With a clang, Chen Yuan’s long spear retracted back into his body. He watched in the direction where the ship disappeared, his expression gradually darkening.
"There was some commotion here."
"Let’s leave here first!"
"Head towards the Yin Mountain direction!"
With that, Chen Yuan tapped the ground, his form turned into a stream of light, flashing away. The three Grand Protectors understood and followed closely behind.
Two hours later, the four appeared on a desolate mountain a thousand miles southeast. This was within the territory of the Heavenly Dog Yin Mountain, an area known to be inhabited by demons.
This Devil Race resembled dogs with six legs, a close kin of the Heavenly Dog Clan!
At this desolate mountain, Chen Yuan and the three from Jin Yushan halted their steps, silently entering the mountain without alarming the wild demon beasts residing here.
Once inside the mountain, Chen Yuan casually carved out a cave, absorbing the rocks into his sleeve. Then, his hands flickered with spirit light as he continuously cast prohibition spirit lights, layering three or four restrictions around the newly opened cave.
Finally, a third eye opened on his forehead, and a Magic Eye Golden Light shot forth, striking the multiple layers of restrictions.
With one round of restrictions set, a full tea time had passed!
The three from Jin Yushan watched Chen Yuan’s cautious demeanor, their eyes filled with growing curiosity and suspicion. Once Chen Yuan finished casting spells and the third eye between his brows closed, they tentatively spoke up,
"Colonel Chen, are you worried that the ship might ?"
Jin Yushan seemed to understand Chen Yuan’s intention. Now that the demons hadn’t discovered their trail, for this Ninth Mountain’s Colonel to be so cautious surely had something to do with what just occurred. They still had no clue what was happening on that ship.
"Hmph, he said he invited us in, but there was no intent to actually let us in. Colonel Chen, what exactly is aboard that ship? It doesn’t seem friendly," Hu Yanqing grumbled, a bit disgruntled.
Chen Yuan, after casting spells for a while, took a breath and turned to the three, nodding, his tone obscure, "Indeed, I am on guard against that ship. As to whether they’ll , we might soon find out!"
As he spoke, he stomped on the ground, raising several stone chairs from the rocks below. Chen Yuan indicated with his eyes and, sitting down smoothly, continued to say,
"As for my experience upon entering, I encountered the proclaimed owner of that ship, a man named Marquis Wen An, from Jianghuai. He perished over two hundred years ago, leaving behind a spiritual remnant residing in this ship. This man followed us, claiming he wanted to find a way to leave together....."
As Chen Yuan spoke, he pointed with his fingers to the center of the four, and a wisp of golden flame shot out, landing with a pop on the ground, then burst into a flame, lighting up the faces of the four.
The three from Jin Yushan, after hearing Chen Yuan’s story, had mixed expressions. So, that ship truly was the dojo of a Dragon Tiger Senior, harboring a spiritual remnant.
Logically, given their current plight, such a powerful aid should be persuaded to join, especially a Dragon Tiger Dojo. By associating with them, there might be a chance for fortune.
But Colonel Chen had refused!
And Chen Yuan’s behavior was obviously guarded against the ship following them.
From their understanding of this Colonel, Chen Yuan must have his reasons for acting this way, having no objections.
During their time together, they had unconsciously come to trust Chen Yuan’s character. This trust stemmed from the Ninth Mountain’s Colonel’s immense power, his calmness, and decisiveness in major events.
"Colonel Chen, do you think there’s something wrong with that ship?"
Jin Yushan raised his eyebrows, voicing the three’s shared thoughts.
"I have always kept my distance from things and people beyond my control. The Fang Family Ancestor was , and so is this so-called Dragon Tiger Senior."
He didn’t mention to the three that he had once entered that ship, where the souls of all Qingshan County’s residents were drawn in and hunted by something inside. If the ship’s supposed owner was benevolent, such an act would be impossible. Therefore, there must be something fishy with that person, whether they are truly a spiritual remnant of the ship’s owner or a spirit accumulated by the law ship over time. Neither of these matters to him as long as it’s not his concern. But the matter surely isn’t over; that person may covet him and hasn’t left, but there’s no need to talk about this to the others.
Realizing his words might have been ambiguous, Chen Yuan swept his gaze over the three, "The three of you were acquainted with me outside Tianxiong Pass and fought demons together in Qingshan County. Your temperaments match mine, and your backgrounds are known, unlike those people."
Chen Yuan’s words made the three from Jin Yushan feel appreciated.
Of them, Shaking Mountain Tiger Hu Yanqing was most enthusiastic, recalling his participation in that great battle, a bit hot-blooded, and dismissive of the Fang Family Ancestor Chen Yuan mentioned,
"Indeed. The three of us from Taisui Mountain uphold great virtue, nothing like that old villager from the Fang Family. Colonel Chen’s words please me. Haha, I propose, when we break through this demon lair, we should cut a chicken’s head, burn yellow paper, and swear blood brotherhood, so that our journey will not have been in vain."
"What does Colonel Chen think?"
Hu Yanqing said this with wide eager eyes looking at Chen Yuan.
Jin Yushan and Yu Wenguang, hearing this, couldn’t help but stare at Chen Yuan, though not with Hu Yanqing’s pure intentions. At this moment, they felt somewhat surprised and awkward, thinking Hu Yanqing’s words were overly rash.
In terms of strength, even though everyone was in the Martial Vault, Chen Yuan had shown undeniable combat prowess during battles at Tianxiong Pass and Qingshan County. They weren’t on the same level even if all three joined forces.
In terms of status, while they ruled parts of Yan Land thanks to the old village chief holding the fort, Chen Yuan currently held military power over a region in Shu, wielding considerable influence under the Demon Suppression General of Jiannan Road. Their status was not on par./p>
Moreover, have they forgotten? Half a month ago, outside Tianxiong Pass, they tried to recruit Chen Yuan but were outright refused. So why bring it up now? How would that make them seem?
Thinking of this caused a tight feeling in their hearts!
Chen Yuan burst into a hearty laugh,
"If we can make it through this Demon Cave, it would mean having shared life and death."
Chen Yuan agreed with Hu Yanqing’s proposal.
At least, he approved of Hu Yanqing.
Hu Yanqing was overjoyed, laughing heartily, whereas Jin Yushan and Yu Wenguang were taken aback, feeling pleasantly surprised by this unexpected reaction.
Thus, with a few words, their relationships grew closer.
"You have fought by my side here. I trust you, and I have a request," Chen Yuan said.
Meanwhile, far away, outside Chuanzhong Pass, in the Zhen Nan Prefecture, at the Demon Front line, a pair of eyes stared intensely at the surging Demon Cloud!