Chapter 23

Several constables, illuminated by the torchlight, could clearly see the object rolling on the ground—it was a human head.

Although the head was covered in blood and dirt from rolling on the ground, they could still recognize it as Zhang Long's head.

Zhang Long was dead!

The person who killed him was Shen Changqing, standing right before them!

For a moment,

the atmosphere became heavy.

The constables, though shocked and angry, dared not act rashly. They knew very well that the people from the Demon Suppression Bureau were not to be trifled with.

Moreover,

Zhang Long's strength was among the top in Lin'an City.

Even if all the constables in the yamen combined, they could not compare to him.

Even someone as strong as Zhang Long

had died at the hands of Shen Changqing.

If they were to step forward, they would meet the same fate.

But because they wore the clothes of the government and were fed by the government, these constables did not easily back down.

They took a step forward.

Shen Changqing looked at the constables who were stepping back and said in a cold voice, "Zhao Fang and Zhang Long colluded with demons and killed over a thousand people in Gu Yue Village. Now that Zhang Long has been punished, Zhao Fang remains at large.

This official is here to take Zhao Fang's life. All others should quickly leave, or I will not show mercy!"

Upon hearing this,

the constables' expressions changed again.

Zhao Fang and Zhang Long colluded with demons and killed over a thousand people in Gu Yue Village!

When Shen Changqing said this, they instinctively did not believe him.

However,

when they saw that Shen Changqing was wearing the uniform of the Demon Suppression Bureau and was a Demon Slayer, their beliefs began to waver.

At this moment,

led by one of the constables, Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan also arrived.

"What happened!"

Zhao Fang's face was stern. After surveying the scene and seeing Shen Changqing standing there, his pupils contracted. When he saw Zhang Long's head on the ground, his face twitched.

As soon as he spoke,

the scene became deathly silent.

The constables did not respond but looked at Zhao Fang with complex expressions.

Some of them

even took a slight step back.

Seeing this,

Zhao Fang's heart sank, but he maintained his composure and bowed to Shen Changqing.

"Sir Shen, what happened? Why is Captain Zhang dead?"

Upon hearing this,

Shen Changqing's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Zhang Long colluded with demons and killed over a thousand people in Gu Yue Village. He has been executed by this official. Now, my purpose here is to bring another traitor to justice."

After speaking,

his smile disappeared, and a cold expression covered his face. He roared, shaking the night sky.

"Zhao Fang, for colluding with demons and betraying the human race, do you admit your guilt!"

His voice was loud,

not only echoing in the yamen but also heard outside.

Zhao Fang's face turned grim. "Sir Shen, one can eat anything, but one cannot speak recklessly. I have served as the magistrate of Lin'an City for twenty years, always diligently serving the people without any mistakes.

Now you accuse me of colluding with demons and harming the people of Gu Yue Village. Do you have any concrete evidence?

Remember, even as a member of the Demon Suppression Bureau, defaming a government official is a serious offense!"

"Evidence?"

Shen Changqing stepped forward, and his long sword quietly slid out of its sheath, its white blade gleaming menacingly in the night.

"My words are the evidence!"

As he spoke,

the sword was drawn!

Pure Yang energy exploded, and the moment the sword was swung, a thunderous sound echoed, almost deafening.

Facing this sword,

Zhao Fang was utterly terrified.

Although he colluded with demons, he was still an ordinary person with no martial arts skills, leaving him no chance to resist.

At this moment,

Zhuang Mingyuan, standing beside Zhao Fang, suddenly moved.

Bang—

A惨叫 accompanied by black blood splattering, corroding the ground into a large pit.

Zhuang Mingyuan retreated rapidly.

At this moment, he had completely transformed, with scales covering his body and countless black patterns spreading, emitting a cold and evil aura.

Upon closer inspection,

it was clear that he was standing still, his right arm hanging down, with the scales charred and broken, black blood flowing from the wound.

The sudden change

completely frightened the others.

When they reacted, they saw Zhuang Mingyuan's bizarre state.

"Demons, demons!"

Some of the constables, upon seeing the arm covered in green scales, immediately turned pale.

Zhuang Mingyuan's exposure

made them completely believe Shen Changqing's words.

Since Zhuang Mingyuan was a demon, Zhao Fang was almost certainly involved with demons.

As the constables backed away,

Zhao Fang's face turned as dark as water.

He understood that Zhuang Mingyuan's exposure had cut off his escape route.

But even now,

Zhao Fang was still puzzled as to why Shen Changqing was not dead, but Zhang Long was.

"Why aren't you dead!"

He spoke through gritted teeth.

Shen Changqing's hand holding the sword trembled slightly, and the black blood on the blade fell to the ground, leaving the originally white blade with some pitted marks.

"It seems I was right; you did collude with demons. As for why Zhang Long is dead, it's simply because he was too weak. Similarly, you will die next because you are also too weak!"

As he spoke,

the sword was swung again.

But this time, his target was not Zhao Fang but Zhuang Mingyuan.

It was clear that

Zhao Fang had no cultivation, while Zhuang Mingyuan was a significant threat. However, after breaking through to the innate realm, Shen Changqing no longer took him seriously.

The sword cut through the air with the speed of lightning.

Zhuang Mingyuan's face twisted into a bizarre smile, and he suddenly disappeared from his spot. When the sword landed, it only hit empty air.

At the same time,

a deep and cold wind attacked from behind.

Without looking, Shen Changqing swung his sword backward through his armpit.

Thud!

The sound of the sword piercing flesh was followed by a powerful force hitting his back.

His back clothing tore,

and as his skin split, a scorching aura rose, repelling the attacker.

He drew the sword back

and retreated a distance.

Shen Changqing turned around and looked at Zhuang Mingyuan, who was holding his shoulder, with a cold expression.

Zhuang Mingyuan's face was now filled with disbelief.

"Body-protecting aura, you are an innate martial artist, no, it's impossible, how can a trainee Demon Slayer be an innate martial artist!"

But no matter how much he refused to believe it, the scene just now clearly showed that it was a body-protecting aura.

The person before him

was not a trainee Demon Slayer but a powerful Demon Slayer with innate cultivation.

Thinking of this,

Zhuang Mingyuan dared not stay any longer and fled directly out of the yamen.