Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1388: Peril on All Sides

Exhausted from their relentless journey, Mu Hanyan and her dedicated companions accepted the warm invitation, their fatigue momentarily set aside. The townsfolk of Hanshan, characterized by their straightforward and honest nature, felt no pretense towards Mu Hanyan, their sense of camaraderie forged in a past battle against mutual enemies transcending her elevated status. Laughter and the clinking of cups filled the air as the feast commenced, a joyous occasion for hosts and guests alike.

Amidst the revelry, Mu Hanyan, observing flickering shadows of concern occasionally crossing the faces of the City Lord and his entourage, inquired, "By the way, Lord City Master, has something transpired in the town?"

"To speak plainly, Princess, it is thanks to your intervention in luring away those two formidable Fierce Stone Demons that the citizens of Hanshan Town were spared. Following the city's fall, the Exotic Beasts dispersed. We retreated briefly before returning to rebuild. We had anticipated, as is customary, a period of several decades before any further aggression. However, a starkly different scenario has unfolded. Repeated assaults, occurring every few days, have plagued us. While not matching the ferocity of the previous attack, they have severely strained our resources and morale," the Old City Lord confessed, his expression etched with worry at Mu Hanyan's perceptive question.

"It is indeed peculiar. Exotic Beasts typically launch assaults only once every few years or even decades. After their initial outburst, they tend to remain dormant for extended periods. Why does this onslaught persist?"

"Our generations have resided in Hanshan Town, and never have we encountered such a phenomenon," a chorus of voices echoed, their faces a mixture of bewilderment and profound weariness.

A somber weight settled upon Mu Hanyan's heart upon hearing their accounts. This unusual behavior from the Exotic Beasts could very well be linked to the mysteries of the Jiuyou Netherworld.

"Ah, yes, it is also whispered that Anyun Country is experiencing unrest," the Old City Lord added hesitantly, his brow furrowed in thought.

Mu Hanyan's gaze sharpened at the mention of Anyun Country. "Oh?"

"Rumors suggest that numerous regions within Anyun Country have also faced incursions from Exotic Beasts, displacing countless residents. Of course, these are mere whispers, and I cannot ascertain their veracity," the Old City Lord stated, careful not to cause undue alarm to Mu Hanyan while refraining from absolute assertions.

Mu Hanyan's heart quickened. Could this be the reason her father had urged her immediate return to Anyun? Yet, if the attacks were merely of this magnitude, such urgency would seem unwarranted. Judging by the frantic haste of her father's letter, the situation must be far more dire, transcending the scope of the Exotic Beast activities witnessed in places like Hanshan Town.

"Lord City Master, we are deeply grateful for your generous hospitality, but we must depart now," Mu Hanyan declared, a growing sense of unease propelling her as the feast neared its conclusion. She rose to address the Old City Lord.

"So soon? Princess, you have undertaken a considerable journey. Might we persuade you to rest for the night before setting forth?" the Old City Lord proposed.

"Your kindness is much appreciated, Lord City Master, but duty calls me back to Anyun without delay," Mu Hanyan responded, her resolve firm to hasten her return and forgo any further postponement.

After exchanging brief farewells with all present, Mu Hanyan and her loyal companions ventured forth under the cloak of night, setting their course towards Anyun. Having been well-fed and momentarily relieved of their arduous travel, everyone felt considerably revitalized.

By the time Mu Hanyan and her group reached the border again, the sun blazed high overhead, indicating the afternoon hour. Yet, as they entered the frontier fortress of Shangyue Country, any warmth was conspicuously absent, replaced by an unnerving chill that permeated their very beings.

A grim tableau greeted them: every soul within the fortress lay deceased. Dismembered, disemboweled, or brutally mutilated, their demise was a testament to utter carnage. The unmistakable marks of claws and teeth adorning their ravaged forms unequivocally pointed to a devastating onslaught by Exotic Beasts.

Mu Hanyan's apprehension intensified. While Exotic Beast attacks were an unfortunate constant throughout the millennia, they predominantly occurred in smaller hamlets like Hanshan Town. These beasts possessed a degree of cunning, fully aware of the formidable strength of organized human armies and their advanced weaponry. The previous attack on Dingbian City had already struck Mu Hanyan as unusual; now, witnessing these creatures directly assault a heavily fortified border fortress and annihilate its entire garrison was profoundly disturbing.

Examining the grievous wounds inflicted upon the soldiers, Mu Hanyan could vividly Reconstruct the ferocity of the battle and the overwhelming power wielded by the attacking Exotic Beasts.

"We must return immediately," Mu Hanyan commanded, wasting no time as she urged her companions across the gorge towards the border fortress of Anyun Country.

The scene that unfolded was a grim echo of the one they had just witnessed: every soldier within this fortress had met a similarly gruesome end.

A sudden thought struck Mu Hanyan. The old City Lord of Hanshan Town had only mentioned Exotic Beasts attacking cities within Anyun, not the border fortresses being breached. This implied those breaches occurred after their departure from Hanshan Town. If her father's summons back to Anyun was indeed due to the Exotic Beast situation, then the circumstances must have escalated considerably during her journey from Shangyue to Anyun.

With this realization, Mu Hanyan's anxiety intensified as she and Huayue urged everyone onward toward the Capital.

Days later, after traversing the ancient trade route, Fang Village came into view.

Fang Village was no longer the secluded, desolate mountain hamlet it once was. Under the stewardship of Nanyan Commerce and the Fang Family Head, it had expanded to the size of a town, even being renamed Fang Town. A protective wall now encircled it, and while not as imposing as those in Shangyue Country, it presented a formidable appearance.

From a distance, Mu Hanyan perceived Fang Town's atmosphere as unnervingly silent, a stark contrast to its former vibrancy. A palpable sense of deathly stillness permeated the air, instilling a strange sense of oppression.

"Who goes there? Why are you arriving now? Hurry, get inside!" From atop the town wall, guards urgently hailed Mu Hanyan and her group as they approached rapidly on horseback.

Before their shouts had even finished echoing, several guards descended, forcefully ushering Mu Hanyan and her companions into the town. These guards were unfamiliar, and the insignia on their uniforms indicated they were new hires of Nanyan Commerce, failing to recognize Mu Hanyan.

"Hold on, what are you doing?" Huayue and Zirong immediately moved to shield Mu Hanyan. Had it not been for the Nanyan Commerce emblem adorning their attire and the absence of any ill intent in their expressions, the pair might have already unsheathed their swords.

"Aren't you here for Fang Town?" one of the guards inquired.

"We are en route to the Capital," Huayue replied.

"The Capital? You cannot proceed there any longer. Quickly seek refuge within the town, or you risk losing your lives." Without pausing for a response, a guard continued to pull them further into the settlement.

Observing their worried countenances, Mu Hanyan understood their concern was genuine. Furthermore, she sensed that a grave incident had befallen Fang Village, prompting her decision to comply and enter the town with them.

While the situation in the Capital demanded urgency, the Mu Family possessed no shortage of formidable cultivators. Her grandfather, Mu Beichen, the Supreme Elder, and the Third Elder were all significantly more powerful than she. The collective strength of the other elders and guest officials was also substantial. If even they faced insurmountable challenges, her immediate return might offer little practical aid; thus, haste was not absolutely critical at this moment.