The Demon Swordsman 3
Ch. 171 - The Last Greeting

The crowd again rang out outside the courtyard of the Rain Temple, the overcast morning was horrendous with the arrival of Shi Long Xu along with dozens of his bodyguards. In the weeks since his father's death, much has happened and Shi Long Xu has returned to politics in the Wei Empire. Although he had once been made a fugitive by the rebellion he had crushed, now there seemed to be no other leader more worthy than Shi Long Xu.

The morning welcome was done with some special rituals and ceremonies, Luo Mei prayed for the good of Shi Long Xu. Xin Chen and Lang only followed the small event until finally the prayer was done, Shi Long Xu came to the two. His facial water was so bright, and his own appearance was much neater than before. No more dull creases, now changed with formal clothes which of course expensive.

But the man did not change, the principle was that the price could not be replaced with anything as luxurious as anything.

The drizzling rain fell soaking into the small stones all over the Rain Temple. The cold of the air in that place was supplemented by the cold of the stormy wind from the north. In the Fifth Temple whose building was located in the middle of the region, Shi Long Xu and the others sat down while having a little chat.

Shi Long Xu said in happiness that was still plastered on the face, "I'm grateful that you're fine, I'll make sure your return is safe, my friend."

"No need to bother."

"For my brother from a far country, I never felt bothered. But there are some things to be aware of if you want to go back now ..." Shi Long Xu turned serious. "The border and liaison lines between the Empire are now entering the stage of emergency surveillance. That's why I set up a special line for you guys, I've made sure it's safe."

Lang seemed to disagree. "How can you guarantee it's safe? You check it yourself or just a report from your subordinates? One of them could have betrayed."

Lang's honest talk made an instant atmosphere of silence, "We have many enemies here. If once caught, it is not just life that is at stake. You won't be able to handle this problem if you grow up."

Of all the people no one was able to stop Lang from speaking. Xin Chen saw that there was a point that Lang had said, going back again to the name of the clan that Xin Chen had. His identity is the only crucial thing that should not be at stake. Perhaps in this place the only one who knew of his true identity was Qin Yujin. The rest are the defectors. Luckily, no one revealed anything about his identity.

It actually occurred to him, why Qin Yujin did not do that; dismantling his identity and making him hunted for entering secretly into the Wei Empire.

But that man would be impossible to guess. Crazy ideas and crazy plans all along have always been beyond human reason. Or maybe the man already resembled a beast, there must be a grand plan that Qin Yujin would carry out. For that Xin Chen should not just calm down.

"You mean, Mr Wolf?" The person behind Shi Long Xu was slightly offended, his face was extremely unpleasant. Lang woke up, his huge body could sweep through one room easily. He drew closer to the human who spoke earlier, bringing the face closer. His sharp fangs look ferocious, if the wolf was wild, he would have died torn apart by the claws and sharp fangs.

"Perhaps if it is Shi Long Xu, I can still believe it. But people like you ... Your body smell is rotten, let alone your heart."

The man kisses his own body while Lang returns to his place. After ruining such a happy atmosphere earlier.

"If something happens on the street, Shi Long Xu, will you swear to kill these people?"

Shi Long Xu was surprised by what Lang had just said, Xin Chen interceded.

"Please don't take your brothers to heart, Lang is only worried about traitors among us. But if it's true that things are going safely, I don't think this deal is necessary."

Then came Shi Long Xu's indecisive reply, "I swear I'll kill them if that happens."

"But-But Sir-" One of them worried about the decision he had taken, Shi Long Xu held up one hand telling him to stop talking, "If there really isn't a traitor between us, then this deal doesn't matter. I agree with you, Mr. Wolf. But if one of us had gone astray, I would not have forgiven his life. I've been through a lot of hard stuff behind me. And as for those who will be my close companions for this Empire, I will treat them with utmost care."

"While the payment for my rules is their lives." The cover Shi Long Xu spoke created tension on the faces of the bodyguards behind him.

Xin Chen smiled, Shi Long Xu is a leader whose softness of heart cannot be compared to but at the same time sharp beyond knives. Shi Long Xu got up from his seat, extending a hand towards Xin Chen who also stood up.

"Come back safely. May goodness always be with you."

"For you too." He welcomed the hand as he returned Shi Long Xu's smile.

**

Never thought the return journey would be such a difficult obstacle, Lang or Xin Chen could reach the border between the Empire and between the forest roads that were one hundred percent safe from guarding.

Xin Chen and Lang had been on the outskirts of the Shang Empire, at the very end and far away from Fanlu City. They just need to continue their journey home. The medicine that Luo Mei had given her had been kept as well as possible, there were three equal bidders that Luo Mei had made just in case.

"Finally ..."

Xin Chen couldn't describe what her happiness was like anymore. After fighting with something terrible in the Wei Empire that made him miss the city of peace without being infected. He took a deep breath, this journey has been completed. At least they had been in the Shang Empire.

Lang looked over, stopping his steps. A little more they will meet the guard post of the Shang Empire. There was nothing to worry about actually there, but the sadness on Xin Chen's face at that time left him perplexed.

"Why?"

"No, I only feel sorry for the people in the Wei Empire. They want a normal life like we do. As simple as clear water and crowds in the market. I ... Want to bring back what they lost."

"You did it."

Xin Chen frowned.

"Where is it possible."

"Changes can't be made that fast, Shi Long Xu took years to recover. Your job is just to make a big bang that will create that change. Until the time comes, I'm sure they'll be back at peace."

Lang turned his head around, "But at least I'm a little calm, Shi Long Xu's men don't do weird things to us-"

"But I saw it" Xin Chen said as he continued on his way home, since he noticed many irregularities.

"They called off the attack. Most likely, Qin Yujin is still hunting us. But if it were to deal with lives, those people would not dare to make a deal with the enemy."

He said with caution. "I'm sure 'he' won't just shut up. We should always watch his movements. Don't let go."

Lang added, "Before he dies, there will be no such thing as safe."

A wide street opened, dozens of white posts with the flag of the Shang Empire fluttering along the edge of the road. Upon seeing the two enter the territory, dozens of soldiers came immediately. Seeing a foreign figure in all-white clothes carrying a wolf demon whose face was creepy.

"Stop!"

Xin Chen stopped, unwilling to complicate matters by ignoring orders. The examination was done quickly, they were asked many questions.

"Geez, this stupid thing can't you recognize who this guy is?" A warrior head came over to them, his face reddened in annoyance. He clapped three soldiers one-on-one with the handle of a sword.

"He is the son of the Demon Sword, aka Second Young Master Xin, aka Xin Chen! Eyes moved to the legs, what?"

"A-fortune chief. Where do we know about it."

One subsequent flutter swarmed their heads, the man told them to go back to work and apologized to Xin Chen. "I'm sorry, just so, the boy just entered the soldier yesterday."

"Thank you for helping us."

"Ah, it's okay. After all, your brother and father always come here to ask if you have returned. I'm looking forward to the same thing too. Good news to see you home. If you allow me to drive you home to Fanlu City. We've got a lot of rides and chariots, so you don't have to be tired anymore."

"No, but thanks for the offer."

Xin Chen and Lang immediately agreed to go straight to the harbor before nightfall. The boat usually sails after evening.

But the plan to go home was thwarted by a disaster that suddenly came at the border post. An attack in the forest takes place that makes the soldiers a victim.

The screams for help echoed loudly. Xin Chen and Lang stared at each other. This is what they fear. The man might have been chasing up here to attack them.

The head of the border warrior immediately chased up followed by Xin Chen and Lang, screams echoing even more as the other survivors fell.

Upon arrival at the scene, either Xin Chen or Lang were startled by the sighting of a terrifying demon within the forest. His claws and fangs look terrible, his eyes are glowing and his body is quite large. He walked over, started attacking the soldier's head.

The demon began to open its mouth, revealing a row of its sharp teeth capable of tearing apart prey of any thickness. The man shouted loudly.