CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 31 THE FIRE BRIGADE

"Beware of candles and fires when the air is dry!"

The Watchman’s voice rang out, followed by the sound of wooden clappers.

After nightfall, the Capital City had become much quieter. A curfew was already in place, and with the recent surge in Demon Evils, no one dared to venture out at will. Of course, the curfew applied only to the outer city. In the inner city, things were still bustling.

Shen Changqing, wearing the garb of the Demon-Subduing Division, silently observed everything below him from his post on the city wall. The hustle and bustle of the inner city, the peace of the outer city—a simple city wall seemed to divide two completely different worlds.

He didn’t pay much attention to it. Whether it was the inner city or the outer city, neither had much to do with him. He was merely following the orders of the Demon-Subduing Division to stand guard over the inner city and prevent Demon Evils from causing trouble.

The rotation was every three days. Shen Changqing found his duties rather light, having to stand guard only once every three days.

Standing atop the city wall, he could gaze down and take in many scenes of the inner city. In his field of vision, teams of patrolmen were moving back and forth through the streets, constantly on the lookout for any sign of anomalies to prevent Demon Evils from causing disturbances.

Per the Imperial Court’s request, Shen Changqing wasn’t the only one mobilized by the Demon-Subduing Division. Every squad of soldiers had experts from the Demon-Subduing Division accompanying them. However, only Grandmaster experts like Shen Changqing didn’t need to patrol; he just needed to oversee a certain area and head wherever he sensed the presence of Yin Evil Aura.

I’m basically like a firefighter, going wherever I’m needed! Shen Changqing shook his head with a smile.

Standing on the city wall and looking at the scenes below, his mind recalled the events he had witnessed during the day in the Demon Sealing Tower. The myriad Demon Evils sealed within the Demon Sealing Tower, as well as everything Dongfang Zhao had told him, echoed in his mind.

Because of this, Shen Changqing had fully realized that following the Defender Envoy’s path was simply not viable for him.

If I break through to Grandmaster Peak, I could perfectly fuse with the power of Demon Evils, which would bring a rapid increase to my strength in a short period. Unfortunately, the issue of lifespan is a significant problem. It clearly doesn’t make sense to shorten my own lifespan for the sake of strength. Unless there’s truly no other way, becoming a Defender Envoy is not a good choice!

Yet, while he didn’t want to become a Defender Envoy, he genuinely admired those who dared to do so. A Defender Envoy’s power was formidable, but it came at the sacrifice of many things. And it went without saying what those who became Defender Envoys aimed for.

Perhaps not every Defender Envoy’s purpose was for the sake of the people of Great Qin. But Shen Changqing believed that the majority of Defender Envoys shared this purpose; otherwise, they wouldn’t choose to become one. From what Dongfang Zhao had said, he knew that the Demon-Subduing Division wouldn’t force a Grandmaster to become a Defender Envoy. Whether to become a Defender Envoy was entirely voluntary.

Reaching Grandmaster Peak poses no difficulty for me. As long as I bring my Great Sun Golden Body to the state of Perfection, I’ll naturally enter the Great Sun Furnace stage. Whether I achieve the peak of the Spiritual System or the Physical System, I could perfectly integrate the power of Demon Evils. Shen Changqing was very clear that with his panel, he would not become a Defender Envoy if he could avoid it. If there came a day when he truly had to become a Defender Envoy, that would probably be when he was at the end of his path.

「 」

"Master Lu, do you think there are still Demon Evils lurking within the inner city?" In a group of patrolling soldiers, the leader looked at the man beside him and asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xian responded noncommittally, "Whether there are Demon Evils hiding, no one can be certain. The Demon-Subduing Division’s duty is only to ensure that when a Demon Evil appears, it is slain immediately. That’s all."

The others in the troop looked at Lu Xian with a hint of reverence. It was no surprise. A Demon Hunter from the Demon-Subduing Division, regardless of their standing in the Imperial Court or in the Jianghu, held a significant status. This was especially true for a Profound Rank Demon Hunter like Lu Xian. To ascend to the Profound Rank, one would almost certainly be at the Innate Realm.

The group soon grew quiet once more, with everyone silently patrolling the streets, alert for any unexpected occurrences. As they passed by mansions, the noise from within had little to do with them.

At this moment, inside a mansion, a woman with a graceful figure was singing and dancing while many young masters indulged in wine and merriment, their faces showing knowing smiles as they watched the dancing lady.

"Come on, let’s drink!"

"Let me offer a toast to Young Master Chen!"

"Young Master Shen, come, let’s drink—"

Some young masters stood up to toast, while others chatted with familiar faces, each holding a woman in their arms, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"Everyone, eat and drink to your heart’s content—we won’t go home until we’re drunk!" Chen Hong declared. He had a smile on his face, a young woman in his arms, his hand restlessly roaming. He took a sip of wine, looked down at the person in his arms, and an impulse suddenly surged within him.

"Ah!" With a soft cry, the woman bit her lip, stopping his next move. "Young Master Chen, this place isn’t very suitable. How about we go somewhere else?"

"Fine, fine, we’ll go somewhere else," Chen Hong laughed heartily, readily agreeing. Then he stood up, wrapping his arm around the girl, and walked towards a private room.

Seeing this, everyone else’s faces revealed suggestive expressions.

"I’ve heard that Courtesan Peony of Yichun Brothel has always sold her talents, not her body. I never thought she would agree to come here this time; Young Master Chen is lucky indeed!"

"What are you talking about? Young Master Chen is the son of the Chief of Staff—if he has taken a fancy to Peony, it’s her honor, not his good luck."

"Exactly, it’s indeed her honor."

"..."

As these people chatted, they continued to toast and drink merrily. Listening to the conversations around him, Chen Hong’s smile grew even wider.

Before long, the two returned to the room.

"My little lady, I’m here!" Chen Hong eagerly embraced Peony and walked toward the bed. Just as he reached the bed and was about to press his entire body down, a pair of delicate hands stopped him.

"Young Master Chen, why the rush?"

"Could it be that my little lady wants to play some games?" Chen Hong’s face showed a lecherous smile, a far cry from the cultured grace he displayed in public.

In the flickering candlelight, the beauty’s face before him was flushed, looking utterly delectable. Instantly, another surge of impulse welled up inside him.

"Young Master Chen, I’ve heard that Demon Evils are causing trouble in the Capital City. Aren’t you afraid that I might be a Demon Evil in disguise?" Peony smiled charmingly, her beauty stunning.

Upon hearing this, Chen Hong chuckled, "There’s a saying: ’To die amidst peony blossoms is a romantic fate, even as a ghost.’ If Miss Peony really is a Demon Evil, then I willingly accept my fate."

"You’re terrible—" Peony feigned shy annoyance and scolded him. Her hand, which had just pushed him away, was caught by a large hand. Chen Hong then buried his face in her bosom.

But what he failed to notice was that Peony’s originally flushed face had, at some unknown point, turned a ghastly bluish-white, and her smile was stiff and eerie.

「 」

There’s a Yin Evil Aura!

Stationed on the city wall, Shen Changqing suddenly turned his head in a specific direction, his eyes turning ice-cold. Just moments ago, he had sensed the emergence of a Yin Evil Aura. Since cultivating the Great Sun Scripture and merging with the Great Sun Golden Body, Shen Changqing had become even more sensitive to Yin Evil Auras.

With a light tap of his foot, he soared towards the source of the Yin Evil Aura like a great bird in the night.

Within the mansion, people were still indulging in revelry.

BOOM—

A tremendous noise erupted, silencing everyone. They turned towards the sound and saw a figure standing there, a moderately sized crater beneath his feet. A saber hung at his waist. He wore a long, black and white patterned robe with peculiar designs, making him particularly conspicuous.

"The Demon-Subduing Division!" someone exclaimed in alarm.

At these words, the scene quickly descended into chaos. The Demon-Subduing Division! Why had someone from the Demon-Subduing Division suddenly appeared?

Many immediately thought of certain possibilities, their faces turning pale. As they looked around at one another, their eyes filled with wariness. Members of the Demon-Subduing Division wouldn’t come here without reason. The only reason that would bring the Demon-Subduing Division here was that a Demon Evil was lurking in the vicinity. Recalling the recent troubles caused by Demon Evils in the Capital City, they trembled with fear.

"The Demon-Subduing Division is on official business! Everyone stay put and don’t move, or my saber might not be so discerning!" Shen Changqing’s gaze was frosty, and his sweeping look sent chills through many.

When he arrived, the Yin Evil Aura had suddenly vanished. However, Shen Changqing was absolutely certain that the Demon Evil had not left the premises. It was either hiding on someone or somewhere else within the mansion, but it definitely hadn’t left.

As his words fell, someone asked in a trembling voice, "May I ask, may I ask, sir, is there a Demon Evil in this residence?"

"Indeed," Shen Changqing replied indifferently. "I sensed a Yin Evil Aura here, and I suspect the Demon Evil has not yet departed. As long as you don’t move, you’ll be fine. But if you do, well, that’s another story."

Upon hearing this, the person immediately shut his mouth.

Having their suspicions confirmed, everyone else shuddered again.

Shen Changqing paid them no mind, simply walking slowly toward one person and patting them, infusing a wisp of Great Sun True Qi into their body, which quickly retreated. The person he patted felt a fleeting wave of heat that vanished as quickly as it came.

Then, he moved on to another person, repeating the same procedure. With the Demon Evil’s aura so well hidden, Shen Changqing couldn’t pinpoint its exact location. He could only use Great Sun True Qi to probe each individual, hoping to uncover any clues.

It didn’t take long. Everyone present had been examined.