A Family of Hopeless Romantics, Except for the Evil Little Junior Brother Chapter 380: Master of Nine Bones

As Cao Changjing and Li Xuanxiao approached, they realized it wasn't just demons and monsters gathered there. Many human cultivators mingled among the demonic beings without any sense of incongruity.

Cao Changjing's expression darkened at the sight. Entering the mountain peak felt like stepping into a bandit stronghold. The crowd found their seats scattered around.

Just as Li Xuanxiao was about to take a corner seat, a massive demon wrapped its arm around his shoulders. "Hahaha! Long ti no see!" The baffled Li Xuanxiao studied the clearly drunken creature - his Spirit Eyes revealed this to be a bear demon.

anwhile, Cao Changjing seized the opportunity to inquire about the alchemist he sought. "Those alchemists?" A fox demon complained bitterly, "Hmph! The Master of Nine Bones captured a bunch of alchemists to make pills for him." Another demon whispered agreent, "Exactly! He gets the at while we don't even get broth!"

Soon freeing himself from the bear demon, Li Xuanxiao circulated with a wine cup in hand. Cao Changjing observed him thinking: Brother Li adapts like fish to water. Indeed, Li Xuanxiao moved seamlessly among the demons.

After several drinks, Li Xuanxiao rejoined Cao Changjing. "Well?" Cao asked. Li Xuanxiao nodded, "The Master of Nine Bones keeps the alchemists confined in the rear peaks, forcing them to brew pills day and night." "We need to infiltrate the rear peaks quietly - no brute force," Cao Changjing concluded, receiving another nod.

Suddenly, a loud announcent rang out: "The auspicious hour has arrived! Guests may enter!" A middle-aged man in yellow robes strode in, his demonic aura well-concealed beneath an impeccable human disguise. The golden dragons embroidered on his robes marked it unmistakably as imperial regalia - bizarre attire for a demon. This was the Master of Nine Bones.

Li Xuanxiao's Spirit Eyes flickered with insight - a goat demon. The chaotic courtyard fell silent as all eyes turned to their host.

The Master of Nine Bones raised his hands. "Honored guests, thank you for gathering here at my invitation." After the applause subsided, he continued, "The current situation leaves us no choice but action! Cangzhou burns with war, chaos reigns everywhere, and blades cross throughout the land. As the southwestern gateway, Feng City's strategic position is crucial. Now that it's embroiled in fierce battle - this is our golden opportunity! Seize Feng City, and its wealth, power and status beco ours! A complete city for the taking! Miss this chance, and we'll be helpless leaves tossed in this turbulent era..."

Cao Changjing's eyebrows shot up. He never imagined this demon gathering had such ambitions. Unable to contain himself, he slamd his cup down, cold despair washing over him. Once, Cangzhou stood as humanity's bulwark, with Burial Armant City guarding the northern frontier - an impregnable fortress barring all demons. Now? The land burned while demons plotted to storm a major city right here.

"When I entered Cangzhou with my grandfather years ago," the Master of Nine Bones rambled on, "he spoke of Burial Armant City's glory, of humanity's might... Now I find it all rather unimpressive, as you surely agree." Cao Changjing's face darkened, fists clenching. "Friend Cao, stay calm," Li Xuanxiao quietly reminded him, making Cao gradually relax his grip.

Not content, the Master of Nine Bones signaled his guards to drag in a bound human cultivator. "Do you recognize this man?" When the demons looked puzzled, he explained, "A cultivator from Burial Armant City! They claim their warriors can each fight a hundred, that none can withstand them. But their strength has waned. We demons crossed the seas to reach Cangzhou - conquering it is inevitable! Raise your cups!"

As the Master of Nine Bones lifted his cup, he grabbed an executioner's blade and positioned it at the captive's neck - a morale-boosting gesture before their assault on Feng City. But before the blade could fall, a hand stopped it mid-air. Surprise flashed in the demon lord's eyes as Cao Changjing single-handedly caught the blade, gaze blazing. "You demons only advance through cowardly sches! Otherwise, Burial Armant City would never have let you pass."

"Oh?" The Master of Nine Bones studied Cao Changjing with interest. "A righteous cultivator among us?" As he spoke, he increased the pressure on the blade. Li Xuanxiao sighed expressionlessly - Cao hadn't been able to restrain himself after all.

Cao Changjing's grip trembled slightly as he hissed, "Let's see how you plan to overthrow Cangzhou!" The hall erupted in uproar. CRACK! The executioner's blade shattered in Cao's bare hand.

The Master of Nine Bones smiled, snapping open a folding fan. A gentle wave summoned a hurricane-force gust that sent Cao Changjing flying thirty ters. Before he could recover, the demon lord's top general - a yellow-faced toad demon - attacked imdiately, puffing its cheeks to release poisonous mist.

Cao Changjing summoned his weapon: a massive hamr several ters long. BOOM! Within monts, several demon corpses littered the ground around him. The Master of Nine Bones fanned himself calmly while ordering, "Kill him!"

After initial hesitation, the demon crowd attacked, joined by several human cultivators hiding among them. Cao Changjing fought fiercely amidst the horde - as a military cultivator, battlefield carnage tempered his weapon. Now, waves of bloodlust radiated from him as the encircling demons drove him into increasingly perilous positions.

His sweeping gaze identified several powerful demons hanging back - the real threats holding their attack. With another hamr strike, Cao Changjing knew this fight ant certain death. But not acting would an betraying the very na Cao Changjing - the man who once defied his master and all of Burial Armant City for an outsider's sake.