Human Clan Defender
Chapter 52 Intimidation (9th update)

Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Intimidation (9th update)

Wen Rong hated it to the extreme.

If not for the severe injuries he had sustained, which still hadn’t fully healed, how could a martial artist who hadn’t even reached the Outer Gang Realm be qualified to harm him?

Hate him as he might, he also understood one thing.

The Shen Changqing before him was incredibly strong. Even if he hadn’t reached the Outer Gang Realm, in terms of true combat strength, he wasn’t much weaker than a martial artist who had.

As the battle raged on, Wen Rong saw no chance of victory.

"Do you think you’re well hidden? In fact, the Demon-Subduing Division noticed this place long ago. Right now, several Profound Rank Demon Hunters are surrounding the Zhang Family from all directions. I can assure you, not a single Demon Evil will escape!"

Shen Changqing’s offensive didn’t lessen in the slightest as he threatened with a cold sneer.

Upon hearing this, Wen Rong sneered, "Several Profound Rank Demon Hunters? Such big words. Could the Demon-Subduing Division really afford to waste several Profound Rank Demon Hunters in a small place like Lin’an City?"

He didn’t believe a single word Shen Changqing said.

As the one responsible for the Eternal Alliance’s stronghold in Lin’an City, he had some understanding of the Demon-Subduing Division’s current situation.

The Demon-Subduing Division was indeed strong. But now, the forces of the Demon-Subduing Divisions everywhere were heavily tied down by Demon Evil.

In Lin’an City, it was already unexpected for one Profound Rank Demon Hunter to arrive.

Several Profound Rank Demon Hunters? That was simply impossible.

"Lin’an City alone might not warrant the Demon-Subduing Division dispatching several Profound Rank Demon Hunters. However, an Eternal Alliance stronghold, along with the soon-to-emerge Demon’s Essence Blood, could certainly draw some of their attention. Having betrayed the Human Clan, you cannot escape your fate today!"

Shen Changqing continued his threats, pushing his Seven Kills Blade Technique to its limits. Each slash carried a chilling murderous intent, enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

The Seven Kills Blade Technique operated on the principle: stop killing by killing, sustain war through war! It was a martial art specializing in slaughter.

A year of arduous training at the Demon-Subduing Division had only allowed him to barely reach the second layer. However, after several battles in Lin’an City, the Seven Kills Blade Technique had gradually begun to transform.

Shen Changqing felt that breaking through to the third layer of this blade technique was not far off.

"I don’t believe it!"

Wen Rong dodged the long blade’s assault. Although he was highly skeptical of Shen Changqing’s words, his heart couldn’t help but tremble.

What if it were true?

Indeed, the Demon-Subduing Division didn’t have much strength to spare at the moment. However, in their eyes, the Eternal Alliance was a cancer to the Human Clan. Every time an Eternal Alliance stronghold was discovered, the Demon-Subduing Division would launch a large-scale siege without hesitation.

For a small stronghold like the one in Lin’an City, dispatching several Profound Rank Demon Hunters was unlikely, but there was still a slim possibility.

Coupled with Shen Changqing’s formidable strength, Wen Rong felt immense pressure.

With all this piling up, a flicker of fear ignited in his heart.

In a battle between martial artists, an indomitable momentum was crucial.

If one side harbored fear, their chances of victory would diminish significantly.

Sensing Wen Rong’s offensive falter, Shen Changqing smiled inwardly. His attacks with the Seven Kills Blade Technique grew even fiercer.

"Demonfolk, meet your death!"

With an angry shout, his Heavenly Martial Gang Qi erupted outwards. A powerful Blade Gang shot from his saber, speeding towards Wen Rong at an incredible velocity.

In an instant, Wen Rong felt a faint stinging sensation all over his body; the power of the Blade Gang was not something he could withstand.

Instantly, he dodged to the right. The Blade Gang sliced through empty air, pulverizing tables and chairs, and leaving deep, charred gashes on the support pillars of the hall, causing the entire room to tremble violently.

The might of that slash made Wen Rong’s blood run cold.

Before Wen Rong could react, Shen Changqing lunged forward, his left hand striking out with an Iron Sand Palm aimed at him.

Wen Rong, seeing this, had no time to dodge and could only meet it with a palm strike of his own.

As their palms collided, surging True Qi erupted. Shen Changqing was jolted back two steps, but Wen Rong’s existing injuries were aggravated. He coughed up black blood as he was sent flying.

"Kill!"

Shen Changqing’s expression was ferocious. His Heavenly Centipede True Qi forcefully suppressed the churning vital energy and blood within him. Veins bulged on the hand gripping his saber, its light flickering like a silver serpent striking. He immediately slashed down at Wen Rong with the force of cleaving a mountain.

SWISH!

The moment Wen Rong landed, he instinctively raised an arm to block. A limb covered in Scale Armor thudded to the ground.

Intense pain contorted his face.

Giving Shen Changqing a hateful glare, he turned and fled outside without a second thought.

With one arm severed and a wave of Slaughter Value harvested, Shen Changqing immediately pursued Wen Rong.

An Innate Realm Demonfolk, if allowed to escape, would undoubtedly become a huge problem.

Outside the Zhang Residence, the people from the five factions were still standing guard.

At that moment, they all sensed a potent Yin Evil Aura approaching at a terrifying speed.

"Stop him!" Shen Changqing roared.

Wen Rong had just reached the gates of the Zhang Residence. Seeing the crowd gathered before the Zhang household and recalling Shen Changqing’s earlier words, his heart lurched in shock. With no time to think, he changed direction to flee.

However, no sooner had he changed direction than a flash of Blade Gang filled his vision.

SQUELCH!

The saber pierced flesh, sending Wen Rong flying once more as dark blood sprayed.

Before his body even hit the ground, Shen Changqing lunged forward. His saber fell, and a head flew into the air, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop.

At this point, Wen Rong’s corpse slammed onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Because Wen Rong had just rushed to the main gate, it lay shattered, allowing everyone to see the scene within the courtyard.

One man lay on the ground, his severed head having rolled some distance away. Another stood with a saber in hand, his entire being radiating a seething killing intent.

The scene seemed to freeze. An eerie silence descended.

They had been vaguely aware of the intense battle inside the Zhang Residence, but due to the distance, their perception hadn’t been very clear.

But when Wen Rong had burst out just moments ago, that Yin Evil Aura had sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

Innate Realm? Or close to it? No one could be certain.

The aura had appeared and vanished swiftly; in less than a breath, its source was cut down by the pursuing Shen Changqing.

Glancing at his saber, Shen Changqing sighed inwardly.

Killing Wen Rong had pushed the already severely corroded saber to the brink of becoming scrap metal.

He sheathed the saber. He had no intention of discarding it just yet.

Even though the saber looked ruined, it wasn’t completely unusable. If he discarded it now, he would be without a suitable weapon.

"Zhang Yue!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Standing outside the Zhang Residence, Zhang Yue, who had been dazed for some time, hurriedly snapped to his senses and crossed the threshold to stand before Shen Changqing.

"What are your orders, My Lord?"

"Search the Zhang Family property, inside and out. Transport anything of value back to the Yamen. However, do not enter the main hall of the Zhang Family. If you do and meet your death, you’ll have no one but yourself to blame," Shen Changqing commanded.

Zhang Yue cupped his fists, "Your subordinate obeys!"

He then summoned the other Government Officials to enter and begin confiscating the Zhang Family’s assets.

Shen Changqing stepped outside and, cupping his hands towards Cui Cheng and the others, said, "It is confirmed beyond doubt that the Zhang Family was an Eternal Alliance stronghold. Thanks to all of you for surrounding the Zhang Residence, preventing that Demonfolk from escaping and allowing me to execute him here. This is a great boon for the people of Lin’an City. On behalf of its many citizens, I thank you all!"

"Lord Shen is too kind!" The crowd hurriedly returned the gesture.

They hadn’t confronted Wen Rong directly, but the Yin Evil Aura that had erupted moments ago was enough to make their hair stand on end.

This alone showed how truly formidable the executed Demonfolk’s strength had been.

And yet, he had been slain by Shen Changqing with a single saber strike.

Even though they had anticipated his power, witnessing this scene firsthand still shocked them profoundly.

Moreover, they all believed that if Shen Changqing had turned his saber on them, none of them would have survived.

Shen Changqing said, "Matters here are concluded. I can handle the rest. You may all leave first."

"Lord Shen, I take my leave!"

"We take our leave!"

Hearing this, Cui Cheng and the others said no more. They cupped their hands in farewell and departed one by one.

Soon, the people from the five factions had all left.

The commoners watching from a distance had already been scared off when Wen Rong appeared.

Only now, after things had settled, did they dare to slowly gather again.

"That was a Demon Evil just now, wasn’t it!"

"I never expected the Zhang Family to actually be colluding with Demon Evil! Thankfully, Lord Shen is perceptive. He had barely taken office and already exterminated the Demon Evil in the Zhang Family. Otherwise, we would have suffered again."

"Yes, indeed..."

Many commoners murmured amongst themselves, yet dared not approach too closely.

In their eyes, Demon Evil was synonymous with terror. Once involved, one could only wait for death.

First, the Zhao Family colluded with Demon Evil, and now the Zhang Family.

These people felt a deep-seated malice pervading their surroundings.

Looking at the gathered commoners, Shen Changqing said with a solemn expression, "This official has dealt with the Demon Evil of the Zhang Family. Everyone, please disperse. The Yamen will post a detailed announcement tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lord Shen!"

"With Lord Shen here, how dare any Demon Evil disturb our Lin’an City!"

The commoners’ faces lit up with relieved smiles. Some bowed deeply, while others repeatedly cupped their hands in gratitude before dispersing.

Since the Lord County Magistrate had said the Yamen would post an announcement the next day, they saw no need to linger.

Besides, judging by the state of the Zhang Family, they likely faced complete ruin and extermination of their clan.

Once all the commoners had left, Shen Changqing turned and walked back into the Zhang Family residence.

Wen Rong was dead. Even though an Innate Realm Demonfolk was powerful, being beheaded by a saber strike had left him no chance of survival.

During their fight, Shen Changqing was almost certain that Wen Rong, at his peak, must have been a powerful expert of the Innate Outer Gang Realm. However, with his injuries unhealed, his current strength was at best only slightly greater than that of an ordinary Inner Gang martial artist.

Nevertheless, even if his opponent had been at his peak, Shen Changqing would not have feared him.

After all, dwelling on hypotheticals was pointless given the outcome.

Checking his panel, Shen Changqing revealed a satisfied smile.