Chapter 77

Inside the pavilion.

Jiang Zuo looked at the person in front of him and asked, "Why do you have time to come to me today? Is there something you need?"

He didn't put on airs with Shen Changqing.

Different people, different approaches.

Although the other party was just a Yellow Rank Demon Exorcist, his strength was not inferior to a Mystic Rank Demon Exorcist, and his talent was astonishing.

So Jiang Zuo already treated him as an equal.

"Indeed, there is something I want to consult about."

"Speak."

Jiang Zuo smiled faintly.

"On my way back from Lin'an City, I encountered something very strange—"

Shen Changqing's expression was serious as he began to recount what he had experienced.

Gradually.

Jiang Zuo's smile faded.

After Shen Changqing finished speaking, he spoke in a solemn voice.

"I have never heard of what you described. If it were a demon, there would definitely be a trace of yin evil aura. Are you sure you didn't feel any yin evil aura throughout the entire time?"

"No." Shen Changqing shook his head firmly.

He was certain.

He did not detect any yin evil aura from Mo Zijin at all.

Jiang Zuo's expression turned grave: "If even you can't detect any yin evil aura, then that thing is not simple."

Shen Changqing's strength was already at the Innate Realm.

Even the most powerful Grievance-level demons would not be able to hide their presence completely in front of him.

Unless—

It was a demon even more powerful than a Grievance-level demon.

Just as this thought arose, Jiang Zuo shook his head and expelled this speculation from his mind.

Guangyuan Prefecture was not just any place.

Since the demon attack over two hundred years ago, which caused heavy casualties among the people, the Demon Suppression Bureau's control over Guangyuan Prefecture had been significantly strengthened.

Low-rank demons could infiltrate Guangyuan Prefecture without much issue.

After all, low-rank demons had weak yin evil auras, and the Demon Wardens stationed in Guangyuan Prefecture could easily overlook them.

However, once they reached the Malevolent level or higher, those powerful yin evil forces would not go unnoticed by the Demon Wardens.

"This matter is unusual, and I need to report it to my superiors."

Jiang Zuo stood up.

In the territory of the Great Qin, any strange situation could not be taken lightly.

"You can go back for now!"

"Then I will take my leave." Shen Changqing also stood up.

Immediately after.

He saw Jiang Zuo leave in a hurry.

Watching the other party's departing back.

Shen Changqing paused for a moment before returning to his courtyard.

He had already reported the anomaly he discovered, and the rest was probably not his concern anymore.

Back in the courtyard.

Shen Changqing drew the Cold Moon Saber from his waist. The blade, like white frost, emitted a faint chill under the blazing sun.

Standing still with his eyes closed, he recalled the memories of the Hundred Battles Saber Technique in his mind.

In the next instant.

His tightly closed eyes opened, as if bloodlight was shooting out.

With a movement of his hand gripping the long saber, a powerful aura rose from his body.

"Slash!"

Shen Changqing took a step forward, and the Cold Moon Saber slashed forward with the momentum of cutting through a thousand armies, as if a thousand troops were charging.

At that moment.

The aura soared to the sky.

The Hundred Battles Saber Technique, combining the Seven Kill Saber Technique and the Breaking Calamity Saber Technique, was a true battlefield martial art that used war to stop war.

Among the five techniques of the Hundred Battles Saber Technique.

The first two, Horizontal Saber and Steed, and Blocking a Thousand Armies, were defensive moves.

The third, Lone Warrior in the Array, was the true killing technique.

The fourth, Skillful and Effortless, combined killing, defense, and movement.

The fifth—

Shen Changqing had no clue.

Even with the complete memory of the Hundred Battles Saber Technique, he couldn't understand what the fifth technique was.

According to the memory.

Only by mastering the first four techniques would the fifth naturally emerge.

Strictly speaking.

The fifth technique was not a real move, but a state of mind.

In the courtyard.

Shen Changqing, as if he had practiced for decades, skillfully performed the first part of the Hundred Battles Saber Technique.

The first two techniques contained many subtle variations.

But when he reached the third technique, he got stuck.

Although he followed the method recorded in his memory, Shen Changqing always felt something was off.

"The Hundred Battles Saber Technique is a military martial art, a true killing move. To master it, relying solely on rigid techniques is impossible."

He suddenly sheathed his saber and recalled every detail of the Hundred Battles Saber Technique.

"The Hundred Battles Saber Technique can lead to the true essence of martial arts!"

"In other words, this martial art emphasizes not just the techniques but also the state of mind—"

"Without the courage and killing intent to lead the charge and fight alone, how can one truly master this killing technique?"

Shen Changqing had some enlightenment.

In the past, even if he understood, it would have been difficult to simulate that feeling.

But now, it was different.

Although Shen Changqing had never been on a battlefield, he had killed before and could naturally feel the killing intent.

Standing in place for a long time.

He recalled the memories in his mind, brewing the killing intent.

Time passed.

Suddenly.

Shen Changqing roared, took a step forward, and a fierce killing aura emerged. The long saber slashed forward fiercely, as if it could cut through everything in front of him.

Swish—

Without using true qi, the wind from the saber cut left a shallow mark on the ground.

Sheathing his saber, Shen Changqing took a deep breath.

He was savoring the slash he had just made.

After a while.

Shen Changqing's body moved again, and he began the next round of practice.

—

On the other side, after receiving the news, Jiang Zuo immediately went to report.

In the council hall.

Jiang Zuo, after being granted permission, stepped inside.

At that moment, only one person was sitting there.

"Jiang Zuo, what brings you here this time?"

Zhou Yuanzheng's tiger-like eyes fell on him, and a powerful aura spread, making the atmosphere in the hall more solemn.

He was always clad in iron armor, never taking it off.

Hearing this,

Jiang Zuo bowed and clasped his fists: "Reporting to Warden Zhou, a Yellow Rank Demon Exorcist has reported encountering a strange thing in Guangyuan Prefecture. I am inexperienced, so I have come to report to Warden Zhou."

"Speak!"

"Yes—"

Jiang Zuo straightened up and recounted what Shen Changqing had told him verbatim.

After he finished speaking,

A cold light flashed in Zhou Yuanzheng's eyes.

"Is what you say true?"

"Absolutely true!" Jiang Zuo nodded.

"Good, I am aware of the matter. You may leave, and have that Yellow Rank Demon Exorcist come to see me."

Zhou Yuanzheng waved his hand, his expression returning to calm.

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo bowed and retreated.

After Jiang Zuo left, Zhou Yuanzheng's expression turned grave again.

"Strange, could it really be—"

"But it's impossible. The Demon Suppression Bureau has already searched Guangyuan Prefecture thoroughly. Why is it appearing now? This is troublesome!"

—

Knock, knock!

The courtyard gate was knocked, Shen Changqing sheathed his saber and opened the door.

The door opened, and he saw Jiang Zuo standing there.

When Shen Changqing appeared,

Jiang Zuo's expression also changed.

Just as the door opened, he felt a gust of blood wind, making his mind tense.

But now the blood wind had disappeared, as if it had never been there.

However,

Jiang Zuo was certain that his feeling was not an illusion.

"Did I disturb your practice?"

"Actually, I just finished practicing. It's a good time for you to come, Warden Jiang."

Shen Changqing smiled, not discussing his practice further.

"Why did you come, Warden Jiang?"

"I reported what you said to my superiors. Now Warden Zhou Yuanzheng wants to see you. Come with me."

"Sure, no problem."

Shen Changqing remained calm on the surface, but he was somewhat shaken inside.

Who was Zhou Yuanzheng? He had never heard of him before.

But the title "warden" explained everything.

Warden!

A being far above Demon Exorcists.

To be honest,

The highest-ranking person Shen Changqing had ever met was the manager, Jiang Feng, who was only a Mystic Rank Demon Exorcist.

Compared to a Warden, there was a significant gap.

Now being summoned by a Warden, it was impossible for him not to be nervous.

However,

Shen Changqing understood that he could not refuse the summons.

Following Jiang Zuo, he headed towards the council hall.

Soon,

The two entered the hall one after the other.

"Manager of the Yellow Division Demon Exorcist Academy, Jiang Feng, pays respects to Warden Zhou!"

"Yellow Rank Demon Exorcist Shen Changqing, pays respects to Warden Zhou!"

As Jiang Feng bowed, Shen Changqing also clasped his fists and bowed.

"Rise."

Zhou Yuanzheng spoke calmly, then his gaze fell on Shen Changqing.

"You are Shen Changqing?"

"Yes!"

Shen Changqing nodded in response to Zhou Yuanzheng's question.

When his gaze fell on the other party, it was as if the person in front of him was an unfathomable abyss, sitting there and suppressing everything.

In comparison,

He, a martial artist at the Innate External Gang Realm, seemed much weaker.

Zhou Yuanzheng said, "You did well in Lin'an City. Making the Eternal Alliance suffer is a defense of our Demon Suppression Bureau's reputation. With your talent, as long as you don't fall along the way, you have the potential to become a Warden."

He praised him first.

Then,

Zhou Yuanzheng's tone changed.

"The reason I summoned you is simple. Describe in detail the demon you encountered, without any omissions or errors."

"Yes!"

Shen Changqing nodded, gathered his thoughts, and recounted the incident in detail.

After he finished speaking,

The hall fell into silence.

Zhou Yuanzheng sat motionless, as if lost in thought. After a long while, he spoke slowly.

"Indeed, it is as I suspected—"