https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-101-The-Rising-Cat-and-Mouse-Game/12941022/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-103-Not-Through-Countless-Ages-to-Obtain-the-Dharmakaya/12941028/
Chapter 102: Capturing the Demon Outside the City
Chapter 102: Capturing the Demon Outside the City
"It's exactly the same as what Zen Master Yuanzhi had on him back then."
Zhang the Butcher weakly retracted his hands, his voice hoarse. He had initially thought that Elder Benxin was influenced by Yuan Gang, suppressing him and withholding the Jade Dew Realm Body Tempering Martial Art.
Now it seemed that his hasty and reckless personality had led the sect's inner disciples to believe he was unworthy of sharing their "secret techniques," and despite his decent aptitude, they had abandoned him without hesitation.
The other captains and deputy commanders listened in confusion, not understanding what he was talking about.
Shen Yi stared at the Elder Benxin beneath him and slowly withdrew his gaze. "Take all the outer disciples for questioning, and escort the inner disciples back to the Demon Subjugation Bureau."
The words 'take' and 'escort' had very different implications.
The disciples within the pagoda and those under the sect's mountain gate displayed two extreme reactions.
Being taken for questioning meant that as long as they hadn't committed any crimes, they would be released after the interrogation.
However, being escorted back to the Demon Subjugation Bureau held a completely different meaning; this was a treatment reserved for demons. Once the evidence was solid, they would face the consequence of losing their heads.
"Lord Shen's decision is wise!"
The outer disciples, the martial artists, lay sprawled on the ground, panting heavily. Anyone who had been in the Jianghu for a while had done things they weren't proud of, but compared to colluding with demons, these were minor offenses. At worst, they might be imprisoned for a while, but their lives would be spared.
Inside the pagoda, the numerous inner disciples tightly gripped their weapons, their faces betraying a hint of anxiety.
The Golden Eagle Captains, led by a deputy commander, quickly headed upwards, the heavy Demon Suppression Chains resembling a dancing dragon, clanking loudly.
"Where is your abbot?"
Shen Yi sheathed his ceremonial saber.
"..."
Upon hearing the name 'Yuanzhi' from Zhang the Butcher's mouth, Elder Benxin's heart sank to the bottom of the valley, and he no longer held any hope.
He clenched his teeth, staring intently at the young man's profile. His expression was similar to Yuan Gang's, filled with both resentment and apprehension.
The brief exchange earlier had made it clear that there was a vast gap between their strengths, and with so many Demon Subjugation Captains present, there was no escape today, even if they had wings. The fact that the young man had sheathed his saber didn't mean he would let Elder Benxin go.
Instead, it meant he didn't want to waste his energy on a dead man.
Attacking the Demon Subjugation Bureau's attendant in Qingzhou City was no longer about the martial art he practiced.
As if to confirm his thoughts, someone soon approached with an iron chain designed to suppress the Qi Sea, ready to bind him.
The old monk's breathing quickened, and he turned to look at the beautiful pagoda, his gaze falling on the anxious inner disciples. He knew full well the methods used to deal with demons once they were escorted to the Demon Subjugation Bureau.
If even one of them slips up, all their heads will roll.
He quickly made a decision and shouted sternly, "If Lord Shen wants to take personal revenge, I'll gladly offer my worthless life as you wish!"
"But to tarnish the reputation of the Vajra Sect, that's absolutely impossible!"
He paused, his face contorting into a hideous expression as he gritted his teeth and said, "If you want to know where the abbot is, you're dreaming!"
Before he could finish, the iron chains binding his arms suddenly lifted, and two pairs of iron palms struck his jaw without hesitation.
Body Tempering Martial Artists were extremely rare, especially those with the aptitude to enter the Jade Dew Realm. Almost none would consider this path.
Even with the chains tightly sealing his Qi Sea, the old monk still retained some of his strength.
The Golden Eagle Captain holding the iron chains was jerked back and forth, about to rebuke him, when his pupils constricted.
A crisp 'crack' was heard! The old monk had actually snapped his own neck, his round head hanging upside down at an exaggerated angle.
"Master!"
At this sight, the disciples within the pagoda trembled, frozen in their places.
A moment later, they snapped out of their shock, glancing at each other with astonishment. They quickly realized what was happening and dropped the weapons in their hands.
They forcefully suppressed the fear in their hearts, and even though they were drenched in sweat from panic, they tightly sealed their lips shut.
Elder Benxin was using his life to remind them—
Don't be intimidated by this Shen family's hounds!
Is cultivating the Bodhimanda Vajra Body a capital offense?!
The Vajra Sect's decision to change its cultivation method wasn't something rare, and although it wasn't common knowledge, the Demon Subjugation Bureau was definitely aware of it.
Elder Benxin and his disciple had offended the Demon Suppressing Bureau, and they had even dared to attack the Bureau's members. They would surely not live past tonight. But why were they afraid? If Lord Shen had evidence, why hadn't he taken action yet?
"This..."
Hong Lei quickly walked up to Shen Yi's side, his face turning grim. "I'll order someone to investigate right away."
At this point, there was no need to discuss the issues within the Vajra Sect.
As the captains swarmed out, Qingzhou City had already been put on high alert, and even a fly would have a hard time flying out.
Tracking down an old bald donkey wasn't a difficult task, but once they left the city...
No matter how careful they were, it was inevitable that news would spread... Elder Benxin was willing to commit suicide to buy some time, sealing the mouths of his disciples. As long as the abbot reacted and destroyed the evidence, the Vajra Sect, despite suffering heavy losses, would still have a chance to rise again.
They even took the opportunity to dig a big pit of "favoritism and abuse of power" for Shen Yi!
"..."
Shen Yi looked down at Elder Benxin on the ground, slightly raising an eyebrow, but it was just a casual question. The reaction was quite big.
He then took out a silver bell from his waist and infused it with his breath, "Please, I'd like to know the whereabouts of the abbot of the Vajra Sect."
After a few breaths, several messages flowed into Shen Yi's ears along with his breath.
"Not at all. He's at Peaceful Mountain, and I saw him there just half a month ago."
"The Vajra Sect has the habit of bringing their virtuous laypeople to the mountain for Qi cultivation. They change locations every now and then."
"Hahaha... Truly unworthy of a fake bald donkey, even stealing the Daoist's breath cultivation technique? But I've heard of this too. It's said that many followers stay there for many years. Every few months, they send letters home, inviting their families to join them for meditation. After returning home for a visit, they yearn for the Buddha and quickly return."
Qingzhou was one of the twelve main cities, and with the commotion tonight, many demon hunters had gathered to watch the spectacle.
Soon, the demon hunters provided an answer.
Shen Yi put away the silver bell, but he noticed that Hong Lei's expression had changed, staring at him in astonishment, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
Hong Lei waved his hand and swallowed his saliva.
After serving as a deputy commander for so many years, he had indeed dealt with demon hunters before, but this was the first time he had seen a silver bell.
Thinking of those fanatics, Hong Lei shook his head. It was best not to see such things.
Holding a silver bell was the minimum requirement for a Jade Liquid Perfection Warrior, and those who managed to survive with it were rumored to be Core Formation powerhouses.
It wasn't because the demon hunters had strict rules.
The main reason was that those who could stand out among ordinary demon hunters proved they had an abnormal mindset. They wandered alone, often trespassing into the territories of higher-level demons. Instead of fleeing, they sought to obtain a strand of the demon's energy to bring back for a reward.
No wonder Lord Shen wasn't close to General Chen. The problem lay there.
Hong Lei's expression was strange as he bent down and lifted Elder Benxin's corpse, clicking his tongue, "Why are you in such a hurry..."
Soon, the Vajra Sect's inner disciples were all bound by the Demon Suppression Chains.
With Elder Benxin's example, the captains took extra precautions, wrapping the chains several times and even using specially-made silver hooks to pierce their Pipa bones.
"Lord Shen, if we're going out of the city, the personal guard captain can bring a maximum of 120 men, and with three deputy commanders..." Hong Lei, holding Elder Benxin's corpse, reminded Shen Yi, "You don't have your own team, but we can temporarily gather some men for you. I'm afraid this number might not be enough."
Although it seemed like this matter was almost resolved, if the old bald donkey's cultivation had indeed progressed as rumored, taking this final step would be challenging.
Back then on Qingfeng Mountain, General Chen Qiankun was the commander, responsible for all unexpected events. He beheaded the sect leader, destroyed the ancestral sword, and even had to search for the Spirit Serpent to eliminate it, but Shen Yi had beaten him to it.
Now, Shen Yi was personally leading the captains to suppress the demons, obviously without reporting to General Chen. While enjoying the power to command, he also had to bear the corresponding responsibility.
If they failed, they would lose not only their lives but also the face of the entire Qingzhou Government Office.
(End of Chapter)
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