Demon Sword Sect's Undercover

Hou Niao was also tremendously shocked by the scene in front of him. Indeed, having barely left the surroundings of Fufeng City in his twenty years of life, where had he ever encountered such peril?

Without reliable transportation, traveling during this era was not only time-consuming but also required considerable courage.

With concern showing on his face, Xiaosong the Daoist whispered, "Senior brother, it looks like our movements have been exposed. These demons are deliberately trying to intimidate us!"

Their journey hadn't been secretive, involving too many aspects of dike construction and civilian protection, so it wasn't surprising that they were detected by Water Demon spies. However, these Water Demons, now gathering in force at the confluence of the Liupan waters, posed a threat beyond their expectations.

In Anhe Country, the power of the Daoist Sect was not overwhelming, but to call it the foremost force was not an exaggeration. Though the Water Demon clan of Qingtang River was strong, they were confined to a single river. For them to so brazenly challenge the Anhe Daoist Sect was unprecedented in decades.

Jiyue was slightly uneasy, "These years, the Jianghu has been unstable, with ghostly shadows abound, the Demon Clan restless, and the Demon Sect arming themselves... It looks as if they've agreed on a plan. Senior brother, we must be cautious on this trip. Even if we can't complete the mission, we can always revisit it next year. We must not add to the already tense situation. Master uncle emphasized this point on our departure."

Chong Ling the Daoist nodded. He was well aware of these insider matters. However, since he had the highest realm among the group, he considered the longer-term implications, including the reputation of the Daoist Sect. Among the cultivation powers, the struggle for spiritual dominance was a matter of rise and fall. Facing some difficulties, they couldn't afford to show weakness, as it would set a precedent for endless trouble in the future.

"I am aware. Let's see how these savages behave before we decide our next move!"

Whether it was Mountain Demons or Water Monsters, their raw power was undeniable, but they were often impulsive. Asking them to plan a significant event over many years was a bit too much to expect. Most of the time they were simply too impatient.

Indeed, within moments, the mists over the Qingtang River churned. Initially obscuring vision, the mists cleared under a gust of demon wind, followed by a deafening clash of gongs and drums and a cacophony of grotesque cries...

The people on the city walls turned their gaze only to see a crowded, packed mixture of bizarrely shaped water creatures on the river, their weapons glinting coldly and menacingly—swords, spears, battleaxes, halberds, hooks, and more, poised threateningly and jaws agape...

The Water Clan of Qingtang united in a noisy uproar, their voices shaking all directions. It wasn't just the ordinary citizens inside the city who were terrified—even Hou Niao, who considered himself exceptionally brave, felt a chill run down his spine!

Fufeng City also lay along the Qingtang River but had fewer activities of the Water Clan because of the shorter stretch of river it covered and its calm, shallow waters. The city was also some distance away, so he didn't have much of an impression on that; however, the scenario was just the opposite in Liupan City with its complex currents and deep pools, ideal for the Water Clan's activities. This was why these demons chose this place to challenge the Anhe Daoist Sect.

As soon as the Water Clan appeared, it sent the civilians on both riverbanks fleeing in panic, helping the elderly and leading children, their cries filling the air. They surged toward the city gates. The mortal soldiers could only open the gates wide to welcome the people and vehicles to maintain order, as no one dared to form ranks along the riverbanks.

This was no longer a matter for mortal forces. They might stand a chance facing the armies of another human nation, but against these demons, they were completely disheartened and powerless.

It wasn't entirely their fault.

Among the fleeing crowd, an elderly woman clutching her granddaughter was lagging behind, hobbling across Yangzi Bridge.

Her mobility impeded by her fear, even though it was clear to sensible people that in such circumstances, the Water Demons were more likely just posturing and wouldn't actually strike ordinary mortals, but these things couldn't be easily explained to the common folk.

From the group of the Water Clan, a shrimp general leapt onto the riverbank, feigning an attack, frightening the old woman into instability. In her fluster, she stumbled and fell, unable to get up and could only crawl on the ground gripping her child, her cries mingling with the human roars from the city walls and the unbridled laughter of the demons on the water.

The green-headed shrimp general grew more arrogant amid the noise of the Water Demons, not attacking, but hopping around the old woman, occasionally brushing his long antennae across her, eliciting more fearful screams from her.

Enough was enough! Chong Ling the Daoist leapt forward, jumping down the not-too-tall city wall, using some unknown method that made him run as fast as thunder; within moments, he was beside the old woman, pointing his hand, a burst of phosphorus fire shot out swiftly.

The shrimp general clearly hadn't expected that not only had the Daoist arrived swiftly, but he also struck mercilessly. Originally just a chess piece sent by the Mansion Master of the water realm to provoke, his most prominent feature was his lack of brain. Relying on his brute strength and possessing few demon skills, he foolishly thought he could disperse the Phosphorus Fire by swinging his iron trident, little knowing that such Daoist skills should not be confronted head-on.

When the iron trident struck the Phosphorus Fire, it did not scatter as expected, but instead spread along the trident instantly to his upper body, turning the green-headed shrimp general into a roasted giant shrimp. In his howling, he waved the iron trident subconsciously, repeatedly sweeping it over the old woman's head.

Such Phosphorus Fire, particularly targeted at the Water Clan, clings to the body and relentlessly burns to the bone but doesn't cause immediate death, especially to the life-strong Demon Clan.

As Chong Ling's Daoist skills shifted, seeing that the shrimp general was caught by the Dao, he threw out a Demon-binding spell and tightly bound him while simultaneously extinguishing the Phosphorus Fire.

He was not one to act on impulse and measured his actions appropriately, aiming to display the dignity of the Human Race while being careful not to anger the clans of Qingtang River, fearing it might provoke a monstrous transformation. The Water Clan, already not the brightest, might slaughter the city if further provoked, leading to extreme sin.

The green-headed shrimp general slumped to the ground, his life spared but his body burnt and drained of strength, subdued by the other three Daoists who had promptly followed.

His brain truly was wooden, and yet he remained defiant and fearless,

"Hey, Daoist, if you are bold enough, then kill me. This dilly-dallying, what is it for?"

The Daoists had hit a sore spot, they lack the absolute strength to subdue Qingtang River's demons and thus dared not finish the job completely. By capturing the shrimp general without being able to kill him, they feared provoking the Water Clan; releasing him would show a loss of momentum, rendering their gesture meaningless and inviting disdain from the demons, leaving them momentarily speechless.

Hou Niao followed the Daoists jumping off the city wall, not really his business; however, since the three Daoists had gone down, leaving him alone on the wall didn't seem right.

At the moment, seeing the demons' emotions run high and growing more agitated, he knew that a crisis was imminent. Dealing with civilian disputes over the years, he recognized the critical moment to act now or lose complete control of the situation. But the three Daoists hesitated, undecided.

Driven by urgency, he shouted loudly, "Something like this: the heaven and earth give birth to all things, each with its own order. Not a hair can be misplaced, abide by the time to hide or reveal. Not only does it minimize regret and stinginess, but it can also prevent severe harm. If they do not adhere as accepted, all can be attacked.

You instigators relying on Qingtang River, believe it or not we can report to the Dao Court, clear the snow on Duanlu Mountain, cut off the river's sources, and turn all you river turtles into dry turtles?"

To threaten to cut off the source of Duanlu Mountain's river might not be feasible, but as a threat, it hit right where it hurt for the water demons, for away from water, they were nothing!

If humans really do so, ignoring the common people of both banks of Qingtang River, or diverting the water source, it would indeed be a disaster.

For a moment, the water demons were fearful, yet the more insightful among them considered it just an empty threat, doubting humans would actually dare to execute it.

As Chong Ling Daoist's tension eased within, just when he was about to suggest a compromise, unexpectedly, the awaiting Criminal Investigation officer suddenly drew his cross-cut sword, and with a flash in the air, blue blood sprayed as the shrimp's head fell to the ground!

Hou Niao pointed and shouted, "Neither fighting nor retreating, what do you intend to do?"

Indeed,

At the crest of the six worries, the treasure blade was tried; the sun hung over Yangzi Bridge. In a black robe, he bullied the River Earl; with a pale rainbow, he opened the azure skies. A breath across ten thousand li urged the colors to dark, the green-headed general with a bristly beard. Flicking the golden essence sparks a fire, suddenly raising the Chang Gun high in a hearty song.