I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 135 - 109: Great Achievement! Defeating Over Six Hundred Tribulation Ash!

Chapter 135: Chapter 109: Great Achievement! Defeating Over Six Hundred Tribulation Ash!

The people of Qifeng Prefecture City, pushing their horses to gallop, had arrived one after another.

Even from Li City, reinforcements had been sent.

The matter concerning Jinliu Manor had been largely clarified.

The General Pei reported everything he had witnessed.

Then, through the Divine Mirror of the white-robed official of Qifeng Prefecture City, suspicions were cleared after an examination, and he stepped back.

Afterward, the courtyard fell into silence.

It was only after a moment that the white-robed official from Qifeng Prefecture City slowly began to speak.

"It can be confirmed that last night, the person who helped Pei Xiong and others defend Jinliu Manor was the same one who assassinated Wang Yuan!"

"The Left City Guard Army searched in all directions, yet unexpectedly, he had hidden himself in Jinliu Manor."

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the Deputy Commander of the Left City Guard Army, their expressions strange.

This Deputy Commander had a complex expression but did not speak.

The Great Commander Yuan Tongye, confident and assured, had gone directly to Feng City to capture this person.

But the appearance of this man in Jinliu Manor clearly indicated the Great Commander’s error in judgment.

"Last night, this person defended Jinliu Manor and protected the Human Clan. In my view, he is not from Tribulation Ash origin."

Just then, Deputy Commander Zhou of the Observatory spoke gravely, "When he assassinated Wang Yuan, he also mentioned that it was because Wang Yuan colluded with external forces and harmed human lives which provoked him to act."

The Deputy City Governor of High Willow City, with a grave expression, slowly said, "The criminal assassinated Wang Yuan in the street, and based solely on his few words before and after the killing, he certainly cannot be fully trusted."

"But after Wang Yuan’s death, a thorough re-examination of the case indicated that there might have been interactions between Wang Yuan and Tribulation Ash."

Deputy Commander Zhou calmly stated, "The slaughterhouse case cannot be separated from him."

His expression solemn, he earnestly added, "At the very least, the initial acknowledgment of Wang Yuan’s merits in the slaughterhouse case was completely mistaken! Although conclusive evidence to prove Wang Yuan’s guilt was not found, it can at least be confirmed that he had no merits!"

The atmosphere in the courtyard grew tense, and only after a moment did the Deputy Commander of the Left City Guard Army speak.

"So, what conclusion shall we draw regarding this person’s assassination of Wang Yuan? Should my Left City Guard Army continue the search?"

Subsequently, everyone’s focus shifted toward the white-robed official of Qifeng Prefecture City.

The white-robed official, thinking, said, "Superiors believe that the evidence of Wang Yuan’s crimes is insufficient; this person remains a criminal!"

He looked at everyone, solemnly stating, "More importantly, even if the evidence against Wang Yuan were conclusive, without a trial, he still was the constable of the Outer South Government Office!"

"When this person assassinated Wang Yuan in the street, it upset public order and trampled the law. At the very least, he has committed a crime!"

"The Left City Guard Army, currently tasked with safeguarding Jinliu Manor and settling many people, will pause the pursuit for now. But after this, we must still strive to capture this person and bring him to justice!"

The white-robed official concluded on the case of Wang Yuan’s assassination.

At this moment, Han Commander spat disdainfully, scoffing, "More importantly, since Wang Yuan was their chosen figure, being killed in the street is akin to declaring war on them!"

"What disturbances to public order, trampling the law—they consider their tarnished reputation far more significant, don’t they?"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression slightly changed.

"What catching a criminal?"

Han Commander slammed the table and angrily said, "They are infuriated because they know it was Mr. Lu’s maneuver behind the scenes, so they are more eager to break Mr. Lu’s blade!"

"Han Zheng!"

Just then, the white-robed official of Qifeng Prefecture City shouted angrily, "Do you realize the consequences your words could have if they spread?"

"What Han Commander says is still too one-sided!"

Deputy Commander Zhu, smiling, said, "We must consider the overall situation, involving the entire Qifeng Prefecture, even the Human Clan’s laws... Please sit down, do not be angered."

The people of High Willow City looked at each other.

These two prominent figures from Qifeng Prefecture City seemed to suppress Han Commander outwardly, but upon close listening, there appeared to be an intention to protect him.

"The big picture?"

Han Commander, slapping the sword at his waist, shouted, "All of you think you are fighting against demons and evil, resisting darkness, wandering between life and death, fighting for the Human Clan!"

"But step outside the courtyard and take a good look—these over a thousand Human Clan members, without this criminal, would have died yesterday!"

"With Jinliu Manor destroyed, they would henceforth be exiled to the Pure Land. Guess how many would survive after three years?"

He pointed outside, slowly stating, "Although we are in danger, we are, after all, inside the city!"

"From now on, every night, they must face evil spirits; every day, they will encounter demons, fierce birds, wild beasts, as well as the harsh surroundings of the Pure Land, like marshes, cliffs, poison gases..."

"Our ancestors, generation after generation, all came through this way!"

"Building cities, settling into security—it hasn’t been many years since those high and mighty ones in the inner city, enjoying their privileges, started to think that our Human Clan could stand firmly in this world without being threatened by evil, right?"

"Shouldn’t the so-called big picture concern the Human Clan’s overall situation?"

Han Commander spoke gravely, "When did it become their bigger picture?"

The crowd’s expressions were complex as they looked at each other.

Deputy Commander Zhou looked normal as he glanced at Han Commander but remained silent.

"They introduced new laws to Qifeng Prefecture for our benefit."

Han Commander burst out saying, "But blindly following them, even learning their flawed practices as if they were sacred texts, is utterly foolish!"

"Enough."

Hearing this, Deputy Commander Zhou finally showed a satisfied expression.

A fleeting smile crossed his face, then he composed himself, his face stern with anger as he shouted, "Since when do you, a mere General Flag Envoy, have the right to criticize the decisions from above? Speak out of turn again, and your qualification to be promoted to garrison commander this year will be withdrawn!"

Everyone fell silent upon hearing this.

The Flag Commander could ascend to General Flag Envoy simply by obtaining approval from the High Willow City Sky Observation Bureau and then reporting to the Qifeng Prefecture City.

However, to be promoted to garrison commander required endorsement from the Qifeng Prefecture City Sky Observation Department.

It was now deep autumn, and usually after spring, the Observatory Headquarters of Qifeng Prefecture City would finalize the list.

This Deputy Commander Zhou, in front of everyone, almost gave Han Zheng a thumbs up directly.

"Furthermore, concerning the matter of the Sky Observation Department gathering intelligence from all sides, assisting the Left City Guard Army, and capturing criminals, which was originally to be led by you, given your poor attitude now, you certainly won’t be dedicated and are no longer suitable for this task!"

Deputy Commander Zhou said indifferently, "I will assign all intelligence gathering matters related to the city marshal Wang Yuan case, entirely to the new General Flag Envoy Wu Chang!"

As he spoke, he gave a slight cough and added, "Now, we need to carefully discuss how to settle these more than sixteen hundred civilians who have survived..."

——

Outside Jinliu Manor.

Pei Xiong and three banner holders gathered there.

One of the banner holders had lost an arm and was extremely pale, but it was fortunate that he survived.

"Brother Wu Chang, there are also reinforcements coming from Li City, and we are to go meet them."

Pei Xiong exhaled and said, "Regarding the matter of the Liyang Trade Company, I just met with Han Commander and got clarity, and I will no longer be going to High Willow City."

He glanced at the three remaining banner holders behind him, his expression somewhat melancholy, and said, "Today, we part ways here."

"Take care!"

Lin Yan nodded and replied, "If there’s another chance, come to High Willow City, and I’ll treat you to a meal."

"Pei will personally bring the best wine from Li City!"

Pei Xiong chuckled and then his expression turned solemn as he bowed deeply.

The three banner holders, seeing this, also bowed in turn.

Yesterday, they still felt that General Pei was overly courteous to the Flag Commander of High Willow City.

And this Flag Commander, appearing neither humble nor arrogant, seemed proud to them.

But now, in their hearts, they held nothing but the utmost respect.

"Till we meet again!"

Lin Yan looked at the four men before him, bowed slightly, and said, "Be careful on your way."

General Pei and the others had arrived on horseback, but now, with three fallen and one injured, they could only return in a horse-drawn carriage.

Watching the carriage gradually disappear along the road,

Lin Yan withdrew his gaze and saw Han Commander approaching with a serious expression.

"The assassin of city marshal Wang Yuan appeared near Jinliu Manor last night; I wanted to use this as a pretext to strike, but..."

Han Commander spread his hands and said, "Last night, Deputy Commander Yuan Tongye made a significant contribution."

"Oh?"

Lin Yan raised an eyebrow and asked, "What contribution did he make in Feng City?"

Han Commander explained, "He trapped the people of Tribulation Ash in a medium-sized Pure Land where they were staying. He has now slain two hundred enemies outside the Pure Land and is held in high esteem."

"And inside the Pure Land, nearly four hundred people are blocked."

"Despite the prohibition against shedding blood within the Pure Land, just sealing it off for a few days will lead to its collapse!"

"This merit far exceeds capturing that criminal."

With that, Han Commander chuckled and said, "No wonder he went straight to Feng City; a greater honor was waiting for him there!"

——

On the edge of Feng City, inside a medium-sized Pure Land.

Yuan Tongye tore up the intelligence that had just been delivered.

There was a major incident near Jinliu Manor last night, and the criminal he was pursuing appeared there.

"It seems someone left a way out for that criminal,"

Yuan Tongye slowly said, "Our pursuit of this criminal was clearly led here, handing us this achievement..."

He calmly said, "Consider our pursuit of this criminal over."

"A letter from Qifeng Prefecture City!"

Just then, his deputy general, with a complex expression, said, "In today’s world, the Human Clan struggles to move forward, the population dwindles, try to persuade rather than killing all, restrain your killing intent..."

"Ignore it!"

Yuan Tongye looked toward the Pure Land, said indifferently, "No need to block any longer, set fires... burn the Pure Land clean!"

"Great Commander!"

The deputy general exclaimed, "Doing this will destroy the Pure Land, and it may not recover for a hundred years!"

"The Human Clan’s habitats are already few, especially since this is a medium-sized Pure Land, big enough to accommodate a village!"

"If word of this gets out, the penalties from above may cancel out your achievements of slaying six hundred enemies, and your efforts might be wasted!"

The deputy general said gravely.

Yuan Tongye’s expression was calm as he slowly said, "Is it the merits granted by Qifeng Prefecture City that I desire?"

His eyes filled with a mad zeal as he said, "Burn them all, and gather the resentment of blood and fire, which will be enough to push me into the upper levels of the Qi Refining Realm!"