77: Chapter 77 Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament Turns into Hunting Competition?

On the other side, at the Demon Suppression Division Headquarters.

“Lin Feng, you’ve been the acting head of the Xuanji Battalion for half a month now. How do you feel?”

Commander Xiao Xuan asked, getting straight to the point.

“Leisurely.”

Commander Xiao Xuan couldn't help but laugh. “You little... those old-timers in the Xuanji Battalion didn't try to trip you up?”

“A bunch of useless rabble; they couldn't stir up any waves. As soon as I drew my blade, they all knelt.”

“Good, you have boldness.”

Commander Xiao Xuan nodded with satisfaction. “Since you find it leisurely, then I shall find something for you to do.”

He took a gold-leafed dossier from his robes and handed it over.

“The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament officially begins in twenty days. In previous years, the Xuanji Battalion was responsible for the overall planning and arrangements. Since you are currently managing the Xuanji Battalion, this matter will be under your full authority.”

Lin Feng’s brow twitched imperceptibly.

Trouble had arrived.

He calmly took the dossier and said flatly, “This subordinate obeys.”

“Mhm.”

Looking at his neither humble nor arrogant manner, Commander Xiao Xuan’s appreciation grew. “Go ahead and do it. If anything happens, I will take responsibility for you. I have only one requirement: for this Hidden Dragon Tournament, I want the other prefectures to see the strength of my Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division!”

These words seemed like encouragement, but in reality, they placed a heavy burden of a thousand catties upon Lin Feng’s shoulders.

This was both a mark of trust and a test.

Holding the dossier that represented supreme authority, Lin Feng returned to the Xuanji Battalion.

This time, what greeted him was no longer overt obedience and covert defiance, but awe and flattery from the bottom of their hearts.

“Lord Lin, you’ve returned!”

The second-in-command, Chen Mo, was the first to greet him, his face covered in a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum. “Does the Commander have any new instructions?”

Lin Feng tossed the dossier onto the table and said indifferently, “The Hidden Dragon Tournament. I’m in charge.”

Chen Mo’s heart skipped a beat.

The main event was finally here.

...

Inside the discussion hall of the Xuanji Battalion, the atmosphere was solemn.

When Lin Feng announced that he would have full authority over all matters regarding the 'Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament', the faces of every official present showed complex and unreadable expressions.

The second-in-command Chen Mo’s eyes darted around, and he immediately understood.

He knew that the opportunity Examiner Xuanjizi had been waiting for had finally arrived.

“Lord Lin is wise!”

Chen Mo was the first to step forward, bowing with just the right amount of respect and... a perfectly measured hint of concern.

“However... this subordinate has a word, though I do not know if I should say it.”

“Speak.”

Lin Feng was brief and concise.

“Yes.”

Chen Mo cleared his throat and said loudly, “Lord Lin, this Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament is a grand event held every three years in our Qingzhou, drawing the attention of thousands. But in previous years, the protocol was for Geniuses from various commanderies to spar and compete on the Martial Arts Field, stopping when the point was made. While it could determine who was superior, it ultimately lacked... bloodlust.”

He paused, cautiously observing Lin Feng’s expression. Seeing no reaction, his courage grew.

“Our Demon Suppression Division is a violent institution dedicated to slaying demons and eliminating devils! Our strength should not only be reflected in sparring between colleagues, but even more so in actual combat against demons and monsters!”

“Therefore, this subordinate is so bold as to propose a brand new plan!”

A fanatical light flickered in Chen Mo’s eyes.

“I propose that this year's Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament be changed from a martial arts display into a Great Hunt!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was in an uproar.

“The so-called Great Hunt means that the Nine Great Commanderies will each capture powerful demons or heretical practitioners within their jurisdictions and escort them to the provincial capital!”

Chen Mo’s voice suddenly rose, full of provocation.

“The final winner will be decided by calculating points based on the grade and quantity of the prey!”

“This way, we can not only demonstrate the thunderous methods and strength of our Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division to the entire Great Xia, but also greatly enhance the prestige of our division in the hearts of the common people!”

“And you, Lord Lin, as the leader of this innovation, will surely leave your name in history and receive unprecedented appreciation from the Commander!”

These words were spoken with passion and high-sounding righteousness.

In the hall, several officials who had long been bribed by Examiner Xuanjizi and the Zhao family immediately stepped forward to cheer and wave the banners.

“Lord Chen’s plan is brilliant! It can be called a stroke of Genius!”

“Exactly! This is the kind of martial arts tournament that truly belongs to our Demon Suppression Division! Only when blades draw blood are we true men!”

“I second the motion! If this succeeds, our Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division will surely become famous throughout the world!”

For a moment, the entire hall was filled with excitement, as if they could already see the Demon Suppression Division’s prestige shaking the four seas and Lin Feng’s bright future of promotions and titles.

However, everyone deliberately ignored the terrifying risk behind this plan—one that could drag the entire Qingzhou into an abyss of eternal damnation.

The Nine Great Commanderies each escorting a group of vicious demons and heretical practitioners to gather at the provincial capital?

Who could guarantee that these captives were truly subdued?

And who could guarantee that among them, there were no traitors colluding with the demons, intentionally 'delivering captives'?

Once any mishap occurred and dozens or hundreds of powerful demons collectively went berserk outside the provincial capital, what a tragic disaster that would be?!

By then, let alone enhancing prestige, the entire Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division would become the laughingstock of the world, and Lin Feng, as the leader, would be nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever!

This was the lethal, honey-coated poison that Examiner Xuanjizi and Commander Zhao Wuji had meticulously prepared for Lin Feng!

Everyone's gaze focused on the man sitting in the main seat, who had remained silent from beginning to end.

They were all waiting to see if this arrogantly peerless 'King of Hell Lin' would swallow this fatal bait.

Lin Feng’s face still bore that expression as calm as a still well.

But in his heart, he was already blooming with joy.

Good grief, I was just worrying about where to find monsters to farm, and you guys just slap the menu right in my face?

Demons from the Nine Great Commanderies, packaged and delivered to my doorstep?

There's actually such a good thing?!

Lin Feng suppressed the urge to laugh out loud on the spot and slowly stood up.

He first looked around at the officials below, whose eyes were filled with fanaticism and expectation, and then let his gaze fall on Chen Mo, who believed his plan was flawless.

Finally, he slowly nodded.

“This proposal is not bad.”

“Let’s do it this way.”

Boom!

These two simple sentences were like a heavy bomb, exploding in everyone's hearts!

After their initial shock, endless wild joy instantly surged in the eyes of Chen Mo and those few traitors!

It worked!

He really took the bait!

This arrogant and conceited fool was truly blinded by fame and fortune, swallowing this lethal poison!

“Lord Lin is wise!!”

Chen Mo was the first to fall to his knees, his voice trembling with excitement.

“Lord Lin is far-sighted! This subordinate admires you with the utmost prostration!”

Others also knelt one after another, shouting praises, their fawning appearance making it seem as if Lin Feng had already become the master of Qingzhou.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng just calmly watched this ridiculous farce, sneering in his heart.

You think I’m the prey that fell into the trap?

No.

I am merely a hungry diner who has smelled the scent of blood.

...

On the other side, inside Examiner Xuanjizi’s courtyard.

“Hahaha! It worked! It worked!”

After Chen Mo reported everything that happened in the discussion hall exactly as it occurred, Examiner Xuanjizi could no longer suppress his inner joy and let out a hearty laugh.

“Fool! A complete and utter fool!”

“Does he really think this Hidden Dragon Tournament is his personal stage? He is playing with fire! He's digging his own grave!”

Inside the Zhao family mansion, after receiving the news, Commander Zhao Wuji also smashed the tea table in front of him with a palm strike, a cruel smile appearing on his face.

“Pass my word down to our friends in the other commanderies to start moving. Tell them that for this Great Hunt, they must choose the most ‘fresh’ and ‘lively’ ones!”

“Lin Feng... I will make sure you die without a place to be buried!”