Human Clan Defender

"A Fiend Level Strange Monster!"

Within the Demon-Subduing Division, Dongfang Zhao sensed something. He walked out from the Council Hall and looked towards Fengyun Village.

Just moments ago, a strong Yin Evil Aura had erupted from that direction.

As the Defender Envoy of the region, he understood this was power only a Fiend Level Strange Monster could possess.

That direction is Fengyun Village. It seems there truly is a Fiend Level Strange Monster there.

Dongfang Zhao had no intention of acting personally. His identity was different from other Defender Envoys, who would rush to suppress powerful Demon Evil the moment they appeared.

However, the Demon-Subduing Division in the Capital City housed the Demon Sealing Tower and the Demon-Subduing Prison. Both of these places were exceptionally important. If he were to leave and something befell the Demon Sealing Tower or the Demon-Subduing Prison, it would be countless times more troublesome than dealing with a single Fiend Level Strange Monster. To prevent any accidents, someone had to guard this place; no issues could be allowed to arise at the two sealed locations.

Now that Demon Evils are stirring up chaos within the Capital City, they surely harbor intentions of dealing with the Demon Evils imprisoned by the Demon-Subduing Division. Luring the tiger away from the mountain, hmph! Dongfang Shuo's expression grew a degree colder.

He was very clear about what the Demon Evils were plotting. Luring the tiger away from the mountain—it wasn't anything unusual.

Suddenly, another strong Yin Evil Aura burst forth.

Dongfang Zhao's expression changed slightly. Another Fiend Level Strange Monster! It seems they won't stop until they've drawn the experts away!

"Someone!"

"What are your orders, Lord Defender?" A man approached, bowing respectfully.

Dongfang Zhao took out a Jade Pendant from his robes and handed it to the man. "Take my Token to Qingyun Academy and request a Great Confucian to come to the Demon-Subduing Division to discuss matters!"

"Yes!"

「」

Inside the Council Hall, Dongfang Zhao stood facing an elder dressed in a blue long-sleeved gown, with a goatee and slightly sunken cheeks. His eyes, unlike the typically cloudy eyes of an old man, were bright and full of life.

"Defender Dongfang has invited me. May I know for what matter?" Chen Shu looked calm as he faced the man before him, showing neither arrogance nor obsequiousness.

Although he was a Great Confucian from Qingyun Academy, he also hailed from the Imperial College. In terms of status and position, he wasn't much inferior to a Defender Envoy.

Dongfang Zhao spoke with a mild expression, "Just now, I sensed two bursts of Yin Evil Aura, both Fiend Level in strength. Currently, the Demon-Subduing Division is short on powerful individuals, so I hope Deputy Director Chen can offer assistance."

Qingyun Academy had a director and deputy directors. Chen Shu was one of the deputy directors of Qingyun Academy.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shu's expression remained unchanged. He nodded slightly. "I can."

Having said this, he paused. "However, I also have a request, and I hope Defender Dongfang can help."

"Please speak, Deputy Director Chen!"

"Some students from my Qingyun Academy were imprisoned for discussing matters related to Demon Evil. If possible, I hope Defender Dongfang can be lenient and have them all released," Chen Shu said indifferently.

After pondering for a moment, Dongfang Zhao nodded. "If their offenses are not severe, I can have them released. But if they are serious, then there's nothing I can do. I believe Deputy Director Chen is also aware of how troublesome the current times are."

"Of course." Chen Shu nodded. He was well aware of Dongfang Zhao's concerns.

The issue of Demon Evil was taboo in the Capital City. The students from Qingyun Academy were imprisoned for discussing rumors, and any mishandling could implicate many others. That was precisely why Chen Shu hadn't intervened personally to secure their release but had instead approached the Demon-Subduing Division as a compromise. Compared with the Demon-Subduing Division, Qingyun Academy was, after all, somewhat lacking.

After their discussion concluded and Chen Shu departed, Dongfang Zhao's expression did not ease much. For now, only two Fiend Level Strange Monsters had appeared. But he couldn't guarantee that more wouldn't surface later, perhaps even Demon Evil of a higher level.

A pandemonium of demons! Dongfang Zhao sighed.

Great Zhou was attacking Luo'an Prefecture, and the Barbarian Clan was attacking Great Wilderness Prefecture. Demon Evil were rampant. The current state of Great Qin could only be described as a pandemonium of demons.

「」

In Fengyun Village, the dense fog dissipated.

Jiang Zuo felt like crying. He had not expected his luck to be this atrociously bad.

Before him, the dense fog had vanished, leaving only a mansion that looked like it belonged to a wealthy family. It had appeared out of nowhere.

The sky was now dark. Two large red lanterns hung at the mansion's entrance, as if celebrating some joyful event. Two figures stood there. Their cheeks were daubed with red on either side, while the rest of their faces were a frightening white. They also wore welcoming smiles. Their smiles, however, were stiff, like those of two paper figures, sending a chill down one's spine upon sight.

Needless to say, Jiang Zuo understood what the mansion and those two figures were. The powerful Yin Evil Aura, unique to a Fiend Level Strange Monster, had vanished, but he could sense an immense threat from within the mansion.

Without hesitation, after lingering for only a moment, Jiang Zuo turned to retreat. He wasn't foolish enough to charge inside and fight the Demon Evil to the death. If retreat was an option, it was definitely better to take it.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, Jiang Zuo stopped again.

The same mansion stood before him. The difference was that the previously tightly shut main doors were now slightly ajar, as if something was about to emerge.

This scene made the face of the Steward of the Huang Department of the Demon Hunting Court darken like water.

"A Barrier!"

He was now certain that he was trapped within a Barrier. A Demon Evil's Barrier. To put it simply, it was a manifestation of spiritual power that could confuse those trapped within, preventing them from finding a way out. Although Jiang Zuo understood this, he had no way to break the Barrier.

He retreated once more. But soon, Jiang Zuo was blocked by the mansion again.

Moreover, compared to before, the mansion's main doors had opened even wider. The smiles on the faces of the two figures at the door remained enthusiastic, but to him, they seemed even colder.

Every time I leave and encounter the mansion again, the doors open a bit more. When the doors finally open completely, the Demon Evil inside will truly make its move!

What if I don't leave and stay here instead? Would the opening of the mansion's doors be slower— Jiang Zuo's mind whirled.

It was an indisputable fact that he had been targeted by the Demon Evil. All that remained was to figure out how to survive this Demon Evil.

The burst of Yin Evil Aura just now must have been detected by the experts in the Demon-Subduing Division. If I can hold on for a while longer, perhaps an expert will come to my aid!

Jiang Zuo could now only pin his hopes on others. He knew his own capabilities well. Although he was a Martial Artist at the Innate Limit, he was no match for a Fiend Level Strange Monster. At present, he could only wait for rescue.

However, Jiang Zuo wasn't certain if the Demon-Subduing Division would send aid, or if he would still be alive when it arrived.

As he pondered, CREAK!

The sound of scraping wood echoed as the mansion's doors opened a little more.

This sight turned Jiang Zuo's face a few shades darker.

Indeed, it was useless!

He had thought that if he didn't move, the mansion's doors would open more slowly, but unexpectedly, they continued to open bit by bit as before.

That feeling made Jiang Zuo feel as if he were awaiting death's arrival, an uncontrollable sense of agitation welling up within him.

Wait a little longer!

I must not act rashly. What's most important now is to bide time.

To bide time. Every extra moment he stalled was another sliver of hope for survival.

If the Demon Evil wanted to play, then I'll play along.

However, his composure must not break; if it did, he would truly be doomed.

Jiang Zuo stood his ground. His right hand already rested on the hilt of the saber at his waist. His gaze was fixed on the mansion before him as he slowly gathered his True Qi.

CREAK!

CREAK!

Every quarter of an hour, the mansion's doors would open a bit more.

As time passed, the mansion's doors were now halfway open.

Peering through the open doors, Jiang Zuo could see a faint red light within and hear the sound of suonas playing. It truly seemed as if a wealthy family was celebrating a wedding. But he couldn't see anything else clearly.

Suddenly, BOOM—

The half-open doors suddenly burst wide open.

The loud noise made Jiang Zuo's heart jump, but no fear surged within him. He merely tightened his grip on his saber's hilt, awaiting the moment to strike.

Looking ahead, a group of people emerged, clad in festive red clothes. Each had a heavily powdered face and an enthusiastic smile, yet, like the figures at the door, their smiles were unnervingly stiff and chilling.

The person at the very front played a piercing suona. Behind them, others carried a large, red bridal sedan chair.

Steady now!

As the wedding procession drew closer, Jiang Zuo silently told himself to stay calm. His True Qi surged, reaching a peak as if ready to explode.

Just as he was about to make his move, the procession abruptly came to a halt.

The red bridal sedan chair was set down, and a soft, gentle voice emanated from within.

"Since my husband has already arrived, why are you still standing there?"

The sound of the suonas stopped, and only the soft voice lingered in the quiet night sky.

The voice, upon reaching Jiang Zuo's ears, felt like a kitten scratching at his heart, making him feel a restless urge.

This change immediately alerted him. He fiercely guarded his mind, his gaze on the sedan chair growing even more solemn. Merely by its sound, the voice had nearly caused him to lose his mental guard. The strength of the Demon Evil within the sedan chair was terrifying.

Seeing that Jiang Zuo did not respond, a delicate, jade-white hand reached out from the sedan chair. The attendants on either side bowed and lifted the curtain.

Instantly, the scene within the sedan chair was revealed to Jiang Zuo.

She wore a vibrant red wedding dress and a phoenix crown. Her skin was like snow, so delicate it seemed a mere touch could break it. Her features were exquisite, her face like a blooming peach blossom. Every smile and frown from her was captivating, making it impossible to look away.