98: Chapter 98 Demon Extermination Operation!

Lin Tian felt slightly surprised, wondering what special mission Centurion Shen Lian could have for a newcomer like him during such a critical moment of thunderous sweeping operations.

He kept his expression calm and waited for what was to come.

Squad Leader Zhao, his one arm resting on the hilt of his blade, said in a deep voice, "You are to immediately lead your squad of newcomers to the West City County Yamen and take control of Magistrate Zhou Wenhai."

"Take control of Magistrate Zhou?" Lin Tian raised an eyebrow. "Is he also a member of the Demonic Cult?"

Squad Leader Zhao shook his head slowly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "According to investigations by the secret guards, Magistrate Zhou Wenhai is not a core member of the Demonic Cult, but he is inherently greedy and corrupt. He has close personal ties with Hall Master Lie Fentian and has recently accepted massive bribes from the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall. He has tacitly condoned and indulged their expansion, even secretly providing convenience. He has already become a lackey of the Demonic Cult, aiding the evildoer."

"His official position must be removed today."

"More importantly, he controls hundreds of constables and yamen runners at the County Yamen. While not as elite as our Imperial Guard, their numbers are vast, making them a force that cannot be underestimated."

"If left unchecked, there is no guarantee he won't turn against us at a critical moment or cause trouble during the chaos, interfering with our efforts to exterminate the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall and the Demonic Cult. Controlling him means severing a potential external arm of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall and stabilizing order within the city."

Upon hearing this, Lin Tian's thoughts raced, and he instantly understood the crux of the matter. Indeed, the constables at the County Yamen were a mixed bag. If exploited by Magistrate Zhou Wenhai to rise up during the chaos, it would certainly be a problem.

Controlling Magistrate Zhou Wenhai would eliminate a hidden danger and deter other wavering forces within the city. This mission might seem less thrilling than the frontal assault on the Demonic Cult and Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, but it was crucial and concerned the stability of the overall situation.

"This subordinate accepts the order!" Lin Tian no longer hesitated and cupped his hands to accept.

Squad Leader Zhao nodded and handed over a small black token. "This is the command token from the Centurion. You may temporarily mobilize some of the Ming guards remaining in the city to assist you. There is no time to lose, go quickly!"

Lin Tian took the token, said no more, gave a slight nod to his Revered Master, Hall Master Chen Qingfeng, and Master Bai Song of the Baiyun Martial Arts Hall, and then his figure flickered. He shot out of the council hall like an arrow released from a bow, heading straight for the Jinyiwei Company Office.

Upon returning to the Centurion Office, he immediately used the command token to gather his squad of over a dozen newcomers, including Senior Sister Chen Yu, Liu Yunfeng, and Wang Yu. He also requisitioned an additional twenty experienced warriors who had remained behind.

The team assembled rapidly, everyone wearing a solemn expression, knowing that something major was afoot.

"Senior Sister Chen Yu, Liu Yunfeng, follow me to the County Yamen. The rest of you, divide into four groups. Take my command token and immediately head to the four districts of Heishan City—southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest—and focus on contacting those families and Schools that were forced to join the 'Little Martial Alliance' or have long-standing grievances with the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall!" Lin Tian's voice was cool and his orders were clear.

"Tell them that Hall Master Lie Fentian of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall has colluded with the Demonic Cult, and the evidence is conclusive. The Imperial Guard and the two major martial arts halls are currently joining forces to exterminate them! Tell them all to keep their doors closed, restrain their Disciples, and not to participate in any conflict today! Anyone who makes a suspicious move will be treated as an accomplice of the Demonic Cult and executed without mercy! This is to divide their momentum and shatter the resolve of the 'Little Martial Alliance.' It must be done properly!"

"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison, accepting the order with a roar. Although they were newly promoted Imperial Guards, having experienced many changes, they were no longer the greenhorns they once were. At this moment, they obeyed orders strictly and acted swiftly.

"Move out!" Lin Tian waved his hand.

Following his order, the gates of the Jinyiwei Company Office swung open, and several squads, like a swarm of bees leaving their hive, quickly vanished into the alleys of Heishan City.

Meanwhile, the faint sounds of battle cries and the roar of clashing energy could be heard in the distance—that was the elite Ming guards led by Squad Leader Zhao, along with the allied forces of the Qingfeng and Baiyun Martial Arts Halls, having already launched a thunderous assault on the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall!

As for Lin Tian, he led Senior Sister Chen Yu, Liu Yunfeng, and ten elite warriors, like a black arrow, shooting straight toward the West City County Yamen.

Tonight, Heishan City was destined to be sleepless. A thunderous storm, attacking on multiple fronts and aimed at rooting out the forces of the Demonic Cult and the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, had erupted in full force!

Lin Tian and his party moved extremely fast, with the night and the chaos serving as their best cover. Occasionally encountering scattered outer Disciples of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall or constables along the way, most fled in terror upon seeing this murderous squad of Imperial Guards, and no one dared to block them.

Before long, the imposing stone lions and the tightly shut vermilion gates of the West City County Yamen came into view.

The constables guarding the yamen entrance saw Lin Tian and his group from afar, their expressions changing drastically as they prepared to shout and block them.

"The Imperial Guard is on official business! Bystanders stand back!" Lin Tian shouted in a low voice, his tone as cold as ice, while simultaneously displaying the Centurion's command token.

The constables were cowed by his Aura and, upon seeing the command token, immediately fell silent, not daring to move.

Lin Tian stopped in front of the yamen and turned to give quick orders to the group behind him: "Senior Sister Chen Yu, Liu Yunfeng, you two take eight brothers and immediately head to various locations in the city, especially the merchant guilds, wharves, and warehouses that are closely colluding with the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall. With my command token, order the heads of these places not to move rashly and to wait in place. If there is any resistance, take them down on the spot! You two, take the remaining two and follow me inside!"

"Yes!" Senior Sister Chen Yu and Liu Yunfeng cupped their hands to accept the order. Without hesitation, they immediately gathered their men and left separately. They knew that controlling the peripheral forces of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, which might provide supplies and manpower, was equally important.

Lin Tian watched them leave, then turned around. Ignoring the trembling constables at the door, he raised his foot and kicked directly at the tightly closed gate of the County Yamen!

"Boom!" The heavy vermilion gate swung open inward with a dull, thunderous sound that echoed far into the silent night. The gate hinges snapped, and the gate panels slammed against the walls on either side before bouncing back, creaking loudly.

Lin Tian, hand on his blade, strode inside. Two Imperial Guard warriors with heavy Auras followed closely behind, their hands on their hilts, their eyes scanning vigilantly at the yamen runners and constables who had been alarmed and were rushing out in a panic.

In the back hall of the County Yamen, the lights were bright. Magistrate Zhou Wenhai was sitting opposite his advisor, with several account books spread out before them. Both men wore expressions of anxiety and unease.

The faint sounds of battle cries from outside the city and the unusual commotion within the city left them feeling restless.

"My Lord, listening to this commotion, I fear the Imperial Guard and those two martial arts halls have made a move against the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall..." The advisor stroked his goat-beard, his voice dry.

Magistrate Zhou Wenhai's expression was gloomy, his heart filled with shock and rage. He was shocked that the Imperial Guard had acted so quickly and ruthlessly, choosing to attack at this moment; he was enraged by Lin Tian! That little thief! He had killed Constable Lie Ming and ruined his good deeds!

What pained him even more was that the "red blood vermilion fruit," which should have belonged to him and helped him rise in rank and fortune, had in all likelihood been embezzled by this brat! Otherwise, how could a mere country bumpkin have such terrifying speed in Cultivate?!

"The red blood vermilion fruit... it must have been taken by him! Damn it! Damned little beast!" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai gritted his teeth, hatred churning in his heart.

Although he had accepted money from the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall and tacitly allowed its expansion, deep down he still feared the Demonic Cult, and he had not expected the Imperial Guard to act so decisively. With the situation changing abruptly, he was in a panic, not knowing what choice to make.

Just then, the loud sound of the door being kicked in and the commotion from the front courtyard made him jump, and he stood up abruptly.

"Who is making noise out there?!" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai shouted sternly, his sense of foreboding growing stronger.

Before his words had faded, the hall door was pushed open. A young figure in dark black attire, with a long blade at his waist and a calm expression, strode into the back hall, followed by three others. The visitor was none other than Lin Tian!

"Lin... Lin Tian?!" When Magistrate Zhou Wenhai saw the person clearly, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed in shock. The blood drained from his face instantly, only to flush red with extreme anger and jealousy.

He stared fixedly at Lin Tian, as if wanting to carve this face into his bones. "It's you! You have such audacity! How dare you trespass into the back hall of the County Yamen?!"

The advisor was also scared into a shiver and hid behind Magistrate Zhou Wenhai.

Lin Tian's gaze swept calmly over Magistrate Zhou Wenhai's twisted face. He seemed not to hear the exclamation of "Lin Tian" and just said indifferently, "Magistrate Zhou, unable to sleep in the deep of the night, are you waiting for some news?"

"Lin Tian! Stop putting on an act before this official!" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai forced himself to be calm, took a deep breath, and tried to summon his official authority, but his voice still trembled. "You killed Constable Lie Ming, and your strength has advanced by leaps and bounds. Do you really think no one knows the reason? Was my red blood vermilion fruit stolen by you?! You have such gall, daring to embezzle the property of a court criminal and still show off your power here?!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, as if he had grasped a handle on Lin Tian. His voice rose, attempting to overwhelm the other party with his Aura.

Upon hearing this, the corners of Lin Tian's mouth curled up almost imperceptibly into a faint, mocking arc.

He knew the matter of the red blood vermilion fruit well. After this battle, his cultivation had skyrocketed, and anyone with a discerning eye could guess seven or eight parts of the truth with a little association. On the Imperial Guard side, Centurion Shen Lian must have also realized it, but since he was still sent to perform the mission, it was a form of tacit approval, or rather, making up for one's faults with meritorious deeds. As for Magistrate Zhou Wenhai knowing? So what if he knew? Without proof or evidence, what could he do to him?

"Magistrate Zhou, you can eat anything, but you cannot say anything," Lin Tian's tone remained calm but carried an unquestionable chill. "What red blood vermilion fruit? I have never seen it. If you have lost a treasure, you should go look for the thief, or reflect on your own failure in security. Why are you here spitting venom and slandering an Imperial Guard of the court?"

"You... you are quibbling!" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai was shaking with anger, pointing at Lin Tian, his finger trembling. "If you hadn't obtained the red blood vermilion fruit, how could you have such cultivation today? Lin Tian, you stole this official's treasure and ruined my future. This feud is irreconcilable! You must pay the price!"

"Price?" Lin Tian's eyes grew cold, and he took a step forward, an invisible pressure permeating the air. "Make me pay the price? I'm afraid, Magistrate Zhou... you don't have the ability, nor the opportunity."

"What do you mean?!" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai felt a chill in his heart and subconsciously stepped back half a step, shouting with a fierce but weak demeanor, "Are you actually daring to make a move against this official?! This is the County Yamen! I am an official appointed by the court! Lin Tian, do not make a mistake!"

"An official appointed by the court?" Lin Tian chuckled coldly. "Colluding with remnants of the Demonic Cult, accepting massive bribes, condoning their poisoning of the local area, harming colleagues... Magistrate Zhou Wenhai, your time as an 'official appointed by the court' has likely come to an end."

Before his words had finished, he flipped his wrist, and the long blade at his waist was already half-drawn. The snowy-bright blade reflected a bone-chilling cold light under the candlelight, pointing straight at Magistrate Zhou Wenhai! A ghastly Killing Intent instantly locked onto the Revered Master of the county!

The hair on Magistrate Zhou Wenhai's body stood on end, like a frog being stared at by a venomous snake. The sense of impending death made his heart almost stop beating! The advisor beside him even let out a scream and collapsed to the ground.

"Lin Tian! How dare you!" Magistrate Zhou Wenhai shrieked, attempting a final struggle. "Someone! Come quickly! There is an assassin! Take this villain down for me!"

"Clatter—!" The sound of hurried footsteps rang out from outside the hall. Dozens of constables and yamen runners, who had heard the news and rushed over, holding iron rulers and steel blades, shouted as they charged into the back hall, surrounding the four of them. The blades flashed, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Seeing his men arrive, Magistrate Zhou Wenhai felt slightly relieved, and his face revealed a cold and smug smile once again. Through the crowd, he stared fixedly at Lin Tian, who was surrounded in the center, and gritted his teeth, saying: "Lin Tian, do you see? This is my territory! Just relying on the few of you, you dare to run wild here? I'd like to see, today... if you dare to touch a single hair on my head?!"