The Capital City, Demon-Subduing Division.
Compared to previous days, the atmosphere within the Demon-Subduing Division was even more solemn. The aura of slaughter was so intense that it could be felt palpably even from a great distance.
"Demon Evil has become increasingly rampant recently!" Zhou Yuanzheng, clad in iron armor, had a stern expression. When discussing Demon Evil, he made no effort to conceal his murderous intent.
In the great hall at this moment, apart from him, three other people were present. Each of them exuded an immense aura of authority, inspiring awe and fear.
One of them spoke, "Demon Evil has been eyeing Great Qin for more than a day or two. Now that His Majesty is advancing in years, they want to test the depths of Great Qin’s foundation."
"Hmph! For over three hundred years, Demon Evil has never managed to best Great Qin. Even though His Majesty is advanced in years, we of the Demon-Subduing Division are no pushovers! The last battle, where we slew several Great Demons, was enough to deal them a heavy blow!"
"Previously, slaying several Great Demons could indeed make Demon Evil wary. However, the situation is different now. Slaying Great Demons has also come at a great cost to our Demon-Subduing Division; we’ve lost many high-ranking Defender Envoys. Now, with Demon Evil causing chaos everywhere, it is not an easy task for us to suppress them all."
The person at the center, dressed in a blue and white long robe, his slightly pale complexion unchangingly calm, had remained so from start to finish.
Zhou Yuanzheng spoke coldly, "The Demon-Subduing Division was established over three hundred years ago and has slain countless Demon Evil. Even if they truly wish to wage war, Great Qin is not afraid!"
"Great Qin naturally does not fear war. However, it is an undeniable fact that Great Qin’s strength is gradually weakening. If a full-scale war were to break out, we might kill eight hundred enemies but lose a thousand of our own. Once the members of the Demon-Subduing Division are all dead, how much strength would we have left to contend with the remaining Demon Evil?"
"How are your injuries now?" Zhou Yuanzheng’s anger subsided considerably as he looked at the man in the center.
Dongfang Zhao! Among the experts currently garrisoning the Demon-Subduing Division, his strength was considered among the very best.
Dongfang Zhao heard this and shook his head slightly. "It’s nothing serious. I hadn’t expected that such a powerful existence among Demon Evil had already awakened. But for now, he still can’t harm me. The current chaos caused by Demon Evil is only temporary. Even though His Majesty is old, he has not truly reached that final stage. As long as His Majesty remains, those powerful Demon Evil who dare to enter Great Qin would have to seriously consider if they can withstand His Majesty’s wrath."
After speaking, he looked at the others and continued, "For now, Demon Evil is merely probing. However, their methods are cruel, and we in the Demon-Subduing Division cannot stand idly by. We must dispatch all suitable Demon Hunters to suppress Demon Evil at all costs. As for the Defender Envoys in various regions, they are to remain at their posts and await orders. Should any powerful Great Demon make a move, they must be slain or repelled immediately."
Powerful Great Demons cause destruction far more terrifying than that of ordinary Demon Evil. Beings of that level could easily slaughter an entire city or prefecture. Each appearance of such a Great Demon is accompanied by terrible natural calamities, with casualties numbering in the millions. Even a powerful nation like Great Qin cannot withstand such turmoil. Once or twice might be manageable, but if it happens too often, the very foundations of Great Qin will be shaken.
Suddenly, someone walked in from outside. Upon seeing the four individuals, the newcomer bowed respectfully.
"Jiang Zuo, Steward of the Huang Department in the Demon Hunting Court, greets the Defender Envoys!"
"What is your business?" Zhou Yuanzheng’s gaze fell upon him as he asked indifferently. He was familiar with Jiang Zuo. One could not hold the position of Steward in the Demon Hunting Court without sufficient strength.
"According to the latest intelligence, County Magistrate Zhao Fang of Lin’an City has colluded with Demon Evil. He slaughtered the inhabitants of an entire village—over a thousand lives—to cultivate a Ghostly Level Fiend. Furthermore, he plans to sacrifice the entire populace of Lin’an City, one hundred thousand souls, to elevate that Fiend to the Fiend Level!"
In the great hall, the expressions of the Defender Envoys changed drastically, each of them seething with uncontrollable rage. Colluding with Demon Evil! Sacrificing the common folk! These were heinous crimes, absolutely unpardonable!
"Speak!" Dongfang Zhao’s expression turned cold as he calmly uttered a single word.
Instantly, Jiang Zuo felt immense pressure. He took out the letter he had received beforehand and presented it with both hands, "Please, Defender Dongfang, take a look!"
The next moment, the letter, as if held by an invisible hand, landed in Dongfang Zhao’s grasp. After glancing at it briefly, Dongfang Zhao tossed the letter to the other Defender Envoys. "You all take a look as well!"
As the letter was passed around, he looked at Jiang Zuo. "Besides this, is there any other evidence?"
"This is the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant, sent back from Lin’an City by Apprentice Demon Hunter Shen Changqing along with the report!" Jiang Zuo then took out the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant.
Dongfang Zhao waved his hand, and the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant flew into his grasp. On the Jade Pendant, two black threads lingered. Upon closer inspection, the black threads appeared to be slowly writhing.
"The marks on the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant differ in depth. The deeper one belongs to a being quite strong among the Ghostly Level, while the shallower one indicates a being that hasn’t progressed far within the Ghostly Level." With a single glance, Dongfang Zhao had discerned the details on the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant. He was a Defender Envoy of the Demon-Subduing Division and had slain countless Demon Evil. His judgment regarding the strength of Demon Evil was rarely, if ever, mistaken.
By now, the letter had been read by the other three Defender Envoys, and anger was evident on each of their faces.
Suddenly, Dongfang Zhao clenched his fist, and the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant instantly shattered. As the Jade Pendant shattered, the two black threads hidden within were released, like escaping wisps of smoke. Then, a mystical force enveloped the two black threads. They twisted and transformed, soon revealing their original forms.
However, both Zhuang Mingyuan and Blood Soul now had vacant gazes, their bodies ethereal as if they could dissipate at any moment. No one present was surprised by this sudden development. The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant not only recorded the aura of Demon Evil but also captured a sliver of their power, leaving behind an imprint. What Dongfang Zhao was doing now was completely releasing those power imprints.
"I ask you, has County Magistrate Zhao Fang of Lin’an City truly pledged himself to Demon Evil?!" Dongfang Zhao interrogated harshly, his voice booming like a great bell, resonating throughout the hall and penetrating deep into their very souls.
Blood Soul’s form stood motionless, then suddenly let out a piercing shriek before vanishing completely.
Zhuang Mingyuan’s vacant face contorted in a violent struggle as he barely managed to utter a single word, "Yes—"
Before he could finish, his ethereal body also dissipated into nothingness.
However, the expressions of the Defender Envoys present had already turned utterly grim. From Zhuang Mingyuan’s lips, they had obtained the answer they sought.