Chapter 33: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey

“We are just servants of the Zhao family and have nothing to do with them! Why won't you let us leave just because Zhao Fang colluded with evil spirits!”

“Exactly! On what grounds are you stopping us from leaving!”

A dozen or so people looked at the constables who had drawn their weapons; though their faces showed fear, there was even more madness in their eyes.

None of them were fools. Zhao Fang had colluded with evil spirits, which meant the Zhao family was doomed. If they didn't leave now, they wouldn't be able to leave later. They weren't members of the Zhao family—why should they die alongside them?

Hong Cheng, who was conversing with Shen Changqing not far away, saw this scene, and his expression shifted.

“Lord Shen, please excuse me!”

After a hurried word, he immediately walked toward them.

“Quiet!”

With a furious shout, the scene instantly fell silent.

Several constables lowered their heads. “Captain Hong!”

Hong Cheng nodded slightly, then his gaze fell upon the dozen or so people, his expression stern. “The officials from the Demon Suppression Division have ordered that not a single person within the Zhao residence may leave. I don't care if you are direct descendants of the Zhao family or not; until the verdict is handed down, you must all stay put. Anyone who dares to break ranks will face nothing but death!”

As he finished speaking, a sturdy-looking middle-aged man among the group spoke up. “Captain Hong, let's not play games. We all know very well what the crime of colluding with evil spirits entails. We have nothing to do with the Zhao family. If you want to kill the Zhao family members, that is your business, but we must leave today.”

“That's right, we are leaving today!”

“Staying here is just waiting to die. We die whether we stay or go, so we might as well fight it out!”

“Yes, yes—”

The others shouted loudly, showing a clear intention to charge through.

Hong Cheng's face darkened instantly.

The strength of the Lin'an City Yamen was not great; even counting all the constables, there were only about twenty. Aside from the men guarding the Zhao family entrance, other parts of the walls also needed guarding to prevent people from climbing over to escape. If these dozen or so people truly made a full-scale charge, with their current manpower, they might not be able to stop them.

Just as Hong Cheng was feeling conflicted, Shen Changqing walked over.

“Lord Shen!”

“Greetings, Lord Shen!”

The constables were all familiar with Shen Changqing and hurriedly bowed in salutation.

Shen Changqing waved his hand slightly. “All of you, step back.”

“Uh, yes!”

The constables were momentarily stunned, but they obeyed and stepped back.

Once the constables had retreated, Shen Changqing drew the long saber from his waist. He pointed the tip toward the ground, and as Pure Yang True Qi coated the blade, saber qi erupted from it. With a forceful stroke, a line of a saber mark appeared before everyone's eyes.

Having finished, he sheathed the long saber.

“I am the one who issued the order to blockade the Zhao residence. Until the verdict is handed down, no one may leave. I do not care if you are servants of the Zhao family or if you have no connection to them whatsoever. Anyone who has entered the gates of the Zhao residence cannot leave now. If anyone dares to step even half a step across this line, they shall be killed without exception!”

Shen Changqing's tone was icy. His words sent a chill through the hearts of those listening.

“This official is being a bit too tyrannical, isn't he!” After a long silence, the leader spoke, his face looking grim.

Shen Changqing remained silent.

The situation reached a stalemate. To those dozen or so people, that simple saber mark seemed to represent the boundary between life and death.

After a long while, someone finally lost their patience.

“Don't listen to his nonsense! I don't believe he actually dares to strike. If we don't leave now, we're dead sooner or later!” someone shouted from the crowd.

The moment the words left their mouth, Shen Changqing lunged forward, his saber unsheathing.

*Swish—*

A massive head flew into the air, and a torrent of blood sprayed out. Everyone's expression changed drastically.

Hadn't it been agreed that only those who crossed the line would be killed? The man hadn't even moved his feet; he had merely shouted a few words, and he had been decapitated in the street.

Such ruthless methods left the remaining people terrified to their very core.

Shen Changqing gripped his saber, blood still dripping from the blade, and his gaze swept over them coldly. “If anyone says another word, this will be your end. I have changed my mind: all of you get back into the Zhao residence. Anyone who dares step out of the Zhao gates will die.”

Hearing this, the remaining people turned pale. Under Shen Changqing's piercing gaze, they retreated in a disheveled manner.

Unlike Hong Cheng and the other constables, who only used verbal intimidation, the man before them truly would kill. Despite their previous bravado, when faced with a life-or-death decision, everyone felt fear. Retreating meant they might die; staying meant they definitely would.

Soon, the dozen or so people retreated obediently, leaving only a headless corpse lying on the ground amidst a pool of blood.

Shen Changqing sheathed his blade and looked at the stunned Hong Cheng. “Captain Hong, clean up the corpse. From now on, if anyone opens the Zhao family gates to walk out, do not waste words—just kill them and be done with it. I, Shen Changqing, will take full responsibility for any issues that arise. But remember one thing: if the Zhao family members do not attempt to flee on their own, you are not to rush in and break the rules!”

It was true that Zhao Fang had colluded with evil spirits, but until the verdict was finalized, the Zhao family was still protected by the laws of the Great Qin. At this time, if anyone were to break into the Zhao residence, they would be violating the laws of the Great Qin. The laws of Great Qin were not numerous, but every single one was a serious crime.

Hearing Shen Changqing's words, everyone, including Hong Cheng, looked solemn.

“Rest assured, Lord Shen. We know what to do!”

“That is for the best.”

Shen Changqing turned to Hong Cheng. “If anything happens at the Zhao residence, you can come to me at any time. Additionally, if anyone causes trouble in Lin'an City that the Yamen cannot handle, you can come to me as well. I will be staying at the inn for the time being and will not be going elsewhere.”

“Yes!”

Hong Cheng felt a sense of relief. Shen Changqing's words were undoubtedly a shot of confidence. Seeing the man depart, he cupped his hands again. “Safe travels, Lord Shen!”

Once Shen Changqing had disappeared from sight, Hong Cheng turned to the remaining men. “You heard Lord Shen's words. Clean up the corpse immediately. Furthermore, if anyone from the Zhao residence tries to come out again, force them back immediately. If anyone refuses to listen, kill them!”

When he said the word "kill," a hint of killing intent appeared in Hong Cheng's eyes. Although he could not be as decisive and swift in killing as Shen Changqing, he was by no means someone who feared trouble. Especially after Zhao Fang's death, there were undercurrents moving in Lin'an City. Although the signs were not obvious, having stayed in Lin'an for so many years, how could Hong Cheng fail to notice the changes?

The matter of the Zhao family could not afford any more complications.

Hearing this, the men respectfully accepted their orders and began the task of clearing the corpse from the ground.