CH 75

Chapter 75: True.

Edited by: Mochiusagi 

Inside the pavilion.

Jiang Fu looked at the person sitting across from him and asked, "What brings you to my abode today?"

Towards Shen Changqing, Jiang Fu didn't put any airs of being a superior. 

Although the former was only a Yellow Rank Official Slayer, his strength was not weaker than a Red Black Official Slayer. Even more, his talent was amazing.

Therefore, Jiang Fu was treating Shen Changqing on an equal footing.

"There are some things that I want to seek advice for."

"Go ahead."

Jiang Fu lightly smiled.

"When I came back from Lin'an City, I encountered a very strange thing on the way--"

Shen Changqing's face was solemn, as he retold what he had encountered.

The smile on Jiang Fu's face had also gradually disappeared.

When Shen Changqing finished talking, Jiang Fu said in a deep voice.

"I've never heard of what you just said. If it was a demon or monster, there would definitely be a hint of an Evil Aura. Are you sure you didn't feel the slightest bit of it, from the beginning to end of your stay there?"

"No." Shen Changqing shook his head.

He was certain that he did not feel even a bit of Evil Aura from Mo Zijin.

Jiang Fu looked solemn: "If even you can't detect an Evil Aura, then things just got complicated."

Shen Changqing was already at the Innate Realm. Even if it was a powerful Grudge Level monster, it shouldn't be able to completely conceal its Evil Aura from the former. 

Unless...

It was something even more powerful than a Grudge Level monster.

Immediately after this thought came up, Jiang Fu secretly shook his head and expelled this speculation from his mind.

Guangyuan Province was not just some barren place.

More than 200 years ago, Guangyuan Province was attacked by demons, resulting in heavy casualties among the people. Hence, the Demon Suppression Division's control over Guangyuan Province had been strengthened.

It's not a problem for low-level monsters to enter because their Evil Aura was not strong, and the Guardians could easily overlook it.

But once it got to the Fury Level or above, that sort of powerful Evil Aura was something that Guardians simply cannot ignore.

"This matter is indeed unusual, I need to report this to the higher ups."

At this time, Jiang Fu stood up.

When faced with any strange situation within the realm of the Great Qin, one should not take it lightly.

"You can go back for now!"

"Then I'll take my leave." Shen Changqing also got up.

Immediately after, he saw Jiang Zuo leave in a hurry.

Looking at the back of the other party, Shen Changqing paused for a few breaths, before also returning to his own courtyard.

He has already reported the anomalies he found. His job was done.

Back at his courtyard.

Shen Changqing pulled out the Cold Moon Sword hanging at his waist. The white frost-like blade, under the light of the hot sun, emitted a hint of coldness.

Standing still with his eyes closed, he recalled the [Hundred Battles Sword Technique] in his mind.

The next instant, his closed eyes opened.

The hand holding the sword moved, and a powerful aura rose from him.

"Hah!"

Shen Changqing took a step forward and the Cold Moon Sword fiercely chopped down. It carried the same majesty of cutting through a thousand armies.

Fusing the [Seven Killings Blade Technique] and the [Breaking Sword Technique] birthed the [Hundred Battles Sword Technique], which was a Martial Art meant for the battlefield.

In the five styles of the [Hundred Battles Sword Technique]: the first and the second were both defensive moves, the third was offensive, the fourth was a combination of offense, defense and movement, then finally, the fifth move... Which Shen Changqing had no clue about.

Despite obtaining the complete information of the [Hundred Battles Sword Technique], he had no way of understanding what the fifth style was really like.

According to the information given, the fifth style would naturally emerge from the integration of the first four styles.

Strictly speaking, the fifth style was not really a set of moves, but rather, a state of mind.

In the small courtyard, it was as if Shen Changqing had been practicing for decades, as he very skillfully performed the first style of the [Hundred Battles Sword Technique].

The first two styles contain many subtle changes. But when it came to the third style, Shen Changqing was a bit stuck.

He cut with his sword according to the method given, but Shen Changqing always felt that something was missing.

"The [Hundred Battles Sword Technique] is considered a military Martial Art meant for killing. To integrate it, relying on rigid moves would deem it impossible."

He withdrew his sword and began to review the [Hundred Battles Sword Technique].

"[The Hundred Battles Sword Technique] can lead to the enlightenment of True Intent..."

"That is to say, this Martial Art not only focuses on the style, but also on the intention..."

"If I don't have the courage and will of a soldier in the battlefield facing numerous enemies, how can I really master this technique?"

Shen Changqing gained some more understanding.

If it were in the past, even if he understood this point, it would be difficult for him to simulate such a feeling.

But now, it's different.

Although Shen Changqing had not really been to the battlefield, he had killed before and could naturally understand killing intent.

He stood in the same place in the next period of time, reviewing the information in his mind and brewing his killing intent.

Time passed.

After a long time, Shen Changqing roared angrily and took a step forward. Fierce killing intent broke out as he slashed his sword forward. The aura he was emitting, gave off an impression that he could cut down everything standing in his way.

[Swish~]

Despite not using True Qi, the force the sword carried left a shallow mark on the ground.

Withdrawing the sword back, Shen Changqing let out a long breath.

He was recalling the slash he had just made.

After a while, Shen Changqing's still body resumed moving, as he began the next round of training.

---

On the other hand, after Jiang Fu got the news, he immediately went to report it.

In the meeting hall.

After Jiang Fu got permission, he stepped inside.

At this time, there was only one person sitting in the hall.

"Jiang Fu, what are you doing here at this time?"

Zhou Yuanzheng's tiger eyes fell on the former. A powerful aura overflowed from him, making the atmosphere in the hall become solemn.

He was wearing iron armor and never took it off.

Jiang Fu lowered his head and clasped his fists: "Reporting to Guardian Zhou, there is a report from a Yellow Rank Slayer. He encountered something strange in Guangyuan Province. I have little knowledge in my humble position, so I came here to report to the Guardian."

"Speak!"

"Yes—"

Jiang Fu then straightened up and relayed what Shen Changqing had said to him.

After he finished speaking, a cold glint flashed in Zhou Yuanzheng’s tiger eyes.

"Is what you said true?"

"Yes!" Jiang Fu nodded.

"Good, I know what this is. You go back, and have that Slayer come over."

Zhou Yuanzheng waved his hand, and his expression returned to calm.

When Jiang Zuo heard this, he bowed and withdrew.

After Jiang Fu left, Zhou Yuanzheng's face became serious again.

"Strange, could it be that there is really--"

"But it's impossible. The Demon Suppression Division had already searched all of Guangyuan Province, why did it only appear now? This is really troublesome!"

--

[Tuk tuk~]!

There was a sudden knocking on Shen Changqing's courtyard door. He put his sword back into its sheath and opened it.

It was Jiang Fu.

Upon seeing Shen Changqing, Jiang Fu was stunned.

Just now, when the other side opened the door, he actually felt a bloody aura puffing on his face. It made his heart and soul tense for a second.

But immediately after that, the bloody aura disappeared, as if it had never appeared in the first place.

However, Jiang Fu was sure that what he felt was not a mistake.

"Did I disturb your training?"

"Not at all, I also just finished. In fact, Steward Jiang came at the right time."

Shen Changqing smiled and didn't talk much about his training.

"I wonder what is Steward Jiang's purpose for the sudden visit?"

"I reported what you said, and now Guardian Zhou Yuanzheng wants to see you, so come with me."

"Okay, no problem."

Although Shen Changqing's face did not change, his heart was shaken.

He had not heard of Zhou Yuanzheng, but the word "Guardian" says it all.

Zhou Yuanzheng was a Guardian!

An existence above Slayers!

The most senior person Shen Changqing came into contact with was Jiang Fu, who was the Steward of the Yellow Court. But he's also just a Slayer.

Compared with a Guardian, he was a few steps behind.

Now, Shen Changqing was suddenly being summoned by a Guardian. How could he not be nervous?

However, Shen Changqing also understood the reason for the summon, and wouldn't refuse.

Following behind Jiang Fu, he walked towards the council hall.

Soon, the two of them entered the hall.

"Steward of the Yellow Slayer Court Jiang Fu greets Guardian Zhou!"

"Yellow Rank Official Slayer Shen Changqing greets Guardian Zhou!"

As Jiang Fu greeted the other party, Shen Changqing likewise followed and cupped his hands in greeting.

"There's no need to salute."

Zhou Yuanzheng indifferently said, and then his eyes fell on Shen Changqing.

"Are you Shen Changqing?"

"Yes!"

In response to Zhou Yuanzheng's question, Shen Changqing nodded his head and acknowledged.

When Shen Changqing gazed at the other party, he felt as though the person in front of him was an unfathomable abyss, suppressing everything just by sitting there.

In contrast, this was the first time Shen Changqing felt how weak he was.

Zhou Yuanzheng said: "You have done a good job guarding Lin'an City. You made the Eternal Life Alliance suffer, and you also defended the name of the Demon Suppression Division. With your talent, as long as you don't die halfway in the future, it is very likely that you will become a Guardian."

He first praised, but Zhou Yuanzheng's soon changed the pace.

"I called you here for a simple purpose. Talk about the evil you encountered, in detail, when you came back to the Demon Suppression Division from Lin'an City. You must not omit anything!"

"Yes!"

Shen Changqing nodded, his heart trembling a bit. He then told the things he encountered in detail.

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into silence.

Zhou Yuanzheng was sitting motionless, as if he was in some kind of trance. It was only after a long time passed, did he slowly open his mouth.

"So it's true--"