In the inner hall, the lamplight flickered.
"Sacrificing a few villages isn't a problem, but this way, we can't keep things under wraps. The Demon-Subduing Division might send a Profound Rank Demon Hunter here. If we really encounter a powerful Profound Rank Demon Hunter, Blood Soul, even if it ascends to the Resentment Level, will still have difficulty dealing with them. And if it comes to that, my role as the County Magistrate of Lin'an City will surely come to an end." Zhao Fang sighed, a reluctant expression on his face.
Zhuang Mingyuan, upon hearing this, was nonchalant. "Do you think that by not sacrificing the villages, and just based on the death of a low-ranking Demon Hunter, the Demon-Subduing Division will be oblivious to any problem?"
"This—"
"In fact, from the moment that low-ranking Demon Hunter died, your tenure as County Magistrate of Lin'an City has effectively come to an end. But that's actually a good thing. A minor position like County Magistrate in exchange for the advancement of a Resentment Level Strange Monster is no loss at all. You've also amassed a considerable fortune over the years, enough for you and your family to retreat completely. You will no longer be the County Magistrate of Lin'an City, and your role in the Alliance will be somewhat lessened. However, the Eternal Alliance never mistreats any of its meritorious servants." Zhuang Mingyuan offered a word of consolation.
Afterward, he changed the topic, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. "Besides, you don't have to worry about the Demon-Subduing Division sending any powerful figures here. I wasn't certain before, but now it seems clear that the Demon-Subduing Division is indeed too tied up to intervene."
Zhuang Mingyuan stood up from his seat and paced to the entrance of the inner hall, looking at the moonless night sky. "Not long ago, the Demon Evils dispatched many powerful beings to attack various places in Great Qin, instigating a full-scale war with the Demon-Subduing Division. That battle resulted in heavy losses for the Demon Evils, but the Demon-Subduing Division also suffered significant casualties. In the past, when dealing with a Ghostly Level Strange Monster, if low-ranking Demon Hunters took action, several would usually go together. Now, with only one person arriving, it's clear that the Demon-Subduing Division doesn't have many available operatives."
"Furthermore, after that previous battle, neither side emerged as the clear victor. Demon Evils from various places are still entangling many of the Demon-Subduing Division's powerful members. A modest place like Lin'an City isn't necessarily a priority for them to invest much effort into. After all, there are far too many places more important than Lin'an City. We're now just waiting for Zhang Long to return and report, to see if Blood Soul has advanced or not."
Lastly, Zhuang Mingyuan turned to look at Zhao Fang, his expression suddenly becoming eerie. "Or perhaps, Lord Zhao, you could make a truly ruthless move and sacrifice the entire population of Lin'an City. A blood sacrifice of Lin'an City's one hundred thousand souls might enable Blood Soul to ascend to the Fiend Level. You've been with the Eternal Alliance for many years without making much of a contribution. If you were to contribute a Fiend Level Strange Monster, it would undoubtedly catch the attention of the higher-ups. Then, you wouldn't lack anything you desire. Even I would gain a great deal from it!"
Zhao Fang was startled by Zhuang Mingyuan's words.
Sacrifice Lin'an City! This was something he dared not even consider; such a thought had never crossed his mind.
If sacrificing Guyue Village was somewhat acceptable, then sacrificing the entire Lin'an City completely exceeded his expectations.
After all, Lin'an City, though just a small frontier city in Great Qin, still had a population of one hundred thousand. He had been an official for many years; it was impossible for him to claim no attachment to Lin'an City.
To sacrifice Lin'an City outright? To disregard the lives of one hundred thousand people? Zhao Fang asked himself. He found that hard to accept.
"Lord Zhao, take your time and think about it. Of course, if you decide to sacrifice the entire Lin'an City, then you'll need to act quickly. After all, news of a few villages being sacrificed will definitely reach the Demon-Subduing Division. The Demon-Subduing Division will not ignore the emergence of powerful Demon Evils in any location. Even if the Demon-Subduing Division is temporarily entangled by Demon Evils from various places, they will eventually be able to free up their forces. After all, allowing a powerful Demon Evil to grow is a great threat to the Demon-Subduing Division. The only question is when they will take action, which will be when the threat becomes too great to ignore."
"Regarding this, I cannot be certain."
"Anyway, since Lord Zhao has already made preparations to retreat, why not create greater merit for the Alliance? I believe that with a Fiend-Level Strange Monster, even if you make no more contributions in the future, this merit alone would be enough to protect your family for a long time."
Zhuang Mingyuan continued to beguile. Though even if a Fiend Level Strange Monster truly appeared, the greatest credit would belong to Zhao Fang. As Zhao Fang's partner, he would also receive many benefits. Therefore, he especially hoped that Zhao Fang would sacrifice the entire Lin'an City. As someone who had long since pledged allegiance to the Demon Evils, Zhuang Mingyuan already considered himself separate from the common people; in his eyes, the lives of ordinary folk were no different from ants.
Zhao Fang bowed his head in contemplation, his expression shifting repeatedly as he struggled internally. He was considering Zhuang Mingyuan's words. Despite being a member of the Human Clan and the County Magistrate of Lin'an City, the last shred of conscience in Zhao Fang told him he couldn't sacrifice Lin'an City. But then again, having sacrificed Guyue Village and several other villages, perhaps sacrificing the entire Lin'an City wasn't out of the question.
It was just that... so many people would die. That was something his heart found hard to accept.
However, Zhao Fang was well aware of the benefits he would gain in the Eternal Alliance by nurturing a Fiend-Level Strange Monster.
Soon, his conflicted expression finally calmed.
Raising his head, the usual serene expression on Zhao Fang's face had vanished without a trace, replaced only by a chilling coldness. "Brother Zhuang is right. Since I have joined the Eternal Alliance, I should indeed make some contributions to it. It is the honor of the people of Lin'an City to allow the birth of a Fiend-Level Strange Monster."
"Haha—" Seeing that Zhao Fang had come around, Zhuang Mingyuan laughed heartily.
「At that moment—」
BOOM!
The main doors of the Yamen were struck by a powerful force and instantly shattered into countless pieces.
The enormous disturbance immediately caught the attention of the other Government Officials within the Yamen. It also caused the expressions of Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan, who were in the inner hall, to instinctively change.
"Who dares cause trouble at the Yamen!"
"Quick, go report to the Lord!"
"You—You are Lord Shen!"
The sudden turn of events left the few Government Officials in shock. Some immediately went to inform Zhao Fang, but others, once they calmed down, recognized who the night intruder at the Yamen was.
As the Government Officials recognized Shen Changqing, Shen Changqing also recognized them; they were the very same officials who had been stationed outside Guyue Village during the day.
Seeing them draw their weapons and watch him warily, Shen Changqing threw forward what he was holding. The object rolled on the ground a few times before coming to rest at the feet of a Government Official.
"Zhang— Constable Zhang!"