Human Clan Defender

Watching the fearful expressions of the surrounding commoners, Guan Zuo turned back to look at the pursuing government officials, his face chillingly grim.

"Handle the matters here properly, and also send someone to investigate Fengyun Village. I am now heading to the Demon-Subduing Division!"

"Your subordinate shall comply!"

All the government officials understood the gravity of the situation.

Long ago, no Demon Evil dared to enter the Capital City, let alone assassinate an official of the Imperial Court within it.

Fortunately, becoming an official appointed to the Imperial Court, especially holding an important position in a place like the Capital City, was not within the reach of ordinary people.

Although Guan Zuo was a civil official, in the Jianghu, he was also a warrior at the Innate Limit.

The Demon Evil capable of possession might have entered the Resentment Level ranks, but it was vastly inferior to him.

And for this reason, the Demon Evil was slain by Guan Zuo.

As the government officials dealt with the corpses on the ground and Guan Zuo hurried to the Demon-Subduing Division:

「Imperial Palace.」

Inside the Star Observing Terrace, a self-rotating sphere suddenly shook, and a faint trace of black emerged, only to quickly disappear. In front of the sphere, an old Daoist who was meditating cross-legged suddenly opened his eyes, his face shocked as he looked at the sphere.

"The Demon Detecting Instrument has reacted!"

"This is bad! A Demon Evil has infiltrated the Capital City—"

The old Daoist shot up from the ground, his previously serene demeanor gone.

"Someone, come!"

Following his shout, a person dressed as a eunuch approached and bowed, "May I ask what instructions the Daoist Master has?"

"The Demon Detecting Instrument has reacted! A Demon Evil has emerged within the Capital City! Report to His Majesty at once!"

The old Daoist's face was ice-cold.

The eunuch's expression faltered, and he hurriedly replied, "Yes!"

With that, he left in haste.

Before long, Gu Xuanji arrived inside the Star Observing Terrace. He glanced at the Demon Detecting Instrument, which had returned to normal, his face solemn.

At that moment, the old Daoist bowed, "Your servant Baiyue pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Dispense with the formalities!"

Gu Xuanji waved his hand, his gaze still fixed on the Demon Detecting Instrument.

"You say the Demon Detecting Instrument reacted because a Demon Evil appeared in the Capital City?"

"Indeed," Baiyue cupped his hands. "The Demon Detecting Instrument monitors the Capital City. Any leakage of Demon Evil Aura will trigger it. Just now, it reacted, which certainly means a Demon Evil has appeared. But the reaction occurred and disappeared very quickly. In my estimation, there are two possibilities."

"Which two possibilities?"

"One, the Demon Evil has been slain. Two, it has gone back into hiding."

Baiyue's face was grave.

"But one thing is certain: the Demon Evil's strength is definitely not very high. Only Demon Evils below the Fiend Level can conceal their Yin Evil Aura under the Demon Detecting Instrument's surveillance."

The higher a Demon Evil's level, the more intense its Yin Evil Aura.

Gu Xuanji withdrew his gaze from the Demon Detecting Instrument and looked at Baiyue.

"Is it possible the Yin Evil Aura came from within the Demon-Subduing Division?"

"Impossible. The Demon Evils in the Demon-Subduing Division are all imprisoned in the Demon-Subduing Prison and the Demon Sealing Tower. These locations isolate their aura and would certainly not trigger the Demon Detecting Instrument—unless there was a surge of Demon Evil Aura elsewhere in the Demon-Subduing Division. This matter requires Your Majesty to send someone to investigate."

Baiyue spoke truthfully.

Hearing this, Gu Xuanji nodded slightly, then asked another question, "Could the Demon Detecting Instrument be faulty?"

"Absolutely not!"

No sooner had the words fallen than Baiyue gave a firm denial.

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Baiyue immediately cupped his hands again. "Your Majesty, the Demon Detecting Instrument is the culmination of hundreds of years of devoted research by our Shangqing Palace. It cannot possibly be flawed. Years ago, when Demon Evils attacked Shangqing Palace, their goal was to destroy the Demon Detecting Instrument. This instrument embodies the dedicated efforts of countless people from our Shangqing Palace. There can be no mistakes."

"I merely asked casually. Daoist Master, you need not take it so seriously." Gu Xuanji smiled.

He knew Baiyue's words were sound.

In the past, Shangqing Palace was a top sect in the Jianghu. When Demon Evils obliterated Shangqing Palace, nearly everyone perished or was injured. Only Baiyue and a few others managed to flee with the Demon Detecting Instrument. Yet, most of those who escaped also died at the hands of Demon Evils. Baiyue, among the few survivors, brought the Demon Detecting Instrument and directly pledged allegiance to Great Qin. Ultimately, the Imperial Court specifically constructed the Star Observing Terrace to house the Demon Detecting Instrument and then appointed Baiyue to a position within the court.

One should not employ those they distrust, nor distrust those they employ. Gu Xuanji held a certain trust in Baiyue.

"Daoist Master, continue to monitor the Demon Detecting Instrument. If there are any reactions, have someone notify me. As for the earlier disturbance, I will have it thoroughly investigated."

With that, he turned and left the Star Observing Terrace.

The Star Observing Terrace, despite its name suggesting a high platform, was actually a palace. Unlike other palaces, its roof was made of Glaze, allowing one to see the outside world. Since it was named the Star Observing Terrace, it naturally had to allow for the observation of celestial phenomena.

Shangqing Palace itself was extremely adept at astrological divination; otherwise, it would not have created something like the Demon Detecting Instrument. Gu Xuanji had this place specially built to allow talents like Baiyue to fully utilize their skills.

After Gu Xuanji left, Baiyue looked at the Demon Detecting Instrument before him, his brows tightly furrowed.

The Capital City is the lifeline of Great Qin, naturally suppressed by the nation's fortune. Demon Evils lacking sufficient strength are unqualified to enter it. For a Strange Monster below Fiend Level to appear now... doesn't this mean Great Qin Nation's fortune is declining?

Alas, this is troublesome...

A decline in national fortune signifies an imperial dynasty is in serious decline.

Prosperity leads to decline.

This is the Rule of Heaven and Earth; no one can defy it.

Correspondingly, there's the saying: after the extreme comes the reversal.

But Baiyue wasn't sure if Great Qin could reach that stage of reversal. After all, any declining imperial dynasty might be destroyed by others before it has a chance to recover its peak.

Even deep within the Imperial Palace, he was well aware of the news that Great Zhou and the Barbarian Clan were attacking.

Combined with the decline in Great Qin's national fortune, it all made sense.

I hope Great Qin can survive this calamity!

Baiyue shook his head.

Shangqing Palace was destroyed, and now he was bound to Great Qin.

If Great Qin fell, his own fate would be grim.

Only if Great Qin remained unharmed would there be any hope of rebuilding Shangqing Palace.

「Within the Imperial Court.」

Gu Xuanji summoned the ministers. Guan Zuo, who had gone to the Demon-Subduing Division for help, was also present.

"Explain what happened." The Saint Emperor of Great Qin asked calmly.

Hearing this, Guan Zuo lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty, this morning someone came to the Yamen to report a case: a Demon Evil appeared in Fengyun Village outside the Capital City, and one person was killed by the Demon Evil. Little did we expect, the person who reported the case was possessed by the Demon Evil. At a critical moment, that Demon Evil attempted to ambush me, but I ultimately slew it. After slaying the Demon Evil, I immediately went to the Demon-Subduing Division for help. I believe their personnel have now accompanied the Government Officials of the Prefecture Yamen to Fengyun Village to investigate. We should have news soon."

Guan Zuo paused, then continued, "However, when the Demon Evil's surprise attack failed, it fled the Yamen before I could slay it, and several civilians were killed by the Demon Evil in the interim."

By the time he finished, the Imperial Court had been silent for a long time.

Gu Xuanji turned to Dongfang Zhao. "A Demon Evil is within the Capital City. Does the Demon-Subduing Division have any explanation?"

His expression remained calm, but the calmer he appeared, the greater his inner fury. Dongfang Zhao, usually mild-mannered, felt the pressure.

"Your Majesty, Demon Evils are elusive. If one is determined to infiltrate, the Demon-Subduing Division cannot guarantee a one hundred percent interception. Moreover, the Capital City is usually under the suppression of the nation's fortune; ordinary Demon Evils cannot enter at will. For a Resentment Level Monster to brazenly kill people in the Capital City... I fear there may be an issue with the national fortune—"

Problems with the national fortune! Upon hearing this, many ministers' expressions changed drastically. The national fortune was fundamental. If there was a problem with the national fortune, then Great Qin faced significant trouble.

Gu Xuanji's expression remained unchanged. He calmly said, "Over the years, Demon Evils have wrought havoc. Now, with the hidden dangers from Great Zhou and the Barbarian Clan, some disturbance in the national fortune is normal. But I do not want this to become an excuse for the Demon-Subduing Division. The incidents of Demon Evil attacks can be overlooked for now. However, I expect the Demon-Subduing Division to take subsequent issues seriously. The Capital City is the face of Great Qin. If even the Capital City falls prey to rampant Demon Evils, how can we convince the common people that Great Qin can suppress them?"

"When I return, I will ensure the city is placed under martial law and will not allow Demon Evils to cause trouble!" Dongfang Zhao bowed deeply.

Gu Xuanji said, "That would be best. Furthermore, this Demon Evil incident was likely intended to disrupt the peace among Great Qin's citizens. The attack on the Prefecture Yamen this morning might only be a precursor to more significant actions from Demon Evils. Starting today, the Imperial Guards shall patrol the Imperial Palace day and night without a moment's negligence. The Demon-Subduing Division and the city's defense forces must also patrol everywhere. If any Demon Evils infiltrate, they must be executed immediately to prevent major chaos. This is not only the Demon-Subduing Division's responsibility but also your duty. As ministers of the Imperial Court, you partake in the Emperor's bounty. Therefore, you must serve with loyalty, share the Emperor's concerns, and assist the Demon-Subduing Division whenever a Demon Evil appears!"

Everyone qualified to stand in the imperial chamber possessed considerable strength. In these troubled times, if an official of the Imperial Court lacked strength, Demon Evils could kill as many as they wished without consequence.

When Gu Xuanji finished speaking, all the ministers bowed and proclaimed, "Your subjects obey the decree!"

"Do not allow today's events to cause a major upheaval. Anyone caught spreading rumors at this time shall be imprisoned. Those whose actions are severe shall be executed without mercy!" Gu Xuanji issued another command.

A Demon Evil killing someone within the Capital City was bound to cause significant unrest. The Imperial Court's duty was to completely suppress this impact.

"Yes!"

The ministers acknowledged their orders.

Then, they dispersed in an orderly fashion.