"The County Magistrate of Lin’an City actually dared to collude with Demon Evil! Death is what he deserves!"
"From the letter, it seems Zhao Fang has already committed suicide out of fear of his crimes."
"Hmph, colluding with Demon Evil isn’t something that can be resolved by suicide out of fear of his crimes! If the consequence for everyone who colluded with Demon Evil were merely death as atonement, thus exempting them from blame, then how many people would betray the Human Clan?" Zhou Yuanzheng sneered. In his eyes, Zhao Fang’s death was just the beginning.
"Colluding with Demon Evil, betraying the Human Clan, and attempting to sacrifice Lin’an City to nourish a Strange Monster—his litany of crimes demands the execution of his entire family!"
As he spoke, his gaze turned towards Dongfang Zhao.
In response, Dongfang Zhao slowly began, "Judging from the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant, it is true that the County Magistrate of Lin’an City colluded with Demon Evil. However, Zhao Fang was a County Magistrate, after all. We would need the Emperor’s approval to exterminate his family. When I enter the court tomorrow, I shall report this truthfully. Speaking of which, a Demon Hunter who can slay a powerful Ghostly Level Fiend and kill Demonfolk possesses remarkable strength. Are you familiar with this individual?"
The one being asked was Jiang Zuo, who stood below, not daring to move.
Upon hearing the question, Jiang Zuo bowed and replied, "Reporting to Defender Dongfang, Shen Changqing joined the Demon-Subduing Division a year ago, becoming a Demon Hunter. Records left by Liu Chang, the former Steward of the Demon Hunting Court of the Huang Department, indicate that Shen Changqing advanced to Pulse Condensation within three months of joining the Demon-Subduing Division. Regarding talent, Shen Changqing is stronger than the vast majority of Demon Hunters."
"Oh, Pulse Condensation in three months! I hadn’t expected him to be such a prodigy!" Dongfang Zhao’s brows lifted slightly. "Advancing to Pulse Condensation in three months... then taking eight or nine months to break through to the middle stage isn’t difficult. Reaching the later stage is also quite possible. Therefore, slaying a powerful Ghostly Level Fiend would indeed seem normal."
He was an extraordinary prodigy. The speed of his cultivation naturally couldn’t be compared to that of others. Pulse Condensation in three months, reaching the middle or even late stage within a year—the possibility was not small at all.
Of course, the leap from Pulse Condensation to Innate was not so easy. Breaking through that barrier would take far more time than advancing from Body Tempering to Pulse Condensation.
"Right," Zhou Yuanzheng recalled something and looked at Jiang Zuo. "Some time ago, the Heavenly Inspection Guard reported that Demon’s Essence Blood had emerged near Lin’an City in Guangyuan Prefecture. Is this Shen Changqing also the one currently stationed in Lin’an City?"
"Indeed!" Jiang Zuo nodded, responding truthfully.
Zhou Yuanzheng understood. Too many things happened every day in the Demon-Subduing Division. Information from Heavenly Inspection Guards across all regions flowed in ceaselessly. He had heard of many matters, but unless they were of great importance, he wouldn’t commit them to memory—just like the emergence of Demon’s Essence Blood in Lin’an City. For the Demon-Subduing Division, Demon’s Essence Blood of that level was not a significant matter. After someone was assigned to handle it, Zhou Yuanzheng had put it out of his mind.
Now, because of the issue of colluding with Demon Evil, he was reminded once again of certain matters regarding Lin’an City.
"Losing a prodigy who reached Pulse Condensation in three months would be a significant blow if he were to fall in Lin’an City. The Demon’s Essence Blood that emerged isn’t particularly precious, but it holds considerable allure for ordinary forces. For him, a Martial Artist who hasn’t broken through to the Innate realm, staying there might not be enough to control the situation, even with the Demon-Subduing Division’s reputation," a Defender Envoy said, shaking his head, clearly implying Shen Changqing should be recalled.
Dongfang Zhao’s expression was calm. "A prodigy who fulfills their potential is a true genius. Right now, the Demon-Subduing Division’s forces are mostly tied up by Demon Evil across various regions. Though he is only a Demon Hunter, his strength is not weak; even an ordinary Yellow Rank Demon Hunter might not compare. It’s fitting to have him remain there. If he can return safely, he’s a talent worth cultivating. Jiang Zuo, do you have any suggestions?"
"This subordinate will follow the intentions of the Defenders!" Jiang Zuo, startled, hurriedly bowed his head in reply.
He was just a minor Steward; how could he possibly have the qualifications to influence the Defender Envoys’ thoughts? At this moment, being inconspicuous was the wisest course of action.
"However—" Dongfang Zhao changed his tone. "He only joined the Demon-Subduing Division a short time ago and isn’t officially a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. This mission is quite tricky, so our Demon-Subduing Division must offer some support." With that, he looked towards Zhou Yuanzheng and the others. "What do the rest of you Defenders think we should do?"
"Since we’ve decided to let him defend Lin’an City, grant him the treatment due to a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. Let him choose one Martial Art from the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion. It would be a good thing if he could break through to the Innate realm in the future," Zhou Yuanzheng replied without hesitation.
The other two remained silent, but they evidently agreed.
Dongfang Zhao nodded, then looked at Jiang Zuo. "From today, Shen Changqing is promoted to Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. Also, select an Inner Strength Martial Art from the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion to bestow upon him. Additionally, gift him a bottle of Pulse Condensation Pills. Send these along with the other items to Lin’an City."
"This subordinate shall comply!" Jiang Zuo bowed, accepting the order.
"Tomorrow, I will enter the palace to report to His Majesty and deal with the Lin’an City affairs. I anticipate a new County Magistrate will not be appointed quickly. Until then, have Shen Changqing temporarily assume the duties of Lin’an City’s County Magistrate. He is not required to achieve any political merits; he only needs to maintain stability in the city. If the situation in Lin’an City is still unresolved by then and the Demon-Subduing Division can spare the manpower, we will dispatch others to assist."
After returning from Yongfu Pawnshop, Shen Changqing went back to stay at his previous inn.
According to his original plan, he was supposed to just inquire about the Demon’s Essence Blood. After confirming a few things, he intended to head straight back and then proceed to the Capital Demon Suppression Division. Other matters in Lin’an City should not have had much to do with him. Shen Changqing had never expected that, just as he was about to leave, the Demon-Subduing Division would assign him such a task.
"Had I known, I wouldn’t have gone to the Heavenly Inspection Guard!"
He sighed helplessly. But he also understood that avoiding the Heavenly Inspection Guard wouldn’t have exempted him from defending Lin’an City. In fact, once the letter from the Demon-Subduing Division was sent and reached the Heavenly Inspection Guard, they had plenty of ways to deliver it to him.
The only difference would have been the timing. Even if he had already left Lin’an City, or even Guangyuan Prefecture, he likely would have been made to return.
「Two days passed quickly.」
During these two days, Shen Changqing also took the time to explore Lin’an City thoroughly. News of Zhao Fang’s collusion with Demon Evil had already spread like wildfire. After all, the incident that night had been witnessed by many, and not every Government Official would keep their lips sealed. Moreover, the death of Zhao Fang, a County Magistrate, was impossible to hide. Furthermore, the Government Officials’ strict guarding of the Zhao Family also caused a considerable stir. So, by now, the citizens of Lin’an City were mostly aware that Zhao Fang had colluded with Demon Evil.
For a time, Zhao Fang and the members of the Zhao Family were condemned by thousands.
Of course, this had little impact on Shen Changqing.