CHAPTER 1461: CHAPTER 1461: BURDENED BY REPUTATION

Chu Feng chuckled to himself, thinking that Long Fei wasn’t being noble at all; he was clearly scheming to take over Xiangyang City.

After the City Lord left, Bald Dog appeared.

This guy had learned the spatial law taught by Long Fei. Although he only grasped a tiny bit, he moved without a trace and was becoming more spy-like.

Compared to him, the elf sisters Anna and Nightingale progressed even faster.

Now, they were assigned by Long Fei to hide by Lin Shanshan’s side, completely undetectable by others.

Long Fei raised his hand, setting up barriers around the house.

Now, whenever he discussed serious matters, he would take these precautions.

Even if there was no one around, he still had to guard against the outside trees; any one of them might be a spy from the Flame Emperor Palace.

"Did you read the document?"

Long Fei asked.

Bald Dog picked up the wine on the table and took a sneaky sip. He quickly wiped his mouth and said, "Yes, it was from Daoist Mystic Moon, the Sect Leader of Mount Heng Sect, proposing to the Lord of Xiangyang City. He suggested opening the city gates to welcome the Imperial Army, promising promotions and wealth afterward, ensuring safety even if the Demon Race arrives."

Chu Feng cursed, "This Mount Heng Sect truly stands with the Imperial Court."

He pondered, "Daoist Mystic Moon? Such an elegant name! Is the Sect Leader a lady?"

Long Fei spat out his drink, thinking that this guy always had a unique perspective.

He explained, "At least on the surface, Guo Jing hasn’t accepted this proposal. He is Ji Ruohuo’s close confidant, and without Ji Ruohuo’s say, he certainly won’t submit to the Imperial Court."

Chu Feng asked, "So what should we do now?"

Long Fei smiled, "Become a hero who fights tigers! Gain the City Lord’s trust, then find a chance to sow discord and ignite the flames of conflict between the two armies."

"Sounds good, and it would be best to give Xiao Chen a good beating too."

Chu Feng laughed.

Bald Dog curiously asked, "Second Master, did Xiao Chen offend you?"

Chu Feng glared, "Of course, he’s even more arrogant than me, I just can’t stand him."

Long Fei laughed, "That guy has high ambitions but little talent, no threat to us. Killing him would only turn Xiangyang’s citizens against us. However, we can find a way to knock him down from his pedestal."

"That’s a good idea, kill him in spirit first, then in body."

Chu Feng chuckled, acknowledging Long Fei’s crafty mind.

After planning, the next day, before dawn.

A servant reported from outside the courtyard that the Three-Headed Evil Jiao appeared in Xiahe Village, thirty miles outside Xiangyang City.

Thousands of villagers were slaughtered by the beast, leaving none alive.

The river in front of Xiahe Village was already dyed red; even the babies hadn’t been spared.

The City Lord had taken troops to confront it, asking the servant to request help from the two.

"Such a wicked beast!"

Long Fei cursed, revealing such killing intent that the wine cup on the table shattered.

Chu Feng asked, "Why isn’t the Evil Dragon afraid of divine punishment? Slaughtering mortals, won’t it be plagued by karma?"

Long Fei replied, "This abomination only cultivates the body, not spiritual power. Heavenly Dao Laws have no effect, thus no Heavenly Tribulation."

"It really escaped punishment."

Chu Feng cursed, and without another word, he and Long Fei rushed to Xiahe Village.

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, the eldest daughter Guo Xiang was practicing swordplay in the courtyard, unaware of the outside events.

The City Lord specifically instructed that she should not be informed.

But shortly after, a plump servant burst in, urgently shouting to Guo Xiang, "Eldest Miss, it’s awful! The Evil Jiao wreaked havoc in Xiahe Village, killing everyone there."

Guo Xiang exploded upon hearing it, angrily wielding her sword, "This Evil Jiao deserves to die! Where is my father?"

The servant reported, "Master has already taken the lead and instructed me to inform you not to go."

"Father underestimates me; he tells me not to go, but I insist on going!"

Guo Xiang shouted defiantly, raising her sword to go slay the demon.

The servant hurriedly stopped her, pleading, "Miss, please don’t act impulsively; the Evil Jiao is formidable, certainly beyond your ability to handle. According to what I know, Master Xiao Chen resides in Precious Sparrow Tower in the city. If you truly wish to go, you may ask for his protection to ensure safety!"

"Makes sense, let’s go now."

Guo Xiang agreed, taking the chubby servant directly to Precious Sparrow Tower.

On the streets, someone had spread the news about Xiahe Village.

A crowd of citizens was furious, shouting about killing the Evil Jiao for revenge.

At this time, when the City Lord’s daughter appeared, everyone quickly gathered around.

The chubby servant shouted from behind, "Miss is going to Precious Sparrow Tower to ask Master Xiao Chen for help; let’s all go petition him!"

"This wicked beast is fierce, only Master Xiao Chen can handle it!"

"Let’s all go to Xiao Chen. It’s late; more people will die at this beast’s mouth."

"..."

A crowd surged towards Precious Sparrow Tower.

Precious Sparrow Tower was the largest inn in Xiangyang City, ten stories high and a hundred meters wide, with thousands of rooms.

It was pure wood construction, inscribed with Mystic Patterns.

Famed for the two wooden Divine Birds on its roof, it was said that at night, the birds emitted Mysterious Light, circling and extending their wings above.

Since its opening, Precious Sparrow Tower had never welcomed this many guests.

They gathered outside, following Eldest Miss Guo Xiang.

The crowd raised their arms and shouted, "Master Xiao Chen, please swiftly go to Xiahe Village to rid the people of harm!"

"Brother Xiao Chen, the evil beast appears in Xiahe Village, slaughtering villagers, please slay this demon to save the people!"

"Master Xiao Chen, everyone supports you. If you go, we’ll all accompany you."

"..."

Xiao Chen stood at the window, dark-faced. He came to Xiangyang City to deliver a letter to his master.

Little did he expect to encounter such a fiend.

Yesterday, it killed over ten of his junior brothers, leaving him unable to explain when reporting to his master; now, the crowd was pressuring him.

He didn’t want to meddle, just wanted to leave after the City Lord replied.

The angry crowd pushed him to the top.

If he left today, his reputation in Xiangyang would be ruined.

"Cultivators, burdened by fame, truly lamentable!"

He sighed with hands behind his back.

Shortly, a servant outside shouted, "Master Xiao Chen, the City Lord’s daughter requests to see you."

"Let her in."

Xiao Chen commanded, having already seen Guo Xiang from the window.

He had no good impression of Guo Xiang; when it came to women, he preferred someone mature and charming like his master.

Compared to his master True Person Mystic Moon, Guo Xiang seemed like an unbloomed flower, lacking depth.

Only because of the City Lord’s influence did he have to get close to Guo Xiang.

Even his master, True Person Mystic Moon, said that taking this City Lord’s daughter would ally Xiangyang City with Mount Heng Sect.

He became his master’s puppet in marriage; he couldn’t understand why a monk like his master would rely on the Imperial Court?