598: Highly respected? Check it out anyway!

The Night Watcher's intelligence network had already gathered a lot of information about Demonic Path Practitioners people hiding in the Imperial City.

It was only because the powerful clans and nobles helped the demons conceal themselves and put pressure on the Night Watcher, making the Night Watcher hesitant to act, that they delayed taking action and put this intelligence aside.

The Demonic Path Practitioners people in the underground caves are actually similar to the Apocalypse Cult on earth's surface.

They all engage in activities that cannot see the light of day.

However, on earth's surface, there is no power to escort them, so the Apocalypse Cult can only operate in the shadows.

But the underground caves are different; Demonic Path Practitioners people and the powerful can complement each other. This is due to inadequate education and propaganda.

Now, Shen Bei has announced the start of the Demon Slaying operation, and all that dusty old intelligence has become the King of Hell's ledger of lives.

Everyone divided the intelligence, discussed and assigned tasks, and that very night, they split up and launched a swift, decisive operation.

At the Du Family, the Family Head Du Xingtang was meditating and Cultivating in his courtyard.

He had reached the Peak of the seventh stage and was diligently trying to break through to the eighth stage, thereby entering the ranks of true powerhouses.

However, just as Du Xingtang was devoutly Cultivating, the Du Family's main gate was suddenly broken open.

Ren Chuan led dozens of Night Watchers, breaking down the door and rushing into the courtyard, neatly lining up on both sides.

Du Xingtang suddenly opened his eyes and sharply asked, "Who are you, and why do you trespass into my Du Family?!"

"Greetings, Family Head Du."

Ren Chuan, with an expressionless face, cupped his fists and said, "I am Team Envoy Ren Chuan. Please forgive our intrusion."

Du Xingtang nodded and asked, "Team Envoy Ren, what brings you here?"

"The Night Watcher received a report claiming that there are Demonic Path Practitioners people hidden in the Du Residence. We have been ordered by Team Leader Shen to search and apprehend them. Please cooperate, Family Head Du."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Du Xingtang's face immediately changed, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

But he quickly composed himself, sternly shouting, "You Night Watchers are truly bold! Are you not slandering me, Du, by accusing me of secretly colluding with the Demonic Path?"

"I, Du, am the current Emperor's maternal uncle, and my Du Family is a royal relative. Unless you have the Emperor's decree, you have no right to investigate my Du Family!"

Ren Chuan already knew that Du Xingtang's sister was a concubine in the imperial harem, and the Du Family was considered royal kin.

Facing Du Xingtang's threat, he showed no fear, sneering, "Since we are here by order, we naturally have the Emperor's decree."

Du Xingtang frowned: "Where is the imperial decree?"

"Is the great ancestor's sacred edict in Team Leader's hand not the Emperor's decree?"

Ren Chuan sneered, "If Family Head Du does not acknowledge Great Ancestor's decree, then that is rebellion, and we can only execute the traitor."

"If Family Head Du acknowledges Great Ancestor's decree, then do not hinder us from performing our official duties here."

Du Xingtang's face immediately turned ashen, feeling as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

He dared not accept such a huge accusation as not acknowledging Great Ancestor's decree.

But where did that damned Shen Bei get such audacity?

Having just dealt with Pan Fei, he hadn't even cleaned up his own mess before directly moving against their Du Family, not even giving them a chance to prepare.

Du Xingtang had been in the Imperial City for many years and had some connections with successive Team Leaders of the Night Watcher.

This was the first time he had seen such a wild and unconventional Team Leader.

Seeing Du Xingtang give up his obstruction, Ren Chuan waved his hand and said lightly, "Search!"

Originally, a sliver of hope remained in Du Xingtang's heart, thinking that he had hidden those people quite securely, and Ren Chuan might find nothing and return empty-handed.

But the next second, seeing Ren Chuan take out a Demon Searching Stone from his embrace, Du Xingtang's heart instantly sank.

The Demon Searching Stone was one of the Night Watcher's greatest treasures; under its light, no demon could hide.

It seemed that this time, the Night Watcher was truly serious about them.

Bi Tuo tossed the Demon-Suppressing Stone into the air, where it quickly spun, emitting streaks of green light.

The green light fell like dense raindrops, enveloping the entire Du Residence.

Bathed in the green light, the night's silence was instantly broken by strange sounds of wailing ghosts and howling wolves.

The originally empty courtyard suddenly floated with wisps of black smoke, transforming into more than a dozen Demon Path cultivators who materialized.

Most of these Demon Path cultivators were in the Early Stage of Profound Communication. Because they Cultivated with Yin fire, they were covered in black light under the illumination of the Demon Searching Stone.

Ren Chuan did not hesitate, waving his hand and shouting, "Kill!"

The Demonic Path Practitioners people who were found had naturally committed evil deeds.

The Night Watchers behind him instantly took action, drawing their weapons and Magical Artifacts, and immediately executed these demons.

Watching a group of demons turn to ash and have their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, Du Xingtang's face turned ashen with despair.

Ren Chuan turned around and said lightly, "Family Head Du, we know that you were once captured by a Demonic Path powerhouse but returned safely because you promised that Demonic Path powerhouse to let your residence become a dwelling place for his subordinate demons. Considering that you only provided shelter and not blood sacrifices, the Night Watcher will not apprehend you, but will only inform Your Majesty and the imperial court of your actions."

"As a gentleman, one should be true to his word, resolute in his actions, and sincere in his promises."

"However, if one is so sincere towards Demonic Path Practitioners people, then you must reconsider your stance."

Leaving a meaningful admonition, Ren Chuan waved his hand, led the Night Watchers to regroup, and continued to the next Family.

Du Xingtang slumped to the ground with a plop, his face filled with bitter self-mockery.

"I never thought that this little secret of mine was already completely known to the Night Watcher."

"Shen Bei, ah, Shen Bei, you ignorant child, you truly want to destroy the Imperial City."

...

Bi Tuo and dozens of Night Watchers headed straight for the Ancestral Shrine of the Fang Family.

The Fang Family is one of the oldest Families in the Imperial City, with a Legacy spanning a thousand years.

The Ancestral Shrine of the Fang Family has always been a Forbidden Ground for generations; only the Family Head is qualified to enter, and other Fang Family disciples must stay away, let alone outsiders.

Everyone headed straight for the outskirts and soon arrived outside the Ancestral Shrine of the Fang Family.

Just as they were about to push the door open, they saw a white-robed Old Master Fang float over, blocking their path.

"Where are you going?"

According to the intelligence, this Old Master Fang was the former Family Head of the Fang Family, Fang Dexiang.

Although he was old, he was an eighth-stage powerhouse, formidable and unfathomable.

Bi Tuo cupped his fists and bowed, politely saying, "Greetings, Old Master Fang."

"Since you recognize this old man, then it's easy."

Fang Dexiang narrowed his eyes and coldly asked, "You young rascals, why do you trespass into my Ancestral Shrine of the Fang Family in the middle of the night?"

"Old Master Fang, we are here by order of Team Leader Shen of the Night Watcher, specifically to your esteemed Family's Ancestral Hall to search for Demonic Path Practitioners people."

Bi Tuo smiled, "Old Master Fang is highly respected and reasonable; he surely wouldn't make things difficult for us young Juniors, would he?"

"Heh, absurd!"

Fang Dexiang sneered, "My Fang Family, for generations, has been a renowned and upright clan, pure, loyal, and heroic, having achieved extraordinary merits for the Great Qian Dynasty."

"What ability does that brat Shen Bei have to dare be so rude to this old man?"

"Even if his master, Prince Wei, came, he would still have to show this old man some respect!"

Bi Tuo said lightly, "Old Master Fang is a highly respected Senior, and we Juniors naturally dare not offend him."

"But today, we are acting under the great ancestor's sacred edict, working with the Night Watcher to eliminate demons and uphold the Dao, purifying the Imperial City."

"Anyone who disobeys the great ancestor's sacred edict will be executed for treason, and we are no exception."

"So, please, Old Master Fang, do not make things difficult for us."

Fang Dexiang's mouth twitched slightly, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.

The unspoken meaning of Bi Tuo's words was that no one could disobey the great ancestor's sacred edict, not even an elder like him.

He had just said he wasn't afraid of Prince Wei, and the other party immediately brought up Great Ancestor, showing they were well-prepared.

Fang Dexiang struggled for a moment, thinking that directly clashing with the great ancestor's sacred edict was truly unwise.

Pan Fei was a lesson. Their Fang Family was no match for the Night Watcher.

If that kid went crazy and used the same tactics he used against Pan Fei, then...

Fang Dexiang's face turned cold, and he stepped aside, saying lightly, "Since it is Team Leader Shen's order, then please proceed."

"However, the Ancestral Hall has been desolate for many years, and even this old man hasn't visited for years."

"Whether there are demons inside, this old man is not clear. Please be extra careful, everyone."

He couldn't confront them directly; he could only sever ties with the Demonic Path.