Above the desolate plain, dust rose like a Dragon.
Thousands of black-armored cavalry, like a silent black Dragon, snaked along the desolate official road.
In the center of the formation, Wei He wore a dark Xuan-colored robe, covered by a large black cloak.
Despite the wind and sand hitting his face, his brows remained tightly furrowed.
Beside him, more than a dozen riders were gathered. Unlike ordinary Demon Suppression Division members, the clothes of these dozen people were embroidered with roaring golden lions in gold thread, and their aura was as profound as an abyss.
Clearly, these people were all core figures of the Demon Suppression Division, at or above the rank of Brigade Commander.
"Great General."
A rough-faced Brigade Commander urged his horse closer and spoke in a booming voice, "Are you still worried about that white ape?"
"Although that Demon has entered Core Formation, you have also been immersed in this realm for many years. What's more, this time our Demon Suppression Division has come out in full force, with all elites deployed. Even if it's a Dragon's Den or a Tiger's Lair, we can flatten it!"
"Exactly!" Another Brigade Commander, slightly thinner and more refined in temperament, also nodded in agreement. "Officer Shi is right. Our Demon Suppression Division has suppressed the Region for over a hundred years. When have we ever feared a mere Demon? If it were sensible, it should have tucked its tail and rolled back to the Western Regions. The fact that it still dares to occupy the area outside the pass is simply courting death."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding Brigade Commanders all showed approval.
In their view, this battle was sure to be victorious.
A Core Formation Great Demon was indeed powerful, but what it faced this time was the entire might of the Demon Suppression Division.
Even without a Commander overseeing it, it was not something a mere Core Formation Demon could contend with.
Wei He didn't speak, he merely raised his eyes towards the direction of Yumen Pass, his gaze deep, lost in thought.
After a long while.
Wei He slowly withdrew his gaze, his voice calm.
"A Core Formation Demon is not something I'd put in my eyes."
"I just can't understand why it won't leave."
Everyone was stunned.
Wei He continued, "The news of our Demon Suppression Division's army setting out has never been deliberately concealed. If it truly were a scout sent by the Western Regions Demon Court, it should have completed its mission and retreated by now. But not only has it not retreated, it has instead been aggressively gathering Demons outside the pass, putting on a stance as if to fight us to the death."
"This is illogical."
"Unless…"
A cold light flashed in Wei He's eyes, "It has a reason it cannot leave."
At his mention, the relaxed expressions on everyone's faces gradually faded.
Indeed, that white ape was a Core Formation Great Demon, not a fool from the wilderness.
What scheme was hidden behind its abnormal behavior?
"Great General, are you worried about… the Western Regions Demon Court?" the refined Brigade Commander tentatively asked.
"The Western Regions Demon Court and our Great Tang have always had an agreement, ostensibly staying out of each other's affairs, but this agreement is nothing more than a scrap of paper."
Wei He snorted coldly, "Those beasts entrenched in the Western Regions have never given up on destroying us."
"If the late emperor hadn't personally led the expedition and slain the Demon Court's master at Mount Tian, I fear this Great Tang would have long since changed hands."
"But even so, the small movements outside the pass have never ceased these past years. Now, to boldly send a Core Formation Great Demon, do you believe there's no shadow of the Demon Court behind it?"
His words plunged everyone present into silence.
"Never mind…" Wei He sighed, "Pass on my order."
"The army will advance at full speed and must reach Yumen Pass within three days."
"Yes!"
...The next day.
The sky was already bright.
But there was still no news of Li Gui and his group.
Jiang Yuechu leaned back in her chair, rubbing her throbbing temples, feeling a wave of irritation.
She didn't care at all if Li Gui died.
Such a person, who dared to disobey military orders and leave the pass without authorization, deserved whatever fate befell him, even if he died in the maw of a Demon.
Even if this matter reached Wei He, at most she would be charged with a minor offense of negligence, which was insignificant.
But for some reason, she always felt that something was amiss.
"What exactly is wrong… damn it!"
She let out a long breath, clearing all the chaotic thoughts from her mind.
Forget it.
In two more days, Wei He's army would arrive.
When that time came, if the sky fell, the tall ones would bear the burden.
She only needed to steadily kill Demons and earn Dao Cultivation.
Let whoever enjoyed scheming play those games.
Her life should not be wasted on such boring matters.
Just as she made up her mind, the wooden door of the barracks was slammed open with a bang.
"My Lady!"
Chen Tong rushed in, his face anxious, followed by No Abstinence and Liu Ke, who also looked solemn.
Jiang Yuechu raised her eyes, her brows slightly furrowed.
"What is it?"
"My Lady, Li Gui… Li Gui and his group are back!"
Hmm?
Jiang Yuechu was somewhat surprised.
Wait, why did they suddenly come back?
"Where are they?"
"Still at the city gate!" Chen Tong quickly said, "Commander Zhou sent someone to relay a message, asking you to go over and inspect them."
While he said 'inspect', considering it from the other party's perspective, the intention was clear at a glance.
If they let them in, this group had left the pass without authorization, hadn't returned all night, and then suddenly came back completely unharmed the next day. Who would believe there wasn't something fishy going on?
But if they didn't let them in, and there truly was nothing wrong, they would have needlessly offended a Squad Leader of the Demon Suppression Division's First Squad.
It was a dilemma either way, so they simply tossed this hot potato directly into her hands, the rightful person to deal with it.
"Let's go, have a look."
"Yes!"
...Yumen Pass, West City Gate.
Commander Zhou led a squad of personal guards, blocking the city gate tightly.
Opposite them, Li Gui led a dozen subordinates, all looking travel-worn.
"Commander Zhou, what is the meaning of this?"
Li Gui's face showed a hint of weakness. "We fought Demons outside the pass all night, barely escaping with our lives. Instead of letting us enter the pass to rest, you've blocked us here. What sense does that make?"
Commander Zhou's expression remained unchanged, merely stating calmly, "Squad Leader Li, it's not that I, Zhou, am heartless, but this matter is significant. Captain Jiang of your unit will arrive shortly. Let's wait for her to make a decision."
"You!" Li Gui's face flushed with anger.
Just then, unhurried footsteps came from the end of the street.
Commander Zhou's spirits lifted, and he quickly cupped his fists, going to meet her.
"Captain Jiang!"
Jiang Yuechu nodded, her gaze passing over him and landing on the group of people.
Li Gui was startled when he saw Jiang Yuechu, then quickly spoke first: "Captain Jiang! Yesterday, during our patrol, we discovered traces of a Demon. To prevent it from escaping, we took the liberty of pursuing it with our men. I ask for the Captain's punishment!"
Jiang Yuechu ignored his explanation, merely looking at him calmly.
"Everyone's back?"
"Yes! Thanks to the Captain's great fortune, none of our brothers are missing!" Li Gui said with a look of relief.
None are missing?
"Oh?" Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow. "That is indeed strange."
"I heard that outside the pass, Demons are everywhere, and there's even a Core Formation Great Demon in charge. You, a dozen or so people, wandered outside the pass for a day and a night, yet you returned completely unharmed?"
Li Gui's face stiffened, and he quickly explained, "Captain, you don't know! That Demon was extremely powerful, and we were no match for it. It was only by fighting desperately that we barely managed to escape!"
"It's just that later the sandstorm was too strong, and we lost our way in the Gobi. We hid for a night until dawn when we finally found our way back!"
This explanation could be considered flawless.