My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

When Chu Lengyu found Lüyun, she was busy with Huang Yi and others, and the surrounding area was bustling with activity.

Together, the people built simple shelters to provide temporary refuge for the displaced people.

The shelters were hastily built from rough wood and thatch. Although simple, they could temporarily protect the wind and snow.

Lin Jiuxiao led the people from Xuanzhen Temple to the scene upon hearing the news. The commotion that had been made earlier was too great for him to remain indifferent to.

Besides them, there were many other people who came to help spontaneously, including the Lin's Trading Company.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Chu Lengyu explained her upcoming plans.

She will head north to inspect the border situation, and then quickly tour the Great Xia territory to investigate demonic energy. She will not return for several days.

She told Lin Jiuxiao and the others in advance simply because she was used to it.

At this moment, Lin Li stepped forward.

He took out a bronze plaque, which was the patriarch's token of the Lin family and had extraordinary significance.

"The Lin Clan Chamber of Commerce has branches all over the Great Xia. If Miss Chu needs anything, please feel free to give the order," Lin Li said solemnly. "Once this order is issued, no one in the chamber of commerce will dare to disobey."

Chu Lengyu thanked him and accepted the bronze plaque.

Organizations like trading companies are very convenient to borrow.

Master Lu gazed in the direction Chu Lengyu had gone, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

After the light of his escape completely disappeared into the horizon, he slowly turned around, faced the crowd, and said in a heavy tone, "Everyone, if demons run rampant, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Miss Chu to protect us all by herself."

The Great Xia Dynasty was vast and had a population of nearly 100 million.

If several demons appeared at the same time, Chu Lengyu wouldn't have the ability to be in two places at once.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned serious, each lost in thought.

Master Lu mentioned this to prepare everyone mentally for the possibility of even greater casualties in the future.

As for Lü Yun and the others, who are closest to Chu Lengyu, they need to realize these things as soon as possible and change their mindset.

Master Lu stroked his beard, thinking to himself that he should write a letter to the Jade Cauldron Pavilion to explain the situation.

Neither the Ten Directions Forest nor the Misty Mountain can remain aloof any longer.

Leaving the capital city, Chu Lengyu rode a silver streak of light, speeding northward like a ray of light.

High above, the cold wind howled, but it did not affect her.

At that moment, an army suddenly entered the range of her divine sense.

It was the Zhenbei Army returning to the capital in triumph.

Rows of black flags fluttered in the cold wind, like dark clouds pressing down overhead.

Prince An rode atop a tall horse, his eyes filled with arrogance as he surveyed the distance ahead.

Her divine sense swept over them without lingering, and the silver light flashed past their heads without them noticing.

As we ventured deeper into the north, the scenery gradually became desolate.

More and more homeless people came into view along the roadside.

They were dressed in rags, their exposed hands and faces covered in frostbite, shivering in the freezing winter weather as they struggled to survive.

Some people are huddled in a corner fully clothed, perhaps taking a nap, or perhaps already fast asleep.

In towns and cities, although the government set up porridge distribution points, the meager donations were undoubtedly a drop in the ocean for the vast number of displaced people.

The few buckets of thin porridge distributed each day were instantly snatched up by the throngs of people who rushed to the scene.

In the crowds and chaos, many were trampled to death.

She kept an eye out for any traces of demonic energy along the way as she continued north.

……

The next morning, the scouts sent by Prince An arrived in the capital city ahead of time.

The scouts were taken aback by the scene in the capital city as soon as they entered.

Along both sides of the street, every household had hung white banners, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere.

The shops were closed, the streets were deserted, and there were few passersby; everyone looked haggard.

The scout was shocked; such a scene was as if the emperor had died.

He hurriedly dismounted, gripped the reins tightly, and anxiously asked the city gate guards what had happened in the city.

The guard sighed and slowly said, "Yesterday, demons ravaged the city, and countless people died in the capital. Alas, if you don't believe me, just keep going forward, and you'll see it for yourself."

The scouts, of course, did not believe the claim of "demons running rampant."

He remounted his horse and rode slowly, while inwardly speculating with disdain which powerful figure had committed some shameful act, using the guise of demons to burn down houses and exterminate families to cover up the dirty deeds.

The scouts continued on their horse and discovered that the scene on both sides of the street was quite different from what they had seen before.

The once bustling market is now desolate, with shops closed, broken tiles scattered on the streets, and a faint smell of burning.

As he ventured deeper into the city, the scout's heart began to race, and what he saw forced him to believe the guards' words.

Because Chu Lengyu took away the inanimate objects, a huge open space appeared in the capital city, where teams of government officials were busy at work.

Their mouths and noses were covered with white silk cloth, and they were moving several bodies covered with cloth together.

Beside each pile of corpses, someone was responsible for piling firewood and lighting it, billowing black smoke and filling the air with a nauseating smell of burning.

Many people dressed in mourning clothes witnessed the burning of their loved ones' bodies, crying out incessantly, and a desolate atmosphere permeated the air.

The scout dismounted again, grabbed a government official who was about to leave, and asked anxiously, "What exactly happened? Why has the capital city become like this?"

The officer stopped and glanced at the scout, recognizing him from his clothing as a member of the Zhenbei Army.

He sighed wearily and explained, “Yesterday, demons suddenly attacked the capital city. The Prefect of the Capital is organizing us to dispose of the corpses and prevent the spread of disease. The whole city is now in mourning, bidding farewell to the unfortunate dead.”

After saying this, the official patted the scout on the shoulder, told him to take heart, and then went back to his work.

The scout looked on incredulously.

Could it be that the legends aren't false? Are the demons real, and is the dragon's aura real too?

But he did not forget his mission, and eventually left with a lot of doubts.

He decided to report what he had seen and heard to Prince An truthfully, but he would leave the matter of the "monster" aside for the time being.

After the scout rode away, the officer whispered to his colleague, "The Zhenbei Army will be back soon."

His colleagues had been moving corpses for half a day, and were almost numb in body and mind. When they heard the name of the Zhenbei Army, they just smiled perfunctorily and did not want to make any comments.

Previously, the people of Shenjing were eagerly anticipating the return of the renowned Zhenbei Army, but right now everyone is too preoccupied with other matters.

The officials then anxiously sought out the Prefect of the Capital, who was directing operations from a makeshift wooden platform, his voice hoarse from shouting.

Upon hearing his subordinates report that Prince An's scouts had arrived in the capital, the Prefect of the Capital remained silent for a moment before saying in a hoarse voice, "Just do our own job."

What Prince An wants to do is naturally up to His Majesty.

The Duke of Zhenguo is gone, who will be next?