70: Chapter 70: Increase Lin Feng's Strength

The news of Lin Feng slaying ten people with a single blade at the entrance of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division station—including Elder Kumu, a Peak ninth-level Danyuan Realm expert, and a direct descendant of the Zhao Family—spread rapidly.

It was like a massive magnitude 18 earthquake, spreading across the entire Qingzhou Provincial Capital at a terrifying speed in just half a day.

For a moment, the entire provincial capital was shaken.

In tea houses, wine shops, streets, and alleys, whether it was common peddlers or martial arts masters...

Everyone was talking about only one thing.

“Did you hear? The person from the Nanyan Prefecture Demon Suppression Division this time is a ruthless character! He slapped the Zhao Family's face over a single disagreement, and it was the kind of slap that went right through!”

“It's more than just slapping through! He practically ground the Zhao Family's face into the dirt a hundred times! I heard from those present that the scene was a river of blood with heads rolling everywhere—it was brutal!”

“Hiss... When did Nanyan Prefecture produce such a fierce man? How come I've never heard of him?”

“You don't know? Then you're truly ill-informed! This lord’s nickname is ‘King of Hell Lin’! Word is that back in Nanyan Prefecture, he carved his way through everyone! The Moon-Worshipping Cult, Black Wind City—weren't they all taken down by him alone? In his hands, the Danyuan Realm is no different from paper!”

“For real? That sounds incredible!”

“How could it be fake? It's spread throughout the entire provincial capital! They say King of Hell Lin even put out word that the Zhao Family is welcome to seek revenge, and the more people they bring, the better! Tell me, is that something a normal person would say?”

In an instant, Lin Feng's fierce reputation spread rapidly through various circles in the Qingzhou Provincial Capital in a 'notorious' fashion.

The representative teams from the other eight prefectures who had come for the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament had various reactions upon hearing the news.

“Hmph, what kind of figure could come out of a backwater place like Nanyan Prefecture? I bet it’s just rumors being exaggerated. Is a ninth-level Danyuan Realm expert so easily killed?”

“This man has such a heavy killing intent and acts so erratically; he will surely draw the Zhao Family's thunderous retaliation. We should just watch and wait; there's no need to pay him any mind.”

“Interesting. It seems this year's Hidden Dragon Tournament won't be so boring after all.”

...

Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division Headquarters.

A massive black tower, ten times more grand than the Nanyan Prefecture branch, towered into the clouds like a giant sword thrust into the earth, radiating a stern and chilling aura.

On the top floor of the giant tower, inside the study of the Gold Rank Commander.

Three figures with auras as deep as the abyss and as vast as the sea stood respectfully, reporting their work to the majestic figure seated behind the desk.

These three were the three Silver-Rank Demon Slayers with the highest status in the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, second only to the Gold Rank Commander!

On the left was an old man with white hair and beard, possessing the air of a transcendent immortal, named Examiner Xuanjizi; he was the strategist of the Demon Suppression Division, proficient in divination and tactics.

In the middle was a burly middle-aged man clad in heavy armor with a resolute face, exuding a blood-soaked Evil Qi; named Po Jun, he was in charge of the Demon Suppression Division's punishments and expeditions.

On the right was a stunning woman in palace attire, but her eyes were as cold as frost; named Hong Lian, she was responsible for the Demon Suppression Division's intelligence and assassinations.

“Commander.”

Examiner Xuanjizi spoke slowly, his voice gentle, “The representative team from Nanyan Prefecture arrived at the provincial capital today. The leader is the newly promoted Bronze Medal Envoy, Lin Feng.”

“Oh?”

Behind the desk, Commander Xiao Xuan, the Gold Rank Commander who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

He merely sat there casually, yet he seemed to be the sole Dominator of this world; even the three Peak ninth-level Danyuan Realm experts before him seemed to pale in comparison.

“Is he the little fellow that Zhang Cheng from Nanyan Prefecture repeatedly mentioned in his secret letters?”

“Precisely.”

Po Jun chimed in with a booming voice, his face showing an unmasked trace of admiration.

“This kid is good seed! As soon as he arrived at the station, he cut down those blind fools from the Zhao Family! Plenty of spirit! Domineering enough! I like him!”

“Mere brute courage.”

Examiner Xuanjizi gave a cold snort, his voice chilling, “Acting so flashily without knowing restraint will bring him a fatal disaster sooner or later. Moreover, he has offended the Zhao Family.”

“The Zhao Family is nothing!”

Hong Lian said disdainfully, “Just a bunch of gutter rats who only know how to plot in the shadows! Since when does our Demon Suppression Division need to care about their whims?”

“You...”

“Enough.”

Commander Xiao Xuan spoke flatly, interrupting their argument.

He picked up the detailed dossier on Lin Feng sent by fast horse from Nanyan Prefecture and read through it carefully once more.

From being an intern bailiff in Qingyang County, to killing the Painted Skin Demon in one blow, and then slaying Li Batian in three...

Even with his vast experience, he couldn't help but marvel at this growth speed and these fierce battle achievements.

“Yan Cheng from Nanyan Prefecture has indeed sent me a fine blade.”

A playful smile appeared on Commander Xiao Xuan's face, “A peerless, ferocious blade sharp enough to cut anyone.”

He paused, put down the dossier, and glanced at his three capable subordinates.

“What do you think?”

Examiner Xuanjizi pondered for a moment and said slowly, “This boy is a double-edged sword. Used well, he can carve out a bright future for our Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division. Used poorly, he will backfire and invite disaster. In my humble opinion, we should focus on ‘observing’ him first. We should see his performance in this Hidden Dragon Tournament before making a decision.”

“Observe what?!”

Po Jun slapped his chest and shouted, “Whether he’s a dragon or a snake, we’ll know once we pull him out for a spin! In my view, we should give him the hardest missions and the strongest opponents! If he’s unpolished jade, let him shine on his own! If he’s just a stubborn stone, it’s no loss if he breaks!”

Hong Lian remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: “Yan Cheng's secret letter mentioned the Prince of Runan and the Moon-Worshipping Cult. This boy is currently the only one who has had direct conflicts with both of these forces. Perhaps we can use him as bait to lure out the truly big fish hiding beneath the surface.”

Three Silver-Rank Supervisors, three completely different views.

Commander Xiao Xuan smiled noncommittally after hearing them.

He picked up the secret letter from Sword Demon Zhang Cheng and lightly tapped his finger on the words ‘Prince of Runan’.

Others might not know, but he knew very well.

At the end of this secret letter, there was a line of hidden small characters written in special medicine that only he could see.

“This boy has excellent talent, a resilient Heart-Nature, and is decisive in slaughter; he may be the one to break the deadlock.”

Break the deadlock?

What deadlock?

A deep light flashed in Commander Xiao Xuan's eyes.

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the surging clouds in the sky, murmuring in a voice only he could hear.

“Yan Cheng, oh Yan Cheng, you have sent me a ‘variable’.”

“So be it.”

He turned around and gave orders to the three Silver-Rank Supervisors.

“Pass down my word.”

“The Hidden Dragon Tournament will proceed as scheduled.”

“As for that Lin Feng...”

“Turn up the heat on his Silver Rank assessment.”

“I want to see just how big a wave this fierce dragon from across the river can stir up here in Qingzhou.”