After leaving the Zhou Family estate, Xu Yi and the others temporarily found a restaurant to sit down and discuss their strategy.
"Zhou Qin is strong, yet she was injured by that Demon Evil. If we want to deal with it, I’m afraid it won’t be easy." Xiao Wen looked worried. Originally, she had great confidence that they could eliminate the Demon Evil. But now, that confidence had diminished significantly. After all, they had obtained accurate information about Zhou Qin from the Heavenly Inspection Guard and knew that she was a mid-stage Pulse Condensation expert. Even if they joined forces, they likely wouldn’t be much stronger than a single mid-stage Pulse Condensation expert.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu’s face also looked troubled. With a worried expression, she said, "If we can’t handle that Demon Evil, then our mission will be deemed a failure—"
If it were a normal mission failure, it would be one thing. But in the event of an assessment mission failure, the Demon-Subduing Division would give them no chance to rest and would surely arrange another task. At that time, the difficulty of the task could increase significantly. If they failed two or three times in a row, the punishments from the Demon-Subduing Division would follow. It must be known that the Demon-Subduing Division never fostered the idle. Failing a Demon Hunter’s assessment task once or twice was tolerable, but repeated failures would undoubtedly bring severe consequences.
While everyone looked worried, Xu Yi, however, had a faint smile on his face, showing no signs of nervousness.
"The Demon Evil in the Zhou Family’s ancestral home is indeed powerful, but we might not be without a chance of victory."
"What do you mean by that, Brother Xu?" Jiang Yu asked, looking confused.
The other two also turned their gazes toward Xu Yi.
Seeing this, Xu Yi spoke calmly. "Zhou Qin entered the ancestral home last night and encountered the Demon Evil. This proves it has always been there. In other words, that Demon Evil may be unable to leave the Zhou Family’s ancestral home for some reason."
Upon hearing this, Tian Feibai’s brows immediately furrowed. "Although it remains in the Zhou Family’s ancestral home, that doesn’t mean the Demon Evil can’t leave, right?"
"Brother Tian, you should know that Demon Evils feed on our Human Clan. Although I don’t know why it appeared in the Zhou ancestral home, its purpose must be to draw Essence Blood from the living. This is evident from the many deaths in the Zhou Family. But now that all the Zhou Family members have moved out of the ancestral home, there is no living person left there. Still, the Demon Evil lingers. Therefore, I have reason to believe that the Demon Evil can’t leave the Zhou Family’s ancestral home, or it is still coveting something within it, which is why it continues to linger."
As Xu Yi finished, he paused for a moment before continuing, "Regardless of the reason, the Demon Evil’s existence in the Zhou ancestral home is certain. A Ghostly Level Fiend must possess something to exist. If we destroy what it possesses, its strength will inevitably diminish. By then, dealing with it will become much easier."
After he said that, Tian Feibai and the others seemed to understand Xu Yi’s idea.
"The Zhou Family ancestral home is so large. Finding what the Demon Evil possesses won’t be easy, will it?"
"Although the Zhou Family ancestral home is large, it’s not impossible to find where the Demon Evil is hiding. It all depends on how we do it." Xu Yi smiled faintly. "As the saying goes, fire is merciless. A large fire would turn everything to ashes."
"You want to burn down the Zhou Family’s ancestral home!" Xiao Wen exclaimed in shock. The Zhou Family ancestral home was their foundation. Even with the Demon Evil present, Old Master Zhou didn’t want to give it up. If it were burned down, he might not agree.
Xu Yi said, "Our only option now is to burn down the Zhou Family ancestral home to force the Demon Evil out. Killing it is our main objective. Otherwise, once it leaves the Zhou Family ancestral home, there’s no telling how many more will lose their lives."
"Should we discuss this with the Zhou Family?" Tian Feibai asked hesitantly.
"No need." Xu Yi shook his head. "When has the Demon-Subduing Division ever needed to consult local gentry to do its job? Anyone who dares hinder the Demon-Subduing Division from slaying Demon Evils will be treated as a traitor to the Human Clan. However bold the Zhou Family may be, they definitely wouldn’t dare object."
Xu Yi was well aware of the sway the Demon-Subduing Division held in Great Qin. Not to mention the Zhou Family in Jincheng; even the large clans within the Capital City would not dare to stop the progress of the Demon-Subduing Division. It could be said that in Great Qin, the Demon-Subduing Division was like Heaven itself. Apart from the current sovereign, even those from the Imperial Family had no right to interfere with the actions of the Demon-Subduing Division. This was the power of the Demon-Subduing Division.
Tian Feibai and the others were new to the Jianghu and didn’t understand the true extent of the Demon-Subduing Division’s authority, but Xu Yi was very clear about it.
The others were momentarily stunned. They had joined the Demon-Subduing Division only recently, and this was their first time leaving it, so they weren’t fully aware of what the Division represented in Great Qin. But looking back now, everywhere they had gone since leaving the Demon-Subduing Division, everyone they met had treated them with utmost courtesy. Combining this with what Xu Yi had said, it seemed to make sense.
"When do you plan to take action, Brother Xu?" Tian Feibai asked.
Xu Yi said, "The quicker, the better, to avoid unforeseen complications. Although the scorching sun won’t affect the Demon Evil, it gives us a significant visual advantage."
"Ever since the Demon Evil began to wreak havoc, the neighboring commoners have feared the Zhou Family ancestral home like a den of vipers and scorpions, daring not to approach. If we set fire to the Zhou Family ancestral home, we don’t have to worry about affecting anyone else." Tian Feibai nodded in agreement. They had already obtained information about the Zhou Family ancestral home from the Heavenly Inspection Guard.
"However," Xu Yi said, pondering for a moment, "setting fire to the Zhou Family ancestral home will certainly cause some disturbance. I propose we first go to the Yamen and borrow some Government Officials to maintain order and prevent others from getting involved."
After reaching a decision, they hurried off toward the Yamen.
Meanwhile, Shen Changqing was strolling around Jincheng. Apart from the Wanhua Building and the Zhou Family estate, where he sensed a Yin Evil Aura, he didn’t detect it anywhere else. It was apparent that the Demon Evil was only present in those two places.
Shen Changqing suddenly stopped, his gaze drawn forward, where he saw a considerable number of Government Officials approaching. Among the Government Officials were indeed Xu Yi and his companions.
To avoid appearing conspicuous, he stepped aside like other commoners, watching the Government Officials pass.
With a quick glance, Shen Changqing estimated the number of Government Officials present.
What puzzled him was why Xu Yi and the others weren’t trying to eliminate the Demon Evil and were instead mingling with the people from the Yamen. Surely they couldn’t be intending to use the Yamen’s power to eradicate the Demon Evil?
When this possibility crossed his mind, Shen Changqing silently shook his head.
Although the Jincheng Yamen is much stronger than Lin’an City’s, and has over a hundred Government Officials, most are ordinary people. Only a few have barely reached the Body Tempering Realm. Such Martial Artists, no matter how numerous, are unlikely to be of any great use. The Yamen can only maintain a city’s normal order; Demon Evils are clearly beyond its jurisdiction. Ultimately, no powerful expert would join the Yamen to be a lowly Government Official or an arrest officer. Not to mention those far off, even a Pulse Condensation Warrior had some status in the Jianghu. Compared to joining the Yamen, a Pulse Condensation Warrior could certainly receive better treatment. Thus, it was inevitable that the Yamen would struggle to have any real experts. Once a Demon Evil appears, it’s entirely beyond the Yamen’s control, and they need to seek aid from the Demon-Subduing Division. So, relying on the Yamen’s power to deal with Demon Evils is simply unrealistic.
With these doubts in mind, Shen Changqing didn’t linger and quietly followed the large group of Government Officials.
Before long, he halted his steps.
The Zhou Family ancestral home?
Shen Changqing raised an eyebrow and in a single leap, jumped up to a roof. From that position, he had a clear view of everything below, yet the building’s structure obstructed him from the sight of those on the ground.
At that moment, he looked down from his high vantage point. He saw a group of Government Officials dispersing, driving away commoners who were approaching the Zhou Family ancestral home without permission.
Following that, other Government Officials brought kerosene and firewood, completely surrounding the exterior of the Zhou Family ancestral home with it.
Seeing this, Shen Changqing understood what Xu Yi and the others were planning to do.
Burning the Zhou Family ancestral home is indeed the most convenient method to deal with the Demon Evil. He silently nodded in approval. For low-rank Demon Evils, using fire to force them out is both fitting and the easiest method. Instead of venturing into the ancestral home to confront a Demon Evil hidden somewhere unknown, it’s better to burn the place clean. Then, the Demon Evil, with nowhere to hide, will naturally reveal itself.
"Leave no spot untouched. Make absolutely sure the entire perimeter of the Zhou Family ancestral home is piled high. Then, wait for my command to light it all at once." Xu Yi, standing in front of the Zhou Family ancestral home, ordered the surrounding Government Officials.
Upon hearing this, the Government Officials immediately set to work.
Then, he turned to the person standing beside him.
"Constable Liu, after the fire is started, you’ll lead the Government Officials to withdraw from the Zhou Family ancestral home. Also, prevent other commoners from approaching. The Demon Evil employs treacherous means. Too many people around might lead to unnecessary casualties."
"Rest assured, Master Xu, your subordinate knows what to do." Constable Liu clasped his fist, accepting the order.
A little under an hour later, the vast outer walls of the Zhou Family ancestral home were now covered with firewood and drenched in copious amounts of kerosene.
Constable Liu stepped forward. "Master Xu, all preparations are complete."
"Good!" Xu Yi nodded, his gaze solemn as he looked at the main door of the Zhou Family ancestral home, which was plastered with Talisman Paper. He then waved his hand fiercely.
At his command, all Government Officials holding torches tossed them into the piles of firewood.
Instantly, raging flames erupted.