Beneath the Qiantang River.
Unlike the turbulent surface of the Drinking Horse River, this place was shrouded in darkness.
A Water Mansion, constructed from sunken ships and unknown remains, lay quietly at the bottom of the Drinking Horse River.
Inside the Water Mansion.
"Hoo..."
Heavy breathing echoed throughout the empty mansion.
A Flood Dragon, measuring a full ten zhang long, lay dormant here.
Its ink-black scales shone with a faint dark light, and its two ferocious Dragon horns had already branched out a third short spike.
This meant it was one step closer to Dragon Transformation.
Its massive vertical pupils opened slightly, filled with impatience.
"Dead?"
Below the steps, a half-man, half-shrimp Demon was trembling in fear, completely afraid to look up.
"Answering the Little Demon King... yes, they are dead... even the corpses were dragged away by those Black Skins..."
After a long time.
The Black Flood Dragon let out a sneer.
"If they died, so be it."
"This King said long ago that although those Black Skins fear This King's identity, they are still members of the Demon Suppression Division."
"A bunch of idiots, relying on This King's deterrence to cause such a ruckus. Do they really think the Human Race is made of mud?"
The Shrimp Demon dared not reply.
The Black Flood Dragon shifted into a more comfortable position and said, "Forget it."
"It's my fault for not disciplining you properly. Even a cornered rabbit bites, let alone a Great General of the Demon Suppression Division."
Although it came from the Drinking Horse River and looked down on the Human Race, it knew that the foundation of Great Tang was undeniable.
If it truly provoked them, they would turn around and annihilate it. Even if the Drinking Horse River avenged it, what good would that do?
Could it possibly bring it back to life?
Thinking of this, the Black Flood Dragon pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Go tell Yue Huaiyuan that for the sake of reconciliation between the two races, This King is willing to take a step back. Starting tomorrow, This King will no longer indulge subordinates entering the city."
The Shrimp Demon was stunned.
Can't eat people?
Then why are we following you?
Of course, it didn't dare say that aloud.
The Black Flood Dragon continued unhurriedly, "But with so many mouths, we need to eat... So, let him personally send a hundred 'Two-Legged Sheep' into the Drinking Horse River every day at the Hour of Si. Remember, they must be tender and soft-skinned. Don't try to deceive This King with the old, weak, sick, or disabled."
"Furthermore..."
It paused, a fierce light flashing in its eyes.
"The Blood Energy of Mortals is too weak; it's generally not enough."
"In addition to the hundred Mortals, add five Martial Artists."
"If the quota is not met, then don't blame This King for personally going ashore to take them."
...North of Yu Hang City.
"Faster! Even faster!"
Xie Tinglan leaned over his saddle, watching the silver-white figure disappear into the distance, his heart filled with anxiety.
The dozen or so Demon Suppression Guardss behind him were the same, gritting their teeth and desperately urging their mounts forward.
But even a fine horse like Chì Tóng, which possessed a trace of Yao Beast Bloodline, seemed clumsy and inadequate compared to the General Bureau-exclusive, Cloud-Treading Exotic Breed, Yun Bo.
"Damn it!"
Xie Tinglan slammed his fist onto the saddle, wishing he could sprout four legs himself.
Just at this moment.
BOOM—!!!
A thunderous explosion came from behind him.
Xie Tinglan instinctively looked back.
He saw a figure, massive like a black tower, who was not riding a horse but relying on his Physical Body to sprint wildly down the official road.
With every step, the ground trembled. Using this terrifying Rebound Force, the figure, accompanied by whistling wind, instantly shot past Xie Tinglan and the others.
"General Yue... General Yue?!"
Xie Tinglan cried out in surprise.
Yue Huaiyuan was clad in Heavy Black Iron Armor, carrying an Eighteen Zhang long Black-Gold Iron Spear, his entire body radiating Evil Qi.
"All of you, get the hell back! This muddy water is not something you can wade into!"
Before his voice faded.
The massive figure was already like an arrow shot from a bow, frantically chasing the silver-white streak of light that was about to disappear ahead.
In just a few dozen breaths.
Jiang Yuechu felt a great rush of wind beside her.
She turned her head to look.
She saw Yue Huaiyuan striding rapidly, somehow managing to match Yun Bo's speed purely with his two legs.
This Old Bastard, what powerful Movement Technique!
"Whoa—"
Jiang Yuechu pulled the reins, and Yun Bo slowly decelerated, finally stopping atop a high slope.
This location was less than five Li from the banks of the Qiantang River.
The sound of the waves was faint, and the Demonic Qi was dense and chilling.
Yue Huaiyuan also stopped, "Lord Jiang, why run so fast? Don't worry, that beast can't escape."
Jiang Yuechu looked down at him, glancing briefly, but ignored the teasing remark.
Her gaze went past Yue Huaiyuan's shoulder, looking at the empty space behind him.
"Just you?"
"What? Do you think Laozi isn't qualified?"
Jiang Yuechu shook her head: "Where are Xie Tinglan and the others?"
"I sent them back."
Yue Huaiyuan took a Wineskin from his robes, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp. The spicy liquor ran down his beard.
"That beast is at Perfection in the Ink-Dipping Realm. If we really start fighting, anyone other than the two of us who goes will just be committing suicide."
Speaking of this, he paused and glanced back at Yu Hang City.
"Besides, someone needs to guard the city."
"If we fail, as long as Yu Hang City remains, and as long as the Banner of the Demon Suppression Division hasn't fallen, the citizens of this entire city will still have hope in their hearts."
Jiang Yuechu was silent for a moment.
"You certainly have a broad perspective."
"What else can I do but accept it?"
Yue Huaiyuan sneered, "Soldiers take pay to eat, and they risk their lives to protect the land. That's only natural."
"As for you..."
"Girl, you have a great future ahead of you. Why involve yourself in this mess in Yu Hang?"
"It's still not too late to turn back now."
Turn back... Hearing this, Jiang Yuechu reached out and caught a few drops of rain, feeling the coldness in her hand.
A smile, like a Winter Plum Blossom Breaking Through Snow, suddenly appeared on the young woman's face.
"General Yue, do you think I count as a good person?"
Yue Huaiyuan was startled, not expecting the girl to suddenly ask such a question.
"If risking your life against the Demon Spawn from the Drinking Horse River for the sake of the city's populace doesn't make you a good person, then there are probably no good people left in this world."
Jiang Yuechu shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the surging Drinking Horse River, seemingly looking toward a distant place.
To be honest, she never considered herself a good person.
Ever since she arrived in this world, she opened her eyes to a chaotic era.
To survive, to become stronger.
If she were truly a Kind and Compassionate good person, how could she have attacked Pei Changqing back then?
"The blood on these hands of mine might not be any less than that of the beast in the Drinking Horse River."
Jiang Yuechu raised her hand, looking at her fair and slender palms, "In the past, saving people... was merely convenient."
Yue Huaiyuan was silent. He understood the meaning behind her words but didn't feel repulsed; instead, he found the girl's honesty endearing.
"But today's matter is not convenient."
Jiang Yuechu withdrew her hand and grasped her Saber Hilt again, her voice cool and clear, "Not only is it inconvenient, but I also have to risk my life for it."
"Since you know that, why still go?"
"Because I am displeased."
Jiang Yuechu turned her head: "Everything I, Jiang Yuechu, have sought since I started Practice the Saber is to achieve Mental Clarity and Smoothness."
"If seeing this kind of situation today forces me to swallow this Dissatisfaction, then what meaning does everything I pursue have?"
If I retreat this step today, accepting this damned principle of Sacrificing the Few to Save the Many.
Then what about tomorrow?
If tomorrow that Demon wants to eat me, Jiang Yuechu, should I also obediently stick out my neck for the greater good?
There are many principles in this world.
But for Jiang Yuechu, there is only one principle.
That is the Saber in her hand.
Where the Saber Edge points, there lies the truth.
"Until this Demon is slain, my heart cannot rest."