When a few people returned to the Liu Family, Huangfu Xu and Madam Liu had just exchanged a few words of greeting when Elder Liu hurriedly returned home.
So, Huangfu Xu quickly recounted the reason for his presence in Tonglin County in detail.
"After Uncle's family left, Leng Jian was extremely furious. He personally went to the surrounding towns, but couldn't find any trace of Uncle's family." Huangfu Xu said, "Later, he went to Qingyao County and Luonan County, but found nothing, so he came to us to ask us to search for Uncle's family."
"Only by bringing Cousin back can we return to Wanfu County." Huangfu Xu said with a bitter face, "Except for the old lady, all ten members of our Huangfu Family have been away from home for more than half a year, leaving no one at home to even cook."
"I consider myself to have traveled far, heading west, passing through several counties, leaving Yaozhou to enter Yizhou. The past few days, I've been visiting the neighboring towns and only arrived in Tonglin County yesterday." Huangfu Xu said, "I thought you would stay in smaller towns, but I didn't expect you to live in the county town and openly open a clinic."
Huangfu Xu looked incredulous, "Aren't you afraid that Leng Jian will find you?"
"That's simply outrageous!" Elder Liu slammed the table with his hand in anger, "He actually sent your whole group to find us?"
Madam Liu looked indignant, and Liu Qingyan's face showed unmistakable disgust.
Lu Zheng, staying by Liu Qingyan's side, listened and came to understand the general situation.
That Leng Jian is a black wolf demon living on Wild Wolf Mountain outside of Wanfu County, savage and cruel, with highly developed Dao practice.
Although wary of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, afraid to rampage in the towns and counties, ordinary folks who inadvertently enter Wild Wolf Mountain while gathering herbs, hunting, or traveling never make it out alive.
For over a hundred years, even if it wasn't clearly known that demons were causing havoc, Wild Wolf Mountain has long been a forbidden land known to everyone in Wanfu County.
Besides being savage and cruel, Leng Jian has a taste for debauchery, often buying mortal women and forcibly capturing banshees. For many years, the number of women who died at his hands is countless.
However, since Wild Wolf Mountain is considered his territory, his actions remained within the tolerance of the Great Jing Dynasty, and no master has subdued demons and exorcised evil, which only emboldened him further, becoming even more arrogant and domineering.
Later, who knows which lackey of his informed him about the Liu Family having a girl, which led to him visiting, and after seeing her, he actually sent a betrothal gift and wedding invitation, intending to marry Liu Qingyan.
This terrified Elder Liu's family, how could they be willing to throw Liu Qingyan into the fire?
So the family discussed for less than an hour before deciding to abandon all their possessions in Wanfu County, taking only some valuables and portable items, and left Wanfu County overnight, seeking refuge elsewhere.
The six family members headed west, stopping occasionally, until finally arriving at Tonglin County. Seeing that they were far from Wanfu County and observing the simplicity of the county town's people, they settled down and opened a clinic, continuing their lives.
They assumed that, given Leng Jian's nature and with so many women around, he would probably forget about Liu Qingyan the next day, continuing his reign of terror in Wanfu County, not having the time to come looking for them.
But who would have thought the other party hadn't given up until now?
Liu Qingyan's face was pale, and her expression anxious.
Lu Zheng gently held her hand, softly comforting her, and she gradually calmed down.
Madam Liu said bitterly, "So if you don't find us, you won't be able to return home?"
Huangfu Xu nodded helplessly, a little fearful, "Leng Jian is fierce, and there are several lackeys helping him. If we go back, he'll likely kill us mercilessly." For more chapters visit novel fire.net
Lu Zheng pondered for a moment and asked, "This wolf demon, how many years of Dao practice does he have, and what are his abilities?"
Before Huangfu Xu could speak, Liu Qingyan, startled, grabbed Lu Zheng's hand urgently, "Leng Jian is powerful, you mustn't go!"
Lu Zheng was taken aback by her immediate reaction and quickly reassured her, "I won't go, I won't go. I'm just asking. Don't get agitated. Besides, if I'm no match for him, aren't there still senior brothers and elders in the school?"
Only then did Liu Qingyan realize, let out a sigh of relief, and said apologetically, "Don't blame me, Lu Lang. It's just that Leng Jian's reputation is so daunting, I couldn't think straight for a moment."
Huangfu Xu turned to Lu Zheng, looking rather surprised, "Cousin, you belong to a school?"
Lu Zheng nodded, revealing his True Qi.
Huangfu Xu was shocked, "A Daoist?"
"A lay practitioner from the White Cloud Temple." Lu Zheng emphasized.
Huangfu Xu nodded, "Still a Daoist."
Then he turned to Liu Qingyan, "You all…"
Before Liu Qingyan could speak, Lu Zheng squeezed her hand, "Qingyan is my fiancée."
Liu Qingquan's eyes twinkled, Elder Liu and Madam Liu exchanged glances, looking pleased.
Liu Qingyan blushed, but her lips curled, clearly happy inside.
"Hiss—" Huangfu Xu took a sharp breath.
Though human-fox partnerships weren't uncommon, most were with ordinary mortals; he'd never heard of one marrying a cultivator.
"But isn't this a personal vendetta? And it's an issue among our Demon Race, your sect can protect you here, but can't simply head to Yaozhou to rid the demon because of your words." Huangfu Xu shook his head.
In other words, he implied that as a lay practitioner, where would you have the means to mobilize White Cloud Temple's experts on your behalf?
Lu Zheng blinked, thinking that he was quite capable now. If the wolf demon's power was on par with the Southern Border Wizard, or as long as he wasn't completely overpowered, he could probably handle it.
After all, he had so many tricks up his sleeve, right?
But Liu Qingyan didn't understand Lu Zheng's capabilities, she held his hand again, shaking her head, "Lu Lang, we've escaped and are not in mortal danger. There's no need to trouble the White Cloud Temple over this."
Elder Liu and Madam Liu nodded repeatedly.
Madam Liu said, "Perhaps it's better to bring Mother out; we could just not live in Wanfu County."
Huangfu Xu helplessly said, "The old lady might find it hard to leave her homeland. Moreover, Leng Jian is watching her closely, concerned that we might take her away as well."
"The big bully!" Liu Qingquan cursed.
"This matter needs longer consideration." Elder Liu shook his head, "I really didn't expect Leng Jian to be so persistent."
Madam Liu nodded, "Erlang, you've had a hard time. I'll prepare a room for you to freshen up and rest. We can discuss anything else tomorrow."
"Alright, thank you, Aunt." Huangfu Xu nodded.