Chapter 52: Intimidation (Ninth Update)

Wen Rong hated him with a passion.

If it weren't for the fact that his previous severe injuries had not yet fully healed, how could a martial artist below the Outer Astral Realm have the qualification to harm him?

Hate as it was!

But he also understood one thing.

The Shen Changqing before him was incredibly strong. Even if he had not yet reached the Outer Astral Realm, in terms of true combat strength, he was not much weaker than an Outer Astral Realm martial artist.

By now, in this battle, Wen Rong saw no glimmer of victory.

"Do you think you've hidden yourself well? In truth, the Demon Suppression Division noticed this place long ago. Currently, several Profound-grade Demon Suppressors from the Zhang family are surrounding the area. I can guarantee that not a single evil creature will escape!"

Shen Changqing's offensive did not slacken in the slightest, and he issued a cold, threatening laugh.

Hearing this, Wen Rong sneered. "A few Profound-grade Demon Suppressors? You certainly have the gall to boast. Would the Demon Suppression Division really waste several Profound-grade suppressors on a small place like Lin'an City?"

He did not believe a single word of Shen Changqing's claim.

As the person in charge of the Eternal Life Alliance's stronghold in Lin'an City, he had some understanding of the current state of the Demon Suppression Division.

It was true that the Division was powerful, but currently, the forces of the local branches were being heavily tied down by various evils.

For a place like Lin'an City, it would be unexpected enough if even one Profound-grade Demon Suppressor arrived.

Several? That was simply impossible.

"For a mere Lin'an City, naturally, the Division wouldn't dispatch several Profound-grade suppressors. However, an Eternal Life Alliance stronghold and the imminent emergence of demon essence are enough to attract the Division's attention. You have betrayed humanity; today, there is no escape for you!"

Shen Changqing continued his intimidation. His Seven Kills Saber Technique was pushed to its absolute limit; with every strike, a bone-chilling killing intent was attached, making one shudder.

The Seven Kills Saber Technique.

To stop killing with killing, and to sustain combat through combat!

It was a martial art focused entirely on slaughter.

After a year of bitter cultivation in the Demon Suppression Division, he had only barely managed to reach the second level. However, after several battles since arriving in Lin'an City, the technique had begun to undergo a transformation.

Shen Changqing felt that breaking through to the third level was not far off.

"I don't believe you!"

Wen Rong dodged the saber's momentum. Although his words expressed disbelief, his heart could not help but tremble.

What if it were true?

Indeed, the Demon Suppression Division did not have much strength to spare right now, but in their eyes, the Eternal Life Alliance was a cancer upon humanity. Whenever an alliance stronghold was discovered, the Division would always launch a massive suppression campaign.

For a small stronghold like Lin'an City, while the probability was low, there was still a sliver of possibility that they would send a few Profound-grade suppressors.

Coupled with Shen Changqing's overwhelming strength, Wen Rong felt immense pressure.

As the fight progressed, fear began to take root in his heart.

In a martial duel, what mattered most was an unstoppable momentum. If one side felt fear, their chances of victory would plummet.

Noticing that Wen Rong's offensive was slowing down, Shen Changqing smiled inwardly, and his attacks with the Seven Kills Saber Technique became even more ferocious.

"Evil man, die!"

With a furious roar, his Heavenly Martial Astral Qi erupted. A powerful saber light burst from the blade, slashing toward Wen Rong at extreme speed.

In an instant, Wen Rong felt a faint, stinging pain across his body; the sheer power of the saber light was something he could not withstand.

He immediately dodged to the right. The saber light struck empty air, pulverizing the tables and chairs into dust. The main pillars supporting the hall were left with deep, charred saber marks, causing the entire room to shake violently.

The sheer power of this strike caused Wen Rong's expression to change drastically.

Before he could react, Shen Changqing closed the distance in a single step, thrusting a Iron Sand Palm toward him with his left hand.

Seeing this, Wen Rong was unable to dodge and could only strike back with a palm of his own.

As the two palms collided, a surge of true qi exploded. Shen Changqing's body jolted, and he retreated two steps. However, Wen Rong's existing injuries were triggered; he coughed up black blood as his entire body was sent flying backward.

"Kill!"

With a distorted expression, Shen Changqing forcibly suppressed the boiling blood in his body with his Heavenly Martial True Qi. The veins on his hand gripping the saber bulged, and the blade's light flickered like a silver snake. He swung downward toward Wen Rong with the force of a mountain-splitting blow.

*Swish!!*

The moment Wen Rong hit the ground, he instinctively raised his arm to block, only for a scaled arm to be severed and fall to the floor.

The intense pain caused his face to contort.

Glaring hatefully at Shen Changqing, he turned and attempted to flee toward the exit without a second thought.

With one arm severed, a wave of Slaughter Value was harvested. Shen Changqing immediately gave chase.

If an Innate-realm evil were allowed to escape, it would undoubtedly become a massive problem.

Outside the Zhang residence, the people from the five different factions were still guarding the area.

At that moment, they all sensed a powerful, sinister energy approaching at a terrifying speed.

"Stop him!" Shen Changqing roared.

Wen Rong had just reached the gates of the Zhang residence. Seeing the crowd gathered there and recalling Shen Changqing's earlier words, his heart jolted with fear. Without time to think, he attempted to change direction to escape.

However—

Just as he changed direction, a flash of saber light entered his vision.

*Puchi!*

The long saber pierced through flesh, sending Wen Rong flying sideways as black blood splattered.

Before his body had even fully landed, Shen Changqing lunged forward. The saber descended, and a head flew into the air, rolling several times on the ground before falling still.

With that, Wen Rong's corpse finally came to rest, kicking up a small cloud of dust.

Because Wen Rong had rushed toward the main gate, the gates had been shattered, allowing everyone to see the scene in the courtyard.

One man lay dead, his head rolled far away.

One man stood holding a saber, his body radiating a boiling killing intent.

The scene seemed frozen in time.

The area fell into a deathly silence.

They had felt the intense combat inside the Zhang residence, but because of the distance, the sensation hadn't been overwhelming.

But when Wen Rong rushed out just now, that sinister aura gave everyone the illusion of a bone-chilling cold.

Innate? Or near-Innate?

No one could be certain.

The aura had arrived quickly, but it dissipated just as fast, being extinguished by Shen Changqing's strike in less than a breath.

Glancing at his long saber, Shen Changqing sighed inwardly.

Killing Wen Rong had left the already heavily corroded blade in a state nearly as useless as scrap iron.

He sheathed the saber.

He had no intention of discarding it for now. Although the blade looked ruined, it wasn't completely unusable, and if he threw it away now, he would be left without a familiar weapon.

"Zhang Yue!"

"This subordinate is here!"

Standing outside the Zhang residence, Zhang Yue, who had been stunned for a long time, snapped out of it and rushed across the threshold to stand before Shen Changqing.

"What are your orders, My Lord?"

"Search the Zhang residence, inside and out. Any valuable items are to be transported back to the yamen. But mark my words: do not step into the Zhang family's main hall, or you shall not blame me if you die."

Shen Changqing issued his command.

Zhang Yue cupped his fists. "As you command!"

Immediately after, he called the other bailiffs to enter and begin the seizure of the Zhang family's property.

Shen Changqing walked outside and cupped his hands toward Cui Cheng and the others. "It has been confirmed that the Zhang family was a stronghold for the Eternal Life Alliance. It was thanks to your siege that the evil could not escape, allowing me to slay him here. This is a good thing for the people of Lin'an. On behalf of the citizens, I thank you all!"

"Lord Shen, you flatter us!"

The crowd hurriedly returned the gesture.

They had not engaged Wen Rong directly, but the sinister aura that had just burst out was enough to make one's blood run cold.

From this, one could see just how powerful the slain evil had been.

Even so, he had been cut down in a single strike by Shen Changqing.

Despite having expected it, seeing it in person was still heart-stopping. They even felt that if Shen Changqing had swung that saber at them, they would not have survived.

Shen Changqing said, "The matter here is concluded. I will handle the rest. You all may depart."

"Lord Shen, farewell!"

"Farewell!"

Hearing this, Cui Cheng and the others said no more and bowed to depart.

Soon, the people from the five factions had all left.

The commoners who had been watching from a distance had long since fled in terror when Wen Rong appeared. Only now, as things settled, did they dare to slowly gather back.

"That was an evil, wasn't it?"

"I never thought the Zhang family would actually collude with evils. Luckily, Lord Shen has such keen eyes. He wiped out the Zhang family's evil right after taking office; otherwise, we would have suffered again."

"Yes, indeed—"

The citizens whispered among themselves, but none dared to approach too closely. In their eyes, "evil" was synonymous with terror; once you were tainted by it, you might as well wait for death.

First the Zhao family, and now the Zhang family. They felt as though they were surrounded by deep malice.

Shen Changqing looked at the citizens, his expression solemn. "The evil in the Zhang family has been dealt with. You may all disperse. The yamen will post a formal announcement tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lord Shen!"

"With Lord Shen here, how would any evil dare to disturb our Lin'an City!"

The citizens' faces lit up with relief. Some bowed deeply, others cupped their hands repeatedly, and then they scattered. Since the Magistrate said an announcement would be posted tomorrow, there was no need to linger.

And judging by the state of the Zhang family, they would likely face the total seizure of their assets and the extermination of their clan.

After the crowd dispersed, Shen Changqing turned and walked back into the Zhang residence.

Wen Rong was dead. Though an Innate-realm evil was powerful, being decapitated in one blow left no room for survival.

From their exchange, Shen Changqing was fairly certain that at his peak, Wen Rong must have been an Innate Outer Astral expert. However, since his injuries had not healed, his strength was at most slightly above a common Inner Astral martial artist.

Regardless, even if the man had been at his peak, Shen Changqing would not have feared him.

Besides, with the outcome already decided, there was no need for excessive "what-ifs."

Checking his status panel, Shen Changqing revealed a satisfied smile.