Chapter 20: You are Lord Shen!

Chapter 20: You Are—Lord Shen!

Inside the inner hall.

The lamplight flickered.

"Sacrificing a few villages isn't an issue, but if we do that, this matter won't be able to be suppressed. The Demon Suppression Division might even dispatch an Earth-rank Demon Slayer.

If we truly encounter a powerful Earth-rank Demon Slayer, even if the Blood Soul promotes to the Grievance grade, it will be very difficult to deal with.

And if it reaches that stage, my term as the Magistrate of Lin'an City will effectively be over."

Zhao Fang sighed, feeling somewhat unwilling.

Hearing this, Zhuang Mingyuan remained unimpressed.

"Do you think that if we don't sacrifice villages, the Demon Suppression Division won't notice something is wrong just because of the death of a trainee Demon Slayer?"

"This—"

"In fact, from the moment that trainee Demon Slayer died, your term as the Magistrate of Lin'an City was already nearing its end. But it's fine; trading a lowly magistrate position for the promotion of a Grievance-grade monstrosity is not a loss at all.

You have accumulated quite a bit of wealth over the years, which is enough for you and your family to make a clean escape.

Although your role within the Alliance will diminish once you are no longer the Magistrate of Lin'an, the Eternal Life Alliance never mistreats its contributors."

Zhuang Mingyuan offered a word of comfort.

Then, his tone shifted, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Furthermore, you don't need to worry about the Demon Suppression Division sending any powerhouses. I wasn't certain before, but looking at it now, the Demon Suppression Division is indeed stretched thin."

Zhuang Mingyuan stood up from his seat, paced to the entrance of the inner hall, and looked out at the moonless night sky.

"Recently, the demon faction has dispatched many powerful entities to attack various parts of the Great Qin, engaging in an all-out war with the Demon Suppression Division. That battle caused heavy losses for the demons, but the Demon Suppression Division suffered significant casualties as well.

In the past, if a Ghost-grade monstrosity appeared, a trainee Demon Slayer would usually be accompanied by several others.

Now, only one person has arrived; clearly, the Demon Suppression Division doesn't have many people left to deploy.

Combined with the previous battle, neither side has achieved a decisive victory. The demons and evils in various regions are still tying down many of the Demon Suppression Division's experts. They won't necessarily commit much strength to a small place like Lin'an City.

After all, there are far too many places more important than Lin'an.

Now, we just wait for Zhang Long to return and report. We'll see if the Blood Soul has actually leveled up."

Finally, Zhuang Mingyuan turned to look at Zhao Fang, his expression suddenly becoming eerie.

"Or rather, Lord Zhao could pull off something truly ruthless: sacrifice everyone in Lin'an City. With the blood sacrifice of a hundred thousand souls from Lin'an, the Blood Soul might even be able to promote to the Slaughter grade.

You have been in the Eternal Life Alliance for many years without making much of a contribution.

If you contribute a Slaughter-grade monstrosity, it will absolutely catch the attention of the high-ranking members. At that time, you won't lack anything you desire.

Even I would be able to reap significant benefits from it!"

Zhao Fang was startled by Zhuang Mingyuan's words.

Sacrifice all of Lin'an City!

He hadn't even dared to think of such a thing, nor had the thought ever crossed his mind.

Sacrificing Guyue Village was somewhat acceptable.

But sacrificing the entire city of Lin'an was completely beyond his expectations.

One must realize that although Lin'an was merely a small border city of the Great Qin, it held a hundred thousand citizens. Having served as an official for many years, it was impossible for him to have no affection for the city.

If he were to sacrifice Lin'an directly and turn a blind eye to the lives of a hundred thousand people...

Zhao Fang asked himself: he simply could not accept it.

"Think it over carefully, Lord Zhao. Of course, if you intend to sacrifice the entire city, you must speed up the process. After all, news of the sacrifices of several villages will inevitably reach the Demon Suppression Division.

The Demon Suppression Division will not ignore the appearance of any powerful evil in any location.

Even if they are tied down by various evils in the short term, they will eventually find the time to act.

After all, allowing a powerful evil to grow is a massive threat to the Demon Suppression Division. It's just a matter of when they will strike—it depends on when the threat becomes too great to ignore."

"I cannot be certain about that point either."

"In any case, since you have already prepared to retreat, why not create a greater merit for the Alliance? I believe that even if you never make another contribution after this, a single Slaughter-grade monstrosity will be enough to ensure your family's long-term protection."

Zhuang Mingyuan continued his persuasion.

Although the lion's share of the credit would go to Zhao Fang if a Slaughter-grade monstrosity truly emerged, as Zhao Fang's partner, he would also gain many benefits.

Therefore, he desperately hoped that Zhao Fang would sacrifice the entire city.

As someone who had long since defected to the side of evil, Zhuang Mingyuan had already distinguished himself from the common people; in his eyes, the lives of ordinary people were no different from ants.

Zhao Fang lowered his head in deep thought, his expression shifting repeatedly as he struggled internally.

He was weighing Zhuang Mingyuan's words.

Despite being a human and the Magistrate of Lin'an, the tiny shred of conscience left in his heart told him he could not sacrifice the city.

However...

He had sacrificed Guyue Village, and then several other villages. Sacrificing the entire city didn't seem impossible.

It was just that...

Too many people would die, and his heart found it difficult to accept.

Yet—

Zhao Fang understood very well what kind of benefits a Slaughter-grade monstrosity would bring to the Eternal Life Alliance.

Soon, his fluctuating expression finally settled into calm.

He raised his head.

The former benevolence on Zhao Fang's face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a chilling coldness that would freeze one's heart.

"Brother Zhuang is right. Since I have joined the Eternal Life Alliance, I should make some contributions. It is an honor for the people of Lin'an to facilitate the birth of a Slaughter-grade monstrosity."

"Haha—!"

Seeing that Zhao Fang had come to an understanding, Zhuang Mingyuan laughed loudly.

Just then—

BOOM!

The main gates of the yamen were struck by a powerful force, shattering into countless pieces.

The massive commotion immediately drew the attention of the other bailiffs in the yamen.

It also caused the expressions of Zhao Fang and Zhuang Mingyuan in the inner hall to change instinctively.

"Who goes there? How dare you cause trouble at the yamen!"

"Quick, go inform the Lord!"

"You—you are Lord Shen!"

The sudden turn of events left the bailiffs in a state of shock. Some immediately rushed to report to Zhao Fang, but after some regained their composure, they instantly recognized who had broken into the yamen at night.

As the bailiffs recognized Shen Changqing, Shen Changqing also recognized them—they were the very same bailiffs who had been guarding the outskirts of Guyue Village during the day.

Seeing them draw their weapons and watch him warily, Shen Changqing tossed the object he was holding forward. The object rolled a few times on the ground before coming to a stop at the feet of one of the bailiffs.

"Captain... Captain Zhang!"

(End of Chapter)