Human Clan Defender

SLICE!

The icy, sharp blade directly severed the barbarian's leg. His agonizing screams pierced the air as he collapsed uncontrollably.

Then, a Black Tiger Army soldier sprang from beneath the bed, his long saber deftly slicing through the air, easily slitting the barbarian's throat.

The commotion instantly drew the attention of other barbarians.

In response, the Black Tiger Army soldier remained calm as he smashed through a nearby window and leaped outside.

By the time the other barbarians arrived, they only saw their blood-soaked comrade and a shattered window.

"Chase!"

"Dare to kill our people? I will have him torn to pieces!" The leading barbarian was furious. Losing one of his men in an ambush filled him with murderous rage.

Hearing this, the other barbarians pursued him through the window.

Battle cries filled the city.

As numerous barbarians searched the area, they were ambushed and killed by the well-prepared Black Tiger Army. This thoroughly enraged the Barbarian Clan.

Seeing the numerous buildings, some Barbarian Clan leaders immediately ordered them set ablaze. If they couldn't find the enemy, they would burn everything down. This way, the Black Tiger Army would have nowhere to hide.

WHOOSH!

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Arrows whizzed from the shadows along the streets.

A Barbarian Clan leader, caught off guard, was struck by a dozen arrows. He fell from his mount without even a scream, silenced forever.

This sudden turn of events infuriated the accompanying barbarians.

"Ambush!"

"Kill them! Avenge the Centurion!"

All the barbarians charged toward the surrounding buildings.

Soon after, a dozen Black Tiger Army soldiers burst out, clashing fiercely with the barbarians.

"You retreat! Elder Liu, Elder Zhang, we'll hold them off!" Bai Qing's expression was solemn as he faced the encroaching barbarians. Drawing his long saber, he charged into the fray.

Many barbarians had already entered the city. The noise here would soon attract even more.

Therefore, it was essential for someone to cover the rear, giving others a chance to withdraw. If they all fell here, it wouldn't be worth it.

Hearing this, the Black Tiger Army soldiers wordlessly retreated.

Just as the barbarians were about to give chase, the few Black Tiger Army soldiers left to cover the rear charged at them.

Three Black Tiger Army soldiers. Facing dozens of barbarians, they naturally stood no chance of victory.

However, the Black Tiger Army soldiers covering the rear were all resolved to die; despite severe injuries, they continued their relentless assault.

Soon, two of the three who stayed behind to cover the retreat fell in battle.

In exchange, the Barbarian Clan side had also lost four or five men.

"Huff—"

Bai Qing gasped for breath, retreating behind a building. He watched the many barbarians closing in, his long saber dripping blood.

He knew very well that he was about to die. Though no single wound was fatal, his numerous other injuries were severe. His iron armor was nearly in tattered, and copious blood loss left him weakened.

There were dozens of barbarians before him. Even in his prime, let alone now, gravely injured, he had no chance of resisting.

But—there was no fear on Bai Qing's face. Since he had decided to stay behind and cover the retreat, he was prepared for death.

"Kill!"

Just as the barbarians closed in, their weapons about to strike—

BOOM—

The window behind him shattered. The sounds of roaring tigers and howling leopards suddenly erupted, and an overwhelming force crushed the barbarians' weapons.

The concussive force of the impact tore open the hands of the barbarians holding weapons, causing them to cry out in pain.

"Who is it?!"

"What's happening—"

The abrupt turn of events startled all the barbarians. When they regained their senses, they saw a man in a green robe standing before the Black Tiger Army soldier.

I didn't expect the Barbarian Clan to break through Jincheng so quickly! Shen Changqing's eyes flickered as he saw the many barbarians before him.

He wasn't certain how long he had been in seclusion, but he figured it couldn't have been more than a day or two. That the Barbarian Clan had fought their way to Tianyi Tower in such a short time surprised Shen Changqing.

Nevertheless, he didn't dwell on it for long. His body vanished, and in the next instant, his fist thundered out. Before a barbarian could even scream, his body was blown apart, flesh and blood scattering everywhere.

"Kill him!"

"Kill!"

The death of their comrade didn't cow the remaining barbarians; instead, it ignited their innate ferocity, and they collectively charged Shen Changqing.

In response, Shen Changqing remained calm and unafraid.

He strolled leisurely among the barbarians. Every punch and palm strike blew a barbarian apart, killing them instantly.

Dozens of barbarians. They barely lasted a quarter of an hour before all lay dead in the streets.

Behind him, Bai Qing watched, his calm expression finally turning to horror. He had seen many powerful individuals, but never anyone like the green-robed man before him, who killed barbarians as easily as squashing ants. It was an unprecedented sight.

When Shen Changqing turned, Bai Qing looked startled once more.

"Lord Shen!"

"You know me?"

"You are Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division. How could this subordinate not recognize you? Thank you, Lord Shen, for your timely intervention. You saved my life!" Bai Qing bowed his head respectfully in response.

The Black Tiger Army revered the strong, especially powerful individuals among the Qin People.

Shen Changqing looked at Bai Qing before him, took out a Qi and Blood Pill, and tossed it to him.

Bai Qing caught the pill and, without asking, swallowed it immediately.

Once the Qi and Blood Pill was ingested, the weakness from excessive Qi and blood loss was instantly replenished, and color returned to his complexion.

"Many thanks to Lord Shen for bestowing the elixir!"

"What is the current situation in Jincheng, and how was it breached so quickly?" After giving Bai Qing a Qi and Blood Pill to sustain his life, Shen Changqing finally asked the question on his mind.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qing replied gravely, "Reporting to Lord Shen, the Barbarian Clan's assault is fierce. The General ordered us to let them into the city. The plan is to use Jincheng's geographical advantages to engage them in a battle of attrition and buy some time."

So the Black Tiger Army is employing guerrilla warfare tactics, Shen Changqing mused. It makes sense. Jincheng is large. If the Barbarian Clan is allowed inside, the Black Tiger Army's familiarity with the city could indeed cause them significant trouble. Of course, after such a battle, Jincheng would be practically destroyed. The towering flames already showed the extent of the destruction Jincheng was suffering.

"Where is Chu Ding?" Shen Changqing asked again.

"The General was gravely injured fighting Mairba and is now recuperating at the Zhou Family estate." Bai Qing reported truthfully.

The Zhou Family? Which Zhou Family? Shen Changqing paused, then quickly realized. The so-called Zhou Family must be the one that was exterminated. With the Zhou Family exterminated, there's no issue with the Black Tiger Army temporarily using their former estate as a base.

At this moment, other barbarians, having heard the commotion, began to converge on their location.

Shen Changqing remained composed and waved a hand at Bai Qing. "You're injured. Find a place to recuperate. I'll handle the barbarians here."

"Please be careful, Lord Shen!" Bai Qing nodded, then consciously withdrew. He didn't offer to stay and help, knowing his own limitations. With his current strength, staying would not only be unhelpful but could also make him a burden.

After Bai Qing left, Shen Changqing stood motionless, surrounded by scattered flesh and blood. The pungent stench of gore didn't faze him in the slightest.

Name: Shen Changqing

Affiliation: Great Qin's Demon Suppression Division

Rank: Yellow Rank Demon Hunter

Martial Arts: Invincible Golden Body (Level 17, not upgradeable), Heavenly Martial Gang Qi (Level 17, not upgradeable), Hundred Battles Blade Technique (Level 3), Iron Sand Palm (Level 5, not mergeable), Snare Trampling Gang Step (Level 5, not mergeable), Mountain Splitting Palm Technique (Uninitiated, not mergeable), Willow Catkin Body Technique (Uninitiated, not mergeable)

Slaughter Value: 3

Level 17 Invincible Golden Body! Level 17 Heavenly Martial Gang Qi! This was all he had gained from one day of seclusion. Ninety-one Slaughter Value points, almost entirely depleted, had been exchanged for this powerful profile. Even now, he still hadn't comprehended Martial Dao True Intent. By Jianghu standards, he wasn't considered a Grandmaster-level expert. However—he now had the confidence to face a Grandmaster.

My Invincible Golden Body at the sixth or seventh layer, along with sixteenth-layer Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, allowed me to dominate the Innate Realm. Even a formidable Demonfolk like Hongyi couldn't survive against me. The breakthrough I've made now is even more significant. If this isn't enough to contend with a Grandmaster, then Grandmasters are far too powerful! Grandmasters are strong, no doubt. But surely not *that* invincible. Forget everything else; I'm confident I can kill a martial artist at the Innate Outer Gang Realm with a single punch. If that kind of power can't challenge a Grandmaster, then Grandmasters are truly terrifying. And it was precisely because of this breakthrough that I have the confidence to stand here, waiting for more of the Barbarian Clan to arrive.

It was also because of this current breakthrough that he had the confidence to stand here, waiting for the arrival of more Barbarian Clan forces.

Soon, barbarians began to pour in from the end of the street.

Seeing the scattered remains and the distinct, tattered armor of their fallen comrades, the approaching barbarians' faces contorted with rage.

"These Qin People must die! Kill him!"

A Barbarian Clan leader, his expression icy, rode on the back of a ferocious tiger. He drew the long saber at his waist, its tip pointed straight at Shen Changqing.

At his command, all the barbarians charged.

Shen Changqing's gaze fixed on the commanding Barbarian Clan leader. His hand rested on his saber's hilt. As he slowly drew the long blade, a faint chill permeated the air.