487 Tonight at midnight

Looking at the various expressions on the faces of the people below, some frowning, some deep in thought, and some with flickering eyes.

Clearly, some of these people do not fully believe what they say.

Guo Jing didn't pay any attention. He changed his tone and said in a deep and stern voice, "The Crimson Flame Demonic Sect is not that terrible. They are all a group of selfish and self-serving people."

As long as we keep them out, that's fine, but there are definitely cult members inside the city who can help us. Don't panic. Hold your positions.

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly. Guo Jing then said seriously, "However, their ability to incite unrest is extremely formidable. Each of you must keep a close watch on your respective areas. If you discover any troublemakers, kill them without exception, better to let the guilty go free."

Someone, unable to bear it any longer, asked, "What about the outer city?"

Before he could finish speaking, his sharp gaze seemed to as if he had committed an unforgivable crime. She immediately fell silent.

The patriarchs and elders all nodded in agreement. They then formed groups and returned to their respective territories to guard their posts.

"If Patriarch Qiu has any friends in the outer city, bring them in quickly, otherwise it will become increasingly difficult to get in as you go further in," Patriarch Jin, who was traveling with them, advised in a low voice.

Then he whispered mysteriously, "In the afternoon, the surrounding roads were blocked off. I heard that the prefect sent people out to check, but none of them returned. He then sent the city guards to go in person, but less than 20% of them came back."

I've heard that Patriarch Guo has personally investigated the area, and the inner city should be safe. Patriarch Qiu should understand this.

The burly Qiu family head, wielding a large iron hammer, showed a slight change in expression and reluctance upon hearing this. "But there are still hundreds of thousands of people outside the city. If we ignore them like this, who knows how many will be left after tonight?"

The Jin family head shook his head slightly, a complex look in his eyes, and comforted them, "The Crimson Flame Demonic Sect slaughtered an entire county not long ago. This time, they're only doing this because they're wary of the Guo family head and the forces in the city's desperate resistance. Otherwise, we'd probably be their food too."

Outside the West City, Vice Leader Lu Shuang exuded an imposing aura, her eyes growing increasingly crazed, and wisps of flame were almost out of control. Her body was exquisitely sculpted, and a gaunt elder beside her stared wide-eyed.

Vice Sect Leader Lu Shuang slowly turned around, gently unbuttoned a button, and said softly, "Elder Shan, are you dissatisfied with my decision?"

The gaunt Elder Shan strained to avert his gaze, bowed slightly, and said, "Master, please forgive me. Your decision has its reasons. I was merely thinking that a direct blood sacrifice would be faster."

Elder Lu Shuang smiled sweetly, her face flushed as if she were drunk, and approached Elder Shan, whispering, "Has the news been released?"

Elder Shan's face flushed red, and he looked nervous. He immediately said, "They've all been released. Those who believe in my Crimson Flame Cult, if they receive a statue, will kneel and worship it for one night. Tomorrow they can receive ten eggs and a liter of coarse rice."

Looking at Vice Leader Shuang, he nodded in satisfaction, admiring her exquisite face, proud figure, and long legs.

Elder Shan continued with a laugh, "To make these common people believe it was true, he even arranged for several subordinates to behead the leaders of several gangs in the market. These people were both crying and laughing."

Hearing that not only could they obtain eggs, but they could also become stronger, they were all eager to rush back and kneel in worship. Tonight's harvest is sure to be bountiful.

He moved a little closer, inhaling the unknown fragrance, completely captivated, and whispered, "Master, the Xuanji Sect will probably be discovered very soon, at the latest by tomorrow. Shouldn't we hurry up?"

Vice Sect Leader Shuang chuckled softly, "I thought Elder Shan was unhappy that I refused to let the inner city families leave. Turns out he was worried about me so much. I'm truly delighted. Why don't you come and have a seat, Elder Shan?"

Elder Shan felt a mix of fear and excitement, his eyes glazed over.

Elder Shuang had already turned and left. Inside a large, quiet mansion, the entire family, including servants, were kneeling and worshipping a statue—the Crimson Flame Demon Statue—with fanatical eyes.

The Crimson Flame Golem was ferocious and menacing, its black exterior interspersed with streaks of red, as if red flames were burning from its heart, encircling its body and overflowing outwards.

The people in the compound, all neatly arranged, knelt and bowed. They knelt for an unknown amount of time, their knees feeling neither pain nor numbness. They only felt as if they were no longer hungry, had become thinner, and had become stronger.

The wisps of blood, or strands of it, were quickly inhaled into the statue.

After the Frost Cult Leader disappeared, Elder Shan's expression returned to calm, and he murmured, "So urgent, are you injured?"

In Xizi Prefecture, an eerie mist shrouded the roads leading out of the city. From the inner city to the outer city, everything was slowly being enveloped.

The fog was so thick that one could only see within a foot of the ground when stretching out one's hand; beyond that, there was no sign of anyone.

A dried-up, abandoned well leads to a remote, uninhabited area outside the city. The moonlight gradually fades, unable to penetrate the thick fog.

With a rustling sound, a group of four people quietly emerged from the well. One of them was an old man with a solemn expression, his aura restrained, and a long sword held in front of his chest as he carefully looked around.

The other three were two men and one woman, all young, with varying expressions—some displeased, some serious. The woman, about eighteen, looked worried. All three were dressed in close-fitting clothes, holding swords cautiously, their skin delicate and fair.

Silently following behind the old man, they had only walked three steps from the well when the old man turned around. Suddenly, a fog rolled in behind them, and the other three had vanished without a trace.

"Grandpa Huang, I'm here." The woman who had just stepped out from the mist emerged quietly, her expression calm and her face slightly pale.

Grandpa Huang didn't relax at all. Three steps away from the woman, a flash of light appeared, and the blade's energy whistled as it slashed towards her. The woman had no time to dodge, her eyes filled with fear. In a moment of stunned silence, she was cleaved in two.

The knife cleaved through his body as if it were slicing into mud, sinking in instantly from top to bottom.

The frivolous man, his face full of dissatisfaction, had only taken two steps when he heard an eerie silence behind him. He turned around abruptly and saw the young lady of the prefecture, whom he had been longing for day and night, had somehow followed him. She was dressed in a light purple coat and looked at him with tender affection.

His eyes were expressive, as if saying, "Come with me," and he turned around gently.

"Wait for me!" She quickened her pace and chased after him.

The Deputy Leader of the Frost Sect stood on the rooftop, watching the various scenes in the city from afar. Wisps of blood energy were constantly gathering, coming from all directions, not only from the outer city but also from the inner city.

A slight smile played on his lips as he said softly, "Those who are unwilling to accept their fate, once they gain even a little power, are like tigers released from their cages. Don't you think so?"

Elder Shan nodded slightly, a hint of worry in his voice. "Besides the prefect's strength, which we haven't fully grasped, there's also Guo Jing. He was once full of vigor, but at forty, he failed to break through to the Martial Emperor realm, damaging his body. He hasn't made a move in years; I wonder what his current strength is."