Chapter 349: The Righteous Path Is Actually Quite Fun

The Black Wind Tiger Demon grunted, its fierce assault greatly weakened due to the collapse of the Night Shadow.

Meng Zizhong tried to counterattack, but all his attempts failed.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon's close-combat skills were profound, clearly surpassing Meng Zizhong in martial arts.

Meng Zizhong's Golden Core remained dim and did not recover from the close-quarters battle.

After a moment of thought, Meng Zizhong delivered a heavy blow, temporarily forcing back the Black Wind Tiger Demon, then quickly changed direction and leaped into the formation of cultivators.

Military Tactics - Speed is paramount!

Military Tactics - Head and tail respond!

Two rounds of military tactics were applied, instantly causing the cultivators' speed to soar and their coordination to increase by more than five times compared to before.

The cultivator army was already in a mobile formation. With the sudden surge in speed and coordination, the power of the mobile formation also increased seven or eightfold.

One combat formation now suddenly equaled at least seven stacked combat formations.

The battle array flowed across the land like a flood, quickly enveloping the Black Wind Tiger Demon.

Meng Zizhong served as the core commander of the formation, now full of spirit and renewed vigor, taking the initiative to confront the Black Wind Tiger Demon.

*Bang, bang, bang!*

The two once again engaged in a fierce confrontation. However, the situation was completely reversed. It was now Meng Zizhong who firmly held the upper hand, comprehensively leading the Black Wind Tiger Demon in terms of strength, attack, and defense.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon was at a disadvantage, sustaining several injuries in a short time. Fortunately, its Flesh-Tank Blood-Swallowing Cultivation complemented its demonic beast body, providing ample recovery ability, which prevented it from being defeated.

However, while it could maintain the situation, the other demon cultivators could not.

The human cultivators launched a massive counterattack, rapidly slaughtering the demon cultivators.

"Run, run!"

"We can't stop them, my king, take care of yourself!"

"Waaah..."

Some demon cultivators wailed, others shouted, turning tail and fleeing.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon did not have military tactics at its disposal, nor did it usually discipline or train the demon cultivators. Although these demon cultivators were generally powerful individually, they were essentially a disorganized rabble fighting independently.

They could fight a winning battle, but when facing a losing battle, like now, their weak nature was immediately exposed.

As the demon cultivators fled, the human cultivators did not pursue them. Instead, under Meng Zizhong's command, they acted like a grinding mill, continuously pressing in on the Black Wind Tiger Demon.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon's pressure increased severalfold!

It roared, fighting a desperate, bloody battle.

The clashes of Golden Core realm cultivators were not something ordinary cultivators could withstand. Many were caught in the crossfire, dying tragically within the formation.

High above in the clouds.

Zhu Xuanji and Prefect Xuan Ci were concealed, coldly observing the battlefield.

Seeing this, Zhu Xuanji snorted, clearly displeased: "What a Meng Zizhong! He deliberately preserves the core members of the Meng family, only expending ordinary cultivators, all in preparation for future troop replenishment."

On the mountainside of Mist Concealment Mountain.

Ning Zhuo and the others, however, did not possess Zhu Xuanji's discerning eye to perceive Meng Zizhong's subtle maneuvers.

Even so, Ning Zhuo secretly felt a thrill.

Leading troops was one of the hundred arts of cultivation, corresponding directly to being an official.

Ning Zhuo had learned about the existence of military tactics and many classic strategies from ancient texts and publications. Witnessing them firsthand today, combined with his knowledge, brought him even greater gains.

"Black Wind Tiger Demon, you have caused trouble for years. Today, I, Meng Zizhong, for the people and the nation, shall slay you!" Meng Zizhong's might was immense. His voice boomed like spring thunder, battering the Black Wind Tiger Demon so that it could not raise its head.

Sun Lingtong, observing the battle with his innate talent, could finally discern the Black Wind Tiger Demon's weakness as it grew extremely feeble: "This black tiger is done for. Its internal cultivation power is about to be exhausted, it can't keep up."

"We need to act!" Sun Lingtong reminded.

The Fox God was slightly startled.

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, a smile on his face, and looked at the Fox God: "Fox God, heed my command. Swiftly use your abilities to receive that Black Wind Tiger Demon back to the mountain."

The Fox God was greatly alarmed, its face paling slightly: "You want me to help the Black Wind Tiger Demon?"

Ning Zhuo snorted coldly: "The Black Wind Tiger Demon is our prey. Meng Zizhong is also our prey."

Hearing this, the Fox God's mind wavered. Its cherry lips parted slightly, and its face was filled with hesitation.

If it acted, it would undoubtedly greatly offend Meng Zizhong. The Fox God did not care too much about Meng Zizhong alone, but the key was the Meng family.

Ning Zhuo's gaze was cold: "Fox God, you have received a sacred decree. Are you still going to be indecisive? Do not court disaster!"

The Fox God felt a chill in its heart, realizing that it had already been drawn into the political struggle between the Zhu family and the Meng family.

Although it was a Golden Core realm existence in Mist Concealment Mountain, it did not dare to get involved in such a confrontation. The slightest bit of bad luck could lead to it becoming a sacrifice, ground into dust in the confrontation and conflict between the two major forces.

But as Ning Zhuo said, did it have a way out?

No!

If it didn't act now, it might suffer before the Black Wind Tiger Demon, and that was quite possible.

Innate Talent - Cloud Concealment and Mist Enshrouding.

The Fox God gritted its teeth, its face clouded with gloom, and finally took action.

In an instant, mountain mist arose, enveloping the entire Mist Concealment Mountain, and then rapidly spread out, covering the battlefield.

Thick mist rolled, sweeping up the Black Wind Tiger Demon and pulling it out of the battle formation.

Meng Zizhong had not thought of trying to stop it, but the Black Wind Tiger Demon attacked with all its might, tightly entangling him, leaving him with no time to attend to anything else.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators, despite the battle formation's enhancement, lacked sufficient means to resist the sweeping mist.

The Fox God easily succeeded.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon was saved, burrowing into Mist Concealment Mountain, while shouting: "Fox God, thank you for helping me. I will surely repay this life-saving kindness today!"

Meng Zizhong, at this moment, controlled the battle formation, blowing away the mountain mist before him, and looked at the towering Mist Concealment Mountain, shouting in anger: "Fox God, you are unworthy of being a righteous god sealed by the Southern Kingdom, yet you assist a demon!"

The Fox God snorted coldly, throwing caution to the wind. Without needing Ning Zhuo's command, it used the mountain mist to sweep up many human cultivators and send them into Mist Concealment Mountain.

"General, save me!"

"Ah..."

The human cultivators fell into chaos. They were separated from the battle formation, their strength restored to its former state, and many were killed by the demon cultivators who had fled into the mountain.

Many also fell into bitter struggles, with no one to save them, and were certain to lose their lives.

Meng Zizhong had originally intended to withdraw his troops when he saw the mountain god intervene and rescue the Black Wind Tiger Demon.

But now, with this situation, he could not withdraw.

If he truly abandoned his subordinates and left alone, he would undoubtedly be considered a deserter. Not only would his reputation be ruined, but he would also certainly be severely punished by the authorities. He would absolutely not be able to keep his position as the commander of Jade Steel Town.

This would undoubtedly greatly damage the Meng family's interests in this area.

And from Meng Zizhong's inner feelings, he was also unwilling to abandon his subordinates, especially the many core members of the Meng family. He had trained his troops diligently, spending countless hours and effort with them day and night, and had long developed deep feelings for them.

As the saying goes, don't pursue cornered foes. Meng Zizhong naturally understood this principle.

But he had no choice. He could only grab his long-handled battle hammer and charge into Mist Concealment Mountain.

To his surprise, after entering the mountain, he was not intercepted by the Fox God. Instead, he smoothly pursued them to the western mountain valley and once again reached the Black Wind Tiger Demon.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon had gained a crucial opportunity to catch its breath, and its combat power had recovered considerably.

It once again engaged in a confrontation with Meng Zizhong.

Meng Zizhong, without the assistance of the battle formation, no longer possessed his previous might. However, the Black Wind Tiger Demon was also quite weak, and the two were evenly matched.

The feeling of exhaustion grew stronger and stronger. The Black Wind Tiger Demon finally brought out its last trump card.

It threw out a divine seal, which hovered above its head.

Under the divine seal's blessing, the Black Wind Tiger Demon's combat power surged, forcing Meng Zizhong to retreat step by step.

Previously, on the battlefield outside the mountain, this divine seal had no effect. Now, with the Black Wind Tiger Demon within Mist Concealment Mountain, utilizing its bloodline connection, it activated part of the divine seal's power, gaining a complete advantage.

"Defeated!" Meng Zizhong realized the situation was irreversible. He could only drag his battle hammer and flee towards the outside of the mountain.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon pursued relentlessly, catching up to Meng Zizhong and severely injuring him.

Meng Zizhong fell to the ground, but he was not flustered. The distance was now sufficient. He decisively ignited a Void Escape Talisman, quickly teleporting outside the mountain.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon, however, dared not pursue him outside the mountain.

The divine seal had no effect outside the mountain.

Just as it was about to turn back and slaughter the human cultivators trapped within the mountain to vent its anger, Zhu Xuanji descended from the sky.

With a single finger, this divine constable of the Southern Pea Kingdom directly pierced the Black Wind Tiger Demon's head.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon struggled to resist, but the divine seal was ineffective, and it was extremely weak and powerless, completely unable to withstand Zhu Xuanji's immense strength.

The Black Wind Tiger Demon's head was shattered.

The headless corpse swayed a few times, then collapsed to the ground with a thud, motionless.

It was dead.

Meng Zizhong, who was preparing to flee, saw this scene and was immediately filled with surprise.

He recognized Zhu Xuanji and shouted: "Divine Constable Zhu!"

Zhu Xuanji, however, did not give him a pleasant look. His gaze was filled with scrutiny: "Meng Zizhong, you arbitrarily led your troops into battle, incompetent in warfare, causing heavy casualties to the Jade Steel Mountain garrison, and even fled the battle yourself, completely without the dignity of a Southern Pea Kingdom general!"

"Do you admit your guilt?"

Meng Zizhong's face turned extremely ugly. His mouth opened wide, his Adam's apple bobbing, wanting to say something, but in the end, he only lowered his head and sullenly replied: "This subordinate admits guilt."

Ning Zhuo looked at the Fox God: "Why are you still here? Go quickly!"

The Fox God transformed into mountain mist and disappeared from the spot. In the next instant, it appeared before Zhu Xuanji.

It bowed deeply, taking the initiative to admit its guilt.

Zhu Xuanji's expression was stern, reprimanding it for its mistakes and giving it a severe lecture before letting it go.

Next, the Fox God personally took action, gathering the remaining human cultivators in the mountain.

Zhu Xuanji escorted Meng Zizhong, leading the remnants of the garrison, back to Jade Steel Mountain to take charge of the situation.

The crime of harboring bandits to maintain one's importance was too severe and could easily trigger a full-scale confrontation between the Zhu and Meng families. However, Meng Zizhong's defeat and flight this time were completely sufficient grounds for punishment, making it impossible for him to continue serving as the commander of Jade Steel Mountain.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong met privately and, according to their previous agreement, participated in the final distribution.

Because he was previously responsible for negotiating with the Fox God, he had already received a portion of the profits. Therefore, in the final distribution of spoils, he only took a smaller share.

In the end, Ning Zhuo obtained many body parts of demon cultivators, including a set of tiger bones from the Black Wind Tiger Demon, of Golden Core level.

In addition, there was a share of the production from Jade Steel Mountain.

He sent a letter, using the royal channel, back to Ning Jiufan at the Ning family, explaining the situation and temporarily arranging for Ning Youfu to serve as their representative and be stationed at Jade Steel Mountain.

This former elder, although quite old, was experienced and cautious, making him a more suitable candidate for an external assignment.

With this, the struggle surrounding Mist Concealment Mountain finally settled down.

Sun and Ning continued their journey aboard the Ten Thousand Li Roaming Dragon.

Inside the dragon's head cabin, Sun Lingtong felt increasingly exhilarated the more he thought about it. Looking at Ning Zhuo, his eyes shone: "The righteous path is actually quite fun."

"We gained the most but contributed very little. We wouldn't mind more such good things!"