They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 95 Black Bear Spirit

The Black Wind River meanders like an ink ribbon, its waters deep and almost black, gleaming eerily under the blood-red sunset. Jagged rocks line its banks, and in the distance, the shadowy Black Wind Mountain looms like a crouching behemoth, exuding an ominous aura.

The army set up camp by the river. Li Jing looked at the well-organized camp and stroked his beard with satisfaction: "Good! The itinerary is correct! At this speed, we will be able to bypass Black Wind Mountain by tomorrow noon!"

A few days ago, he was worried about the journey, but now that the army has arrived here, he will not miss the opportunity to fight. The capture of this evil spirit is obviously a solution to the key problem.

Several lieutenants quickly echoed,

"General, you're incredibly fast!"

"Yes, yes, it's all thanks to Commander Chen for capturing that ferocious demon, otherwise we would have been delayed for five days just by guarding against it, and we wouldn't have made it in time to reunite!"

"Indeed, Commander Chen is truly a lucky star for our army!"

They knew that Chen Guangrui and Li Jing had a close relationship, and that Li Jing disliked flattery. Therefore, flattering Chen Guangrui was more effective than flattering Li Jing directly.

Upon hearing this, Li Jing frowned and snorted, "Hmph, it's just luck. A civil official happened to get lucky. Don't overpraise him!"

Although he said that, he had a smile on his face.

Back in Chang'an, he unexpectedly requested permission to take Chen Guangrui on a military expedition, which allowed Chen Guangrui to go on the expedition with a rank of fifth grade.

This matter had long been criticized. Especially after Chen Guangrui arrived in the army, Li Jing ordered that Chen Guangrui not be given any tasks and that everything be left to him. This caused some discussion within the army.

Now that Chen Guangrui has "captured" the evil spirit, Li Jing is no longer afraid of what others might say.

But when the word "fierce demon" was mentioned, his face darkened again. "Has that demon confessed? What is his relationship with Black Wind Mountain? What has he been doing these past few days?"

The lieutenants looked at each other, and one of them, forcing a smile, answered.

"Reporting to the general, we have tortured him day and night, using all kinds of instruments of torture. We have broken countless bones, but that beast... his jaw is clenched so tightly that he hasn't uttered a single word! The soldiers are discouraged and are thinking of simply killing him as a sacrifice to the flag."

"Kill him?" Li Jing flew into a rage upon hearing this, slamming his fist on the table.
"Useless! After days of interrogation, they haven't gotten a single thing out of us, and they still have the nerve to talk about killing us? What about Chen Guangrui? He's being interrogated too, but what have they gotten out of him?"

Another lieutenant cautiously replied, "Lord Chen... is still persisting in the interrogation. Everyone else has given up hope, but he... still refuses to give up."

"Hmph!" Li Jing frowned, saying nothing, but he also felt that he wouldn't get anything out of this demon.

Deep within the military camp, in a secluded execution tent, the pungent smell of burning flesh assaulted the senses. Broken armor pieces lay scattered on the ground, and bloodstains still flowed on the dry grass, the heavy, acrid stench of blood almost unbearable.

A hideous head hung low, chained to a rack, its body a bloody mess, covered in charred branding marks and deep, bone-revealing wounds.

Clearly, the severe torture these past few days had caused this little monster a great deal of suffering.

Come to think of it, this evil spirit has been ambushing and killing people for several days in a row. The guards in the camp hate him to the core, so it's no wonder they wouldn't hold back when they make a move.

Chen Guangrui slowly walked into the tent, covered his nose with his sleeve, and stared intently at those eyes, which were filled with resentment but remained tightly closed.

"Still won't tell? Your bones are harder than the rocks of Black Wind Mountain."

The demon let out a muffled groan, then fell silent, like a stubborn rock.

It's been several days now. This evil spirit has come and never uttered a word. It doesn't even open its mouth. It even keeps its mouth shut when meat with a bloody smell is placed right in front of it, as if it would die if it opened its mouth.

Chen Guangrui was unwilling to give up and tried to win him over again, "You're so stubborn, just for that black bear spirit? Do you think he really cares about your loyalty?" He deliberately mentioned the black bear spirit at this moment in order to break through his psychological defenses.

But the demon didn't react at all, not even lifting its eyelids, as if it didn't recognize the person at all.

What kind of will is this?
Chen Guangrui frowned slightly, feeling a bit frustrated but also somewhat impressed by the black bear spirit's methods of controlling his subordinates.

He decided to bluff one last time.
"I have a magic weapon. If you are sucked into it, you will be turned into pus and blood in no time, leaving no trace of your body or soul! If you don't speak up, I will have to take you down."

The evil spirit remained as stubborn as a clay or wooden sculpture, its silent obstinacy almost putting Chen Guangrui in an awkward position.

Just then, the muddy ground in the corner of the tent suddenly loosened!
"puff!"

Suddenly, a head popped out of the ground. Who else could it be but Yuan Shoucheng?
Chen Guangrui was startled by the commotion. Upon seeing who it was, he couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
"Master Yuan, you are supposed to be a person with Taoist cultivation, so why do you always prefer to crawl underground and use the main gate? Is this disgracing your status as a living immortal?"

He became acquainted with Yuan Shoucheng and didn't stand on ceremony with him.

Yuan Shoucheng had no time for jokes. He scrambled out of the ditch, grabbed Chen Guangrui's arm, his voice trembling and urgent, almost tearful.

"Oh my, Scholar Chen, you're still joking around when the fire is raging! Quick, come with me! You have to run for your life! You may die, but before you die, you have to help me get that Third Prince Dragon out!"

He spoke so many words in a row without even pausing for breath; he must have been really anxious.

Seeing his sincerity, Chen Guangrui suppressed her smile and asked in confusion, "What's the matter that you're so panicked?"

"What is it?" Yuan Shoucheng stamped his foot anxiously.

"The Black Bear Demon is coming to cause you trouble. He's coming in person! My God! You kidnapped one of his little demons, haven't you stirred up a hornet's nest? That Black Bear Demon's power is so great that ten of us combined wouldn't even be enough to fill his teeth! Aren't you going to run? Stay here and wait to die?"

Chen Guangrui's eyes narrowed. "When will he arrive? Today?"

"Do we have to pick a date? Maybe..." Yuan Shoucheng's words were cut short.

scoff!

The tent flap was suddenly flung open by a strong, powerful hand.

A figure dressed in ordinary Tang army leather armor walked in with his head down. The man was not tall, but the plain leather armor subtly revealed a strong physique.

As if sensing something, Yuan Shoucheng shuddered violently. Forgetting everything else, he stared wide-eyed at the soldier, his fat face draining of color instantly, his voice weak and feeble.

"Why are you still running, Scholar Chen? Your creditors are here. Look at this, they've already come to your door."

He gripped Chen Guangrui's sleeve tightly, pointing tremblingly at the seemingly ordinary soldier who had just entered the tent.

The "soldier" slowly raised his head. His dark, unassuming face had a pair of slender eyes that gleamed with a sharp light and hinted at a fierce expression, which were fixed on Chen Guangrui.

The air inside the tent instantly froze.

I've been trying to increase my daily posting from 6,000 to 8,000 words recently, and it's been a bit challenging. I'll continue to adjust and try to adapt as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)