Chapter 116: Chapter 116 Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion
Searching for Demon Evils was a necessary task. Otherwise, allowing them to lurk within the city was undoubtedly like a time bomb that could explode at any moment. On its own, Jincheng’s chances of successfully resisting the possible arrival of the Barbarian Clan Army were not high. If the disruption caused by Demon Evils was added to that, there would be even less chance of resistance.
Compared with the Black Tiger Army, the people of Jianghu were undoubtedly skilled hands in searching for Demon Evils. Powerful Martial Artists also possessed equally strong perception. While Demon Evils might hide their aura, as long as one got close enough, there was still some chance of detecting their traces.
Having said this, Chu Ding took a step back and turned his gaze to Shen Changqing. "Lord Shen is from the Demon-Subduing Division, and I believe you have a certain understanding of Demon Evils. Why don’t you tell them about it and remind them of some things to be aware of?"
"Very well." Shen Changqing nodded.
Thereupon, he stepped forward and looked at everyone with calm eyes. "The most common method used by Demon Evils to conceal themselves is to refine Corpse Puppets. On the surface, a Corpse Puppet is no different from an ordinary person. Only when one gets very close can one sense a trace of Yin Evil Aura. Moreover, the Demonfolk of Jincheng have developed their Corpse Puppet refining methods to an unfathomable extent. If you wish to detect the traces of Demon Evils, you must search carefully in every location, and you absolutely cannot afford any carelessness."
"Additionally—" Shen Changqing paused, then turned his head to speak to Chu Ding, who was beside him. "In the last encounter I had with the Demonfolk from Wanhua Building, her strength was not weak. Although not yet a Grandmaster, she was not comparable to an ordinary Innate Outer Gang Realm Martial Artist. The strengths of the people present here are formidable, but compared to the Innate Outer Gang Realm, there is still a significant gap. I suggest it would be best for some elite members of the Black Tiger Army to accompany them. In case we locate the traces of Demon Evils, we could immediately deploy a formation to surround and eliminate them."
An Innate Outer Gang Demonfolk!
While Chu Ding did not respond, Fang Xue, Tang Hong, and the others already looked uneasy. They knew about the Demon Evils in Jincheng. But if Shen Changqing hadn’t mentioned it, they would never have known that the Demonfolk in Jincheng had reached the Innate Outer Gang level. Among those present, excluding Shen Changqing and Chu Ding, the strongest had only barely stepped into the Innate Realm. In comparison, the gap was not small.
However, aside from being shocked by the strength of the Demon Evils, they were also greatly astonished by Shen Changqing’s abilities. The Demonfolk from Wanhua Building was a formidable power of the Innate Outer Gang Realm. If Shen Changqing could eliminate Wanhua Building, then how mighty is his strength? Innate Outer Gang? Or perhaps a Martial Arts Grandmaster?
In an instant, everyone’s gaze toward Shen Changqing changed. They had originally thought that, at most, he was a Martial Artist of the Innate Inner Gang Realm, but now they realized they had underestimated him.
Chu Ding nodded. "Lord Shen’s words are not without reason. The Black Tiger Army will fully cooperate with all of you to eradicate the city’s Demon Evils."
Subsequently, Chu Ding continued, "To ensure nothing goes wrong, I have already coordinated with the Yamen. They will work together with our Black Tiger Army, ensuring a thorough citywide search so that the Demon Evils will have no chance to escape. However, there is one more thing that I hope you all understand. It is permissible to search the residences of the citizens, but it is absolutely unacceptable to take this opportunity to cause chaos. If I learn of any such misconduct, not only will you have no way out, but even the Jianghu Sects behind you will face trouble."
After finishing, Chu Ding exuded an invisible might, his killing intent pervasive, causing the Jianghu individuals present to tremble inwardly.
"Rest assured, General Chu, we know what to do!"
They were very clear that Chu Ding’s words were not a joke. In Great Qin, the Imperial Court was like heaven; no matter how powerful the Jianghu Sects were, they were not qualified to contend with it. The same logic applied when faced with forces affiliated with the Imperial Court; many Jianghu Sects kept their distance. Forces as formidable as the Black Tiger Army and the Demon-Subduing Division made these Jianghu Sects turn pale at their mere mention. Even the most powerful Jianghu Sects would not dare to oppose them. If they did, they would only find a path to death.
Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces, Chu Ding nodded in satisfaction. "I’m just saying the unpleasant truths upfront to avoid trouble later. We are all putting forth effort for Jincheng, and rest assured, the commendations and rewards afterward will not be lacking."
---
「In Jincheng.」
Every Martial Artist of the Pulse Condensation Realm and above had been summoned by the Black Tiger Army. As for why Martial Artists below the Pulse Condensation Realm weren’t summoned, frankly speaking, it was because the strength of those in the Body Tempering Realm was too weak. Even if they were gathered, they wouldn’t be of much use. At that point, it was possible they wouldn’t just be useless but might instead be directly feeding kills to the Demon Evils.
At this moment, aside from those at necessary checkpoints, the remainder of the Black Tiger Army in the city had been fully assembled to accompany the people of Jianghu in searching for traces of Demon Evils.
"Lord Shen, are you going to act alone, or do you need some people to accompany you?" Wen Ce, who was leading a thousand Black Tiger Army soldiers, asked Shen Changqing.
Looking at the elite soldiers behind Wen Ce clad in black armor, Shen Changqing shook his head slightly. "The Black Tiger Army is strong, but having them follow me would be a waste. They should cooperate with the others instead to achieve greater effectiveness. As for myself, just one or two people to show me the way will suffice."
Although the Black Tiger Army was strong, its assistance was of little use to him. To be honest, with ten layers of the Invincible Golden Body and sixteen layers of Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, Shen Changqing was confident he could sweep away all opposition within Jincheng alone, let alone elsewhere. Even if he encountered Hongyi, he was certain he could slay them with a palm strike.
Seeing this, Wen Ce did not insist further. All the Jianghu Martial Artists, not including Shen Changqing, were divided into three teams. Each team was accompanied by a thousand elite soldiers from the Black Tiger Army. The Black Tiger Army was inherently strong, and as its elites, their strength naturally needed no further elaboration. A thousand soldiers of the Black Tiger Army, if they formed a military formation, could easily encircle and kill a Martial Artist in the Innate Realm. Even if it was inconvenient to deploy a military formation within the city, entangling a Demon Evil of the Innate Realm wouldn’t pose much of a problem. Jincheng, though not vast, was a place where any conflict could quickly receive support from other areas at a moment’s notice.
Watching the crowd depart, Shen Changqing turned his head to Liu Jian and said, "Constable Liu, please lead the way!"
"Lord Shen, you’re too courteous!" Liu Jian responded with a respectful demeanor.
After returning from the medical clinic, Liu Jian had gone straight to where the Black Tiger Army was stationed. His purpose was simple: to act as Shen Changqing’s guide and search for potential hideouts of the Demonfolk. A city-wide search sounded straightforward, but the actual difficulty was far from trivial. Not everyone could accept their dwelling being searched; undoubtedly, some resistance would be met along the way. Ordinarily, a city-wide search was ordered only when absolutely necessary. If such an action was taken, the Yamen had to lead the way. After all, the people of the Yamen still commanded a certain degree of respect in Jincheng; many would defer to them. Even those who felt displeased would not dare to vent their frustrations recklessly.
Afterward, Shen Changqing and Liu Jian commenced the screening process. Owing to the Yamen’s involvement, the inspection encountered hardly any serious obstacles. The mere mention of the Yamen and the Demon-Subduing Division was enough for people to consciously step aside, allowing the two men to enter and investigate.
The case of the Zhang Family in Lin’an City, as well as the example of Wanhua Building, had made it clear to Shen Changqing: the Demon Evils’ methods of concealment were far more powerful than he had imagined. Sometimes, one couldn’t detect any clues without getting extremely close. Furthermore, during the investigation, Shen Changqing also made inquiries among the populace to see if anyone familiar had been acting abnormally lately. If so, it could potentially be related to Demon Evils. Unfortunately, after half a day of effort, they still hadn’t found a single clue. Neither of them was pleased about this.
"It seems the Demon Evils’ hiding spot is extraordinarily secretive!" Shen Changqing sighed. The two of them were currently standing before a large estate: Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion!
To be honest, this was Shen Changqing’s first time seeing a martial arts pavilion. Jianghu Sects tightly controlled their Martial Arts, not easily revealing them, and the Imperial Court did the same, seldom allowing those outside of it to learn. After all, the principle that "the valiant commit transgressions with martial prowess" was applicable at any time. Those who lacked the qualifications to join Jianghu Sects or the Imperial Court, and wished to learn Martial Arts, would primarily choose martial arts pavilions. However, not every place had martial arts pavilions. The true purpose behind their existence was ultimately to make money and expand one’s influence. A city without a martial arts pavilion, in some respects, was considered to have no significant prospects.
Noticing Shen Changqing’s gaze, Liu Jian said, "Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion has been around for some years and enjoys a considerable reputation in Jincheng. Its Pavilion Master, Qianyang, is very strong and also possesses a notable reputation in Jincheng’s Jianghu. In my view, the likelihood of Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion concealing Demon Evils isn’t high."
"Whether the likelihood is high or not, we’ll know once we go in. Pure speculation is of no use." Shen Changqing shook his head and strode towards the interior of Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion.
No sooner had the two approached the gate of Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion than they were stopped by two young men clad in martial attire.
"Please hold, gentlemen. This is Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion. May we know what brings you here?"
"Presumptuous!" Liu Jian’s expression darkened. "Do you not recognize me?"
Liu Jian was filled with strong discontent. It would have been one thing if I were in plain clothes, but to be stopped while wearing my official uniform, combined with the arrogant attitude of these two, is outrageous!
Upon hearing this, one of them spoke calmly, "Constable Liu jests. Who in Jincheng doesn’t recognize Constable Liu? However, this is Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion. Unless there is prior notification or an appointment, no one may intrude."
"You—" Liu Jian was extremely angered. Just as he was about to say more, a hand blocked him.
Shen Changqing smiled faintly. "Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division and Constable Liu Jian have come to Thousand Mountains Martial Arts Pavilion on official business. Please go and report our arrival."