Chapter 1080 - 473: Still Dare to Come

Upon hearing Hai Ruoyin’s words, Fang Yu was slightly taken aback.

"One thing at a time, first... what is the ’demon-clearing’ operation?"

Hai Ruoyin almost forgot, Diao Deyi wasn’t a local.

Immediately, she started explaining, counting on her fingers.

"The demon-clearing operation, as the name implies, is initiated by Qingling Taoist Temple. It collaborates with the elite personnel of various families in Sunset City to conduct a large-scale sweep against surrounding demons."

"This operation ensures a relative safety zone around Sunset City and, by conducting it periodically, continuously pressures the surrounding demons. As a result, it lowers the demon activity level around the city, preventing the emergence of a Great Demon that Sunset City can’t handle."

"Such operations usually occur every six months. There should still be one or two months before this year’s operation, but Qingling Taoist Temple suddenly announced an advance. This is unprecedented. I suspect they might be targeting you."

Fang Yu scratched his head: "Targeting me? What do you mean? Am I to participate in the demon-clearing operation?"

"Currently, Qingling Taoist Temple hasn’t released the list, and our side hasn’t finalized the quota, so the specifics are unclear. However, I imagine your name might be on their preliminary list. While they won’t kill you directly, they might make things difficult for you, such as letting you encounter demons without offering assistance."

"But rest assured, our Hai Family will send appropriate personnel to protect you. If I’m not mistaken, this should be the last overt struggle Qingling Taoist Temple can make."

Hai Ruoyin smiled slightly, seemingly optimistic about the situation.

Fang Yu gathered that he was being roped into the city’s demon-clearing suicide squad.

According to Hai Ruoyin, this is a periodic thing—regularly going out to eliminate demons to reduce nearby demon intensity, which explains Sunset City’s flourishing trade routes.

With people dedicated to the demon-clearing effort ensuring safety, trade caravans don’t mind taking a detour to do business in another city.

Fang Yu was quite interested in demon-clearing expeditions, especially with Qingling Taoist accompanying him; it ensured a degree of safety unless Qingling Taoist was against him.

After all, he had just turned down their offer, and this operation seemed like a trap for him.

Since the list isn’t out yet, Fang Yu decided not to dwell on it.

As for the second matter Hai Ruoyin mentioned...

Fang Yu raised an eyebrow: "Your brother Hai Qianglong, still dares to mess with me?"

Hearing the mention of Hai Qianglong, Hai Ruoyin’s face turned grim.

"He’s used to running wild. If he catches you, who knows what he might do."

Fang Yu’s face darkened, and he spoke coldly.

"I didn’t come to your Hai Family to be bullied."

Hai Ruoyin’s eyes twitched.

"Should I go report to Father?"

"Go. Tell him, if he can’t control his son, just wait for me to bring his son’s head to him."

Hai Ruoyin was quite intrigued by the image of Diao Deyi presenting her father’s head.

However, she knew that if things reached that point, her own situation wouldn’t be much better.

"Then you wait for a bit. I’ll report to Father now."

As Hai Ruoyin turned to leave, Fang Yu called her back again.

"Tell Coach Ma at the Martial Arts Training Ground to send someone here directly to see me."

Hai Ruoyin was momentarily confused but nodded after a moment’s thought and left.

...

"Eldest Young Master! Eldest Young Master! I’ve found out! Coach Ma from the Martial Arts Training Ground is summoning that guy named Diao! If we want to find him, we should just go to the training ground!"

A farmer rushed over, causing Hai Qianglong, who was drinking from a bowl with a bandaged neck, to suddenly twitch his wrist.

Yesterday’s disgraceful state was an utter humiliation in his life.

The nightmarish scene still filled him with dread whenever he recalled it.

Even hearing that person’s name made him shiver with fear.

"The training ground... good! Good!"

He shakily stood up, surprising the reporting farmer, who quickly rushed over to support him.

"Eldest Young Master, this..."

"Shut up! Go call Hai Kongxin!"

"Eldest Young Master, Hai Kongxin is still in confinement by Father, this, this isn’t proper..."

"Just go when I tell you!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The farmer scurried off to find Hai Kongxin.

But just as he was about to leave, he heard Hai Qianglong shout from behind.

"Where... where is that guy’s wife now?"

"His, his traveling companion, I think she’s in our Alchemy Room."

The farmer felt clever for gathering extra information; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to answer the Eldest Young Master’s question.

Hai Qianglong’s eyes darted, and he said,

"Later, have Hai Kongxin meet me directly at the Alchemy Room!"

"Yes, yes!"

Once the farmer left, Hai Qianglong rose, stretched his muscles, grabbed a few guards, and waved his hand.

"Let’s go to the Alchemy Room!"

"Yes!"

The loyal guards responded in unison and followed him to the Alchemy Room.

...

Hai Family Martial Arts Training Ground.

"Hah!"

"Hiya!"

Under the morning sun, rows of shirtless men trained vigorously under the instructor’s command, sweating profusely.

Su Jiushan was one of them.

Since entering the game, he had settled in Sunset City.

Initially, he barely eked out a living.