Chapter 56: The Demon King’s Escape and an Unexpected Intervention

Hearing Zhuang Hancheng’s voice, the soldiers collectively exhaled.

Qin Yangjun surveyed the battlefield with a swift glance.

The battle raged with fervent intensity; save for the Peak Masters and deacons by his side, everyone, including Hua Yaoyao and Jiang Yanfeng, had plunged into the fray.

The Yuqian Sect disciples available for deployment, much like in the novel, were all cultivators below the Golden Core stage, among whom Yu Lingyue, Qian Xiaoyu, and Li Xuanyang were counted.

This time, Qin Yangjun harbored a premonition that something untoward might yet occur.

Yet, it was precisely this fear of unforeseen complications that necessitated bringing Yu Lingyue along.

Should the Demon King deviate from the predetermined escape route and choose another path, the defending forces in that area would prove insufficient, potentially allowing him to flee successfully.

With this thought in mind, Qin Yangjun turned to the four individuals beside him and issued his command.

“The city’s defensive array possesses only four exits, namely the four city gates.

I desire that you four divide into two groups, taking my Yuqian Sect disciples with you, and hasten to the North and South gates respectively.

Ah Ling and I shall proceed to the East Gate, and we shall assuredly capture those vermin who have infiltrated our ranks!”

“Young Master, this cannot be!

Should we depart from your side, and if the previous incident were to recur, how could we possibly explain ourselves to the Sect Master?”

Those nearby echoed their sentiments.

“Indeed, Young Master.

If anything were to befall you, we would be utterly unable to account for it.”

“The demon race is cunning.

For you to proceed with only Ah Ling would likely prove insufficient.”

“At the very least, allow me to accompany you.”

This was a scenario Qin Yangjun had long anticipated, and thus, he had already prepared his retort.

“The Demon Suppressing Stele has issued no warning, indicating that the arriving demonic entities are not formidable.

My intent in having you join the teams is to preempt any sudden, unforeseen circumstances.

The East Gate, where I shall be, is in close proximity to both your positions, allowing for swift reinforcement.

Do you comprehend my reasoning?”

Without further ado, Qin Yangjun summoned Xue Yin.

“If you continue to dither, those demonic creatures will likely pilfer what they seek and make their escape.

Do as I command!!”

Allowing no room for dissent, Qin Yangjun finished speaking and, taking Ah Ling with him, soared away upon his sword.

The two deacons, uncertain of their course, turned their gazes to the other two Peak Masters.

One of them gritted his teeth.

“The remains of the previous Demon King are quite significant, pertaining to a hidden treasure.

As matters stand, we can only proceed as the Young Master has instructed.

However, you must constantly monitor your jade tokens; at the first sign of trouble, hasten immediately to the Young Master’s aid.”

The other Peak Master also nodded in agreement.

“It seems this is our only recourse.”

He then began transmitting a message to those below the city walls…

“Yu Lingyue, Qian Xiaoyu, Li Xuanyang, and others…”

Meanwhile, Qin Yangjun, instead of heading to the City Lord’s Manor, made directly for the eastern city gate, for that was the predetermined escape route of the Little Peng King in the novel.

Upon reaching his destination, Qin Yangjun spotted two armored soldiers guarding the gate.

The two men quickly stepped forward to greet him.

“Young Master Qin.”

“Depart, close the city gate, and stand guard outside.

You are not to open it without my express command.”

Hearing these words, the two exchanged a glance, yet without hesitation, they promptly complied with Qin Yangjun’s instructions.

Both were Foundation Establishment cultivators, and under their combined efforts, the massive city gate slowly swung shut.

Ah Ling, standing nearby, spoke with a sudden seriousness:

“Young Master, should we not make some preparations?”

Preparations, Qin Yangjun knew, had already been made by Zhuang Hancheng.

Yet, he could not divulge this to Ah Ling, for he had no means of explaining his uncanny foresight.

Boom!

Suddenly, an explosion ripped through the air, sending countless shards of rock scattering.

A tidal wave of spiritual and demonic energy, intertwined, coalesced into a hurricane that surged towards the two of them.

Ah Ling instantly grew wary, her fox ears perking erect as she gazed towards the source of the blast.

Qin Yangjun, however, let out a sigh of relief.

He no longer needed to concern himself with other troublesome matters; this segment of the plot was unfolding as expected, with the Little Peng King indeed choosing this very path.

Judging by the commotion, it seemed the Little Peng King had engaged with the countermeasures Zhuang Hancheng had deployed.

In that case, the subsequent events would likely prove far simpler.

A resonant hum!

Just then, a gale erupted, and a chilling aura pierced Ah Ling’s very core.

Perceiving the ominous presence imbued within the whirlwind, Ah Ling’s countenance paled dramatically.

“No good, it’s the Demon King!

Young Master, flee quickly!

Ah Ling will hold them off here.”

“Do I, your Young Master, appear to be one who would abandon you and flee?

If death is to be our fate, then we shall face it together.”

“Young Master…”

Qin Yangjun’s words deeply moved Ah Ling.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, a figure was gnawing on their fingernails.

As the demonic winds swept past, a white-clad youth materialized a hundred meters before them—none other than the Little Peng King.

However, the Little Peng King before them appeared somewhat disheveled, his clothes tattered and a faint trace of blood marring the corner of his lips.

At that moment, the Little Peng King couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

This Zhuang Hancheng truly possessed immense wealth and influence, having actually placed a divine mechanism puppet along the path, imbued with a fragment of his own divine consciousness, granting it strength comparable to a Grand Ascension stage expert.

Had it not been for his subordinates engaging it, he likely would not have managed to extricate himself by now.

The Little Peng King did not believe his plans had been exposed.

For if his plans had indeed been compromised, it would not have been a mere puppet obstructing his path; Zhuang Hancheng would never have squandered such an opportune moment to eliminate him.

Though he had now broken free, he had been gravely wounded by the divine mechanism puppet, necessitating a swift departure.

However, just as the Little Peng King believed he was moments away from making his escape, his eyes fell upon Qin Yangjun and Ah Ling.

A faint smile played upon his lips.

Evidently, these two had been dispatched by Zhuang Hancheng to reinforce the defenses, though Zhuang Hancheng likely hadn’t anticipated that *he* would be the one attempting to pass.

One Golden Core, one Nascent Soul — even in his gravely injured state, he could easily crush them with a single hand.

“Ha ha… truly, the heavens favor me!

Qin Yangjun, your sister slew my father; now, you shall pay with your life!”

The Little Peng King’s body tensed slightly, then with a powerful thrust of his feet, the ground beneath him instantly shattered as he lunged towards Qin Yangjun with incredible speed.

Ah Ling was frantic.

“Young Master, run!

Quickly!”

“Ah Ling, in my heart, you are far more than a mere maidservant.

No matter what, I would never abandon you!”

Under normal circumstances, hearing such a declaration, tantamount to a confession, would undoubtedly have delighted Ah Ling.

Yet, in their current predicament, joy was utterly beyond her.

Seeing that Qin Yangjun stubbornly refused to move, Ah Ling, left with no other choice, turned and embraced him tightly, as if to shield him with her own body.

In a blink, the Little Peng King had already reached their very presence.

Time, in that instant, seemed to stretch and slow.

The Little Peng King’s sharpened talons tore through the air, lunging towards Ah Ling’s back, intent on piercing through both their bodies.

Yet, just as the Little Peng King’s talons were poised to strike Ah Ling, a fragrant breeze wafted past.

A graceful white silhouette appeared, interposing herself directly before the two.

Thud!!

The collision of energies unleashed a torrent, sweeping away everything in its path.

Houses crumbled, and trees on either side were ripped from the earth.

Amidst the deluge of demonic power, Qin Yangjun gazed at the graceful figure before him, a knowing smile playing upon his lips.

Ah Ling, however, remained unaware that Qin Yangjun’s preceding words had not, in fact, been intended for her ears alone…

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