Couldn't beat him.
Then flee.
Compared to his own life, all other matters were insignificant.
Zhuang Mingyuan also hadn't expected that a mere entry-level Demon Hunter would be an Innate Martial Artist. This matter was completely beyond his expectations. Zhuang Mingyuan was even beginning to wonder if the Demon-Subduing Division had already detected something amiss in Lin'an City. Had they deliberately sent a Profound Rank Demon Hunter disguised as an entry-level one just to lower their guard?
Impossible!
After that battle, all the Demon-Subduing Divisions suffered heavy losses. How could they spare the capacity to station a Profound Rank Demon Hunter in such a small place as Lin'an City?
Initially, he harbored some doubts about whether the Demon-Subduing Division truly had any strength to spare. But in reality, in his mind, it was simply impossible for the Demon-Subduing Division to spare any resources at all.
Therefore, when sending out false information, he only intended to lure a few entry-level Demon Hunters to their deaths. After all, entry-level Demon Hunters eligible for assessment tasks were typically only at the initial stage of Pulse Condensation. While not weak, they certainly weren't too strong—perfect for the Blood Soul to devour and advance.
Across the Jianghu, only the Demon-Subduing Division could boast numerous Pulse Condensation Warriors; it wasn't easy for an ordinary sect to produce even a few. Besides, Jianghu martial artists harbored a profound aversion to Demon Evil, daring not to approach rashly. Even if news of Demon Evil in Lin'an City were to spread, those martial artists would be unlikely to come and exterminate them. Thus, the hope for the Blood Soul's advancement lay with the Demon-Subduing Division.
However—the Demon-Subduing Division sending only one entry-level Demon Hunter had indeed surprised Zhuang Mingyuan somewhat. But this also indirectly proved that the Demon-Subduing Division was truly short on powerful experts. In this case, even if a single entry-level Demon Hunter wasn't enough for the Blood Soul to advance, he could allow the Blood Soul to devour more living beings without restraint. He wouldn't need to worry about the Demon-Subduing Division immediately dispatching a powerful expert to suppress it.
Zhuang Mingyuan had calculated everything meticulously, yet he had miscalculated one crucial point: Shen Changqing's strength. He could never have imagined that an entry-level Demon Hunter would possess such formidable strength.
Now, Zhuang Mingyuan didn't need to think hard to understand that the Blood Soul in Guyue Village must have perished at his adversary's hands. An Innate Martial Artist was simply beyond what an ordinary Ghostly Level Fiend could handle. To slay an Innate, at the very least, a Resentment Level Monster would have to intervene.
Zhuang Mingyuan fled decisively. However, Shen Changqing had noticed his movements early on and, the moment he fled, immediately gave chase.
He hadn't cultivated Qinggong. But even without Qinggong, given Shen Changqing's current strength, his speed was still phantom-like.
Quickly, the two vanished from the Yamen, one after the other.
Suddenly, the scene quieted down.
Several Government Officials holding torches watched with complex expressions. They gazed at Zhao Fang, who stood there, his face ashen, and at Zhang Long's dirt-stained severed head on the ground, unsure of what to do.
Capture the traitor?
Regardless, Zhao Fang was a commissioned officer of the Imperial Court, and they had served under him for many years. If they allowed him to escape, they also didn't dare to do that. If Lord Shen returned to find Zhao Fang gone, they, as mere Government Officials, could not bear such responsibility.
While they hesitated, Zhao Fang looked at them and calmly waved his hand. "You may all return. Don't worry, I will wait here for Lord Shen's return."
"Zhao—" one of them began, wanting to say something, but he hesitated, unsure how to address him now.
"Go!" Zhao Fang waved dismissively and turned towards the inner hall.
At that moment, he seemed to have aged decades.
Watching Zhao Fang's careworn and desolate back, their expressions were complicated, but they said nothing more.
"Let's go!"
"Everyone go back now—"
Very soon, the once-bustling Yamen abruptly fell silent. The earlier commotion had already attracted the attention of nearby residents. However, due to the night curfew, few dared to venture out of their homes.
「Elsewhere.」
Zhuang Mingyuan and Shen Changqing, one pursuing the other, were already outside the city.
In terms of speed, Zhuang Mingyuan was indeed incredibly fast. However, as an Innate Martial Artist, Shen Changqing's speed was by no means slow. Though Zhuang Mingyuan had initially pulled away, the gap between them was now steadily closing.
When they were less than ten feet apart, Shen Changqing struck out with a palm in mid-air. A powerful gust of palm wind, like a heatwave, swept past, causing the surrounding temperature to soar.
Feeling the threat behind him, Zhuang Mingyuan didn't think twice before turning around and striking back with his palm.
BOOM—
The two palm strikes collided in mid-air. Zhuang Mingyuan, being considerably weaker, was instantly slammed to the ground.
Immediately following that, Shen Changqing's long saber slashed out, aiming directly for Zhuang Mingyuan's head.
"Don't kill me, I can tell you a secret—" Zhuang Mingyuan screamed in terror as the cold glint of the blade drew ever closer, finally stopping against his neck.
The icy chill instilled an indescribable fear in Zhuang Mingyuan's heart. Though he was callous about the lives of others, he cherished his own life dearly. Or perhaps, most who defected to Demon Evil were exceedingly protective of their own lives. If not for cherishing their lives, they wouldn't have turned to Demon Evil.
Shen Changqing's saber rested steadily on the man's shoulder, the blade pressing close to his neck. "Speak. What is the secret? If I find out you're lying, your death won't be simple. You should have heard of the Demon-Subduing Prison, I imagine. For Demonfolk like you, being locked up in the Demon-Subduing Prison would surely be a fate worse than death."
Demon-Subduing Prison!
Hearing these three words, Zhuang Mingyuan's face instantly turned pale. How could he not have heard of the Demon-Subduing Prison? It was a crucial stronghold of the Demon-Subduing Division, where countless powerful Demonfolk had been imprisoned, none ever emerging alive. Legend had it that the Demon-Subduing Prison was an inescapable doom for Demonfolk.
Nevertheless, though terrified, Zhuang Mingyuan was no fool. He forced himself to remain calm.
"I can tell you," Zhuang Mingyuan said, forcing composure. "But you must swear on the honor of the Demon-Subduing Division. After you learn the secret, you must let me go completely unharmed and spare my life!"
"Are you threatening me?"
"How would I dare?" Zhuang Mingyuan replied. "I am merely trying to secure a chance to live."
Seeing Zhuang Mingyuan's defiant stance, clearly indicating he would rather die than speak without the oath, Shen Changqing raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Very well," Shen Changqing said. "I swear in the name of the Demon-Subduing Division: if the secret you reveal is valuable, then I will let you leave with your life intact!"