The exotic beasts they encountered along the way were growing stronger and stronger. Although each time, they were still jointly slain, they were becoming increasingly difficult to handle. The devastation to the remote villages and towns from the beast attacks weighed heavily on their hearts.

That night, the group took shelter in a small town named Beiguan Town.

Beiguan Town was only five hundred miles from Lu’an City. However, it lay on the outskirts of the Longyan Mountain, where the road ahead was perilous. Given that, and the fact that powerful beasts equivalent to sixth and seventh-level Sword Masters began appearing along the way, Han Yan decided against taking unnecessary risks and chose to resume their journey at dawn.

From the damaged city walls and the tense atmosphere in the town, it was clear that Beiguan Town had also suffered from beastly raids, with severe losses. Despite the town’s small size, its fortifications were fairly well-built, much like those of frontier towns in Shangyue Country, and so it had managed to hold on.

"Young Master Mu, gentlemen, please make yourselves comfortable here for the night. Our place is not as prosperous as the Capital and is rather simplistic, so we hope you can overlook its shortcomings," the City Lord apologized as he led Han Yan and the others into the City Lord’s Mansion.

"Lord City Master is too kind. We’ve intruded upon you without prior notice, and it’s us who should be asking for forgiveness," Han Yan replied humbly.

Beiguan Town was just a remote small town, and the City Lord’s Mansion wasn’t large either. With their group comprising of hundreds, it was indeed quite a crowd. To make room for them, the City Lord’s own family had moved out, which made her feel sincerely apologetic.

"Indeed, Lord City Master, Young Master Mu has put it aptly. Since we’ll be leaving tomorrow, just find any place for us to stay the night," He Qingzong also spoke kindly, stealing glances at Han Yan’s expression with a fawning demeanor.

At the banquet that night, He Qingwei had forced him to follow Han Yan through the authority of the Family Leader Token, and he thought he had lost all hope of becoming the Family Head. Surprisingly, after the incident, there was no sign of Qingwei competing for power or profit, acting like nothing ever happened, still addressing him deferentially as "big brother." The other He Family’s young masters, not knowing the brothers’ situation, naturally dared not offend him, treating He Qingzong as their usual Young Master.

Thus, He Qingzong saw hope again. He finally understood how much the He Family Ancestor valued Han Yan, and how Qingwei regarded the Ancestor’s words as divine. How could he entertain any intrigue in such circumstances? Now, He Qingzong would unquestionably go East if Han Yan said so, and catching chickens if Han Yan instructed, never chasing after dogs.

Such an ingratiating display even made Qingwei blush in secret.

"Young Master Mu, Young Master He, what you say isn’t quite right. Lu’an City serves as Anyun’s gateway. If Lu’an falls, Beiguan Town would be the first to suffer annihilation by the beasts. You, as Young Masters of Capital families, brave hardships and dangers to assist, and if I can’t even arrange a place for you to stay, these townsfolk would scorn me mercilessly," the City Lord said soberly.

"Since it’s that way, we won’t be modest—many thanks, Lord City Master." Remembering the looks of excitement and hope on the townspeople’s faces as they entered, Han Yan knew he was right and stopped refusing the offer.

Having journeyed tirelessly for days, they indeed felt weary, and a night’s rest would do them well.

"Young Master Mu, do have a good rest. If there are any noises in the night, please ignore them. We’ll handle it," the City Lord continued.

"Does the town get attacked by beasts often at night?" Han Yan asked.

"Hardly ever a respite. Most beasts outside the town are stragglers from Lu’an’s defense, and except for the few initially strong ones causing significant casualties, the rest are generally not formidable. Rest assured and save your energy; there’s no need to spend it on Beiguan Town," the City Lord replied.

Despite his nonchalant tone, from the town’s broken walls and the poignant gazes of its people, Han Yan could vividly picture the fierce battles during the beast raids. Clearly, the City Lord did not want them to expend their strength on Chengguan Town, instead hoping they would conserve energy for Lu’an City, the true gateway to Anyun. As long as Lu’an City held, Beiguan Town could remain peaceful. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Understanding the City Lord’s intentions, Han Yan said no more, ordering the other young masters to rest early and head to Lu’an City at dawn.

At night, Beiguan Town near the Longyan Mountain was silent, and the weather notably cool. The travel-weary Han Yan and company slept deeply and soundly.

The roars of beasts, the shouts of slaughter, and the sound of gongs startled them awake from their dreams.

Han Yan leapt up and looked out the window to see the sky beginning to lighten at the horizon. It was the time when sleep was deepest, so it was shrewd of the beasts to choose this moment to launch an assault.

Despite the City Lord’s wish that they rest well for the night, how could she stand by in the face of a beast siege? She swiftly headed toward the city gate.

Along the way, having battled exotic beasts numerous times, the young masters had shed the arrogance of capital family scions. Upon hearing the commotion, they too got up quickly and followed.

"Young Master Mu, didn’t I tell you to rest well? Why are you here too?" The City Lord asked with some displeasure as they hastily approached.

"We appreciate your goodwill, Lord City Master. Besides, resting for the better part of the night ought to suffice," Han Yan said while gazing outside the city.

Thousands of exotic beasts were charging toward Beiguan Town, in a manner reminiscent of the beast assault on Hanshan Town. Yet, as the City Lord mentioned, the strength of these beasts was rather unimpressive—many were equivalent to cultivators of the seventh and eighth Sword Master ranks, with those comparable to Sword Masters only reaching the first and second ranks.

Geographically, Beiguan Town was more crucial than Hanshan Town due to its proximity to Lu’an City, essentially serving as a small military town. Not only was its fortification strong, but it was also defended by a potent City Guard. Many residents were trained as border army troops, possessing remarkable skills.

With the solid city as a shield, the soldiers and skilled residents launched arrows like a rainstorm upon the beasts. The whizzing surrounded by abundant Qi streaked across the sky, every volley resulting in a mist of blood. Occasionally, beasts adept at climbing did reach the city walls but were quickly chopped down by a rain of arrows, posing no threat to the town’s people.

"Young Master Mu, there are one or two more hours before dawn. You should go back and rest a bit longer," the City Lord advised.