78: Chapter 78 The knife is sharpened; all that's left is your necks.

(Thanks to book friend [Qian Baidan] for the explosive update and gift, a special extra chapter!)

When the Xuanji Battalion, in the name of Lin Feng, officially announced the "Great Hunt"—a brand-new set of rules for the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament—to the nine prefectures of Qingzhou, the resulting shock was far more intense than anyone had imagined.

One stone stirred up a thousand waves!

The entire Qingzhou, from the major Sects and noble families down to the common peddlers and pawns, was in an uproar.

"They've gone mad! The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division has completely lost its mind this time!"

"A Captive Offering Ceremony? Are they going to drag all the demons from the nine prefectures to the state capital to hold a 'Ten Thousand Demon Assembly'? Which Genius came up with this idea? Is his brain filled with nothing but evil spirits?"

"I heard this idea came from the newly promoted Silver-Rank Supervisor, the 'King of Hell' Lin Feng! This brat has too much of a murderous nature; he's already suffered Qi Deviation!"

For a time, all of Qingzhou was in an uproar of public opinion.

Sounds of questioning, opposition, and curses surged toward the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division like a tidal wave from all directions.

As for the Demon Suppression Division branches in the other eight prefectures, after receiving this absurd "official document," their reactions varied.

Some prefectures on good terms with the Zhao family naturally jumped out immediately to cheer and shout, expressing their firm support for the state capital's "wise decision," and swore that they would escort the most "ferocious" captives to help liven up the assembly.

Others that remained neutral, or had long-standing grievances with the Zhao family, submitted letters expressing fierce opposition. They believed this move was too risky and violated ancestral traditions; if any mishap occurred, the consequences would be unimaginable.

For a time, the entire system of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division was plunged into unprecedented chaos and opposition because of this single announcement.

As for the "instigator" of all this, Lin Feng himself acted as if nothing had happened, spending his days in his courtyard, drinking tea, reading books, and looking as relaxed as if he were on vacation.

It seemed that the overwhelming public opinion outside, which was enough to poke a hole in the sky, had nothing to do with him.

Until Gold Rank Commander Xiao Xuan personally came knocking at his door.

This time, Commander Xiao Xuan did not choose to summon Lin Feng in his quiet courtyard again.

Instead, he came directly to the Xuanji Battalion, to the council hall where Lin Feng handled official business.

When he stepped into the hall, his face, which usually commanded respect without anger, was filled with the gloom of a storm about to break.

Behind him followed the two Silver-Rank Supervisors, Pojun and Honglian, whose expressions were also extremely ugly.

"Lin Feng."

Commander Xiao Xuan's voice was icy and devoid of emotion, and the terrifying pressure belonging to a Divine Sea Realm expert felt substantial, pressing down until the air in the entire hall solidified.

"Do you not think you owe this seat an explanation?"

Facing this terrifying formation that could be called a "tribunal," Lin Feng was slightly stunned at first, then stood up from his seat, his face wearing a perfectly measured look of confusion as he bowed.

"Subordinate greets the Commander, greets the two Supervisors. I do not know what the Commander means by this? What crime... has this subordinate committed?"

His look of ignorant confusion caused Pojun, who was already holding back a belly full of fire, to instantly explode.

"What crime?!"

Pojun roared, slamming his fan-sized hand onto the table, causing the entire hall to buzz with the vibration.

"You brat still have the nerve to ask us?! Look at what kind of good deeds you've done! 'Great Hunt'? How could you even come up with that! Now the whole of Qingzhou is in a chaotic mess! You've thrown the face of our Demon Suppression Division to the ends of the earth!"

Honglian's charming face was now covered in frost, and she said in a cold voice: "Lin Feng, we know you are powerful and proud. But you have truly gone too far with this matter. Gathering the demons of the nine prefectures in the state capital—how dangerous is this move! If any demon escapes and blood flows like a river outside the state capital, can you bear this responsibility?!"

After listening to the two of them, Lin Feng's face turned pale in a "whoosh," and his eyes revealed shock and panic.

It was as if he had realized the seriousness of the matter for the first time; his lips trembled slightly as he eagerly defended himself to Commander Xiao Xuan:

"Commander! Subordinate... Subordinate absolutely had no such intention!"

"Subordinate only wanted to make a name for the Commander and for our Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division! This 'Great Hunt' method, how magnificent it is! When the time comes, ten thousand demons will bow their heads, and the prestige of Qingzhou will surely spread to the four seas! Subordinate... Subordinate only thought about the scene after the success, but... but did not deeply consider the intricacies involved..."

His voice grew lower and lower, finally carrying a hint of a crying tone, as he asked in panic: "Commander, it was my lack of consideration that led to this grave mistake! Now... if we send down an order now to call off this matter, is it... is it still in time?"

This display was sincere and earnest, vividly portraying the image of a "young Genius" who was eager for quick success but lacked foresight.

Watching his "deeply regretful" appearance, Pojun and Honglian were also stunned, and the anger in their hearts inexplicably dissipated by more than half.

He was still too young, after all.

Commander Xiao Xuan looked deeply at Lin Feng, his profound eyes flickering with a complex light that was difficult to decipher.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that "cold sweat" seeped from Lin Feng's forehead.

Finally, he let out a long sigh.

"Call it off? You speak so lightly."

Commander Xiao Xuan's voice was filled with fatigue, "The order has been issued, and the world knows it. If we withdraw it now, wouldn't our Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division become the laughingstock of the entire Great Xia? By then, it wouldn't just be our face we lose, but the prestige that is the foundation of the Demon Suppression Division!"

"You yellow-mouthed brat... you have truly given this seat a massive problem!"

He paced a few steps, finally stopping in front of the huge map of Qingzhou, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp.

"Enough! Enough!"

"Matters have reached this point, and saying more is useless! Since you have already poked a hole in the sky, then this seat can only accompany you to patch this sky up!"

"Pass on my order!"

Commander Xiao Xuan's voice, like a thunderclap, rolled and echoed throughout the hall.

"Pojun! From this moment on, mobilize all the Demon Slayers under your command and build an impenetrable 'Demon Locking Array' thirty miles outside the state capital! On the day of the assembly, not a single fly must be allowed to fly out of it!"

"Yes!"

Pojun accepted the order with a boom, his eyes igniting with raging Battle Intent.

"Honglian! Use all your intelligence networks to find out the list of 'prey' being escorted by the other eight prefectures this time, clearly and thoroughly! I want to know exactly which 'friends' want to give us a 'surprise' in this grand performance!"

"Understood."

Honglian gave a charming smile, and her figure had already vanished from the spot.

"As for you..."

Commander Xiao Xuan turned around and stared coldly at Lin Feng, his gaze as if trying to see right through him.

"From today until the assembly begins, you are not allowed to go anywhere. Stay here obediently for this seat and think carefully about how you are going to clean up this massive disaster you've stirred up!"

After speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left, leaving Lin Feng alone, still standing there "blankly," as if he had been frightened out of his wits.

Until everyone had left and the doors of the hall were closed again.

The panicked expression on Lin Feng's face slowly faded, and replacing it was a cold and cruel smile.

He walked to the map, his fingers gently tracing the areas he had secretly marked, his voice low like a devil's whisper.

"The blade is sharpened, just waiting for your necks..."