Chapter 256: Dead City and Killing Ye Nantian

The imperial envoy’s entourage had originally planned to travel to Sanchuan County. One reason was to restock supplies. The second was to investigate the current situation in Jianbei Commandery; along their journey, they had barely encountered any living people and had no clear understanding of the region's circumstances.

Zhang Yuankang naturally had no objection when Huang Ziming suggested they travel together to Sanchuan County.

A contingent of over a hundred county soldiers and constables led the way, escorting a dozen Lifeless Cult followers and three to four hundred refugees, with the imperial envoy’s entourage following behind.

The refugees were in poor condition, having long suffered from hunger and cold. Their spirits were low, and many were ill. Their slow pace meant that the journey of merely ten li, which should have been short, stretched from morning until night.

It was almost dark when they finally reached Sanchuan County city.

Some county officials were waiting at the city gate to greet the imperial envoy, but the one leading them was the County Vice-Magistrate; the County Magistrate of Sanchuan had not appeared.

Zhang Yuankang’s expression was grim. While he had been obsequious in front of Xiao Ziyin, that was due to her exceptionally high status as the Eldest Princess of Chu. However, facing these local officials of Jiang State was different. Not only was he an imperial envoy, possessing the privilege of being a rank higher than any official he met, but as the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he was someone these local officials would beg relentlessly just to gain an audience, yet find no entry. Moreover, as Vice-Minister, he controlled the promotion and demotion of all local officials, giving him superior status wherever he went. How dare a mere Sanchuan County Magistrate show such disrespect!

The County Vice-Magistrate noticed the change in Zhang Yuankang’s expression and quickly explained, “Your Excellency, County Magistrate Song had intended to welcome you personally, but…”

Zhang Yuankang coldly interjected, “But what?”

“Alas,” the Vice-Magistrate sighed, “you will understand once you enter the city.”

All the county officials looked helpless. This piqued the curiosity of Zhang Yuankang, Gu Mo, and the others.

Immediately, the imperial envoy’s entourage proceeded into the city. Huang Ziming, leading the county soldiers and constables, escorted the Lifeless Cult followers and numerous refugees, following behind them.

The biting wind carried swirling snowflakes, rustling softly. The main street of Sanchuan County, blanketed in swirling snow, snaked like a frozen serpent. The bolted doors of taverns and clothiers stood shut, their faded banners snapped taut by the wind, hanging like funeral streamers around the old city’s neck.

Just as the imperial envoy’s entourage fully entered the city, crowds of people surged out from the side streets and alleys. Soon, the street was packed with common folk dressed in tattered clothes – men, women, old, and young – all hysterically crying for justice.

“Your Excellency, please right the wrongs done to us!”“My son was arrested for just drinking a bowl of water, and now his fate is unknown in prison…”“My husband just went out to buy some grain and was beaten to death!”

Immediately, the soldiers in the imperial envoy’s entourage rushed forward, forming a human wall to block the crowd. Seeing this, the commoners uniformly knelt to the ground.

“What is going on?” Zhang Yuankang asked.

The County Vice-Magistrate, who stood beside him, sighed and said, “Your Excellency, this is why County Magistrate Song did not come to greet you. He received word that these commoners would come to seek your intervention.”

Zhang Yuankang immediately motioned for his subordinates to inquire. Soon, they returned, reporting, “My Lord, these people all claim that family members were wrongly accused and arrested as Lifeless Cult rebels, but the county office refuses to release them. They are here to ask for your justice.”

Zhang Yuankang’s pupils constricted slightly as he looked at the County Vice-Magistrate.

The Vice-Magistrate sighed and said, “Given the current situation in Jianbei Commandery, what can the county office do? Accidental arrests are unavoidable. The county office simply doesn’t have the resources to meticulously verify each case. Our manpower is already insufficient, and if a large portion of it is wasted on these matters, we won’t be able to effectively combat the spread of the Lifeless Cult, and the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Zhang Yuankang said gravely, “So, there really have been wrongful arrests?”

The Vice-Magistrate nodded, “Yes, there are certainly wrongful arrests, but I am helpless. The Lifeless Cult is all-pervasive; it’s impossible to guard against them. Even within this city, Lifeless Cult rebels are hidden everywhere. These people are fanatic. We have arrested many, but found no clues about any Lifeless Cult leaders. As for the innocent people wrongly arrested, I can only apologize. Our county office has limited resources and cannot differentiate each case individually. However…”

The Vice-Magistrate pointed to the shouting commoners and continued, “However, it is certain that not *that* many people were wronged. When we typically carry out arrests, we deploy covert operations beforehand, and we only apprehend individuals after confirming our targets. There may be wrongful arrests, but not on this scale. The fact that so many people are here to cry for justice, regardless of how many were actually wronged, is itself suspicious. How could mere commoners know the imperial envoy’s itinerary? And how could such a large-scale, coordinated action be organized in such a short time?”

Zhang Yuankang frowned and asked, “Are you implying…?”

The Vice-Magistrate stated, “The gentry and influential families in the city are orchestrating this from behind the scenes. Their objective is to use your authority, Your Excellency, to get rid of County Magistrate Song. That’s why County Magistrate Song didn’t come to greet you; he feared you would be put in an impossible situation, and he also feared those commoners might riot if they saw him. Lord Zhang, you can walk around the city and see. There are four refugee camps and many people without food. Even if they only receive one or two bowls of thin porridge daily, the amount of grain required is enormous. This grain was forcibly taken by the County Magistrate from those gentry and influential families, and he also explicitly prohibited raising grain prices. You should understand what this means, Lord Zhang: cutting off their source of wealth is akin to murdering their parents. The gentry in the city hate County Magistrate Song. They’ve only been unable to deal with him because Jianbei Commandery is too chaotic, and their influential backing cannot suppress him. Otherwise, they would have removed him long ago. Now, with the arrival of the imperial envoy, it is naturally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them. As for those commoners, some might genuinely have grievances, but most are being used. Public opinion can kill without shedding blood, so please investigate thoroughly, Lord Zhang!”

Zhang Yuankang waved his hand and said, “This official will investigate. Now, find a way to disperse those people!”

The Vice-Magistrate quickly replied, “My Lord, forcefully dispersing them at this moment might cause unrest. Please condescend to take a detour.”

Zhang Yuankang frowned, looking somewhat troubled. He didn't mind taking a detour, but he worried that Xiao Ziyin, who was in the carriage, might object. However, at that moment, Xiao Ziyin’s telepathic message reached his ear, telling him to take a detour.

Immediately, Zhang Yuankang said, “Take the detour.”

Under the Vice-Magistrate’s guidance, the imperial envoy’s entourage turned into a nearby alley, while Huang Ziming escorted the refugees to the refugee camp.

In the alleys during the evening, people were rarely seen, though occasionally a house showed a flicker of light, and sometimes someone peered out from a doorway. Overall, it felt somewhat desolate and deserted. However, considering the current plight of Jianbei Commandery, the fact that Sanchuan County still had so many people and could maintain order indicated that County Magistrate Song Yi was a capable and benevolent official.

Gu Mo and his group had a rather good impression of County Magistrate Song. To be able to jeopardize his own career and even his life by offending the gentry and influential families, all to ensure the survival of the common people, was commendable. While his methods in dealing with the arrest of Lifeless Cult followers were a bit harsh, none of Gu Mo’s group felt that County Magistrate Song had done anything wrong. Though some commoners were wrongly arrested, in the current situation, a more lenient approach could very likely doom the entire city’s population.

Not long after, the imperial envoy’s entourage passed through several alleys and arrived at the county residence reserved for visiting officials.

Gu Mo and the others met Song Yi, the County Magistrate of Sanchuan. He was a middle-aged man around forty, with dark, somewhat gaunt skin, and a tired yet noticeably capable demeanor.

“Your humble servant, Song Yi, greets Your Excellency the Imperial Envoy!” Song Yi stood at the doorway, bowing respectfully, his tone neither obsequious nor arrogant.

Zhang Yuankang cupped his hands and said, “County Magistrate Song, no need for excessive ceremony.” He then beckoned his subordinate advisor, handed Song Yi the items proving his identity, and said, “County Magistrate Song may verify this official’s identity.”

Song Yi did not decline and immediately accepted the items. This was a necessary procedure; local governments had designated personnel responsible for verification. Whether it was an imperial envoy or a newly appointed official taking up their post, their identity would only be officially confirmed after verification by the local government.

Song Yi said, “Lord Zhang, Sanchuan County has been suffering from a snow disaster for several months, and the imperial court’s disaster relief grain has yet to arrive. There isn’t much grain left in the city, and fine wines or meats are completely unavailable. Therefore, I can only offer you simple fare. However, there is certainly a place for you to sleep. Please bear with us for the lack of hospitality; these are the only conditions we have now. I’m stating the situation clearly beforehand. If there are any inconveniences, you will have to manage yourselves.”

County Magistrate Song’s blunt and rigid tone made Zhang Yuankang quite uncomfortable; he clearly didn't hold the imperial envoy in high regard. However, upon reflection, this was normal. After all, a tough individual who dared to risk his head to defend the city and its people during such a critical time would hardly be someone who understood flexibility or flattery.

Zhang Yuankang waved his hand and said, “This official did not come to Jianbei Commandery for pleasure. If I sought luxury, I would not be here, so County Magistrate Song can rest assured.”

“That’s good then.” Song Yi cupped his hands and said, “It’s already dark. Your humble servant will not disturb your rest. I will return tomorrow, when I will lead Your Excellency on a tour and report on my duties in person.”

Zhang Yuankang nodded slightly. Song Yi bowed deeply, then immediately turned and left without delay or hesitation.

Watching Song Yi depart, Xiao Ziyin chuckled softly, “This County Magistrate Song is a man of action! If the high officials in the Jiang State court were all like him, I fear Jianbei Commandery would not be in its current state!”

Zhang Yuankang looked embarrassed but dared not refute Xiao Ziyin. He replied awkwardly, “Your Highness speaks truly.” Xiao Ziyin smiled and said no more.

Immediately, the group entered the county residence. The living conditions at this residence were quite ordinary, but given the extremely harsh weather and mostly wild surroundings they had endured on their journey, this humble residence felt incredibly comfortable by comparison. At least it was clean everywhere, and there were no leaks causing water accumulation indoors. Moreover, the County Vice-Magistrate had immediately arranged for hot porridge to be brought. Although it was plain rice porridge, in the current environment, it was quite appetizing.

At the dinner table, Gu Mo and the others were all eating porridge. Only Zhuo Qingfeng was poking his chopsticks into his bowl. Ye Jinglan, sitting beside him, nudged Zhuo Qingfeng and asked, “Brother Zhuo, what are you thinking about? So engrossed?”

Zhuo Qingfeng seemed to awaken from a dream and said, “Nothing much, just that I keep feeling something is strange.”

“What’s strange?” Ye Jinglan asked in confusion.

“I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I just feel that Sanchuan County is a bit odd,” Zhuo Qingfeng replied.

Gu Chudong asked, “Brother Zhuo, when did you start feeling it was strange?”

“I felt a bit strange last night at the market town, and that feeling intensified after we entered the city,” Zhuo Qingfeng said, frowning deeply. “It’s as if I’ve overlooked something. Ah, never mind. Let’s eat first. We’ll get a good night’s rest tonight. Tomorrow, when we investigate the Lifeless Cult clues at the county office, I should be able to figure it out.”

Immediately, the group began eating their porridge.

***

In Sanchuan County city, at the refugee camp.

At this moment, Huang Ziming was leading a group of constables and county soldiers, escorting some three hundred refugees and twenty-odd Lifeless Cult followers into the refugee camp.

The camp was quite large, with dense rows of makeshift shelters. Under the night sky, they were all covered in thick snow. Yet, the vast refugee camp was eerily quiet.

All the refugees were led to an open space where more than a dozen large pots were boiling, filled with thick porridge. The faint aroma of rice porridge wafted through the air, and the refugees couldn't help but swallow. Many began to regret their previous choices, thinking, if they had known the refugee camp offered such good food, why would they have listened to the Lifeless Cult’s deceit and waited all day for just a bowl of thin porridge to survive?

“My… my lord…” A refugee mustered the courage to ask, “Does… the refugee camp… offer such good food… every day?”

Huang Ziming replied flatly, “You get one meal of thick porridge and one meal of thin porridge a day. It’s good enough just to stay alive. Do you expect to eat this well at every meal?”

Immediately, the refugees became agitated. Some even knelt and wept loudly, wailing that they shouldn’t have believed the Lifeless Cult’s deception and should have come to the refugee camp earlier. The refugee camp grew boisterous.

“Alright!” Huang Ziming shouted, channeling his internal energy. “Everyone, line up to receive today’s porridge.”

Immediately, the refugees eagerly began to queue. Soon, they formed lines of about twenty people each, and one by one, they started receiving their porridge. Those who received it eagerly began to eat, not caring if the porridge was scalding hot. These people had not eaten such thick white porridge in who knows how long. Though it was plain white porridge, it tasted as delicious as exotic delicacies.

At the edge of the open space, the county soldiers and constables held torches, silently watching the refugees devour their food. The torchlight flickered across their faces, casting eerie, shifting shadows.

In the dim clearing, hundreds of ragged refugees clutched their earthenware bowls, the murky porridge spilling from their cracked lips. Their hunched backs bowed, their Adam’s apples violently bobbed, and the sounds of their swallowing filled the air, like famished wolves tearing at prey.

Suddenly, a brittle crash of a bowl hitting the ground broke the silence. The person clutched their temples, staggered two steps, and then collapsed. Following suit, the refugees began to fall limp and faint in patches across the snowy ground.

At that moment, the crisp snap of ropes breaking echoed. The Lifeless Cult followers, who had been bound, now stood up, joining the county soldiers and constables.

Huang Ziming stood with his hands behind his back under the eaves, his gold-embroidered official robe fluttering without a breeze. He lightly tapped his finger and his voice, like a poisoned dagger, cut through the air: “Drag them all inside and deal with them!”

The county soldiers and constables roughly dragged the unconscious refugees by their ankles into the adjacent houses, which astonishingly contained rows of neatly arranged wooden planks. The soldiers and constables placed the unconscious refugees neatly on these planks, then drew their blades. The synchronized hiss of blades slicing through throats was chilling, and warm torrents of blood gushed forth, winding like rivers down the grooves in the planks, glinting with an eerie rusty color under the moonlight. Then, with practiced ease, they stripped the bodies and dismembered them. From a distance, it would have looked like a slaughterhouse working late into the night.

The pungent smell of blood permeated the air, making it very acrid.

Huang Ziming slowly departed, as if merging into the darkness, walking towards the county office. The city was utterly silent, not a sound to be heard.

Soon, Huang Ziming arrived at the county office and entered a large hall. At this moment, a large group of people had gathered in the hall, including County Magistrate Song Yi and the County Vice-Magistrate. However, both the Magistrate and Vice-Magistrate were seated far back. The people seated at the front were distinct; several figures, like emissaries from the Nine Netherworlds, occupied their respective positions. On the left, the foremost seat was taken by an elder in a blood-red crane cloak, a greenish-purple venomous snake coiling around his fingertips. Any experienced martial artist present would immediately recognize him as the Snake King, Third Guardian of the Moon Worshippers Cult. Below the Snake King sat a woman completely wrapped in bandages, black blood seeping from the gaps. In her arms, she held a child-sized puppet, three fresh eyeballs embedded in its joints, revolving eerily with her breathing. This was clearly Lady Jiedao, the Sixth Guardian of the Moon Worshippers Cult. The other individuals were also powerful experts of the Demonic Path. This was clearly no Sanchuan County office; it was a gathering place for the Demonic Path!

In the center sat a black-robed figure wearing a skull mask.

Huang Ziming entered the hall and bowed to the black-robed figure, saying, “Your subordinate greets the Cult Master.”

Only one person could be addressed as Cult Master in front of so many high-ranking Moon Worshippers Cult members: Ye Nantian, the foremost expert of the Demonic Path and leader of the Moon Worshippers Cult.

Ye Nantian emitted a muffled voice, “How is the situation outside?”

“Reporting to the Cult Master, Gu Mo’s group has not shown any abnormal behavior,” Huang Ziming replied.

Ye Nantian nodded slightly and looked at a middle-aged man beside him, asking, “Is it time?”

The middle-aged man, with unbound hair and bare feet, held a compass etched with seventy-two blood-streaked runes. This was Yin Xiucai, the First Guardian of the Moon Worshippers Cult, renowned as the greatest formation master in the world. At this moment, Yin Xiucai was squatting on the ground, before him a sand table, a miniature representation of Sanchuan County city. However, it was not centered on the county office, but on the county residence where officials were received. He muttered incantations, then pointed two fingers, and the sand table shimmered with light, manifesting various formations. He slowly said, “Cult Master, wait another two quarter-hours, and we will enter the time of the densest yin energy tonight. Activating the World Extinction Formation then will ensure its maximum power. We will then successfully kill Gu Mo!”

***

Inside the county residence.

Apart from the soldiers on patrol, everyone else in the imperial envoy’s entourage had already retired for the night.

Zhuo Qingfeng tossed and turned on his bed, unable to sleep. His mind raced, continuously pondering. Suddenly, at a certain moment, a flash of inspiration seemed to strike him. He sprang upright. Immediately, he rushed out, went to the room next door, and knocked.

Soon, the door opened, and Ye Jinglan said, looking exasperated, “What is it, Brother Zhuo? Why aren’t you sleeping in the middle of the night?”

Zhuo Qingfeng gravely said, “Brother Ye, I’ve figured out what’s wrong.”

Ye Jinglan asked, confused, “What is it?”

Zhuo Qingfeng explained, “There are two things that don’t add up. First, last night in the market town, when County Commandant Huang Ziming led the county soldiers and constables to apprehend the Lifeless Cult members, there was something strange we all overlooked: the cultists claimed they weren’t afraid of death, but their resistance wasn’t very fierce.”

Ye Jinglan considered this and said, “That’s normal, isn’t it? There weren’t many experts among those Lifeless Cult followers last night, and Huang Ziming is quite skilled. Plus, the constables and county soldiers he brought were likely elite. Given the huge disparity in strength, it’s normal for their resistance not to be fierce.”

Zhuo Qingfeng nodded slightly, “That can indeed be explained. But there’s another strange point: when we entered the city today and detoured to this county residence, something very unusual happened.”

“What was it?” Ye Jinglan asked.

“There wasn’t a single child!” Zhuo Qingfeng exclaimed. “We passed by at least fifty or sixty households on our way here, but not only did we not see a single child along the way, we didn’t even hear a child’s cry! We had so many people, and we weren’t quiet. Even if living in Jianbei Commandery is tough right now, it’s not to the point where all children would have starved or frozen to death, right? Furthermore, there’s one biggest strange point: the commoners we saw along the way, when they saw so many of us, including county officials and soldiers, didn’t show any fear. Those who were outside remained outside; they didn’t immediately run inside to hide. This is illogical. Logically speaking, given the county office’s widespread arrests of the Lifeless Cult and the many wrongful arrests, people should be terrified. Those commoners shouldn’t have been so calm upon seeing officials!”

After hearing Zhuo Qingfeng’s analysis, Ye Jinglan frowned and said, “Now that you mention it, it is quite strange… So, should we go investigate now?”

“Let’s go!”

Immediately, the two left the county residence and swiftly returned the way they had come during the day.

When they reached the residential area, they immediately sensed that something was amiss: it was too quiet. Zhuo Qingfeng walked to a house he distinctly remembered being occupied during the day and knocked on the door. The knocking sounded remarkably crisp in the night. However, after knocking for a while, there was no response.

The two exchanged glances, and Zhuo Qingfeng directly kicked open the door and rushed in.

“No one!” Both their expressions changed slightly.

Immediately, they quickly ran to other houses. They searched seven or eight in a row, and incredibly, all were empty. Even stranger was that although people had clearly been living there during the day, when they entered the houses, the signs inside clearly indicated that they had been uninhabited for a very long time.

“Let’s go, let’s check other places!” Ye Jinglan suggested.

Zhuo Qingfeng nodded. Immediately, both employed their Qinggong and flew towards other areas.

However, empty, empty, all empty! The more they searched, the more their hearts were filled with dread, even horror. Because not only had the people they saw during the day disappeared, but the entire city was a ghost town. Although they hadn't traversed the entire city, they had continuously crossed seven or eight streets and hadn't seen a single person. The houses and courtyards all showed signs of long-term disuse.

The two quickly returned to the county residence.

“Wake up, something’s wrong!” Ye Jinglan shouted, channeling his internal energy, instantly startling awake the entire imperial envoy’s entourage resting in the residence.

Gu Mo, Gu Chudong, and Xiao Ziyin were the first to respond. All three quickly emerged into the courtyard.

“What’s wrong, Brother Ye!” Gu Chudong quickly asked.

Ye Jinglan said gravely, “There’s no one, not a single person. Brother Zhuo and I just went out for a look, and this Sanchuan County is an empty city. We didn’t see a single soul.”

Xiao Ziyin frowned and asked, “What exactly happened?”

Zhuo Qingfeng explained, “I felt something was off about what we saw during the day, so I asked Brother Ye to go out and check. It turns out, not only have the commoners we saw on our way here today vanished, but there’s no one in any of the other streets or residential areas either. In fact, they all show signs of long-term disuse. This is an empty city!”

Xiao Ziyin’s pupils constricted slightly. “So, we were deceived!”

Zhuo Qingfeng said, “I fear that when we entered the city today, those commoners who ran out crying for justice were deliberately arranged. They were meant to make us detour through the alleys. Only that way could they create the false impression of people existing to deceive us. If we had taken the main street, which is wide open in all directions, they couldn’t have staged such an illusion.”

Xiao Ziyin picked up the thread, saying, “Which means there’s something wrong with Sanchuan County. Our ‘accidental’ encounter with the County Commandant arresting Lifeless Cult members last night at the market town was also deliberately staged. Then they fabricated a story about the Sanchuan County Magistrate sacrificing his personal future and even his life for the people, to make us prejudiced into believing that the commoners blocking the city gate today were instigated by someone. That’s why we took the detour here.”

“Then, what’s their objective?” Ye Jinglan asked.

Gu Mo said gravely, “Let’s go, retreat immediately… Hmm, too late!”

As Gu Mo spoke, the ground suddenly emitted a muffled rumble, as if a slumbering giant dragon beneath the earth had suddenly stirred. The surface of the earth cracked open into countless fissures like a shattered ceramic plate, and grayish-green dust mixed with soil surged skyward.

From the first collapsing houses came the sound of breaking beams. Three houses, violently shaking, disintegrated like building blocks, showering down broken bricks and wooden beams like heavy rain. Gu Mo and the others swiftly activated their Qinggong and leaped into the air.

They saw the collapsing building on the left astonishingly rise from the ground as if alive, transforming into a whistling projectile amidst the twisting earth tremors, hurtling towards them. Gu Mo’s pupils instantly constricted. His palm struck out like a blade, the air emitting a piercing shriek. The massive object shattered into dust under his palm force. Yet, amidst the swirling dust, chunks of architectural debris surged from all directions.

Countless shattered walls and broken ruins swept towards them like a black tide. Gu Chudong swung his blade, slicing through a crumbling stone pillar heading his way, while Zhuo Qingfeng suddenly spun, drawing his sword to split stone fragments. Just as the two were about to land, Gu Mo extended his hands, clamping onto their shoulders like iron pincers. As the ground split open with spiderweb-like cracks, he exerted his full strength, hurling them towards the city wall two to three hundred zhang away. As for Ye Jinglan and Xiao Ziyin, their combat awareness was extremely sharp and their martial arts profound, so they did not need Gu Mo’s help. To be precise, even Gu Chudong didn't need Gu Mo's help in such a situation; only Zhuo Qingfeng's martial arts were a little insufficient to withstand the onslaught.

The instant he threw Zhuo Qingfeng and Gu Chudong, Gu Mo turned and unleashed a flurry of palm strikes. Two leaning houses flying towards him exploded into fragments under his palm force. Yet, from the debris, countless glinting iron chains shot out, each wrapped with sharp barbs. Even more terrifying, the ground suddenly churned like boiling mud, and hundreds of iron chains burst forth, instantly weaving an impenetrable cage beneath Gu Mo’s feet, deliberately avoiding Ye Jinglan and Xiao Ziyin. Amidst the clanging of links, Gu Mo was encircled by a wall of chains, some ten feet high, their spiked tips glowing with an eerie blue venom.

“Targeting me?” Gu Mo’s pupils constricted. This move was too precisely aimed, clearly designed to trap him.

However, just as the chains were about to close, his figure suddenly blurred into a faint shadow, vanishing like a wisp of smoke. He had instantly teleported away, now standing with his hands behind his back twenty zhang high in the air, his robes fluttering fiercely in the dust, the cold light in his eyes even colder than the chains below. And in that very instant, more than a dozen large buildings and dozens of massive boulders from all directions simultaneously flew towards where he had been, slamming together and instantly crushing down onto the ground.

Gu Mo’s eyes glinted with cold light. Clearly, his opponent was specifically targeting him. If he hadn’t used his instant teleportation (Harmony with Light and Dust) just now, and instead relied on normal Qinggong, he would surely have been crushed into the ground.

At this moment, the earth continued to convulse, undulating like waves, the affected area growing wider and wider. The county residence had completely collapsed and shattered, the fate of many members of the imperial envoy’s entourage unknown. Ye Jinglan and Xiao Ziyin did not possess Gu Mo’s ability to float in mid-air, so they could only constantly use their Qinggong to swiftly dodge and flee into the distance.

Gu Mo floated in the air, his gaze sweeping around but unable to locate his opponents. From his elevated position, he could clearly see that the city’s buildings formed a large formation, and the enemies were hidden within it.

“Zither!” Gu Mo reached out. Gu Chudong on the city wall immediately threw out the Demonic Zither. In an instant, the Demonic Zither arced across the night sky like a meteor, landing in Gu Mo’s hand.

“Let’s see how long you ground rats can hide!” Gu Mo snorted coldly and plucked a string. The string suddenly tautened into a straight line, vibrating in his palm with fine ripples. A sharp, glass-shattering sound suddenly filled the air. The first to explode was the clock tower three streets away. Its dome melted like sugar in the sound waves, and its bronze hour hand shattered into hundreds of spinning blades, which, upon embedding into the wooden wall of the opposing tavern, rang with a metallic clang.

Immediately after, Gu Mo rapidly plucked the zither strings. Sound waves spread in a fan shape from him, causing the bluestone slabs beneath to undulate and tremble like water, and the deeply buried rock veins emitted groans of unbearable strain. The entire city seemed trapped within a violently shaken crystal goblet. Consecutive roof tiles flew up like black butterflies, shattering into dust mid-air.

Those who had been using the terrain to hide could no longer conceal themselves. A dense tide of people, one to two thousand strong, surged out from all directions, led by the black-robed figure wearing a skull mask. Gu Mo couldn't identify the masked black-robed figure for certain, but by observing the people beside him, he could confirm that the figure was likely Ye Nantian. Gu Mo had seen portraits of high-ranking wanted criminals from the Moon Worshippers Cult, and at that moment, he saw three of the Seven Guardians standing respectfully behind the black-robed figure. It wasn't hard to deduce that the black-robed figure was Ye Nantian.

“You are Ye Nantian!” Gu Mo asked.

Ye Nantian stood atop a tilted tall building, his black robe fluttering in the wind, appearing very imposing. He emitted a muffled voice, “Precisely, I am the Cult Master. Gu Mo, I…”

Before Ye Nantian could finish his sentence, Gu Mo extended his hands, and two swords flew to him. One, entirely white, landed in Gu Mo’s left hand—his Too-Void Flying Sword. The other was the Abyssal Rainbow Sword, which settled in his right hand. In that instant, the world within dozens of zhang turned black and white. Gu Mo instantly teleported before Ye Nantian. With the Too-Void Sword in his left hand and the Abyssal Rainbow Sword in his right, he unleashed both "Hundred-Step Flying Sword" with a vertical strike and "Traverse the Eight Directions" with a horizontal slash simultaneously.

Sword shadows danced like solitary stars wandering the night sky, rapidly expanding in Ye Nantian’s pupils. Ye Nantian didn't even perceive how his opponent moved; his gasp caught in his throat. A white fissure rent the black-and-white world, not as a flat line, but as a tangible tear in space, revealing a flowing river of starlight behind it—sword energy that should have been a hundred zhang away now pressed against Ye Nantian’s throat. The air around the blade compressed into translucent prisms, each facet reflecting Gu Mo’s cold, icy image, as if a thousand versions of him simultaneously lunged forward.

In a flash of sword light, Gu Mo had already appeared behind Ye Nantian. Ye Nantian’s body erupted in streaks of blood, then instantly shattered into pieces, exploding in a shower of gore.