CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: THE CONSPIRACY OF THE BLOOD DEMON SECT (FIRST UPDATE)

The Jianghu has its own way of dealing with things.

Especially the "hero saves beauty" trope.

If the rescuer was a young and handsome swordsman, the saved girl would invariably say, "For saving my life, I have nothing to repay you with and can only offer myself in marriage."

But if the rescuer was a young swordsman with an unattractive appearance, the response would change to, "For saving my life, I have nothing to repay you with and can only repay you in the next life!"

The same situation, but with a different person involved, and the answer received would also be problematic.

Just like Junlin right now.

His face was just a random, common one, with no noteworthy features.

The girl in plain clothes didn’t even deign to give him a second glance.

However, for Junlin and his team, though the Non-player Characters in the game are beautiful, they can only engage in an imperfect romance at best. They might want to initiate more intimate interactions—though that would waste 100 Contribution Points. It just doesn’t seem worth it in the early stages. So, in the eyes of the players, there is no need to waste too much time with Non-player Characters. Contribution Points are the most immediate benefit. And the Non-player Characters of their Profound Yellow Sect are also quite exceptional in appearance. The Sect Leader is devilishly handsome. The Blood Demoness is enchantingly seductive. In the entirety of Jianghu, which Non-player Characters can even be compared to those of the Profound Yellow Sect? None!

At this time, Xu Nian spoke up from across the riverbank, "It’s time to set off. We still have a long journey ahead, and we shouldn’t waste too much time!"

Hearing this, Junlin and his team promptly ran towards him.

After each person mounted their horse, they continued to follow Xu Nian in the direction of Fengxiang Prefecture City.

Lu Dashan and the girl in plain clothes exchanged a glance, both seeming to harbor some unspeakable secrets.

A moment later, Lu Dashan stepped forward and intercepted Xu Nian and his group.

"Everyone, please wait a moment!"

Lu Dashan hurriedly said, "Please don’t misunderstand. I’ve stopped you because there’s something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Xu Nian asked calmly, his expression indifferent.

Having lived in Fengxiang Prefecture City for many years, Lu Dashan had developed a keen ability to read people’s expressions and intentions. Among this group of young horsemen, the youth with an undisturbed appearance was the true leader. His temperament was strikingly similar to those High-Ranking People he had met before. So, without a doubt, this young man came from a major Clan or Major Sect.

"Are you gentlemen heading to Fengxiang Prefecture City?" Lu Dashan asked with a solemn expression.

Xu Nian nodded slightly.

"You Young Heroes indeed possess extraordinary strength, but Fengxiang Prefecture City is not a place you should go."

Lu Dashan quickly explained, "My Zhao Family has been occupied by the Blood Demon Sect, and only the Young Miss remains as the sole survivor of our Bloodline. The Blood Demon Sect is planning a major move within Fengxiang Prefecture; it would be dangerous for you to go to the city!"

The Blood Demon Sect occupied the Zhao Family? This was no small matter. If the Brocade Guard was unaware of the Blood Demon Sect’s alliance with Liang City’s Black Tiger Hall, it could be due to the vast distance between Liang City and Fengxiang Prefecture City. But what about the extermination of the Zhao Family within Fengxiang Prefecture City? Would the Government Office not know? Would the Brocade Guard be unaware?

"The Blood Demon Sect annihilated your Zhao Family within Fengxiang Prefecture City, and the Government Office is unaware? Do you take us for fools?" Xu Nian narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Setting aside how you survived, you must have passed through several cities on your way here. Didn’t you spread the news?"

Hearing this, Lu Dashan shook his head repeatedly and sighed. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to spread the news! But in those cities he passed, he couldn’t even get through the city gates!

"We initially thought the Government Office would know, but as we’ve been escaping, we’ve discovered some despairing news!" Lu Dashan said gravely. "In Fengxiang Prefecture City, and indeed, in Government Offices throughout the entire Fengxiang Prefecture region, officials such as magistrates and county assistants have been replaced by members of the Blood Demon Sect. I even suspect that the Prefect is one of them now. The Brocade Guard personnel were right in Fengxiang Prefecture and always conducted their investigations with self-assurance. However, for some reason, the day before yesterday, the Brocade Guard, led by the Lord Thousand Household, all headed to Celestial Origin Prefecture City. The Brocade Guard had just left when my Zhao Family suffered a massacre. This news was suppressed very well; hardly anyone Outside knows! You Young Heroes saved the two of us. Consider this information as repayment for that kindness! Right now, I’m not sure how many Blood Demon Sect members are in Fengxiang Prefecture. It would be best for you all not to go!"

After hearing him out, Xu Nian, mounted on his horse, felt a bit puzzled. It was too coincidental. According to Lu Dashan, Zhou Yuntong must have been ordered to transfer out of Fengxiang Prefecture. Only someone from Capital City could have that kind of authority. An order from the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition? Just after Zhou Yuntong left, the Blood Demon Sect appeared in Fengxiang Prefecture and even took over many cities, replacing the Officials. This was clearly a trap that had been long in the making. Then, Jin Yutang sent an invitation, calling on various Jianghu People in Fengxiang Prefecture. Were they planning to catch everyone in one fell swoop? Did the Blood Demon Sect intend to seize the entire Fengxiang Prefecture and then go to war with the Imperial Court? Impossible! The Sect Leader of the Blood Demon Sect did not have that kind of audacity yet. There had to be another reason for them to act so boldly.

Xu Nian glanced at Junlin, a guess forming in his mind.

The Nine Dragon Key! The Blood Demon Sect was after the Nine Dragon Key! Once they entered Fengxiang Prefecture, it would be like catching turtles in a jar.

A smile tugged at the corners of Xu Nian’s mouth. So that’s how it is? This isn’t a Hongmen Banquet; it’s a complete deathtrap! Is Jin Yutang in cahoots with the Blood Demon Sect, or were they threatened?

[Task: Eliminate the Blood Demon Sect Members.]

[Introduction: The Blood Demon Sect plans to seize the Nine Dragon Key and has already covertly replaced Imperial Officials. As the Xuanhuang Sect Leader and the Seventh Prince of Daqian, you must thwart their plans!]

[Objective: Kill all Blood Demon Sect Members inside Fengxiang Prefecture.]

[Time Limit: Five days.]

[Reward: Dependent on the host’s degree of completion.]

[Hint: The host can assign the Task to the disciples for resolution, and may freely distribute the tasks. Rewards are limited to Contribution Points, and the Reward for this Task cannot exceed 100 Contribution Points.]

[Note: The Task is far from the player’s Respawn Point, so a new Respawn Point has been established. Please arrange it within Fengxiang Prefecture City yourself.]

The System Task further confirmed his conjecture. The Blood Demon Sect was playing a grand game of chess. Five days. Their journey would take three days, meaning they only had two days left. How many people had the Blood Demon Sect brought this time? How many experts were among them? Were there any Protectors or Elders? Xu Nian didn’t know any of this, so this Task felt like being forced to do something he was unprepared for. Did the Blood Demoness know about the Blood Demon Sect’s entire layout in Fengxiang Prefecture?

Xu Nian sneered, "It looks like the Blood Demon Sect is coming for us, making such a huge scene for the Nine Dragon Key. There are collaborators within the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition too. It seems this deathtrap involves many powerful individuals. Do they intend to kill me as well?"