8: Am I the great demon? Join the Demon Suppression Division!

The morning sun shone on the streets of Qingyang City, but it couldn't dispel the pervasive tension in the air.

Gu Yang pushed open the gate of his small courtyard, holding two freshly bought meat buns, eating them as he walked.

Even though he deliberately restrained his aura and even had an extra-large coarse cloth robe custom-made at a tailor's shop, his terrifying height of 2.2 meters still made him look like a moving iron tower. He had a 100% Return rate (Turn-Head Rate) on the street.

“What's going on?”

Gu Yang frowned slightly.

The usually bustling and lively streets were now somewhat deserted.

Most of the shops along the way were closed, and every few dozen meters, a squad of fully armed soldiers could be seen patrolling, their eyes vigilantly scanning every passerby.

He walked to a notice board, where many common folk were gathered, pointing and discussing.

Gu Yang, relying on his height advantage, could see the brand-new notice at the top without having to squeeze through. It bore the bright red seal of the Demon Suppression Division.

【Urgent Wanted Notice】

Late last night, a peerless Great Demon appeared in the city's outskirts, its blood Qi soaring to the heavens, suspected to be a Vicious Beast in the Transformation Stage!

Characteristics: Approximately ten feet tall, body emitting golden light, immense strength, extremely dangerous!

A reward of one thousand taels of silver for anyone who provides clues!

A reward of ten thousand taels of silver, a Ruyi Pill, and the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households for anyone who assists in its slaying!

“...”

The bun in Gu Yang's mouth suddenly lost its flavor.

Approximately ten feet tall? Body emitting golden light? Blood Qi soaring to the heavens?

He looked down at his unbelievably broad hands, then recalled the commotion from his Breakthrough last night... “Oh no, this Great Demon is actually me?”

Gu Yang didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He originally thought he was just making a Realm Breakthrough, but he didn't expect the commotion to be so great that he was officially certified as a “peerless Great Demon.”

Looking at the words “ten thousand taels of silver,” Gu Yang even had an impulse to tie himself up and claim the reward.

Of course, that was just a thought.

“The entire city is under martial law now; trying to leave the city will definitely lead to strict inspections.

Moreover, my physique is too conspicuous; wherever I go, people will treat me like a thief.”

Gu Yang stroked the stubble that had just grown on his chin, a glint flashing in his eyes.

“The most dangerous place is the safest place.”

“Since you want to catch a Great Demon, I'll join you and become one of those who catch demons.”

“As long as I wear that skin, who would dare say I'm a demon?”

More importantly, the Demon Suppression Division held the most comprehensive intelligence on demons in the Great Xia Dynasty. For Gu Yang, who desperately needed “energy points,” it was practically a giant treasure map!

...Demon Suppression Division Outpost.

This was a fortress built entirely of obsidian, with two ferocious Suanni stone statues standing at the entrance, exuding a murderous aura.

Eight guards in standard black armor stood ramrod straight, their hands on their saber hilts.

Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly.

Thump, thump, thump.

Heavy footsteps approached.

The guards subconsciously looked up, then their pupils abruptly contracted.

They saw a massive, dark shadow, blocking the sunlight, approaching the gate step by step.

“Demon... Demon attack!!!”

A new recruit with slightly weaker psychological fortitude, seeing Gu Yang's god-like physique, was so scared that his voice changed pitch, and he drew his long saber with a clang.

The other guards also instantly entered combat readiness, their crossbows strung, their blades drawn, pointing firmly at Gu Yang.

“Don't be nervous, don't be nervous.”

Gu Yang stopped, trying to make himself look “friendly.”

He pulled out the crumpled Golden Bell Shield Secret Manual from his embrace, shook it in his hand, and revealed a wide, white-toothed smile:

“I'm human, a law-abiding citizen.”

“It's just that my hard Cultivation Technique went a bit awry, and I grew a little too robust.”

“I heard the Demon Suppression Division is recruiting? I want to come and find a job, earn a living.”

The guards exchanged glances.

Hard Cultivation Technique went awry?

Your hard Cultivation Technique can turn someone into a giant over two meters tall? Your arms are thicker than our thighs!

“Who is making a ruckus here?”

Just then, a cold voice came from inside the gate.

A middle-aged man in a green brocade robe with a copper plaque hanging from his waist walked out. His face was stern, his eyes like electricity, and his temples bulged, clearly indicating he was a master of internal martial arts.

Copper Plaque Guard of the Demon Suppression Division — Leng Feng! A master of the Viscera Refining Realm Middle Stage!

Leng Feng walked out of the gate, his gaze falling on Gu Yang, and he was also slightly startled.

Such vigorous Qi and blood!

Although this person had no Demonic Qi, this hot Qi and blood fluctuation, like a scorching furnace, was simply not like a human!

“You want to join the Demon Suppression Division?”

Leng Feng scrutinized Gu Yang, a hint of suspicion and disdain flashing in his eyes, “Our Demon Suppression Division only recruits elites, not strong but useless oafs. Moreover, your physique is too suspicious; that Great Demon last night...”

“I was sleeping at home last night; I don't know anything about a Great Demon.”

Gu Yang interrupted him without changing his expression, “As for whether I'm an oaf, wouldn't Lord know if you gave it a try?”

“Arrogant!”

Leng Feng's face darkened.

He was a prominent figure in Qingyang City; how could he ever have been so lightly regarded by an unknown Martial Artist?

“Since you want to try, I'll grant your wish! Take one of my palms; if you can stand firm without retreating three steps, you pass!”

Before his words finished, Leng Feng moved.

His feet moved with the wind, his figure closing in like a ghost, his right hand formed a palm, and a faint green light emerged from his palm.

Shattered Jade Palm!

This palm strike contained seventy percent of his Internal Energy; it could pulverize even granite. He intended to give this big fellow a taste of hardship and teach him what “awe” meant.

Facing this fierce palm strike, Gu Yang seemed to be scared silly, standing still without moving.

He didn't even assume a defensive stance, just stood there, chest out, welcoming the strike.

“Seeking death!” Leng Feng sneered inwardly, but he held back some of his strength, fearing that actually killing someone would be difficult to explain.

Bang!!

A dull thud sounded.

Leng Feng's palm firmly landed on Gu Yang's chest.

However, the next second.

The sneer on Leng Feng's face instantly froze, replaced by extreme horror and pain.

He felt as if his palm had not struck flesh, but a large steel bell with extremely strong rebound force!

A counter-shock force several times more violent than his palm force surged back through his arm!

“Crack!”

A crisp sound of bone cracking rang out.

“Ah—!!!”

Leng Feng let out a scream, his entire body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, at a faster speed than he had approached. He crashed heavily onto the ground five meters away, clutching his eerily bent right wrist, cold sweat streaming down his face.

The entire scene was silent.

The guards at the entrance had their mouths agape, wide enough to fit an egg.

One palm... and his own hand was broken?

What kind of monster was this?!

Gu Yang stood still, looking down at the palm print left on his chest, and somewhat disappointedly patted off the dust.

“Is that all?”

He looked at Leng Feng, who was lying on the ground, and asked sincerely, “Lord, did you not eat breakfast? Why are you so soft?”

“You...”

Leng Feng was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of old blood, unsure if it was from injury or rage.

“Good! What a Golden Bell Shield! What a body of tempered sinews and bones!”

Suddenly, a hearty laugh came from inside the gate.

A distinguished-looking middle-aged man in a silver cloud-patterned brocade robe slowly walked out. With his appearance, the surrounding air seemed to become a few shades heavier.

Head of the Demon Suppression Division — Zhao Wuji!

Zhao Wuji stared intently at Gu Yang, as if looking at an uncarved jade.

In these times, demons run rampant, and strange occurrences are frequent.

Martial Artists who cultivate internal Cultivation Techniques and sword arts, while powerful in offense, are often physically fragile and would die if a demon got close.

And a “meat shield” like Gu Yang, with Qi and blood like a Dragon and abnormal defense, was precisely the talent most lacking in the Demon Suppression Division!

This was simply a natural “Demon Bane”!

“Young brother, what is your name?” Zhao Wuji walked up to Gu Yang and asked gently.

“Gu Yang.”

“Good name, utmost firmness and Yang!” Zhao Wuji declared, “From today on, you are a Copper Plaque Guard of my Demon Suppression Division! No need for assessment, direct employment!”

The surrounding guards and the just-risen Leng Feng were all stunned.

Directly given a Copper Plaque?

One must know that ordinary guards start as Iron Plaques, and only after achieving great merits can they be promoted to Copper Plaques!

Gu Yang showed a simple and honest smile, cupping his fists and saying:

“Thank you for your appreciation, Chief.”

He took the heavy copper waist plaque handed to him by Zhao Wuji and casually hung it on his waist.

Then, he leaned in closer, revealing a mouthful of stark white teeth, and whispered:

“Lord, since I've joined, can I see our ‘menu’... oh no, I mean the demon files?”

“I want to know, where are the demons causing the most trouble recently? Preferably the kind that are... meaty and tough Great Demons.”

Zhao Wuji was stunned, then burst into laughter:

“Hahaha! Good lad! So audacious!”

“Don't worry, once you're in the Demon Suppression Division, if there's nothing else, there are plenty of demons... enough to fill your belly!”