341 The Rise and Fall of the Royal City (Sixty-Nine Chapters)

It's like our companions have finally been saved, we've finally found them, and we've finally brought them back.

He couldn't wait to run ahead and lead the way.

"Thank you, sir. You are truly good people, much better than the soldiers and officers I've seen before. Compared to you, they are nothing but bandits."

If I pass the exam, I will definitely abolish the old system and remove all those who are harming the country.

Yun Heiyi walked unhurriedly behind, listening to the scholar recount the events, and said softly, "The three of you are taking the exam, so you must all be learned people. You will surely turn misfortune into good fortune this time. You don't need to worry, we will definitely be able to rescue your companions."

If you pass the imperial examination with top honors and become a high-ranking official, you must do good deeds for the people.

The scholar was overjoyed upon hearing this, and a wide smile spread across his face. His teeth were finally fully exposed, revealing a ghastly, rotten appearance that made his speech slightly slurred.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you for your kind words. That's what I thought too. I'm quite talented, but I'm only 28. I still have plenty of time to enjoy. It's just that my family is poor, which has delayed me from enjoying it."

The village scraped together the money for my trip to take the imperial examination. When I pass with flying colors, I will definitely exempt the village from corvée labor and taxes, so they can all live a good life.

This is the time to bring glory to our ancestors.

After speaking, he suddenly fell silent. In the distance, there was a dilapidated temple. There really was a dilapidated temple. The gate was tightly closed, and it was pitch black inside. It looked quite old, and the pillars outside were worn out.

Not hearing a sound, the scholar ran to the door, pounded on it, and shouted, "I'm back! I'm back! I found them! I found them!"

The door opened gently, and a man dressed in patched blue clothes, but with a fat head and big ears, looked at the scholar with a fleeting look of disgust.

"Brother Cai," he said happily, "you're back! It's so good to see you back. Just now, a wild beast attacked the door, and the two of us held it off fiercely. The beast couldn't get in no matter what we did, and then somehow it all disappeared."

Then, maintaining her smiling expression, she said, "They must have been terrified when they found out Brother Cai had brought back people; they ran away in fright."

But she pressed her body against the door, determined not to let the scholar in, as if she were afraid of something.

Zhang Dazhuang, dressed in black, and his ten companions stood ten feet away, watching and listening from afar, silent and wary.

Looking at the person in the dilapidated temple, pressed tightly against the temple door, it was clear that he was perhaps afraid of the scholar, but not just afraid of the scholar.

A phrase flashed through his mind: in life, he was probably schemed against by the scholar; in death, he remained cautious and wary of this person and other demonic beasts.

At that moment, a foul, fishy smell rapidly approached.

"Form the formation, be careful!" Yun Baiyi shouted in a low voice.

The other ten people quickly took their positions, forming a specific pattern. Yun Heiyi took the lead, still holding his knife. Zhang Dazhuang, carrying a large knife, grinned and couldn't wait.

A fierce wind howled all around, making the dilapidated temple sway precariously. With a 'bang,' the temple door slammed shut, leaving the scholar outside, trembling with fear.

He whispered, "Open the door, open the door quickly, let me in. I had no choice."

Bathed in moonlight, a creature three zhang tall, with golden, glossy fur, a robust and powerful physique, and a fierce and cruel aura, sent chills down one's spine.

At this moment, it was indeed as light and powerful as the wind, with an unstoppable momentum, hovering three feet off the ground, its fierce eyes fixed on the approaching group.

Its sharp claws were large and powerful, with a cold glint at the tips. A fierce gust of wind followed, carrying a strong smell of blood, which swept over them, as if it had spotted a delicious meal and was scrutinizing it with arrogance.

A slightly surprised, rough voice, tinged with a hint of mockery, came from behind him: "Not bad, not bad, the food you brought back this time is quite good, Little Caizi. You did a good job this time, your blood energy is plentiful. I will reward you well later."

This will make you look more like a decent human being. Work hard, and you'll have a chance to rise above others in the future. Then, beautiful women will come your way.

The scholar, Xiao Caizi, was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and kowtowed. Whether his sincerity was genuine or feigned, he loudly proclaimed, "I greatly desire Lord Tiger's reward! With Lord Tiger's abundant children and grandchildren, and numerous wives and concubines, I am certain I can marry Miss Tiger!"

Uncle Hu, what a name! I wonder if it's his real name or if he's just willing to be flattered like this by a scholar.

At this moment, Old Master Hu was thoroughly enjoying the scholar's flattery. Compared to the average illiterate and uncouth person, this scholar was knowledgeable and shameless.

Although he was somewhat satisfied, his eyes remained fixed on Yun Heiyi and the others, who were watching him intently. His imposing presence, standing three zhang tall, commanded respect as he looked down upon them, radiating a powerful aura of intimidation. He turned his head slightly, his gaze haughty and disdainful, exuding an aura of authority and dominance.

However, they were very alert and did not immediately devour the group, or they struggled and fled before enjoying the food.

There was still a slight sense of threat.

He said slyly in a low voice, "I'm in a good mood today, so you only need to leave half of them, and the rest can leave."

He surveyed the crowd, watching how they made their choices. He had always toyed with the ingredients he had obtained in the same way. Seeing their ugly state before death, it was like watching a live drama unfold.

He thought to himself, 'Humans are truly cunning. I only promised to let you leave, but I didn't say how far. I can easily devour you all later. I'm incredibly clever.'

Looking at the tiger, who was now a demon king, Yun Heiyi felt a longing in his heart—yes, a longing, just like Zhang Dazhuang beside him, who was tightly gripping a large sword.

His desire for war was palpable.

He exchanged a glance with Zhang Dazhuang and said softly, "Take care of yourselves, be careful and vigilant."

The two were in perfect unison, showing no regard for martial ethics, and instantly wielded their swords together, rushing forward at lightning speed.

There were no fancy tricks, only concentrated sword energy, sharp and fast, like lightning, so fast that the air was cut through, making a sharp whistling sound.

Without any attempt to dodge, his attack was a desperate, all-or-nothing strike, incredibly powerful, the blade gleaming coldly, a single swing causing the air to tremble.

Yun Heiyi slashed horizontally at Hu's neck with his sword. The blade was gleaming white and shimmered with light, exuding a wild and ruthless aura.

Zhang Dazhuang, at this moment, concentrated all his strength, which was terrifying. His blade roared like a dragon's cry, and its sharpness tore through the air.

The sword slashed down high, its target the tiger's waist, aiming to cut the tiger in two with a single stroke.

Grandpa Tiger's eyes were contemptuous, but his actions were incredibly swift.