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n

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n“Where are Little Zhou and the others?” Xiao Ran asked.

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n“When Lord Qin sent someone to call us over, we happened to bump into his father. You didn’t see it, but it was tragic.” Shen Yiming sighed.

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nAnd so that was the situation.

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nIt was already time for Little Zhou’s blind date today, but he had yet to go over.

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nHis father asked around and found out that he was dead drunk in the Drunken Immortals Court. He was absolutely furious and rushed to Drunken Immortals Court with fire torches.

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nHe chased him from upstairs to downstairs and back up again.

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nThis skirmish only ended when Little Zhou leaped over the wall and escaped.

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n“He didn’t get hit at all?” Xiao Ran asked with curiosity.

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n“His father couldn’t outrun him. He had practiced the Fleeing Cataglyphis Technique that I taught him to a high level. In the end, even when all the guards attacked together, they couldn’t even touch the corner of his clothes.”

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n“…” Xiao Ran was at a loss for words.

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n“This time, I summoned you here in a hurry because I have a task for you.”

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nXiao Ran waited quietly for him to continue.

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nShen Yiming said solemnly, “Just now, there is urgent news from the people in Qing Province, Horizon Prefecture. There’s a plague in Chen County and it has spread to several county cities. The people sent to investigate have all disappeared. They suspect that there’s a demon behind this. They can’t handle it, so they’re asking for reinforcements.”

n

n“Why don’t you send people over from the base in Qing Province?”

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nShen Yiming shook his head. “The person in charge over there died at the hands of the demons not long ago. They also suffered heavy losses. Although the demons have been arrested, they won’t recover anytime soon.”

n

nThere was a pause.

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n“We’ll split up this time. I’ll go to Qing Province to deal with the mess there. You go to Chen County to deal with the plague and also assess the Divine Sword Guards in Horizon Prefecture.”

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n“Are we leaving now?” Xiao Ran asked.

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n“It’s very urgent. You and I will get started now. If you need assistants, I’ll arrange for it.”

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nXiao Ran thought about it. It would be troublesome if there were too many people.

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nHe could resolve this matter by himself. There was no need to mobilize so many people.

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n“I think it’s better that I go alone!”

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n“All right! If you really encounter something that you can’t resolve, don’t push yourself to settle it alone. Let me know immediately. I’ll rush over from Qing Province,” Shen Yiming reminded.

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n“Okay,” Xiao Ran agreed.

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nThey left the Divine Sword Guards and Xiao Ran returned home.

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nThere was someone standing at the door. Who else could it be but Little Zhou?

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n“Why are you here?” Xiao Ran asked.

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nLittle Zhou touched the back of his head awkwardly and stammered. Seeing that Xiao Ran was getting impatient, he said, “I forgot about the blind date today. My father looked for me everywhere and threatened to break my damn legs.”

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n“And then you have nowhere to go and plan to hide from him at my place for a few days?”

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n“Brother Xiao, do you think it’s convenient?”

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n“I’m going to Chen County. I have something urgent to deal with,” Xiao Ran said.

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n“You have a new assignment?”

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n“I just received news that a plague is spreading in Chen County. It has to be resolved as soon as possible.”

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n“I’m coming too.”

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nXiao Ran remained silent and stared at him icily.

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n“Brother Xiao, think about it. It’s so inconvenient for you to be alone outside. I’ll go with you. With more people, you will have more helpers. I can even serve tea and ask for information.”

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nXiao Ran couldn’t be bothered with him as he entered the courtyard.

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nLittle Zhou followed him in like a puppy.

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nXiao Ran put away the Eldest Princess’s painting. He then rode the mystical Night Illumination Dragon Horse towards Chen County.

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nLittle Zhou followed shamelessly, and Xiao Ran had no choice but to let him.

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nFortunately, Chen County was not far from the capital city. With the Night Illumination Dragon Horse’s speed, it only took a day.

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nAt nightfall,

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nthe two of them entered a dilapidated temple, secured their horses, and sat in the temple hall.

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nLittle Zhou lit the bonfire to keep the cold at bay.

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nXiao Ran took out two portions of white lotus cake and handed one to him. “Eat.”

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nHe then took one piece of white lotus cake and started eating.

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n“It smells so good! Brother Xiao, where did you buy it from? I’ll buy some when we get back.” Little Zhou asked.

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n“Why do you have so many questions?” Xiao Ran glared at him.

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nLittle Zhou stopped talking and wolfed down the food.

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nPitter-patter…

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nIt began drizzling outside. It started as a light drizzle but as time passed, it grew heavier.

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nThe hall, too, had begun to leak in places, and big puddles formed in some parts.

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n“This damn weather. It was fine just now, but it started raining just like that without warning.” Little Zhou cursed.

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nRapid footsteps could be heard outside.

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nTwo young men entered the temple. One wore a red elaborate suit, the other in a white version.

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nThere were no tools in their hands to shield them from the rain, but their clothes were clean and tidy. There was no sign of them getting drenched at all.

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nLooking at Xiao Ran and Little Zhou, the two of them were caught off guard.

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nThe young man in red was about to do something when the young man in white stopped him.

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nHe took a step forward and cupped his fists in greeting at the two of them. “The rain is very heavy. We would like to use this place to wait out the rain for a while. We’ll leave when the rain stops. Please bear with us for the inconvenience.”

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n“You are welcome to come in!” Xiao Ran said.

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nThe two of them walked to one corner and sat down. The young man in red got some firewood and lit a fire.

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nHe took out some food and ate it.

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nLittle Zhou lowered his voice and said, “Brother Xiao, be careful. They’re not ordinary people.”

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n“Really?”

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n“It’s raining so heavily out there, but their clothes are so clean. Even their shoes aren’t dirty. I wouldn’t be able to do that.”

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n“Ignore them,” Xiao Ran said.

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nAfter eating the white lotus cake, he closed his eyes to rest.

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nLittle Zhou held the sapphire light sword tightly in his hand. If anything happened, he would take them down immediately.

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nAll these moves did not escape the eyes of the young man in red. “From their weapons, they’re from the Divine Sword Guards. Do you want me to deal with them?”

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nThe young man in white shook his head. “We don’t kill indiscriminately. Our swords only kill those who deserve it.”

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n“Yes.” The young man in red nodded.

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nIt was raining very hard and showed no signs of stopping.

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nLate at night,

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nthe temperature in the temple dropped without warning.

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nIn a few short breaths, it dropped to freezing point.

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nWisps of cold air seeped in from the outside, forming a layer of frost wherever they passed.

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nThe power of ice chill it contained was very strong.

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nJust as the freezing air was about to touch Xiao Ran and partner, a flash of golden light bloomed from Xiao Ran’s body and expelled all the freezing air.

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n“Someone’s here.” Xiao Ran woke Little Zhou up.

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nLittle Zhou held the sapphire light sword tightly and happened to see the two people opposite him standing up as well.

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nThe surrounding freezing air was easily dispelled by them.

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nThe foursome looked at each other warily, then turned their gaze away to the outside.

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n“Brother Xiao…” Little Zhou said.

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n“Don’t speak. Let’s take a look first,” Xiao Ran said.

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nAn even more terrifying chilly air swept in from all directions, inundating the whole area.

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nWith the temple as the center, they surged towards it.

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nThe freezing air spread for thousands of feet, turning everything in its path to ice-covered sculptures.

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nTheir target was the white-robed youth and the other guy. Xiao Ran and Little Zhou were just extras.

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n“Hmph! It’s these detestable fellows again,” the young man in red gave a scornful snort.

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nWith one step, a towering red light burst skywards. With the expansion of his aura, he charged towards his surroundings.

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nPow!

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nThe temple shattered instantly, unable to withstand this huge force.

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nEven the freezing air that was sweeping towards here was destroyed.

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nWithout the cover of the temple, the other party’s presence was revealed.

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nDozens of demons, nearly 10 feet tall with their whole body in sky blue color, stood surrounded by a thick layer of freezing air. Under the leadership of a tall demon, they surrounded the two young men in a menacing manner.

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n“Ice Giants.” Xiao Ran’s eyes narrowed warily.

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