The great fire of Luyang City blazed for days on end. The sky-piercing flames were clearly visible even from several neighboring cities.
However, with the Demon-Subduing Division’s orders, the Imperial Court’s men formed an encirclement around Luyang City, not allowing anyone to approach. At the same time, in order to arouse suspicion, the Imperial Court also sent people to create the false appearance of extinguishing the fire. In fact, once the Imperial Court’s men received their orders, they let the fire engulf Luyang City.
「Several days later.」
Luyang City had completely vanished from the lands of South Nether Prefecture, leaving nothing but charred ruins where the city once stood. As for the corpses of the townspeople, they too were reduced to ash in the flames, leaving few traces behind.
What a calamity of Demon Evil!
Standing atop the ruins of Luyang City, feeling the heat that had not yet faded, a middle-aged man dressed in official attire, his face showing neither grief nor joy, quietly sighed to himself.
He was Xiao Hua, the Magistrate of Gaojiang City.
The city destroyed before him, though not Gaojiang City, was a sobering sight. In reality, Gaojiang City was not very far from Luyang City. Now that Luyang City was destroyed, Xiao Hua felt immense pressure. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n0velfire.net
He knew very well that the destruction of Luyang City was never due to any natural disaster or human error, but rather a calamity caused by Demon Evil. The people of Luyang City had not died in the fire; they were killed by Demon Evil. But Xiao Hua deeply buried all these things in his heart. This was a secret, one that was almost universally known, yet could not be openly acknowledged.
Beside him, a man dressed as an Adviser bowed his head and said, "Is Your Excellency mourning the loss of the people of Luyang City?"
"Mm," Xiao Hua hummed lightly in acknowledgment.
The Adviser said, "Natural disasters and human tragedies are unpredictable; Your Excellency need not be too sorrowful."
"You don’t understand," Xiao Hua shook his head. Afterward, he turned to the Adviser. "After we return, post a notice. Any martial artists in Jianghu willing to serve the Imperial Court may go to the Prefecture Yamen. I plan to expand the defensive forces of Gaojiang City."
"Aren’t there already garrison troops in the city?" the Adviser asked, puzzled.
Xiao Hua said, "The garrison is the garrison. However, the Prefecture Yamen itself must also expand its strength to be able to respond promptly in case of emergencies."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
The news of Luyang City’s destruction had already spread throughout the entire South Nether Prefecture. Many citizens were deeply shocked upon hearing it. But these matters had already become irrelevant to Shen Changqing. After departing from Luyang City, he returned to Mountain-Breaking City with Xun Qu and the others.
Inside the grand hall, Ji Tianlu, Xun Qu, and Shen Changqing were gathered.
"Two hundred thousand citizens of Luyang City were slaughtered," Xun Qu, who had changed into a new set of clothes, said coldly. "Although the act was committed by Demon Evil naturally spawned from Heaven and Earth, Demon Evil remains Demon Evil. If other Demon Evil throughout South Nether Prefecture are not eradicated, the threat will always be present."
After emerging from Luyang City, his desire to kill Demon Evil had grown even stronger than before.
Ji Tianlu pondered for a moment before saying, "I understand what you’re saying, but right now the Demon-Subduing Division’s forces are insufficient. It’s already difficult enough to hold back the Demon Evil everywhere. To speak of eradicating them completely is tough!"
If it were possible to exterminate all Demon Evil, he, as the Defender Envoy, naturally would not object. But the problem was that the Demon-Subduing Division currently lacked the ability to eliminate all Demon Evil. There was no choice; the Demon Evil were simply too numerous. In comparison, the Demon-Subduing Division’s manpower was not as abundant as that of the Demon Evil. Not only that, but the collective strength of the Demon Evil was also considerably greater than that of the Demon-Subduing Division. With this disparity, the Division’s ability to maintain the current situation was already an achievement.
Xun Qu scoffed, "No need for others to take action; I alone can deal with them. All I want now is the location of those Demon Evil."
Pausing, he continued, "In this incident, the Demon Evil Clan and members of the Eternal Alliance secretly infiltrated Luyang City. When did it become acceptable for such entities to recklessly enter South Nether Prefecture without fear? If they are not taught a lesson, the Demon Evil Clan and the Eternal Alliance might forget who truly rules this land!"
This time, Xun Qu was truly enraged. Luyang City was butchered by Demon Evil, and individuals from the Eternal Alliance had infiltrated it. It was as if South Nether Prefecture had no defenses, allowing both parties to enter at will. By this point, he no longer cared whether the news would spread or if blame would come from above. If he did not slaughter a host of Demon Evil, he could not vent the frustration in his heart.
"You... never mind," Ji Tianlu finally said. "I’ll have someone send you some locations of Demon Evil later. If you want to kill, then kill!"
In the end, Ji Tianlu did not stop him. To eradicate Demon Evil was also his desire. But as he was stationed in Mountain-Breaking City and could not move lightly, he could only watch helplessly as Demon Evil ran rampant elsewhere. Now that Xun Qu was willing to take action, he let him proceed.
On the other side, Shen Changqing also spoke. "I would also like to obtain some locations of Demon Evil. Now that I have come to South Nether Prefecture, I do not wish to simply remain in the Demon-Subduing Division to recuperate. To slay Demon Evil is a duty our kind cannot shirk."
Ji Tianlu was speechless.
Whom are you scolding? He felt there was more to Shen Changqing’s words. But after a moment of thought, he did not delve much into the matter and just issued a reminder.
"Elder Shen has just returned from Luyang City and has gone through a great battle. I would still suggest you rest properly. If anything were to go wrong, I would have a hard time explaining it to Defender Dongfang."
"Defender Ji can rest assured," Shen Changqing replied. "Even if I were to die at the hands of Demon Evil, I would definitely not drag down the Demon-Subduing Division of Mountain-Breaking City."
"That’s not what I meant..." Ji Tianlu shook his head and sighed helplessly.
Both of them, returning from Luyang City, were like they had consumed gunpowder, seemingly intent on eradicating all the Demon Evil in South Nether Prefecture. However, he could understand. With all the citizens of Luyang City massacred, it would be unnatural for any member of the Human Clan not to feel enraged. The change in the two of them was understandable.
With this thought, Ji Tianlu said, "If Elder Shen is willing to exert himself for South Nether Prefecture, I have no reason to stop you. Later, just like Defender Xun, I will have someone send you a file on Demon Evil."
"Then I thank you," Shen Changqing nodded.
Although his panel still showed over three hundred Slaughter Value, to him, this amount offered little improvement to his strength. He needed more Slaughter Value. Only then could he truly push the Physical System to its peak.
After his encounter with the Demon Evil, Shen Changqing truly understood how powerful a being of that caliber was. It might seem like he had defeated a Demon Evil. But only he himself truly knew the danger involved.
Thinking about some matters, Shen Changqing pondered for a moment and then said, "There is something I must remind you both of."
A reminder? Ji Tianlu and Xun Qu exchanged glances, then both looked towards Shen Changqing.
Ji Tianlu said, "We are all on the same side here, Elder Shen. If you have something to say, please speak frankly."
"Within the Demon-Subduing Division of Mountain-Breaking City, there are surely people from the Eternal Alliance," Shen Changqing stated. "Although they may not necessarily be Demonfolk, their secret allegiance to the Eternal Alliance is beyond doubt."
"What!" Both their expressions changed.
Ji Tianlu’s face turned ugly. "Is what Elder Shen said the truth?"
If there were people belonging to the Eternal Alliance within his own Demon-Subduing Division, that would signify treason. For any leader of a faction, the emergence of a traitor among their ranks was absolutely intolerable. As his words fell, the atmosphere in the grand hall turned stifling.
Shen Changqing’s expression remained calm as he spoke lightly, "When I encountered the Demonfolk of the Eternal Alliance in Luyang City, they mistook me for Defender Xun. This makes it clear that the Eternal Alliance knew Defender Xun was trapped in Luyang City. It has only been a few days since Defender Xun was trapped, and with Defender Ji deliberately suppressing the news, no one was clear about it initially. The interval was no more than a day or two, yet the Eternal Alliance received the news. As for what that implies, I believe both of you understand far more than I do."
With his words concluded, Shen Changqing said no more. He had spoken so plainly that there was nothing more to add. Ji Tianlu and Xun Qu would undoubtedly understand.
Silence! A deathly hush fell upon the hall.
The expressions of Ji Tianlu and Xun Qu fluctuated, their eyes occasionally flashing with fury, then nurturing murderous intent.
After a long while, Ji Tianlu took a deep breath. "The information Elder Shen has provided is crucial. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. I absolutely will not allow a traitor to continue lurking within the Demon-Subduing Division."
"If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave now," Shen Changqing said.
"For slaying the Demon Evil of Luyang City, Shen Changqing has made a paramount contribution," Ji Tianlu declared. "If there is anything else you need from the Demon Slaying Hall, feel free to exchange for it. The required Merit Points will be charged to my account." As Ji Tianlu spoke, he used his power to send his Identity Token floating directly in front of Shen Changqing.
Shen Changqing caught the Token and said with a cupped fist, "Thank you. I take my leave."
Only Ji Tianlu and Xun Qu remained. Neither said a word, each maintaining their silence.
Approximately a quarter of an hour later, Xun Qu’s indifferent voice broke the silence in the hall. "Shen Changqing’s words are likely true; there are indeed people from the Eternal Alliance in the Demon-Subduing Division. This matter could be major or minor, but if we don’t deal with it, the repercussions will be endless."
"I know," Ji Tianlu spoke calmly. "I will thoroughly investigate this matter of traitors. To pledge allegiance to the Eternal Alliance is tantamount to betraying the Human Clan. I will not be lenient with such traitors."
"That would be best," Xun Qu replied.
"Is Shen Changqing’s strength truly as formidable as it appears?" Ji Tianlu changed the topic, his gaze falling on Xun Qu. He sought a definitive answer from him.
Xun Qu nodded, a hint of emotion on his face. "His strength is very formidable, truly formidable. The Grandmaster Peak is indeed worthy of its name. Moreover, it seems he has also mastered those two supreme Martial Arts from the Buddha Sect. With such strength, even I lack the confidence to contend with him. Perhaps he will be the first person in the over three hundred years since the Demon-Subduing Division’s establishment to break the Martial Artist Limit."