Rearing Demons
Chapter 109: The Gloomy City

Chapter 109: The Gloomy City

Willow walked around the castle, making sure the guards were stationed all over.

She would gaze out of the window at times, looking at the setting sun, but a lingering frown remained. Why do I still have this feeling... They’re somewhere out there.

The uneasy sensation persisted, and she wanted to trust her instincts.

She was also a cultivator, perhaps not very powerful, but still at the first rank, a Nascent Orb cultivator.

"Please stay on a strict rotation," she instructed the nearest guard. "Also, have someone send a letter out to the Mountain of the Eye Sect."

"Right away," he replied quickly, leaving to carry out her orders.

The entire castle was under lockdown, everyone under high stress. Some guards had gone into town earlier to search for the stall Willow had mentioned, but when they returned, there was no news of any such stall. No one had even seen it.

This only strengthened Willow’s conviction that something was wrong.

Julian, hurry back.

Julian was still at the third rank, Ignited Core realm, yet he could compete against many Shining Core cultivators from sects. His strength surpassed his realm significantly.

Although the kingdom had a few Shining Core realm experts, those individuals were away, defending other cities against beast attacks.

Willow continued her patrol, ensuring all windows were shut tightly, rooms empty, and exits locked. She checked every corner of the castle for possible points of intrusion, stationing guards at all entrances and even placing some in the garden and at its entrance.

Though a few guards began to feel it might be excessive, they remained silent and continued their patrols.

After completing her rounds, Willow returned to the King’s room. Inside, Xia was now noticeably drowsy, and even the King looked tired.

"Alright, Xia, let’s get you to sleep," Willow said gently, smiling.

"What about Dad?" Xia asked sleepily, still hoping for her father’s return.

"He said to sleep. He wants to wake you himself," Willow replied, picking Xia up from the bed. She turned to the King with gratitude. "Thank you, Dad."

"Go rest," he said warmly, smiling back at her.

Willow nodded and exited the room with Xia, who murmured softly before resting her chin on Willow’s shoulder, quickly falling asleep again. Willow reached her room, making certain the guards remained positioned near both her room and the King’s.

She locked her door carefully behind her, gently placing Xia on the bed. Then, cautiously, she inspected the large clothes cabinet, beneath the bed, and every corner of her room once more.

Only after confirming everything was safe did she lie down, pulling Xia close to her side. Still, sleep wouldn’t come easily.

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"Your Highness!"

On the walls of a distant city, men were stationed in towers, peering anxiously into the dark forest beyond. Multiple eyes stared back at them from within the shadows.

On one of these towers stood a young man, handsome and radiating a powerful aura.

"Hm?" He turned, looking at the messenger kneeling behind him.

"I rushed from Freau as fast as possible to deliver this message from the King." The messenger’s hands trembled slightly from adrenaline as he handed over the letter.

"What?" Hearing the messenger’s words, Renri, the Crown Prince, immediately tore open the letter, scanning its contents hurriedly.

Finishing the letter, he turned urgently to his men. "All of you, remain at your posts. Stay vigilant, and don’t move unless necessary!"

"Yes, sir!" they responded obediently. Although Renri was the Crown Prince, he was also the leading general, bearing many responsibilities.

"Kiro, Weslin, come with me." Renri summoned two companions, both third realm cultivators like himself.

"Yes, Your Highness," they replied immediately, approaching him quickly. "What’s happening?"

"I’m not certain, but there’s an emergency at the castle. Possibly intruders, perhaps enemies from Welit," Renri explained with a deepening frown.

"What? During this season?" they asked, shocked.

Beasts were the greatest threat to mortal kingdoms, particularly beast hordes that threatened entire cities.

During these seasons, conflicts between kingdoms ceased temporarily so they could focus fully on the beasts, a task no easier, and often harder, than fighting against other kingdoms.

"I don’t know, but we must hurry back," Renri said seriously. He couldn’t help but wonder about the identity of the mysterious group.

Willow was usually calm and collected, rarely interfering in his duties as prince, always understanding his responsibilities. The fact that she had urgently requested his return meant something serious must have happened.

"Messenger, deliver this letter immediately to Bryant. Tell him to meet me at Freau as quickly as possible." Renri summoned a large hawk, swiftly hopping onto its back. "I’ll go ahead. Follow as fast as you can!"

Not wanting to waste any more time, Renri took off into the sky, leaving his companions to follow closely behind.

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After finally falling asleep, Willow awoke suddenly to faint footsteps near her ears. They were quiet, yet close.

Her eyes fluttered open. She turned her head slightly, checking around her room, but found it dark and empty.

What was that?

Rubbing her eyes, she recalled the earlier events and immediately went on high alert again. Carefully, she scanned her room for anything out of place, yet everything appeared untouched. The door remained locked, and nothing seemed disturbed.

However, beneath the door, there was no light, just darkness. Didn’t I order the lights to remain on?

Quietly rising from her bed, Willow quickly put on some clothing but did not immediately step out.

Instead, she knelt by the door, placing her head close to the ground, peering through the small gap into the hallway.

I still see footsteps, she thought, feeling irritated. The guards should’ve been stationed there, yet the hallway was dark.

She stood up, considering opening the door, but her eyes widened sharply as realization struck her: There was only one set of feet! There were at least ten guards outside my room!

She gently returned to the floor, pressing her cheek flat against the ground again.

"AH!" she gasped sharply, quickly covering her mouth. A pair of sinister eyes stared back at her from beneath the door.

Falling back in shock, she scrambled to her feet as the door handle rattled aggressively.

They’re here!

Panicking, Willow rushed to the bed, quickly picking up Xia, who fortunately remained asleep. She wrapped Xia in a thick blanket, tying her securely around her waist. I have to find Dad and escape the castle!

They had no choice but to run. Her room had a second door that led into a different hallway, and she slipped quietly into it.

Where are the guards? she thought desperately, knowing something was seriously wrong. The guards would never abandon their posts, especially at a time like this.

She ran low through the empty halls, her anxiety growing. Not a single guard was in sight, nor any sign of resistance. No blood, no damage, nothing at all seemed out of place. Even the vases and curtains were undisturbed.

Her objective was the King’s room, and fortunately, she reached it quickly. Still, unease clung tightly to her chest. Approaching the slightly open door, she cautiously peeked inside.

"Ee Ss Kh Rr Ee Fh Rr Ee Tz Hh Eh Eh... Yh Oh Uu Rr Ss Oh Uu Ll Ah Nh Aah Pll Ah Tz Tz Eh Rr Mh Ah Dr Eh Oh Fh Gr Oh Ll Dr!"

Willow’s eyes widened in horror. A group of cloaked men surrounded the King’s bed, chanting bizarre, chilling murmurs she couldn’t comprehend, clutching thin swords and knives.

"Mom?" Xia suddenly awakened, alerting both Willow and the cloaked men. They turned their heads sharply towards the door.

Shoot! Willow looked down, seeing Xia staring up with confusion. "Baby, keep quiet, shh," she whispered nervously.

"WILLOW, RUN!" the King roared suddenly, blood dripping from his mouth.

With a terrified shriek, Willow turned and fled, tears filling her eyes. I’m sorry, Dad! she cried silently, knowing she had to protect Xia.

Suddenly, she found herself surrounded. Cloaked men rushed at her from the left, right, and behind. Gritting her teeth, she looked toward the window, stepping back slightly.

"Hold on, Xia!" she shouted, launching herself through the window backward, protecting Xia from the impact.

"AH!" Xia screamed, hearing the shattering glass. Willow groaned in pain as shards pierced her skin and back. Blood seeped from her mouth, but she quickly recovered, stumbling forward into town.

She glanced back, seeing dozens of cloaked figures chasing her relentlessly. Where can I go?!

Entering the city, she was met with silence, too much silence. It felt abandoned, with all lights extinguished.

Still, having no choice, she ran desperately through the streets. "Anyone! Is anyone here?!" she called repeatedly, yet no response came.

With Xia clutched in her arms, her pursuers closed the distance.

"Mom, what’s happening?! I’m scared!" Xia cried in panic.

"Nothing, baby, nothing," Willow lied weakly, blood dripping from her mouth. "We’re just playing good guy and bad guy."

"Mom, who are those peopl—Mom, look out!" Xia screamed suddenly.

Willow tried dodging but was too slow, a blade slicing deeply into her arm. Biting down the pain, she took several turns, finally slipping into a bakery and hiding beneath the counter.

"Mom..." Xia sobbed.

"Shh," Willow whispered, covering Xia’s mouth with bloodied hands. "Stay quiet. They’ll find us."

Tears continued to fall from Xia’s eyes onto her mother’s trembling fingers. Willow fought the urge to cry as she whispered shakily, "Dad will come soon, baby. It’ll be alright."

Suddenly, the bakery windows shattered violently.

Oh no!

————————————————————————

"Hurry, hurry!" Renri urged his hawk forward anxiously. Approaching Freau, he saw the entire city filled with darkness and an unsettling silence. No lights, no people—nothing at all.