Upon hearing this.
Zhuang Mingyuan's heart instantly relaxed.
To those in their hearts, anyone from the Demon-Subduing Division was from an absolutely sacred place.
Once someone swore in the name of the Demon-Subduing Division—
They would absolutely not break their word lightly.
Besides, he was just a lowly Pulse Condensation Warrior, not worth the other side's dishonor.
After thinking it over—
Zhuang Mingyuan finally confessed: "In the past, demons descended into the world, bringing calamity upon all. A powerful Demon Evil appeared near Lin'an City, and was ultimately slain by an unknown formidable expert.
That fallen demon did not completely vanish from the world.
According to rumor, that powerful demon left behind some essence blood near Lin'an City. Soon, it will fully emerge.
By then, to seize the demon, many powerful figures will surely gather."
"Demon's Essence Blood!?"
Shen Changqing's expression shifted slightly.
Demons were beings far more powerful than ordinary Strange Monsters. Do not be fooled by the number seemingly locked away in the Demon-Subduing Prison—those are only there because the Division's top experts personally slew and imprisoned them.
In truth—
Any one demon is unimaginably powerful.
Even though he himself had broken through to the Innate Realm, he still could not contend with a demon.
Likewise—
The essence blood of a demon is a rare treasure to certain people.
Moreover—
According to Zhuang Mingyuan, that droplet of demon's essence blood might not just come from a low-level demon; it could very well be from an even stronger one.
After a pause—
Shen Changqing frowned tightly. "The demon's essence blood you mention—what rank does it belong to?"
"I'm not sure, but according to rumor, it will be at least of middle stage demon."
Zhuang Mingyuan had wanted to shake his head, but the cold at his neck stilled that impulse.
Facing Shen Changqing's questioning—
He left nothing unsaid.
"And your rumor—where did you hear it from?"
"Sir, perhaps you don't know—news of the demon's essence blood about to emerge in Lin'an City is no secret. Many factions have heard of it."
"Hmph, if every faction heard of it, how could the Demon-Subduing Division not know?"
Shen Changqing sneered in disdain.
Though there was a lapse in intelligence this time, he could not deny the Division's information-gathering prowess.
If there really was demon's essence blood about to emerge and many factions had heard—
Then the Demon-Subduing Division—
There's no way it would be completely in the dark.
Zhuang Mingyuan smiled bitterly. "There are many experts in the Demon-Subduing Division. The unknown expert that slew the demon is rumored to be connected to the Division. With their status, perhaps they would not care for mere demon's essence blood—it's only natural.
I've told you everything I can.
I also hope you'll keep your promise and spare my life!"
"Very well!"
Shen Changqing nodded. The hand holding his long blade did not withdraw; instead, it swept directly across Zhuang Mingyuan's neck.
The keen blade—
Combined with his now-transformed Pure Yang True Qi—
In an instant—
He lopped off Zhuang Mingyuan's head.
That scorching force seared the wound shut, so barely any blood spurted out.
The severed head hit the ground. Zhuang Mingyuan's eyes were wide open, even now full of disbelief.
Betrayed!
The other truly threw away the Demon-Subduing Division's honor and brazenly broke his word!
Even in death—
Zhuang Mingyuan could not quite accept it.
"Still too naive!"
Shen Changqing looked at Zhuang Mingyuan, dead and unavenged, shook his head, and a mocking smile appeared on his face.
Even he hadn't expected—
There could be someone this naive after so many years in the world.
The Demon-Subduing Division's honor—what's that worth? You can't eat it.
However—
The information from Zhuang Mingyuan's mouth was actually quite useful to Shen Changqing.
"Demon's essence blood to emerge, and at the very least, from a middle stage demon!"
"Does the Demon-Subduing Division truly not care, or simply not know of it—"
Shen Changqing was unsure.
But now that he had the information, he'd definitely report it back to the Division. How it would be handled would be their decision.
Just then—
A faint aura rose from Zhuang Mingyuan, instantly drifting toward Shen Changqing.
"This is—"
Sensing that familiar flavor, Shen Changqing's eyes flickered, then his mind settled.
Name: Shen Changqing
Faction: Great Qin's Demon Suppression Division
Identity: Probationary Demon Hunter
Martial Arts: Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training (Fifteenth Layer, Cannot Improve), Pure Yang Technique (Eleventh Layer, Cannot Improve), Seven Kills Blade Technique (Second Layer), Iron Sand Palm (Second Layer)
Slaughter: 4
The emptied Slaughter Value immediately became four points.
Thinking of this—
Shen Changqing drew the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant from his bosom. There, one thick black line was visible, but beside it, at some unknown time, another, much fainter, black line had appeared.
Pure Spirit Jade Pendant—
Was the proof for a Probationary Demon Hunter to complete missions or not.
Only by slaying Demon Evil, or if a Demon Evil died nearby, would the pendant capture its aura.
The thick black line was left behind after the Strange Monster of Guyue Village died.
Now there was another black line.
Without a doubt—
It was because of Zhuang Mingyuan.
"Pure Spirit Jade Pendant can only capture the aura of Demon Evil, so if it captured an aura from Zhuang Mingyuan, that means he was no longer truly of the Human Clan—he had become akin to Demon Evil!"
Shen Changqing's gaze turned cold.
Within his sight, Zhuang Mingyuan's headless body lay there, quietly at rest.
But the long-frozen blood had already burst through the wound, flowing to the ground and corroding it badly.
By any measure—
Zhuang Mingyuan was not remotely what a member of the Human Clan should be.
Such traitors to humanity had a single name in the Demon-Subduing Division's records: Demonfolk!
So-called Demonfolk—
Were those who betrayed the Human Clan and sided with Demon Evil.
They sold their bodies and souls in exchange for power and long life from Demon Evil.
But as a price—
They all became increasingly cruel and bloodthirsty, until at last their minds were corrupted and they fell utterly.
It sounds terrifying—
But in the face of power and longevity's temptation, some could not help falling in.
For them—
Being human or not did not matter; so long as they lived longer, that was enough.
In truth—
Shen Changqing's knowledge of Demonfolk was only what he'd picked up piecemeal in the Scripture Pavilion; Zhuang Mingyuan was the first he'd ever encountered.
Before this—
He had no idea that slaying Demonfolk could also earn Slaughter Value.
He gathered some dead branches—
Then set Zhuang Mingyuan's corpse upon them.
The transformed Pure Yang True Qi surged, instantly unleashing scorching heat that set the dry wood alight.
Bright flames rose, soon swallowing the body whole.
Shen Changqing stood not far away, silently watching the scene.
PS: If that's a short chapter, then here's another update!