Terran Guardian

Zhong Chi said: "I reported the news to the Demon Suppression Division, hoping that a Slayer would come over and assist the Heavenly Inspection Guard to investigate the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion together."

"After all, Lord Shen also knows that the Heavenly Inspection Guard is mainly based on gathering intelligence and not strength."

"If the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion is really a stronghold of the Eternal Life Alliance, then the investigation would inevitably lead to a big conflict. At that time, the strength of the Heavenly Inspection Guard would not be enough, and losses would be inevitable."

"This could also lead to the exposure of the Tianyi Lou, and it will not be worth the loss."

"The only thing I didn't expect, is that it would be Lord Shen who would take the mission. Although my Lord is only at Yellow Rank, your true strength is second to none among the Red Black Rank Slayers."

"With your help, this matter is foolproof."

Shen Changqing did not say anything.

He could understand what Zhong Chi was saying.

The Heavenly Inspection Guard indeed just focused on gathering information, so strength was secondary.

In terms of their talents, they seek those with a talent for gathering information, and these people might not necessarily have a good aptitude for Martial Arts.

If the Eternal Life Alliance was behind the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, then when the Heavenly Inspection Guard and the Eternal Life Alliance had a head-on conflict, the Heavenly Inspection Guard would be very likely to suffer heavy losses.

Hence, they could only ask for help from the Demon Suppression Division.

It's just that, unless it was uncertain that the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion was really the stronghold of the Eternal Life Alliance, the Demon Suppression Division would not invest too much power here. 

Especially now that the demons were becoming more and more rampant. Most of the people in the Demon Suppression Division were busy dealing with them in various places.

Hence, the mission in Jin City was given to Yellow Rank Slayers.

It would only be after confirming the fact that there's a Eternal Life Alliance stronghold, would the Demon Suppression Division dispatch enough power to come and destroy it.

"In addition to investigating the Eternal Life Alliance's stronghold, I also have another mission. What is the situation of the Apprentice Slayers in regards to their mission?"

Shen Changqing shifted the topic from the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion to Xu Yi and the others.

Hearing this, Zhong Chi replied: "The mission of the apprentices is to eliminate a monster that came from the Zhou Family. The Zhou family is a famous family in Jin City, and has a good reputation amongst the locals."

"Alas…"

Speaking up to here, Zhong Chi shook his head and sneered.

"Starting half a month ago, someone in the Zhou Family went missing every night for no reason. By the time they were found, they had already become mummified corpses. According to our judgement, it was caused by a monster draining their blood."

"Based on the evidence, it's almost certain that the monster is, at most, around the middle stage of the Ghost Level."

"For ordinary people, even a monster that had just just entered the Ghost Level is a fatal threat. This is why the Zhou Family hired some experts to try and eradicate the monster."

"Unfortunately, those so-called experts were all killed in the hands of the monster."

"So far—"

"The Zhou Family temporarily moved out of their main residence and settled in other places. Fortunately, the Zhou Family has a lot of assets in Jin City and it was not a big problem for them to live in another place."

From Zhong Chi's words, Shen Changqing gained some insight about the situation. 

Unlike the people of the Ancient Moon Village who were all exterminated, not many people died in the Zhou Family. From this, one could see that the monster was not too strong.

Otherwise, there would be no chance for the Zhou Family to evacuate.

Shen Changqing asked after some pondering, "Could the Zhou Family's monster have any connection with the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion?"

"We are investigating it, but we haven't gained much for the time being. But the Zhou Family attaches great importance to their reputation, so they strictly forbid the Zhou Family members from going to the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion."

Zhong Chi shook his head.

Naturally, he did not miss the opportunity to investigate.

Unfortunately, no clues have been found so far.

Since the Zhou Family moved out, the monster had also fallen silent. As if it had been completely abandoned in the Zhou Family Residence.

Shen Changqing said: "If Jin City really has a stronghold of the Eternal Life Alliance, then it would be strange for them to let a monster harm the Zhou Family and attract the attention of the Demon Suppression Division."

In his mind, he was more inclined to the fact that the Zhou Family monster was not related to the Eternal Life Alliance.

In the end, the Eternal Life Alliance was just a force created by demons.

The reason why this force could control the monsters was largely due to the power given by the powerful demons behind them.

That was to say, not all monsters were under the control of the Eternal Life Alliance.

There having another monster that's not part of the Alliance was not impossible.

"What is the Heavenly Inspection Guard going to do now about the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion?"

"Originally, we still needed to determine whether the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion was related to the Eternal Life Alliance or the monster. But since Lord Shen went to the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion and confirmed that there was Evil Aura, we only need to find it's source, exterminating it."

"Once all of the monsters in the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion are eliminated, the hiding Eternal Life Alliance would naturally be exposed."

Zhong Chi said in a deep voice.

What they needed was solid evidence. This was the foundation of the Great Qin's establishment, and even the Demon Suppression Division could not go beyond the rules.

Take this current situation as an example. Though the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion may have had something to do with the Eternal Life Alliance, or had to do with the missing people in Jin City, as long as there was no evidence, the Demon Suppression Division couldn't take action. 

Rules set standards.

If the Demon Suppression Division doesn't follow the rules, then the rules set by the Great Qin would become a joke. By then, there would be even more problems.

Both Zhong Chi Shen Changqing understood this point. 

"What can I do?"

Shen Changqing looked at Zhong Chi.

His mission was mainly to assist the Heavenly Inspection Guard confirm the existence of the Eternal Life Alliance stronghold. Therefore, the bulk of the mission would be handled by them. Shen Changqing would just help them and follow their lead.

Zhong Chi said with a smile: "If it was another Slayer that came, the Heavenly Inspection Guard would have still needed to be more cautious. But since it's Lord Shen, we don't have to be too restrained."

"Lord Shen went to the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion today. May I ask, did my Lord sense the source of the Evil Aura?"

"I originally didn't want to enter the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, but I sensed the Evil Aura on the body of a courtesan, so I followed in."

Shen Changqing pondered.

"Generally speaking, it is impossible for Evil Aura to exist in the body. Unless that person is carrying an Evil Artifact or is a monster."

"But I am certain that the woman is not a monster nor was she possessed by one."

After killing numerous monsters, Shen Changqing was confident that his judgement on monsters was of a certain level.

Apart from that, after returning to the Demon Suppression Division, he also went to the library for a few days, researching more information about monsters and demons.

Hearing this, Zhong Chi couldn't help but ask, "Is it possible that it's a Corpse Puppet?"

"No, it's not."

Shen Changqing denied.

It's not as if he hasn't seen a Corpse Puppet before. No matter how well it's hidden, he could still find some clues on the surface.

"If it's not a Corpse Puppet or possession, then it must be just like what Lord Shen said. That woman is carrying something that has an Evil Artifact."

Zhong Chi looked solemn.

As the name suggests, Evil Artifacts were items that were contaminated with Evil Aura.

Generally, there was only one way for Evil Artifacts to appear. That was, things that come from the hands of monsters will be contaminated with Evil Aura.

After a long time, Zhong Chi finally said: "Since the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion has an Evil Artifact, they must have something to do with the monster. If Lord Shen hadn't found this, we might still be spending a lot of time trying to find the problem."

"The Evil Aura on an item is too obscure. Only a strong person like Lord Shen can fully perceive it."

"Since it is determined that the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion is related to the monster, it will be much easier for the guards to do things. I will have people infiltrate the pavilion first, to see if they can find some clues. Lord Shen can stay here for the time being."

"When the Heavenly Inspection Guard really has no way to make progress, then we'll invite Lord Shen to take action."

As Zhong Chi spoke, he cupped his hands in respect.

The Heavenly Inspection Guard still needed to have their own dignity. If they always rely on others for everything, what would be their use then?

This time, asking the Demon Suppression Division for help was only for extreme cases.

Gathering intelligence does not require the help of others, but if they encounter some strong obstacles, like a strong monster, during the investigation, they would definitely need help.

Shen Changqing also did not object to Zhong Chi's words.

Since the Heavenly Inspection Guard wanted to do things, he'll let them take care of it. It's also the best course of action to just let them investigate the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion without him needing to take action.

"Since Branch Head Zhong has made a decision, then we will act accordingly. I just hope that the Heavenly Inspection Guard will keep me in touch with the whereabouts of the Apprentice Slayers and their movements in the city."

"If they leave the city, let me know right away." 

In order to obtain the mission rewards, Shen Changqing couldn't let anyone die.

Anyway, according to the level of the monster, Xu Yi and the others should be able to solve the rest by themselves.

It's just that Shen Changqing felt that it was necessary to keep close watch, in case an accident happened.

Zhong Chi nodded: "No problem. As long as there is any change, the information will be sent to Lord Shen as soon as possible."

After that, he stood up. "It's late at night now, I won't disturb Lord Shen any longer. Have a good rest, I'll take my leave!"

"Take care, Branch Head Zhong!"