Chapter 419: Chapter 219: Purple-eyed Demon King, Let’s Get a New Emperor

Shentu Bao gently nodded, sighing, "I didn’t expect them to be so despicable, actually sending you to be the General here!"

As the Garrison Commander, he was naturally aware of the dubious affairs regarding Long Jianying becoming the General in Qingzhou.

Such things, however, were beyond his control; no matter how high his power as Garrison Commander, before the Imperial Family, he was merely a lackey, unable to decide who would be General.

Moreover, at this time, everyone was aware of Qingzhou’s issues; those with connections were even more unwilling to take on the General’s role.

"It doesn’t matter. If it weren’t for this, I fear achieving the position of General in my lifetime would have been quite difficult!"

Long Jianying shook his head.

With Wei Fan here, taking up the role of Qingzhou General had turned into a favorable opportunity. Now in charge of the state’s soldiers, with accomplishments in saving Qingzhou’s people from peril, he had established a firm footing here, and anyone who wanted to challenge him would have to consider carefully.

"Inspector Wei!"

Shentu Bao showed no pretense in front of Wei Fan, cupping his fists in salute, and Wei Fan returned the gesture: "We meet again, Brother Shentu."

This was not their first meeting, and Wei Fan held a favorable impression of him.

During the Capital battle, Shentu Bao, though offering no assistance, remained neutral, fulfilling his role as a competent Garrison Commander.

He frowned and asked, "Are you injured?"

Shentu Bao’s exterior revealed nothing amiss, yet his level allowed him to sense Shentu Bao’s weakened aura, much less powerful than during their first meeting in the Capital.

Shentu Bao nodded, "Those beasts tried to stop me from coming to Qingzhou to help, fighting desperately to get here. I’ve sustained minor injuries, nothing serious!"

As Garrison Commanders, they were not just sitting in the Capital directing; they too had Demons to guard against.

The Qingzhou incident this time caused chaos among the Demons in various states, aiming to prevent them from aiding Qingzhou, thereby forcing Wei Fan out.

Sweeping his gaze, Shentu Bao asked in bewilderment, "Where is that Thousand-legged Demon Venerable beast? Did Inspector Wei slay it?"

Wei Fan nodded, "All Demon Venerables have been completely slain. Now that you’re here, it’s timely, as General Long lacks commanders. You must help him devise strategies!"

Shentu Bao nodded, "Naturally!"

The group landed at the Demon Suppression Bureau in Qingzhou City, where Guan Sheng stepped forward: "Your humble servant greets the esteemed sirs!"

He had already pulled out the spear from his body, leaving behind a massive bleeding hole.

Though the life force of a Divine Realm Martial Sect far surpasses ordinary martial artists, in terms of healing, they are still not as capable as Martial Venerables.

"Commander Guan, there’s no need for such formality considering your injuries!"

Long Jianying stepped forward, "Let me lend a hand!"

Golden light surged from his body, as True Essence flowed into Guan Sheng’s, rapidly mending the bleeding holes in his body.

The True Essence of a Martial Venerable Powerhouse, unmatched in combat might, is far more effective in healing than many Healing Treasure Medicines.

"Thank you, Lord General!"

Guan Sheng expressed gratitude as the blood holes on his chest visibly healed.

"Brother Guan, I came too late!"

Shentu Bao walked solemnly to the gates of the Demon Suppression Bureau, with a face full of sorrow, and took Guan Xiong’s head down, holding it reverently in his hands.

He had private ties with Guan Xiong and, upon hearing the news, fought his way here desperately yet couldn’t arrive in time.

In truth, it was fortunate he hadn’t arrived sooner, or with the lineup Demon Heaven Alliance prepared for Wei Fan, it would have been a dead end for him too.

He took out a treasure box to secure Guan Xiong’s head and set up a table with simple offerings.

They all felt some melancholy, fighting Demons on the front line, realizing any day such could be their fate.

Some might face worse than Guan Xiong; at least Guan Xiong left behind a head, while if they die to the Demons, not even their bones might remain, devoured completely.

"I have communicated with nearby state cities, calling fleeing civilians back and recruiting a batch of Demon Suppression Guards to Qingzhou; as for commanders, two were recruited..."

Shentu Bao laid down his Waist Token and informed Long Jianying of the results of his communication.

Without recruitment, Long Jianying would be a General in name only.

In the previous battle, although some from the Demon Suppression Bureau fled, more had already perished, with few actually escaping.

"Thank you, Garrison Commander!"

Long Jianying cupped his fists; with two commanders along with the newly healed Guan Sheng, he now had three Divine Realm Martial Sect members under him, which was nearly sufficient.

"I will go with Commander Guan to handle some affairs!"

He left with Guan Xiong; though the Demons were driven off, the severed limbs and corpses throughout the city must be dealt with.

Though lacking soldiers, civilians would certainly be willing to assist.

"Has anyone been deliberately negligent or passive in demon resistance during this Qingzhou incident?"

Wei Fan casually sat on a stone.

Though he had slain all Demons, he felt no relief; with half a day already passed since Qingzhou City’s fall, only Shentu Bao had managed to arrive.

Remembering the last conflict in the Capital with the Imperial Family, seven or eight Martial Venerables appeared, along with a top-level Martial Venerable with Golden Body Ninth Forging.

Yet, since Qingzhou City’s fall, not a single Martial Venerable from the Imperial Family had arrived, allowing millions of Qingzhou civilians to become displaced.

Demons are detestable indeed, but those within the Imperial Family are even more despicable, completely indifferent to the life and death of their citizens.

Shentu Bao’s expression subtly changed, Wei Fan intends to deal with the Imperial Family: "No one in the Demon Suppression Bureau neglected resisting demons; all three Garrison Commanders were entangled by Demons!"

After pondering, he added, "The Imperial Family experts have no responsibility to resist demons. You must be aware, no General anywhere is from the Imperial Family, not even in the Demon Suppression Bureau."

The Imperial Family lacks the duty to resist demons; what right do they have to rule the world?

Wei Fan’s eyes turned cold, "Indeed, the Imperial Family has no duty to resist demons, but the Emperor certainly does."

The others in the Royal Family aren’t his concern; they hold no official posts, focusing instead on cultivation within the Royal Family.

But the Emperor is different; if the Emperor doesn’t resist demons, it’s time for them to step down.

"So, who suggested Long Jianying become the General of Qingzhou?"

Qingzhou City fell, millions displaced and threatened by demons.

At such a time, they pondered over not resolving the demon issue but forcing Wei Fan out—this account must be settled with whoever proposed it.

The strategy was cleverly executed, a blatant scheme that cornered him, leaving no choice but to come to Qingzhou.

If his abilities remained stagnant since causing a commotion in the Capital, he would likely face grim consequences even if he survived today. However, one critical miscalculation occurred: in this world, might is the decisive factor.

When strength is equal, strategy matters; when strength is unequal, strategy becomes a mere joke.

Upon speaking, Shentu Bao’s face showed difficulty, ultimately sighing and pointing to the heavens, "It’s that one up there!"

Which meant the Emperor!

Wei Fan nodded, refraining from further words; this debt would be addressed once the Qingzhou matters were resolved.

Long Jianying, merely with Golden Body First Forging, was sent to lead Qingzhou following General Guan Xiong’s death, akin to children playing house.

If Wei Fan hadn’t come, Long Jianying would inevitably perish, and Qingzhou would continue to be ravaged by demons. With these circumstances, pinning a passive demon resistance accusation on the Great Victory Dynasty’s Emperor wouldn’t be difficult.

With this accusation, he could advocate for a new Emperor for the Great Victory Dynasty.

If the Royal Family too resisted change, replacing them wasn’t off the table; after all, Martial Venerables in the Royal Family were burdens, eliminating them wouldn’t hinder the Demon resistance efforts of the Human Race.

These people assumed he could only eliminate families; if the Royal Family performed poorly, eliminating them wasn’t impossible.

"I’ll be heading back now; Qingzhou is entrusted to Inspector Wei. If Long Jianying requires anything, you may direct him to me, and requests within the rules I shall fulfill."

Shentu Bao rose to bid farewell, needing to hurry back to his own place of governance.

Later, some fleeing civilians began to return, along with remnants of defeated forces.

By nightfall, Long Jianying had mustered over a thousand soldiers, bringing life back to Qingzhou City.

The following day, the two commanders commanded from nearby state cities arrived, bringing eight thousand troops.

Including soldiers returning from routes, Long Jianying now commanded over ten thousand.

By afternoon, Qingzhou City returned to normalcy; all willing civilians had returned, collapsed houses and bodies cleared, leaving recovery to days ahead.

Long Jianying accompanied by Guan Sheng and the two commanders found Wei Fan, "I plan to sweep the surrounding demons; what are your thoughts?"

Now with troops, Long Jianying sought revenge.

Yesterday, although he and Ji Qingyue had slain some demons under Thousand-legged Demon Venerable’s command, not all were defeated. With Wei Fan present, it is wise to eradicate demons within the Qingzhou borders, lest further troubles persist.

"Proceed!"

Wei Fan nodded; he too desired to execute decisive actions, testing whether Demon Heaven Alliance would dare send more Demon Venerables to face destruction.