Chapter 27: The Sky Observation Guard

From the moment the Pure Yang Art broke through its limits, it had become something different.

But unfortunately.

The Pure Yang Art enhanced through the panel only increased his strength out of thin air; it could not grant him the corresponding memories.

In other words.

Although his Pure Yang Art had reached the eleventh level, he only possessed the cultivation methods for the first nine levels. He had absolutely no clue regarding the final two.

Regarding this.

Shen Changqing was at peace with it.

Since the Pure Yang Art had reached the eleventh level, as long as he spent the time to work backward, it might be possible to deduce the cultivation methods for the remaining two levels.

But for now, there was no need for deduction.

And he did not have the time.

Pushing open the door.

Shen Changqing found the shopkeeper to check out of his room, then headed in the opposite direction down the street.

Following the memories in his mind.

He turned left and right, eventually coming to a stop in front of a pawnshop.

Yongfu Pawnshop!

A very ordinary name.

After a brief glance, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, a man who looked like a handyman approached him, acting enthusiastically: "Does the guest have something they wish to pawn?"

"I am looking for your shopkeeper."

Shen Changqing surveyed the layout of the interior before finally resting his gaze on the man in front of him.

Hearing this, the man's face immediately showed difficulty: "May I ask what business the guest has with the shopkeeper? If you tell me, it will be easier for me to go and report it."

"Just go when I tell you to go. Don't talk so much nonsense!"

Shen Changqing's expression turned cold, and an aura faintly pressed down from his body.

Coupled with the fact that he had recently killed someone, a faint, lingering scent of blood clung to him.

Instantly.

The man's expression changed drastically.

"Please wait a moment, guest!"

Having said that, he hurried inside.

Shen Changqing did not look for a seat, but stood there calmly.

Before long.

An elderly man dressed in fine silk emerged, with the handyman following behind him.

"I am the shopkeeper of Yongfu Pawnshop. You said you wished to see me; may I ask what business you have?" The elderly man sized Shen Changqing up, feeling somewhat uncertain in his heart.

At this moment, Shen Changqing had changed into a green long robe.

His original Demon Suppression Division uniform had been damaged during the battle and could no longer be worn.

"Here!"

Shen Changqing casually tossed an object toward him.

The elderly man reached out and caught it steadily.

However, the moment it touched his hand, the icy sensation caused his expression to flicker. When he looked down and saw the style of the token, his face changed completely.

"Sir, this is not the place for conversation. Please follow me to the inner hall to discuss this!"

As he spoke.

The elderly man respectfully handed the token back to Shen Changqing.

——

The inner hall.

As soon as Shen Changqing sat down, the elderly man bowed: "Situ Bei of the Heaven-Sensing Guard under the Demon Suppression Division greets Lord Shen!"

"You know me?"

"When the Demon Suppression Division dispatched Lord Shen to this place to eliminate evil, how could the Heaven-Sensing Guard not have received the news? I had originally intended to pay Lord Shen a visit, but I did not expect Lord Shen to come to my door himself."

Situ Bei said with a smile.

"You are thoughtful."

Shen Changqing smiled back, but his expression quickly turned cold as he barked a question: "Situ Bei, do you know your crimes!"

The sudden interrogation.

Caused the smile on Situ Bei's face to freeze instantly.

"Lord... Lord Shen, what crime have I committed?"

"What crime? I'll tell you!" Shen Changqing sneered. "The intelligence you provided to the Demon Suppression Division stated that only a single newly-entered Ghost-level anomaly appeared in Lin'an City, and only a few people lost their lives.

But the true news is that every single person in Guyue Village perished at the hands of the evil.

Furthermore, you even concealed the fact that the County Magistrate, Zhao Fang, was colluding with the evil.

Is it that the Heaven-Sensing Guard is incompetent, or has the Heaven-Sensing Guard actually been secretly colluding with the evil, betraying the Demon Suppression Division and the human race!"

This torrent of words.

Caused Situ Bei's face to change drastically, and cold sweat could not stop pouring down his body.

If these charges were truly pinned on him, even death by a thousand cuts would be a light punishment.

"I am being wronged, Lord Shen! Based on the information I received, indeed only a few people died in Guyue Village, and I was indeed unaware of Zhao Fang's collusion with the evil. I do not know if Lord Shen's information has a definitive basis!"

After regaining his senses, Situ Bei could not help but defend himself.

The sudden interrogation had caused him to lose his composure.

Thinking back now, something did seem a bit off.

Situ Bei had some confidence in the information he received; it shouldn't have been such a massive discrepancy.

Shen Changqing sneered: "As for definitive evidence, Zhao Fang has already been executed, and I personally slew the anomaly in Guyue Village. Not a single person survived in Guyue Village; I believe it won't be difficult to find the answer with a simple investigation.

It is hard for me to imagine that the Heaven-Sensing Guard, acting as the eyes and ears of the Demon Suppression Division, could be deceived by false information to such an extent.

If it weren't me, Shen Changqing, coming here, any other trainee Demon Slayer would likely have died at the hands of that anomaly.

It seems you have lived too comfortably in Lin'an City and have forgotten the duties of the Heaven-Sensing Guard!"

Having reached this point.

Situ Bei could understand that what Shen Changqing said was very likely true.

In that instant.

The clothes on his back were completely soaked with sweat.

"Lord Shen—"

"No need to speak. The questioning of your crimes will naturally be handled by others from the Demon Suppression Division, and it won't fall on me. Think carefully yourself about how you will explain this to your superiors!"

Shen Changqing waved his hand, cutting the man off.

"I came here this time to ask you a few things. I hope you can answer truthfully."

"Please speak, Lord Shen!" Situ Bei wiped the sweat from his forehead, his demeanor becoming even more respectful.

Although Shen Changqing's tone hadn't been extremely harsh, the consequences were extraordinarily grave.

Now.

He did not dare to offend the man in any way; he only hoped to satisfy him so that the man might speak well of him to mitigate his guilt.

Shen Changqing said: "Yesterday, I killed a cultist close to Zhao Fang. From his mouth, I learned that in the Lin'an area, the essence blood of a demon will emerge before long.

Regarding this news, what does the Heaven-Sensing Guard know?"

"The emergence of demon essence blood!"

Hearing this, Situ Bei's expression relaxed slightly, and he replied with a bow: "Regarding what Lord Shen mentioned, I did receive some news recently.

Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, a powerful demon fought an unknown expert. The demon was ultimately defeated and slain, leaving behind its essence blood.

But at that time, the expert was already heavily wounded. To prevent the essence blood from bringing calamity to the world, he used a method to seal it away.

Now, the power of the seal has been severely depleted, so the emergence of that demon's essence blood has naturally come upon us!"