Chapter 485 - 481: Demons Stirring

Chapter 485: Chapter 481: Demons Stirring

Deep within the town stood a relatively sturdy stone house. Dozens of surviving townsfolk hid inside, fearfully peering out through cracks in the stone.

Their faces were pale, their eyes filled with terror. When they saw Fang Han and his group approach, they were first startled, then relieved.

They opened the stone door and came out of the house.

"It’s... It’s the Martial Artists!"

An old man trembled as he came forward and, with a THUD, fell to his knees.

"Sirs Martial Artists, I beg you, please save us!"

The townsfolk behind him also fell to their knees one after another, their cries and pleas mingling together.

"Please, get up, sir."

Chen Wanjun stepped forward and helped the old man to his feet.

"We have slain the Demon in the town. You are safe now."

Hearing this, tears streamed down the old man’s face. He tried to kneel and kowtow again, but Chen Wanjun stopped him.

Fang Han stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the townsfolk who had survived the disaster, and a trace of doubt arose in his mind.

’In this world, humanity is the dominant race.’

’Demons have been driven into the deep mountains and ancient forests. Attacks on villages and towns have become rare.’

’Was this Demon attack on Qingxi Town a random incident, or has something changed?’

He turned his head to the old man and asked.

"Sir, is this the first time a Demon has attacked this town, or has it happened before?"

The old man wiped his tears with his sleeve and said in a trembling voice:

"To answer your question, Sir Martial Artist... this... this isn’t the first time."

"As far as I know, a few days ago, the Liu Family Village to the north was also attacked by a Demon, and many people died. It was the same for Shitougou to the east..."

"Nearby villages and towns have also been attacked by Demons?"

Fang Han’s brow furrowed, and Chen Wanjun’s expression grew grim.

"Y-yes."

The old man nodded repeatedly.

"According to the refugees, it’s not just our area. Many places have suffered disasters..."

Chen Wanjun and Fang Han exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in the other’s eyes.

’This is definitely not a random incident.’

’If only one village or town had been attacked by a Demon, it might be explained away as a coincidence.’

’But with multiple villages and towns being attacked, there must be some underlying change at play.’

"Vice Hall Master Chen."

Fang Han spoke in a low voice.

"I’m afraid this matter isn’t simple."

Chen Wanjun nodded slightly, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes that were as bright as morning stars.

He was silent for a moment before speaking slowly:

"This matter is indeed strange. However, we are all injured right now, so it’s not convenient to investigate further. Let’s return to the Sect first and report this to the Sect Leader. We’ll let the Sect decide what to do."

Fang Han nodded.

’Chen Wanjun was right. Their group had just returned after a desperate escape from Donglu County. They were all injured and not in good condition.’

’If they recklessly investigated further and encountered a powerful Demon, the consequences would be unimaginable.’

"Thank you for saving our lives, Sirs Martial Artists!"

Seeing that the group was about to leave, the old man tried to kneel and kowtow again.

Chen Wanjun held him up and said gently:

"There is no need for this, sir. The Demon in the town has been eliminated. Please take care of yourselves and see to the deceased."

With that, he turned and led the group out of town.

Behind them, the surviving townsfolk knelt on the ground, kowtowing and thanking them profusely.

Without powerful martial strength, one could not control their own destiny. Such was the tragedy of ordinary people in this world.

After leaving Qingxi Town, the group continued along the official road toward the Qingxuan Sect.

However, the mood of the group was much heavier than before.

Demons were attacking villages and towns, and not just in one place. Clearly, some terrible change had occurred.

The group pressed on.

However, over the next day, they encountered two more instances of Demons attacking villages and towns.

The first was when they passed through a village called "Liushugou."

It was a small village of a few dozen households, built beside a willow grove.

When they arrived, a Demon was rampaging through the village.

A Demon resembling a giant bear was crashing through the village, leaving collapsed houses and endless screams in its wake.

Fang Han acted, slaying it with a single strike of his sword.

The second time was when they passed through a town called Shimenping.

The town was slightly larger than Qingxi Town, with over a hundred households.

When they arrived, three Demons were running rampant in the town.

Kuang Tu, Luo Yuntian, and Yun Muyao attacked simultaneously, slaying the three Demons.

These two encounters made the group’s mood even heavier.

The Demon attacks on villages and towns were not a coincidence, and the scope of this upheaval was wider than they had imagined.

"I’m afraid the entire Qingyang County is experiencing Demon attacks on its villages and towns."

Chen Wanjun stood by the official road with his hands behind his back, his voice low as he gazed at the rolling mountains in the distance.

"With a Demon disturbance of this scale, the Sect must already be aware."

Fang Han stood beside Chen Wanjun without speaking.

His gaze was fixed in the direction of the Qingxuan Sect, a contemplative light swirling in his calm eyes.

’Why would the Demons suddenly attack villages and towns on such a large scale?’

’Does the Sect know the reason?’

"Let’s go."

Chen Wanjun withdrew his gaze and strode forward.

"Back to the Sect first."

The group followed, their figures receding into the distance along the official road.

Dusk deepened, and the last sliver of sunset on the horizon was swallowed by the night.

The fields on either side of the road blurred in the twilight, and the distant mountains became dark silhouettes.

...

「Two days later. Afternoon.」

The majestic mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect finally appeared at the end of their path.

Fang Han’s pace slowed slightly. As he looked at the familiar stone gate, an indescribable sense of peace washed over him.

The ancient trees on both sides of the gate were RUSTLING in the early summer breeze, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone ground.

The disciples on duty along the path were briefly stunned to see the group, then quickly bowed in greeting.

Fang Han and the others nodded in response without breaking their stride.

They passed through the mountain gate and followed the bluestone path up toward the mountainside.

When they reached the fork in the road leading to the True Inheritance Courtyard, Chen Wanjun stopped and turned around.

"You must all be tired after traveling for days. Go back and rest."

His gaze swept over the group, his voice steady.

"I alone will go report the events of this trip to the Sect Leader."

Luo Yuntian, Yun Muyao, and the others all nodded.

Although the journey these past two days hadn’t been a desperate flight like before, they were still injured, and the travel had taken its toll.

Now that they were back in the Sect, the tension that had kept them on edge suddenly snapped, and fatigue washed over them like a tide.

The group gradually dispersed, each heading toward their own residence.

Fang Han, however, did not move.

"Fang Han?"

Chen Wanjun glanced at Fang Han, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Vice Hall Master Chen."

Fang Han met Chen Wanjun’s gaze and spoke.

"I have something to report to the Sect Leader and would like to accompany you to see him."

"Alright."

Chen Wanjun gave Fang Han a look but didn’t ask any further questions, simply giving a slight nod.

The two of them turned and followed the other path toward the mountain’s peak.

The mountain path was winding, and the ancient trees on either side grew even more verdant.

Sunlight was filtered through the dense layers of leaves, scattering into fine speckles of light upon the bluestone steps.

The faint sound of a bell, distant and lingering, echoed through the mountain forest.

Fang Han walked beside Chen Wanjun, his steps unhurried.

Before long, the silhouette of the Sect Leader’s Hall came into view.

The grand hall glowed with a gentle luster in the afternoon sun, its upturned eaves and interlocking brackets exuding an ancient charm.

The disciples on duty in front of the hall saw Chen Wanjun and Fang Han and hurriedly bowed.

"Vice Hall Master Chen, Senior Brother Fang, the Sect Leader is aware of your arrival and is waiting for you in the hall."

Chen Wanjun nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.

Fang Han followed close behind.

The hall was brightly lit, with the scent of sandalwood smoke curling in the air.

Chen Tianyuan was seated at the head of the hall. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, and a trace of relief flashed in his gentle eyes.

"You’re back."

Chen Wanjun took a few steps forward and bowed.

"Sect Leader, I have returned with the team and am here to report."

"Disciple Fang Han pays his respects to the Sect Leader."

Fang Han also bowed.

"No need for formalities. Sit."

Chen Tianyuan gestured for the two to take a seat.

Fang Han and Chen Wanjun sat down on the pearwood chairs below, and a Maid served them fragrant tea before quietly withdrawing.

"What exactly happened on this trip that forced you to use a special method to call for help?"

Chen Tianyuan’s gaze fell on Chen Wanjun, his voice calm.

Chen Wanjun picked up his teacup, took a small sip, set it down, and then recounted the entire journey from beginning to end.

From entering the Ancient Ruins to the prodigies from various counties attempting to pass its trials.

From Fang Han breaking all previous records in the Ancient Ruins by reaching the eighth trial.

To being ambushed by the Thunderlight Pavilion and the Red Flame Sect after leaving the ruins, where Xue Yuanlang was slain by Fang Han and Meng Zhao escaped.

And finally, to Supreme Elder Gu Changqing intervening to stop the pursuers, allowing the group to return safely...

His account was concise and clear, without embellishment or omission of key details.

Chen Tianyuan listened quietly.

When he heard that Fang Han had reached the eighth trial, an unconcealable flicker of surprise crossed his gentle eyes.

When he heard about the ambush by the Thunderlight Pavilion and the Red Flame Sect, his expression darkened.

Only when he heard that the Supreme Elder had intervened did his expression soften slightly.

After Chen Wanjun finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the hall.

"The Thunderlight Pavilion and the Red Flame Sect."

Chen Tianyuan spoke slowly, his voice soft but laced with a chilling coldness.

"To commit such a despicable act."

He paused, his fingers tapping twice on the armrest, making a soft TAP TAP sound.

"The Sect will hold those two sects accountable for this matter."

His voice was even, yet it carried an undeniable decisiveness.

Then, his gaze fell upon Fang Han.

"Fang Han, you had something to report?"

"Yes."

Fang Han stood up and took out a dark brown Beast Hide Booklet he had prepared.

The booklet felt heavy in his hand. Its cover was made from a type of beast hide with a fine, tough texture, and it remained perfectly intact despite the long passage of time.

On the cover, written in ancient seal script, were four large words: *Void Wind God Sword*.

Chen Tianyuan’s eyes fell on the booklet, his pupils contracting slightly.

Holding the booklet with both hands, Fang Han took a few steps forward and presented it to Chen Tianyuan.

"Sect Leader."

His voice was steady, possessing a maturity that belied his age.

"When I passed the eighth trial of the Ancient Ruins, one of the rewards I received was a Swordsmanship manual."

He paused before continuing.

"According to its description, this is a Middle Grade Mental Swordsmanship. I wish to submit this Swordsmanship manual to the Sect."