Human Clan Defender
Chapter 47 Anger (4th update)

Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Anger (4th update)

Exterminate the entire clan!

Show no mercy!

Although Shen Changqing’s words were not loud, juxtaposed with the scene of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood before them, they carried more weight than any harsh reprimand could.

Soon, Government Officials acted, loading all the corpses of the Zhao Family onto prepared carriages and transporting them out of the city for cremation.

Meanwhile, Shen Changqing first returned to the Yamen to change out of his official robes, then headed towards Yongfu Pawnshop.

As soon as he saw Situ Bei, he got straight to the point.

"Last night, the Eternal Alliance sent two Demon Evils to attack the Yamen. They wouldn’t have dispatched them without reason; there must be an Eternal Alliance stronghold within Lin’an City. I can overlook your negligence this time, but I need the Heavenly Inspection Guard to find that stronghold within two days. If you can’t find it, then it’s time to replace Lin’an City’s Heavenly Inspection Guard!"

Shen Changqing’s expression was icy, devoid of its usual amicability.

"Yes!"

Seeing Shen Changqing’s expression, Situ Bei felt a chill in his heart. The Heavenly Inspection Guard had also received news of the battle at the Yamen last night. However, their primary focus was intelligence gathering, and their actual combat capabilities were average at best, which is why Situ Bei had not dispatched anyone to assist. Now that Shen Changqing had come personally to hold him accountable, Situ Bei could only endure it.

It was evident that last night’s events had indeed enraged Shen Changqing.

"Is there any news about the Demon Evil that initially attacked the village? If there’s still nothing by now, I have reason to doubt the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s competence."

Suppressing his anger from last night’s ambush, Shen Changqing changed the subject. His tone remained harsh throughout. This time, Shen Changqing had truly come with the intent to hold him accountable. The Heavenly Inspection Guard had failed to obtain any prior intelligence on an event as major as Demon Evils attacking the Yamen. He wasn’t sure if the entire Heavenly Inspection Guard was this incompetent, or if Situ Bei had simply grown too complacent.

If Situ Bei did not provide a satisfactory answer, Shen Changqing would not hesitate to disregard their shallow, past acquaintance.

"We have news!" Situ Bei replied hastily, without a second thought. "The Heavenly Inspection Guard searched a fifty-mile radius and found that the Demon Evil’s last traces point directly to Lin’an City. Therefore, I suspect that one of the two Demon Evils that attacked the Yamen last night was the one that destroyed the village. After all, Lin’an City is a small city. While Demon’s Essence Blood is important, it doesn’t hold a significant allure for powerful Demon Evils. Counting the Demon Evil from Guyue Village, the Eternal Alliance deploying three Demon Evils in this area was likely their limit."

With that said, Situ Bei paused for a moment. "I’d like to ask, My Lord, did those two Demon Evils escape?"

"I killed one; the other escaped," Shen Changqing replied indifferently.

He killed one, and one escaped.

Situ Bei drew a sharp breath; Shen Changqing’s strength had ascended to a new level in his estimation. Quickly recovering from his brief shock, he analyzed calmly, "Now that Lord Shen has killed one Demon Evil, the Eternal Alliance will have a better assessment of his strength. The Demon-Subduing Division is currently being held in check by Demon Evils, and likewise, a significant portion of the Demon Evils’ forces are also tied down. In my opinion, Demon Evils will not invest too much power around Lin’an City. The Heavenly Inspection Guard will strictly patrol the city in the coming days and report any activity to you immediately, My Lord."

"That would be best." The icy expression on Shen Changqing’s face softened slightly, though his complexion remained grim. "The Heavenly Inspection Guard serves as the eyes and ears of the Demon-Subduing Division and should not have made so many oversights. Brother Situ, you need to come to your senses. This time, since it was me, I will let it pass. But if the Heavenly Inspection Guard errs like this again in the future, it might very well be your head on the execution grounds tomorrow."

"Lord Shen’s reprimand is well taken!" Situ Bei nodded earnestly, a sobering chill running through him. He understood that Shen Changqing’s words were not mere empty threats. Although the Heavenly Inspection Guard didn’t seem to engage directly in slaying Demon Evils, their responsibilities were far from light. If a lapse in intelligence truly led to severe losses for the Demon-Subduing Division, then never mind beheading one person; even the extermination of nine generations of their clan would not be out of the question.

"I’ve said what needs to be said, so I won’t elaborate further. It’s enough that Brother Situ understands." Shen Changqing didn’t want to waste more words on this matter. "Is there any definite news on when the Demon’s Essence Blood will emerge, and its possible location?"

It was said that the Demon’s Essence Blood would appear around Lin’an City. But Lin’an City, while not overly large, wasn’t small either; there had to be a more precise location. Besides, the timing of the Demon’s Essence Blood’s emergence was also linked to the duration of his assignment as Defender of Lin’an City.

His clash with the Resentment Level Monster last night had made Shen Changqing realize that even after breaking through to the Innate Realm, he was not yet powerful enough to sweep through Lin’an City unhindered. It was only because the other Demon Evil had been weak, merely at the Ghostly Level. Otherwise, if two Resentment Level Monsters had joined forces, Shen Changqing wasn’t confident he could have dealt with them.

Therefore, he now hoped the Demon’s Essence Blood would emerge as soon as possible. He wanted to complete the mission and return quickly. As a mere Innate Realm cultivator, it truly wasn’t appropriate for him to linger here.

Hearing this, Situ Bei pondered for a moment. "According to intelligence, the Demon’s Essence Blood should emerge within a month. As for its possible location, we cannot be one hundred percent certain. This was because the powerful individual who slew the Demon Evil was already grievously wounded and perished shortly thereafter. Currently, the Heavenly Inspection Guard has several suspected locations. The Mass Burial Mound east of the city is the most likely, as it was one of the sites of a major battle. The other suspected locations are not far from there. However, the sealing techniques of such a powerful expert are not as simple as merely burying something deep underground. For now, we can only wait for the seal’s power to fracture to learn the specific details."

"Good. Inform me immediately once there is news."

Shen Changqing stood up and left. He didn’t stay at Yongfu Pawnshop for long. He was currently the County Magistrate of Lin’an City. Although he didn’t have many administrative matters to handle, it was still necessary for him to be present at the Yamen on most days.

By the time he returned to the Yamen, it was already evening. Shen Changqing sat in the inner hall; his meal had been prepared early.

After eating his fill, Shi Qingsheng had someone clear the dishes and then reported on the day’s events. "Following your orders, My Lord, the corpses of the Zhao Family have all been cremated."

"Good." Shen Changqing nodded, then asked, "How many men do we have left in the Yamen now?"

"If you’re referring to Government Officials, there are only eleven left now!" Shi Qingsheng replied, somewhat awkwardly. Originally, we had about twenty Government Officials in total. However, after the Demon Evils killed a number of them last night, our ranks were nearly halved. These remaining eleven are all the effective manpower the Yamen can muster now.

"Eleven!" Shen Changqing shook his head. "Such a large Yamen, and only eleven men. That’s too few. When you have time, issue a public notice to recruit more Government Officials and bolster the Yamen’s strength. Also, Hong Cheng is dead. Who is the most senior Government Official remaining?"

"The most senior Government Official should be Zhang Yue!"

"Tell him to see me tomorrow."

"Yes!" Shi Qingsheng nodded and, seeing Shen Changqing’s expression, tactfully withdrew.

Shen Changqing stood up, walked out of the inner hall, and looked at the already dark sky outside. He then returned to his bedroom and began a new round of cultivation. He had already reached the eleventh layer of the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, but there was still a twelfth layer above it. Slaughter Value was precious. If he could advance through his own arduous cultivation, he could undoubtedly save a significant amount of Slaughter Value. In these chaotic times, there were many Demon Evils, but the risks were also extremely high. Rashly trying to kill a Demon Evil was no easy task.

「A night without word.」

「The next day.」

Shen Changqing rose early and absorbed the first wisp of Heaven and Earth Purple Qi. Even though his Pure Yang Technique was completely defunct, the Heaven and Earth Purple Qi still had the effect of enhancing his cultivation. Although the Heaven and Earth Purple Qi was less effective at boosting the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi compared to the Pure Yang Technique, every little bit helped.

After a simple wash and breakfast, Shen Changqing sat in the inner hall, reviewing the official documents Shi Qingsheng had brought. They recorded various incidents that had occurred within his jurisdiction, some important, some not. As the acting County Magistrate, Shen Changqing still needed to look over them. As for how to handle them, he delegated all such decisions to Shi Qingsheng.

Just then, a stout, serious-faced middle-aged Government Official, with a saber at his waist, walked in from outside.

"This humble servant, Zhang Yue, pays his respects to Lord Shen!" Upon seeing Shen Changqing, he immediately bowed, his voice resonant and firm.

"Dispense with the formalities."

"Thank you, Lord Shen!" Zhang Yue then straightened up, his gaze fixed forward.

Shen Changqing set down the documents and carefully observed Zhang Yue, nodding inwardly. His physique is sturdy, and his vital energy is abundant. These are clear signs of having entered the Body Tempering Realm. Although his strength might not be much greater than the deceased Hong Cheng’s, his advantage lies in his youth. The Body Tempering Realm is different from other realms. The younger one is, the more abundant their vital energy. Middle age is considered the peak for the Body Tempering Realm; once past this stage, vital energy gradually wanes, eventually stagnating with no further hope of breakthroughs.

After a brief observation, Shen Changqing withdrew his gaze and nonchalantly picked up the teacup from the table. "I hear from Shi Qingsheng that you are now the most senior Government Official in the Yamen?"

"Reporting to Lord Shen, yes!"

"Good." Shen Changqing nodded. "Last night, Demon Evils attacked the Yamen, as I’m sure you’re aware. Arrest Officer Hong Cheng was killed by Demon Evils last night. The Government Officials are currently without a leader. Therefore, I appoint you as the new arrest officer."

Zhang Yue’s expression finally changed, a hint of excitement showing as he cupped his fists. "Thank you for your recognition, My Lord! This humble servant will definitely live up to the mission!"

Shen Changqing waved his hand. "You may leave. From today, the Government Officials in the Yamen will be under your command. You must ensure the Yamen’s security and report any abnormalities to me immediately."

"This humble servant understands!" Zhang Yue nodded, then bowed and withdrew.

As Zhang Yue was leaving, Shi Qingsheng entered from outside. "My Lord, someone is outside requesting an audience!"