Little Willow Town lay northeast of Maple Leaf City, separated from the city by Green Mountain Town. In terms of straight-line distance, it was the furthest town from the main city within Maple Leaf City’s domain.

The party, led by Wei Yan, traveled without pause. They passed Green Mountain Town without stopping, and in just half a day, they reached the outskirts of Little Willow Town.

There were no green mountains outside Green Mountain Town. The name had been passed down from who knew how many years ago, perhaps once there had been, but time had changed everything.

However, there was indeed a small grove of Moon Cypress trees outside Little Willow Town, though its scale was small, easily seen in its entirety at a glance. Moon Cypress wood had a calming effect and furniture made from it was highly sought after.

It was said that the grove had once been extremely large, but because Moon Cypress trees were highly valuable, the townspeople frequently engaged in illegal felling. The Moon Cypress grove had thus shrunk more and more. Had Maple Leaf City not specifically issued an order prohibiting illegal felling, this little grove would likely have vanished several years ago.

Constables transferred from Green Mountain Town were stationed in the grove, either sitting or lying down, appearing quite lax. Only when they heard the sound of approaching hooves did they gather together to greet them.

These constables possessed only mortal martial strength and naturally dared not enter the town to investigate in the current situation. They served only as a lookout, providing a warning.

Wei Yan reined in his horse outside the grove, casually glanced at the men, and asked, “What is the situation in Little Willow Town?”

The constable leading the Green Mountain Town detachment was a broad-faced man in his forties. Hearing the question, he replied, “Five days ago, a mist began to rise outside Little Willow Town. We didn’t pay much attention to it at the time, thinking it was merely a change in the weather. At that time, we could still see the outline of Little Willow Town, as well as faint figures of people. Some of our Green Mountain Town residents even went to visit relatives. Yesterday, we received orders to come here and set up a checkpoint to observe. We haven’t seen anyone come out, but the mist is getting thicker and thicker. Now, we can’t see anything at all.”

Jiang Wang craned his neck to look towards Little Willow Town among the other Dao Academy disciples. Maple Leaf City was the hometown where he was born and raised. Although he grew up in Phoenix Creek Town, he was also familiar with Little Willow Town.

The West Mountain bandits that he had single-handedly defeated were entrenched in West Mountain, located ten miles north of Little Willow Town.

In the past, Little Willow Town could be seen from here at the Moon Cypress grove. The town was not wealthy, but it was peaceful and happy. Now, all he could see was a blanket of fog.

At this moment, Wei Yan’s voice rang out, “You were ordered to observe Little Willow Town, yet you are lax and undisciplined. What’s more, some of you are taking the opportunity to illegally fell Moon Cypress trees. Did you come here to perform official duties, or to pursue personal gain?”

The faces of the Green Mountain Town constables paled. The leading constable repeatedly bowed and pleaded, attempting to explain.

But Wei Yan’s decision had already been made. “The already felled Moon Cypress trees will be sent to the City Guard’s camp. Furthermore, everyone will have a year’s salary deducted. The head constable bears the responsibility of leadership and will be removed from his post!”

The broad-faced man’s face turned ashen, but he dared not even protest, only retreating in dismay.

Hearing Wei Yan’s punishment, Jiang Wang noticed the several felled Moon Cypress trees.

Wei Yan had already taken everything into account the moment he arrived.

Jiang Wang was impressed by Wei Yan’s keen observation, but also felt that this man was truly strict.

Little Willow Town was lost, and this Moon Cypress grove was temporarily without an owner. These constables were merely risking their lives to observe Little Willow Town from outside, and had casually cut down a few trees to supplement their income. Although it was dereliction of duty, it was, in reality, understandable.

Green Mountain Town was not wealthy. A year’s salary deduction meant that these constables’ lives would suddenly become strained. Especially for this middle-aged man in his forties, the position of head constable might have been the pinnacle of his life’s efforts. Yet with one sentence from Wei Yan, he was back to square one.

However, this journey was almost like a military expedition. Wei Yan was leading the team, just like a commander. His orders were military orders, and no one could disobey.

Having finished dispensing punishment, Wei Yan pulled on the reins and took the lead, galloping towards Little Willow Town.

The horses were warhorses from the military camp, and the riders were Dao Academy cultivators. Although there were only thirty-odd people, their obedience to orders was absolute, and their movements were swift as lightning, carrying the aura of thousands of soldiers.

The hooves thundered across the ground, but then stopped abruptly!

Those warhorses, seasoned by many battles, reared up and neighed in terror before the mist enveloping Little Willow Town. No matter how the riders urged them, they refused to take another step forward.

The thirty-odd warhorses were terrified, neighing in unison. It was as if there was something in Little Willow Town that they feared above all else. The scene was frightening.

Even though the riders’ strength prevented them from falling off their horses in front of the enemy, their morale had already plummeted, no longer as high-spirited as when they left the city.

Even Wang Changxiang, who was usually calm and composed, had a grave look in his eyes.

Only Wei Yan’s expression remained unchanged.

His armor was mottled in many places. The saber at his waist was narrow and straight. The warhorse beneath him was tall and magnificent.

Everyone knew that these were Wei Yan’s three prized possessions.

But then, he suddenly drew his saber!

As if a lightning bolt flashed through the air, the saber light vanished. And the precious horse beneath him stopped neighing, its large head separated from its body, propelled further away by the geyser of blood erupting from its neck.

The horse’s corpse crashed to the ground.

Wei Yan held his saber, his gaze fixed on the town shrouded in mist, his voice cold, “You faltered in the face of battle. What use are you to me?”

“Good!” The first to respond was Du Yezhu. He was naturally fierce and liked to be direct. He immediately slammed his fist down, smashing the horse’s head to pieces. “Hey, Wei, how do we charge next?”

Wei Yan slightly raised his right hand. “Listen to my orders. Dismount, prepare for battle, form a Wedge Formation, with me as the arrowhead, and directly enter Little Willow Town!”

Wei Yan’s killing of the horse had made everyone realize that there was no turning back. At this point, there was no room for hesitation. They all dismounted.

Wei Yan continued, “Raise weapons!”

A chorus of blades being drawn from their sheaths rang out!

At this moment, Wei Yan’s ordinary-looking adjutant stepped forward. He raised his right palm upwards, formed a hand seal with his left hand, chanted incantations, and finally said, “Sharpen!”

Jiang Wang felt the sharpness of the longsword in his hand suddenly increase. This longsword, which could only be described as excellent, now felt capable of piercing anything.

“Imbue Flame!”

Flames flared atop all the weapons! The cultivators held up their swords and sabers, as if holding torches, to light the way through the fog-shrouded town.

“Solidify!”

Ling He felt his body become more resilient, with a feeling of wanting to exchange blows with bare fists. However, he glanced at the furious expression of Du Yezhu beside him and quietly dismissed the feeling.

Zhao Rucheng thought that a group buffing technique would need to be at least a C-grade, High rank technique. But Wei Yan’s unremarkable adjutant had cast three in a row, without even batting an eye. The Ministry of War really was full of hidden talents.

Regardless of what anyone was thinking, there could only be one will during a military action. Under the buffing spells, Wei Yan drew his saber and took the lead, stepping into Little Willow Town.

The group proceeded cautiously. The town was silent, with only the sound of their footsteps.

After walking for a while, the fog seemed to grow denser.

The fog was so thick that it was almost tangible. They could not see people more than three steps away, and could only see the light of the flames on the weapons, standing strong within the seemingly endless fog.

They were forced to shrink their formation once again, reducing the distance between people from five steps to three steps. Any closer and it would affect combat.

Jiang Wang and his brothers were in the middle rear of the formation. They were at the lowest stage, and had been given the implicit protection of the group. No one made any qualms about it, and it was a good tradition of the Academy.

Du Yezhu was clenching his fists until they cracked. Not because he was nervous, but because he was excited, eager to try his fist.

Jiang Wang had no doubt that even if the infamous Nine Great Devil Lords were in front of him, he would throw his fists at them without a word. Of course, whether or not he could win, was another matter entirely.

Just then, a startled cry came from the outer edge of the formation, “What is that?!”

Another voice spoke with dissatisfaction, “Just a ghost. What’s there to be afraid of?”

But that quickly changed, “So many?!”

Hearing this, Wei Yan turned his head sharply and slashed his saber!

A huge blade aura flew out horizontally, cutting the thick fog in front of him for a moment!

And in that moment, everyone saw the staggering, clawing, dense mass of wandering souls on the entire street!

In broad daylight, a hundred ghosts roamed the streets!