The State’s Most Wanted

“Take off his shoes and clothes,” Kong Binghuang instructed.

Gao He automatically stepped in front, acting as a barrier, before receding quietly. “I’ll handle this.” He bent down, removing Tang Xinglong’s boots and robes. The exposed skin was pale and his muscles were well-defined, with no signs of beastly claws or scales.

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks. They hadn’t encountered such a thing before.

“Regardless of a demon’s level of cultivation, they all have a ferocious beast form,” someone said. “Although a demon can assume human shape and possess high intelligence, they’re essentially human-shaped beasts. It’s impossible for them to just grow a pair of wings and have normal human limbs.”

The sect masters and elders from the major Qingzhou sects were all experienced experts who had been around for decades. Yet, this was a first for them.

Gao He sighed in relief upon seeing the image in the mirror.

“But how did Tang Xinglong end up like this?” someone else asked.

“Let’s not forget the crucial factor here, Zhou Cunzhong, who’s deeply connected with the Demon of Qingzhou,” the sect master of the Heavenly Eagle sect reminded with a sneer. “That man could likely be the reincarnation of the demon. If he can transform a person into a demon, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched, right?”

“Don’t forget about the demon emissary who appeared in Qingzhou forty-five years ago. He could bestow humans and demons with a bloodline, increase their vitality, and even prolong their lifespan. That incident caused an uproar.” At this reminder, the expressions of the sect masters turned grim. It was a painful memory for Qingzhou. “Many elders close to death and weak-willed young geniuses succumbed to the demon emissary back then. Had the prefecture overseer not suppressed the emissary and destroyed his lair, the people of Qingzhou would’ve been thrown into chaos.” Gao He sighed. “Since then, I’ve pledged my loyalty to the prefecture overseer.” action

The burly man from Lion Spirit Mountain pondered, “So, it seems like Zhou Cunzhong was the one who caused this transformation in the prefecture overseer?”

“That’s correct. I saw a black curtain flash by and wrap around the two of them. It might be the work of the demon,” an old warrior who had escaped from the Bronze World exclaimed.

“Yes, I saw it too.” “Everyone here must’ve seen it, right?” Several people raised their hands and echoed the sentiment.

The Qingzhou Guards and the martial artists, even those who had disagreements with Xiang Mingfeng, all nodded in agreement. Even Fang Huo, usually stoic, wore a grim expression, unable to refute the claim.

“However, it’s premature to jump to such a conclusion,” Xiang Mingfeng advised calmly. “If we blame Zhou Cunzhoing for Tang Xinglong’s transformation so casually, any mistakes could still end up harming the people and martial artists of Qingzhou.”

“Exactly. All we can say is that Zhou Cunzhong may be related to this incident. Besides, who gave you the authority to declare that it’s not the emperor but the demon involved?” Fang Huo added.

“Shut your mouth, Fang Huo!” The burly man from Lion Spirit Mountain rebuked Fang Huo after his remark.

“Humph! So, you’re suggesting that the grandson of the prefecture overseer, who has been battling demons all year round, is a demon himself? And that the prefecture overseer is a wicked demon?!” Gao He responded indignantly. “In the sixteen prefectures of Great You, the prefecture overseers have retained their family names for thousands of years, many of them intermarrying.

“You aren’t just accusing the Qingzhou Prefecture Overseer, but the whole sixteen prefectures of Great You. If you’re using this incident to trouble the prefecture overseer, just say it! But if you want to discredit the prefecture overseer’s achievements over the years, I, Gao He, will be the first to disagree!” “Yes! We won’t agree either!” the Qingzhou guards echoed behind him.

Many elders and sect masters fell silent, feeling that Gao He’s argument was reasonable. If Tang Xinglong was a demon, then all of them would be confused. Had the rulers of Great You turned into demons?

“Actually, the suspicion on Zhou Cunzhong is stronger,” someone ventured. “His background is unknown, and he was directly involved in the incident. You youngsters can’t defend him just because you’ve received his kindness.”

As the elders gradually joined the conversation, their voices drowned out Xiang Mingfeng and the others.

“In my opinion, no matter what, capturing Zhou Cunzhong is the most important thing!” Gao He declared.

“Agreed! Once we capture Zhou Cunzhong, everything will become clear. If he resists, execute him on the spot!”

Suddenly, Fang Huo’s aura turned deadly, but he was knocked out by the man from Lion Spirit Mountain.

“Ridiculous,” Xiang Mingfeng said bluntly, but no one paid him any attention.

The tension in the atmosphere was deflected due to Tang Xinglong’s issue. Many promising individuals were escorted away by their respective sect elders, suspected of being demons and probably facing imprisonment.

Soon after returning to Qingzhou, the various sects announced throughout the state that the great demon, Zhou Cunzhong, had inherited the Demon of Qingzhou’s lineage and was responsible for the disappearances of the prodigies. A bounty was placed on Zhou Cunzhong across the entire state.

…

“Ding! You have collected a [Kun Peng Seed (Fragment) x5], [Kun Peng Seed (5/2,000)]!”

Qin Huai examined the Kun Peng fragment thoughtfully.

In the bronze realm, Qin Huai sat cross-legged on the grass, activating the blood heart technique to heal his wounds. Earlier, he was interrupted during his spirit channeling into visceral organs by the Emperor of Qingzhou.