chsdbacks Chapter 156: Plans
Chapter 156: Plans
After Chu Batian left, Zhang Ping lost interest in continuing his cultivation. He turned around and went into the secret room to take stock of his inventory.
It's time to make plans soon...
The next day, the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed.
Leng Ruxue brought Hua Cheng to pay a visit. Zhang Ping had just come out of the secret room and had breakfast. When he saw the two of them, he invited them to sit down.
"Where is Brother Hua?" He was about to tell him what had happened in the capital, but when he realized that Hua Zhu hadn't come along, he couldn't help but ask.
Hua Cheng was focused on finishing the breakfast on the table, his mouth full and he didn't have time to speak. Leng Ruxue answered for him: "After I came here last time, Sister Hua Zhu packed her things and went to the battlefield again for training. She's probably on the road between Taiwu Prefecture and Lanjiang Prefecture right now."
Ever since returning from Zhang Ping's place, Hua Zhu has had quite a reaction, and she looks conflicted all the time.
Leng Ruxue initially thought Hua Zhu was discouraged by Zhang Ping's strength and even offered her some words of comfort. Unexpectedly, Hua Zhu stopped dwelling on it and instead focused on honing her swordsmanship on the front lines. Leng Ruxue and Hua Cheng couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they could only stay at the Southern Prince's residence and wait.
"Really?" Zhang Ping was slightly taken aback, but not too worried. After all, Hua Zhu had two mysterious figures accompanying her, so she wouldn't be in any life-threatening danger.
Zhang Ping carefully considered his words, selecting only what he could say, and recounted what had happened in the capital.
Leng Ruxue's expression changed drastically upon hearing this: "Oh no, something's probably going to happen at the front!"
Many of the Leng family's martial artists are still on the front lines in Lanjiang Prefecture. If what Zhang Ping said is true, the martial artists on the front lines could be in danger at any time.
Hua Cheng, realizing what was happening, tensed up. "My sister has also gone to the front lines to fight demons. We have to call her back right away!" Thinking this, he abruptly stood up and pleaded with Zhang Ping:
"Brother Zhang, could you go to the front lines and bring my sister back?"
When Hua Cheng said this, Leng Ruxue also looked at Zhang Ping. With Zhang Ping's strength, if he went to the front line, he should be able to bring the person back safely.
But Zhang Ping refused.
He will not leave the capital of Chu until the situation becomes completely clear.
After being rejected, Hua Cheng became anxious: "Brother Zhang, you're so strong, why don't you go to the front lines to help? If you take action, what demon could possibly defeat you?"
Hearing Hua Cheng's question, Zhang Ping smiled silently and did not answer.
Leng Ruxue quickly patted Hua Cheng's head and apologized to Zhang Ping:
"Hua Cheng is young and doesn't know any better, I'm sorry. The matter is urgent, so we'll take our leave now and visit again another time." After saying this, she bowed apologetically to Zhang Ping and then took Hua Cheng away.
As they were leaving, Hua Cheng kept turning back to look at Zhang Ping, her eyes full of pleading. Zhang Ping remained silent until the two had left, then he silently stood up from the stone bench and turned to face the withered lotus pond.
"Heading to the battlefield..." His angular face grew slightly more serious. His brow furrowed, then he suddenly sighed.
"Xiaoqing, send a message to Nangong Feiyan to come here!"
......
Lanjiang Prefecture, Giant Stone City.
This city, which was incredibly prosperous just half a month ago, is now filled with a tense and ominous atmosphere.
The sky was overcast, and the howling autumn wind whipped up dust from the ground.
Few pedestrians were on the streets, and piles of long-uncollected household garbage lay on both sides. The roads out of the city had long been blocked, and the four city gates were shrouded in a demonic aura.
On the city wall, Wen Gaoyang stood solemnly, his gaze piercing through the swirling dust as he looked at the demon army advancing towards the city. Beside him, Xu Rulin gripped his longsword tightly, his chest heaving involuntarily.
Thump, thump—
A black-armored warrior leaped onto the battlement and reported to Wen Gaoyang, "My lord, Lord Long Bing and Elder Feng have not returned yet!"
Upon hearing this, Wen Gaoyang didn't turn around, his voice carrying a hint of desolation: "I understand."
The black-armored warrior opened his mouth as if to say something, but upon catching a glimpse of the endless demonic energy surging in the distant sky, he ultimately kept quiet. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wen Gaoyang, then turned and left.
After the black-armored warrior left, Xu Rulin couldn't help but angrily say, "Master, those two are utterly unworthy of being martial artists! The Demon Extermination Division poured all its resources into training them, and when it came time to put their skills to use, they deserted their posts! They deserve to die!"
Longxi Qin and Feng Yu are both Marrow Transformation Realm experts responsible for guarding the front lines around Lanjiang Prefecture, and are under the command of the Demon Extermination Division. Now that something has happened at the Demon Extermination Division headquarters, these two have started to obey orders but not commands, completely disregarding the safety of the front lines.
Wen Gaoyang patted his indignant disciple and shook his head, saying:
"It's all up to us. If they want to leave, we can't stop them. Even if we force them to stay, it will only disrupt morale on the battlefield. We might be able to hold Stone City on our own."
Xu Rulin's expression turned serious upon hearing his master's words.
That's right. Besides my master, there are many other martial artists in the city, plus the Black Abyss Army stationed here. They might not be able to defeat the demons!
But before he could make up his mind, a sudden gust of wind swept across the distant sky.
Amidst the flashing lightning and thunder, a white giant with two horns on its head emerged from the thunder, its hoarse roar booming: "Wen Gaoyang! This time, you will die here!"
roar--
The Four-Winged Amethyst Black Tiger King also tore through the gale and charged in, the auras of the two demon kings enveloping the entire megalithic city. Everyone gasped, struggling to resist this powerful pressure.
"Hmph!" Wen Gaoyang showed no fear, unleashing his blood energy to instantly shatter the oppressive aura.
With a thunderous roar, a massive number of demons charged from the edge of the earth. A dark, oppressive "cloud" led the charge; only upon closer inspection could one discern that it was a demonic cloud formed by countless giant black birds.
Xu Rulin took a deep breath, suppressed his fear, drew his long sword, and looked at his master beside him.
Wen Gaoyang nodded calmly, and Xu Rulin immediately raised his longsword, his blood and qi surging into a long line, his killing intent piercing the sky: "Demon Extermination Bureau commands, slay the demons!"
......
The room was dimly lit, filled with a lingering stench.
The interwoven melodies create a beautiful sound.
Two beams of orange-yellow morning light shone through the half-open window, mingling with the calls of parrots in the yard, their voices rising and falling in a melodious rhythm, though it was unclear who they were imitating.
In the lotus pond, beneath withered lotus leaves, a turtle poked its head out, breathing in the fresh morning air.
It was a bit chilly outside, but the stuffy room was rather stuffy.
Zhang Ping got out of bed, walked barefoot to the window, and pushed it open with a creak.
The cool autumn breeze, mixed with the morning chill, blew into the room, washing away all the odors.
The lower part of her body was padded with fine bedding, while the upper part was slightly lower. Nangong Feiyan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she felt a little dizzy.
He lazily pulled the bedding aside.
Zhang Ping crossed his arms and leaned against the window, quietly watching the woman's movements.
The rosy light moved upwards, shining upon Nangong Feiyan.
So fair it reflected light.