Na: Shen Changqing
Organization: Great Qin’s Demon Suppression Division
Rank: Yellow Rank Demon Hunter
Martial Arts: Thirteen Taibao Heng Practice (Level 16, can be improved), Heavenly Martial Gang Qi (Level 11, can be improved), Seven Kills Blade Technique (Level 3), Iron Sand Palm (Level 2)
Slaughter Value: 41
Originally, there were three points of Slaughter Value. Killing the female corpse contributed eight points, and then killing Wen Rong yielded an additional thirty points. Thus, the Slaughter Value went directly from the original three points to forty-one.
Shen Changqing silently calculated that if he were to solely improve the Thirteen Taibao Heng Practice without increasing its consumption, he could leap from Level 16 to Level 24.
With Level 24 of the Thirteen Taibao Heng Practice, I’m very curious just how formidable my Flesh will beco!
Shen Changqing shook his head with a wry smile.
It was impossible to allocate all his Slaughter Value to the Thirteen Taibao Heng Practice; the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi was the priority. At least for now, that was certain. Only when his vital energy was insufficient to support the advancent of Heavenly Martial Gang Qi would he consider improving the Thirteen Taibao Heng Practice.
At this mont, Zhang Yue had already led his n to search the Zhang Family estate.
"Head Zhang, the Zhang Family is so quiet!" A governnt official couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart as he looked at the vast yet lifeless Zhang estate.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue shook his head. "The Zhang Family colluded with Demon Evil; it’s possible that everyone has been slain by Lord Shen. We just need to follow orders and search every inch of the Zhang Family’s premises."
Since no one from the Zhang Family had appeared, he had so speculations. But in truth, matters involving Demon Evil were not sothing a re arrest officer like himself could handle. Lord Shen was powerful enough to slay Demon Evils; if he and his n were to face them, it would an certain death.
Hearing this, the governnt official decided to keep quiet.
The Zhang Family’s estate was not small. Apart from the main courtyard at the front, there were still several smaller courtyards and many side rooms. Pushing open the tightly shut door of one side room, a musty sll confronted them, causing Zhang Yue to instinctively cover his nose and mouth.
The governnt official following behind him muttered in exasperation, "How long has this place been unoccupied? Rich families certainly have money, owning so many houses they just let them get moldy."
While the governnt official was muttering, Zhang Yue had already stepped inside. It was around noon, and the sun was very strong. Even though the room’s windows were closed, enough light filtered in to make the overall layout clearly visible.
It was a woman’s bedroom. On the dressing table, there was a copper mirror, and several costics were scattered as if there hadn’t been ti to put them away. Besides that, there were also so dark brown spots on the floor.
Zhang Yue drew his longsword, lightly scraping at the dark brown spots, his expression somber. "These are traces of dried blood. It seems that soone died in this room, and quite a while ago at that."
The brown stains on the ground covered a large area. The loss of so much blood was enough to be fatal.
The sword returned to its sheath. Zhang Yue turned to the n beside him, "Search the room thoroughly to see if there are any items of value."
"Yes!"
"Be careful, this room gives off an ominous feeling." Zhang Yue looked around with a wary eye.
Even if Shen Changqing might have already thoroughly cleared out the Zhang Family, there was no guarantee that nothing remained. Better safe than sorry. Paying attention to everything was always the right decision; this was the invaluable experience he had accumulated over many years on the job.
Over the years, the Yan regularly recruited a batch of constables because so would always die for various reasons, causing a perpetual shortage of manpower in the Yan. People like Zhang Yue, with their seniority in the Yan, each had their own strengths.
Within half an hour, the room had been searched thoroughly. They found only so scattered silver taels; other valuable items were nowhere to be seen.
Shortly thereafter, the two n left the room and headed towards the next location.
For several hours, the Yan’s n searched the Zhang Family estate. Shen Changqing was in no hurry and waited calmly. During this ti, he took out the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant to inspect it. There were already three black lines on it. One line was very thick, another less so. The thinnest one, compared to the other two, was not on the sa level at all.
Without a doubt, the thinnest line was contributed by the female corpse and was not very powerful among the Ghostly Level demons. As for the other two, they ca from Wen Rong and the Resentnt Level Monster.
Regarding power, Wen Rong was undoubtedly the strongest. It was a pity that Wen Rong was wounded and overly cautious, daring only to stay hidden within the Zhang Family estate. Otherwise, if he had joined forces with that Resentnt Level Monster that night, the Yan would have been completely massacred, and even Shen Changqing would have had to make a strategic retreat.
Pocketing the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant and checking the Slaughter Value, Shen Changqing chose not to use it for the ti being.
His current vital energy wouldn’t be able to support an abrupt enhancent of Heavenly Martial Gang Qi; the consumption might prove unsustainable. Moreover, after breaking through to the sixteenth level of the Thirteen Taibao Heng Practice, its consumption had also significantly increased. Without resources to back it up, he didn’t dare to act recklessly.
Just then, a governnt official hurriedly ran over.
"Lord Shen, a discovery has been made!"
"Lead the way." Shen Changqing’s spirits lifted.
The dark secret chamber was lit by oil lamps. The bare walls were mottled with bloodstains, and skeletons were scattered on the floor, exuding a nauseating stench of blood. In front of the pile of skeletons, there was a bed and a desk. On the desk, an incense burner emitted wisps of blue smoke, which mixed with the sll of blood, yet seed to add a hint of fragrance.
Led by Zhang Yue, a group of governnt officials stood at the entrance of the secret chamber. Looking at the scattered skeletons, so wore solemn expressions while others turned deathly pale with fear.
"Lord Shen is here!" soone shouted.
All the governnt officials turned and, seeing Shen Changqing enter, bowed in salute. "Lord Shen!"
Shen Changqing waved his hand and looked towards Zhang Yue. "What has happened?"
"Lord Shen, please look!" Zhang Yue stepped aside, revealing the secret chamber behind him.
Shen Changqing stepped forward and saw the skeletons scattered across the chamber and the bed placed at the far end.
"It seems this was the dwelling of that Demonfolk," Shen Changqing observed, his expression turning cold. The nature of the skeletons scattered on the floor was all too clear.
The Demonfolk, having sustained injuries, naturally needed to recover. He recalled the information from the Heavenly Inspection Guard: people had been disappearing frequently in Lin’an City over the past one or two years, and all clues pointed towards the Zhang Family. Comparing this with the scattered skeletons, the answer beca obvious. That Demonfolk might have arrived at the Zhang Family only in the last year or two, subsequently turning them into Corpse Puppets. Alternatively, they might have been present for much longer, but their injury likely occurred within the past one or two years. Using living flesh and blood to sustain themselves... indeed, those who ally with Demon Evil can no longer be considered part of the Human Clan. If they hadn’t been worried about causing too much of a commotion and attracting the attention of the Demon-Subduing Division, perhaps no one in Lin’an City would have escaped this calamity!
A murderous intent brewed in Shen Changqing’s eyes as these thoughts crossed his mind.
It seed the enemy had only been able to make minor moves within the Zhang Family over the years due to the deterrent presence of the Demon-Subduing Division. If that deterrence vanished, the Demonfolk would act without restraint. Indeed, it was only because Demon Evil were causing chaos elsewhere, leaving the Demon-Subduing Division too stretched to intervene, that this enemy had gradually grown more audacious. The Demon Evil from Guyue Village... there must be an undeniable connection to this enemy.
Although the secret chamber was extensive, it could be seen entirely at a glance. Aside from the bed for sleeping and the desk, only the scattered skeletons remained.
Shen Changqing gave the chamber another look before withdrawing his gaze. "The Demonfolk has been dealt with; I have avenged them. How goes the search in the other parts of the Zhang Family?"
"Reporting to Lord Shen, the search is almost complete. We have packed everything and placed it outside the main courtyard," a governnt official replied.
"Good." Shen Changqing nodded. Having stood in the main courtyard for so long, he had indeed seen many boxes. "Let’s go. Take all the items back to the Yan. Zhang Yue, you then lead so n to fetch fuel oil. Since the Zhang Family harbored Demon Evil, there’s potential for lingering trouble. Burning it down will ensure nothing is overlooked."
"Yes, sir!" Zhang Yue acknowledged. He dispatched so n to move the items while he led another group to find fuel oil and other flammable materials.
Soon, only Shen Changqing was left in front of the secret chamber. After taking a deep look at the chamber, he too turned to leave.
It was already late. Wen Rong’s corpse still lay there, the dark blood having severely corroded the ground. So governnt officials brought a carriage, loaded all the boxes, and transported them back to the Yan. anwhile, Zhang Yue and his remaining n doused the entire Zhang Family estate with fuel oil. After that, they also spread a lot of dry kindling around.
"Lord Shen, everything is ready!" Zhang Yue said respectfully, holding a torch.
Shen Changqing didn’t take the offered torch. Instead, he drew the longsword from his waist. Heavenly Centipede True Qi coalesced, and he swung the blade through the air. The fiery Blade Gang imdiately struck the wall of the Zhang Family courtyard.
In an instant, the fuel oil ignited, and flas swept fiercely through the compound. The wave of heat forced Zhang Yue and the others to step back, whereas Shen Changqing remained motionless, as if he didn’t feel the intense heat.
"Zhang Yue, is there any possibility of us coexisting peacefully with the Demon Evil?" Shen Changqing suddenly asked, watching the flas.
Zhang Yue was montarily stunned but quickly recovered. "Lord Shen, you jest. The Demon Evil survive by devouring the Essence Blood of the Human Clan. To them, we of the Human Clan are rely food. How could there be any possibility of peaceful coexistence?
"If it weren’t for the Demon-Subduing Division keeping them in check, the people of Great Qin might have long ago beco nourishnt for the Demon Evil.
"To say nothing of others; if it weren’t for you, Lord Shen, we ourselves would likely not have survived!"
"You’re right." Shen Changqing nodded in deep agreent. "To the Demon Evil, the Human Clan is rely food; how could there be any possibility of coexistence? As long as the Demon Evil are not exterminated, the Human Clan will never know peace!"
In the past, he had read many records about Demon Evil at the Demon-Subduing Division, but those were rely written accounts. Only through this mission did he truly comprehend how abhorrent the relationship between the Human Clan and Demon Evil was. If Demon Evil are not eradicated, the Human Clan cannot thrive.
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