The Exorcism Division had already developed the habit of sleeping until the evening and moving around at night. As the saying goes, if day and night are reversed, one will live forever. Everyone yawned during the day, including Hongjun. However, when the second watch came, they would be a hundred times more energetic.
Qiu Yongsi and Hongjun sat on top of the roof, where they could see the entire Long Wu Army. Atay stood guard outside Hu Sheng's room, while Mo Rigen squatted on the wall between the backyard and Hu Sheng's room.
When night fell, Hu Sheng's room was still lit. There were many officers and soldiers living in the Long Wu Army's encampment. Although Hu Sheng had a residence in the city, he still ate and lived with his subordinates. For some reason, this night, he was rather restless. He walked here and there, occasionally looking at the cage covered with talismans.
"Where did you come from?" Although Hu Sheng didn't believe that the little fox was Jin Yun, he saw that it was seriously injured and felt pity for it.
The little fox replied, "Commander Hu, please let me go."
Hu Sheng let out a loud "Wah!", his voice was filled with horror.
Outside the room, Mo Rigen and Atay heard it. When they were about to go forward, Li Jinglong stood in the courtyard and signaled to them not to go in. It was fine.
"Wait here." Li Jinglong said in a low voice. "Unless it runs away, don't act blindly without thinking."
After he finished speaking, Li Jinglong leaped onto the wall and ran up to higher ground.
"You, you, you … you can talk?" Hu Sheng felt like he was in a dream. Outside, a Long Wu Army guard knocked on the door and asked, "Commander Hu?"
Hu Sheng hurriedly said that it was fine. He sent the guard away and looked at the little fox. The little fox's eyes were filled with tears as it said in a low voice, "Commander Hu, I know you treat me wholeheartedly. I once thought … if I wasn't a demon …"
"You, you, you …" Hu Sheng couldn't stop retreating, his eyes filled with fear.
"The three of us used to train in Xinyang." The little fox moved closer to the cage and said in a low voice, "I just wanted to see this Hong Chen, so Big Sister and Second Sister brought me to Chang 'an. We have never harmed anyone. We have no one to rely on, so we can only live peacefully. Who would have thought that even so, Li Jinglong would still be unwilling to let us go … "
"That bastard didn't lie to me." Hu Sheng was still in shock. "You really are a demon!"
"Commander Hu!" The fox demoness said, "Buddhists often say that humans have the virtue of cherishing life. If you let me go, I'll repay your kindness for the rest of my life. Do you still remember the story I told you when we first met? "
Hu Sheng took a deep breath and finally calmed down. Hearing the fox demon's words, he remembered that he first met Jin Yun three years ago. It was during the Yue Laanpen Festival when they lit the lantern at the Qushui Bridge. That night, Jin Yun told him the story of the fox demoness and the scholar. The gist of it was that the scholar and the beauty were separated because of the different paths of humans and demons.
Hu Sheng's eyes were filled with pity. It wasn't that he hadn't heard of such a sad but beautiful story since he was young, but everything that happened in front of him still made him suspicious.
Li Jinglong leaped onto the roof. Hongjun and Qiu Yongsi were talking in a low voice. Seeing Li Jinglong come, the two immediately stopped talking.
Li Jinglong looked at the two suspiciously. Both of them were acting mysteriously. In fact, Hongjun was just asking Qiu Yongsi about what happened in Pingkang. A sixteen-year-old youth was full of vigor and was full of curiosity about everything. The more Li Jinglong told Hongjun not to ask, the more Hongjun wanted to know. Thus, Qiu Yongsi lowered his voice and told Hongjun the whole story. Hongjun's face turned red.
"Is there something fishy?" Li Jinglong asked.
"No." Qiu Yongsi hurriedly said.
Hongjun blushed and replied, "No."
The two of them seemed to be waiting for Li Jinglong to leave, but Li Jinglong sat down at the side. Hongjun felt guilty as if he was a thief who was caught. He couldn't sit still.
"Brothers, thank you for your hard work. Let's wait until this case is over." Li Jinglong said, "We have to let everyone have a good rest and find a place for you to have some fun."
Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun and Qiu Yongsi. Hongjun was instantly interested and said, "We were just …"
Before he could finish his sentence, Qiu Yongsi immediately stopped him and continued, "… It's our duty to work for the country. How can you say that it's hard work?"
At this moment, in the darkness, the ground bulged up. An arched beam like a spine was approaching the Long Wu Army Drill Ground. When it reached the front of the main hall, it hit the foundation with a thud. Thus, it retreated a little and found another way. It took a turn and went under the courtyard wall.
Li Jinglong immediately sensed it and asked, "What's that sound?"
Hongjun and Qiu Yongsi were confused. Qiu Yongsi felt a slight vibration and said, "Just now, below us … there seemed to be a vibration."
Everyone only knew that there was a fox demon. They had been paying attention to the walls and roofs, but did not expect that there was something strange underground.
"What kind of demon can burrow through the ground?" Li Jinglong asked.
Hongjun immediately remembered — that day, he had chased after the Ao Yu for nearly twenty miles!
When Li Jinglong heard this, he immediately jumped down and said, "Everyone, gather in the backyard!"
The ground bulged up. A black fog rose and condensed into the figure of a tall and thin man. The man was dressed in black and had a bloody scar on his forehead. He pushed open the door and entered.
The door to Hu Sheng's room creaked open. A woman with injuries and a pale face walked in. It was Jin Yun. With tears in her eyes, she placed Hu Sheng on the bed and covered him with a blanket. She said softly, "Commander Hu, I'm really sorry … I also didn't want to …"
"You've actually developed feelings for him." The man in black said gloomily.
Jin Yun suddenly turned around. She was scared out of her wits. She frowned and said, "Flying Mastiff?"
Flying Mastiff replied, "The higher-ups have ordered me to take you away from Chang 'an City immediately."
Jin Yun heaved a sigh of relief and said tearfully, "Eldest Sister and Second Sister both died in their hands. Are your injuries better? "
Flying Mastiff stepped forward and lifted Jin Yun's chin. He said, "I didn't expect the Exorcism Division to be so tough. Just you wait, I will avenge them. Let's go. "
Jin Yun took a step forward but couldn't help but stagger. Seeing that she was injured, Flying Mastiff rolled up his sleeves and held her in his arms. His left hand released demonic energy and continuously poured it into her head to heal her injuries. Jin Yun's face slowly regained some color.
The five people from the Exorcism Division were scattered in the courtyard. Mo Rigen stood on top of the courtyard wall and slowly drew his longbow, aiming at two figures in the room.
Qiu Yongsi and Li Jinglong leaned against the door and listened to the conversation coming from the room above them.
Atay and Hongjun were hiding in the darkness, one holding a fan in his hand and the other holding three throwing knives.
"In front of a great enemy, you really shouldn't waste your cultivation for me." Jin Yun said in a low voice.
"After tonight, we will go far away and won't stay in Chang 'an anymore." Flying Mastiff replied casually, "In the future, after you and I have finished cultivating, we will come back to avenge your sisters."
Jin Yun suddenly understood the meaning behind his words and said in shock, "They sent you to kill me?"
"With me here, no one can touch you." Flying Mastiff said.
"Then what about the other sisters?" Jin Yun said, "I'm afraid that Li Jinglong will continue to investigate."
"If not for your Second Sister's carelessness, all the corpses would have already disappeared." Flying Mastiff said, "How will we investigate? Are we going to capture them one by one and interrogate them? After next year's Court Examination, we will make sure that Li Jinglong dies without a burial place! If we die like this, I'm afraid it will be too easy for him. "
When they heard this, Qiu Yongsi and Li Jinglong's expressions turned cold at the same time. Li Jinglong's eyes were full of shock, and he raised his hand and did not put it down for a long time.
At this time, Flying Mastiff hugged Jin Yun, pushed open the door, and took a step —
Li Jinglong hadn't even shouted to attack when Mo Rigen had already shot an arrow at an incomparably fast speed. At that moment, Jin Yun had already realized the danger and pushed the flying mastiff to the side. He screamed miserably and fell to the ground.
"Keep him!" Li Jinglong shouted.
Flying Mastiff's reaction was extremely fast. Jin Yun knew it was a trap when she was hit by the arrow and immediately dragged Jin Yun out of the room! When Li Jinglong pulled out his sword, Flying Mastiff suddenly turned around and pounced on Li Jinglong, roaring, "Die!"
Everyone was shocked. They were afraid that Li Jinglong would not be able to defeat Flying Mastiff, so they all shot arrows and flying knives at Flying Mastiff. Flying Mastiff suddenly roared, and water vapor burst out from its body and rushed in all directions.
Li Jinglong was the closest and was sent flying by the impact. Hongjun released the Five-colored Divine Light to block, protecting himself and Atay. Just as he was about to go forward to save them, Li Jinglong stepped on a pillar and held his sword with both hands. He shouted angrily, "The one who will die is you! Evildoer! "
Li Jinglong and his sword merged together and rushed towards Flying Mastiff. He slashed down with his sword, but Flying Mastiff raised its hand and caught the sword with a "clang". It spun the sword and threw Li Jinglong out again.
"Flying Mastiff, leave quickly … Don't worry about me …" Jin Yun said weakly.
"I want to kill them!" Flying Mastiff was unable to restrain its anger and could not stop gasping for breath.
"With just you?" Atay sneered.
At this time, Hongjun withdrew his Divine Light. Atay shook out his blue folding fan and waited for Hongjun to withdraw his Divine Light before waving the fan.
A tornado burst out from the ground, rolling up the water vapor released by Flying Mastiff into a hurricane and fiercely collided with Flying Mastiff's body. In the loud noise, all the doors and windows in Hu Sheng's room were destroyed. Mo Rigen shot three arrows at Flying Mastiff's body. However, Flying Mastiff transformed into a giant fish in mid-air. Li Jinglong shouted, "Hongjun! Flying knives! "
Hongjun struck again. "Swish, swish, swish", arrows and flying knives all nailed Flying Mastiff's body.
That giant Ao Fish broke through the back wall of the room and plunged into the ground. Carrying Hongjun's second flying knife, it rushed out of the Long Wu Army.
In just a short moment, the entire Long Wu Army heard the sound and raised their torches. Li Jinglong shouted, "Chase! This time, we can't let it escape! "
Everyone chased after it broke through the wall of the courtyard. Behind them, the camp was already in chaos. Hongjun shouted, "Follow my flying knives and run!"
Immediately after, just like that night, the ground rose and the Ao Fish rushed towards the north of the city with its flying knives.
"Don't go to the palace …" Li Jinglong said. "Chase!"
Everyone from the Exorcism Division quickened their pace and chased after the Ao Fish. In order to find the first flying knife, Hongjun could not let it escape this time. He immediately threw out his grappling hook and flew up to the roof. Mo Rigen also jumped up and followed behind Hongjun.
Atay waved his folding fan again and a strong wind blew, sending him up to the roof. Li Jinglong followed behind everyone and jumped up in a few steps.
"You guys … wait for me!" Qiu Yongsi shouted.
Li Jinglong: "…"
Qiu Yongsi was still climbing the wall. Li Jinglong had no choice but to turn around and pull him up. In the blink of an eye, the three people in front of them had already disappeared. Li Jinglong said helplessly, "Hurry up!" He immediately ran.
That Ao Fish went around the palace and rushed towards the north of the city with a flying knife. Hongjun shouted, "It's going out of the city! It's coming out of the ground! "
"Hongjun! Send me up! "Atay shouted.
Hongjun: "???"
The Ao Fish rushed too fast and had already reached the northeast city gate. Hongjun did not have time to think and had already thrown out his grappling hook and swung …
Atay jumped out of the roof, turned around in the air, and reached out his hand to grab Hongjun's. Hongjun used all his strength to grab Atay's wrist and threw him into the air.
Then Mo Rigen jumped up and grabbed Hongjun's wrist and shouted, "We're in trouble!"
Hongjun swung again and threw Mo Rigen up the city gate.
It was late at night, but the guards at the gate were still talking about the interesting things that happened in Chang 'an.
"I heard that Li Jinglong caught a fox today and sent it to the Long Wu Army. He said that he caught a demon, hahaha …"
"He must be crazy to want to make a contribution! Tomorrow I'll bring a dog too … "
"What's that sound?"
A few guards at the city gate heard the rumbling sound from the ground and the shouts of Atay and Hongjun in front of the city gate. They hurried to the city gate tower to take a look.
Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi rushed over.
The Ao Fish broke through the ground and leaped up.
Atay was in the air when the Ao Fish roared and opened its bloody mouth. It flew towards him and was about to bite him into a bloody mess.
Atay took out the guqin on his back and said, "Go … down!"
After saying that, Atay picked up the Barbat Guqin and smashed it towards the Ao Fish.
Everyone: "…"
That was an earth-shattering sound. The moment the guqin smashed down, it was as if there was a powerful sound wave. The Ao Fish, which was almost three feet tall, was smashed towards the city wall and smashed into countless bricks. With a loud crash, it fell out of the city!
"It can't be!" Hong Jun exclaimed. "He really did it by smashing it!"
Atay: "Hmm?"
Mo Rigen laughed out loud. Stepping on the flying bricks of the city gate tower, he drew his bow and shot three arrows consecutively, hitting the three compound eyes on the Ao Yu's forehead. The Ao Yu cried out in pain. When the arrows flew back, they actually pulled out the eyeballs together with them!
Immediately after, the Ao Fish fell to the ground outside the city. Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi chased after it. Li Jinglong shouted, "Open the door!"
At this moment, the guards at the city gate were on the verge of breaking down.
Li Jinglong shouted, "The Exorcism Division is on official business! If you don't open the door, you will be held accountable! "
The guards at the city gate hurriedly opened the door. Li Jinglong did not have time to speak and dragged Qiu Yongsi, who was panting, out of breath, and ran out.
"Where's the horse?" Li Jinglong looked around.
"Where's the demon?" Mo Rigen also looked around in the dark.
Li Jinglong pointed to the north, indicating that it should escape in that direction.
"Atay, you're so strong!" Hongjun was still in shock.
Atay said modestly, "No, no, I'm not as strong as you."
"No, no, your magic is so strong!" Hongjun really admired Atay, especially when he played the zither.
"Our Atay is the Western Region's Great Wizard …" Qiu Yongsi hurriedly added.
"That's enough!" Atay said, "Qiu Yongsi, what have you been doing these days other than watching us play monkeys? It's time for you to show your skills! "
Qiu Yongsi said, "I really can't …"
"Stop chatting!" Li Jinglong said impatiently, "Come here! We found the horse! "
Mo Rigen and Li Jinglong led the horse. Hongjun originally thought that the demon would escape this time and lose a second flying dagger, but he didn't expect that there would be a horse outside the city.
Everyone got on the horse and chased along the official road. Li Jinglong pulled out his sword and pointed to the north. The sword lit up.
"Why are there horses?" Hongjun was puzzled.
"They were prepared in the afternoon." Li Jinglong answered, "There are horses at the four gates in the north, south, east and west."
The war horses galloped in the dark all the way to the north. The sword became brighter and brighter. The turtle was seriously injured and its speed was obviously slower. It shuttled through the wheat fields after the autumn harvest and rushed to the mountains in the north.
"This sword can indeed sense your flying dagger." Li Jinglong controlled the reins with one hand and held the sword with the other. The sword emitted a bright light, illuminating the path ahead.
Qiu Yongsi said, "Maybe it's made of the same material. If magic weapons come from the same body, there will often be a phenomenon of resonance."
Everyone stopped in front of the Daming Palace. Li Jinglong was worried and his eyebrows were knitted. The sword's light was stable. The demon had entered the Daming Palace.
"Break in?" Mo Rigen asked.
"Break in." Li Jinglong said.
Hongjun threw out a hook and climbed over the wall of the Daming Palace's backyard. Everyone climbed the hook and went in one by one.
Although the Daming Palace was Li Longji's temporary residence, it was not as popular as the Xingqing Palace. Li Longji rarely came here. The palace was also outside the Chang 'an city, so there were only a few hundred palace servants looking after it. Li Jinglong signaled his subordinates to follow him and walked slowly through each palace.
The palace servants had already fallen asleep. A ray of moonlight shone on the horizon, making the palace look holy and sad.
The sword became brighter and brighter. The autumn wind blew through the gauze curtains. Intermittent roars could be heard from the courtyard of the rear palace.
The flying mastiff was holding a dead little fox in his arms. He knelt in the courtyard in grief. His voice was hoarse as he wailed.
"Why did you … die like this …" The flying mastiff hissed.
When Hongjun heard the crying, he could not help but feel his nose ache. Mo Rigen seemed to have guessed his thoughts. He pressed his hand on his shoulder.
Li Jinglong whispered, "Everyone, if you have any special skills, please use them. Don't hold back anymore. Especially you, Qiu Yongsi. "
Qiu Yongsi could only smile.
"Also." Li Jinglong said again, "Keep him alive. When we go back, we have to interrogate him. We must defeat the enemy as soon as possible. Don't destroy too many things."
Everyone grunted in agreement. Li Jinglong thought about it. After all, it was just a worldly possession. It would be bad if he hurt someone. Thus, he said, "Fine. Let's do it. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
Then, he made a hand gesture, and everyone dispersed to the four corners of the courtyard in the rear hall.
Li Jinglong carried his sword and walked into the courtyard.
Hongjun, Mo Rigen, and the others stared nervously at Li Jinglong. Hongjun frowned. It was Li Jinglong who lured the enemy every time. It was too dangerous.
Hongjun's throwing knife was stuck in the flying mastiff's back. The throwing knife was still emitting waves of light.
Li Jinglong walked until he was ten steps away from the flying mastiff. In the wide courtyard, he stood in front of the flying mastiff.
"Let's do it." Li Jinglong replied, "Things have already reached this point. There's no need to talk anymore."
The flying mastiff said in a hoarse voice, "Li Jinglong, let me guess. Do you have a lover? Who is your lover? "
Li Jinglong was silent. His eyes stared fixedly at the flying mastiff's movements.
The flying mastiff said again in a hoarse voice, "As long as you can't kill me today, in the future, I'll bite off your lover's flesh inch by inch. I'll peel off her skin bit by bit. I'll pull out her tendons bit by bit."
"One day, I'll use her tendons to break your neck." When the flying mastiff raised its head and looked at Li Jinglong, Hongjun, who was staring at it from afar, couldn't help but shiver. This was the first time he saw such deep hatred and hostility in a yao's eyes. It was as if the black gas was about to erupt.
The flying mastiff opened its mouth. Its face changed shape, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth! Li Jinglong clenched his sword and replied, "Unfortunately, you won't have that day."
"Even if I die by your hands today," the flying mastiff hissed, "someone will avenge me!"
"Attack!" Qiu Yongsi suddenly shouted.
No one expected that before Li Jinglong gave the order, Qiu Yongsi actually spoke first!
Hongjun was also afraid that Li Jinglong wouldn't be able to block the flying mastiff's desperate attack, so he immediately threw out his throwing knives! Sure enough, the flying mastiff shot out countless flashing sharp teeth. Li Jinglong quickly retreated. The throwing knives swept horizontally, blocking the cold sharp teeth that filled the sky like a rain of flowers!
The throwing knives swept away, knocking away the sharp teeth that were flying everywhere.
Hongjun suddenly shouted, "Li Jinglong!"
This time, Li Jinglong was prepared. He retreated to avoid being caught by the flying mastiff again. Everyone attacked together, but who knew that the flying mastiff was feinting. It turned around and charged into the rear hall of Daming Palace!
In that instant Mo Rigen shot out seven nail-headed arrows simultaneously, making a turn in the air, chasing after the flying hornless bird and shooting into the palace hall. Hongjun and Atay had already chased after it.
"Wait!" Li Jinglong was about to shout, but Qiu Yongsi shouted, "Hongjun's treasures are the most durable. Don't worry about him. Elder, let's go!"
Li Jinglong, Qiu Yongsi, and Mo Rigen immediately rushed in. The wooden door was first destroyed by the Ao Yu, then a loud bang sounded. No one knew what it knocked down. Atay held a fan in one hand, and the red, blue, yellow, and green rings on his hand lit up at the same time. He slammed the fan hard on the ground.
"Boom!" The ground shook. The entire rear hall jumped up under Atay's power!
The Ao Yu couldn't hide in the ground anymore. It turned around and bit Atay. Hongjun had already blocked in front of Atay. The Five-Colored Divine Light shook, and like an indestructible strong shield, they collided with each other! At the moment of collision, Hongjun roared, "Get lost —!"
At the moment when the Ao Yu collided with the Five-Colored Divine Light, there was an explosion of energy that knocked it back!
The huge Ao Yu rolled around in the hall. No one knew how many furniture and porcelain it knocked over. The guards outside the Da Ming Palace panicked and came to investigate. There were shouts everywhere.
"You …" Li Jinglong rushed into the hall. Seeing the mess on the floor, he didn't know how much money he would have to pay if something happened. He hurriedly shouted, "Lure it out and beat it up!"
"I'll try my best!" Hongjun shouted and chased after it. Mo Rigen followed behind. As he ran, he waved his hand and the Nailhead Seven Arrows flew back to him. They gathered into one and emitted a dazzling light in front of the bowstring.
Hongjun held the Jasper Peacock Plume in one hand and carried the Five-Colored Divine Light. His other hand waved his sword rapidly. Flying knives shot towards the Ao Yu like meteors. Atay waved his folding fan three times. Three tornadoes that were infused with lightning, frost, and flying sand rolled up.
The rear hall was smashed into smithereens by the Ao Yu. Just as it was about to break through the wall and escape to the side hall, Mo Rigen's arrow finally left the bowstring. He shouted, "Retreat!"
Hongjun was at the front to block the Ao Yu's attack. Hearing this, he took a step back. Li Jinglong immediately grabbed his collar and dragged him back. The Nailhead Seven Arrows gathered into one and shone with a dazzling light. It whistled through the air and broke the pillar. It hit the Ao Yu and pierced its abdomen.
Three tornadoes caught up. With another sound of the wall collapsing, the Ao Yu broke through the wall and rushed towards the plaza outside the rear hall of the Da Ming Palace.