I forge eternal life with the Dao seed

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As Zhao Heng entered the city with the other three, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret. However, it was too late to back out now.

Reluctantly, he followed the group to the City Lord’s Mansion located in the southeast of Autumn Moon City.

The so-called city lord was essentially a local magistrate, responsible for managing the city’s affairs.

Since the mission was commissioned by the City Lord’s Mansion, the four of them naturally needed to gather more information before taking action.

Though it wasn’t yet dark, the mansion’s gates were already tightly shut. After knocking for a while, someone finally responded from behind the door.

When they learned that the four were disciples sent by Yuhua Sect, there was a flurry of activity inside, and the gates were soon opened wide.

The city lord, a portly middle-aged man in his fifties dressed in luxurious robes, personally came out to greet them.

“Honored envoys from the immortal sect, you’ve finally arrived! Please, come in!”

He ushered the four into the mansion, ordered the gates to be closed, and personally led them to the inner hall, where a feast was prepared. His attitude was extremely warm and welcoming.

“I am Qiu Hong, the lord of Autumn Moon City. On behalf of all the citizens, I welcome the four immortal envoys.”

Although Qiu Hong was the city lord, he was still a secular official. To him, a major sect like Yuhua Sect was akin to a celestial palace, and he naturally treated Zhao Heng and the others with great reverence.

At this moment, Ye Bufan, who was sitting at the head of the table and acting as the group’s leader, nodded slightly.

“City Lord Qiu, let’s skip the pleasantries. Tell us about the situation in the city. What’s the deal with this so-called ‘gang’?”

Hearing this, Qiu Hong’s face immediately turned sorrowful as he began to explain.

“Honored envoys, you may not know this, but our Autumn Moon City, though a small border town, was once prosperous, with the people living in peace and contentment.

However, not long ago, a group of bandits arrived from who knows where. They disguised themselves as merchants, rented a residence in the city, and pretended to conduct business. In reality, they were trafficking people and committing robberies.

When I discovered this, I immediately sent constables to arrest them. However, these bandits were incredibly powerful and had turned the residence into a fortress. My men suffered heavy losses, and instead of capturing the bandits, we only angered them.

Now, they’ve become even more brazen, committing all sorts of atrocities—rape, plunder, and worse.

The bandit leader even sent me a letter, threatening to take my wife and daughter for his pleasure. If I refuse, he vows to raze the City Lord’s Mansion to the ground.

I am powerless to stop them, and the imperial court has yet to send reinforcements. That’s why I had to seek help from the immortal sect. Please, save Autumn Moon City from this calamity!”

“Outrageous!”

Upon hearing Qiu Hong’s account, Ye Bufan was furious.

“In broad daylight, under the heavens, these bandits dare to commit such heinous acts, even threatening to defile innocent women? They deserve death!

City Lord Qiu, rest assured. Leave this matter to us. We’ll make sure these bandits never leave this city alive.”

Ye Bufan pounded his chest, making a righteous and solemn promise.

Tears of gratitude streamed down Qiu Hong’s face as he thanked them profusely. He then invited the four to a banquet in the inner hall.

By now, it was already late, and even if they wanted to deal with the bandits, it would have to wait until the next day.

The City Lord’s Mansion prepared a lavish feast to welcome the four.

Qiu Hong even brought his wife and daughter to the banquet, seating them at the same table.

When Ye Bufan saw Qiu Hong’s wife and daughter, his previously righteous demeanor faltered, and his eyes began to wander.

The reason was simple: while Qiu Hong himself was rather plain-looking, his wife and daughter were strikingly beautiful.

Both women had fair skin and alluring figures. Though they couldn’t compare to Xu Yanran’s peerless beauty, their seductive charm and bold attire were undeniably enticing to any man.

Especially the city lord’s wife, who was well-preserved and looked no older than thirty. Her voluptuous figure was like a ripe peach, tempting anyone to take a bite.

The mother and daughter sat together like twin lotus flowers, radiating beauty and charm.

Perhaps out of gratitude for the four’s arrival, the pair were exceptionally warm and hospitable during the banquet, actively toasting and engaging with the guests.

The city lord’s daughter seemed to have taken a liking to Ye Bufan, sitting close to him and exchanging flirtatious glances.

Meanwhile, the city lord’s wife, while toasting Zhao Heng, seemed to accidentally—or perhaps intentionally—brush her ample bosom against his arm and even gave his waist a subtle pinch.

Even someone as cautious and self-disciplined as Zhao Heng couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart, silently marveling at the allure of such “Cao Cao’s pleasures.”

That night, after the feast, the four were accommodated in a small courtyard at the back of the City Lord’s Mansion.

The courtyard was quiet and elegant, located in the southeast of the mansion, not far from the eastern city gate and close to the river that led out of the city.

Upon entering the courtyard, Ye Bufan and Xiao Chun’er unceremoniously claimed the two largest rooms.

Zhao Heng, after surveying the area, chose a small side room in the southeast corner, while Xu Yanran happened to take the room next to his.

That night, everyone slept soundly.

In her drowsy state, Xu Yanran heard faint, low groans coming from Zhao Heng’s room next door.

The young girl didn’t think much of it, assuming Zhao Heng was practicing martial arts late at night, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Unbeknownst to the four, that same night, back at Yuhua Sect, hundreds of miles away, a black Demon-Slaying Token was urgently hung on the mission board in the Nine Peaks Mission Hall, immediately drawing the attention of many disciples.

“A human-grade Demon-Slaying Token!”

The appearance of a Demon-Slaying Token indicated that demonic cultivators were causing trouble in areas under the righteous sects’ control, and it wasn’t just the work of a single individual.

Whenever such a token appeared, sect elites would lead groups of disciples to hunt down the demonic forces.

Not only was it a chance to uphold justice, but it also came with generous rewards.

Thus, the appearance of this human-grade Demon-Slaying Token caused an immediate uproar, with everyone crowding around to read the details.

On the token, written in bold red characters, were the words:

“Southwest Autumn Moon City—demonic forces are causing chaos. The situation is critical. Eliminate them immediately!”

“Chirp, chirp!”

The cheerful calls of birds heralded the dawn in Autumn Moon City.

Early in the morning, Ye Bufan, Xiao Chun’er, Xu Yanran, and Zhao Heng set out.

The four arrived at a private room on the second floor of an inn in the eastern part of the city.

Through the window, they could see a large, walled compound across the street, its gates tightly shut.

“City Lord Qiu said this compound is the bandits’ hideout. It’s still early, so we’ll keep watch here to prevent them from escaping. At dusk, when their guard is down, we’ll storm in!”

Ye Bufan stood confidently by the window, exuding an air of certainty.

Beside him, Xiao Chun’er looked at him with admiration.

“Senior Brother Ye, you truly are both wise and brave.”

Ye Bufan smiled smugly, then turned to Xu Yanran, only to find her curiously watching Zhao Heng, who was yawning and struggling to stay awake.

“Senior Brother Zhao, why are you so tired?”

Zhao Heng rubbed his bleary eyes. “I overdid it with my training last night. I’m exhausted.”

Xu Yanran looked concerned. “Will you still have the strength to deal with the bandits later?”

Zhao Heng waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine. With Senior Brother Ye and Senior Sister Xiao here, my meager strength will just be for support.”

Hearing this, Ye Bufan snorted coldly. “At least you know your place. Just don’t get in the way during the operation.”

Zhao Heng nodded obediently, then promptly lay down to sleep.

The group waited in the inn from dawn until dusk. As the sun began to set, the streets were already empty of pedestrians.

The cold autumn wind howled, adding to the eerie silence of the streets. The bandits’ compound remained quiet, with no one coming in or out.

Ye Bufan made a decisive call.

“Let’s move!

Junior Sister Xu, you stay here and keep watch. Junior Brother Zhao, you’ll be at the entrance of the compound as backup. Senior Sister Xiao and I will charge in and eliminate these bandits!”

Xu Yanran and Zhao Heng nodded like obedient chicks.

Soon after, the following scene unfolded.

Boom!

With a loud crash, the gates of the bandits’ compound were kicked open. Ye Bufan stood with his sword raised, shouting, “I am Ye Bufan, a disciple of Yuhua Sect! Surrender now, you scoundrels!”

Not long after, the sound of clashing weapons echoed from within the compound, followed by Ye Bufan and Xiao Chun’er’s panicked cries.

“Damn it, it’s a trap! They were waiting for us! We’re surrounded!”

“Junior Brother Zhao, come help us!”

But by this time, Zhao Heng was nowhere to be found at the entrance.

He had already quietly slipped around to the back door of the compound. He had anticipated Ye Bufan and Xiao Chun’er’s fate.

“Idiots! Charging in through the front gate and announcing yourselves? Were you hoping the enemy wouldn’t have time to set up traps?

I knew they couldn’t be relied on. I’ll have to handle this myself.”

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the compound’s rear building.

A group of rough-looking, menacing men armed with weapons were gathered, their expressions grim as they discussed their next move.

Seated at the head of the table was a burly, bearded man with a fierce expression and a face full of scars. He looked troubled, his brow furrowed.

One of the men below spoke up. “Boss, those two Yuhua Sect disciples are trapped. What should we do now?”

The bearded man cursed under his breath. “These Yuhua Sect disciples, instead of fighting demons, come here to meddle in our business. What a nuisance.”

“Boss, if Yuhua Sect has noticed us, we can’t stay here any longer.”

The bearded man nodded, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

“Fine. Since we’ve come this far, we might as well finish the job. Kill those two Yuhua Sect disciples and make sure there’s no evidence left. We can’t afford to provoke Yuhua Sect.

Also, tell the brothers to gather all the gold, silver, jewels, and women we’ve taken from the city. We’ll move to a new location and continue our fun!”

The men nodded in agreement, picking up their weapons and preparing to act.

However, just as they were about to move, the tightly shut hall doors were suddenly thrown open.

Bang!

The men were startled, their eyes snapping toward the entrance.

There, standing in the doorway, was a young man wearing Yuhua Sect robes.

For a moment, the men were frozen, unsure how to react.

The young man, however, spoke first. “Gentlemen, have you seen my senior brother and sister? They came in here earlier, but now they’ve disappeared.”

The newcomer was none other than Zhao Heng. As soon as he entered the hall, he began asking questions, acting as though he had no idea what had happened to Ye Bufan and Xiao Chun’er.

Hearing this, the men slowly regained their composure. The bearded leader narrowed his eyes at Zhao Heng, an inexplicable sense of danger creeping into his heart.

He forced a friendly smile and said, “Ah, you must be a disciple of Yuhua Sect. Young man, we haven’t seen your senior brother or sister. You must be mistaken.”

“Really?”

Zhao Heng gave them a suspicious look, scanning the room before nodding.

“Alright, I’ll look elsewhere.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

The bearded man’s smile vanished the moment Zhao Heng turned his back. He raised his hand, about to signal his men to attack.

But just as Zhao Heng reached the doorway, he suddenly turned back.

“Uncle, you’re not lying to me, are you?”

His abrupt turn caught the bearded man off guard. The man’s raised hand froze mid-air, and he awkwardly tucked it behind his back, forcing a laugh.

“Of... of course not!”

Zhao Heng nodded, seemingly reassured, and stepped out the door, closing it behind him.

The moment Zhao Heng left, the bearded man’s expression darkened.

“How did that kid get in? Quick, while he’s off guard, send someone to—”

Before he could finish his sentence, crash!

A window on the side of the hall was suddenly pushed open, revealing Zhao Heng’s cold profile.

The men in the hall were startled, and the bearded man broke out in a cold sweat.

“Y-young man, what do you want now?”

Zhao Heng’s expression remained calm.

“Nothing, just wanted to double-check. It seems they’re really not here. Farewell!”

The window closed again, and the bearded man let out a long breath, muttering curses under his breath.

“Damn it, that kid’s like a ghost. He scared the—”

Before he could finish, boom!

The hall doors were kicked open once more, causing everyone’s hearts to skip a beat.

Zhao Heng stood in the doorway again, but this time, he held a jet-black, gleaming dagger with a leopard-head hilt.

“What... what do you want now?!”

The bearded man was on the verge of a heart attack, his frustration boiling over.

Zhao Heng grinned, the blade of his dagger reflecting a cold, menacing light.

“Almost forgot one more thing.”

“What thing?”

“Heh... killing you all.”

[--------------------------------------------]

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