Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest-Chapter 954: Slaying Demons and Eliminating Evil (Continued Three)

Crack!

Hu Mengde’s head fell to the ground, rolling several steps away, his face upturned, his eyes wide open in death!

He likely never dreamed that he, the esteemed County Magistrate, would be decapitated by Wang Chen with a single strike.

This was a total disregard for the rules!

However, it was Hu Mengde’s bloody head that shocked the Blood Cloak Guard and the constable yamen attendants present; jolted awake by Wang Chen’s shouting, they hurriedly began to seal off the entrances and exits of the Peony Pavilion.

Although the Peony Pavilion comprised three buildings, the entire structure was enclosed by a high wall, with only two main gates and three side doors for entering and leaving, making it relatively easy to seal off.

But while the several zhang high walls might stop ordinary people, they posed little constraint to second or third-tier martial artists, for whom escaping by climbing over was not difficult.

"Gentlemen!"

Just as the Blood Cloak Guards had started moving, more than a dozen guards of the Peony Pavilion burst out from the main gate, the leading martial artist sternly asked, "Are you aware..."

Pfft!

He hadn’t finished speaking when his head suddenly flew up high.

Wang Chen said indifferently, "Anyone else who dares to spout nonsense will receive the same fate!"

It was not that Wang Chen was bloodthirsty, rather, without drastic measures, he would be caught in endless entanglements, simply a waste of time!

The remaining guards from the Peony Pavilion were instantly chilled as if doused by cold water; their heated heads rapidly cooled, and they quickly retreated back inside.

Not daring to show themselves again.

Wang Chen leapt onto the wall, then from one level to the next, quickly reaching the rooftop of the main Peony Pavilion building.

From his high vantage point, he called down authoritatively, "I am Wang Chen, the Donglu Centurion, the Demon-suppressing Colonel. I am here on orders to track a demon, and Peony Pavilion is temporarily sealed off. I hope everyone will behave and wait for the inspection. Do not run about. Anyone who tries to force their way out will be killed without exception!"

Wang Chen’s voice, imbued with the power of Qi Energy, carried clearly through the walls of the buildings to everyone’s ears inside.

This instantly incited commotion within the entire Peony Pavilion, like an ant nest scalded with boiling water, and some disturbance was inevitable.

Several figures emerged from the building, leaping onto the high walls, clearly attempting to escape.

Such pleasure quarters often harbored a mixed crowd, including wanted criminals, a common occurrence.

While Wang Chen said he was tracking a demon, who could guarantee he wasn’t using the demon’s name to pursue criminals?

These people, of course, would not stake their lives and fortunes on Wang Chen’s words.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

However, just as these few had climbed the wall, a barrage of sharp arrows flew at them with unimaginable speed and force, catching them too late to dodge.

"Ah!"

The shrill screams erupted suddenly as one by one they fell from the wall, their fate unknown.

Among them, one reacted fastest, successfully flipping over the wall and slipping into a nearby alley.

Just as he was about to vanish into the darkness, escaping into the night, suddenly a loud "bang" rang out; he was struck heavily, tumbling involuntarily forward to the ground.

A fist-sized bloody hole exploded in his back!

On the rooftop of the Peony Pavilion, Wang Chen put away the still-smoking flintlock gun. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Against these petty thieves, both bows and firearms were devastating.

And with these gruesome examples, the restless individuals inside the Peony Pavilion dared not make another move.

Going out meant certain death, but staying inside might give them a sliver of a chance.

After another period of time marked by a cup of tea, rows of fully armed soldiers appeared on the streets in front of the Peony Pavilion.

Under the officer’s shouted orders, they quickly surrounded the Peony Pavilion and even set up a formation with heavy crossbows designed to confront martial arts experts.

It was then that Wang Chen descended from the rooftop of the Peony Pavilion and returned to the front entrance.

The newly arrived soldiers were dispatched from the Protector Army Barracks by Duan Yongfeng, wielding the command token entrusted to Wang Chen. Wang Chen instructed the leading officer to guard the surrounding thoroughfares while he began to inspect those lingering inside the Top Scholar Tower.

The method of inspection was simple, requiring the Blood Cloak Guard to bring people out from inside for Wang Chen to personally identify.

He checked whether they were possessed by Demons or contaminated with demonic thoughts.

Without the spearhead of the Taichu Slaying Demon Spear, such a method would hardly be effective, as many Demons that had infiltrated the human realm had mastered the art of concealing their demonic aura, rendering ordinary Demon Identifying Talismans unable to detect them.

Only special Magic Artifacts could reveal clues, or if the Demons themselves unleashed their power!

Such artifacts were extremely precious and available only in the Yamen of the Prefectural City and the Imperial Palace.

Naturally, Wang Chen had no right to borrow and use one.

However, the Taichu Slaying Demon Spear was stronger than any artifact—as long as Demon aura, however well hidden, was within close proximity, it was bound to induce a reaction, leaving no room for error.

Guest after guest underwent inspection and was allowed to leave the Peony Pavilion; none dared linger outside to watch the excitement, hurrying back to their homes.

Though the evening was greatly dampened, being alive and unharmed was more important than anything else.

Because of the high efficiency of Wang Chen’s inspections, the process went smoothly. Hundreds of guests departed without any issues being found.

This situation caused General Flag Duan, who was in charge of assisting Wang Chen, to begin having doubts.

If such a massive, forceful operation uncovered no Demons, how would Wang Chen manage the situation?

Keep in mind, he had mobilized the local Protector Army!

Should the higher-ups ask for accountability, Wang Chen’s position as Head of the Hundred Households would surely be untenable, and he might even end up in prison...

"Stop!"

Just as Duan Yongfeng began to let his thoughts run wild, Wang Chen suddenly stopped a guest who had just walked out of the main entrance of the Peony Pavilion.

The man was dressed in a brocade robe with a jade belt, stout and kindly looking, obviously a wealthy merchant or a landowning gentleman who frequented the Peony Pavilion for entertainment.

The plump man in the brocade robe panicked, "Sir, please see clearly, I, I am not a Demon!"

He was so frightened that he nearly knelt down in front of Wang Chen.

Wang Chen gave him a slight smile and said, "I know you are not a Demon, but could you please remove the human skin mask from your face?"

This guy had some skill in disguise; Wang Chen had almost been fooled, not noticing the slight color difference between the man’s facial skin and his neck.

When the brocade-robed man heard Wang Chen’s mocking tone, he suddenly yelled angrily and charged towards Wang Chen.

Bang!

He heavily collided with Wang Chen, who remained immovable, and slapped down with his palm.

The brocade-robed man was forcefully slammed to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, nose, ears, and eyes, like a dead dog whose spine had been yanked out, unable to move ever again.

Duan Yongfeng quickly stepped forward, leaned over, and ripped off the man’s human skin mask.

A ghastly pale new face was immediately revealed.

Duan Yongfeng couldn’t help but widen his eyes: "Flower Butterfly Young Master!"

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The second update has been delivered.