Human Clan Defender

Hongyi was slain. Blood splattered onto Shen Changqing's fist from the kill, merely emitting a wisp of white smoke and causing no substantial harm.

Immediately after, Shen Changqing's figure shifted, charging straight towards the other two Demonfolk.

One punch!

One palm!

Both Demonfolk lay dead in the street.

In the Pulse Condensation Realm, even Martial Artists at the Pulse Condensation Peak stood no chance against the current Shen Changqing.

Battle changes in the blink of an eye. Everything happened quickly, and it ended just as swiftly.

By the time others came to their senses, all Demonfolk from the Eternal Alliance were dead.

Demon-Subduing Division! Shen Changqing!

Those Jianghu people, looking at the composed Shen Changqing, felt an uncontrollable tremor in their hearts. These names were now deeply etched into their minds.

They had seen firsthand how strong Hongyi was. Even the commander of the Black Tiger Army couldn't capture him. As for the other two Demonfolk, their strength was formidable as well.

Yet, in his presence, these powerful beings couldn't last a few rounds and were slain on the spot.

This level of strength was simply not comparable to that of an average Innate Outer Gang Martial Artist.

"Grandmaster!" Tang Hong took a deep breath and exhaled these two words.

If Shen Changqing wasn't a Grandmaster, he was undoubtedly not far from it.

In the Jianghu, any Grandmaster had immersed themselves in the Martial Dao for at least several decades, some even a hundred years, barely breaking through as they neared the end of their lives. For someone of his age to be approaching the Grandmaster Realm indicated an unbelievable level of talent. Even for the Demon-Subduing Division, known for producing geniuses, cultivating such a person would not be an easy task.

Originally, Tang Hong had heard of Shen Changqing's reputation, defining him as a powerful Innate Martial Artist based on his actions in Lin'an City. But now, it was clear he had underestimated him. He was far more than just a powerful Innate Martial Artist; if not for the absence of Martial Dao True Intent, he would be none other than a Grandmaster.

Elsewhere, Chu Ding's pupils constricted, his expression changing as he looked at Shen Changqing.

"We have Lord Shen to thank for eliminating the Demonfolk from the Eternal Alliance," he said, cupping his fist politely.

At the same time, his regard for Shen Changqing had risen to a new level in his heart. The other's strength was great, far surpassing his own. Before truly witnessing it, Chu Ding had harbored some doubts, but now, those doubts had vanished without a trace.

It was evident that Shen Changqing was not just an ordinary Innate Outer Gang Martial Artist; he was at least at the Half-Step Grandmaster Realm.

Even— It was possible he had already broken the barrier and advanced to the Grandmaster level.

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing smiled faintly. "General Chu, you overstate matters. Now that the Demonfolk from the Eternal Alliance are purged, and the Barbarians hidden within the city exterminated, Jincheng should no longer harbor any Demon Evils."

With no Demon Evils lurking, internal stability could be considered temporarily achieved. What remained was dealing with the Barbarian Clan Army.

Shortly after, Chu Ding ordered the Black Tiger Army to dispose of the Demonfolk corpses on the ground. The disposal method was simple: cremation. Demonfolk were treacherous. Only when their bodies were turned to ash by flame could they ensure the enemy had no lingering tricks. Otherwise, some Demonfolk possessed mysterious methods capable of causing significant trouble even in death.

Throughout the night, the Black Tiger Army dealt with the aftermath of eradicating the Eternal Alliance and the Barbarians.

It was not until the sky showed the first light of dawn that all matters were finally settled. The gathered Jianghu people were also allowed to return to their inns in the city to rest, but leaving the city was not an option.

「Inside the hall of the Yamen.」

Nie Xu and Chu Ding sat there.

"According to the information from the Heavenly Inspection Guard, it won't be long before the Barbarian Clan Army arrives. General Chu, are you confident in defending Jincheng?"

"Defend Jincheng?" Chu Ding, hearing this, shook his head. "The Barbarian horde is fierce this time. They've breached numerous cities within just a few days. Jincheng may be imposing, but resisting the Barbarian Clan Army won't be easy. I can only say I will do my utmost."

With only twelve thousand Black Tiger Army troops, contending with a Barbarian Clan Army tens of thousands strong was undoubtedly a very difficult task. Even so, he had no path of retreat. The Black Tiger Army had always been the main force resisting the Barbarians in the Great Wilderness Prefecture; retreating without a fight would only make them a laughingstock. Furthermore, the Imperial Court would not allow him to retreat.

Of course, Chu Ding himself had no intention of retreating. Though the Barbarian Clan was formidable, fleeing without a fight was not his style.

Hearing this, Nie Xu's face showed a tinge of melancholy. "General Chu also lacks the confidence to contend against the Barbarian Clan. Consequently, the probability of Jincheng being breached is quite high. I suggest it would be best to have the civilians evacuate first. This would leave only the army to defend Jincheng staunchly, buying some time for the Great Wilderness Prefecture. As the County Magistrate of Jincheng, I too will stay behind, to advance and retreat alongside the Black Tiger Army."

Only a few short days had passed from the time the Barbarian Clan broke through the Great Wilderness Prefecture to their subsequent rapid advance. In such a short time, it was difficult enough to spread news throughout the Great Wilderness Prefecture, let alone send it back to the Capital City of the Central Plains Country. The primary reason the Barbarian Clan could capture cities so quickly was that other cities had not yet reacted by the time the Barbarian Clan Army arrived at their gates.

Everything happened too quickly, so quickly that the Great Wilderness Prefecture had completely failed to react. If the Great Wilderness Prefecture had been able to respond and marshal sufficient strength, then no matter how astonishing the Barbarian Clan's attacks were, the collapse would not have happened so rapidly.

Therefore, in Nie Xu's eyes, what the Great Wilderness Prefecture currently lacked most was time—time to react. After all, Great Qin was too vast. The Great Wilderness Prefecture alone covered a not insignificant area. Spreading news was not something that could be accomplished in just two or three days.

Chu Ding glanced at him and spoke calmly, "Lord Nie, you are a civil official, unskilled in military affairs. While you possess a righteous spirit, it is primarily effective against Demon Evils. Why take the risk of staying in the city? You could very well evacuate with the civilians. The remaining matters can be left to the Black Tiger Army."

"No matter what, I am still the parental official of Jincheng. How could I be the first to retreat when a great battle is imminent?" Nie Xu shook his head, refusing. He had no plans to retreat at all. Unless Jincheng fell, he had no intention of retreating.

Upon hearing this, Chu Ding no longer insisted. "The Yamen can organize the civilian evacuation. According to news from the Heavenly Inspection Guard and the Scouts, the Barbarian Clan Army is about to reach our city. The Black Tiger Army needs to make appropriate deployments."

"No problem," Nie Xu nodded in agreement. These tasks were indeed more appropriately handled by the Yamen.

In the tavern, looking at the person who sat down before him, Tang Hong was at first stunned, then quickly understood and rose from his seat.

"There's no need for formalities." Shen Changqing gestured with his hand, and Tang Hong sat down accordingly.

His gaze fell on the person before him, a faint smile on his face. "I hear you're a Steward of the Pill Sect?"

"I am merely a minor Steward of the Pill Sect. I never expected to catch Lord Shen's attention; I am truly flattered!" Tang Hong said with a slight smile, politely cupping his fist. As he spoke, his mind raced, wondering about Shen Changqing's sudden appearance.

"Steward Tang jests. The Pill Sect is a top Sect in the Jianghu, unparalleled in the art of Alchemy. I have long heard of it and have always wanted to meet someone from the Pill Sect, but the opportunity never arose. Now that I have met you, Steward Tang, it fulfills a wish of mine," Shen Changqing said with a smile.

Hearing this, Tang Hong's eyes flickered imperceptibly. "What does Lord Shen seek from the Pill Sect?"

Seeing the slight wariness on Tang Hong's face, Shen Changqing paused, then realized and shook his head with a chuckle. "Steward Tang, there's no need to overthink. I've previously purchased some Elixirs from the Pill Sect. Now, I've consumed quite a few and would like to buy some more from the Sect. Unfortunately, although Jincheng is large, it does not have any Pill Sect Elixirs for sale. Now that I've found you, I was hoping to purchase some Elixirs from you. I wonder—Steward Tang, would you be able to accommodate this small desire of mine?"

Purchasing Elixirs!? The concern in Tang Hong's mind immediately eased. He had thought he might have offended Shen Changqing in some way, prompting a confrontation. If it was just to purchase Elixirs, then the matter was much simpler.

With his inner vigilance relaxing considerably, a smile appeared on Tang Hong's face. "So it's about purchasing Elixirs. The Pill Sect may not boast about other things. However, when it comes to Alchemy, there are indeed very few in the Jianghu who can match us. The Pill Sect also sells a large number of Elixirs to those in the Jianghu every year. However—"

At this point, Tang Hong paused, his expression showing some difficulty. "Although I came to Jincheng to scout a location for opening a Pill Sect shop, this trip was just for inspecting sites. I didn't bring many Elixirs, so I'm afraid it will be hard to meet Lord Shen's needs. Moreover, since Jincheng is under lockdown, we Jianghu folk also cannot leave at will. This is something Lord Shen should be well aware of."

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing nodded. The so-called lockdown did not truly forbid all entry and exit. Rather, it was a mandate requiring all Jianghu folk within Jincheng to stay and help defend the city alongside the Black Tiger Army.

In the face of such a demand, those Jianghu individuals had no means to refuse. Merely being Qin People was reason enough not to refuse. Great Qin's laws clearly stated that during wartime, anyone could be forcibly conscripted. The consequences of flouting these laws were well known. Even the Jianghu Sects, when it came to Great Qin's laws, were no exception.

Shen Changqing understood this, and Tang Hong did as well.

"If I may be so bold as to ask, Steward Tang, what Elixirs do you have on hand now, and what are their respective uses?"