Mountain Patrol Military Officer
Chapter 98: Chen Yuan! Chen Yuan! (Seeking monthly ticket)

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Chen Yuan! Chen Yuan! (Seeking monthly ticket)

Four Seas Gang,

Langya Mountain,

Dragon Tiger Sect,

....

A cacophony of shocked and angry voices wander through the night in White Emperor City.

Following that, the neighing and shouting of horses and men rises sharply.

Under the cover of night, horses become restless and burst through the gates.

The rapid patter of hooves, clopping and drumming, rushes through the streets, swiftly galloping towards the city gate.

Each figure looks imposing, hoisting weapons atop their steeds.

Several groups of riders converge from different directions towards the Prefecture city gate.

Men shouting, horses neighing; swift horses storm through the streets, awakening White Emperor City under the night sky.

The "clack clack clack" of doors opening and windows pushing continues incessantly.

Some commoners startle awake from dreams, one after another opening doors and windows, or stepping outside, to see a succession of fierce shadows sprinting down the streets towards the city gate, which leaves them visibly alarmed.

"Heavens, is the Demon Cult knocking at the gates again?"

"But I heard that the Demon Cult was repelled hundreds of miles away by the Military Officer Captain of the Prefecture."

"What’s happening now? It doesn’t seem like troops from the Sky Patrol Department."

"Eh, that looks like the Four Seas Gang."

"The Zhang Family’s disciples are also there."

"...."

The commotion of the riders leaves the woken commoners along the route in a state of alarmed uncertainty.

For a moment, there’s a stir as if the wind carried a pheasant’s cries.

At the Northern City Gate of the Prefecture, a piercing whistle sound rises.

Then, "Heiha" "Heiha"

Rows of Armored Soldiers clad in black heavy armor emerge from both sides of the city wall. They are well-trained, brandishing sharp long spears, and form neat arrays. The cold, chilling light flashes off the iron armors and long spears.

These Armored Soldiers, who stand guard at the Prefecture year-round, all seasoned veterans bathed in bloodshed, not necessarily high in realm, yet emanate a formidable aura. Arranged into a battle array, even an ordinary Third Realm Divine Ability Practitioner would hesitate to test their mettle.

Now, beneath their helmets, pairs of indifferent eyes watch the approaching troops, with weapons raised, and the cold light resounds.

Then a thunderous, stern shout,

"How dare you! This gate is sealed. Who dares to brazenly intrude into the critical grounds of the Prefecture?"

Following that, a streak of cold light falls suddenly from atop the city wall, landing dozens of meters in front of a group of riders.

With a swish, a trench is carved into the ground.

The charging horses, startled, come to an abrupt halt, crying out loudly.

Immediately after, a figure plunges from atop the city wall, clad in Sky Blue Chain Armor, wielding a Cold Iron Horse-slaying Saber, his eyes as fierce as a leopard’s, glaring at the troops ahead.

An irate voice emanates from ahead.

"The Dragon and Tiger Sect’s Feathered Dragon, open the city gates quickly! We have urgent matters; step aside."

A towering man mounted on an exotic white horse, with a pair of sabers sheathed diagonally on his back and a look of fierce determination, steps forward shouting.

"Li Yunxiao from the Four Seas Gang’s Ju Yitang, Colonel, are you putting on such a big show because you want to start a fight among your own kin?" Another, wielding a black iron rod, dressed in a black cloak, eyes bright and piercing, steps forward leading his horse.

"...."

People from several factions are rushing to burst through the city gate.

For a moment, the atmosphere is tense.

At this time inside the Prefecture, the commotion also alarms Colonel Xiang Qingtian.

"You’re telling me that these families received news of unusual activity in Qingshan last night and that their elite disciples sent out were ambushed and killed by the Green Dragon Venerable of the Demon Cult on their way back, and those who were lucky enough to escape ran into a massive blockade by the Demon Cult. Now they are desperate to rush and receive them back, wanting to break through and leave the city."

"Yes, Sir!"

But in the grand hall above, upon hearing this news, Xiang Qingtian’s eyes narrow, and the candle flames in the hall seem to dim.

"Langya Mountain, Dragon Tiger Sect, Four Seas Gang,"

"A few days ago, when the Demon Cult suddenly attacked the gate, our military strength in the Prefecture was lacking, and the western front was under pressure. I had ordered you to inform these families to spare a portion of their forces to defend the western front. And what happened? Each and every one shirked their duties."

"Now that the disciples of our sect have been ambushed by the Demon Cult, huh, they are in a rush. Each and every one of these fellows has taken advantage of the Demon Cult’s ravages in recent years, the weakening of the Prefecture’s power, to massively recruit private troops. Don’t think that I am unaware of what they are plotting."

The deep voice of Xiang Qingtian echoed in the great hall.

"Send the order!"

Just then,

A hurried footsteps interrupted the voice as someone swiftly entered the hall, knelt on one knee, and came forward to report.

"Report!"

"Langya Mountain, Four Seas Gang, Dragon Tiger Sect, leaders of the three families have all arrived and request an audience with the General!"

Xiang Qingtian’s eyes suddenly narrowed,

"This is to pressure me!"

"Let them in!"

Inside the great hall,

In no time, three figures silently emerged and sat down on three chairs.

One of them was Xiahou Yuan, the Mountain Master of Langya Mountain, playing with a chess piece in his hand, his eyes downcast.

Another person was Long Cang, the Sect Leader of the Dragon Tiger Sect, a famous figure in the Worldly society from the Prefecture, a Heavenly Pass Expert of the Fourth Heavenly Barrier, who founded his sect with the fundamental chart of the Dragon and Tiger, having hundreds of disciples under his command.

This man had white eyebrows and eagle eyes, dressed in a chestnut brown robe.

There was also one more person, Li Jingyun, the Gang Leader of the Four Seas Gang, whose influence pervaded over the grain transportation system of Shu, commanding thousands of followers, big and small.

At this moment, after these three figures appeared, they unreservedly released their own aura, filling the great hall.

"General Xiang doesn’t look too pleased; it seems we are not welcomed!"

Long Cang, the Sect Leader of the Dragon Tiger Sect, raised his eyes first and spoke.

"I suppose the General has already received the news, my disciples are still awaiting rescue. Please give the order to open the fortress to the north."

"Indeed, I too request General Xiang to open the gates, after all, we are all in White Emperor City, in the same boat, huh. Those Demon Cult villains are truly rampant. I have also received a call for help; the Demon Cult suddenly intensified the blockade, and those of my followers who escaped back are embroiled in fierce combat."

The Gang Leader of the Four Seas Gang also spoke, his voice seeming amicable.

However, Xiang Qingtian looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"Oh? How come I heard that Xiang Gang Leader has quite a good handle on things, that the grain transportation business extends smoothly beyond the border."

Li Jingyun’s face changed, and he said in a deep voice:

"General must be joking; how could I, Li Jingyun, associate with those Human Demons."

Xiang Qingtian did not continue the topic but slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at Xiahou Yuan, the Mountain Master of Langya Mountain, whose eyes were downcast.

"Brother Xiahou, do you have something to say?"

Xiahou Yuan lifted his eyes, which appeared somewhat profound under the candlelight in the hall.

"Like the other two, I am also here to inquire about a person from the General?"

"Who is Chen Yuan from Qingshan County?"

"My disciples sent word that this name was mentioned by the Azure Dragon of the Demon Cult, followed by a great slaughter. Xiahou thought this might be a key piece of information and came to ask."

"That’s right!"

"Our Sect Leader has also heard about this; could it be that General knows who this man is?" The other two leaders’ expressions changed, seemingly agitated.

Upon hearing this name, Xiang Qingtian’s gaze instantly sharpened.

He pondered the two words in his mouth.

"Chen Yuan?"

And just as the three powerful leaders questioned who Chen Yuan might be,

Outside the besieged gates to the north of White Emperor City, on the vast wilderness in the distance.

A shocking roar like thunder on earth.

Following that, a mountainous black Token smashed a small hill into pieces.

Amidst the rubble, a fast horse charged out, breaking through the Demon Cult’s blockade.

On the horse’s back, a bearded Great Han looked somewhat disheveled, but his eyes shone brightly towards the White Emperor City in the night.

Looking up at the sky, at the large black Token resembling a great mountain, he let out a hearty laugh.

"Good brother!"

And behind him in the night sky, the sound of a dragon’s anxious roar—furious and desperate—rang out!

"Chen Yuan, Chen Yuan!"