Mountain Patrol Military Officer
Chapter 173 - 159: This Fiend Has Been Slain by Me (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 173: Chapter 159: This Fiend Has Been Slain by Me (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Thud"

"Thud"

"Thud"

Atop Cloud Peak, a palace with golden tiles and lacquered timbers, built atop green stone, stood in ancient grandeur.

In front of its gates, a plaza held twelve thick pillars constructed of white marble, each so wide it required a dozen people to encircle it. Atop each pillar fluttered flags that rustled loudly in the night breeze.

Green, white, gold, black, these colors composed the palette of the grand hall.

A rush of hurried footsteps approached.

"Report, Ninth Mountain’s Colonel Chen Yuan requests an audience!"

"Very well, let him enter." A deep yet slightly rising voice, carrying a trace of urgency, echoed within the great hall.

Inside, the flickering lights cast a solemn atmosphere.

Around, a few scattered silhouettes stood; at this moment, their gazes simultaneously turned toward the hall doors with surprise, curiosity, or a faint shimmer in their eyes.

At that moment, a figure ascended the steps in front of the grand hall, gradually coming into view.

Then, crossing the threshold, he stepped into the hall, his eyes landing on the central figure, sparkling with purpose.

The man at the center of the hall saw a pair of mustaches curled upwards, brows with a hint of yellow, and atop his head, a red and gold embroidered cap of bound hair; donned with a beast-faced breastplate and a robe embroidered with clouds and mythical beasts, he seemed as unfathomable as the depths of a pool.

"Ninth Mountain’s Chen Yuan greets the Commander!"

Chen Yuan made a salute with his hands.

Across from him, Deputy Commander Pei Yanhu, with tiger-like eyes, scrutinized Chen Yuan; his pupils narrowed slightly as he saw a commanding presence radiating golden light all over the subordinate he had appointed.

More importantly, he saw in him a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, a towering killing intent, as if a ferocious beast choosing its prey stood before him.

Prestige!

This, he understood more than anyone else.

This was the opportunity for a breakthrough in the Tao Fruit!

Had he really reached this level?

Pei Yanhu internally marveled, thoughts swirling in his head. He remembered the first time he received news of Chen Yuan; it was Colonel Xiang from White Emperor City who relayed that one of his Mountain Patrol Military Officers had broken through the Fourth Heavenly Barrier.

At the time, during the Demon Demon Tao Fruit Conference, the Mountain-cutting Army was spread thin supporting different fronts, desperately short-handed. Without any better options, he issued a temporary appointment to command the nearly annihilated remnants of Ninth Mountain to support White Emperor City.

And since then, things spiraled out of control!

White Emperor City quelled the Demon Cult, Tianxiong Pass suppressed the rebellion of the Three Families, and it was confirmed that the Demon assaulting Jiange Pass was also slain by him.

According to the confirmed reports, this Ninth Mountain’s Colonel had already slain over ten warriors from the Martial Arts Heavenly Pass.

All this, in no more than a month and a half.

As someone who understood these details best, Pei Yanhu could hardly believe the news was true before meeting Chen Yuan.

How could one’s martial arts progress so rapidly!

Not until this moment, seeing Chen Yuan with his own eyes, did he realize he had underestimated him, his eyes involuntarily flickering with admiration.

A monster, indeed!

No, that’s not right,

He should be called an exceptional sword!

"Good, very good!"

Pei Yanhu’s mind raced in the briefest instant, and suddenly he stepped forward, lifting Chen Yuan’s arms with both hands, his eyes shining brightly as he uttered two resounding praises.

"Seeing is believing, Chen Yuan. With your impressive military achievements in two battles, I have already documented your service for the record. The Governing Administrative Office will not forget your contributions."

"Now that our Office has gained a fierce general like yourself, it is fortunate indeed. Under normal circumstances, I would personally host a banquet in your honor, but now..." The Deputy Commander’s voice trailed off without finishing the sentence, then his expression changed,

"Come, let me introduce you."

With that, without waiting for Chen Yuan to speak, he pulled him along to start "meeting people."

"This is Fourth Mountain’s Colonel Changshan; you’ve fought alongside each other at Tianxiong Pass and should already be well acquainted."

"Colonel Chen, it seems things have gone smoothly," remarked Fourth Mountain’s Changshan, who had just parted ways a few days ago, greeting with a cupped-hand salute and a clear voice.

"Indeed." Chen Yuan nodded and returned the salute, saying only what was necessary for the occasion.

Next, as the Deputy Commander turned to the following person, that individual spoke up on his own.

"Seventh Mountain’s Xu Feng here, Colonel Chen, you’re quite formidable. On my way here, I happened to meet with Colonel Chang and some of your men and heard a bit about your exploits. From now on we’re colleagues, let’s drink together!"

This person’s words carried a note of goodwill.

Following that, several others spoke up.

"Hu Meng, Eighth Mountain..."

"Yang Dao, Tenth Mountain..."

Altogether in the great hall, counting Chen Yuan, there were five people, and soon everyone was familiar with each other’s faces.

Chen Yuan felt somewhat puzzled. The Government Administrative Office commanded twelve Mountain Assault Armies, yet now they were hastily summoned back but where were the others?

Soon enough, Deputy Commander Pei Yanhu seemed to read his expression and dispelled the doubt in his heart.

"Youmen Pass has been breached, the Commander has fallen, and several of the Mountain Assault Armies close to the south have been urgently dispatched there for support. Deputy Commander Pang, who was with the Commander at Youmen Pass, is currently organizing the subsequent defense."

As he spoke, Deputy Commander Pei swept his gaze around the room, eyes ablaze with intensity, his voice deepening,

"Soon, you all too will march into Ten Thousand Mountains, to battle to the death against the Devil Race!"

After this declaration, his chest swelled as he took a long, deep breath, his expression growing grave, "Otherwise, the entirety of Jiannan Road will fall from our hands, with untold calamity befalling the living, and potentially ensuing unimaginable disastrous consequences."

With these words, the slightly lively atmosphere that had risen with Chen Yuan’s arrival quickly became somber once again.

At this moment, however, Chen Yuan began to calmly recount what he had witnessed along his journey.

"On the way here, I took a brief rest in a broken temple and encountered a family seeking refuge in Jingguan City, as well as disciples from various sects heading there. But..."

He paused a moment before continuing,

"Several hundred miles from Jingguan City, there was a large, black demon bird with two pairs of wings, intercepting those sect disciples. At the time, I happened to be on that flying boat."

At his words, the others in the great hall did not show surprise, only furrowing their brows tightly.

Colonel Changshan of the Fourth Mountain raised an eyebrow: "That’s one of the Wuzhuo clan from Ten Thousand Mountains, a demon that uses its innate divine ability for incredibly quick movements, acting as a scout among the Devil Race. We had already received news of attacks by them. Colonel Chen, you say you encountered a Wuzhuo with two pairs of wings? That’s a Heavenly Pass Crow, a marauder who wanders and kills, causing numerous calamities. You..."

He peered intently at Chen Yuan.

"I’ve slain this fiend!" Chen Yuan nodded.

Changshan suddenly realized, "I thought as much. With your divine skills, the crow was unlikely to escape your grasp."

Though the Wuzhuo was fast, Changshan had witnessed Chen Yuan’s Double-Eyed Divine Power firsthand, able to emit golden light, to capture form, to kill foes, with incredible might.

The remaining three Colonels, hearing the two converse so casually, one with confidence and the other with sudden realization, expressed their acknowledgment, exchanging glances with each other.

When did slaying a Heavenly Pass Demon become such a commonplace matter in their conversations?