The same scenario occurred simultaneously across villages in Qinghe. Yang Lingrui and his group eliminated mountain ghosts while distributing evil-repelling talismans to villagers and hunters. News quickly spread that the Songshan Yang Family’s Masters had entered Qinghe to eradicate demons.

“The Yang Family acted? This…”

Tian Yu felt deeply surprised upon hearing this.

The Yang Family was bound by the talisman agreement, and one month wasn’t nearly enough time to produce them. Besides, helping now wouldn’t grant them any benefits from him. Why had they refused earlier but intervened now?

The timing was suspicious—just days after he’d reported the crisis to the dynasty, as Qinghe teetered on collapse, the Yang Family stepped in. It seemed meticulously planned.

A vague sense of dread stirred within him.

As Tian Yu pondered, Gao Hui arrived at Qinghe Town’s office carrying a batch of talismans.

“Don’t panic, Mayor Tian! I’ve convinced the Yang Family to act! They’ve crafted many evil-repelling talismans. The ghostly disturbances are contained, and the people are safe!”

“Mayor Gao?”

Tian Yu hadn’t anticipated Gao Hui’s visit. After a moment’s thought, pieces fell into place. His expression turned conflicted.

On one hand, the dark energy spill in Qinghe shouldn’t have required the mayor of Baishi Town to intervene—Gao Hui’s involvement highlighted Tian Yu’s own failure. Yet he’d genuinely needed outside help to control the situation.

“Just as I thought! Someone must’ve advised the Yang Family. What did Gao Hui offer to make them pause their talisman production?” Tian Yu mused.

Though resentful internally, he forced a respectful bow.

“Thank you, Brother Gao! Qinghe’s people owe you their gratitude!”

“Don’t mention it. Towns under the dynasty’s rule must cooperate. I merely did my duty.”

Gao Hui spoke with earnest magnanimity while Tian Yu’s eyes glistened with emotion. Whatever their hidden motives, both maintained flawless façades.

After their exchange, the two headed straight to Sanglu Valley.

With talismans protecting Qinghe’s villages temporarily, they could now confront the dark energy’s source.

At the valley entrance, Tian Yu gaped at the Yang Family’s forces—six Gathering Qi cultivators stood present. Notably absent was their Master, implying seven total. Though four were merely first or second level, seven Gathering Qi cultivators—including a sixth-level mid-stage cultivator—overwhelmed all other factions in the three towns region.

“Greetings, Mayor Gao, Mayor Tian.”

Old Yu turned and bowed with the Yang juniors.

“No formalities needed, Senior Yu! We should thank your family!”

Tian Yu rushed to clasp Old Yu’s hands before Gao Hui could react. “The Yang Family’s demon-slaying actions honor righteousness! Qinghe’s people thank you. Proper compensation will follow once this ends!”

With the situation at this point, Tian Yu shifted tactics, focusing on how to align with the Yang Family to seize back control from Gao Hui. Yet he never truly grasped the core of the matter, rendering his efforts futile.

Old Yu smiled and waved dismissively. “No need for compensation, Mayor Tian. The Yang Family’s juniors have long been under Mayor Gao’s care. Since he came personally to ask, we’ll naturally assist.”

Tian Yu’s cheek twitched as he forced an awkward smile. Behind him, Gao Hui wore a faint smirk before stepping forward. “Senior Yu, how fares the valley?”

“The Zhang Family’s formation nears collapse,” Old Yu replied gravely. “The evil beings will emerge in under half a month. Bring your Qinghe Town cultivators here, Mayor Tian. We must contain this threat.”

“Agreed!” Tian Yu clenched his teeth. Resolving this before imperial envoys arrived might lessen his punishment.

Sanglu Valley had three exits. Old Yu guarded the southern main road with Yang Linghu, Wu Tong, and Zhao Qi. Tian Yu’s group took the western path, leaving the eastern route to Gao Hui, Yang Lingrui, and Liang Yi.

Zhao Qi had originally been assigned east with Yang Lingrui, but after whispering to Old Yu, he swapped places with Liang Yi. When Gao Hui inquired, Yang Lingrui shared tales of Zhao Qi’s legendary growth, earning Gao Hui’s respect. “Better he stays with Old Yu then,” Gao Hui concluded.

At the main entrance, Wu Tong meditated to calm herself. Observing her, Yang Linghu approached to offer reassurance – understandable anxiety for someone who’d only begun Gathering Qi a month prior.

“Um, Wu Tong?”

“Yes, Senior Brother Linghu!”

Their eyes met, and Yang Linghu instantly realized his mistake. Instead of fear, Wu Tong’s gaze burned with barely restrained excitement.

“I… overexerted myself fighting mountain ghosts earlier,” she explained. “Master said to stay vigilant against evil beings, so I’m cooling down.”

“Ah, my concern was misplaced.” Yang Linghu’s expression turned serious. “Don’t take risks. Lure any threats to me if needed.”

Wu Tong’s poor affinity for Five Elements techniques had led Old Yu and Yang Lingqing to assign her the Force Technique instead, with Yang Linghu as mentor. Officially, this leveraged his expertise. Unofficially… the nineteen-year-old youth and eighteen-year-old girl made a suitable match.

After ten days guarding the valley exits, dark energy erupted violently. Old Yu raised his magic disc. “They come! Ready yourselves!”

A bestial roar shook the valley as a shadowy figure burst forth – Zhang Tianfeng, uncle to Zhang Yao, his features twisted by dark energy. At sixth-level mid-stage Gathering Qi, the corrupted Zhang Family elder resembled a mindless puppet. More Zhang-turned-Evil Spirits followed, red eyes gleaming.

Old Yu’s gravity technique smashed Zhang Tianfeng back into the valley. “Survival first against these foes!” he shouted before pursuing his target.

From eastern and western paths emerged more evil beings. Among them, Yang Lingrui recognized Zhang Yao – now a shriveled fourth-level Gathering Qi wraith, his deformed face frozen in despair. They’d clashed before at the Yang Family’s northern mines, where Yang Lingrui had prevailed.

As Gao Hui moved to engage, Yang Lingrui stepped forward. “We sparred once, you and I. Let me end your torment now that the Zhang Family falls.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep