In Chu Commandery, near the city of Huai, outside the Red Stone Gang's headquarters.

It was already afternoon; in about an hour and a half, the sun would set. "Brother Qingshan, I asked you to stay a few more days, why are you in such a rush to leave?" Zhu Chongshi said with frustration, "Is it that I, as your brother, have failed to host you properly?" "Brother Zhu, your hospitality has been more than sufficient.

However, my Black Armored Army has just finished the recruitment phase, and my battalion needs to integrate new personnel.

Managing the intake, weeding out, and training these Black Armored Army soldiers takes up a great deal of time.

I truly cannot linger any longer," Teng Qingshan replied.

Zhu Chongshi glanced at the sky; the sun was no longer at its most intense. "Qingshan, it looks like darkness will fall soon.

Why don't you stay the night and leave at first light tomorrow?" "The weather is perfect right now, and it's not too hot.

If we push on, we can make it to the next city in one go," Teng Qingshan said with a smile, cupping his hands. "Brother Zhu, there's no need to insist further.

Wait until you visit my Jiangning Commandery City sometime; we can reunite then." "Very well." Zhu Chongshi returned the gesture. "I won't press the matter further.

Brother Qingshan, travel safely!" And so, under the gaze of Zhu Chongshi and his entourage, Teng Qingshan and his twenty men spurred their warhorses and sped away.

Hoofbeats flew, and dust billowed up.

Twenty dark phantoms advanced at incredible speed along the official road.

Without the need to concern themselves with cargo wagons or carriages, the Black Armored Army moved with remarkable swiftness.

It had taken a full day to travel from the Yunlai Inn to the Red Stone Gang, yet on the return journey, Teng Qingshan covered the distance from the Red Stone Gang back to the Yunlai Inn in just a little over half an shichen (an ancient Chinese unit of time). "Hmm?" Teng Qingshan scanned the distant Yunlai Inn, his ears twitching involuntarily. "So many martial artists have headed toward Dajin Village now!" Teng Qingshan's hearing was far superior to that of an ordinary person. "People have been vanishing without a trace from that Dajin Village for some time now, and now martial artists are flocking there? Could someone have finally uncovered the reason?" A flicker of curiosity and confusion remained in Teng Qingshan regarding the unfortunate Dajin Village.

Since the hour was already late, an early rest would not significantly delay their journey. "Halt!" Teng Qingshan commanded. "Rrrr...!" At Teng Qingshan's order, the horses reared high, and the twenty cavalrymen stopped with perfect synchronicity.

The waiter from the Yunlai Inn, along with some resting merchants and martial artists passing by, were visibly surprised by the discipline of this cavalry unit.

Their speed while fully clad in heavy armor, even their horses covered, combined with their unified movements—such a force could not have been trained by an ordinary noble family. "Honored guests, please come in," the waiter immediately greeted them enthusiastically.

They tethered their warhorses in the stable behind, assigning three Black Armored Army soldiers to stand guard.

The rest entered the inn’s main hall, with seventeen men taking up four tables. "Bring a bowl of iced tea for everyone first!" Du Hong instructed the waiter. "Coming right up, sir," the waiter called back loudly.

Du Hong turned to Teng Qingshan and murmured, "Commander, although the sky is darkening, summer nights stay light late.

If we pushed on, we should still be able to reach the next city." Du Hong was puzzled, and not just him; Teng Qinghu and the others nearby were equally perplexed.

However, Teng Qingshan held absolute authority; when he ordered a stop, no one dared to continue.

Teng Qingshan smiled and called out, "Waiter!" A young waiter instantly rushed over. "Yes, honored guest.

What can I do for you? Ah, sir, you stayed at this very inn the night before last! I was the one who served you." Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile and inquired, "Has anything major happened in Dajin Village these past two days?" "My, you are well-informed, honored guest," the waiter exclaimed in surprise. "More than a month ago, villagers in Dajin Village began vanishing without cause.

At first, it was one person disappearing daily, then two.

Starting two days ago, three people have vanished into thin air every day! Sir, can you guess why?" Teng Qingshan smiled faintly. "Continue!" Facing this group, the waiter felt a degree of apprehension and dared not hold back. "Sir, you could rack your brain and never guess.

The terrifying events in Dajin Village these past two days have even drawn traveling martial artists to investigate.

Just last night! It was finally discovered!" Teng Qingshan's gaze sharpened. "They found that there is a man-eating monster!" the waiter lowered his voice. "The creature was utterly black! It vanished in a flash.

The martial arts expert who witnessed the scene couldn't clearly see what the monster looked like; he only knew that in an instant, a person was swallowed whole and gone!" Teng Qingshan felt a jolt.

Gone in a flash? "Waiter, don't spout nonsense," Du Hong rebuked from the side. "How would I dare," the waiter insisted. "Honored guests, don't doubt me! The story is spreading with supporting details, and it was witnessed by an expert martial artist.

It's absolutely true! Several martial artists have arrived here just today; they are all heading to Dajin Village!" There were many martial artists who, driven by fervor, ventured out into the world for life-and-death tempering.

These warriors loved getting involved in such strange affairs.

Knowing there was a black monster, they were naturally eager to investigate. "Alright, you can step down now," Teng Qingshan instructed, just as another waiter arrived carrying platters of food. "Commander, do you believe what that waiter said?" Du Hong and Teng Qinghu looked at Teng Qingshan. "Rumors don't arise from nothing.

The fact that it's being reported this widely suggests there might actually be a black monster," Teng Qingshan stated, recalling the Flood Dragon from his home region of 'Dayan Mountain.' If a Flood Dragon existed in this world, then a black monster capable of instantly swallowing people might not be impossible either.

Du Hong laughed. "Commander, what insight can these waiters possibly have? The world is rife with idle gossip; not all of it should be taken as gospel." "But the tragedy that has befallen Dajin Village for over a month—that is real," Teng Qingshan countered, looking at Du Hong. "Old Du, let me ask you: can you explain why people keep disappearing from Dajin Village, and yet no one in the entire settlement has discovered the culprit?" A clan member vanishes into thin air.

One disappears, then two, then three...

as the numbers grew, Dajin Village must have become extremely vigilant, perhaps even setting up multiple night patrols, yet people continued to disappear silently. "An entire village, house by house; if many people are watching at night, even a master would find it difficult to carry someone away without a sound," Teng Qingshan reasoned. "Very well, we rest here tonight.

You all stay put.

I will go investigate Dajin Village myself under the cover of darkness and see what this black monster truly is." Once Teng Qingshan made his decision, everyone else could only comply.

...

Night had fallen.

Hush! Teng Qingshan leaped silently from the window and quickly reached the stable, where nine Black Armored Army soldiers stood guard.

The warhorses of the Black Armored Army were extremely valuable and always required dedicated guards when traveling. "Lord Commander," the nine soldiers saluted upon seeing Teng Qingshan. "It's alright.

Hold on for a bit, and when the next shift arrives deep into the night, they will relieve you so you can rest properly," Teng Qingshan reassured them before strapping the wrapped Reincarnation Spear to his back and melting into the darkness, his pace gradually increasing as he sprinted toward the direction of Dajin Village.

Teng Qingshan did not employ the Tianya Xing movement technique, relying instead on the explosive power of his own muscle strength.

Whoosh! Whoosh! The wind roared past his ears; Teng Qingshan's running speed was even faster than that of a galloping warhorse.

In moments, Teng Qingshan spotted the flickering torchlight illuminating Dajin Village in the distance. "Who goes there!" a guard shouted loudly from the gate of Dajin Village. "Elder brother, I travel the world alone.

I heard of the black monster in your Dajin Village, so I rushed over, hoping to investigate," Teng Qingshan called out with a hearty laugh.

In Teng Qingshan's estimation, the now-terrified Dajin Village would surely welcome the arrival of martial artists.

Indeed— The main gate opened, and several people came out to greet him, led by a white-haired elder. "Esteemed sir," the elder said, a shade of sorrow on his face. "When faced with such a monster, our Dajin Village can only rely on experts such as yourselves, those possessing peerless skills, for help.

Last night, we confirmed it was a black monster.

We hope tonight that you and the other martial arts masters can help us slay this calamitous beast!" The unknown breeds the deepest fear, and having confirmed the existence of a black monster last night, the people of Dajin Village felt somewhat relieved.

Everyone now hoped that these martial arts experts could kill the monster.

After all, they were reluctant to migrate unless the situation became absolutely dire. "Rest assured, old sir," Teng Qingshan consoled, stepping into Dajin Village.

Dajin Village was slightly smaller in area than Teng Qingshan's ancestral home, 'Teng Family Village,' and its training grounds were also smaller.

However, there were currently over a hundred people gathered in the training field. "Hmm?" Teng Qingshan surveyed the scene. "Those gathered together are likely the strong local men of Dajin Village, while those dispersed and seemingly aloof must be the visiting martial artists." Unacquainted martial artists naturally harbored mutual suspicion; they would never be as united as the ordinary villagers of Dajin Village. "I didn't expect another master to show up," a voice sounded, and a slender young man wearing a short tunic ran over. "My name is Duan Hou.

What is yours, brother?" Duan Hou was quite enthusiastic. "Qin Lang," Teng Qingshan replied.

Currently, the name 'Teng Qingshan' carried too much renown; stories of him defeating Meng Tian were spreading throughout Xuyang Commandery and Chu Commandery.

Teng Qingshan wished to avoid trouble for the time being, so he used a false name. "Brother Qin Lang, including you, there are twenty-eight martial artists here today.

But..." Duan Hou grinned mischievously, "most of them are quite ordinary in strength.

Those few good-for-nothings over there, combined, aren't a match for me alone." Duan Hou pointed toward six fierce-looking men gathered nearby. "Coming here to seek out a black monster without any real strength is just courting death.

The one who saw the black monster yesterday was merely a Second-Rate Martial Artist.

Even a Second-Rate Martial Artist couldn't make out the monster's movement; its speed alone is terrifying," Duan Hou sighed. "But Brother Qin Lang, judging by your bearing, you seem like a true master." "Oh?" Teng Qingshan asked with a curious smile. "You can tell a master by their appearance?" "A full bottle doesn't shake, but a half-empty one rattles!" Duan Hou laughed playfully. "Those who seem overly confident and buoyant usually have average strength.

However, Brother Qin Lang, we do have some truly formidable experts among us.

Look over there—that is 'Jin Tao' from the Iron Shirt Sect, the personal disciple of the Sect Master!"

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