The courtyard fell into a dead silence.

The household officer quietly retreated after delivering the message, not daring to linger here.

Qin An gently turned the wine cup with his fingertips, raised his eyes and asked, "Is there a change in the Hunter Conference?"

Yang Qing looked puzzled, shook his head and said, "I don't know either, but since it's an order from Mr. Zhou, we should comply."

The Hunter Conference has been held in Xunyang Prefecture for many years, and the regulations have always been fixed.

This sudden change left even an old hand like Yang Qing, a veteran prefecture general, at a loss.

Qin An thought for a moment, stood up and said, "In that case, let's set off immediately."

He originally thought the Hunter Conference would end smoothly, but unexpectedly, complications arose.

This change aroused some curiosity in him.

Since the order had been issued, the two naturally did not continue drinking.

After that, Yang Qing and Qin An rested briefly, then went out to gather all household officers and headed straight for Cangnan Mountain.

As for the subordinates imprisoned under Qian Yong at Zizai Mountain, other prefecture generals would come to take them into custody, without them having to worry.

...

Cangnan Mountain, located more than two hundred miles east of Xunyang Prefecture.

Peaks and ridges are layered, lush with forests, originally a paradise of birdsong and fragrant flowers.

But at this moment, Cangnan Mountain was very different from usual.

At the foot of the mountain, a large number of prefecture generals accompanied by household officers had already surrounded the entire mountain, leaving no gap.

Besides the prefecture generals, there were also ten silver prefecture generals standing solemnly.

With such tight defenses, not even a bird could escape.

Zhou Yuanfeng stood with his hands behind him, his gaze sharply scanning the mountain top.

Beside him, several prefecture generals awaited orders.

A short distance ahead of him, nine silver prefecture generals shared the same expression, showing no sign of relaxation.

A silver prefecture general with double hooks on his waist asked in a deep voice, "What is the situation?"

Another silver prefecture general shook his head and said, "Give him three days to think it over. If he still has no intention to surrender, then we will go all out to annihilate."

Zhou Yuanfeng heard his colleagues' words, his gaze unchanged, still staring at the peak of Cangnan Mountain.

Occasionally, during their exchange, prefecture generals would arrive.

Horse hooves echoed around Cangnan Mountain.

Suddenly, Zhou Yuanfeng, who had remained motionless, finally changed his posture.

He turned his head, slightly shifted his body, raised his eyes and scanned a position, beckoning towards that area.

Since there were only ten silver prefecture generals here, Zhou Yuanfeng's action immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Following the gaze, they saw a young man in black clothes, hand on a straight blade, walking slowly.

The man came to Zhou Yuanfeng, clasped his fists, and said, "Humble subordinate greets Mr. Zhou."

Several silver prefecture generals' eyes sparkled as they looked up and down at this unfamiliar prefecture general.

Zhou Yuanfeng is considered a leader among the silver prefecture generals, having forged an immortal foundation with a Supreme True Elixir, yet due to certain reasons, permanently stayed in the Outer Elixir Realm.

But his power in the Outer Elixir Realm is extremely formidable.

Usually, Zhou Yuanfeng's personality is as cold as ice, but now he shows special respect to a prefecture general, which is indeed puzzling.

Zhou Yuanfeng still looked indifferent, turned and walked towards a secluded area, leaving behind a single sentence.

"Follow me."

Qin An tapped the scabbard with his fingertips, thought for a moment, and then followed.

The silver prefecture generals did not hide their actions, their eyes followed Qin An closely, scanning him repeatedly.

Qin An seemed oblivious.

After arriving at a secluded spot, Zhou Yuanfeng paused for a moment, then bluntly asked.

"Was this trip smooth?"

Qin An nodded and said, "Fairly smooth, although some disciples of Zizai Sect were injured, fortunately no one died."

Zhou Yuanfeng's eyes showed no surprise: "Indeed, it didn't exceed my expectations."

If Qin An couldn't complete such a task, he wouldn't deserve Zhao Wuhuan's high regard.

Qin An remained silent, simply standing there.

Zhou Yuanfeng released his hands from behind him, let them hang at his sides, and said lightly, "The Hunter Conference has changed, you and Yang Qing are responsible for guarding, do not let a single demon escape."

Qin An asked, "What change?"

Since the conversation had come this far, he had no hesitation.

If Zhou Yuanfeng was willing to talk, he would understand the situation.

If he was unwilling, then he would complete his task diligently.

Zhou Yuanfeng paused briefly, then slowly said, "A demon has disrupted the regulations and seeks to stir up trouble, so it must be eradicated, but before that, we should give it a chance."

"A chance?" Qin An asked, "What chance?"

"That demon is called Zhu Lie, a Pig Demon at External Elixir Realm Perfection."

"His force was once eradicated by the Evil Extermination Bureau, and now he has gathered remnants and occupied Cangnan Mountain, slaughtering many sects along the way."

Zhou Yuanfeng's tone paused slightly, then spoke coldly, "He disrupted the tacit understanding of the Hunter Conference."

Qin An understood in his heart.

He had actually already figured out the unwritten rules of the Hunter Conference.

Both parties are using this opportunity to reap benefits.

Although there are gains and losses, these are controlled to a certain extent.

But this Pig Demon named Zhu Lie broke this rule.

Too many sect forces were wiped out by the demons he gathered.

Sometimes, when rules are established, as soon as someone breaks them, they can hardly escape death.

Qin An pursued, "Why not directly launch an offensive on Cangnan Mountain?"

There are now ten silver prefecture generals, each a master in the Outer Elixir Realm.

Adding his subordinates, prefecture generals and countless household officers, attacking Cangnan Mountain would be a piece of cake.

No matter how many followers that Pig Demon gathers, it's just like putting arms before a car.

Zhou Yuanfeng sneered, "The world says pigs are the stupidest creatures, but the truth is the opposite. Pigs have brains smarter than many people, and become even smarter after transforming into demons."

"Upon arriving at Cangnan Mountain, he captured a hostage, a hostage from the Alchemy Master Alliance, who is friendly with Xunyang Prefecture's Evil Extermination Bureau, and so we gave him a chance."

Alchemy Master Alliance?

Qin An raised an eyebrow.

This name felt somewhat familiar to him.

Back when the Yang Elixir was being refined in Lingzhou, the central state had conveyed through someone that Ge Feng was part of the Alchemy Master Alliance.

It was mentioned that if Qin An were a member of the Alchemy Master Alliance, perhaps there wouldn't be a threat to the Yang Elixir.

However, to Qin An, the straightforward exchange of goods and services with the Evil Extermination Bureau suited him better, which led to many subsequent events.

This shows that the Alchemy Master Alliance has deep roots, so much so that even the Evil Extermination Bureau shows them respect.

This Pig Demon captured someone from the Alchemy Master Alliance, clearly aiming to use this as leverage to force the Evil Extermination Bureau to retreat.

Qin An asked, "What's the plan now? What if the hostage is not released in three days?"

The situation was already clear, so Qin An naturally wanted to understand the decision-making process.

If they were merely guarding, there wouldn't be a need for such a large force to gather.

Zhou Yuanfeng said flatly, "If they release the hostage within a few days, there's a way out; if not, it's a dead end."

"What about the hostage?" Qin An asked again.

Zhou Yuanfeng shook his head and said, "Although the Alchemy Master Alliance has wide connections in Xunyang Prefecture, the Evil Extermination Bureau is still the Evil Extermination Bureau and will not succumb to the threats of a demon."

"We offer them a way out out of respect for the hostage; if they forgo this respect..."

Just as the words fell, a hint of a chilling murderous intent flashed on Zhou Yuanfeng.

"Then wipe them all out! Just bring back the corpses of the Alchemy Master Alliance members."

Qin An's eyes narrowed slightly: "That sounds good."

Although there are intricate plots within the Evil Extermination Bureau of Xunyang Prefecture, its mission to eliminate demons and evil spirits remains unchanged.

Demons might use this as leverage against the Evil Extermination Bureau, but there is a limit to that leverage.

If the limit is exceeded, the only fate awaiting the demons is death.

The Alchemy Master Alliance indeed deserves some respect from the Evil Extermination Bureau, but it's just respect, not fear.

Even if one or two so-called Pill Masters die, the Evil Extermination Bureau would just need to say a few words afterward.

This might cause some dissatisfaction within the Alchemy Master Alliance, but it's something they would not openly express.

"You may leave now; just maintain your position." Zhou Yuanfeng stopped talking and waved his sleeve.

He had called Qin An over just to inform him of the situation.

Though he didn't like those two junior brothers, Qin An was under his command, so Zhou Yuanfeng felt obliged to fulfill this responsibility.

Qin An nodded slightly, said no more, and returned to Yang Qing's side.

By then, Yang Qing had already learned the details from his colleagues and was about to share them with Qin An.

Upon Qin An's return, Yang Qing immediately started talking to him.

Zhou Yuanfeng also returned to the scene and waved his hand, saying, "Everyone, do your duties and hold your positions firmly; after the three-day period and the end of the Hunter Conference, if they don't release the hostages, we will cleanse Cangnan Mountain in blood until none remain!"

There were no objections to this order from the Silver Prefecture Generals present.

Soon after, numerous Bronze Prefecture Generals led their Household Officers, quietly encircling the entire Cangnan Mountain like an iron barrel.

...

Qin An and Yang Qing led their Household Officers, standing guard in a dense forest.

The numerous Evil Extermination Bureau members formed a vast net.

Not even a fly could escape, let alone anything smaller.

The task at the moment was to stand guard, and the two didn't chat idly but patiently waited.

Luckily, this Hunter Conference was expected to last this long, so the supplies they carried were adequate.

Zhou Yuanfeng and the other ten Silver Prefecture Generals dispersed, each leading their subordinates to different spots on Cangnan Mountain.

On Cangnan Mountain, the Evil Qi surged, yet it was deathly silent.

Beneath this deathly calm, an undercurrent was stirring, like the calm before a storm.

The more silent it became, the more intense it would turn.

...

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.

The Hunter Conference officially concluded, and the numerous Bronze and Silver Prefecture Generals began their journey back to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

The pseudo-gods of the demonic forces attacking the various sects quietly withdrew as well.

The losses and gains of this expedition were not scrutinized.

Only Cangnan Mountain remained covered in a somber atmosphere, a sense of heaviness that couldn't be lifted.

Zhou Yuanfeng, in his black attire, raised his head along with the remaining nine Silver Prefecture Generals, gazing intently at the peak of Cangnan Mountain.

True Qi circulated throughout Zhou Yuanfeng's body, making his clothes flutter vigorously.

Zhou Yuanfeng spoke coldly, his voice carried through the air like metal, causing a shower of leaves to fall.

"Zhu Lie, the deadline has passed. What's your decision?"

All the Bronze Prefecture Generals held their breath, patiently awaiting a response from the mountain.

About three breaths later, a thunderous, oppressive voice echoed from the peak, laden with overwhelming Evil Qi, as if it were about to tear everyone apart.

"Scum of the Evil Extermination Bureau!"

"I just wanted a good meal, and you wiped out my entire clan!"

"Today, let's have a life-and-death battle here at Cangnan Mountain!"

"All the demons on this mountain are your victims; it's you or us!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuanfeng's eyes were icy cold, like a tundra, with his hands behind his back as he looked at the other Silver Prefecture Generals: "It seems his death wish is resolute."

One Silver Prefecture General smiled: "In that case, let's fulfill their wish, leaving none alive."

Zhou Yuanfeng nodded and gestured, "Everyone, attack Cangnan Mountain, leave none alive! If any demons use hostages as threats, kill the demons directly. If the hostage dies, the Evil Extermination Bureau will handle the aftermath!"

As his words faded, the Silver Prefecture Generals turned into fleeting shadows, heading towards Cangnan Mountain.

Qin An and Yang Qing drew their weapons, joining the multitude of Bronze Prefecture Generals and Household Officers, surging towards Cangnan Mountain like a torrent.

...

The lush trees shattered into pieces as the multitude of Evil Extermination Bureau Generals charged forth.

The peak of Cangnan Mountain witnessed an eruption of Evil Qi.

Oddly shaped demons swarmed downward like ants.

Leading them were twelve terrifying demons in the Outer Elixir Realm, each surrounded by palpable Evil Qi, making one's skin crawl.

Among them, at the forefront, stood a Pig Demon five zhang tall, covered in black bristles.

The Pig Demon's black bristles were like needles, and its tusks were as sharp as spears, with a ferocity that shook the heavens!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.