Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

It is both an honor and a double-edged sword for such a person to die by one's own hand.

If someone holds a reckoning in the future, he will definitely be blamed, but he has no choice but to take action.

"You haven't offended anyone, but you're blocking their way."

The masked man sighed. It was a great pity that someone like Li Yuan could not die honorably on the battlefield, but instead died in the intrigues and schemes of the imperial court.

"Whose way are you blocking?"

"You're too dazzling."

The masked man said, "He possessed a ninth-level talent, entered the Condensation Realm at the age of seventeen or eighteen, and in the battle of Snow Peak Mountain, he single-handedly killed three demon kings, was promoted to deputy demon-suppressing envoy, and became famous throughout the world."

"His Majesty favors you greatly, and many in the court also think highly of you, recognizing you as a future Grandmaster and a pillar of the nation."

He looked up at Li Yuan and said, "Do you know how many people's path your rise has blocked?"

"Within the Demon Suppression Bureau, some people don't want to see you continue to climb the ranks, and in the imperial court, some people don't want to see His Majesty have another capable assistant by his side."

"Your existence is a threat to many people, so they want you dead and to kill you before you fully mature."

Li Yuan was startled. He had long suspected that someone in the court was colluding with the demon race, but hearing it with his own ears still sent a chill down his spine.

The intrigue and turmoil in the imperial court were more complex and dangerous than he had imagined.

"So," Li Yuan's gaze gradually turned cold, "that in order to kill me, you didn't hesitate to collude with the demon race, sabotage military supply transport, and disregard the lives of soldiers on the northwest front?"

The masked man turned his head away somewhat guiltily: "We're just serving our own masters. As for the demons, it's nothing more than a relationship of mutual exploitation. They want to kill you, and we want to kill you too. We have the same goal, so why not cooperate?"

Li Yuan remained silent for a moment.

"One last question: Who is your master?"

A hint of wariness flashed in the masked man's eyes: "I can't tell you that."

"I'm going to die anyway, what harm is there in telling me?" Li Yuan pleaded in a low voice, "Let me die knowing why, so that I'll know who to hate on my way to the underworld."

The masked man hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but I don't know either. I only know that he is an important official in the court, but as for who he is, I have no idea."

This answer was exactly what Li Yuan expected. The other party was cunning and calculating; how could he possibly expose himself so easily?

"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say." The masked man raised his sword, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. He had already wasted too much time. "You can now rest in peace."

With a flick of his wrist, he thrust his sword forward!

"Snap!"

A clear cracking sound rang out.

What was that sound?

The masked man stared blankly as he looked in the direction of the sound, and a crack appeared on the Soul-Suppressing Mirror in his hand.

"How could that be?"

His expression changed drastically, and he stared at the Soul-Suppressing Mirror in disbelief.

This is a celestial-level magic weapon, why is it like this?

This is impossible!

In that instant, Li Yuan moved. He dodged the masked man's sword with a flash, and his hand shot out like lightning, grabbing the man's wrist.

Starlight and flames erupted simultaneously, and a slash aimed at the masked man's chest.

The masked man's pupils contracted sharply. He never dreamed that Li Yuan could break free from the confinement of the Heaven-Suppressing Mirror.

How is that possible?

Even a cultivator at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm wouldn't be able to break free so quickly.

But he had no time to think. He instinctively tried to retreat, but Li Yuan held his wrist tightly, making it impossible for him to create distance.

In the rush, he could only forcefully activate his true energy to protect his body and withstand the blow.

The blade slashed down.

"puff--!"

The protective aura was easily torn apart, and the blade sliced ​​into the masked man's chest.

Fresh blood gushed out.

The masked man let out a muffled groan, his body trembling violently, his eyes filled with shock. He couldn't understand how Li Yuan had done it.

Li Yuan gave him no chance to catch his breath.

With a finger placed between his eyebrows, a restriction was placed, and then the mask was ripped off.

Under the black cloth, an unfamiliar face was revealed.

He was around fifty years old, his face etched with the marks of time, and his eyes were filled with despair.

He lost, lost inexplicably. He was attacked from both sides by three top masters who had set up a series of traps beforehand and even possessed a valuable treasure, yet he suffered a crushing defeat.

Seeing that things were not going well, the old ape next to him turned around and ran away without hesitation.

Apes are naturally adept at speed, and now, exerting all his strength, he was even faster than lightning, disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye.

Li Yuan glanced at it indifferently and did not chase after it.

The masked man clutched his chest wound, staggering backward as blood gushed from his chest. He looked at Li Yuan with a grim smile: "How...how did you break free of the Soul-Suppressing Mirror?"

Li Yuan didn't answer, but coldly asked, "Who is your superior? Tell me, and I might spare your life."

The man shook his head, a bitter smile on his face: "I won't tell. If I do, my whole family will die."

Li Yuan's heart sank. Just as he was about to press for more information, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air came from outside the canyon.

In the blink of an eye, a figure had already reached the mouth of the canyon, so fast that even Li Yuan couldn't see it clearly.

A beam of golden light shot out and struck the masked man on the head.

"puff--!"

The man's head exploded instantly, spraying a cloud of blood. The headless corpse swayed and collapsed to the ground.

Li Yuan turned his head abruptly, his eyes icy cold.

Murder?

He held his sword horizontally in front of his chest, ready to fight, when a figure landed in front of him.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man dressed in a black official robe. He had a thin face and exuded an aura that clearly indicated he was at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm.

"You're Li Yuan?"

Seeing that he was wearing the uniform of the Demon Suppression Division, Li Yuan did not act rashly, but he did not let his guard down either.

"Yes, may I ask who you are?"

"Senior Brother Li!"

Ji Fanghua's anxious voice came from the mouth of the canyon. She used teleportation to chase after him with all her might, but she was still half a moment too late.

Upon seeing her, Li Yuan's cold and stern expression relaxed slightly. However, he noticed that behind her, dozens of figures were flying towards them from afar, including Han Kuo, Zhao Peng, and their group.

"Senior Brother Li, are you alright?"

Ji Fanghua was the first to arrive. When she saw Li Yuan covered in blood, her expression changed drastically.

"It's nothing, just a minor injury."

Just then, Han Kuo arrived, rushed forward, and supported his shoulder. His gaze swept over him, and his expression changed drastically: "How are you? Are you badly injured?"

"I'm really fine." Li Yuan shook his head. "It's just a superficial injury, nothing serious."

Wu Yu arrived with great difficulty, panting heavily. Seeing that Li Yuan didn't seem to be in any danger, she was finally relieved and patted Li Yuan on the shoulder: "It's good that you're alright."

At this moment, the middle-aged man stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting to Li Yuan: "Vice Envoy Li, I am Cui Can, Deputy Demon Suppressor of the Demon Suppressing Division."

Li Yuan returned the greeting: "Lord Cui."

This person is of the same rank as him, but usually a deputy demon-suppressing envoy who is stationed in Chang'an. Why did he suddenly appear here, and arrive so timely?

Li Yuan's doubts were not dispelled. The masked man had clearly stated that there were also people within the Demon Suppression Division who wanted to kill him.

This person killed the masked man right away, which is suspicious and we must be wary of him.

Zhao Peng stepped forward and explained, "I had already requested reinforcements from the General Commander. This Lord Cui came to provide assistance. Upon hearing that you were pursuing the enemy alone, he rushed over immediately, but unfortunately, he was a step too late and you were frightened."

"Thank you for your help, Lord Cui."

Li Yuan observed him discreetly. They were both deputy demon-suppressing envoys, but he had never met him before due to his low status.