Chapter 30: The Entire Clan Should Be Executed

"The Magistrate of Lin'an City actually dared to collude with evil spirits. He deserves to die!"

"According to the letter, Zhao Fang has committed suicide out of fear of his crimes."

"Hmph, how can colluding with evil spirits be resolved simply by a suicide out of fear? If the consequence for everyone who colludes with evil spirits is merely to atone with death and be forgiven, then how many people in this world would betray the human race?"

Zhou Yuanzheng sneered. In his eyes, Zhao Fang's death was merely the beginning.

"Colluding with evil spirits, betraying the human race, and attempting to sacrifice Lin'an City to nourish ghosts and monsters—with these multiple crimes, his entire clan should be executed!"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward Dongfang Zhao.

In response, Dongfang Zhao spoke slowly: "Based on the Qingling Jade Pendant, it is true that the Magistrate of Lin'an City colluded with evil spirits. However, Zhao Fang was, after all, the magistrate of an entire city; seizing his property and exterminating his clan requires the Emperor's approval.

When I enter the imperial court tomorrow, I shall report the facts as they are.

Speaking of which, a trainee Demon Slayer who can slay a powerful Ghost-grade anomaly and an evil human possesses quite remarkable strength. Are you familiar with this person?"

The person being questioned was Jiang Zuo, who stood below, not daring to move.

Hearing the inquiry, Jiang Zuo cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Guardian Dongfang, Shen Changqing joined the Demon Suppression Division a year ago and became a trainee Demon Slayer. According to the records left by the former Manager of the Yellow Division, Liu Chang, Shen Changqing reached the Pulse Opening stage only three months after joining the Division.

In terms of talent, Shen Changqing is more powerful than the vast majority of Demon Slayers."

"Oh, Pulse Opening in three months? I didn't expect him to be such a genius!" Dongfang Zhao's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Reaching Pulse Opening in three months means it won't be difficult for him to break through to the middle stage within eight or nine months, and even the late stage is a possibility.

In that case, slaying a powerful Ghost-grade anomaly is considered normal."

A peerless genius's cultivation speed is naturally incomparable to others. Reaching Pulse Opening in three months makes the possibility of reaching the middle or even late stages within a year quite high.

Of course, the leap from Pulse Opening to the Xiantian realm was not so easy. Breaking through that barrier required a span of time that could not be compared to the transition from Body Tempering to Pulse Opening.

"By the way," Zhou Yuanzheng thought of something and looked at Jiang Zuo, "A while ago, the Sky-Sensing Guards sent word that demon essence blood had appeared in the vicinity of Lin'an City, Guangyuan Prefecture. Is the person currently stationed in Lin'an also this Shen Changqing?"

"Precisely!" Jiang Zuo nodded and replied truthfully.

Zhou Yuanzheng understood. Too many things happened in the Demon Suppression Division every day, and the Sky-Sensing Guards from various regions constantly sent in all the intelligence they gathered. He had heard of many things, but unless they were extremely important, he wouldn't make a conscious effort to remember them.

For instance, the appearance of demon essence blood in Lin'an City. For the Demon Suppression Division, essence blood of that grade was not a major matter at all. Once arrangements were made, Zhou Yuanzheng had put the matter out of his mind. It was only because of the collusion with evil spirits that he once again recalled something regarding Lin'an City.

"A peerless genius who reached Pulse Opening in three months would be a significant loss if he fell in Lin'an City. Demon essence blood isn't a precious item, but for ordinary factions, the temptation is great. Having a martial artist who hasn't broken through to the Xiantian realm stay there—even with the reputation of the Demon Suppression Division—might not be enough to hold the situation."

One of the Guardians shook his head, clearly implying that Shen Changqing should be transferred back.

Dongfang Zhao's expression remained calm. "A peerless genius who grows successfully is a true genius. Currently, most of the Demon Suppression Division's strength is tied down by evil spirits in various regions. Although he is only a trainee Demon Slayer, his strength is not weak. He might not even be comparable to an ordinary Yellow-grade Demon Slayer.

It is better to let him stay there. If he can return safely, he is a talent worth cultivating. Jiang Zuo, what are your suggestions?"

"Your subordinate obeys the decisions of the Guardians!" Jiang Zuo was startled and hurriedly lowered his head to reply. He was merely a minor manager; he had no right to influence the thoughts of the Guardians. At a time like this, being a "transparent person" was the most practical approach.

"However—" Dongfang Zhao changed his tone. "He has only been with the Demon Suppression Division for a short time and is not yet a Yellow-grade Demon Slayer. This mission is somewhat tricky, and our Division cannot afford to show no support at all."

Having said that, he looked toward Zhou Yuanzheng and the others. "What do you all think would be appropriate?"

"Since we have decided to let him guard Lin'an City, then give him the treatment a Yellow-grade Demon Slayer deserves. Let him select a martial art from the second floor of the Library. If he can break through to the Xiantian realm in the future, it will be a good thing," Zhou Yuanzheng replied without hesitation.

The other two did not speak, but their intentions were similar.

Dongfang Zhao nodded and looked at Jiang Zuo. "From this day forward, Shen Changqing shall be a Yellow-grade Demon Slayer. Additionally, grant him one internal cultivation martial art from the second floor of the Library and one bottle of Pulse Opening Pills. Send these along with other supplies to Lin'an City."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Jiang Zuo bowed to receive the command.

"Tomorrow, I will enter the palace to inform His Majesty regarding the handling of Lin'an City. However, I expect the appointment of a new magistrate will not happen so quickly. Until then, let Shen Changqing temporarily act as the Magistrate of Lin'an City. We do not require him to achieve any political feats; he only needs to maintain stability in the city. If the situation in Lin'an remains unresolved by then, the Demon Suppression Division will send reinforcements as soon as we can spare the hands."

***

After returning from the Yongfu Pawnshop, Shen Changqing returned to his original inn to stay.

According to his original intention, he should have only gone to investigate the news of the demon essence blood, and after confirming certain matters, he would have headed straight back to the capital's Demon Suppression Division. As for other matters in Lin'an City, they had nothing much to do with him.

What Shen Changqing never expected was that just as he was about to leave, the Demon Suppression Division would pull this stunt on him.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to the Sky-Sensing Guards!"

He sighed helplessly, but he also understood that even if he hadn't gone to the Sky-Sensing Guards, he still would have had to guard Lin'an City. In fact, once a letter was sent from the Demon Suppression Division and fell into the hands of the Sky-Sensing Guards, they had plenty of ways to deliver it to him. The only difference was the timing. Even if he had completely left Lin'an City or even Guangyuan Prefecture, they might have still sent him back.

Two days passed quickly. During these two days, Shen Changqing also took a serious stroll around Lin'an City. The news regarding Zhao Fang's collusion with evil spirits had already spread like wildfire. After all, many people had witnessed the events of that night, and not every bailiff could keep their mouth shut.

Furthermore, the death of Zhao Fang, a high-ranking magistrate, was impossible to hide. Coupled with the fact that the bailiffs were strictly guarding the Zhao family, it caused quite a stir. Consequently, by now, most of the citizens of Lin'an City knew about Zhao Fang's collusion with evil spirits.

For a time, Zhao Fang and the members of the Zhao family were cursed by the masses.

Of course, for Shen Changqing, this had no significant impact.