Human Clan Defender

News of Demon Evil attacking the Prefecture Yamen and killing many people spread completely in just one morning. Through the streets and alleys, reaching peddlers and porters, almost everyone learned of the Demon Evil's appearance in the Capital City.

Inside a teahouse, a young man in a blue shirt was speaking passionately.

"Have you heard? This morning, a Demon Evil killed people in front of the Prefecture Yamen but was slain on the spot by the Governor. This event caused a huge uproar!"

Upon hearing this, someone nearby shook their head. "That news has already spread everywhere; who doesn't know it?"

"It's just strange. I've never heard of Demon Evil causing trouble in the Capital City before, let alone attacking the Prefecture Yamen."

When this matter was discussed, many people looked puzzled. At the same time, deep fear was etched on everyone's faces.

Demon Evil came without a shadow and left without a trace. If it could kill people in front of the Prefecture Yamen, then it could possibly kill anyone else present. They had thought the Capital City was safe, but it now seemed otherwise.

The blue-shirted youth shook his head. "I heard that there were no incidents of Demon Evil in the Capital City in the past because the Great Qin Nation's fortune suppressed them. Now, with the nation's fortune declining, it can no longer deter the Demon Evil. The one that attacked the Prefecture Yamen today is definitely not the only one. It won't be long before the Capital City is ravaged by Demon Evil—"

His words made everyone in the teahouse turn pale.

"Impossible! The Demon-Subduing Division is stationed in the Capital City. How could Demon Evil be so presumptuous!"

"Never mind the Demon-Subduing Division, there are also many guards in the Capital City now. Demon Evil shouldn't be able to run wild."

"As for national fortune, that's nothing but empty talk."

Faced with the crowd's objections, the blue-shirted youth scoffed. "Don't believe me? Just wait and see. Even with the Demon-Subduing Division present, it won't have much effect. If it did, how could Demon Evil have attacked the Prefecture Yamen this morning? I've heard the civilians who died at the hands of the Demon Evil were a horrifying sight!"

Just then, a squad of black-clad guards entered the teahouse. The leader looked at the passionately speaking blue-shirted youth and waved a hand. "Arrest him!"

With that, the black-clad guards stepped forward and detained the blue-shirted youth under everyone's watchful eyes.

"Let go! Let me go! I am from Qingyun Academy! How dare you treat me with such disrespect!"

The blue-shirted youth struggled fiercely, his face turning red with exertion. But each of the black-clad guards was strong and powerful; no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't break free.

The leader sneered. "Spreading rumors and disturbing public order—not even Qingyun Academy can protect you. Take him away!"

Instantly, the black-clad guards escorted the blue-shirted youth out.

The leader scanned the room. The people who had been discussing moments ago fell silent. Noticing his gaze, they quickly looked away, afraid the black-clad guards might arrest them too.

Seeing this, he nodded in satisfaction, then spoke loudly, "The Capital City has its own Demon-Subduing Division, and it will not allow Demon Evil to wreak havoc. The incident this morning was an isolated one, and that Demon Evil has been killed by the Magistrate. You all need not worry excessively; just focus on your own affairs. Furthermore, if anyone dares to spread rumors indiscriminately, attempting to incite panic, they will certainly pay a visit to the jail. If the matter is serious, the heads rolling at the execution ground in the vegetable market tomorrow noon might be your own."

After issuing this warning, the leader turned and left.

Once he departed, although everyone in the teahouse breathed a sigh of relief, no one truly relaxed. His words still echoed in their ears.

By this time, nobody dared to discuss the matter of Demon Evil any longer. The recently arrested blue-shirted youth served as a stark example. He was from Qingyun Academy, yet they arrested him just like that. What about others? Their fate would surely be far worse.

Qingyun Academy was the most famous academy in the Capital City, with every student possessing some level of scholarly recognition. Moreover, Qingyun Academy even housed Great Confucians from the Imperial College. Ordinary people wouldn't dare to offend anyone from Qingyun Academy lightly.

However, now a student from Qingyun Academy had been forcefully taken away without a second word. Anyone could see that the Imperial Court was not joking this time.

Similar incidents to the one in the teahouse occurred elsewhere in the Capital City. Anyone caught spreading rumors was immediately arrested by the black-clad guards. Those who dared to resist were either severely beaten and taken away or killed on the spot.

In less than two hours, the previously turbulent Capital City suddenly quieted.

「Qingyun Academy」

Here, the long-held peace was shattered.

"Teacher, there's big trouble!" a young man exclaimed, his face pale with panic.

Seeing this, Chen Shu's expression turned displeased as he sharply rebuked, "What sort of behavior is this, shouting in the academy? Have you no sense of the rules?"

"Your disciple was wrong!" The young man, chastened, managed to compose himself, the panic on his face subsiding considerably.

Chen Shu nodded in satisfaction, then, stroking his beard, he asked, "Tell me, what happened to make you so flustered?"

"Teacher, Liu Ye... Liu Ye has been arrested by the City Defense Army!"

"For what reason?"

"The City Defense Army said Liu Ye spread rumors, causing panic among the city's populace. He's now locked up in the jail, and we don't know what will happen next!" the young man said all in one breath.

Spreading rumors! Locked up in jail! Chen Shu's brows furrowed deeply.

"This morning, Demon Evil attacked the Prefecture Yamen, and His Majesty issued a special order that no one was to create panic. Liu Ye, as a student of Qingyun Academy, shouldn't he know the consequences of such irresponsible remarks? He must have the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard to dare speak such nonsense at a time like this!"

As he spoke, the face of this Great Confucian from Qingyun Academy also filled with anger.

The young man bowed his head in salutation. "Teacher, please intervene and save him. Liu Ye is one of ours from Qingyun Academy. Even if he is at fault, he should be disciplined by us. Yet, the City Defense Army threw him directly into prison. With Liu Ye's frail constitution, I fear he won't withstand the harsh conditions of the cells. If that happens, a life might be lost!"

"Say no more." Chen Shu raised his hand, interrupting him. "As a student of Qingyun Academy, he should understand what can and cannot be said. Reckless talk ultimately harms oneself. Letting him learn a lesson in jail isn't bad; at the very least, it might make him come to his senses. Otherwise, if he acts recklessly in the future, he might bring disaster upon the entire academy."

"Teacher—"

"Not another word. You may leave!" Chen Shu waved his hand dismissively.

The young man opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more, bowed, and retreated.

After the young man left, Chen Shu walked out of the pavilion. Looking at the clear sky, his face nonetheless bore a trace of worry.

"The Demon Evil calamity is worsening. For Demon Evil to appear even within the Capital City... other places must be facing even greater hardships!"

We scholars, nurtured in abundant righteous energy, are duty-bound to expel Demon Evil and protect the people!

As he muttered to himself, a surge of powerful righteous energy rose from him, soaring into the sky. For a moment, it seemed as if even the wind and clouds changed color slightly.

Some people, sensing something, looked up but saw nothing, and soon averted their gaze.

「Outside the Capital City」

A contingent of Government Officials, swords at their sides, spurred their horses, galloping towards Fengyun Village. Among them were also people from the Demon-Subduing Division.

"How far are we from Fengyun Village now?"

"Reporting, Master Jiang, we should reach Fengyun Village in about fifteen minutes!" a man dressed as an arrest officer said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo nodded. As a Steward of the Huang Department Demon Hunting Court, he would normally remain within the Demon-Subduing Division handling internal affairs unless absolutely necessary. However, a large number of the Demon-Subduing Division's experts had been dispatched, leaving almost no Grandmasters behind. Among those below the Grandmaster level, his strength was the greatest.

Moreover, the Demon Evil that attacked the Prefecture Yamen was of the Resentment Level. Based on their assessment, there might be even more powerful Demon Evil within Fengyun Village. To be cautious, Jiang Zuo, the Steward of the Huang Department Demon Hunting Court, was naturally dispatched.

How troublesome! Thinking about this mission, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Troublesome. Very troublesome.

Demon Evil impersonating villagers from Fengyun Village to attack the Prefecture Yamen—it was clearly a suicide squad from the Demon Evil's side. After all, sending a Resentment Level Monster to attack the Prefecture Yamen was nothing short of suicide. The Capital City was teeming with experts. Not to mention a Resentment Level Monster, even an ordinary Demon Evil entering would find only death.

In such circumstances, the identity of the Demon Evil that attacked the Prefecture Yamen was quite clear.

Similarly, as the catalyst for this incident, Jiang Zuo didn't believe Fengyun Village could be entirely without problems. He even suspected that all the people within Fengyun Village had already been slain by Demon Evil, and the Demon Evils that killed the villagers were now waiting in the village for their arrival.

Regarding this, Jiang Zuo had no absolute proof, but having been part of the Demon-Subduing Division for many years, he had a good idea of what was likely.

However, speculation was, after all, just speculation. Without confirmation whether the people of Fengyun Village were alive or dead, they had to go and see for themselves. Regardless, the people of Fengyun Village were citizens of Great Qin. As citizens of Great Qin, the Imperial Court could not simply ignore their plight.

As they neared Fengyun Village, Jiang Zuo suddenly spoke. "Wait a moment!"

No sooner had he spoken than everyone pulled sharply on their reins, halting their horses.

The lead arrest officer turned his head to look at Jiang Zuo, his face filled with confusion. "Master Jiang, has something happened?"

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Jiang Zuo remained calm. "Demon Evil impersonated people from Fengyun Village to go to the Prefecture Yamen. I suspect the people in Fengyun Village may have already met a grim fate. If that's the case, our journey to Fengyun Village has two possible outcomes: either the Demon Evil has already left, or an even more powerful Demon Evil is there waiting for us. So, prepare yourselves. If there truly is a powerful Demon Evil, all those below the Pulse Condensation Realm must retreat first to report back. The rest will be handled by myself and the others."

He couldn't be certain whether a powerful Demon Evil was in Fengyun Village, but warning them beforehand could prevent potential disaster.