Thanks to a certain Prince of Danyang.
Jiang Yuechu's reputation had already spread throughout Suzhou and its vicinity.
Now, anyone belonging to the Jiangdong Military Commission had heard of this young Inspector Envoy.
The defenders at the camp gate stirred.
"Quickly! Open the gate!"
Although the camp was temporary, it was set up methodically.
Caltrops stood everywhere, and the patrolling armored soldiers looked solemn.
Weapons were drawn, clearly indicating they had entered a state of readiness.
A Cavalry Commander, a burly man, had already led several Squad Leaders to quickly meet them.
"This subordinate, Chen Gong, Cavalry Commander of the Jiangdong Military Commission, greets all sirs!"
The man's face was weathered, and his eyes were bloodshot; clearly, he hadn't slept for several days.
Xie Tinglan stepped forward and gave a light supporting gesture.
"Cavalry Commander Chen, you've worked hard. No need for formalities. Please tell us the current situation at Hengshan Ferry."
Chen Gong wasted no time, stood up, cupped his fist, and turned to lead the way.
"Sirs, please follow This subordinate up to the watchtower."
The group climbed the wooden tower at the highest point of the camp.
Chen Gong pointed to the narrowing stretch of water ahead, his expression solemn.
"Sirs, please look."
"This place is called Hengshan Ferry. It is the throat where the Taihu Lake enters the river."
Jiang Yuechu looked in the direction he was pointing.
She saw the mountains on both banks squeezing the originally vast and wide lake surface tightly, like pincers.
The water flow accelerated sharply here.
Chen Gong continued:
"The River-Flipping Demon King's true form is a rare species of Tuo Dragon. Although it has become a demon, it cannot escape the habits of the Water Race."
"Once the three golden robe sirs launch their attack from the center of Taihu Lake with the force of thunder, if that beast cannot withstand it, its only chance of survival is to enter the Yangtze River."
"Enter the Yangtze River?"
Yue Huaiyuan frowned slightly, feeling puzzled: "Why can't it go south?"
Chen Gong explained:
"Although there are many waterways to the south, the Taihu Lake water level has surged recently after heavy rains, and this is precisely the time for flood discharge."
"Water flows downward. Hengshan Ferry leads directly to the Yangtze River waterway, and following the current, it can reach the sea within a day."
"If it goes south, it must travel against the current, and the river channels are narrow, making it difficult for the Yao Race body to maneuver."
Saying this, Chen Gong sighed.
"This is also why the Dusi has designated this place as the highest priority."
"Once it breaks through Hengshan Ferry and enters the mighty Yangtze River, it will be like a Flood Dragon entering the sea. Catching it again will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
Demons are also living creatures; in a crisis, instinct dictates choosing the escape route with the least resistance and fastest speed.
"How is the defense?"
Chen Gong pointed to the rushing river water.
"This subordinate has ordered men to deploy three Dragon-Locking Nets ten zhang beneath the surface."
"This net is woven with Profound Iron wire; each strand is as thick as a child's arm. Both ends are anchored to the riverbed and connected to the mountain rocks on the two banks."
"Even if that Great Demon possesses infinite strength, if it hits this net and is entangled for a moment..."
He then pointed to the gigantic machinery covered by black cloth on the cliffs of both banks.
"A total of sixteen Divine Arm Crossbows have been set up on both banks. As long as it dares to surface, or gets tangled in the net, sixteen arrows fired simultaneously—even if it were cast in bronze and iron—would pierce several holes in its body!"
Although these measures might not be fatal to a Great Demon in the Seed Lotus Realm, as long as they can delay it, even for just a few breaths of time.
It would be enough for the powerful experts behind them to catch up and surround and kill it.
Listening to Chen Gong's introduction, Yue Huaiyuan's expression gradually became quite remarkable.
Chen Gong's expression was grave as he cupped his fist and said, "Among the eighteen outlets of Taihu Lake, only this one leads directly to the main channel of the Yangtze River. The water is deep and the current is fast, making it the most favorable escape route for the Great Demon."
"The other routes are either shallow or circuitous. Once caught by a Mountain-Gazing Realm mighty expert, it would be a dead end."
At this, a trace of admiration flashed in Chen Gong's eyes as he looked at Yue Huaiyuan.
"I have long heard that General Yue is the foremost fierce general in the Region East of the River. I never expected that General Yue would also be guarding this most critical and dangerous pass."
"..."
You bastard, Lu Jingchun!
I treated you like a brother, and you treat me like a door bolt?!
Before coming, he swore that Hengshan Ferry was easy to defend and hard to attack, and its location was remote, meaning I was just going through the motions and picking up some credit.
I was fooled by your wickedness!
"General Yue?"
Seeing Yue Huaiyuan remain silent for a long time, his expression fluctuating, Chen Gong called out tentatively.
"It's nothing..."
Yue Huaiyuan took a deep breath and waved his hand.
He turned his head, looked at Xie Tinglan beside him, and forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Your Master... certainly thinks highly of me."
Although Xie Tinglan was young, he wasn't stupid.
After hearing Chen Gong's analysis and seeing Yue Huaiyuan's expression, how could he not understand the key point?
He scratched his head awkwardly, his gaze wandering.
"Well... my Master also trusts the General's martial prowess..."
It wasn't that Yue Huaiyuan was afraid of death.
But the problem was... he turned his head and glanced at the young woman beside him.
He was the one who dragged this girl along.
He originally intended to bring her here to witness a major event.
Who knew that this step would lead directly into the eye of the storm?
If that frenzied Demon King truly charged through... with their limited manpower, even with these heavy crossbows and iron nets, how many breaths could they hold it back?
"Inspector Jiang..."
Yue Huaiyuan carefully chose his words, about to advise the girl to retreat first if the situation turned sour.
Instead, Jiang Yuechu stepped forward, resting her hands on the railing, her body leaning slightly forward.
The river wind ruffled the loose hair by her temples, revealing a section of her fair, slender neck.
Jiang Yuechu suddenly spoke, her voice calm but carrying a strange sense of anticipation.
"In other words..."
"As long as we guard this place, the Demon King is guaranteed to come?"
Chen Gong was stunned, then nodded instinctively.
"Nine times out of ten."
...Suzhou Prefecture, Demon Suppression Dusi General Bureau.
The main hall doors were wide open.
Lu Jingchun, the Commander-in-Chief of the Jiangdong Military Commission, rare for him, wore the Commander's official robe, which was wrapped with red patterns and embroidered with a Golden Flood Dragon on the shoulder.
Behind him.
Besides the Little Celestial Master Zhang Daoxuan, there were several other Silver Robe Inspectors who had rushed over from surrounding commanderies.
As well as a host of Demon Suppression Division officials.
At a glance, the number of people was staggering.
The sun gradually sank toward the west.
They did not have to wait long.
Whoosh—
Wind rose from the flat ground.
The stationary banners suddenly flapped backward.
A terrifying, suffocating pressure descended upon the General Bureau without warning.
Lu Jingchun's pupils sharply contracted. He immediately straightened his attire, stepped forward, bowed, and cupped his fists.
"Your subordinate, Lu Jingchun of the Jiangdong Military Commission, respectfully welcomes the three Gold Robe Inspector Envoys!"
Following this loud shout.
Three figures appeared out of thin air on the open space in front of the main hall.
The leader was a hunched old man.
His hair and beard were white. He leaned on a cane polished from unknown beast bone, his eyelids drooping, looking like he was nearing death.
Yet, the large outer robe sewn with gold thread on his body clearly indicated his status.
To his left was a wrinkled old woman.
She wore an expression of benevolent kindness, smiling as she looked at the crowd.
These two were the hidden foundation sent by the General Bureau this time.
Two mighty experts of the Mountain-Gazing Realm!
However.
After respectfully sweeping past the two elderly individuals, the eyes of everyone present unanimously fell upon the last person.
He looked extremely young, appearing to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.
He had a face like polished jade, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes.
He also wore golden robe, but unlike the two elders, he did not restrain his aura.
His Qi presence, vast as an abyss and deep as the sea, was brazenly released outwards.
Upon seeing this person.
Even the usually arrogant Little Celestial Master Zhang Daoxuan's expression changed slightly at this moment.
In the crowd, someone gasped sharply, whispering in surprise.
"It's actually... him?"
"Who?"
"You Wujiang!"
As those three words came out, a wave of subtle gasps immediately rose around them.
You Wujiang.
The second-ranked peerless Prodigy among the Great Tang's young generation.
He achieved Core Formation at nineteen.
He reached the Ink Dot Realm at twenty-three.
He entered Seed Lotus at twenty-five.
Now, at twenty-seven... sensing the flawless and complete aura emanating from the young man.
Lu Jingchun's heart pounded wildly.
Seed Lotus Perfection!