Zhao Fang shook his head, his complexion even paler.
"The Demon-Subduing Division is merciless. If the truth is reported to them, not a single person in the Zhao Family will survive. I hope that Lord Shen, considering my twenty years of service as the County Magistrate of Lin’an City, can spare my family. Moreover, they are completely unaware of these matters. As long as Lord Shen tells the members of the Demon-Subduing Division that I was killed by a Demon Evil, and knows nothing else, that will suffice!"
Having said this, Zhao Fang stood up and bowed deeply to Shen Changqing.
Colluding with Demon Evils, under the laws of Great Qin, is a heinous crime punishable by the execution of the offender’s entire clan.
It doesn’t matter if I die. After all, when the cooperation began, Zhao Fang had considered the possibility of being exposed, so he was somewhat psychologically prepared for the consequences.
But I can die. Yet, the people of the Zhao Family should not have to die with me.
The only hope for the Zhao Family’s survival now rested with Shen Changqing. As long as he asserts that I did not side with the Demon Evils, all can be negotiated.
"You served as the County Magistrate for twenty years, but in the end, you sided with the Demon Evils. If I hide this for you, how can I be worthy of the lives of the people of Guyue Village!"
"I have wronged the people of Guyue Village, but the members of the Zhao Family are innocent—"
"The members of the Zhao Family have benefited from your favor and lived in prosperity under your protection for twenty years in Lin’an City. Naturally, they must also bear the corresponding karma. The Demon-Subduing Division will deliver a fair judgment on this matter."
Shen Changqing directly interrupted Zhao Fang. Nothing is innocent. Everything the Zhao Family now possessed had come from Zhao Fang.
Now that Zhao Fang’s fortunes had turned, the Zhao Family had to face the consequences.
"Of course, I can give you a chance. If you answer some of my questions, when the Zhao Family is in trouble, I will help as much as I can."
"What do you want to know!" Zhao Fang took several deep breaths, his chest heaving wildly.
If it weren’t for the fact that he couldn’t defeat Shen Changqing, he would want to charge at him now and die together. But doing so would extinguish the last flicker of hope for the Zhao Family’s survival.
Shen Changqing’s expression was calm as he sat down opposite Zhao Fang, placing his long saber to one side.
"It’s simple. Tell me everything. What was the main purpose of your cooperation with the Demon Evil? How did you communicate with each other? And does the Demon Evil have any other contingency plans left in Lin’an City? The words you speak now are an opportunity for the Zhao Family to make amends for its crimes in the future. You are more aware than I am of their importance."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fang fell silent. At this point, he knew he had to speak.
After bowing his head in contemplation for a while, he finally raised his head to look at Shen Changqing.
"Compared to the Human Clan, Demon Evils have a great advantage: their lifespan. Ordinary humans have fleeting lifespans of just a few decades, and very few live beyond a hundred years, but Demon Evils are entirely different. My main purpose in cooperating with the Demon Evil was to obtain the opportunity to extend my lifespan. I am old. Without the help of the Demon Evil, I would probably reach the end of my road within another ten or twenty years."
Zhao Fang’s voice was steady, but when he spoke of lifespan, his eyes notably became more fervent. To him, lifespan was a great temptation. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have resorted to siding with the Demon Evils.
Shen Changqing did not interrupt, quietly listening to what the other man would say next.
"My connection with the Demon Evils was through Zhuang Mingyuan—the same person you just fought. He is a member of the Eternal Alliance. It was through him that I became involved with the Eternal Alliance and the Demon Evils."
"Eternal Alliance?" Shen Changqing’s eyebrows raised. He had also heard this name during Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan’s conversation.
"The Eternal Alliance is just an organization of the Demon Evils. In fact, I don’t know much about it either. I only understand that many who pledge themselves to the Demon Evils join the Eternal Alliance. Other than that, I know nothing else," Zhao Fang shook his head.
Shen Changqing silently repeated the name ’Eternal Alliance’ in his mind. The name of this organization is straightforward enough. Eternal life! Do people who pledge themselves to the Demon Evils all gain eternal life?
Upon this, he couldn’t help but scoff. "The Demon Evils and the Human Clan are adversaries. In the eyes of the Demon Evils, humans are no different from food. Even if they truly have a way to eternal life, they would not bestow it upon you."
"Perhaps!" Zhao Fang replied noncommittally. "But within the Eternal Alliance, there are humans who have lived for hundreds of years. For us, who only have a few decades of life, a few hundred years is also sufficiently lengthy."
"Is there nothing else, apart from Zhuang Mingyuan, that serves as a token of the Eternal Alliance?"
"There is." Zhao Fang nodded, took out a silver-white token from his chest, and passed it over. "This is the Eternal Alliance Token. Everyone who joins will receive one. Didn’t Lord Shen find a token on Zhuang Mingyuan?"
While speaking, he seemed to be probing.
In response, Shen Changqing’s expression remained unchanged as he took the silver-white token. "No. After I killed him, his body was incinerated immediately. I didn’t see any trace of a token."
Now, his gaze rested on the token. On the front of the silver-white token was an evil and ferocious image of a Demon Evil, unsettling to anyone who looked upon it. On the back were inscribed two characters: Eternal Life!
On the other hand, Zhao Fang understood upon hearing these words. "No wonder Lord Shen did not find an Eternal Alliance Token on Zhuang Mingyuan. This token has no other flaws, except one: it is easily incinerated by fire."
Destroyed by fire. Shen Changqing nodded slightly, understanding why he hadn’t found an Eternal Alliance Token on Zhuang Mingyuan.
After handing over the token, Zhao Fang paused and then spoke, "There probably isn’t any other Eternal Alliance presence in Lin’an City. After all, Lin’an City is just a small city; there’s no need to invest too much effort. Having Zhuang Mingyuan and that Ghostly Level Fiend was already sufficient."
Zhao Fang had given sufficient answers to several questions, clearly showing his sincerity.
Shen Changqing pondered for a moment. "One last question: have you heard anything about Demon’s Essence Blood?"
"Demon’s Essence Blood?" Puzzlement flashed in Zhao Fang’s eyes.
Seeing this, Shen Changqing was already clear that the other party knew nothing of Demon’s Essence Blood. It seems Zhao Fang’s status within the Eternal Alliance is also limited.
He was thinking about the matter. After a moment, he looked at Zhao Fang, his expression calm. "You’ve said almost everything that needs to be said. As for the rest, will you do it yourself, or do I need to take action?"
"There is no need to trouble Lord Shen. I will do it myself." Zhao Fang slid a dagger from his sleeve, gazing straight at Shen Changqing. "I only hope Lord Shen will keep his word and give the Zhao Family a way to survive!"
With that said, the dagger plunged into his chest!
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