Human Clan Defender-Chapter 426 - 183: Lord Shen Has Arrived! (Bonus - for 33,300 monthly passes - Seeking monthly passes)

Chapter 426: Chapter 183: Lord Shen Has Arrived! (Bonus Chapter for 33,300 monthly passes - Seeking monthly passes)

In two days, Shen Changqing had already caught sight of the Capital City’s outline.

That was fast!

He thought back to his last trip from the Capital City to South Nether Prefecture, which had taken half a month. Now, returning from South Nether Prefecture, it had only taken him two full days. The sheer difference was quite clear.

Great Qin is vast. If we could tame a batch of Fierce Beasts for transportation, message delivery would be much faster! As Shen Changqing neared the Capital City, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

The Heavenly Inspection Guard’s intelligence was good, but it had one obvious flaw: the time lag. In his past life, he had access to various means of communication that could inform the designated person of any incident instantly. But this world lacked such means. So, the information delivery of the Heavenly Inspection Guard still suffered inevitable delays.

Normally, a delay in news was not a big issue. But at critical moments when the situation could change in the blink of an eye, a delay in news would become problematic. If they could tame a batch of Fierce Beasts, they could significantly alleviate this issue. Although it wasn’t a perfect solution, at least the means of delivering messages would be faster.

However, not all Fierce Beasts can be as swift as Tiankui; after all, creatures that fly are ultimately faster than those that run on land. If there were a group of Fierce Beasts similar to Tiankui, then that would be different. With this thought, Shen Changqing looked down at Tiankui beneath him.

Having possessed this Fierce Beast for a while, he hadn’t even had time to determine its gender. If he could find a second Tiankui, perhaps he could strengthen the Tiankui species.

As if sensing something, Tiankui’s body trembled slightly. Only after Shen Changqing withdrew his gaze did Tiankui calm down again.

A quarter of an hour later, Tiankui had already stopped before the Capital City gates.

The appearance of a terrifying Fierce Beast caused panic among the nearby civilians and put the city guards on alert.

"Who goes there!" a commanding officer from the city guards shouted. His eyes, filled with grave concern, were fixed on Tiankui. Facing the Fierce Beast, the officer felt immense pressure.

Immediately, a squad of soldiers poured out from the city, each drawing their weapons and staring intently at Tiankui and Shen Changqing on its back. Any slight movement from them would be met with deadly force.

HUFF! Tiankui snorted, its crimson eyes flashing with ferocity.

"Calm down," Shen Changqing patted its head, then dismounted and presented his Identity Token to the leading officer. "I am Shen Changqing, the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture!"

"The Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture!" The officer was puzzled, but his expression changed dramatically upon seeing the Token. Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, returning the Token with both hands. "I have been blind to greatness! I hope Lord Defender can forgive me!"

The surrounding soldiers also knelt on one knee, bowing their heads low. After Shen Changqing retrieved his Token, he said indifferently, "Rise."

"Thank you, my lord!" With that, everyone got up.

Then the officer ordered everyone to clear the way, and Shen Changqing entered the city with Tiankui.

The entry of a Fierce Beast into the city caused quite a stir. But the events outside the city had already informed many of Shen Changqing’s distinguished identity. In fact, even for those unaware of the incident outside, the mere fact that someone could bring a Fierce Beast into the city was evidence of an extraordinary status. After all, the Capital City was an important place; not just anyone could do so freely.

Shen Changqing no longer rode Tiankui. Instead, he walked ahead with Tiankui slowly following behind. The passersby instinctively stepped aside, looking at Tiankui and whispering amongst themselves. Their gazes towards Shen Changqing were filled with awe.

It wasn’t long before Shen Changqing arrived before the Demon-Subduing Division’s gates. Accompanied by Tiankui, he headed straight back to the Hidden Heart Pavilion, his former residence.

Along the way, some tried to stop him, but after Shen Changqing showed his proof of identity, everyone watched his departure with awe.

I’m back! Looking at the empty courtyard, he sighed inwardly. By his calculations, it had been several months since he left the Capital City. He had been with the Demon-Subduing Division for three years, spending almost half that time outside and the other half in the Capital City.

Then, Shen Changqing turned to Tiankui. "Stay here. Remember, do not leave this place without my order. However, if anyone dares to break in without permission, you must guard and protect this place."

WHINE! Tiankui nodded. His thoughts were conveyed, and Shen Changqing roughly understood its meaning.

First, he entered the room and swept his Divine Sense across, clearing away all the dust. Then he fetched a basin of clean water, diluted a drop of his blood in it, and used it to feed Tiankui.

It was worth noting that after breaking through to the Great Grandmaster realm, his blood had become so powerful that it wouldn’t even dissolve when dripped into clear water. Because of this, Shen Changqing had to use certain methods to disperse the blood before it could fully merge.

After settling these matters, he left the Hidden Heart Pavilion and went directly to the Council Hall.

「 」

When Shen Changqing arrived at the Council Hall, Dongfang Zhao was already seated there, as if he had been there unchangingly for ten thousand years.

Dongfang Zhao smiled faintly. "Lord Shen has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing gave a wry smile. "Lord Defender, please don’t tease me. In your presence, how could I be worthy of such a title!"

"His Majesty conferred upon you the title of Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture, which speaks volumes. Our statuses are not so different. Let’s sit and talk," Dongfang Zhao said, gesturing to an empty seat nearby. There were many seats in the Council Hall, but currently, he was the only Defender Envoy present.

Seeing this, Shen Changqing didn’t decline and took an empty seat. Once he was seated, Dongfang Zhao began, "I’ve heard a fair bit about your actions in South Nether Prefecture. Since you’ve made a bet with Shimohe, I won’t intervene. However, Defender Shen, you should understand that some bets cannot be lost."

He turned to look at Shen Changqing, his gaze somewhat profound. Shen Changqing remained composed. "Although I rarely gamble, I’ve never lost. Defender Dongfang, you can rest assured on this point."

"That would be best." A gentle smile touched Dongfang Zhao’s solemn face. "In the past, your status was insufficient for me to discuss certain matters. But now that you are the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture, I shall speak plainly."

"Please speak your mind, Lord Defender!"

"You should be aware that the relationship between the Demon-Subduing Division and the Imperial Court is quite delicate, especially now that His Majesty is nearing the end of his lifespan. While the Demon-Subduing Division exists to suppress Demon Evil across the land, for the Imperial Family, it is a double-edged sword. Previously, you would not have had the chance to become the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture. Ultimately, His Majesty is reluctant to see the Demon-Subduing Division wield too much power." Dongfang Zhao’s gentle expression turned serious again.

Shen Changqing’s face also turned solemn. He knew that if Dongfang Zhao’s words were spoken by someone else and spread, it would be a capital offense. Therefore, Shen Changqing did not interrupt, allowing Dongfang Zhao to continue.

"When the cunning hare is killed, the hunting dog is cooked. For more than three hundred years, the Demon-Subduing Division has held too much power. Although, as long as Demon Evil exists, the Imperial Court cannot make any major moves against the Demon-Subduing Division. However, there is always a ’what if.’ Now, with the establishment of the Heaven Alliance causing turmoil in South Nether Prefecture, your appointment as its Defender Envoy means you control a region. If you manage it well, South Nether Prefecture will become your strongest foundation." A cryptic smile touched Dongfang Zhao’s lips.

After a moment, Shen Changqing looked at him and said, "Lord Defender, why tell me these things? If word of this spread, it would surely be detrimental to you as well, Defender Dongfang, wouldn’t it?"

"Because you are a man of the Demon-Subduing Division. The words I speak to you today will not spread further."

Shen Changqing’s expression remained calm. "Lord Defender, you place great trust in me." Then, he asked another question. "Since you know the Imperial Court will one day no longer tolerate the Demon-Subduing Division, why does the Division continue to cling to the Imperial Court? In my opinion, with the Demon-Subduing Division’s current strength, there would be no issue even if it were to become independent, right?"

"Become independent?" Dongfang Zhao shook his head. "When the Demon-Subduing Division was established, it was an organization under Great Qin. Now, however, the two are interdependent. With Great Qin’s support, the Demon-Subduing Division can develop peacefully. Similarly, with the Demon-Subduing Division present, Great Qin need not fear the troubles of Demon Evil."

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing looked puzzled. The statement seemed somewhat contradictory.

Dongfang Zhao observed his expression and smiled faintly. "Defender Shen, do you believe the Demon-Subduing Division is truly powerful enough to contend with all Demon Evil?"

Uh— Shen Changqing was momentarily stunned. Could it truly contend with all Demon Evil? Upon reflection, it seemed unlikely. The strongest in the Demon-Subduing Division was currently Dongfang Zhao, yet the power he had displayed in the Capital City was, at best, equivalent to that of a Great Demon. And among the Demon Evil Clan, Demon Saints existed.

Dongfang Zhao seemed to discern Shen Changqing’s inner thoughts. "It appears you understand. Within the Demon Evil Clan, there are not only Great Demons but also Demon Saints who surpass them. The Demon-Subduing Division can handle ordinary Demon Evil and even Great Demons. But if a Demon Saint were to intervene, the Division would struggle to resist. However, do you know why, despite possessing such power, the Demon Evil Clan rarely has Great Demons or stronger entities brazenly enter Great Qin?"

"I am eager to hear your explanation!" Shen Changqing adopted an attentive posture.

Seeing this, Dongfang Zhao smiled slightly. "The reason is simple: His Majesty’s presence."