Chapter 40: The Demon-Slaying Guard

"Didn't you say earlier that you weren't interested, Daoist? Why have you followed us?"

Xue Lie, walking in the lead, turned his head and asked with a smile upon seeing Shen Chang'an catching up.

Shen Chang'an retorted testily, "You have the nerve to ask that? I suspect you planned for me to follow you from the very beginning, didn't you?"

"You misunderstand me, Daoist. I haven't plotted anything; it was merely a coincidence."

Shen Chang'an, having no patience for Xue Lie's pleasantries, quickened his pace, intending to break away from Xue Lie and his companions.

When he had been chased out earlier, he had no choice; running in any other direction would only have led the pursuers toward others. But now that they had distanced themselves from the pursuers, Shen Chang'an certainly did not want to remain entangled with Xue Lie.

However, just as he attempted to accelerate and pull away, he felt an inexplicable murderous intent surge from behind, locking onto his spine. He turned his head to find Xue Lie watching him with a smile, saying nothing.

"Xue Lie, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Xue Lie smiled kindly. "How can you call it intentional? It is just that you hold a divine sword, Daoist Shen. If I do not keep an eye on you, I cannot help but feel uneasy."

Shen Chang'an felt an inexplicable wave of annoyance. He knew exactly what Xue Lie was thinking. His mindset was much like that of Yu Qingxian: the Withered Wood Sword in Shen Chang'an's possession was the only blade outside of their knowledge, effectively beyond their control. Consequently, they needed to gather information on the sword to predict Shen Chang'an's actions.

Having failed to get any answers after questioning him several times, Xue Lie had decided to deliberately trap Shen Chang'an, forcing him to use the Withered Wood Sword.

Although the sword energy within the blade had replenished over these past few days, Shen Chang'an was reluctant to unleash it. Firstly, Xue Lie’s connection to the divine swords was deeper than anyone else's; revealing it before him might allow him to discern its secrets. Secondly, Xue Lie’s cultivation and strength far surpassed his own; even with the sword energy, Shen Chang'an was no match for him and might instead draw the attention of Zhang Hongyu, who was following behind.

The "Nine Heavens" in Zhang Hongyu’s hands was the third reason Shen Chang'an chose to preserve his sword energy. If he faced Xue Lie, the energy would be useless, but if he faced Zhang Hongyu and had no energy left, he would be doomed. Nine Heavens was also a divine sword, and Shen Chang'an suspected that, in its current state, it might be the most formidable of them all.

This was not to say that Nine Heavens was inherently superior to the others, but that the current strength of those involved allowed it to exert its maximum potential. Its authority came from the heavens, and its power naturally followed suit. It did not matter that Zhang Hongyu’s own strength was lacking; Nine Heavens would compensate for it. Under such circumstances, its effects were naturally more powerful than those of the other divine swords.

As he held back his energy, Xue Lie kept his eyes fixed on him, preventing his escape. Shen Chang'an felt quite helpless, wondering how he had managed to attract the attention of such a man, and had no choice but to continue forward.

The various groups continued their pursuit, and with their speed, it did not take long for them to dash out of the small town.

Shen Chang'an ran while searching for an opportunity, but the opportunity he hoped for never arrived.

Behind them, Zhang Hongyu had caught up with a group of men. They were all mounted on horses that possessed strange features—some had horns on their heads, others were covered in scales—clearly, these were hybrids infused with demon blood.

"Whew, Daoist Shen, they have surrounded us. I think it is time we stopped."

Before Shen Chang'an could react, the man carrying the cloth bag in front had already come to a halt.

"Are you all together?" Shen Chang'an asked.

Xue Lie did not speak, but the man laughed, "I wouldn't say we are a group, but for now, I suppose you could say we are."

Shen Chang'an snorted and said nothing more as Zhang Hongyu and his men closed in.

"Xue Lie, Bao Yi, and... Daoist Lingxiao!"

He recognized the three of them at a glance and sneered, "You have incredible nerve, daring to capture the Dragon Maiden!"

Shen Chang'an frowned slightly, then shrugged. "This has nothing to do with me. Xue Lie forced me to come along... though I suppose you won't believe that."

As he spoke, Shen Chang'an gripped the Withered Wood Sword.

Zhang Hongyu sneered, "Whether or not you are involved, since you are here, I cannot let you leave."

Shen Chang'an was not surprised. Zhang Hongyu had lost face because of him, and now that he possessed Nine Heavens, how could he possibly let him go?

Xue Lie laughed, "I never forced Daoist Shen. If the Daoist wishes to leave, he may do so now."

Shen Chang'an snorted, having no intention of leaving. He had already been tricked; what was the point of leaving now? Even if he really wanted to go, would Zhang Hongyu actually let him?

"Hmph, since you won't leave, then capture them all!"

Behind Zhang Hongyu, a group of men in black dismounted and charged forward.

Shen Chang'an's gaze sharpened. Seeing the attire of these men, his expression shifted.

"The Demon-Quelling Guard..."

Under the command of the Dragon Emperor, there were two specialized units for dealing with demons and monsters: the Demon-Purging Bureau and the Demon-Quelling Guard. The Demon-Purging Bureau was responsible for solving cases, investigations, and disruption. The Demon-Quelling Guard was different; under normal circumstances, they did not move.

The Demon-Quelling Guard had only one task: annihilation.

The Demon-Purging Bureau was like ordinary constables, handling all anomalous cases in the world. The Demon-Quelling Guard, however, was an army. They were rarely deployed, but once they were, it was equivalent to sending an army to conquer a region.

These men were clearly from the Demon-Quelling Guard. There were about twenty of them, a force sufficient to crush a thousand-man army.

Shen Chang'an looked at Bao Yi and Xue Lie and sighed, "Gentlemen, shall I lead the way?"

Bao Yi chuckled, "Are you here for a meal, Daoist Shen? Leading the way? Do you think they will give you the chance?"

As Bao Yi finished speaking, he stepped to the side, and a sharp arrow whistled past him, burying itself deep into a large tree behind them.

The force of the shot had pierced through the trunk.

Shen Chang'an looked over and saw that the hole in the trunk showed faint signs of corrosion. The arrow was poisoned!

"We are in big trouble..."

A single poisoned arrow was not terrifying; what was terrifying was that it had been fired by a Demon-Quelling Guard using a small crossbow strapped to his wrist. A small crossbow was not scary; what was scary was that every single member of the Demon-Quelling Guard was equipped with the same standard gear!