Chapter 24: You Deserve to Die

In a sense, demons were not truly human, so their blood was a terrifying poison to ordinary people.

A single touch could mean certain death.

Therefore, after slaying a demon, one had to completely destroy the corpse; not a single trace could be left behind.

Only after Zhuang Mingyuan's body had been thoroughly incinerated did Shen Changqing turn his gaze toward the long saber in his hand.

The once pristine, snow-white blade was now pitted and uneven, looking as though it had been buried in the earth for many years and covered in rust.

"This blade won't last much longer!"

Shen Changqing’s expression was one of helplessness.

When he had slain the monstrosity in Guyue Village, he had specifically wrapped the saber in True Qi to ensure the blood would not corrode it.

However, when he attacked Zhuang Mingyuan, he had forgotten to do so.

It was obvious.

Faced with such demonic blood, ordinary mortal weapons stood no chance of resistance.

Unfortunately, given his current status, Shen Changqing had no way to obtain a superior divine weapon.

Shaking his head, he turned to head back to Lin'an City.

***

Inside the yamen, there was a peaceful tranquility, showing no sign that a fight had occurred just moments ago.

Zhang Long's severed head had already vanished.

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

"You aren't fleeing?"

"Would it be of any use?" Zhao Fang asked in return.

"If you know it's useless, why did you collude with demons and slaughter the people of Guyue Village? You should know they fall under the jurisdiction of Lin'an City; they are essentially your people. As their magistrate, your heart is exceptionally cruel."

Shen Changqing’s gaze was indifferent. He did not move to kill Zhao Fang immediately, as there was no need.

Unlike Zhuang Mingyuan, Zhao Fang possessed no martial cultivation whatsoever, so there was no need to worry about any unexpected developments.

There were certain things Shen Changqing wanted to learn through Zhao Fang.

Facing the interrogation, Zhao Fang’s expression remained calm. "The demons are powerful—so powerful that ordinary people have no right to resist. When faced with demons slaughtering the populace, I once wanted to eliminate them and protect the peace of this land.

But the demons are too strong. No matter how hard I strive, I cannot contend with them in the slightest.

That feeling... perhaps you will never understand—"

As he spoke the final words, his expression turned somewhat desolate.

From Zhao Fang's words, Shen Changqing seemed to see a diligent official who, for the sake of the lives of the people in Lin'an City, had been forced to play a double game with the demons.

However, once the man finished speaking, Shen Changqing let out a cold laugh.

"Why bother deceiving yourself? If you truly cared for the people, how could you sacrifice thousands of lives in Guyue Village? If you truly cared for the people, how could you deliberately withhold information to keep the Demon Suppression Division from noticing?

To put it plainly, you are simply a coward who fears death."

"What do you know!"

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

"Do you know how many people live in Lin'an City? One hundred thousand! If I do not maneuver alongside the demons, not a single one of those hundred thousand souls will have a way to survive. Sacrificing Guyue Village was an unavoidable necessity.

Yes, the Demon Suppression Division is powerful and does not fear demons.

But no matter how strong they are, how much stronger can they be than the demons?

The number of people slaughtered by demons over these years is countless, and the cities destroyed are not just one or two. Where was the Demon Suppression Division back then—"

"Well said!"

Shen Changqing clapped in approval, a faint smile appearing on his face. "So, sacrificing Guyue Village wasn't enough; you plan to sacrifice even more people, perhaps even the entirety of Lin'an City.

But what I find curious is this: Since you, Lord Zhao, are forced to maneuver with the demons for the sake of the people of Lin'an, what meaning does your maneuvering have when you decide to sacrifice Lin'an City itself to secure your own future?"

Zhao Fang's face instantly froze.

By now, Shen Changqing's expression had turned icy. "To put it bluntly, you, Zhao Fang, are a traitor to the human race, a selfish and petty man. The people of Lin'an City are merely an excuse you use to muffle your own conscience.

The people of Guyue Village likely died with their eyes wide open in resentment.

You, Zhao Fang, have failed the hundred thousand people of Lin'an City; you have betrayed their twenty years of support!"

"You... deserve... to die!"

Shen Changqing spoke each word with deliberate weight.

With every word, Zhao Fang's face grew paler, until he finally slumped back into his seat, powerless.

Since becoming a Xiantian martial artist, Shen Changqing's perception had reached a terrifying level.

He had heard the conversation between Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan in the inner hall as early as when he was at the entrance of the yamen.

He had simply refrained from acting, hoping to glean more useful information from the two of them.

Only after determining that no further information could be obtained did Shen Changqing strike and break into the yamen.

Therefore, he had heard their entire conversation.

He had heard Zhuang Mingyuan's seduction and Zhao Fang's fall from grace.

Thus, no matter how much Zhao Fang tried to embellish his words, Shen Changqing remained unmoved. In his view, although this man had not outwardly become a demon like Zhuang Mingyuan, the evil and ruthlessness in his heart were no different from a demon's.

To be honest, even if Zhao Fang had simply feared the demons and fled, abandoning the hundred thousand people, Shen Changqing would not have said anything. After all, fearing death is a human right.

However, as a magistrate drawing a salary from the imperial court, he would certainly face punishment if caught.

But even if such an act were a crime, it was nothing compared to the sin of colluding with demons and planning to sacrifice the hundred thousand people of Lin'an City to buy his own advancement.

To put it bluntly, such a sin was far more than a mere capital offense.

Shen Changqing could not deny that demons were strong.

Faced with an irresistible force, some people are fearless and refuse to retreat a single step; some are gripped by fear and quietly slip away; and some will curry favor with the enemy, joining the demons and turning their blades against their own kind.

Clearly, Zhao Fang was the latter type.

Such people were the most despicable.

As time passed, Zhao Fang sat slumped in his seat, his face deathly pale. Shen Changqing's words had crushed the last remnants of his internal struggle.

"Lord Shen, I know my sins are heavy, which is why I did not flee when you were pursuing Zhuang Mingyuan. I am willing to atone with my life as penance for the villagers of Guyue Village. But there is one thing I hope you can promise—"

"That I will take all the blame upon myself, and that it has nothing to do with the others. I hope you can grant them a way to live!"

As he spoke, a glimmer of hope appeared in Zhao Fang's ash-gray eyes as he looked at Shen Changqing.

Shen Changqing's expression remained indifferent, completely unmoved.

"Whether there is guilt or not is not for you or me to decide. I will report this matter truthfully to the Demon Suppression Division. How it is handled after that is their business!"