Chapter 63: The Five Sects Wage War Against the Demons

The following day, the gates of the Prince Xiang's residence in Yan City remained firmly shut, but now two guards from the Purple Yu Guard stood vigil outside. With men clad in the distinctive robes of the Purple Yu Guard stationed at the door, ordinary citizens dared not approach. Yet the passersby, driven by curiosity, wondered what could be happening within the palace. By rights, Prince Xiang should not have arrived in Yan City at this time. Given his status, his arrival would surely be marked by open city gates and the entire host of officials and nobility lining up to welcome his entry. Thus, speculation grew among the people, fermenting into rumors, though none dared go beyond mere conjecture.

The territory that had once been the village of Autumn Words had now become two sizable districts within Yan City, named Yong’an Ward and Xuanyang Ward. Song Ye’s small courtyard was located in Yong’an Ward. The governor’s office and the Eastern Market lay along the main thoroughfare between these two districts. The governor’s daily work began at dawn, roughly equivalent to seven o’clock in the modern world. Upon arrival, attendance would be checked—a practice called “answering the summons.” To avoid being late, Song Ye set his “alarm clock” for the earliest hour, about six o’clock in the morning.

That morning, as usual, the “alarm” emitted a piercing clang. Song Ye immediately opened his eyes and called out into the courtyard, “Hei Zai, stop banging!” Indeed, Song Ye’s so-called “alarm clock” was none other than his spirit beast, the black tree. He had placed a gong in the yard and trained the tree to strike it with its powerful limbs every morning at dawn. Hei Zai, the black tree, was uncannily sensitive to time: it never missed a beat.

After rising, Song Ye would go next door to wake his pampered “heiress,” Song Yan. Barefoot and rubbing her eyes, she wandered out sleepily from her room, only for Song Ye to scoop her up in his arms and carry her to wash up together.

As they washed, the spirit beast interface in Song Ye’s game panel suddenly flashed. He opened it and saw:
[Spirit Beast]: Black Tree.
[Growth Stage]: Second phase of infancy.
[Mood]: Good.
[Skill]: Armament Technique—Dragonbreaker Halberd!

Song Ye remembered that Hei Zai had possessed no skills before; perhaps now, having reached the second phase of infancy, it had unlocked this new ability. Curious, Song Ye commanded, “Hei Zai, use Dragonbreaker Halberd!”

At once, a crescent-headed halberd appeared between the black tree’s two limbs, its shaft entwined with a golden dragon. This was its armament skill. Now equipped with the Dragonbreaker Halberd, Hei Zai seemed to radiate newfound majesty, twirling the weapon several times right then. Even the armored black ram in the courtyard, seeing Hei Zai’s display, kept its distance. Clearly, with this new skill, Hei Zai’s power had soared by several levels. Its duties would no longer be limited to chasing off insects or serving as a clock; it would now be a formidable guardian.

Having risen early, Song Ye had plenty of time. After leaving home, he took Song Yan to the Eastern Market to buy steaming hot buns for breakfast. Back at the governor’s office, after answering the roll call, Song Ye led his “street patrol sidekick,” Song Yan, and began their day’s rounds.

Song Ye’s daily beginner quests remained unchanged: [Fishing] and [Slingshot Bird Hunting]. He would sneak off to a small pond in his ward to fish whenever he had a moment, either after work or during a break. Bird hunting was simpler; he could always pull out his slingshot from his pack and shoot down a bird. As for the daily random tasks, they varied each day.

That morning, while patrolling the Eastern Market, Song Ye happened upon Zhang Zixuan out shopping. Before Yan City was built, she had gone to Frost City for supplies, then made a special trip to Song Ye’s small tea stall in Autumn Words Village for tea and sesame cakes. Now that Yan City was complete and much closer to the Celestial Palace, Zhang Zixuan came directly to Yan City for her shopping. Unfortunately, Song Ye’s tea stall was gone, and she could not enjoy his homemade sesame cakes. A few days prior, she had joked with him, urging him to quit his official post and reopen his tea stall in the Eastern Market. But Song Ye was practical; previously, his tea stall had been the only one in the village, so he had a monopoly and could earn a modest living. In today’s bustling Eastern Market, his humble stall would not stand a chance.

Thus, it was the steady government post that ensured Song Yan a secure and comfortable life. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Zixuan’s expression suddenly turned grave. She leaned in and whispered, “Brother Song, in your patrols these days, if you encounter unfamiliar faces who seem difficult to deal with, keep your distance. Don’t provoke them.”

Song Ye sensed something ominous and asked, “Why?”

Zhang Zixuan glanced around before whispering, “A month ago, the Seven Stars Sect found traces of the Blood Sword Demon Lord in Frost City. Following their call, the five great sects gathered at the Celestial Palace to launch a ‘Five Sects Demon Hunt,’ testing their ability to coordinate in battle. Yet after a month of investigation in Frost City, no trace of the Blood Sword Demon Lord was found. The Seven Stars Sect had quietly sealed off the region, so they are certain he hasn’t escaped. If he’s not in Frost City, he may well be hiding in Yan City!”

Song Ye laughed, “Then you needn’t worry. I’m just a lowly street patrol officer, dealing with petty vendors. Unless the Blood Sword Demon Lord sets up a stall here, I won’t cross paths with him.”

“Zhang Zixuan, I’m more concerned about your progress in cultivation. My sister is nearly five. In eight years, I plan to hand her over to you as her teacher!”

Zhang Zixuan replied confidently, “Brother Song, rest assured. Eight years from now, I will surely earn my Immortal Master qualification!”

Three days later in Yan City, rumors grew ever more widespread that Prince Xiang’s family had already moved into the new palace in secret. Some had spotted renowned healers of the cultivation world entering the city, and all these healers ultimately went to Prince Xiang’s residence. Thus, speculation spread that the prince’s mysterious daughter—never seen in public—had fallen seriously ill, prompting so many healers to pay her a visit.