Human Clan Defender-Chapter 616 - s 9 to 12: Demon Evil Attacks the City, The Barking of Dogs (Four in One, Requesting Monthly Tickets)_7

Especially the man before him.

He was none other than the Great Qin Defender.

If the other party makes the right decision, even he, Emperor Qin, could add a feather to his cap; if wrong, he wouldn't be the one stained in history.

Therefore, Gu Xing would rather pass the problem on than trouble himself with it.

Shen Changqing paid little mind to Gu Xing's thoughts, though his own expression was somewhat indifferent.

"Not long ago, while I was at the Demon-Subduing Division, I received some news," Shen Changqing began. "Previously, the Barbarian Clan attacked the Great Wilderness Prefecture, seizing a great deal of territory. Later, defeated, the Barbarian Clan retreated, and the Great Wilderness Prefecture returned to Great Qin's control.

However, the cities that had fallen into the Barbarian Clan's hands became dead cities upon their retreat.

All the citizens were massacred, their bodies used to construct sacrificial altars through the Barbarian Clan's vile methods. According to rough estimates by the Demon-Subduing Division, no fewer than tens of millions perished from this alone.

Your Majesty, if you wish to broker peace with the Barbarian Clan, have you considered how you will answer to the souls of the deceased in the Great Wilderness Prefecture?"

With his words, the court was shaken once more.

The news from Shen Changqing was completely unexpected for some.

Although the Great Wilderness Prefecture had been recovered, not every official had access to detailed information from within.

Gu Xing's heart turned cold. To be honest, when he was Crown Prince, he had genuinely ignored these matters, so he was utterly unaware of the losses in the Great Wilderness Prefecture.

Now, hearing of it, intense rage surged within him.

"Is what Defender Shen says true?"

"General Wei served in the Great Wilderness Prefecture; he must be well aware of this matter." Shen Changqing turned his head to look at Wei Gao.

He had some prior understanding of this man.

At these words, Wei Gao's expression turned icy. "Your Majesty," he declared, "Lord Shen speaks the truth. The Barbarian Clan's methods are incredibly cruel, utterly abhorrent. I share an irreconcilable hatred with the Barbarian Clan!"

His words fully confirmed the truth of Shen Changqing's statement.

Sensing the assembly's fury, Kurzan hurriedly explained, "Deaths in war are perfectly normal. In the Great Wilderness Prefecture, our clan also suffered many losses at the hands of Great Qin. Now that the war is over, all of that is in the past.

Moreover, our clan is willing to make reparations. Great Qin need only state its terms, and our clan will spare no effort to meet them.

Besides, as I've said, if our clan is wiped out by Demon Evil, Demon Evil will surely target Great Qin next. Why should Emperor Qin risk more living people for those already dead?"

He was genuinely worried that the Qin People's anger would lead them to outright refuse their request for aid. If that happened, the Barbarian Clan would be in serious trouble.

Gu Xing managed to suppress some of the anger in his heart and looked toward Shen Changqing. "What are your thoughts, Defender Shen?"

He had now entirely handed the decision-making power over to the other man.

Shen Changqing, hands clasped behind his back, turned to face Kurzan, his expression still cold. "What gives your Barbarian Clan the audacity to come here and threaten Great Qin to its face?"

"Defender Shen, please don't misunderstand—"

"And what makes you so confident that Great Qin would be threatened if the Barbarian Clan were annihilated by Demon Evil?"

"The Demon Evil Clan is inherently an enemy of ours! If our clan is destroyed, the Demon Evil Clan's target will undoubtedly be Great Qin; there's no question about that!" Kurzan's brows were tightly furrowed.

He was deeply dissatisfied with Shen Changqing's relentless questioning. Given his status, even when he had spoken with Emperor Qin earlier, the latter hadn't shown him such disrespect.

"In any war, casualties are inevitable," Kurzan retorted, his tone becoming unfriendly. "Even someone as powerful as Defender Shen surely cannot guarantee that not a single soldier will be lost, can you?"

At this, Shen Changqing laughed, but his smile was utterly cold.

"I can tell you plainly: even if Demon Evil doesn't annihilate your Barbarian Clan, I myself will one day raze your clan to the ground. How dare mere Barbarians like you spout such nonsense in the Great Qin Capital?

Are you Barbarians even worthy of discussing peace?"

"You—" Kurzan's face flushed red with fury.

Before he could speak, Shen Changqing continued, "Of course, if your Barbarian Clan genuinely wishes to submit to Great Qin, that's not entirely out of the question.

"As long as the current Barbarian Emperor and everyone in the Priest Hall, along with all those Barbarians who entered the Great Wilderness Prefecture and stained their hands with the blood of Great Qin's Human Clan, commit suicide as an apology, and your Barbarian Clan swears eternal fealty to Great Qin for all generations,

"then I shall show leniency and give you a chance."

In an instant, Kurzan's face turned pale with rage.

The other Barbarians also glared furiously; if not for the setting and their opponent's strength, they would have attacked already.

The Barbarian Emperor and the members of the Priest Hall to commit suicide. And everyone who entered the Great Wilderness Prefecture and stained their hands with the blood of Great Qin's Human Clan to commit suicide as well. If the Barbarian Clan were to truly do this, forgetting the complete loss of face, the sheer number of sacrifices would be incalculable. Moreover, the Barbarian Clan would then never have any chance to rise again. They would serve Great Qin from generation to generation, completely at its mercy.

Kurzan felt that if he actually brought this news back, he would be the first to be beheaded.

Thinking of this, the Barbarian general's chest heaved violently.

"Shen Changqing, my clan came here with sincerity, yet you repeatedly insult us! Such is the magnanimity of Great Qin? It's truly been an eye-opener!"

"One speaks of magnanimity to humans; beasts don't warrant such considerations."

"You—" Kurzan's face twitched. He shot Shen Changqing a fierce glare, then turned to Gu Xing, his expression grim. "Emperor Qin, my clan came here not only for our own future but also for Great Qin's sake. Regardless of any past grievances, it is a fact that if our clan is annihilated, Demon Evil will invade Great Qin.

Therefore, I hope Emperor Qin will consider not only my clan but also the other citizens of Great Qin.

If a real problem arises, it won't be easily solved."

Kurzan understood that the person who truly held authority at this moment was Emperor Qin. As long as he nodded in agreement, all problems would cease to be problems.

Gu Xing turned a deaf ear, clearly intent on completely ignoring him.

At this moment, Shen Changqing stood with his hands behind his back, his expression stern. "With me here, what invasion by Demon Evil do you speak of? You might as well go ask Wang Mubai. Even if you gave him several lives, would he dare to set foot within Great Qin's territory?"

His voice was not loud, but it was filled with immense pride.

A Great Demon? As if that matters!

He believed the previous battles had already struck terror into the enemy's heart; even if given the chance, Wang Mubai wouldn't dare enter Great Qin to seek his own death.

The civil and military officials felt their spirits surge at his words.

Great Qin had been established for over three hundred years, and many years had passed since such a domineering response had been heard in the court.

In the past, Great Qin's strength had waned, and even if they harbored certain thoughts, they couldn't truly voice them.

Now, Shen Changqing's words in the imperial court today had inexplicably filled these people with a sense of shared pride.

Yes! Would Demon Evil dare to come? Even the Demon Saint was slain at Fallen Saint Pass; what other Demon Evil would dare set foot in Great Qin territory again?

Kurzan's spirit was violently shaken.

Just then, a hint of murderous intent brewed in Shen Changqing's eyes. "On the contrary, you Barbarians, daring to trespass into Great Qin's territory—you are truly seeking death."

"Defender Shen—" Fear uncontrollably rose within Kurzan's heart.

As he was about to speak, he saw Shen Changqing stretch out a hand, and a terrifying power instantly seized him.

Seeing this, Kurzan was just about to resist.

The next moment, an irresistible force erupted, instantly overwhelming his consciousness.

BOOM—

His flesh exploded, scattering a mist of blood across the great hall.

Another finger strike followed, obliterating another Barbarian on the spot.

Shen Changqing then turned to the last Barbarian, who was trembling from head to toe, and said, his voice indifferent,

"Go back and tell the Barbarian Emperor to wash his neck and wait. I will come to take his head another day. Furthermore, if any other Barbarian dares to set foot within Great Qin's territory again—death!"

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