Chapter 377: The Legacy of Yan Xuankong
Kai Ping Prefecture, as the headquarters of the Demon Cleansing Department, would always keep a portion of its elite troops in garrison, even on urgent days.
For example, when Chen Baxian previously brought most of his forces to Huainan Road, there were still two camps stationed at Kai Ping Prefecture.
But now, there wasn't even a complete camp left within the headquarters. It was obvious how desperate the situation had become.
"Is the Black Mountain Demon making a comeback? Has it shown itself?"
Han Zheng was immediately startled.
Had Bu Tiange just caused trouble at the Weapon Casting Conference, and now the Black Mountain Demon was preparing to make a move?
Xu Cunbao shook his head and said, "It hasn't shown itself, but almost every State Mansion in Southern Mountain has reported demon chaos.
Even many demons who became infamous when the Black Mountain Demon swept through Southern Mountain sixty years ago have reappeared.
This time is different from the occasional demon chaos before, it's a massive outbreak, with traces of the Black Mountain Demon everywhere.
Actually, Qianjiang Prefecture has also experienced demon chaos, involving a large scale and even entangling many Martial World figures, but you resolved that.
However, other places weren't so lucky. It's a mess everywhere, and the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department is already running ragged.
Originally, the power of the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department was insufficient, and with Wu Yunfei and his group each having their own plans, it's no wonder Southern Mountain is in such a state."
Han Zheng said in surprise, "With the situation so urgent, hasn't Chen Zhenfu returned yet?"
It was strange to mention, Han Zheng had joined the Demon Cleansing Department for such a long time, and had even been promoted to Garrison Captain, yet he had never even seen the face of Chen Baxian, the Garrison Commander, which was quite ridiculous.
Moreover, Han Zheng felt that Chen Baxian, the Garrison Commander, seemed rather irresponsible.
With the urgent situation in Southern Mountain, Xu Cunbao and Wen Tingyun, old and young, were barely supporting Southern Mountain.
Yet he was staying in Huainan dealing with the Smell Fragrance Sect, and hadn't even returned yet.
Han Zheng even felt that Yan Xuankong might be more reliable than Chen Baxian…
At least Yan Xuankong spent most of his time in Southern Mountain, not leaving everyone unable to find him.
"I've already sent someone to notify Chen Zhenfu to hurry back. For now, we just need to stabilize the situation ourselves."
Wen Tingyun added, "By the way, Han Zheng, you've entered the Dan Sea Realm already, haven't you? Later, you can go and get a set of Profound Gold Swallowing Lion Armor, but your position will still be Commander of the Kui Character Camp.
When the big troops returned from Huainan Road, everyone had already been rewarded and the State Mansions were redistributed.
It hasn't been long enough to justify making changes again, so I can't arrange another position for you right now."
Han Zheng nodded and replied, "It's fine. Compared to guarding the State Mansion, I actually prefer commanding the Kui Character Camp and carrying out missions in various places."
"The Kui Character Camp has also been divided up and sent out. Right now, we are truly short on manpower.
So, I hope you recover from your injuries soon and immediately go on missions."
Wen Tingyun said gravely, "The chaos caused by the Black Mountain Demon is one thing, but what truly worries me is that there might be people from the Five Families and Seven Sects colluding with the Black Mountain Demon.
The last time the Black Mountain Demon swept through Southern Mountain, most of the Sects from the Five Families and Seven Sects chose a silent approach, not confronting the Black Mountain Demon as long as it didn't provoke them.
The few who did act suffered heavily at the hands of the Black Mountain Demon, even facing severe losses, like the Great Compassion Temple and the Jianghai Alliance.
This time, the situation seems unusual. The reports of demon chaos from various places involve the Five Families and Seven Sects quite a bit.
I'm concerned that some from the Five Families and Seven Sects might be seduced by the Black Mountain Demon, standing by its side.
I want you to handle these matters, and if necessary, take decisive action to bring them to their senses." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Han Zheng nodded and responded in a serious tone, "My injuries are not severe, just some depletion of life force. I can depart after resting for a day."
Wen Tingyun also assigned the same mission to Su Wuming, although the two were to act separately.
With the current power of Han Zheng and Su Wuming, either could handle a significant area on their own.
At this moment, Fang Henge, who had been listening silently, suddenly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I brought some young talents from the Capital Demon Suppression Department here. My intention was to have them go out, gain experience, and weather themselves by facing challenges."
They had accumulated some experience in fighting along the way, but they lacked experience in handling matters.
So, I wanted to have them accompany Han on missions to gain some experience. How does that sound?
Also, I will be staying at the Demon Cleansing Department during this time. If there are any issues around the Kai Ping Prefecture, I will step in to help."
Xu Cunbao and Wen Tingyun were delighted at the same time.
They had personally witnessed the strength of Fang Henge, which was infinitely close to the Yang God Realm.
With his willingness to help, Xu Cunbao immediately stopped worrying about any problems at the headquarters of Kai Ping Prefecture.
Xu Cunbao hurriedly said, "Of course, we are willing. Currently, our Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department has no one else available."
After saying this, Xu Cunbao hesitated but still asked, "Mr. Fang seems to trust us quite a bit and is even willing to help us. This is somewhat different from the approach of the Patrol Envoy.
Could it be because Han Zheng delivered the evidence of Wu Yunfei's crimes to you?"
Fang Henge nodded and said, "That's part of the reason. After all, it would be very difficult for an outsider like me to secretly collect such evidence.
But more so, I have old ties with your Garrison Commander, so I wanted to help the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department as much as I could.
Not in the capacity of a Patrol Envoy, but in the capacity of Fang Henge."
Xu Cunbao was slightly startled, "But I don't seem to recall hearing that Governor Chen has a connection with you, Mr. Fang."
Xu Cunbao was Chen Baxian's guide, having witnessed all his growth, and he had never heard of Chen Baxian having such a good friend as Fang Henge.
Fang Henge smiled and shook his head, saying, "Not Chen Baxian, but the previous Garrison Commander of Southern Mountain, Yan Xuankong.
I know his reputation is not good. The guy had a really poor character; if he were still the Garrison Commander in Southern Mountain, maybe I would be here to arrest him instead of Wu Yunfei.
However, on the martial path, he was quite generous and never hid his knowledge from others.
When I was young, I had a bad temper and was quite stubborn.
I had several dealings with Yan Xuankong when he came to the Capital City; I didn't like him much, and he didn't like me either.
But, seeing me stray on the path of Martial Arts, he was still willing to correct and guide me, albeit in a sarcastic tone, and he saved me many detours.
I remember that favor, but when I wanted to repay it, I had no chance.
Yan Xuankong went missing sixty years ago and is likely dead by now.
And with his personality, he had no close friends or family, didn't even have a disciple.
So, the only way I could repay that favor is through you people of Southern Mountain."
Yan Xuankong was somewhat touched upon hearing this.
He had disappeared for sixty years and found himself notoriously infamous upon his return.
Whether it was the opinion of his former subordinates or the subsequent evaluation of the Demon Cleansing Department, Yan Xuankong did not fare well, and it was indeed very poor.
Although Yan Xuankong didn't care on the surface, deep down, it tasted bitter.
Had he really been wrong back then and been too selfish?
It was only when Fang Henge mentioned remembering Yan Xuankong's guidance from those days that Yan Xuankong felt that what he had done was not so bad, nor was it worthy of everyone's scorn.
"Fang Henge, that kid, to still remember such a trivial thing after so many years. If he hadn't mentioned it, I would have long forgotten.
Back then, I saw that the kid was stubborn, but he had a decent talent, it was just that he strayed in his cultivation, so I gave him a few pointers, never expecting anything in return.
Now that I am down and out, had I not been trapped in that place for sixty years, I might have already become a Commander by now, needing no one's favors."
Yan Xuankong snorted lightly, seemingly indifferent.
But Han Zheng could tell that, at that moment, Yan Xuankong was actually quite pleased.
At this moment, Han Zheng realized that Yan Xuankong seemed to have a bit of a haughty attitude.