Hong Ling’s tone became spirited, carrying a persuasive power.
"The Great One possesses boundless power. He has already established a new city on the edge of the Dead Man’s Forest and laid down a powerful barrier that no demon or monster can invade!
"The city also has a hundred acres of spirit fields with bountiful harvests. Everyone can eat their fill. Those under the Great One’s command, like the Patrol Envoys, slay demons and protect the land!"
She pointed at Jian Huaishuang. "The Patrol Envoy’s current form is a divine-bestowed body obtained specifically to slay demons and protect humanity! If not for this, how could he have so easily killed this ferocious beast that left you all helpless?"
The villagers looked at the massive demon corpse on the ground and then at Jian Huaishuang, whose aura was as steady as a mountain. The fear in their hearts was gradually replaced by a profound shock and a glimmer of hope.
It was true. Regardless of how he looked, he had indeed killed the demon and saved them.
And... they could eat their fill and no longer have to fear demons...
Finally, the eldest man in the village stepped forward and bowed deeply to Jian Huaishuang and Hong Ling. "Thank you, messengers of the God, for saving our lives. Our Lijiaao is willing to move to the new city and seek the God’s protection."
"Wait!"
Just as the villagers of Lijiaao were moved by Hong Ling's words and prepared to pack their belongings for the City of the Wrongfully Dead, a cold shout suddenly came from outside the village.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw seven or eight figures dressed in uniform black robes walking quickly toward them. Their auras were sharp, and their movements carried a killing intent that was vastly different from ordinary cultivators.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a cold face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. A simple, long-sheathed blade hung at his waist.
Jian Huaishuang’s gaze narrowed slightly. He whispered to Hong Ling, "It’s the Xuanshui Guards."
"Xuanshui Guards?"
"Yes. They are the demon-hunting agency directly under Lantao City, which rules over Thousand Isles County. They hold immense power and are responsible for monitoring demon movements and handling major evil spirit incidents."
"I see." Hong Ling also looked at the black-robed men, sensing they did not come with good intentions.
The cold leader was named Xing Yue, the captain of this Xuanshui Guard squad.
His sharp gaze swept over the mess on the ground before finally settling on the three of them. It lingered longest on Jian Huaishuang, who possessed a bizarre aura and was covered in paper armor, causing his brow to furrow tightly.
"Fellow villagers," Xing Yue’s voice was loud, his tone far from friendly. "Do not listen to these slanders or be deceived by the appearance of evil spirits. How can such bizarre beings be of a good sort?"
A younger member behind him immediately pulled a compass-like artifact from his robes. Its needle spun wildly, emitting a faint spiritual light.
After a careful inspection, the young member’s expression changed. He leaned close to Xing Yue’s ear and reported urgently in a low voice, "Captain, death energy detected. It shares the same source as the death energy remaining in the ruins of White Jade City. It is confirmed that these are the target evil spirits and their accomplices."
Xing Yue’s heart sank. He quickly ordered his squad into formation while announcing loudly to the panicked villagers.
"We are the Xuanshui Guards of Lantao City!
"White Jade City was destroyed several days ago. City Lord Su Zhiyuan is missing, the White Jade Sword Sect has sealed its mountain, and there are no survivors in the ruins of the inner city.
"This matter has shaken the county office. City Lord Su was personally appointed by the County Governor. Now that he has been harmed by evil spirits, we have been ordered to investigate and capture the culprits!"
These words were like a boulder thrown into a pond, instantly causing an uproar among the villagers.
The hope that had just risen was crushed by a massive fear. They looked at the righteous-looking Xuanshui Guards and then at Jian Huaishuang, whose form was indeed non-human. For a moment, they were caught in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.
"Nonsense!"
Shitou was the first who couldn't hold back, shouting in anger.
"That dog official Su Zhiyuan colluded with the White Jade Old Ghost, plotting to sacrifice the entire city's population! It was the Great One who acted and saved countless lives! You..."
Before he could finish, Xing Yue had already made his move.
Xing Yue was certain that Jian Huaishuang was the culprit behind the destruction of White Jade City. Seeing his accomplice speak so insolently, he immediately swung his blade. A highly condensed, water-blue blade qi tore through the air, slashing directly toward Shitou’s face.
Clang!!!
Jian Huaishuang shielded Shitou. He didn't even draw his sword; he simply raised his arm covered in paper armor and forcibly blocked the blade qi.
On his pale face, his eyes were bone-chillingly cold, and anger surged in his heart.
Jian Huaishuang felt that these Xuanshui Guards were hypocritical to the extreme.
When countless villages in Qudao County were being ravaged by demons and the people were displaced, where were these so-called Xuanshui Guards?
When White Jade was secretly nurturing evil spirits and preparing to blood-sacrifice the entire city, where were they?
But the moment a sycophant like Su Zhiyuan died—simply because he was a city lord appointed by the County Governor—they appeared immediately!
Jian Huaishuang could endure suspicion and strange looks, but he could not tolerate them slandering the God who had saved countless lives and given him a new life as an evil spirit!
Hong Ling and Shitou were also enraged by the blatant attack and immediately joined the fray with their weapons.
Luan fire talismans shot out and bone blade qi whistled. The two sides instantly clashed, energy spilling out as sand and stones flew.
Fortunately, both sides remained somewhat restrained, and the aftershocks of the battle were intentionally steered away from the defenseless villagers.
However, in his intense rage, Jian Huaishuang's mind—already unstable due to the fusion with an eerie entity—was exploited by White Jade.
Multiple voices merged into a heavy, malicious whisper in his head.
'Look... these so-called righteous paths, when have they ever cared for the life or death of ants?'
'All they care about is their power, their order...'
'Are you angry? Do you feel resentment? Release me... let me help you tear these hypocrites apart!'
Just as Xing Yue struck again with a fierce Wave-Sunder Slash, Jian Huaishuang’s movements suddenly froze. The clarity in his eyes was replaced by a bizarre jade-colored light.
"Hehe... Hahahaha!"
A low, distorted laugh leaked from Jian Huaishuang’s throat, completely different from his original voice, filled with arrogance and evil.
From the gaps in his paper armor, countless slimy strips of flesh suddenly erupted. Their speed was incredible, instantly bypassing Xing Yue’s blade and lunging like venomous snakes at all the surrounding Xuanshui Guards.
"My thanks to you, Captain Xing."
'Jian Huaishuang' laughed softly, his voice carrying a hair-raising pleasure. "If not for your help, I would have had to expend more effort to come out..."
Puchi! Puchi!
The flesh tendrils accurately pierced the skulls of the caught-off-guard Xuanshui Guards, madly draining their brains and essence!
White Jade needed to recover his strength quickly, and these Xuanshui Guards with their decent cultivation were perfect nourishment!
"Brother Huaishuang!"
Shitou’s eyes nearly split at the sight. He could feel that Jian Huaishuang’s aura had become foreign and full of malice.
He tried to rush forward, slashing his bone blade at the flesh tendrils while shouting, "Wake up! Brother Huaishuang! Don't let it control you!"
"An ant dares to disturb me?" White Jade snorted coldly. With a casual wave, he sent a flesh tendril straight for the top of Shitou’s head.
Shitou hurriedly swung his blade to block with all his might, yet he was still sent flying backward, his blood and qi churning from the shock.
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