In the rainy night, the forest echoed with urgent shouts.
The creaking wheels rolled on the muddy mountain path, splattering mud as the Zhao Family hastened to flee.
After only about two or three miles of this flight, they heard a hysterical demonic roar from afar.
"It was you who killed my son!"
The outburst, hysterical like thunder from the skies, exploded beside their ears, terrifying them to the core.
The Zhao Father and Daughter, pale-faced, clung to the window of their carriage, while the servants screamed in panic.
Just then, behind the carriage on the mountain, a golden light suddenly pierced the night sky, followed by a thunderous explosion from the direction of the ruined temple.
The next second, the roar of the demon, as if its throat had been slashed, abruptly ceased.
Silence reclaimed the heavens and the earth, leaving only the sound of rain pattering through the leaves.
After thundering along the muddy mountain road for several hundred meters more, a voice called out.
At the front, Yun Zhuosheng, dressed in black, reined in the horses with a look of great uncertainty. The horse whinnied long and loud, and the two carriages behind also came to a stop on the mountain road.
Yun Zhuosheng then turned around and looked back. Beneath the dense layers of forest, the mountaintop’s golden light had vanished, leaving only a faint afterglow.
The recent ground-shaking event had set his heart racing.
The powerful presence he had felt moments ago undoubtedly belonged to Profound Body Demons, but after that sharp scream, everything fell silent, leaving him filled with questions.
Could it be that the two Profound Body Demons were dead?
Was Yan Shisan really that powerful?
No matter, they had to keep moving.
As he was about to resume driving, a dull whooshing sound approached from afar, growing clearer and clearer. Below the night sky, amidst flashes of thunder, a vast shadow stretched over the heavens.
A giant boat, thirty zhang in length, glided swiftly from higher up, spanning the firmament with bright lights.
Then, several streaks of light leapt down from the boat, with loudly voiced demands.
Soon, four or five figures, wearing white robes and jade crowns, their sashes fluttering, landed in front of the carriage, each exuding an extraordinary aura with a sharp presence, and inquired.
"Are you knowledgeable about the strong demonic Qi we sensed in this direction, which has now ceased? We are from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, and we happened by on our business," said one of the white-robed men, distinguishable by his golden collar, inquiring.
Hearing it was from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, Yun Zhuosheng was visibly shocked.
Sword Cultivators were abundant in Shu, but Shu Mountain stood supreme as a colossus in Shu’s Martial World.
Not daring to be presumptuous, he quickly got up from the carriage and paid his respects, "I have seen the noble disciples of Shu Mountain. I am Yun Zhuosheng from the Yun Family’s descendants of Jingguan City. Due to an unexpected situation, I am following family orders to escort my cousin back to Jingguan City. We did not expect to encounter demons when we stayed overnight in an abandoned temple."
"So it is a descendant of the noteworthy Yun Family. As it happens, we are also on our way to Jingguan City to attend an event. Later, we can board the ship together, accompanied by various peers from different paths. Now, can you tell us what just happened?"
Yun Zhuosheng looked up at the sky and saw a massive Flying Boat above the dense forest. He could vaguely see people looking down from it. His heart eased, and he briefly described the situation.
The Shu Mountain Disciples, upon hearing of Hero Yan dealing with two Profound Body Demons and the possibility that the recent commotion came from him, expressed surprise.
At that moment, from inside the carriage, a woman’s voice spoke up.
"There is also a young master on the mountain, he may be in danger."
Minutes later, the carriage returned, arriving back at the mountain summit’s Chenliu Temple, now in a semi-collapsed state, with its doors and windows askew and hard to open, although the candles inside still burned.
Two large pits lay in front of Chenliu Temple, filled with stinking flesh and blood, emitting an overwhelming stench.
Then, a streak of sword light flew over and a figure in a straw coat appeared.
On the carriage, someone from the Zhao Family shouted excitedly upon seeing him, specifically one of the maids.
Yun Zhuosheng, witnessing the scene, his pupils contracted slightly. Was Yan Shisan this formidable?
His gaze flickered, considering if he should take the opportunity to befriend this man.
"Are you Yan Shisan, and did you kill those two demons?"
The Shu Mountain Disciples maneuvered their swords to check the pits below, which indeed contained the bloody remains of Profound Body Demons.
Yan Shisan, feeling doubtful at heart, recalled the terrifying aura that had shot past like a meteor. He had only managed a fleeting glimpse back and saw a fierce, demon-like shadow descending like a god before rapidly disappearing.
He had never intended to clash with the two demons; only a fool would do such a thing.
His gaze quickly scanned over those present, who all seemed to think he was the slayer.
He sheathed his sword, not answering, but instead looked at the Zhao Family and spoke in a steady voice,
"Is everyone all right?"
"Thank you, Hero Yan, for your divine prowess and righteousness, keeping us safe."
"Our entire family owes you our deepest gratitude."
The middle-aged man from the Zhao Family expressed his appreciation, and the servants bowed repeatedly with great thanks.
"Brother Yan, you can accompany these esteemed disciples of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect to Jingguan City later. You could also visit my Yun Family," said Yun Zhuosheng, his attitude now one of warm enthusiasm, thinking that drawing this martial hero close would be beneficial to his clan.
Meanwhile, the head disciple among the Shu Mountain Disciples inspecting the situation frowned upon seeing the pits’ content and silently communicated with his fellows, "This demon was not killed by this man."