Black Mountain, Demon Hunting Department.

Ye Jing, the current Demon Suppression Bureau Chief, appeared to be in his thirties, looking troubled as he held his forehead, gripping a Jade Scroll, frowning and silent.

Below the hall, the entire Demon Hunter Patrol of the Black Mountain Demon Hunting Department rushed back and forth in the long night without a moment's pause.

Just now.

Demon Suppression Bureau Chief Ye Jing issued an order.

He instructed all patrols of the Demon Hunting Department to activate the array hubs in the Inner City's 'Four Regions' and initiate the 'Great Zhao Official Mansion's' Demon Avoidance Array.

This array was established at the heart of the city when the fortress town was first built; once activated, it is capable of resisting the attacks of third-step demons.

However...

It can only hold for a short period, using it to call for help.

Over time, the vast place would inevitably become merely 'bones of the tomb.'

"Director Ye, you are from the 'Baoping Mansion,' serving as this 'Demon Suppression Bureau Chief,' so your sources are likely more informed than those of us from remote areas."

"Did you... receive any news?"

"Why did you suddenly summon all 'Demon Hunter Patrols' and activate this Demon Avoidance Array?"

Leaning on a dragon-headed staff, Elder Chen Zhao, clad in a scarlet guardian uniform, was flanked by his second and third sons, namely Black Mountain's Eighth Rank Military Commander 'Chen Jing' and Ninth-Grade Government Department Head 'Chen Zhenwu.'

One donned an iron armor, appearing stern, the other wore a deep black patrol coat, eyes filled with worry.

Previously, Jixia chose not to take up the role of 'Black Mountain Guardian,' fearing too much attention, leaving Chen Zhao to continue.

In this room now.

Gathered were the four true chief officials of Black Mountain City.

Any decision they make will ultimately determine the life and death of both Inner and Outer Cities of 'Black Mountain.'

"Alas..."

Upon seeing the newcomers, Ye Jing sighed.

"The 'funeral' at Xie Mansion, you all are aware, aren't you?"

Chen Zhao nodded.

Xie Qiaoxuan came from afar, was wounded by a third-step Primordial Pill 'Deceitful Sea Yaksha' during the siege of Wutong Prefecture by the 'Xuanqing Demon Vein,' and fell at dusk in Xie Mansion; they all had heard of this.

Demon Hunting Bureau Chief Ye Jing might not know why 'Elder' insisted on coming to Black Mountain, but he knew Jixia's identity, thus holding some understanding.

"Wutong Prefecture has fallen."

Ye Jing spoke startling words.

"Now, it is occupied by 'Ancient Splendor Demon Monarch,' with numerous orthodox sects and prestigious families in the city either surrendering, fleeing, or being imprisoned collectively in 'Wutong Prison.'

"This Demon Monarch refrained from large-scale slaughter, seemingly the Demon Ancestral Court intends to restore the order from a century ago, making demons and Half-Demons wield power anew."

"Chen Guardian's message sent to 'Prefecture City,' vanished like a rock thrown into the sea, simply because... Wutong Prefecture Government Office has been conquered; now replaced by a demonic mansion established by the 'Xuanqing Demon Vein.'

"In other words, Black Mountain City now stands as a solitary fortress."

Ye Jing's eyes were heavy:

"According to the news conveyed to me via the 'family's' Jade Talisman."

"'Xuanqing Demon Monarch' Ancient Splendor's most humiliating experience was the extermination of 'Xuanqing Demon Vein,' and related to those past events are Yunluan Mountain, Zither Sword Pavilion, Wutong Xie Family, and former 'Xuanqing Guardian' Duan Jiang."

"Yet decades ago, Guardian Duan, after attaining the Primordial Pill, ascended to the State Mansion, and fell during the first 'Baoping Chaos,' valiantly sacrificing himself, thus leaving only the other three families."

"Among them, Yunluan Mountain is beyond his courage to approach, moreover his past enemy... the one who drove him to flee, is now a key figure in the 'Demon Ancestral Court'—Song Brahman Mirror, hence he must pretend not to notice."

"The remaining ones... he redirected his fury toward the other two families."

"Heard that the second generation of the Xie Family, who once pursued him—the elder 'Xie An,' has been nailed by the scapula, confined within 'Wutong Prison.'

"His son, the Xie Family's sole Primordial Pill Master, the top third-generation 'Xie Bridge,' escaped with remaining forces, whereabouts unknown, leaving behind only ruins of a once centuries-old heritage."

"People return with glory, settling old scores, correcting grudges; such is human nature, and so too is it with demons."

"And Xie Qiaoxuan the Elder, the backbone of the Xie Family, having nurtured the one-time 'Half-demon Prefecture Venerable,' naturally won't be spared by the vengeful Xuanqing Demon Monarch."

"What's worse, after stabilizing Wutong Prefecture, the Xuanqing Demon Monarch, noticing the resurgence of 'Black Mountain Celestial Abyss', developed greed and contemplated intervening!"

"Thus his forces, dispatching the 'Deceitful Sea Yaksha,' along with a direct-blood Dragon Son, born from him and a 'Master of the Cave' of the Ten Thousand Beasts Alliance, leading 'Eight Hundred Demon Army' here, treating Black Mountain City as a 'Trial Ground' for training his offspring."

"Besides the 'Xie Qiaoxuan' Elder, and that mysterious expert by Jixia's side, no third-step remains in this grand Black Mountain City."

"Therefore..."

"I could only send numerous 'Demon Hunter Patrols,' to first protect the 'Inner City, and as for the layer upon layer extensive Outer City... alas!"

"Elder Chen, isn't there quite a connection with that Jixia? Could he be persuaded to lend a hand!"

"Thanks to the Black Mountain Celestial Abyss's movement, those who perished therein from 'various households and sects,' even amidst the chaos enveloping Baoping State, upon hearing this news, surely won't remain apathetic."