CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 35 FILING A COMPLAINT

One whole night.

Shen Changqing was like a firefighter, rushing wherever there was a fire to help.

Since his breakthrough to the later stages of the Grandmaster Realm, this was the first time he had taken action so frequently.

Most of the Demon Evils that appeared in the Capital City tonight were not strong; they were basically at the Resentment Level.

After all, Resentment Level Monsters were precisely capable of possessing humans without being easily detected.

Once they reached the Fiend Level, their Yin Evil Aura was too strong. Even if one tried hard to hide it, some traces would still be visible.

Therefore, Resentment Level Monsters had become the best targets.

The citizens of the outer city were almost all huddled in their homes, listening to the noises outside without moving an inch. There was no other way. In front of Demon Evils, ordinary citizens were like lambs to the slaughter. Hiding in their homes offered a chance of survival; running out would truly be a dead end.

As dawn started to break, all the commotion finally came to an end.

"HUFF!"

Shen Changqing let out a breath. Running around non-stop all night had taken its toll on him as well.

Fortunately, those Demon Evils were not very strong and could basically be taken down with a single slash.

If a single slash didn’t kill them, then another palm strike would do the trick.

With his current strength, dealing with Resentment Level Monsters was as easy as eating and drinking.

This was the power of absolute suppression.

There was a time when Shen Changqing had to give his all when dealing with Resentment Level Monsters. Now, a year or two later, facing the same monsters had become incredibly easy.

"Brother Shen."

"Brother Jiang."

Shen Changqing turned to the voice and saw Jiang Zuo approaching.

Suddenly, his gaze revealed a hint of surprise, as if he had sensed something.

"Has Brother Jiang broken through to the Grandmaster Realm?"

"Fortunately, I had an epiphany of the True Intent and barely stepped into the Grandmaster Realm. But compared to Brother Shen, I still have a long way to go," Jiang Zuo responded with a smile, clearly in a good mood after his breakthrough.

Having been stuck at the Innate Limit for such a long time, it was impossible for him to have no thoughts about it.

Then, during the battle at Fengyun Village, even though Jiang Zuo was defeated and injured, he made considerable gains while recuperating and reflecting on the battle.

Later on, the Martial Dao True Intent was nurtured, and he officially entered the Grandmaster Realm.

Shen Changqing cupped his fists. "Congratulations, Brother Jiang!"

He wasn’t too surprised by Jiang Zuo’s breakthrough. When Shen Changqing first met him, the Steward of the Huang Department of the Demon Hunting Court was already a powerhouse in the Innate Outer Gang Realm; whether he had reached the Innate Limit was unknown. Now, several years had passed. Advancing to the Grandmaster Realm was reasonable and expected. Jiang Zuo’s ability to become a Steward showed that his talent and strength were not something ordinary Demon Hunters could compare with.

"Haha, Brother Shen, you are too kind," Jiang Zuo said, his smile growing even brighter at the congratulations.

Immediately afterward, his expression turned serious. "I was originally planning to consolidate my Realm after my breakthrough, but the Capital Demon-Subduing Division is currently short on Grandmasters, so I’ve been asked to take over for Brother Shen. I will be responsible for the defense of the inner city today."

"No problem," Shen Changqing nodded.

It was all the same to him, no matter who took over. After the night’s slaughter of Demon Evils, it would be best to rest and convert that experience into personal strength.

After a brief handover, Shen Changqing promptly departed.

Watching his receding figure, Jiang Zuo couldn’t help but shake his head in admiration. His strength is truly growing stronger and stronger. Last night, ninety percent of the Demon Evils that ran rampant in the Capital City died by his hand. That’s simply terrifying! Even a Grandmaster overpowering Resentment Level Monsters can’t do so truly effortlessly. Some Resentment Level Peak Monsters possess strength comparable to the Innate Limit. Even for a Grandmaster, dealing with Monsters of that level isn’t easy. Shen Changqing’s ability to eliminate Resentment Level Monsters so swiftly is unheard of; among Earth Rank Demon Hunters, hardly anyone can do it. Jiang Zuo was certain that if Shen Changqing wished, he could immediately become a Heaven Rank Demon Hunter.

Forget it. Instead of dwelling on that, I should focus on how to defend the city tonight! Jiang Zuo turned his gaze back to the cityscape, feeling a surge of pressure.

As the sky grew lighter, the normally bustling streets of the outer city were now nearly deserted.

The events of last night had struck fear into the hearts of the citizens.

If the same thing were to happen tonight, I’m not sure I could keep it under control. But—even if I can’t hold on, I must try my hardest. Since the Demon-Subduing Division has given me this task, I simply have to persevere. Let’s just hope no Fiend Level Monsters appear!

Jiang Zuo shook his head and sighed.

With my newly acquired strength, dealing with Fiend Level Monsters might not guarantee victory. However, if it’s merely a matter of bullying Resentment Level Monsters, that shouldn’t be a serious problem.

Dawn had just broken. The imperial court was already in a chaotic uproar.

Minister of Revenue Chen Luo took the lead, directly submitting a petition against the Demon-Subduing Division, accusing them of abusing their power and slaughtering innocent people.

"Your Majesty, if the Demon-Subduing Division can casually pin the label of ’Demon Evil’ on someone today, perhaps tomorrow they might pin that same title on this old minister, and the day after, on someone else! When that time comes, I fear the court will be thrown into utter chaos, and the situation will be beyond redemption!"

Chen Luo, tears streaming down his face, knelt on the ground, continuously denouncing the Demon-Subduing Division.

"To think that my son suffered such a calamity without cause, and the Demon-Subduing Division has not offered any explanation! A mere Demon Hunter dares to act so lawlessly! One can only imagine how rampant the others in the Demon-Subduing Division must be!"

In the imperial court, only Chen Luo’s voice could be heard. The other officials kept their gazes lowered and mouths shut, not daring to speak out.

After he finished speaking, Gu Xuanji calmly said, "Minister Chen, please rise before you continue."

"Yes!" Chen Luo struggled to his feet.

Afterward, Gu Xuanji turned his gaze towards the silent Dongfang Zhao. "Defender Dongfang, do you have any explanation?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, this servant knows only that the Demon-Subduing Division’s duty is to exterminate Demon Evils. Chen Hong met a tragic death due to Possession by a Demon Evil, for which I deeply mourn. But now that Demon Evils are causing turmoil in the Capital City, if the Demon-Subduing Division does not take decisive measures to prevent them from escaping, it will only lead to greater chaos. Moreover, whether Chen Hong was possessed by a Demon Evil is something Your Majesty can determine with a single glance at the corpse. Anyone who dies from Possession by a Demon Evil will still have a residue of Yin Evil Aura on their body. If Minister Chen does not believe his son was possessed by a Demon Evil, he is quite free to bring the body before the court."

Dongfang Zhao stated calmly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo glared furiously, but for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Gu Xuanji interjected to smooth things over, "Alright, since Defender Dongfang has offered an explanation, let’s put this matter to rest. Minister Chen, I deeply understand the pain of losing a son. You should go home and rest for the next three days."

With a single sentence, the matter was completely dismissed.

Seeing this, the other officials lowered their heads even further.

Chen Luo opened his mouth, but in the end, could only bow his head and say, "This servant obeys the edict!"

"Now that Demon Evils are gradually causing chaos in the Capital City, Defender Dongfang, do you have any thoughts?"

Gu Xuanji turned his gaze back to Dongfang Zhao.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Zhao cupped his fists. "Your Majesty, the Demon Evils continue to create chaos in the Capital City merely to disrupt the people’s morale and divide the forces of the Demon-Subduing Division. This servant suspects that the Demon Evil Clan’s primary targets are likely the Demon-Subduing Prison and the Demon Sealing Tower. As long as these two locations remain secure, everything else can be resolved."

"The Demon Sealing Tower is of utmost importance; there absolutely must not be any mishaps," Gu Xuanji nodded. He was clearly aware of what, or rather who, was imprisoned within the Demon Sealing Tower. Those Great Demons and the mid-to-high rank Demon Evils... If they were to escape from the Demon Sealing Tower, the Capital City would instantly transform into a Human Purgatory. Yet, despite such risks, the Demon-Subduing Division had still chosen to build the Demon Sealing Tower within the Capital City. The reason for this was that the collective strength available in the Capital City was the most abundant. Even with potential dangers, the combined strength of the Capital City was capable of defending the Demon Sealing Tower. Conversely, if it were placed anywhere else, the seals of the Demon Sealing Tower would not be as secure.

Many ministers blinked upon hearing this.

They were not members of the Demon-Subduing Division, nor had they ever truly entered the Demon Sealing Tower. At most, they were simply aware that Demon Evils were sealed within the Demon Sealing Tower. As for the specifics, they did not know.

"Furthermore, last night Demon Evils attacked many places. Although they were quickly dealt with by the Demon-Subduing Division, the resulting turbulence is bound to make the populace uneasy. To stabilize public sentiment, I have decided to deploy the Imperial Guards from the Imperial Palace to help suppress any turmoil in the Capital City. Anyone who takes this opportunity to cause trouble will be dealt with immediately," Gu Xuanji continued.

The Imperial Guards were a formidable force within the Imperial Palace. Though few in number, their members were generally strong. With the Imperial Guards taking action, it would reassure many citizens.

Dongfang Zhao nodded. "If the Imperial Guards assist, I believe there will not be any major issues. Almost all the forces of the Demon-Subduing Division have now been dispatched, primarily to deal with the Demon Evils."

"Do any of you ministers have anything else to say?"

Silence. Dead silence.

Seeing this, Gu Xuanji nodded and rose from the imperial throne. "If there is nothing else, then this court is dismissed!"

"We servants respectfully see off Your Majesty!"

"We servants respectfully see off Your Majesty!"

The ministers bowed, their voices echoing in unison.

Only after Gu Xuanji had left did the officials straighten up again.

Chen Luo shot Dongfang Zhao a look, let out a heavy snort of contempt, then swept out of the room.

However, some officials approached Dongfang Zhao, smiling and cupping their fists. "Defender Dongfang, with Demon Evils currently causing chaos in the Capital City, the Demon-Subduing Division will have to work even harder."

"Indeed! The Demon-Subduing Division is skilled in dealing with Demon Evils. With the Demon-Subduing Division present, I believe the Demon Evils will not be able to run amok."

Many ministers gathered around Dongfang Zhao, attempting to curry favor.

Previously, they had maintained their distance from the Demon-Subduing Division because the Demon Evils had not troubled them directly. But now it was different; Demon Evils were causing disturbances within the Capital City. If they didn’t cultivate a good relationship with the Demon-Subduing Division, the Division might not come to their aid promptly if they were troubled by Demon Evils later on.

In response, Dongfang Zhao simply returned a faint smile and offered no further comment.