Chapter 41

Upon hearing this,

many people's expressions turned grave.

Get out!

That would completely cut off the Zhao family's retreat.

Now, with the verdict not yet fully handed down, not everyone is willing to take this risk.

Although leaving Lin'an City is still different from outright rebellion, it would mean a complete falling out with the imperial court. If they are not caught, it's fine, but if they are caught, execution is certain.

Zhao Mingye's face was solemn: "Father, it's not a problem for us to leave, but the person from the Demon Suppression Bureau is not easy to deal with.

Once we clash with the authorities, he is likely to intervene.

Without the support of skilled experts, even if we break through the authorities' blockade, it will be difficult for us to leave Lin'an City intact."

"And—"

"Where should we go after leaving Lin'an City? The imperial court's power is formidable—"

As he spoke, Zhao Mingye hesitated.

"In the past, when I traveled in the Great Qin, I met some people. Although the person from the Demon Suppression Bureau is strong, he is not the best in the martial world. There are many who can deal with him.

As for where the Zhao family should go after leaving Lin'an City, I have some ideas."

Zhao Li pondered for a moment.

"Ever since my elder brother's incident, I secretly sent out messages. Calculating the time, it should be about now. Pass the word down, and have everyone in the family prepare!"

Upon hearing this, the others felt a bit relieved.

Just as they were about to leave and make their preparations,

suddenly,

a guard rushed in.

"Second Master, the authorities have stormed in!"

"What!"

Zhao Li's expression changed.

—

The main gate of the Zhao family had already been forcibly breached. Over a dozen constables drew their swords and were confronting the Zhao family's guards.

Leading them was Shen Changqing.

Hong Cheng stood beside him, also with his long sword drawn. The bright blade, under the sunlight, exuded a cold and menacing aura.

"Are the Zhao family members planning to resist arrest?"

Shen Changqing looked at the guards who were ready for battle, his expression calm.

No one responded.

The guards looked at Shen Changqing with a hint of fear.

Some of them had tried to break out of the Zhao family compound earlier and had personally witnessed him kill someone. His formidable strength and decisive actions were enough to instill fear in anyone.

At this moment,

the Zhao family members, led by Zhao Li, finally arrived.

The guards parted to make way.

Zhao Li looked at the constables with their swords drawn, his brows slightly furrowed. When he saw Shen Changqing, his heart sank.

Despite this,

his expression did not change, and he bowed to Shen Changqing.

"Sir from the Demon Suppression Bureau, what is the reason for your sudden intrusion into my family?"

Shen Changqing did not respond.

Hong Cheng, standing beside him, spoke first: "By imperial decree, Sir Shen is now the temporary magistrate of Lin'an City!"

"Temporary magistrate of Lin'an City!"

Zhao Li's pupils constricted.

Although he heard the word 'temporary,' he understood that Shen Changqing's position was no longer just that of a Demon Suppression Bureau official.

The words he had intended to say were now stuck in his throat.

Shen Changqing took out the verdict, unfolded it, and read it aloud to everyone.

"According to the investigation by the Demon Suppression Bureau, Zhao Fang's collusion with demons is confirmed. His crimes are unforgivable. According to the laws of the Great Qin, anyone who colludes with the demon race and betrays the human race is considered a rebel and traitor, and shall be punished with the death penalty!

Although the main culprit, Zhao Fang, has already committed suicide out of fear of punishment, the traitors cannot be spared.

Therefore, the Zhao family shall be exterminated to the ninth degree to serve as a warning!"

After finishing,

Shen Changqing put away the verdict, his expression stern: "Arrest them!"

As he spoke,

all the constables rushed forward.

At the same time,

the faces of all the Zhao family members and servants changed dramatically.

Extermination to the ninth degree!

Those words still echoed in their ears.

Many were frightened to tears.

Some of the more timid ones even fainted on the spot.

Zhao Li's face turned pale: "Sir Shen, colluding with demons is Zhao Fang's personal crime. Exterminating the family to the ninth degree is too extreme!"

"This is the imperial court's verdict. If you have any objections, you can take it up with the court."

Shen Changqing spoke coldly and waved his hand: "Arrest all members of the Zhao family. Any who resist will be killed on the spot!"

"Yes!"

The constables, upon receiving the order, immediately moved towards the Zhao family.

The guards, holding their weapons, trembled, unsure whether to resist or surrender.

Zhao Li stood in place, his expression fluctuating.

He did not expect the court's verdict to come so quickly.

It had only been a few days.

The verdict was already fully handed down.

What he did not expect was that after Zhao Fang's death, the court would appoint a Demon Suppression Bureau official as the temporary magistrate.

According to Zhao Li's plan,

the court's verdict should have been accompanied by the arrival of a new magistrate. Appointing a new magistrate would take more than a few days, and with the travel time, it would take at least ten to fifteen days for the news to reach them.

However—

Looking at the approaching constables, Zhao Li realized that everything had exceeded his expectations.

Thinking about being imprisoned,

he knew that they would have no chance of turning things around.

"Attack!"

He gave the order, and the guards and some martial artists of the Zhao family immediately launched an attack.

As a major clan in Lin'an City, the Zhao family naturally had skilled experts.

In fact,

although the Zhao family had no Pulse-Through martial artists, they had quite a few Body-Forging martial artists.

"Bold enough to resist, you are courting death!"

Qin Shujian's face turned cold, and he took a step forward, striking out with a palm.

Boom—

The palm wind swept like a heat wave, forcing many to retreat. One guard was struck by the palm.

His body trembled where he stood, and in the next instant, he collapsed like a pile of mud, unable to even cry out.

In a flash,

one person was dead.

With Shen Changqing's current strength, ordinary martial artists had no chance of resisting his palm.

After killing one person,

he did not stop, continuing to attack another guard.

A Xiantian martial artist, charging into a group of Body-Forging martial artists, was like a tiger among sheep, slaughtering at will.

In just a few breaths,

over seven or eight guards and Zhao family members were already dead on the ground.

Shen Changqing himself was completely unharmed.

This scene

thoroughly shocked everyone.

Those who had intended to fight were intimidated by Shen Changqing's ferocity.

Another palm strike,

and a guard's head was crushed into his neck, blood splattering onto many, causing screams of terror.

Shen Changqing's eyes were cold as he looked at everyone.

"From this moment on, if anyone moves, I will kill one. If two move, I will kill two. I want to see how many of the Zhao family I can kill!"

His cold voice made everyone in the Zhao family tremble.

Shen Changqing glanced at them and then looked at Hong Cheng.

"Take them all away!"

"Yes!"