The moment the Pure Yang Technique broke through its limits, it had already become different.
But unfortunately,
The Pure Yang Technique improved through the panel was merely an enhancement of strength out of thin air, but no corresponding memories came with it.
That is to say,
Although his Pure Yang Technique had reached the eleventh level, he only knew the cultivation method for the first nine layers, while the latter two were completely unknown to him.
Regarding this,
Shen Changqing was unperturbed.
With Pure Yang Technique at the eleventh level, as long as he spent time retracing and deducing, he might be able to work out the methods to cultivate the later two layers.
But right now, he had no need to deduce them.
Moreover,
He had no time for it either.
Pushing open the door,
Shen Changqing found the innkeeper to check out, then headed down the street in the other direction.
According to the memories in his mind,
He turned left and right, then stopped in front of a pawnshop.
Yongfu Pawnshop!
A very ordinary name.
After glancing over it twice, Shen Changqing strode inside.
As soon as he entered, a menial attendant came forward enthusiastically: "Is there something you would like to pawn, sir?"
"I'm looking for your manager."
Shen Changqing looked around at the interior layout, finally fixing his gaze on the person before him.
The man's face immediately showed difficulty at those words: "May I ask what business you have with the manager, so I can report it for you?"
"Go as you're told, enough with the nonsense!"
Shen Changqing's face chilled, a faint oppressive aura emanating from his body.
Moreover, not long ago he had killed someone, and a faint scent of blood still lingered on him.
Instantly,
The man's expression changed drastically.
"Please wait here, sir!"
With that, he hurried inside.
Shen Changqing did not bother to find a seat but remained calmly standing there.
Soon after,
An elderly man dressed in splendid robes walked out, the attendant following behind.
"I am the manager of Yongfu Pawnshop. You said you wanted to see me—May I ask what you need?" The old man looked Shen Changqing up and down, somewhat uncertain in his mind.
At this moment, Shen Changqing had changed into a blue long robe.
The uniform he had originally worn from the Demon-Subduing Division was already damaged in battle, no longer wearable.
"Here!"
Shen Changqing casually tossed an object toward the old man.
The old man reached out and caught it steadily.
But the moment it landed in his palm, the cold sensation made his expression change slightly. When he lowered his head and saw the token's design, his face changed completely.
"Sir, this is not a place to talk. Please follow me into the inner hall!"
As he spoke,
The old man respectfully handed the token back to Shen Changqing.
——
Inner hall.
No sooner had Shen Changqing sat down than the old man bowed deeply: "Si Tu Bei of the Heavenly Inspection Guard under the Demon-Subduing Division, greets Lord Shen!"
"You know me?"
"The Demon-Subduing Division dispatched Lord Shen to this place to exterminate demons and evils. How could the Heavenly Inspection Guard not have heard? I was planning to pay you a visit myself, Lord Shen, but I didn't expect you to come to me first."
Si Tu Bei said with a smile.
"You are thoughtful."
Shen Changqing smiled as well but then his expression quickly turned cold as he scolded and questioned: "Si Tu Bei, do you know your crime!"
The sudden accusation,
Made the smile on Si Tu Bei's face freeze instantly.
"Lo-Lord Shen, what crime have I committed?"
"What crime? Then let me tell you!" Shen Changqing sneered. "According to the information you provided to the Demon-Subduing Division, Lin'an City only encountered a Strange Monster just entering the Ghostly Level, with only a few deaths.
But the real facts are that all the people of Guyue Village died at the hands of Demon Evil.
Besides that, County Magistrate Zhao Fang colluded with Demon Evil, and yet you kept it covered up as well.
Is it that the Heavenly Inspection Guard is incompetent, or have you secretly colluded with Demon Evil and betrayed the Demon-Subduing Division and the Human Clan?"
This tirade,
Made Si Tu Bei's face change drastically. He trembled all over, cold sweat streaming down uncontrollably.
For these charges,
If they really landed on him, even being sentenced to a thousand cuts would be getting off easy.
"I've been wronged, Lord Shen! As far as I was informed, only several people died in Guyue Village. I truly didn't know about Zhao Fang colluding with the Demon Evil. Does Lord Shen have concrete evidence for this?"
Collecting himself, Si Tu Bei hurriedly tried to defend himself.
The barrage of questioning had left him momentarily flustered.
Now that he recalled, something seemed off.
Si Tu Bei had some confidence in the information he'd received—there shouldn't have been such a huge discrepancy.
Shen Changqing sneered: "Concrete proof—Zhao Fang has already been executed, and as for the Strange Monster in Guyue Village, I killed it myself. There was not a single survivor in Guyue Village. I'm sure a simple inspection will yield the truth.
I find it hard to believe that, as the Heavenly Inspection Guard eyes and ears of the Demon-Subduing Division, you could have been so easily fooled by false reports.
If it weren't I, Shen Changqing, but another probationary Demon Hunter sent here, they would likely have already died at the hands of that Strange Monster.
It seems you've grown too complacent in Lin'an City and forgotten the Heavenly Inspection Guard's duty!"
With things said this far,
Si Tu Bei understood well that what Shen Changqing said was likely true.
That very instant,
The clothes on his back were soaked through with sweat.
"Lord Shen—"
"Say no more. The other Demon-Subduing Division officials will decide how to punish you, it's not my place. Just think hard on how you'll explain this to your superiors!"
Shen Changqing waved his hand, cutting him off directly.
"I'm here this time to ask you some questions, and I hope you'll answer honestly."
"Please ask, Lord Shen!" Si Tu Bei wiped the sweat from his brow, looking even more respectful.
The words Shen Changqing spoke earlier,
His tone may not have been harsh, but the consequences were far from trivial.
As for him now,
He no longer dared to offend in the slightest, only hoping to satisfy him and perhaps win a few words of leniency to lighten his punishment.
Shen Changqing said, "Yesterday I killed a demonfolk at Zhao Fang's side. From his mouth I heard that in the Lin'an City area, before long, a Demon's Essence Blood will be born.
What does the Heavenly Inspection Guard know of this matter?"
"Demon's Essence Blood will emerge!"
Si Tu Bei relaxed slightly upon hearing that, cupping his hands as he replied, "Regarding what Lord Shen has mentioned, I did indeed come across something recently.
It is said that several centuries ago, a powerful demon fought against an unknown mighty figure and, upon defeat, was slain, leaving its essence blood behind.
However, at that time the mighty figure was also gravely wounded, and to prevent the essence blood from bringing disaster to the world, he used some means to seal it away.
Now, with the power of the seal greatly diminished, it's only natural that the Demon's Essence Blood is about to emerge!"