Chapter 26

In a certain sense, demons are not considered true human beings, so their blood is a terrifying poison to ordinary people.

Almost as soon as it touches.

There is a risk of death.

Therefore.

After slaying the demon, one must completely destroy the body, leaving no trace whatsoever.

Once Zhuang Mingyuan's body was thoroughly incinerated.

Shen Changqing turned his gaze to the long sword in his hand.

The originally clean and white blade was now pitted and rusted, as if it had been buried in the ground for many years.

"This sword won't last much longer!"

Shen Changqing's expression was helpless.

When he slew the strange creature in Guyue Village, he had deliberately wrapped the sword in true qi to ensure it was not corroded by the blood.

However, when attacking Zhuang Mingyuan.

He forgot this point.

It was obvious.

Faced with the blood of such demons, ordinary weapons had no chance of resistance.

Unfortunately.

With Shen Changqing's current status, he had no way to obtain better divine weapons.

Shaking his head.

He turned and returned to Lin'an City.

—

Inside the government office, there was a peaceful calm, with no sign of the recent fight.

Zhang Long's severed head had already disappeared.

When Shen Changqing stepped into the inner hall, he saw Zhao Fang sitting quietly there.

"You didn't run?"

"Would it have been useful?" Zhao Fang countered.

"Knowing it wouldn't work, why did you conspire with demons and harm the people of Guyue Village? They are under the jurisdiction of Lin'an City and are also your people. As a parent official, your heart is exceptionally cruel."

Shen Changqing's gaze was indifferent, and he did not immediately move to kill Zhao Fang.

Because there was no need.

Zhao Fang was different from Zhuang Mingyuan; he had no martial arts cultivation and posed no risk of unexpected incidents.

There were some things.

Shen Changqing wanted to understand through Zhao Fang.

Facing the questioning.

Zhao Fang's expression was calm: "Demons are very powerful, so powerful that ordinary people have no right to resist. Faced with demons harming the people, I once wanted to eliminate the demons and protect the peace of the region.

But the demons were too strong. No matter how hard I tried, I could not resist them at all.

That feeling, you might not understand—"

At the end, his expression seemed somewhat melancholy.

From Zhao Fang's words.

Shen Changqing seemed to see a diligent and clean official who, for the sake of the people of Lin'an City, had to deal with the demons in a hypocritical manner.

But after Zhao Fang finished speaking.

He sneered: "Why do you deceive yourself? If you truly cared about the people, why would you sacrifice the lives of over a thousand people in Guyue Village? If you truly cared about the people, why would you deliberately conceal the news to prevent the Demon Suppression Bureau from discovering it?

To put it bluntly, you are just a coward who fears death."

"You don't understand!"

Shen Changqing's words seemed to sting Zhao Fang, making his expression agitated as he stood up from his seat.

"Do you know how many people are in Lin'an City? Ten thousand, ten thousand people. If I did not deal with the demons, not one of the ten thousand people in Lin'an City would have a chance to live. Sacrificing Guyue Village was a necessary measure.

Yes, the Demon Suppression Bureau is powerful and fearless of demons.

But how much stronger can the Demon Suppression Bureau be compared to the demons?

Over the years, countless people have been harmed by demons, and many cities have been destroyed. But where was the Demon Suppression Bureau at those times—"

"Very well said!"

Shen Changqing clapped in approval, then a faint smile appeared on his face: "So, sacrificing one Guyue Village is not enough for you; you plan to sacrifice more people, even the entire Lin'an City.

But I am curious.

Since you, Zhao Fang, claim to be dealing with the demons for the sake of the people of Lin'an City, what is the meaning of your dealings when you decide to sacrifice Lin'an City to secure your own future?"

Zhao Fang's face immediately stiffened.

At this moment, Shen Changqing's expression was already cold: "To put it bluntly, you, Zhao Fang, are a traitor who has betrayed the human race, a selfish and despicable person. The people of Lin'an City are just an excuse to numb your conscience.

The people of Guyue Village must have died with their eyes open.

You, Zhao Fang, have failed the ten thousand people of Lin'an City and the twenty years of their support!"

"You, should, die!"

Shen Changqing spoke each word clearly.

With each word, Zhao Fang's face turned paler, and he eventually fell back into his seat, powerless.

Becoming a先天武者 (Xiantian martial artist).

Shen Changqing's perception had already reached a terrifying level.

Even at the entrance of the government office.

He had heard the conversation between Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan in the inner hall.

He had not acted immediately.

To hear more useful information from their conversation.

After confirming that no more information could be obtained, Shen Changqing directly acted, rushing into the government office.

Therefore.

He had been listening to their conversation all along.

Including Zhuang Mingyuan's persuasion and Zhao Fang's fall.

So.

No matter how eloquently Zhao Fang spoke now, Shen Changqing was unmoved. In his view, although the person in front of him had not openly become a demon like Zhuang Mingyuan.

His inner evil and cruelty were no different from a demon.

To be honest.

Even if Zhao Fang had fled out of fear of the demons, abandoning ten thousand people, Shen Changqing would not have said anything.

After all, fear of death is a right of every person.

But as a parent official, eating the salary of the court, once caught and punished, it was inevitable.

Even if that was a crime.

It was far less heinous than colluding with demons and planning to sacrifice ten thousand people in Lin'an City to secure his own future.

To put it bluntly.

Such a crime is not just a capital offense.

Demons are very powerful, and Shen Changqing could not deny this.

Faced with an irresistible existence, some people are fearless and do not retreat, while others are afraid and quietly leave, and still others fawn and join the demons, turning their swords against their own people.

Clearly.

Zhao Fang is the last type of person.

Such a person is the most despicable.

Time passed slowly.

Zhao Fang sat motionless, his face pale and terrifying. Shen Changqing's words had shattered his last bit of inner struggle.

"Lord Shen, I know my sins are deep. So, I did not run when you were pursuing Zhuang Mingyuan. I am willing to die to atone for my sins, as a form of apology to the villagers of Guyue Village. But there is one thing I hope Lord Shen can agree to—"

"That is, all the sins will be borne by me alone, and have nothing to do with anyone else. I hope Lord Shen can spare them!"

As he spoke, Zhao Fang looked at Shen Changqing with a glimmer of hope in his dead eyes.

Shen Changqing's expression was indifferent, and he was unmoved.

"Whether one is guilty or not is not for you or me to decide. I will report this matter truthfully to the Demon Suppression Bureau, and how it is handled will be up to the Demon Suppression Bureau!"