Chapter 39: Take It All Away

Upon hearing this, many people's expressions turned solemn.

To flee!

That would mean completely severing the Zhao family's path of retreat.

Since the final verdict had not yet been officially handed down, not everyone was willing to gamble on such a move.

Although leaving Lin'an City was still somewhat different from an outright rebellion, it would still mean a total fallout with the Imperial Court. If they weren't caught, it might be one thing, but if they were, execution would be certain and non-negotiable.

Zhao Mingye's expression was grim. "Father, leaving is not the issue, but that person from the Demon Suppression Division is not easy to deal with. Once we come into conflict with the yamen, he is very likely to take action. Without high-level experts to assist us, even if we break through the yamen's blockade, it will be difficult to leave Lin'an City intact."

"Furthermore—"

"Once we leave Lin'an City, where are we supposed to go? The power of the Imperial Court is overwhelming—"

As he spoke, Zhao Mingye hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

"When I was traveling through Great Qin in the past, I met some people. Although that person from the Demon Suppression Division is strong, he is not considered top-tier in the martial world; there are plenty who can deal with him. As for where the Zhao family should go after leaving Lin'an City, I already have some ideas."

Zhao Li pondered for a moment.

"Ever since the eldest brother's incident, I secretly sent people out to spread the news. Calculating the time, it should be about due. Send word down and let everyone from the various branches be prepared!"

Hearing this, the others felt a slight sense of relief.

Just as they were preparing to depart and make their respective arrangements, a guard suddenly rushed in in a panic.

"Second Master, the yamen people are charging in!"

"What!"

Zhao Li's expression changed drastically.

***

The main gates of the Zhao residence had already been forcibly breached. Over a dozen bailiffs had drawn their blades and were in a standoff with the Zhao family guards.

Leading them was Shen Changqing.

Hong Cheng stood by his side, his long saber also unsheathed. The bright blade gleamed with a chilling frost under the sunlight.

"What, is the Zhao family planning to resist arrest?"

Shen Changqing looked at the guards standing in formation, his expression calm.

No one replied.

The guards looked at Shen Changqing with eyes filled with dread. Some of them had been among those who tried to break out of the Zhao residence earlier and had personally witnessed him slay a man. Such overwhelming strength and decisive methods were enough to strike fear into anyone.

At this moment, the Zhao family members, led by Zhao Li, finally approached.

The guards parted to make a path.

Zhao Li looked at the many bailiffs with drawn blades, his brow furrowing slightly. When he saw Shen Changqing leading them, his heart sank.

Despite this, his face showed no unusual emotion as he cupped his hands toward Shen Changqing.

"Lord from the Demon Suppression Division, what is the purpose of your sudden intrusion into my Zhao residence?"

Shen Changqing did not answer.

Standing to the side, Hong Cheng spoke up first: "By order of the Imperial Court, Lord Shen has been appointed as the Acting County Magistrate of Lin'an City!"

"Acting County Magistrate of Lin'an!"

Zhao Li's pupils constricted.

Even though he heard the word "acting," he understood that Shen Changqing's identity was no longer just a member of the Demon Suppression Division. The words he had intended to say were now stuck in his throat.

Shen Changqing took out the verdict, spread it open, and read it aloud in front of everyone.

"Following the investigation by the Demon Suppression Division, the evidence of Zhao Fang's collusion with evil spirits is irrefutable, and his crimes are unpardonable. According to the laws of Great Qin, anyone who colludes with the demon race to betray humanity shall be treated as a rebel against the state and sentenced to capital punishment! Although the ringleader, Zhao Fang, has committed suicide to escape punishment, traitors to the race shall not be tolerated. Therefore, the Zhao family shall be executed by extermination of nine generations to serve as a warning to others!"

Having finished, Shen Changqing put away the verdict, his expression cold and stern. "Arrest them!"

As soon as he spoke, the bailiffs prepared to charge.

Simultaneously, the faces of all Zhao family members, servants, and guards changed drastically.

Extermination of nine generations!

Those words continued to echo in their ears. Not a few were reduced to tears, and some of the more timid even fainted on the spot.

Zhao Li's face turned livid. "Lord Shen, the collusion with evil spirits was Zhao Fang's crime alone. To implicate nine generations is far too excessive!"

"This is the verdict of the Imperial Court. If you have questions, you may take them up with the Court."

As Shen Changqing spoke coldly, he waved his hand. "Arrest everyone in the Zhao residence and throw them in prison. Anyone who resists is to be killed on the spot!"

"Yes!"

Receiving the order, the bailiffs immediately moved toward the Zhao family.

The hands of the guards holding their weapons trembled slightly. Looking at the advancing bailiffs, they did not know whether to resist or surrender.

Zhao Li stood frozen, his expression shifting between various shades of uncertainty. He had not expected the Imperial Court's verdict to come so quickly. It had only been a few days.

Even more unexpected was that after Zhao Fang's death, the Court had actually appointed someone from the Demon Suppression Division to act as the County Magistrate.

According to Zhao Li's calculations, the verdict should have arrived alongside the arrival of a new County Magistrate. Appointing a new official was not something that could be done in a few days; between the administrative process and the travel time, it should have taken at least ten to fifteen days before news arrived.

However—

Looking at the approaching bailiffs, Zhao Li realized that everything had exceeded his estimates. He realized that if they were imprisoned, they would never have another chance to turn the tide.

"Kill!"

With a sharp command, the guards and some of the Zhao family's martial artists launched an attack against the bailiffs.

As a prominent clan in Lin'an City, the Zhao family naturally possessed some experts. In fact, while they had no Pulse-Opening stage martial artists, they had many in the Body Tempering stage.

"Daring to resist? You seek death!"

Shen Changqing's face turned cold. He stepped forward in a single stride and struck out with a palm.

*Boom—*

The wind from his palm swept through like a heatwave, forcing many people back, while one guard was struck directly.

His body shuddered where he stood, and in the next instant, he collapsed to the ground like a heap of mud, without even having time to let out a scream.

In the blink of an eye, a man was dead.

With Shen Changqing's current strength, ordinary martial artists were in no position to withstand even a single palm strike from him.

Without pausing after the kill, he continued his assault toward another guard.

An Xiantian-stage martial artist charging into a group of martial artists whose highest level was Body Tempering was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep—it was nothing short of a massacre.

In just a few breaths, seven or eight guards and Zhao family members lay dead on the ground.

Looking at Shen Changqing himself, he did not have a single scratch.

This scene completely shocked everyone. Those who had intended to strike were paralyzed by Shen Changqing's ferocity.

Another palm strike landed.

A guard's head was driven directly into his neck; blood exploded, splashing onto many people and triggering terrified screams.

Shen Changqing's eyes were icy as he looked at everyone.

"From this moment on, if one more person moves, I will kill one person. If two move, I will kill two. I want to see just how many people the Zhao family has left to kill!"

His cold voice made everyone in the Zhao family tremble.

Shen Changqing glanced at them, then turned to Hong Cheng.

"Take them all away!"

"Yes!"