I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 56 - 54: Guardian of the Ember

Chapter 56: Chapter 54: Guardian of the Ember

At this moment, closing the city gates ahead of time is essentially the same as deliberately blocking the Linjiang Station’s carriage from entering the city.

The sky had already darkened, and without the ability to enter the city, there was but a single path—a path to death.

Even if one thought of turning back to seek a Pure Land, it would certainly be too late.

"Too coincidental,"

Deputy Commander Gu’s brows furrowed slightly.

Under normal circumstances, based on changes in the weather, it was not rare to close the city gates ahead of time.

But at this moment, though the sun had set and the sky was dim, it was not to the extent that required the city gates to be closed early.

"People of the Liu Family."

Deputy Commander Zhou spoke softly, "Within the walls of the inner city, each of the six major families has direct bloodline members holding high positions within the City Guard Mansion."

He glanced at the Deputy Commander and said, "The moment the Flag Commander Wu Chang left the city, this news must have immediately been conveyed to the Liu Family."

The news reached the inner city, and then the order to close the city gates early was determined and sent to the Outer South City gate.

The timing was perfect.

The three people present had all understood immediately.

Among the soldiers guarding the city today, there were spies from the Liu Family.

"What do you think?"

Deputy Commander Gu asked, "Either we comply with the Liu Family’s wishes and severely offend Master Wu, or we delay a bit to give Master Wu, a convenience?"

Deputy Commander Zhou did not speak.

He felt that he had no particular ties to Linjiang Station.

More importantly, due to the matter with Zhao Jing, there was enmity as well.

Speaking truthfully, there was some conflict between them.

Moreover, in his eyes, even though Master Wu had demonstrated astonishing talent today, he still could not compare with the Liu Family among the six great families of the inner city.

Talent was merely having the potential to become strong!

But within the Liu Family, there were real powerhouses!

"Orders coming from the inner city naturally must not be disobeyed."

Just then, an elderly voice was heard.

The crowd turned their heads and saw Great Commander Zhao Zhou.

At this moment, the Great Commander, with his gray hair and somewhat wan complexion, slowly said, "However, I had previously misunderstood Master Wu, and I still feel somewhat guilty toward him."

"Tell the messenger to comply with the order from the inner city and close the city gates immediately."

Zhao Zhou looked towards Meng Lu and said, "You go and shut the gate."

Upon meeting Zhao Zhou’s gaze, a sudden realization dawned upon Meng Lu, who bowed in greeting and headed down toward the city gate.

——

Looking out from the city gate,

one could see a shadow appearing in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, it was a carriage, coming fast.

"Tonight, just outside the city, experience how terrifying darkness can be, as you pay for my young master’s life,"

a messenger from the Liu Family sneered coldly, his face full of mockery.

He watched the other party rushing closer, while the city gate gradually closed.

The despair in the other’s heart must not be less than the fear of the young master, who was threatened by the blade and ultimately had to wait for death!

Watching the city gate slowly close but then suddenly stop halfway,

"What are you doing? Why aren’t you closing the city gate fast enough?"

this Liu Family member suddenly shouted in anger.

"The city gate has been poorly maintained for years, and last night, it was jammed by the assault of Evil forces,"

Meng Lu came forward and seriously explained, "Speaking of which, it’s always the Outer South Government Office, always trying to save Silver Taels, unwilling to allocate funds for the repair of the city gate."

With a solemn expression, he said, "I hope you, sir, will report this when you return to the inner city, so that the City Guard Mansion might allocate some Silver Taels for this matter."

Speaking of this, he stretched out his foot and sighed, "Look at the state of my boots after several days of defending the city. They’ve worn out and I have no replacements, our City Defense is truly too poor."

"You..."

The color drained from this member of the Liu Family as he shouted angrily, "This is an order issued by the City Guard Mansion, how dare you covertly disobey?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Meng Lu quickly waved his hands and said, "We are following the orders of the City Guard Mansion, making every effort to close the gates. How could we dare to disobey even slightly? However, the gate is broken, previously there was no money for repairs — this fault does not lie with our City Defense Army..."

"Could it be the fault of the City Guard Mansion?"

This member of the Liu Family couldn’t help but shout furiously.

"So that’s how it is."

Meng Lu suddenly realized and said, "Thank you, brother, for speaking so justly. Tomorrow, I will have the Great Commander write a letter, bypassing the Outer South Government Office, and report to the inner city! Even the Liu Family says the fault lies with the City Guard Mansion, so this time the Silver Taels are bound to be allocated!"

His expression was serious, and he immediately performed a greeting, then leaned in and said, "You’ve helped me greatly, and it wouldn’t be right to see you harmed, so I must warn you..."

He pointed toward the city gate and said, "The carriage from Linjiang Station is about to arrive. If they learn that you specifically came to close the city gates, that Master Five’s notoriety...tsk, tsk, tsk... it might just be a single stroke, beheading you — it seems your young master has not gone far on the Netherworld Road, it would be good company."

As he watched the carriage gradually approach.

This member of the Liu Family, his expression exceedingly ugly, finally turned his horse around, rode off, and headed straight for the inner city.

"Slow down, don’t gallop, otherwise when Master Five returns to the city, he’ll still be chopping off heads," Meng Lu waved his hand and loudly warned.

Then he heard a voice from behind him.

"Colonel Meng, why has the city gate closed halfway so early?"

This young voice, clear and melodious.

——

Meanwhile.

Atop the city walls.

Great Commander Zhao Zhou, leaning against the wall, gazed down below.

Both Deputy Commanders were behind him, slightly silent.

A moment later, Deputy Commander Zhou began thoughtfully, "Great Commander, this move will surely offend the Liu Family."

Great Commander Zhao Zhou suddenly laughed, pointing at himself, "In my prime, I was at the peak of robust inner strength but, alas, I declined as time went on. My Qi-Blood gradually weakened, and I will not be able to reach the Refining Essence Realm in this life."

"And this Master Five, like the sunrise at dawn, so young yet already at the peak of robust inner strength. His future is boundless."

"If he were to die in darkness, harmed by Evil, that would be his fate."

"But to harm such a talent of the Human Clan over some private resentment, I cannot do such a thing."

He sighed and said softly, "If at the founding of High Willow City, youths as outstanding as him were labeled as ’Seeds’!"

"Back then, many strong ones would sacrifice their lives to protect the young generation, allowing them to survive, grow, and become the next generation of Guardians!"

"I was one of those ’Seeds’ back then, today’s Guardian!"

"But many of those ’Seeds’ from back then have forgotten their original purpose, so much so that they have become the rulers today, not the Guardians."

Zhao Zhou said slowly, "They only care about the current power, unwilling to think about the future... Without Guardians, outstanding ’Seeds’ are often snuffed out at their budding stage, leaving little hope for the future."

"However, for a single spark, the Great Commander today has offended the Liu Family, that towering inferno," Deputy Commander Zhou spoke gravely.

Zhao Zhou shook his head and said, "Young flames bear the potential to cause a wildfire, but a towering inferno shows signs of burning out."

He looked toward the inner city and said deeply, "The only remaining elder of the Liu Family is much older than I am."

"A fire has its time to burn out, and flames are snuffed out in their buds."

"The future High Willow City, without the illumination of firelight, darkness will erode everything."

"Perhaps I am old and won’t see that day’s rise and fall, but I hope today, to do something for the future."

As his voice fell, Zhao Zhou looked toward the two Deputy Commanders, "But you are younger than I am, you will see that day, so today, you should think more long-term and act more decisively."

"Thank you, Great Commander, for teaching us!"

Upon hearing this, the two immediately understood that the Great Commander was dissatisfied with their performance and promptly bowed in a greeting.

Yet, how much they truly accepted his words remained unknown.