269

Chapter 269: Returning to Cangya City

In a city within Qingzhou, demons roamed, leaving corpses strewn across the collapsed buildings. The blood of the dead splattered on the ruins. Some demons were feasting on the remains of soldiers, ripping out their organs, with limbs and intestines scattered all around.

The survivors were herded into the open spaces of destroyed buildings, huddled together like livestock, trembling in fear. Merchants, scholars, and martial artists, once distinguished by their statuses, now faced the same fate as the demons' prey.

A delicate young lady from a noble family wanted to cry but had her mouth covered to avoid provoking the demons. Their suffering was just noise to the demons.

"Who will save us..."

The survivors anxiously looked to the horizon, praying for the Dayu army to come and exterminate the demons. Occasionally, someone was chosen and taken away to be ripped apart or roasted alive, their screams terrifying those left behind.

In the sky, a figure seated on a fiery beast flew over at high speed. As he approached the city and saw the devastation below, the young man's face darkened. Without any visible movement, a gust of wind suddenly swept through, transforming into dozens of sharp sword auras that moved invisibly and swiftly.

One by one, the demons fell. The remaining demons, alarmed by the sudden change, couldn't see their enemy. Only after many had fallen did they notice the figure seated on the fiery beast above. Terrified cries and pleas erupted, but they were all pierced by the sword aura.

Within moments, all the demons in the city were dead. The surviving demons that were still feasting had their last bites in their mouths as they fell to the ground.

The sudden change left the survivors in shock. Among the martial artists, some who had been hiding and waiting for an opportunity noticed the fiery beast and the young figure above.

"Someone has come to save us!"

"It's a general from the court! It must be a general from the court!"

"That's the general's steed, not a demon!"

As martial artists shouted, the rest also realized the figure in the sky was their savior. Elderly civilians with poor eyesight saw only a fiery glow in the sky, but they knew it was their rescuer, a hero from the court.

The entire city of survivors knelt down, weeping and shouting their thanks.

Li Hao sighed, confirming no demons were left before urging Zhu Huoshen to continue their journey to the next city. Before returning to Liangzhou, he decided to clear out the remaining demons in the cities he had seen devastated.

Some cities had already been liberated by Li's army, while others were still occupied by greedy demons harming the civilians. The faster they recovered these lost territories, the fewer casualties there would be.

Shortly after Li Hao left, two figures flew over, an old man and a young girl. The young girl in blue looked down at the city, raised her hand, and a golden bracelet on her wrist with nine small bells rang.

Black gas rose from the city's corners, carrying wailing and angry roars, which were absorbed into the bells. Once all the black gas was gone, the girl, Ying Xiaoxiao, shook her head slightly at the city's devastation before following the old man away.

After they left, a couple of hours later, the sound of horses' hooves approached, and the flags of Li's army fluttered in the wind. The soldiers entered the city and were surprised to find the demons already slain. The city's martial artists and respected elders reported that a general on a fiery beast had eliminated all the demons.

Upon hearing the descriptions, the soldiers exchanged glances, recalling the scene above Qingzhou City. For decades, they would remember the sight of General Haotian. When asked about the general's name, they did not hide the truth.

Soon, the name Haotian spread among the survivors. Some merchant families proposed funding the construction of a statue in his honor to protect the city and drive away demons.

In less than a day, Li Hao, riding Zhu Huoshen, traveled around most of Qingzhou. After ensuring no more demons were present in the cities, he turned toward Liangzhou.

The next day, in the damp morning fog, Li Hao arrived at the border of Liangzhou. The familiar Longguan Road brought back memories. From the sky, it looked like a dragon extending from the border, with green forests and chirping birds.

Li Hao descended from Zhu Huoshen, who transformed into human form to avoid alarming the city folk. As they walked toward Longguan Road, an old man's voice called out behind them.

"Young man, are you heading to Cangya City?"

Li Hao turned and saw an old man and his grandson collecting herbs, their baskets full of morning-picked plants and mushrooms. He paused, then smiled, feeling like he had returned to two years ago. The old man didn't recognize him, but Li Hao remembered.

"Yes, I'm heading to Cangya City."

"You're on Longguan Road now," the old man shouted, his words echoing from two years ago. Li Hao smiled as the old man waved, wishing him well.

"Good luck to you young heroes on your journey!"

Li Hao smiled, "And I wish you a bountiful harvest."

The old man laughed, waved, and left with his grandson. Brief encounters and simple blessings between travelers. Li Hao watched them leave, then turned and continued toward Longguan Road.

Much had changed in two years. The once dangerous place now showed signs of prosperity. Young people seeking fame brought vitality to the area. While a tea stand was gone, new vendors lined the road. Li Hao walked faster and lighter, feeling like he was returning home.

Old Feng must have waited long, and Qianqian should have reached a bottleneck in her training. I wonder how the little white fox is doing.

As these thoughts filled his mind, Li Hao arrived at Cangya City. The city was covered by a protective formation, its banners bearing his name fluttering in the wind.

Li Hao masked Yuyan's aura, but Zhu Huoshen needed no such worry, as few formations could detect his presence. Entering the city, Li Hao noticed the cleaner streets and more numerous vendors. The city center, though crowded, had a secluded, expansive area with a simple courtyard surrounded by a fence. Elite soldiers patrolled the shadows outside.

Li Hao's spiritual sense scanned the courtyard, seeing a girl practicing swordsmanship. He smiled and sent a message, "I'm back."

The girl, Ren Qianqian, paused, then looked around in surprise. Realizing what had happened, she quickly ran out of the courtyard and saw Li Hao.

"Young master?"

Ren Qianqian was stunned. The young man looked different, but his voice and presence confirmed it was Li Hao. She had heard he was dead, but now he was here.

Tears streaming down her face, she ran to him, crying, "Young master, you're alive..."

Li Hao, surprised, let her cry until his shoulder was soaked. He felt warm inside and said, "Silly girl, why cry? I'm here now."

After Ren Qianqian calmed down, Li Hao led her inside. The elite soldiers, recognizing him, were astonished but didn't interfere. They had believed Li Hao dead, but now he was back, a hero returning home.

Soon, news spread, and the entire city was abuzz. Many came to see him, filling the courtyard with voices. Inside, Li Hao introduced Zhu Huoshen and Yuyan to Ren Qianqian, and asked about recent events.

Learning his doppelganger had disappeared, Li Hao understood why everyone thought he was dead. It might have been due to severing his bloodline or his severe injuries. He planned to create a new doppelganger, as the old one was now too weak compared to his current power.

"Where's Old Feng?" Li Hao asked Ren Qianqian, surprised that Old Feng hadn't appeared yet, even if he was out fishing. He shouldn't have gone far, as he always kept his promises.