Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 628 Suspicion

"I see... Now that you put it that way, I understand a bit more." Zhong Yunxiu said thoughtfully. "I was wondering... how could someone master such an extremely troublesome and time-consuming unorthodox method as beast taming in such a short time..."

She has finally unraveled a mystery that had been weighing on her heart.

Kill You Shang and repel Fang Jiulian.

The explanation using the term "bloodline awakening" is barely acceptable.

After all, this is real combat power. Those with powerful bloodlines can indeed increase their combat power in a short period of time once they awaken.

This can be explained and is consistent with Han Yi's behavior.

However, there is one point that cannot be explained clearly using the concept of bloodline awakening.

That was the skill he displayed when he besieged You Shang, in controlling the wolf pack.

There is indeed a bloodline that is naturally compatible with demonic beasts.

However, high favorability doesn't guarantee the ability to command large groups of beasts. To achieve this, one must at least have mastered the art of beast taming.

Taming, driving, and controlling beasts are three stages that require a gradual progression, with each stage taking more than a decade to master.

In any case, it was not something Han Yi could control.

After all, he has only been in Jingtian Manor for a few short years, and he still needs to cultivate his true skills.

Han Yi had neither the time nor the energy to learn how to tame beasts.

He's only in his early twenties; even if he had been learning beast taming since birth, it wouldn't have been long enough.

Therefore, Zhong Yunxiu had some doubts about this.

Fortunately, Xiaoyue's appearance dispelled her doubts. "Now that you mention it, our Nine Turns Sect was able to survive this calamity thanks to you..." she said with some emotion, stepping forward to stroke Xiaoyue's white fur.

Swish!

Unexpectedly, Xiaoyue nimbly dodged and slipped behind Han Yi, becoming alert.

"Huh?" Zhong Yunxiu was somewhat taken aback.

"It's been like this since it was little, it's always been close to me. Master, please don't mind it," Han Yi explained.

“It was raised by you, so it’s normal for it to behave this way.” Zhong Yunxiu wasn’t angry; she just smiled.

"It has grown bigger... but now it's bigger and has a bigger appetite..." Han Yi sighed.

Since Xiaoyue began to develop, she has grown rapidly, and her appetite has also increased day by day.

What Han Yi lacks right now is precisely food and meat resources. He does have mutant meat-producing crops, but they've only recently migrated here and need time to mature before they can be harvested.

Of course, meat consumption might be slightly better.

In the Black Miasma Mountains, the environment is harsh and everything is lacking except for monsters.

Xiaoyue relied on her own efforts, hunting with the wolf pack, and with Han Yi's efforts to replenish and maintain their supplies, it was barely enough.

However, there is a shortage of food.

"Speaking of food supplies, the grain that everyone brought is gradually becoming insufficient. Have you considered this?" Zhong Yunxiu also looked troubled.

Now that the Nine-Bend Sect has temporarily settled down, the daily consumption of so many people's food, clothing, and daily necessities is not a small amount.

The food and drink we brought with us when we left in such a hurry have mostly been used up.

Xiaoyue is relatively easy to feed; he only needs to hunt demonic beasts, and the meat will fill his stomach. However, having enough meat doesn't mean there's enough food.

Humans can't just eat meat; a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially staple foods, are essential.

Even if it's clearing land for cultivation and replenishing the land, it still takes a lot of time.

Moreover, seeds, fertilizers, and the like also need to be purchased separately.

The consumption of various supplies, in small quantities, requires replenishment from various sources.

"I have a plan for this... but I have to wait... wait for the right opportunity..." Han Yi said in a low voice, revealing his plan.

As Zhong Yunxiu listened, she continuously pointed out the flaws based on her experience.

Soon, a day passed in the blink of an eye.

The three of them split up and began to act according to the plan.

……………

……………

late at night.

Huayang City, General's Mansion.

This area used to be a wealthy neighborhood, but after the new policies, most of the wealthy families either died or fled, leaving only a handful of people. It has fallen into ruin and is devoid of any human presence.

As night fell, a cold wind suddenly rose, and the vermilion doors opened and closed intermittently. Every now and then, someone would report to the authorities that they had seen a hanged ghost on the beam, causing widespread panic.

Finally, Fang Jiulian waved his hand and completely demolished the dilapidated mansion. A huge general's mansion rose up on the spot.

Most of the middle and high-ranking officers in the government army chose to settle here.

Strangely enough, ever since the government troops settled in, the eerie atmosphere that had permeated the streets completely vanished, as if it had been suppressed by a malevolent aura. Black doors and red lanterns, two enormous stone unicorns crouched on either side of the gate, glaring menacingly and majestically.

Beyond the red plaque that reads "General's Mansion," there is a continuous stretch of black and white buildings.

Soldiers patrolling with torches passed by from time to time, appearing like flickering points of light, creating an atmosphere of exceptional tranquility and peace.

Inside the central hall, the lights were on, and there were quite a few people coming and going.

The main hall doors were wide open, with four vermilion pillars supporting the black roof. Behind them was a picture of the God of Wealth, whose golden ingots gleamed in the light.

This room appears to have been decorated and used by a wealthy businessman before. Although the exterior has been renovated, the interior furnishings have not been changed at all.

"Ninth Company, how are your injuries?" Kou Hu frowned as he sat above Fang Jiulian.

"My injury is nothing to worry about." Fang Jiu was wearing a black beast-face armor with sharp spikes that gleamed coldly.

He said coldly, "Teacher, I've found out that Han Yi is just a wandering bloodline disciple, and has nothing to do with the governor of Liuquan Prefecture. During the last manhunt, no one expected that a mere Nine Curves Sect would produce a second-awakened bloodline member."

Now that I've fully recovered from my injuries and am carrying the Blood Forbidden Cone, I'm going to storm the Nine Curves Gate. If I encounter that Han fellow again, I'm confident I can take him down within ten rounds. Once Han Yi is eliminated, the others will be as easy as slaughtering chickens and sheep.

This is the first time Fang Jiulian has suffered such a great loss in all his years in the industry. How can he swallow this insult?

So, as soon as his injuries healed, he volunteered to retaliate.

“Hmm…” Kou Hu frowned. “Nine-Company, have you forgotten the first lesson I taught you? Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Now that the Nine-Bend Sect has retreated into the Black Mist Mountain, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. If we rashly provoke trouble, it is easy to repeat the death of You Shang.”

“But…” Fang Jiulian understood this principle, but was clearly unwilling to accept it.

“Ninth Company, you must know that Jingtian Manor is not like the Green Robe Alliance or other evil and underworld organizations. This time, with the split of Jingtian Manor, four people died, one surrendered, and one fled. Many people have already begun to criticize me.”

"Things can't be done three times. Last time we forced Jingtian Manor to split, and this time we've taken over most of its branches. If we make a move again, I'm afraid the governor and his ilk will immediately petition to replace the commander of the prefectural army."

Kou Hu said helplessly.

If they were to encounter a force like the Green-Clad Alliance, no matter what methods the government troops used, even if he personally took action, no one would interfere.

But Jingtianzhuang is an exception.

Moreover, before that, Jingtian Manor was one of the five major forces in Yunzhou, alongside the Fujun (Prefectural Army), and was a well-known righteous sect.

Therefore, after this incident, many of Kou Hu's acquaintances and friends sent letters one after another, questioning him and inquiring about the reasons. In particular, the Three Mountains Sect, the Myriad Flowers Palace, and the Shouyi Temple, all of the five major powers, sent warning letters, accusing him of disregarding old friendships, being ruthless, and ungrateful. If there is a next time, the three sects will definitely unite and write to the Yuanmiao Sect to check and balance the government army.

The rabbit dies, the dog grieves.

Everyone witnessed the disintegration of Jingtianzhuang and feared they might become the next victim.

Each of these three individuals might be less powerful than Kou Hu on their own, but when they are combined, the government army is greatly constrained, and Kou Hu is hampered at every turn.

Even many long-established figures in Yunzhou were awakened by this incident and joined together in protest.

Not only that.

Kou Hu knew that, in addition to these martial arts forces, some officials under the governor were also watching him.

They were just waiting for him to make the first move and reveal a weakness, so they could bring him down. Therefore, he couldn't move, nor dared to move, and was under immense pressure.

"So... we're just going to leave it like this...?!" Fang Jiulian clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh.

“It’s not that we’re just going to let it go… it’s just that the timing is wrong.” Kou Hu said, “We’ve already listed the people from the Nine Turns Sect as wanted criminals, haven’t we? There’s nothing in the Black Miasma Mountain, they’ll come out sooner or later… that will be our opportunity.”

Or at the very least, wait until this storm passes and everyone gradually forgets about it, then you can lead your team again to annihilate the Nine Turns Sect's branch.

"This... alright...!" Although Fang Jiulian was unwilling, he could only nod and accept Kou Hu's decision.

"Teacher, putting aside the matter of the branch lineages, what about Jing Tian Manor... and Zhao Ziyang's main branch... are you not going to do anything about it either?"

In Fang Jiulian's view, since things have developed to this point, completely breaking ties with Jingtian Manor and eliminating any future troubles is the best option. "As for Zhao Ziyang... we can only deal with him slowly..." Kou Hu said with a bitter smile.

This incident was sudden and swift; taking down most of the branches of Jingtian Manor in one fell swoop was already the limit. If they continued to attack the main branch of Jingtian Manor, some so-called reclusive masters would likely emerge to purge the martial arts traitors.

Kou Hu possesses a large portion of his strength, but it all comes from his martial arts talent.

“Nine-Company, these branches of Jingtian Manor are usually quiet and seemingly ordinary, but each one is extremely lucrative and rich in resources, enough for us to consume for a while. As for Zhao Ziyang… he wants to live, right… let him enjoy himself for a few days… it’s not too late to make a move after this storm has passed.”

A cold glint flashed in Kou Hu's eyes.

"Alright, I'll follow your instructions, teacher." Fang Jiulian suppressed his emotions, bowed, and took his leave.

But just as he was about to leave, Kou Hu called him back. "Ninth Company, do you remember what I told you before? A general must consider the big picture. I know you want to avenge yourself on Han Yi... Having hatred, a goal, and motivation is a good thing, but you must also be mindful of the timing..."

Kou Hu paused.

In his opinion, Fang Jiulian's crushing defeat this time was not necessarily a bad thing. Fang Jiulian had achieved early success and had a smooth and rapid rise in his career, but too much success in life is not good. Experiencing some hardship would be beneficial to his future development.

"Teacher, I understand." Fang Jiu listened attentively.

"The main point now is..." Kou Hu hesitated, considering whether to speak.

After a long pause, he finally spoke softly, "Ninth Company... do you know that the one from Dongyang Academy... is here too..."