Chapter 423: Finally Realizing Something Is Wrong
When Yu Luo mentioned “one thousand taels” of silver, it wasn’t just Zhang Hu who was shocked—everyone around them widened their eyes slightly in disbelief.
However, as they looked at the fallen brothers who had given their lives to protect Luo City, no one voiced their astonishment.
Yu Luo knew this amount was exceedingly high, but these men had fought to protect Luo City when they didn’t have to. They were only doing a job, earning the wages she provided them. Yet, she refused to shortchange them or their families.
If their families could be found, it would be best. If not, she wouldn’t even have the chance to repay these men who had sacrificed their lives for Luo City.
“Understood. I’ll have someone look into it immediately,” Zhang Hu responded.
Yu Luo nodded, then walked toward the bodies of the fallen, kneeling down without hesitation and bowing three times, knocking her forehead against the ground.
“Today, I will avenge you.”
After silently making that vow, Yu Luo rose without hesitation and headed straight for Feng City.
At that moment, besides Chi Jinchen, no one understood Yu Luo’s actions or where she was going.
Today happened to be the day of an auction in Feng City, and many people were traveling there.
No one knew that the beast horde had been meticulously orchestrated as a disaster for Luo City.
The schemers believed that even if they couldn’t completely destroy Luo City in one go, the chaos would deter those planning to visit for the auction, weakening Luo City’s influence.
More importantly, this beast horde would turn Luo City into a joke among the martial world.
As everyone eagerly awaited nightfall to enter the auction hall, an unexpected commotion broke out.
A massive flock of flying beasts suddenly swarmed over Feng City like a barrage of arrows, their shrill cries piercing the afternoon air.
The cacophony startled the brothel courtesans from their midday naps, causing a wave of panicked screams to erupt.
Hearing the disturbance, the city guards immediately relayed the information to the city lord’s manor.
Upon receiving the report, Xing Yong’s expression darkened instantly.
“Are you certain?!”
“Second Master, I swear it’s true! The brothers guarding the walls and patrolling the city have already begun shooting them down, but there are too many! It’s as if they’re being controlled. Even though we’ve killed many before they could enter, the rest are relentlessly diving into the city. Shops have been forced to close, and some people have been injured.”
“How is this possible? Those beasts were supposed to be heading for Luo City! Why did they pass over Luo City and come to Feng City instead?!”
Before Xing Yong could devise a response, Third Master had already lost his composure. Like Xing Yong, his face was filled with panic as he muttered to himself.
“Send more men! Drive these beasts out at all costs!”
Xing Yong ignored Third Master’s rambling and promptly issued the order.
The subordinate immediately left, using lightness skill to gather reinforcements. Xing Yong then turned toward Third Master, his expression more severe than before.
“They said the wall was already breached, and the beasts would reach Luo City soon. What the hell is going on?”
Being questioned so directly, Third Master looked bewildered. He wanted to know the same thing!
“This task was handled by Lao Wu and Lao Liu. Just a quarter of an hour ago, they reported that Luo City had dispatched thousands of men to intercept and slaughter the beasts, and many of their people were injured in the process. I have no idea how this could have happened!”
Seeing that Third Master had no answers, Xing Yong lost patience and cut him off.
“Au Shang! Head to the Stone Tribe immediately and request their beast tamers to assist us! If we don’t eliminate these flying creatures before nightfall, the damage tonight will be devastating!”
“Yes, sir!”
From the shadows, a man named Au Shang stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Xing Yong, then disappeared in a flash.
“Second Brother, even if Au Shang’s lightness skill is exceptional, the Stone Tribe is thousands of miles away. Can they even make it in time?”
“We hired them to direct the beast horde toward Luo City. They shouldn’t be too far from here yet. With Au Shang’s speed, he should be able to catch up with them in less than an hour.”
Hearing this, Third Master finally felt slightly relieved.
“We should go check the situation ourselves. Tonight is the auction, and many distinguished guests will be attending. If they get hurt, it will reflect poorly on Feng City’s reputation.”
In the end, Xing Yong couldn’t sit still any longer and decided to inspect the city himself.
At this moment, he still held onto a shred of hope—maybe he was overthinking.
Perhaps this was just a small group of stray beasts that had wandered from Luo City to Feng City.
Even if there were a few more than expected, Feng City’s forces should be able to handle them without waiting for the Stone Tribe’s assistance.
However, his hopes were soon crushed.
Before they even reached the city center, the sight before them was like a nightmare.
The sky above the city was so densely packed with flying beasts that it resembled a massive black storm cloud.
Their piercing cries were so deafening that even from miles away, Xing Yong and Third Master could hear them clearly—without needing to use their internal energy.
As they took in the horrifying scene, Third Master’s face turned ashen.
“This… how are there so many?! Are these beasts insane?! In all these years, we’ve never seen anything like this. Why are they all here today?! Shouldn’t they be in Luo City?!”
He turned to Xing Yong, seeking reassurance. But seeing Xing Yong’s deeply furrowed brows, Third Master felt an increasing sense of dread.
“Greetings, Second and Third Masters!”
As Xing Yong was about to press forward, another figure rushed toward them at high speed.
“What’s the situation? Have we not deployed enough men?!”
“Second Master! We just dispatched another two thousand reinforcements, including a thousand archers. But… but it’s not just the flying beasts—massive ground beasts are also charging toward Feng City!”
The moment these words fell, Third Master’s face turned deathly pale. Even the always-composed Xing Yong clenched his fists, his expression dark and stormy.
Finally, he realized this wasn’t just an accident.
“Mobilize every brother in Feng City! Drive the beasts out immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
The subordinate quickly took his orders and used lightness skill to depart. Meanwhile, Third Master stood by Xing Yong’s side, his expression fluctuating like a painter’s palette.
“S-Second Brother… how could this happen? Could all the beasts meant for Luo City have come here instead?!”
(End of Chapter 423)
