Chapter 57: Demon-Slaying Saber Technique! The Demon Shan Xiong

"May I ask, Excellency, what is the strength of that rebel demon?"

The Chief Headman, Pang Hu, asked, summoning his courage.

Yan Yuqing replied, "The Tendon-Transforming Realm."

"Hiss—!"

Everyone drew a sharp breath.

The strongest among their constables was only at the peak of the Flesh-Refining Realm; they didn't have a single person in the Tendon-Transforming Realm. Now, they were being ordered to capture a rebel demon of that caliber.

Was this not simply sending them to their deaths?

"What are you afraid of!"

Yan Yuqing snorted. "That demon is already heavily wounded; he has less than ten percent of his former strength left. With so many of you, are you really afraid of a crippled Tendon-Transforming expert? Dong Shan, bring the portrait of that demon."

The middle-aged scholar beside her immediately pulled a scroll from his waist and unfurled it.

A face with fierce features and a murderous expression came into view.

Just looking at the portrait made everyone feel that if this man looked so hideous, his actual appearance would be at least thirty percent more terrifying.

"This man is named Shan Xiong. He is the leader of a fleeing rebel faction and specializes in the Bear-Claw Body Tempering Technique, which allows him to instantly enlarge his physique and cause his strength to surge. However, as long as you surround him and avoid a direct head-on collision, you can easily wear him down once his burst of power ends," Yan Yuqing said loudly.

But seeing that everyone still wore troubled expressions—some even taking slight steps backward in a show of retreat—it was clear that her words had not convinced them.

"Excellency, the demon's methods are inconceivable. We have never seen anything like it. We fear..."

Pang Hu spoke up again, braving the risk.

As the Chief Headman, he bore the primary responsibility. If Shan Xiong was not captured within three days, others might survive, but he would surely die. Thus, these words were not just for his brothers, but for himself.

Yan Yuqing glanced at him. She wasn't angry, but instead said calmly, "You are right; demons are indeed not easy to deal with.

"Therefore, for this mission, I shall pass down to you a secret technique of the Demon Suppression Division that is never shared externally. Consider it an advance reward.

"As long as you cooperate well, whoever kills Shan Xiong with their own hands will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver!

"Those who participate in the siege will be rewarded with over a thousand taels, depending on their contribution.

"Should there be casualties, the compensation will also be over a thousand taels."

The crowd erupted in an uproar, everyone becoming extremely excited.

Ten thousand or a thousand taels of silver was enough to drive anyone wild, but what was even more thrilling was that this Excellency of the Demon Suppression Division was actually going to teach them a secret technique.

How many years of luck did it take to earn such a blessing?

Those were the secret techniques of the Demon Suppression Division. Even a single move would be enough to benefit them for a lifetime.

Hou Cheng, a squad leader, suddenly felt a surge of resentment. If Zhang Lingshan hadn't taken his nephew's spot, it would be his nephew learning the secret technique now. Although he could learn it himself, even if he were given a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare pass a secret technique of the Division to his nephew.

Missing an opportunity meant missing it for good. There was only one spot per person; Zhang Lingshan had it, so his nephew lost out. How could he not feel resentment?

"And... what if we capture Shan Xiong alive?" a voice asked weakly from the crowd.

Everyone froze. Yan Yuqing was even amused by the man's audacity. "Ambitious! If you can capture Shan Xiong alive, the reward will be one hundred thousand taels!"

The crowd gasped again.

That much money was more than they could spend in a lifetime. However, who the hell could actually capture Shan Xiong alive? Even a Tendon-Transforming expert likely couldn't do it. Therefore, the hundred thousand taels was something to be heard but not expected; it was out of reach, so they shouldn't even dream of it.

"Dong Shan, hang up the portrait. Make sure everyone remembers this face. Also, Shan Xiong's physique is similar to mine. Remember! Do not miss any details, lest you fail to recognize him when you encounter him."

After saying this, Yan Yuqing turned to the maid behind her. "Xiao Wei, teach them the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique. Get them proficient in the coordinated strike method as quickly as possible.

"Shan Xiong is massive and wounded, making him easy to recognize. He won't dare move during the day and will surely hide somewhere, only coming out to forage at night.

"To avoid missing the opportunity, learn the coordinated strike method immediately. We begin tonight.

"Remember! You only have three days. If Shan Xiong's head is not produced within three days, everyone will be executed without mercy!"

Yan Yuqing issued one final, heavy warning before leaving the yamen, disappearing into the distance.

Under Pang Hu's leadership, Zhang Lingshan and the others went to the barracks courtyard to begin learning the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique and the coordinated strike method from Xiao Wei.

The so-called Demon-Slaying Saber Technique was actually no different from ordinary saber techniques; there was nothing particularly special about it. In fact, it was even simpler than some other styles.

The only redeeming quality was the coordinated strike method. When four or more people formed a square formation and executed the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique together, they could trap an enemy within it.

Because the saber technique was so simple, most people had memorized it in moments, their faces showing expressions of disappointment. They thought it would be some incredible secret technique of the Division, but it was just this?

In the crowd, Zhang Lingshan checked his panel. Seeing that the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique could be upgraded, he spent some points.

Energy decreased by 5 points.

'As expected, it's the most ordinary saber technique. It requires even fewer points than the Red Line Fist.'

Zhang Lingshan was speechless and, like the others, acted disappointed.

Xiao Wei, however, did not care what they thought. After finishing the instruction, she quietly withdrew, leaving without seeking credit.

"What is this? This is the secret technique of the Demon Suppression Division? They didn't just make up some random saber technique to fool us, did they?"

"Fighting a rebel demon with this mediocre saber technique? Isn't that just sending us to our deaths?"

"And they want us to catch him in three days? I think it's more likely the demon will kill us within three days."

"Can I ask... is it possible to withdraw?"

The crowd murmured, some complaining, some mocking, and some making jokes to lighten the heavy atmosphere. In short, everyone was demoralized and regretted becoming constables. This was far worse than the previous mission in Fengdu.

In the previous mission, they had primarily relied on ambushes and sneak attacks, yet even then, one deputy headman and three constables had died. This time, the enemy was in the shadows while they were in the light. Heaven only knew how many more would die.

"Enough! Stop talking and start practicing! Even if the saber technique is mediocre, if you master the coordinated strike method, it might at least save your lives when facing Shan Xiong!" Chief Headman Pang Hu shouted, silencing the complaints.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lingshan spent more points, upgrading the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique to the "Small Success" stage.

According to his estimation, if "Entry" required 5 energy points, "Small Success" should be ten times that, requiring 50 points.

However, the reality was unexpected.

His energy points dropped by a staggering 100. This meant it wasn't a tenfold increase, but a twentyfold one.

Zhang Lingshan fell into thought.

'Unlike other martial arts, it's not tenfold. Does this mean this technique is easy to learn but difficult to master? If the next stage is another twentyfold, "Great Success" would be 2,000 points, and "Perfection" would be 40,000?'

Zhang Lingshan couldn't help but gasp. The energy required to reach Perfection for the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique was no less than what was required for the Mountain-Splitting Axe Technique. It was clear that this technique was not trash; everyone had misunderstood it.

'As expected of the Demon Suppression Division. Even a small scrap of martial arts they leak out is enough to benefit people endlessly,' Zhang Lingshan praised inwardly.

Yet, he joined Liu Feng and the other two in complaining, cursing the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique as trash while the four of them hurried to practice the coordinated strike method.

As Pang Hu said, the coordinated strike method wasn't meant to kill the enemy, but to preserve their lives. As long as they could hold their ground using the formation when they encountered Shan Xiong, reinforcements would arrive immediately.

"It's almost dark. Why hasn't Excellency Yan returned? Don't tell me we're supposed to capture Shan Xiong by ourselves. That's a joke," someone muttered as the sky grew darker.

Just then, a sturdy figure walked in and shouted, "Everyone, come collect your whistles. Once you spot any sign of Shan Xiong, blow the whistle immediately!"

"Yes!"

The crowd lined up one by one. Zhang Lingshan received his whistle and found it was a white bone whistle, though he wasn't sure what kind of bone it was made from.

Suddenly, a sharp "tweet" sounded nearby, startling him. He looked back to see someone had blown the whistle out of curiosity; the sound was indeed piercing and shrill.

Considering the sound was that loud with minimal effort, one could only imagine how ear-splitting it would be if blown with full force—it would surely ring out even louder in the silent night!

The person who blew it hadn't expected it to be so loud; seeing everyone look over, they hurriedly ducked their head in embarrassment. Fortunately, no one scolded them.

Once everyone had their whistles, Yan Yuqing shouted, "Move out! Form your own squads. I will provide support from the center. Don't worry, as soon as the whistle sounds, I will be the first to arrive."

"Yes!"

The crowd nodded. With Yan Yuqing's guarantee, they felt somewhat more at ease. They dispersed into their usual squads and headed toward the various streets in all directions.

Zhang Lingshan, naturally, stayed with Liu Feng, Hao Yun, and Hao Lei. The four of them moved through the alleys, eight eyes scanning front, back, left, and right, terrified of missing even the slightest suspicious detail.

After walking for a while, they found nothing unusual.

Liu Feng kept muttering, "Heaven and Earth, please bless us. May the Liu family ancestors protect us... please don't let us run into Shan Xiong..."

Hao Yun and Hao Lei followed suit, "The Hao family ancestors protect us too..."

As they were grumbling, a high-pitched whistle rang out through the night sky.

"Go!" Zhang Lingshan barked, moving swiftly.

The three behind him cried out urgently, "Boss, slow down! We can't keep up with you!"

"Fine."

Zhang Lingshan slowed his pace, partly to look after the three of them and partly to avoid encountering Shan Xiong alone halfway. Everyone said the rebel demon had bizarre methods and great strength. Although he was curious since he had never seen him, there was no need to take unnecessary risks; it was best to just observe from a distance.

As for the thousand-tael reward for the siege, he had no need to compete for it. Lately, his daily scavenging in the Corrupt Lands had been quite lucrative; a thousand taels was no longer that tempting to him.

"Useless!"

Just as they arrived near the sound of the whistle, before Zhang Lingshan could even see anyone, he heard a harsh shout.