Human Clan Defender
Chapter 75: As Expected, It’s Correct

Chapter 75: Chapter 75: As Expected, It’s Correct

Inside the pavilion.

Jiang Zuo looked at the person in front of him and asked, "Why do you have time to come here today? Is there something you need?"

Towards Shen Changqing, he did not put on airs as a Steward. He treated people and handled matters accordingly.

Although the other party was only a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter, his strength was not weaker than a Profound Rank Demon Hunter, and his talent was astonishing. Thus, Jiang Zuo already treated him as an equal.

"Indeed, there are some matters I wish to consult you about."

"Go ahead," Jiang Zuo replied with a faint smile.

"On my way back from Lin’an City, I encountered a very strange event—" Shen Changqing said with a serious expression, recounting the incident he had encountered.

Gradually, the smile on Jiang Zuo’s face also faded away considerably. After Shen Changqing finished speaking, Jiang Zuo spoke in a heavy tone.

"I have never heard of the incident you described. If it was a Demon Evil, there would certainly be a Yin Evil Aura revealed. Are you sure that you didn’t feel even the slightest bit of Yin Evil Aura from beginning to end?"

"None," Shen Changqing shook his head decisively.

He was certain. He had not detected any Yin Evil Aura on Mo Zijin at all.

Jiang Zuo’s expression turned solemn. "If even you couldn’t sense the Yin Evil Aura, then that thing is a bit more complicated."

Shen Changqing’s strength was already at the Innate Realm. Even the strongest Resentment Level Monster couldn’t entirely hide its traces from him.

Unless—it was a Demon Evil even more powerful than a Resentment Level Monster. Correct content is on NovelFire

As soon as this thought arose, Jiang Zuo shook his head inwardly, discarding this speculation from his mind.

Guangyuan Prefecture was no ordinary place. Over two hundred years ago, it suffered a devastating Demon Evil attack that resulted in heavy casualties among the citizens. Since then, the Demon-Subduing Division had significantly strengthened its control over the prefecture.

Low-rank Demon Evils mingling into Guangyuan Prefecture was not an issue. After all, the Yin Evil Aura of low-rank Demon Evils was weak, easily overlooked by the Defender Envoys stationed in Guangyuan Prefecture. But once it reached Fiend Level or above, that strong Yin Evil power would be impossible for the Defender Envoys to ignore.

"This matter is out of the ordinary; I need to report it to the higher-ups."

Jiang Zuo stood up. He knew that in the face of any strange occurrences within the borders of Great Qin, one could not afford to be careless.

"For now, you should go back."

"Then I shall take my leave," Shen Changqing also stood up.

Immediately, he saw Jiang Zuo hasten away.

Watching the retreating figure, Shen Changqing paused for a few moments before returning to his own small courtyard.

He had reported the anomalies he discovered; the rest probably had nothing to do with him.

Back in the courtyard, Shen Changqing drew out the Lengyue Blade from his waist. The blade, resembling white frost, emitted threads of cold intent despite the scorching sun.

Standing motionless with his eyes closed, he reviewed the memories of the Hundred Battle Blade Technique in his mind.

The next instant, his tightly shut eyes opened, as if bloodlight was bursting forth. With a move of his hand gripping the long blade, a mighty aura rose from his body.

"Slash!"

Shen Changqing moved his foot, and the Lengyue Blade fiercely slashed forward, emanating an aura capable of cleaving through thousands, as if thousands of troops and horses were thundering across a battlefield.

At that moment, the aura reached the skies.

Merging the Seven Kills Blade Technique and the Breakthrough Blade Technique, the Hundred Battle Blade Technique became a true battlefield Martial Art meant to stop warfare with warfare.

Among the five forms of the Hundred Battle Blade Technique, the first form, Horizontally Mounted Blade, and the second form, Single-Handedly Blocking Thousands, were both defensive maneuvers. The third form, Lone Entry into the Battle Array, was the real method of slaying enemies. As for the fourth form, Effortless Blade, it integrated offense, defense, and movement in one.

The fifth form—Shen Changqing had no clues about it.

Even though he obtained the complete memory of the Hundred Battle Blade Technique, he could not comprehend what the fifth form truly was.

According to the memory, only by fully integrating the first four forms would the fifth form naturally emerge.

Strictly speaking, the fifth form was not an actual set of moves but a state of mind.

In the small courtyard, Shen Changqing, as if he had practiced for decades, skillfully executed the first part of the Hundred Battle Blade Technique.

The first two forms contained many intricate variations. But when it came to the third form, he encountered some difficulty. Even though he swung the Lengyue Blade as recorded in his memory, Shen Changqing always felt something was off.

"The Hundred Battle Blade Technique can be considered military Martial Arts, a true lethal method," he mused. "To fully comprehend it, relying solely on rigid techniques is probably impossible."

He suddenly stopped his blade, reflecting on every detail of the Hundred Battle Blade Technique.

"The Hundred Battle Blade Technique can directly comprehend the Martial Dao True Intent!" he realized. "That means, besides emphasizing techniques, this Martial Art pays more attention to the state of mind— Without leading from the front and the courage and killing intent of entering the battle array alone, how can one truly master this method of slaughter?"

Shen Changqing had a moment of clarity. free\NovelFire.c o(m)

If it were his former self, even with understanding, it would be difficult to simulate that feeling. But now it was different. Shen Changqing had not truly been on a battlefield, yet he had killed before, so he could naturally grasp the required killing intent.

Standing still for a long time, he recalled the memories in his mind, brewing the essence of slaughter within.

As time passed, suddenly, Shen Changqing let out a ferocious shout and stepped forward. An intense, bloody carnage unfolded from his will, his blade fiercely chopping forward as if it could annihilate everything before him.

WHOOSH—

Without utilizing True Qi, the blade wind he slashed out, relying solely on his own physical strength, left a shallow trace on the ground.

He sheathed his blade and resumed his guard stance.

Shen Changqing let out a long breath. He was savoring the slash he had just executed.

After a long while, Shen Changqing’s standing body moved again, beginning another round of cultivation.

「 」

On the other hand, after receiving the message, Jiang Zuo immediately went to report it.

In the Council Hall, after receiving permission, Jiang Zuo stepped forward and entered.

At that moment, there was only one person sitting inside the hall.

"Jiang Zuo, what brings you here this time?"

Zhou Yuanzheng’s tiger-like gaze fell on him, and a strong aura seemed to diffuse from him, making the atmosphere of the great hall much more solemn. From beginning to end, he was clad in iron armor, which he apparently never removed.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zuo bowed with his fists clasped. "Reporting to Defender Zhou, a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter has reported encountering strange things in Guangyuan Prefecture. My knowledge is limited, so I specially came to report to Lord Defender."

"Speak!"

"Yes—"

Only then did Jiang Zuo straighten up and relay exactly what Shen Changqing had told him.

After he finished speaking, a flicker of cold light briefly shone in Zhou Yuanzheng’s tiger-like eyes.

"Are you telling me the truth?"

"Absolutely certain!" Jiang Zuo nodded.

"Good, I am now aware of the matter. You may leave, and then have that Yellow Rank Demon Hunter come here."

Zhou Yuanzheng waved his hand dismissively, his expression returning to calm.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zuo bowed and withdrew.

After Jiang Zuo left, Zhou Yuanzheng’s expression turned solemn again.

"Strange, could it really have appeared— But it’s impossible. The Demon-Subduing Division had already searched through Guangyuan Prefecture. Why has it only emerged now? This is troublesome!"

「 」

KNOCK, KNOCK!

The courtyard gate was knocked. Shen Changqing sheathed his blade and directly opened the front door.

As the door swung open, there stood Jiang Zuo.

And when Shen Changqing appeared, Jiang Zuo’s expression was momentarily taken aback.

Just as the door was opened, he felt a blast of bloody wind rushing towards him, causing his spirit to tighten. But now the bloody wind had dissipated, as if it had never appeared. However, Jiang Zuo was certain that his sensation was no illusion.

"Did I interrupt your cultivation?"

"It just ended. Steward Jiang’s arrival is timely."

Shen Changqing smiled, not dwelling on the matter of cultivation.

"Does Steward Jiang’s sudden visit concern anything in particular?"

"I’ve reported the matter you spoke of earlier to the higher-ups. Now, Defender Zhou Yuanzheng would like to see you in person. Come with me."

"Alright, no problem."

Shen Changqing appeared unfazed on the surface, but his heart was somewhat shaken.

Who was Zhou Yuanzheng? He had never heard of him before now. Yet the title ’Defender’ already said it all. Defender Envoy! An existence that completely surpassed that of a Demon Hunter. To be honest, the highest-ranking person Shen Changqing had ever had contact with was Steward Jiang Zuo, who was only a Profound Rank Demon Hunter. Compared to a Defender Envoy, there was a gap of several ranks. Now being summoned by a Defender Envoy, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t a bit nervous.

Nevertheless, Shen Changqing also understood that he had no way to refuse such a summons.

Following Jiang Zuo, he made his way towards the Council Hall.

Soon, the two of them, one after the other, stepped into the great hall.

"Huang Department Steward Jiang Zuo pays his respects to Defender Zhou!"

"Yellow Rank Demon Hunter Shen Changqing pays his respects to Defender Zhou!"

As Jiang Zuo saluted, Shen Changqing also clasped his fists and bowed in respect.

"You may dispense with the formalities," Zhou Yuanzheng said indifferently, then turned his gaze onto Shen Changqing.

"Are you Shen Changqing?"

"Indeed, I am!"

Shen Changqing answered Zhou Yuanzheng’s question with a nod.

As his own gaze fell upon the man before him, it was as if he was staring into an abyss, immeasurable in depth, a figure who could suppress everything by his mere presence. In comparison, he, a Martial Artist in the Innate Outer Gang Realm, seemed much weaker.

Zhou Yuanzheng stated, "You’ve done well in Lin’an City, causing the Eternal Alliance to suffer a loss and upholding the reputation of our Demon-Subduing Division. With your talent, as long as you don’t perish midway, it’s very likely that you could become a Defender Envoy."

First, he offered a word of praise. Then, Zhou Yuanzheng’s tone abruptly shifted.

"The purpose of summoning you here is straightforward. Relay in detail the encounter with the Demon Evil you faced, without a single discrepancy or omission."

"Yes!"

Shen Changqing nodded, inwardly composed himself, then recounted his encounter in full detail.

After he finished, the hall fell into silence.

Above, Zhou Yuanzheng remained seated and unmoving, as if lost in thought. It was only after a long time that he finally spoke slowly.

"Indeed, it is as I suspected—"