I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 324 - 228: Two Arrows Shock Yuan Tongye into Retreat!

Chapter 324: Chapter 228: Two Arrows Shock Yuan Tongye into Retreat!

Mr. Lu’s courtyard.

The surrounding neighbors had been asked to leave and were relocated elsewhere.

This was the handiwork of the Observatory, under the orders of the Commander, personally handled by Han Commander.

But by doing so, it could not be kept a secret anymore.

Given Mr. Lu’s current status and his reputation outside, the sudden closure of the courtyard could only mean two things.

Either the old man was at the end of his life, or he was attempting the Refining God Skill, a venture where one has a nine in ten chance of dying.

At this moment, Lin Yan, with his blade in hand, was patrolling outside the courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, and with his cultivation level, he could sense everything within it; a gust of wind, the movement of grass, ants, and insects, he was aware of them all.

"Although the noise made during Qi Refining and God Transformation cannot be concealed, this act is quite ostentatious. Without Mr. Lu’s instructions, this would not have been done," Lin Yan said slowly. "Mr. Lu desires to refine his godly essence, which is already a life-and-death struggle. The path he follows is much more arduous than that of a regular Qi Refining Realm cultivator."

"The last time the courtyard was sealed, it seemed it was not just for a discussion. It was also to make the Observatory Tower suspicious, to keep an eye on this courtyard at all times," he continued.

"So this time, when the courtyard was sealed off, the Observatory Tower would notice immediately."

"Together with the Observatory’s evacuation of the nearby citizens."

"It’s inevitable that Mr. Lu’s actions would not be kept secret."

He looked at Lv Tang by his side and asked, "Does Mr. Lu wish to use himself as bait again, to lure out a group of individuals with ulterior motives?"

Lv Tang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Mr. Lu believes that this seclusion is a matter of life or death, with failure leading to his death, and success means heading to the Prefecture City... This is probably the last effort he is making for his birthplace, High Willow City."

"A path where one survives nine deaths is fraught with variables. Any slight influence could lead to certain death," cautioned Lin Yan with concern on his face. "Mr. Lu has always been prudent. Why is he being so impulsive this time?"

...

Lv Tang gave Lin Yan a deep look but did not speak.

When it comes to being impulsive, who in High Willow City or even Qifeng Prefecture could compare with you, Wu Chang? Even if Mr. Lu were being impulsive, most likely, it was this young man who had led him astray.

After a pause, Lv Tang said, "Mr. Lu left a set of instructions regarding his own approach to Qi Refining and God Transformation. If he fails, they are to be sent to Liu Venerate Temple."

"Why Liu Venerate Temple?" asked Lin Yan, his voice contemplative.

Lv Tang explained, "Mr. Lu’s method of Refining God is not suitable for cultivators like us who entered cultivation through martial arts, so even as protectors, we cannot actively try to comprehend his advances."

"His path is the wrong one for us."

"The more we understand, the more it will influence us later on. It’s best to remove that thought entirely."

"But the higher-ups in High Willow City may not be aware of the secrets within and might think observing Mr. Lu’s attempt at Refinement is a tremendous opportunity."

"There are also many who do not wish to see Mr. Lu succeed in Refining God! While Tribulation Ash is the most prominent faction, there are not a few who fear his success and the obstacles it would represent for their paths."

"The coming days will be tumultuous. Mr. Lu’s idea is to leave it to fate, and if we can’t hold back the tide, we retreat."

"Of course, he knows that people like you will fight to the death rather than withdraw."

Saying this, Lv Tang continued, "From today onwards, you don’t need to hold back. To protect the pillar of the Human Clan in the Refining God Realm, however you choose to kill is acceptable!"

"I never had any reservations anyway," replied Lin Yan, gripping his Night Lamp sword. "If Mr. Lu wishes to refine his godly essence and someone dares to invade, no matter who they are, I’ll chop off their heads!"

He then instructed Lv Tang, "I’ll stand guard here. You go to the southeast region and take over the city defense. Make sure they don’t break through our defenses on the flank!"

---

Outer city, directly south.

The City Defense Army had been taken over by Han Commander.

This was against the rules, as the City Defense Army was under the jurisdiction of the City Guard Mansion!

Following the previous City Defense Commander Zhao Zhou’s death and the murder of Town Captain Wang Yuan, amid the ensuing chaos and no new Commander appointed, Wu Chang took temporary charge.

However, during the period when the ancient relics appeared, a new City Defense Commander for the southern defenses had already been appointed.

In principle, Han Commander had no authority to take over the city defense duties, but he displayed the token of the Great City Guard.

"Is something significant going to happen tonight?"

Deputy Commander Gu approached him, his expression complex.

He was a trusted confidant of the late Great Commander Zhao Zhou and had deep ties with the Linjiang Station. He was also no stranger to Han Commander.

"No need to ask further. Just guard the city walls diligently for the next three days," Han Commander spoke calmly. "I will be on unwavering watch here for the next three days and nights. Nights are more dangerous and demanding...I’m counting on you to take extra care during the days."

"Understood," Deputy Commander Gu nodded.

---

Outer city, southwest.

The Little White Ape, carrying a long halberd on its back, arrived within the city defenses of the southwest outside the city.

It held the identity of Little Flag Lin Yan from the Linjiang Station.

It was not qualified enough to take over the City Defense Army in the southwest.

Even with the Great City Guard’s token, it couldn’t persuade the numerous soldiers to follow orders.

And the City Defense Commander there did not conceal his disdain.

"You don’t have to follow my lead, no matter!" said the Little White Ape as he stood holding the halberd on the city wall, looking at the distance. "Just one thing! If any evil creatures enter the city...even if it’s just a minor demon or a wandering spirit, I will chop off your head and hang it on the city wall!"

"Nonsense! Wu Chang himself would get my respect if he were here, but you, just a Little Flag who can’t even become a Flag Commander, how dare you strut around in front of me?" the City Defense Commander instantly became furious.

But then, he saw the Little Flag sweeping the halberd before him.

With overwhelming might, light split the air for six hundred steps!

A wandering spirit, actually slain on the spot!

"..."

The Great Commander immediately felt his mouth go dry and his tongue parched.

A halberd swung out, striking six hundred steps away?

Was this... a technique of the Qi Refining Realm?

"The evil comes."

The Little White Ape glanced at him and said, "Take out all the Liu Branch Night Lamps from the storeroom and encircle this city wall with them! No more negligence, or it’s off with your heads!"

——

Outside the city, in the southeast area, Lv Tang came to take over the city defense.

This Southeast Commander, originally from the inner city, had a keen eye and recognized Lv Tang’s identity, daring not to slack.

But what surprised him was, why start martial law tonight?

"It is said that each family in the inner city has sent out manpower to assist the Liu Venerate Temple in quelling the evil outside the city, preparing for the city’s expansion!"

"In recent times, the darkness outside the city has been relatively quiet, with evil sightings rare, and they have not gone so far as to attack the city."

"Because of this, the incense burners of the Liu Venerate Temple have already lost over eighty people, and the martial artists from the various powers of the inner city have also suffered over two hundred casualties."

"They gambled with their lives to secure the recent tranquility of High Willow City; why is Lv Tang still not at ease?"

The Great Commander asked in a low voice.

Lv Tang looked outside and said, "Do you think there’s a boundary to this night after dark?"

"Naturally, it is boundless," the Southeast Commander replied.

"After quelling the area within a hundred miles, have we built a city wall beyond that range?" Lv Tang asked again.

"Certainly not," the Southeast Commander replied.

"Then in the darkness beyond a hundred miles, there are still countless evils lurking. How can we know they won’t break in?" Lv Tang asked.

"But the manpower outside the city is not small, they are like a big net, stopping the evils outside," the Southeast Commander replied in a low voice.

"A big net has holes, and how many it lets through is hard to say."

Lv Tang said gravely, "Darkness is boundless, like the vast ocean. It’s only that the fish and shrimp by the seaside are captured once... After that, doesn’t the coastline ever have fish and shrimp again? No, they will still come!"

Then, Lv Tang sneered, "Especially since some people want to tear the net and let in the big fish that can eat people!"

——

In Mr. Lu’s courtyard.

Lin Yan stood on the wall, looking down at all directions.

He suddenly looked towards the direction of the inner city.

He then sheathed his Night Lamp Treasure Saber and took out a wooden bow.

This was the bow left behind by the farmer who was a candidate for Vice Sect Hierarch during the Tribulation Ash.

Ordinarily, in the Qi Refining Realm, the Qi can reach a thousand steps, but with this wooden bow, it can cross three thousand steps.

In the hands of Lin Yan, if he did not mind wearing out the bow, he could shoot an arrow five thousand steps away.

With a whoosh!

The arrow crossed five thousand steps!

It hit the ground at the junction of Linjiang Square and Qing Mountain Square!

This arrow nailed into the road!

Boom!

A large pit formed, with cracks spreading out on both sides.

"..."

The leading cavalry immediately reined in their horses.

Clad in armor with rich blood energy and an imposing presence,

behind him followed a hundred or more cavalry.

But they were all stopped by this one arrow, just outside Linjiang Square.

"Deputy Commander Yuan..." a deputy general stepped forward, his eyes filled with shock and suspicion as he whispered, "Shot from over a thousand steps away from Linjiang Square!"

"From Mr. Lu’s courtyard to here, it’s almost five thousand steps," Yuan Tongye said with a slight frown. "Such a powerful bow, I fear it’s a treasured artifact refined by some magical creature!"

He looked ahead, gathering his True Qi and sending his voice forward.

"I am Yuan Tongye, the Great Commander of the Left City Guard Army. Having learned that the extermination of evils outside the city is not going well, leading to evil creatures approaching the city walls, I have led the cavalry to support the southwest city defense!"

With another whoosh!

An arrow fell again!

And before them, another large pit formed!

Though there was no response from the other side, the action could not be clearer!

To cross this line and enter Linjiang Square would be seen as declaring war!

"Have they gone mad?"

Yuan Tongye’s face grew cold as he said, "To dare shoot two arrows at me, even if reported to Qifeng Prefecture City, they would have to pin a crime on him!"

"Great Commander, be cautious!"

The deputy general spoke softly, "Liu Family’s old ancestor was slain by him! Seeing his arrow shoot five thousand steps, I’m afraid it’s beyond the scope of the Qi Refining Realm!"

"All this commotion just to have an excuse to enter Linjiang Square and observe the Refining God Skill. Do you want me to give up?"

Yuan Tongye’s face turned extremely ugly as his breathing grew heavy.

He looked forward and said through gritted teeth, "Two arrows to scare me away? He is not from the Li Sect!"

"Great Commander, Wu Chang is famously powerful and he has deep ties with Mr. Lu. He might actually start a war," the deputy general couldn’t help but say softly. "Others besides us also wish to break into Linjiang Square... Why not retreat to the adjacent outer southwest area for now, wait for others to break in, then we can enter Linjiang Square in the name of protection?"

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