I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 242 - 175 Master, Rest in Peace! [Second Update!]

Chapter 242: Chapter 175 Master, Rest in Peace! [Second Update!]

Linjiang Station.

Lin Yan had someone bring over a Jiao Linma horse.

He donned a conical bamboo hat.

Behind him were two Flag Commanders, Pan Yun and Chen Feng, along with their subordinate flag bearers.

Chief Clerk Yang, Zou Jin, Zheng Liu, Little Hui, Meng Lu, and others had also arrived on command.

"Recently, we’ve strictly controlled who leaves the city, letting them out in batches. Today, less than twenty percent were allowed to leave."

Chief Clerk Yang said in a low voice, "The remaining people are too many, especially that eldest son of the Qifeng Prefecture City Guard Mansion from Linjiang Square... Without you here, I definitely won’t be able to hold them down."

Lin Yan nodded and said, "An official from the inner city will come to temporarily take my place. You all must follow their orders."

Chief Clerk Yang hesitated and said, "What if this official can’t hold them down either?"

Lin Yan said, "I have already anticipated this. There’s no need to spread the news of my departure from the city..."

"We can’t hide it from those with a keen interest."

"Not announcing it publicly isn’t about hiding it from them."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I’ll be gone, but my reputation remains."

"Oh?" Chief Clerk Yang hesitated and said, "So you mean to say, it’s as if you’ve left the city in secrecy, but officially you’re still considered to be in Linjiang Square. So anyone causing trouble would be as if they’re doing it right under your watch?"

"You need to keep detailed records of the happenings inside the square." Lin Yan calmly said, "Don’t let them think that causing trouble and leaving the city means they can just walk away without consequences... Spread the word that if I could travel a thousand miles last time to kill those two Shi Family members, I can do the same to their homes!"

"Deputy City Governor Shi is probably going to be furious again." Chief Clerk Yang smirked.

"He hasn’t left the city?" Lin Yan’s brows arched.

"He’s been in the city all this time, clearly planning something that everyone is well aware of. Both the City Guard Mansion and the Observatory are watching him," Chief Clerk Yang said.

"Then let’s see how capable he is."

Lin Yan waved his hand and said, "Linjiang Station, I’ll be leaving its care to you."

"Master, have a safe journey!"

The crowd chorused aloud.

"..."

Lin Yan fell silent for a moment and then said, "Choose another phrase; that’s not very auspicious..."

The crowd looked at each other, and only Chief Clerk Yang called out loudly, "I wish Master a smooth journey, triumph in battle, and a victorious return!"

The rest of the people quickly echoed the sentiment.

"That’s more like it."

Lin Yan mounted the Jiao Linma horse and glanced around.

Little White Ape and Ji Baochang were already on horseback, ready to leave the city with him.

"The one following Master out of the city, is he a Cultivator?" Meng Lu stepped forward, frowning, "Master detests these people the most, so why show such courtesy to this Cultivator?"

"Not everyone who practices the Worshiping Evil Method is necessarily a villain; after all, it was once one of the main cultivation methods of our Human Clan ancestors." Chief Clerk Yang slightly shook his head and said, "Many commoners outside the city rely on the Worshiping Evil Method just to survive... This person must be of use to Master."

"Associating with Cultivators could attract criticism, which isn’t good for future promotions," Meng Lu said in a low voice.

"If it were you, involving Cultivators would indeed be a problem, but obviously, it’s different for Master," Chief Clerk Yang said.

"Come to think of it, I assumed Master would take me with him on this trip," Pan Yun, the Flag Commander, said as he touched his head, "Why take that young flag bearer? What’s the rationale?"

"Lin Xiaoqi, the young flag, is one of Master’s trusted aides," Feng Hui said enviously in a low voice, "Sooner or later, I’ll also have the chance to follow by Master’s side and become a trusted aide."

"That being said, Master always takes Lin Xiaoqi with him every time he leaves the city," Meng Lu stroked his chin and said, "What exactly is Lin Xiaoqi’s expertise? As far as I remember, his martial skills aren’t particularly high..."

"Indeed, he accompanied Master to the Dayin River last time as well," Chief Clerk Yang said, somewhat surprised.

"He’s skilled at traveling by night and investigating various affairs," Pan Yun, the Flag Commander, said, "Last time at the Dayin River, all of us holding the Bright Night Divine Lamp weren’t as effective as him..."

"That impressive?"

The crowd exchanged looks, each showing a hint of admiration.

——

Outskirts of High Willow City, in the eastern district.

"Deputy City Governor Shi, Wu Chang has left the city."

"Hm."

"Aren’t you waiting for today? Shall we..."

"We can’t leave," Deputy City Governor Shi said flatly, "The Great City Guard of High Willow City is inspecting the eastern city defenses today... It’s a move against me."

"To save Wu Chang, they’re willing to tear off all pretenses with you," the commander named Jing said in a low voice.

"Likewise, to kill Wu Chang, I won’t hesitate to tear off all pretenses with them," Deputy City Governor Shi said.

Deputy City Governor Shi looked towards another direction and continued, "Three Deputy Commanders of the Observatory, I heard one is at the Dayin River, another left the city to search for ancient relics, and another has been accompanying us for two days now."

Jing, the commander, hesitated and asked, "So we just sit here?"

"Of course we wait quietly for news if everything is prepared," Deputy City Governor Shi said calmly.

He poured a cup of tea and slowly said, "My cultivation level, within Qifeng Prefecture, is considered among the higher ranks, but over many years, I rarely kill personally..."

"Usually, with a wave of my hand, a couple of lines in writing serve as an order that can cost many people their heads."

"To kill someone, it’s not always necessary to do it oneself, nor is it necessary to wield a sword personally."

"As long as someone can bring his head to me, that’s good enough."

——

Outside the city.

Three horses kicked up dust as they sped forward.

"My lord, isn’t the ancient relic to the north? Why not pass through the inner city and leave through the northern outer city gate?" Little White Ape asked.

"Han Commander is leaving through the northern gate; we’re taking a different route," Lin Yan said calmly.

"It’s probably a long way, and lately, all the Pure Lands are overcrowded, and it would be difficult to find a place to rest at night," Little White Ape said.

"I have already made arrangements," Lin Yan assured.

"Are you certain this young flag’s fate aligns with yours, allowing him to enter the same Pure Land entrance with you?" Just then, Ji Baochang spoke up.

"Absolutely sure. As for you..." Lin Yan chuckled, saying, "Commander, the fact that you’ve been assigned to accompany me suggests that someone predetermined long ago that you and I would journey together this time, no?"

"I’m thirty-six this year, born on June 18th," Ji Baochang revealed.

"Oh?" A slight stir went through Lin Yan’s heart.

"No need to guess anymore, this year I just happen to be afflicted by Tai Sui." Ji Baochang spoke up, "We are headed to one of the nine major entrances, the Age Star Gate!"

"So that’s it."

Lin Yan turned his head to look at a slope not far away and asked, "Are you also afflicted by Tai Sui?"

Behind the slope, a fierce horse bolted out, ridden by a dark-faced burly man—it was Lv Tang.

"After all, Mr. Lu told me to accompany you, so who knows what’s really going on?"

As Lv Tang approached on horseback, he asked, "Where to now?"

Lin Yan said, "There is a Pure Land up ahead, one that was previously destroyed, I have to take a look..."

——

North of High Willow City.

An elder could be seen slowly walking.

Though his steps were leisurely, he covered a distance of thirty feet with each step.

"Elder Ji, High Willow City located the ancient relics last night, and people were dispatched from the city today, you must enter the Pure Land before this afternoon," a middle-aged man in front spoke while bowing, "For this journey, I am relying on Elder Ji to look after my junior."

Elder Ji had a calm expression and said, "You are a godson candidate, and once you become a godson, your future will be boundless; no need for formalities."

Naturally, the middle-aged man understood that the elder was unwilling to travel together, and he whispered with a sigh, "I heard that Wu Chang will be entering the ancient relics via the ’Age Gate’."

"Oh?"

"He has already left the city."

"And how does that matter?"

"Around High Willow City, the nine major Pure Lands combine to form the ancient relics... With the remaining Pure Lands dwindling, figuring out in which Pure Land he resides can be easily deduced."

"Did you set an ambush?"

"Indeed, I planned to block him in the remaining Pure Land during the night, and with the awakening of the guardian artifact of the Pure Land, strangle him to death."

"Once he’s dead, then come report to me."

"What do you mean by that, Elder Ji?"

"With that man’s abilities and his reputation, along with the expectations the Human Clan has for him, the measures you’ve prepared are too superficial."

The middle-aged man was taken aback.

"If I’m not wrong, all your men are dead."

Elder Ji said indifferently, "After all, I was once Garrison Commander of the Observatory, and I am somewhat familiar with the Observatory’s methods."

——

Meanwhile.

The Commander, already donned in armor, led the cavalry, ready to leave the city.

"Great City Guard, you must be quite happy that I’m leaving High Willow City for the time being."

"Being free from someone watching me all day does make me happier."

"Strictly speaking, we from the Observatory are supervising High Willow City on your behalf!" the Commander said slowly, "Today I leave the city, and for the coming days, it’s your responsibility... If there’s any mistake, any chaos in the city, I will be sure to trouble you!"

"Take extra care with the ancient relic matter, as it relates to the new city expansion," the Great City Guard sighed and asked, "Wu Chang has left the city, how have you arranged the journey?"

"I’ve cleared the path in advance, as for the route, that is the Observatory’s confidential information, you don’t need to ask." the Commander said calmly.

"After so many years, High Willow City has finally produced such a talent, bring him back to me," the Great City Guard saluted, "Commander, have a safe trip."

"You keep a close watch on the major families within the city, don’t let those dying old folks cause any trouble," said the Commander, pausing.

Especially Old Thief Shi!"

The Great City Guard nodded, "Leave it to me. You need only be concerned with changes around the periphery of the ancient relic, go in peace..."

"Why do I feel like you just want me dead out there?"

The Commander let out a cold laugh and rode on, departing through the north gate.

——

"Since we are leaving the city for the entrance to the ancient relic Age Gate, haven’t you figured out a route?" Ji Baochang finally couldn’t hold back and asked, "Logically speaking, we should have turned right just now..."

"Let me ask you something," Lin Yan suddenly interrupted.

"Go ahead."

"How many people do you think know that I’m supposed to enter the Age Gate?"

"Being from High Willow City yourself, you probably can’t hide that, but your origins have always been a mystery," Ji Baochang pondered, "The Observatory’s records are confidential, so I suppose not many people would know."

"But there are still some who do," Lin Yan said with a smile.

"Do you think someone has set up an ambush along the way?" Ji Baochang immediately caught on.

"Of course, there are, and although I’m not afraid, if someone were to toss a rabbit from afar in the dead of night, shooting it dead with an arrow, we’d be facing a different kind of enemy," Lin Yan said, "Even though the Observatory cleared the path in advance, and the City Guard Mansion assisted, it’s precisely because of their help that those who want me dead are even more aware of my route..."

He looked ahead and said, "There’s a rush to get to the ancient relic, these days, if we can avoid trouble, we will."

Lv Tang thought it made a lot of sense but still asked, "Is this the route Mr. Lu chose? Or did the Observatory select it for you?"

"I chose it myself."

Lin Yan laughed and said, "Whether it’s Mr. Lu or the Commander himself, both told me to choose my own path... Winding and circuitous, only I know of the route, I don’t believe anyone could ambush me."

He suddenly reined in his horse and said, "Here we are. I’m going to explore the Pure Land up ahead. Wait for me to return."

"That Pure Land was destroyed not long ago," Ji Baochang frowned, "I’m unsure who was responsible. I remember the Observatory was aware of it too."

"I know that."

Lin Yan turned his head to look at Little White Ape.

Little White Ape blinked its eyes.

It was the creature that had died outside that Pure Land and was resurrected by the master with the Nirvana Divine Egg.

That Pure Land, because someone took their own life there, turned its guardian artifact into a Blood Slaughter God General.

And then the Pure Land was destroyed.

"Wait here..."

Lin Yan’s expression turned serious as he quickly proceeded.