CHAPTER 222: CHAPTER 20: TRY NOT TO RESORT TO VIOLENCE

Once again, they arrived at Minor Hillock Mountain.

Here, the defensive line had been redeployed.

When Shen Changqing and Wei Lan arrived, the soldiers guarding the place immediately noticed their presence.

"This is Imperial Court territory, halt!"

The soldiers on sentry duty sounded the alarm upon spotting the newcomers, and then someone stepped forward to block their path.

Both dismounted their horses.

Shen Changqing presented his Identity Token.

"I am Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division. Who is in charge of the defensive line at Minor Hillock Mountain now?"

Upon hearing the name of the Demon-Subduing Division, the soldier’s mind was greatly shaken, and his expression changed dramatically when he saw the words "Earth Rank" written on the Token.

Earth Rank Demon Hunter.

That was a rank of extreme prestige, not one that ordinary people could afford to offend.

He respectfully handed back the Token without checking Wei Lan’s and immediately bowed his head in a salute.

"Greetings, Lords. Currently, the defense line here is led by Lord Zhang Hongyuan. Please follow me!"

Having said that, he stepped aside, and Shen Changqing exchanged glances with Wei Lan before walking in.

"Steward Wei, have you heard of the name Zhang Hongyuan?"

"Not too familiar."

Wei Lan shook her head slightly and then explained, "If it were the Capital Demon Suppression Division, I might have some understanding, but there are so many experts in the local Demon-Subduing Divisions. It’s impossible to have heard of everyone, unless they have a reputation in Jianghu like Shen Chumo."

During their talk, a faint smile played upon her face.

After interacting for a while, Wei Lan found Shen Changqing somewhat elusive.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing simply responded with a smile and let the topic pass.

His greater concern was for the surroundings of Minor Hillock Mountain. Even though some time had passed since the battle ended, the scent of blood still could not be completely dissipated. In the air, there still lingered a trace of the bloody scent. Beyond that, there was the faint Yin Evil Aura that had not totally disappeared.

"After several days, the Yin Evil Aura hasn’t fully dissipated. The Demon Evil that caused this battle was not weak," Shen Changqing said in a deep voice.

He looked up at the sky, which was now bathed in the blazing sun. Days had passed, and the fierce sun had shone upon it. The fact that these measures hadn’t dispelled all traces of the Yin Evil Aura was revealing in itself.

Wei Lan also carefully sensed the surroundings and then nodded. "The Yin Evil Aura indeed has not dispersed. After so many days, the Demon Evil that acted must be at least mid-Fiend Level. It’s a pity that the aura has now dissipated too much to determine how many Demon Evils were involved."

Some time had elapsed between the event at Minor Hillock Mountain and the Demon-Subduing Division’s response. The first cohort from the Demon-Subduing Division to arrive here was certainly not just the two of them. Yet, those people weren’t able to completely reconstruct the truth of the incident, and as latecomers, they also couldn’t know much.

As they talked, led by the soldier, they arrived in front of a tent.

"Please wait a moment, I will go and report," said the man before ducking into the tent.

Soon, the tent flap was lifted, and a man around fifty with gray hair emerged from within, followed by the soldier who had led them there.

"I am Zhang Hongyuan from Guangyuan Prefecture’s Lingcheng Demon-Subduing Division. Are you Lord Shen Changqing?"

"I dare not claim the title ’Lord.’ I am Shen Changqing. Greetings, Demon Hunter Zhang!" Shen Changqing responded with a clasped fist salute.

In terms of rank and status, the two were actually on an equal footing. But if one were to be precise, a person from the Capital Demon Suppression Division would hold a slightly higher status than those from other local Demon-Subduing Divisions. Zhang Hongyuan’s courteous attitude was hence expected.

While speaking, Shen Changqing also directly presented his Identity Token, following normal procedure that no one could avoid.

Zhang Hongyuan smiled as he received the Token, but when he saw the line of small characters at the bottom, his pupils contracted slightly.

Hidden Heart Pavilion!

The name of the Hidden Heart Pavilion was not known to everyone, but any Earth Rank Demon Hunter would be well aware of its existence. And because he was aware, he knew that those who entered the Hidden Heart Pavilion held a status much higher than that of an ordinary Earth Rank Demon Hunter.

"I never expected Lord Shen to be a member of the Hidden Heart Pavilion. I have been disrespectful!" Zhang Hongyuan initially intended to address him as a fellow Demon Hunter but reverted to the original form of address upon seeing that Shen Changqing belonged to the Hidden Heart Pavilion.

The Hidden Heart Pavilion was a lifeline for all martial artists. Within it were recorded countless top martial arts, as well as resources that Grandmasters yearned for. Offending someone from the Hidden Heart Pavilion meant that person could use certain means to forever bar one’s entry into it. Therefore, he dared not show the slightest disrespect to Shen Changqing.

After speaking, Zhang Hongyuan then turned his gaze to Wei Lan, and his eyes flashed with a hint of amazement, but he quickly recovered. Although the woman before him was beautiful, he was no longer a young man. In some ways, he was no longer like young men. Moreover, since she came with Shen Changqing, it wasn’t necessary to guess that she came from the Capital City.

"May I ask who this is?"

"Demon-Subduing Division, Wei Lan!" Wei Lan’s voice was somewhat cold as she briefly introduced herself and, like Shen Changqing, presented her Identity Token.

After inspecting it for a moment, Zhang Hongyuan found no issues and returned the Token to her.

"Since both of you have come from afar, please come inside and have a seat first."

Inside the tent, there were no excessive decorations, just a bed and a few tables and chairs.

After everyone took their seats, Zhang Hongyuan asked in a deep voice, "I will not beat around the bush. I would like to ask, what business does the Demon-Subduing Division have in sending the two of you here?"

"Our purpose here is related to the Calamity within Minor Hillock Mountain." Shen Changqing got straight to the point as well.

Zhang Hongyuan nodded, "I see."

He had had some ideas when he saw Shen Changqing and Wei Lan. After all, there was nothing noteworthy about Minor Hillock Mountain, and Guangyuan Prefecture had assigned him to guard this place, so in theory, there was no need to send more people over. Now that Shen Changqing and his companion had arrived, and they were from the Capital City, their purpose definitely wasn’t as simple as just assisting with the defense.

"I’d like to ask, Demon Hunter Zhang, what exactly happened in the battle at Minor Hillock Mountain?" Shen Changqing continued to inquire.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hongyuan shook his head, "I can’t be certain what happened at Minor Hillock Mountain. Only that the garrisoned army and the two Grandmasters who were defending all perished. At the site, there were some remnants of Demon Evils, and beyond that, I know nothing."

"What about the Calamity itself?"

"The Calamity currently doesn’t show any abnormalities; we also dare not get too close."

Hearing Zhang Hongyuan’s words, Shen Changqing and Wei Lan exchanged a look, both understanding the situation. Calamities are dangerous. It was normal for them not to dare approach too closely.

Zhang Hongyuan paused before continuing, "However, the strength of the Calamity is much greater than before. According to the reports, in the beginning, it required both nightfall and rainy weather to appear. But now, as long as it’s almost night, the Calamity Domain appears. Lord Shen, if you plan to confront the Calamity, you need to be more cautious."

"Thank you for the warning."

Shen Changqing nodded slightly.

The Calamity’s strength increasing is indeed bad news. However, its growth is unstoppable; the current defensive line can at best only delay its growth for some time.

Zhang Hongyuan said, "You both have your plans, and I should not interfere much. Given that Minor Hillock Mountain is remote and there aren’t any satisfactory places, we only have some tents available for rest. If the two of you don’t mind, I will have someone lead you to rest awhile. Having traveled from the Capital City, I believe you must be somewhat fatigued."

"Much appreciated." Shen Changqing responded, while Wei Lan nodded in agreement.

After leaving the tent, Zhang Hongyuan called someone over to lead Shen Changqing and his companion to rest. Their mounts had been taken away for care earlier as well.

In front of a tent, a soldier said, "Lord Shen, this will be your resting place. Should you have any command, feel free to speak out."

"Very well."

Shen Changqing eyed the tent in front of him without much criticism.

It’s just a temporary accommodation; good or bad, it’s all the same to me.

Following that, the soldier arranged a place for Wei Lan to stay as well. Perhaps Zhang Hongyuan had given special instructions, as the places provided for the two of them to stay were very close to each other.

Upon entering, the tent’s interior was bare, containing only a bed for resting and nothing else.

Shen Changqing didn’t mind; he sat cross-legged on the bed and began to meditate and recuperate.

The journey over several days had taken a considerable toll on him.

Although Grandmasters possess strong self-healing abilities, achieving complete recovery is not always possible.

Moreover, Shen Changqing had already prepared to enter Minor Hillock Mountain that very night.

In that case, I have to ensure I’m in absolutely peak condition. Otherwise, if I truly have to fight Mo Zijin, I’m not sure of victory. According to what Zhang Hongyuan said, the Calamity isn’t as simple as when I first encountered it. After all this time, Mo Zijin’s strength must have become even more formidable. Even though my own strength has also significantly increased, when facing an immortal Calamity, I still feel a great deal of apprehension.

If it’s possible not to fight, it’s best to avoid fighting altogether! Shen Changqing thought.

Since the Calamity can’t be killed, it means I currently cannot gain Slaughter Value from it. Therefore, even fighting to the death would be in vain.

Time passed quickly. As the Golden Crow sank and darkness was about to cover the land, Shen Changqing, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, opened his eyes.

Putting on his shoes and stockings, he left the tent.

Outside, Wei Lan was already waiting there, though he didn’t know when she had arrived.

"Steward Wei." Shen Changqing nodded at her, then turned his gaze towards Minor Hillock Mountain, where faint lights could be seen.