy mist!

And in that split second, everyone saw it: across the entire street, a dense, swarming mass of wandering souls, stumbling and clawing with frantic limbs!

In broad daylight, a hundred ghosts walk the earth!