Several Government Officials, illuminated by torchlight, could clearly see something rolling on the ground—it was unmistakably a human head. Although smeared with blood and grime from the ground, they still recognized it as Zhang Long's.
Zhang Long was dead! The one who killed him was the man before them, Shen Changqing!
For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy. Although the Government Officials wore expressions of shock and anger, none dared to make a move. They were well aware that someone from the Demon-Subduing Division possessed means far beyond their own capabilities. Besides, Zhang Long's strength was renowned as one of the best in Lin'an City; within the Yamen, even all the Government Officials combined couldn't compare to him. A man as strong as Zhang Long had died at Shen Changqing's hands. If they advanced, it would be a path to certain death. It was only because they wore official uniforms and ate the government's food that these Government Officials did not retreat easily.
They advanced slowly.
Shen Changqing watched the retreating Government Officials, his voice indifferent. "Zhao Fang and Zhang Long conspired with Demon Evil, slaughtering over a thousand lives in Guyue Village. Zhang Long has already been executed, but Zhao Fang still roams free. I have come here only to take Zhao Fang's life. All unrelated persons should withdraw immediately, or don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
Upon hearing this, the Government Officials' complexions changed once more. Zhao Fang and Zhang Long had conspired with Demon Evil, slaughtering over a thousand lives in Guyue Village! Their first instinct upon hearing Shen Changqing's words was disbelief. But, after seeing Shen Changqing in the Demon-Subduing Division's uniform and recognizing him as one of their Demon Hunters, their conviction began to waver.
At that moment, led by a Government Official, Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan arrived.
"What has happened here!" Zhao Fang's demeanor was authoritative. After surveying the surroundings, his gaze fell upon Shen Changqing, and his pupils involuntarily constricted. His face twitched slightly when he saw Zhang Long's head on the ground.
As soon as his words were out, the scene fell deathly silent. None of the Government Officials responded, instead looking at Zhao Fang with complex expressions. Some even imperceptibly stepped back a little.
Seeing this, Zhao Fang's heart sank once more, but he maintained his composure and gave Shen Changqing a respectful bow. "Lord Shen, I wonder what has happened here? And why has Constable Zhang met his death in this place?"
Hearing this, Shen Changqing's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Zhang Long conspired with Demon Evil, causing the deaths of over a thousand people in Guyue Village. I have executed him. Now, my purpose here is to ensure another traitor who has betrayed the Human Clan faces the same fate."
After speaking, his smile vanished, replaced by a frosty demeanor. He bellowed, his voice shaking the night sky, "Zhao Fang! For conspiring with Demon Evil and betraying the Human Clan, do you confess your guilt?"
The voice boomed loudly, echoing not only through the Yamen but also audible outside.
Suddenly, Zhao Fang's complexion turned ugly. "Lord Shen, one can eat indiscriminately, but words must not be spoken carelessly! As the County Magistrate of Lin'an City for twenty years, I have always served the people diligently, never daring to commit the slightest wrongdoing. Now you claim that I have conspired with Demon Evil and harmed the people of Guyue Village, but do you have any concrete evidence? Keep in mind, even for someone from the Demon-Subduing Division, falsely accusing an official of the Imperial Court is no small offense!"
"Evidence?" Shen Changqing stepped forward, his long saber silently unsheathing from his waist, its pristine blade reflecting a terrifying glow in the night's darkness. "My word is evidence!"
As he finished speaking, the saber was out! Pure Yang True Qi erupted. The moment the long saber slashed through the air, a sound like a thunderclap burst forth, nearly deafening those around.
Facing this saber strike, Zhao Fang was terrified. Despite his collusion with Demon Evil, he was essentially an ordinary person with no martial arts skills and no way to defend himself.
Just then, Zhuang Mingyuan, standing beside Zhao Fang, suddenly moved.
BANG—
A scream pierced the air, accompanied by splattering pitch-black blood that corroded the ground, creating a large pit.
Zhuang Mingyuan retreated rapidly. He had completely changed his appearance: Scale Armor now grew on his body, crisscrossed by numerous black lines, and a cold, evil aura emanated from him. Upon closer inspection, he stood motionless, his right arm hanging limp, its Scale Armor blackened and shattered, dark blood flowing from the wound.
This sudden twist stunned everyone. By the time they came to their senses, they saw Zhuang Mingyuan's eerie state.
"A demon! Demon Evil!"
Some knowledgeable Government Officials' faces turned ugly as they looked at the arm covered in greenish Scale Armor.
Zhuang Mingyuan's exposure made them fully believe Shen Changqing's words. Since Zhuang Mingyuan had appeared alongside Zhao Fang, and was now revealed as Demon Evil, Zhao Fang was almost certainly connected to them.
As the Government Officials backed away, Zhao Fang's face grew grim. He understood that Zhuang Mingyuan's exposure had completely cut off his escape routes.
But even now, Zhao Fang was confused. Why hadn't Shen Changqing died? Why was it Zhang Long instead?
"Why aren't you dead!" he snarled through gritted teeth.
Shen Changqing's hand, gripping the saber, trembled slightly, shaking the black blood from the blade onto the ground. The once pristine steel was now pitted and dented.
"It seems I was right; you truly did collude with Demon Evil. As for why Zhang Long is dead, his strength was simply too weak. Similarly, you will die next, because your strength is also too weak!"
The words had barely fallen when the long saber slashed out again. This time, his target was not Zhao Fang, but Zhuang Mingyuan at his side. It was apparent that Zhao Fang had no cultivation, while Zhuang Mingyuan posed a significant threat. However, after breaking through to the Innate realm, Shen Changqing no longer viewed him as a major concern.
The long saber slashed out, splitting the air with lightning speed. Zhuang Mingyuan revealed a sinister smile, and his figure suddenly vanished. The saber struck only empty air.
Simultaneously, a chilling, sharp gust of wind struck from behind. Shen Changqing didn't even glance back, merely slashing backward with his saber from under his armpit.
SCHLICK!
The sound of the saber cleaving flesh rang out, followed by a formidable force striking his back.
The clothing on his back burst apart. Just as his skin was about to split, a layer of scorching heat flared up, repelling the attacker.
Withdrawing the saber, Shen Changqing stepped back a few paces. He turned, his expression indifferent as he looked at Zhuang Mingyuan, who was clutching his shoulder.
Zhuang Mingyuan's face was etched with disbelief. "Protective Gang Qi! You're an Innate Martial Artist! No, impossible! How can a Probationary Demon Hunter be an Innate Martial Artist!"
But no matter how much he refused to believe it, the recent scene clearly indicated it was Protective Gang Qi. The person before him was no mere Probationary Demon Hunter, but a powerful Demon Hunter with Innate cultivation.
With this realization, Zhuang Mingyuan dared not linger and immediately fled towards the Yamen's exit.