Human Clan Defender

What a troublesome autumn!

Tang Hong couldn't help but sigh inwardly once again.

This time, it was because the Pill Sect needed to expand, so he had come to Jincheng to find a location and set up a Pill Sect shop.

Unfortunately, before the shop could be established, he encountered the Barbarian Clan's attack on the city.

Now, with the Barbarian Clan attacking, the Black Tiger Army had rallied all the martial artists in Jincheng; it was clear they weren't planning on giving them a way out.

Tang Hong felt quite helpless about this.

Caught in Jincheng during an unexpected Barbarian Clan attack, there was nowhere to run even if he wanted to.

Just as all the martial artists were lost in their own thoughts, General Chu Ding and Shen Changqing walked out from the Central Military Tent.

"General, all the martial artists in Jincheng have been gathered," Wen Ce, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward and said.

When he uttered the word 'invited,' he clearly paused.

Shen Changqing, observing their expressions, understood. This so-called 'invitation' probably isn't as simple as a mere invitation.

"Lead the way," General Chu Ding commanded.

Immediately, Wen Ce led the two of them in another direction.

Before long, the three arrived where the martial artists were gathered.

The previously somewhat noisy crowd had now quieted down.

Wen Ce looked at everyone and announced loudly, "Everyone, this is General Chu Ding of the Black Tiger Army, commander of Jincheng, and this is Lord Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division."

Chu Ding!

Shen Changqing!

As Wen Ce finished speaking, the martial artists fixed their gazes on the two men.

Whether it was the commander of the Black Tiger Army or someone from the Demon-Subduing Division, their statuses were beyond comparison for ordinary people.

Demon-Subduing Division, Shen Changqing! Tang Hong's pupils contracted sharply as if he realized something.

At that moment, General Chu Ding took a step forward. Looking at the crowd, his authoritative voice filled the air.

"Today, I had you all invited here for a simple reason. I believe you all have some understanding of the Barbarian Clan's invasion of the Great Wilderness Prefecture, so I won't beat around the bush.

"No matter where you come from, you are Qin People. The Great Wilderness Prefecture is Great Qin's territory. As Qin People, how can we allow Barbarians to trample it?

"Several border cities in the Great Wilderness Prefecture have fallen, countless soldiers have died in battle, and the Barbarian Clan Army has marched straight in, now threatening Jincheng. This is a matter of life and death for the Great Wilderness Prefecture. As the saying goes, every man is responsible for the fate of his country.

"Since you are Qin People and are in Jincheng, you should also contribute to Jincheng's defense."

His voice was very loud, drowning out all other voices in the area.

Especially when General Chu Ding spoke, the True Qi he subtly employed made his voice seem deafening.

After he finished speaking, someone finally spoke in a deep voice, "General Chu Ding, rest assured. Since we are Qin People, naturally we have no reason to shrink back. However, warfare is not something we martial artists excel at.

"If we're defending the city, our ability to make a significant impact is also limited. We might not even compare to the soldiers of the Black Tiger Army.

"In that case, what else can we do?"

Well said! Hearing that person's words, many martial artists silently praised him.

Indeed. It wasn't that they didn't want to contribute to Jincheng, but warfare was simply not something martial artists were skilled at.

If they were forced to join the battle, how would that be different from sending them to their deaths?

Although the Black Tiger Army was powerful, they had no right to send all martial artists to their deaths.

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing couldn't help but take a closer look at the speaker.

The man's attire reminded him of a sect he had heard of. The Golden Toad Sect!

"You are from the Golden Toad Sect, aren't you?" As expected, General Chu Ding also spoke.

The man bowed respectfully and said politely, "Replying to General Chu Ding, I am Elder Fang Xue of the Golden Toad Sect."

"The Golden Toad Sect is well-known for its mastery of poison techniques. If used properly, their effects can be significant. Elder Fang is being too modest," General Chu Ding's expression was indifferent.

Then, disregarding Elder Fang's stiff expression, he turned his gaze to the others and continued, "The Black Tiger Army will naturally handle the fight against the Barbarian Clan. Unless absolutely necessary, the Black Tiger Army's affairs do not require others' intervention. However, besides the Barbarian Clan threat, there are other hidden dangers in Jincheng.

"Some time ago, Demon Evils caused chaos, resulting in many civilian casualties in Jincheng.

"Just last night, Demon Evils attacked the Yamen and harmed civilians throughout the city. Although most were stopped by the Black Tiger Army, the fact that Demon Evils have been wreaking havoc in Jincheng is now known to all.

"To ordinary people, Demon Evils are invincible. However, for martial artists, though Demon Evils are strong, they are not unbeatable—"

Hearing General Chu Ding's words, the other martial artists also understood what he meant.

Tang Hong furrowed his brows. "General Chu Ding wants us to deal with the Demon Evils within Jincheng?"

"Correct!" Chu Ding affirmed.

"Dealing with Demon Evils... with our strength, we can certainly try. However, Demon Evils are elusive and not easy to find. Has the Black Tiger Army already located the Demon Evils?"

"The Black Tiger Army has not yet pinpointed the locations of the Demon Evils." Chu Ding shook his head and spoke calmly.

"But since Demon Evils exist within Jincheng, as long as we search patiently, finding them shouldn't be a major problem. All of you possess considerable strength, and I believe your perception of Yin Evil Aura is stronger than that of ordinary people.

"With a patient search, you can naturally locate them.

"Besides, Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division will also take action against the Demon Evils.

"You may not have all heard of Lord Shen's reputation, but some days ago, Lord Shen single-handedly destroyed the Eternal Alliance Stronghold in Jincheng."

HISS!

Once these words were spoken, many people involuntarily sucked in a sharp breath.

The Eternal Alliance Stronghold! That represents the Eternal Alliance's control over an area; there's no doubt powerful experts were stationed there. For someone to destroy an Eternal Alliance Stronghold single-handedly… their strength is self-evident!

Tang Hong bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Dare I ask Lord Shen, did you once serve in Lin'an City of Guangyuan Prefecture?"

Shen Changqing had been standing aside like an invisible man, disinclined to speak. Now hearing Tang Hong's words, his expression also revealed surprise.

"You've heard of me?" Shen Changqing asked.

"I was fortunate enough to hear of Lord Shen's fame in Lin'an City back then!" Tang Hong said with a smile.

Shen Changqing also smiled, gave Tang Hong a deep look, and then said no more.

But the eyes of some who overheard their conversation flickered.

Guangyuan Prefecture!

Lin'an City?

Many things happen in the Jianghu at any given moment, and not every incident becomes widely known.

However, they had heard something about the events in Lin'an City of Guangyuan Prefecture.

After all, during that event, the emergence of Demon's Essence Blood reportedly attracted even Grandmaster Level experts, causing a significant stir in the Jianghu.

Many now wracked their brains, trying to recall if an expert named Shen Changqing had appeared in that battle.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard they thought, they couldn't recall any information about Shen Changqing.

At this time, Chu Ding said, "I need all of you to defend and patrol Jincheng. Do not overlook any place where Demon Evils might be hiding. We must eradicate all Demon Evils in Jincheng. Otherwise, if the Barbarian Clan attacks the city, the Demon Evils will undoubtedly cause endless problems later.

"Having said this much," Chu Ding no longer concealed anything, his expression turning stern and cold. "If anyone dares to shrink back now or disrupt Jincheng's stability, don't blame me for being ruthless.

"The lives of Jincheng's hundreds of thousands of citizens must not be jeopardized by any single individual.

"If anyone dares to disobey orders, they'll have to ask the blade in my hand if it agrees!"

With those words, the long blade at his waist was unsheathed.

A dazzling streak of Blade Gang cut through the air and struck the ground.

BOOM—

The ground trembled, revealing a deep gash.

Seeing this, everyone's expressions inevitably changed.

Innate!

Outer Gang!

Not everyone had known Chu Ding was a martial artist of the Innate Outer Gang Realm. Only now, after he revealed his strength, did they realize that the man before them was a master of this Realm.

In the Jianghu, an expert of the Innate Outer Gang Realm was a truly respected existence.

The leaders of many major sects were merely at this level.

For a moment, any little schemes harbored by the Jianghu martial artists vanished without a trace under this display of power.

No matter how grand the words, actions spoke louder.

Watching the crowd's expressions, Chu Ding nodded in satisfaction.

"Of course, if Jincheng withstands the Barbarian Clan's attack, I will reward your contributions accordingly after this battle. The Imperial Court will not forget anyone who performs meritorious deeds.

"Be it gold, silver, and treasures, or divine Martial Arts techniques, none will be an issue.

"I believe no sect in the world possesses Martial Arts comparable to those of the Imperial Court."

Gold and silver treasures!

Divine Martial Arts techniques!

At these words, the breathing of many Jianghu martial artists quickened slightly.

They all knew Chu Ding's words were like pie in the sky.

Yet, even knowing it was likely an empty promise, they couldn't resist the temptation.

Not everyone hailed from a major sect, nor did everyone have an abundance of divine techniques or secret manuals.

On the contrary, for many in the Jianghu, divine techniques and secret manuals were extremely scarce.

This was especially true for profound Martial Arts.

Many people stagnated at a certain realm not only due to their own talent limitations but, more significantly, due to a lack of advanced Martial Arts.

Chu Ding's words undoubtedly offered them a glimmer of hope.

Instantly, someone spoke loudly, "General Chu Ding, rest assured! With us here, Demon Evils will definitely not cause chaos in Jincheng!"

"Indeed! We will certainly purge the Demon Evils from the city and return a clear and bright Universe to Jincheng."

"Exterminating Demon Evils is our undeniable duty—"

Seeing the Jianghu martial artists' spirits stirred, Chu Ding nodded in satisfaction.