Demon-Backed Zhang Erhai

I don't know when it started,

Suddenly, another voice emerged in the Capital.

"Hey, have you heard? Those Immortals might not be True Immortal from heaven, but rather demons from beyond the realms."

"Shh... Keep your voice down. I've heard it too. There are rumors going around that the Immortals are actually demons in disguise, bloodthirsty and incredibly cruel."

"Think about how many people the Immortals have killed since they came to earth, their hands stained with blood. True immortals are compassionate, how could they so callously disregard human life?"

"And also, I heard that a few days ago the Immortal went to the palace, and because Minghua Princess accidentally offended him, the Immortal ordered her to be executed on the spot."

"Hiss... Minghua Princess is only thirteen years old, still a child. How could Immortal be so cruel?"

"Minghua Princess was well-behaved, sensible, and knowledgeable in etiquette. It was a pity that she met such a tragic end simply because she offended an Immortal."

"To regard human life as worthless and all things as straw dogs—this is no compassionate Immortal, but a vicious and wicked demon."

"And look at what those Immortals did after they came to the Capital —indulging in drinking, gambling, whoring, and other debauchery. Where is the semblance of True Immortal from another world?"

"The land of Ji Province hasn't seen a drop of rain for months, and then there's been endless war. Do you think this might be related to Immortals?"

"The people are suffering terribly, and the world is in turmoil. This is not the descent of Immortals, but the appearance of demons."

"..."

Such rumors, like a whirlwind, began to spread throughout the Capital.

Of course, this was limited to the common people and the streets; no one dared to talk about it openly in public.

These past few days, the Pacification Investigation Office has been arresting people everywhere.

If you're caught by the Pacification Investigation Office and thrown into the Imperial Prison, you'll be lucky to escape with your life.

But that's how rumors and gossip are.

The more it is prohibited, the more...

The more it spread, the more it became a hot topic.

Moreover, the protagonist of these rumors is that mysterious and Divine Ability Immortal.

As the absolute top star of the Daliang Kingdom today,

The Immortal's fame had already spread throughout the north and south of the country.

It's not just incredibly popular, it's practically a household name.

Even His Majesty the present is far inferior.

Any anecdote about Immortals would instantly become the talk of the Capital.

Previously, it was just blind praise and worship.

But when this bizarre rumor—that the Immortal was neither an immortal nor a demon—was circulated...

It was like a wildfire that had been set off in the Capital, and it could no longer be contained.

Ministry of War Minister's Residence,

Training ground.

"Father, are you really going to stop me?"

"Want to leave? Fine, you'll have to get past me first."

"Dad, don't push me. You know my personality. If you push me too far, I'm capable of anything."

"What a joke! I've been deliberately going easy on you before. You really think you can escape from me?"

Things are different now; I am no longer the person I used to be.

"Is that so? Then let me see what you've got now."

"Father, I'm here."

"Bring it on."

Zhang Qingyan charged forward with overwhelming momentum, then got up from the ground, covered in dust and grime.

"Tch, that's it?"

Zhang Erhai made a sarcastic remark, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"This doesn't count. I'm not ready yet. Let's try again."

With his face flushed red, Zhang Qingyan let out a low roar and charged forward like a yak.

"Although you have undergone a complete transformation, you possess brute strength but lack the knowledge of how to channel that strength, are unfamiliar with martial arts techniques, and cannot utilize even a tenth of your power."

"The way of martial arts is not about violence and brute force. No matter how strong your brute strength is, if you don't understand the techniques, it's just empty show. Avoid recklessness when throwing a punch, avoid panic when defending, keep your eyes peeled for all directions, and let your mind precede your hands. Again!"

"Don't just charge blindly! You need to know how to control your strength. If you only know how to attack, you'll create an opening, and your opponent will find it and subdue you in one move."

"That punch just now had enough power, but the center of gravity was unstable."

"Techniques are static, but people are dynamic. Don't memorize routines; learn to adapt to changing circumstances. If the enemy is strong, avoid their strength; if the enemy is weak, seize the opportunity to attack."

That's enough.

Exhausted and panting, Zhang Qingyan couldn't even touch the hem of his father's clothes, and all he could hear was his father's incessant nagging. He immediately became angry and embarrassed.

"I'm going out, not learning martial arts from you."

Zhang Erhai said arrogantly with disdain, "Beat me, and you can leave."

"Why are you stopping me? There are so many rumors about my older brother outside. If I don't get out, his reputation will be ruined."

Zhang Qingyan said angrily.

"So what if you go out?" Zhang Erhai sneered.

"I'll beat anyone who dares to gossip, shut them up. Anyone who dares to spread rumors, I'll beat them so badly their own mother wouldn't recognize them."

Zhang Qingyan raised his fist.

He might not have been able to beat them before, but now he can take on five at once.

"Foolish! Trying to silence the people is more dangerous than trying to stop a river from overflowing. Even if you take everyone out of the mansion, how many mouths can you really shut up?"

Zhang Erhai said sternly.

"But I can't just do nothing and let those guys smear my brother, can I?"

Zhang Qingyan said indignantly.

"This matter isn't as simple as you think. It's a power struggle at the higher-ups. Not even your father has the right to interfere, let alone you."

Zhang Erhai looked at his unwilling son and continued.

"Kid, remember this: don't wade into troubled waters before you're even strong enough to sit at the table. Otherwise, the undercurrents will drag you into the abyss, leaving no trace of your remains, and you'll never be able to escape."

"Good opportunity, watch out."

Zhang Qingyan seemed to be bowing his head and accepting instruction, suddenly sprang up and threw a punch.

"You little brat, daring to launch a sneak attack, you have no sportsmanship whatsoever."

Zhang Erhai easily dodged the sneak attack, said coldly.

"Warfare is based on deception; that's what you taught me."

Despite missing his first attack, Zhang Qingyan's eyes were filled with determination and resolve.

"Even if you talk until the sky falls, I'm determined to get out of here today. Although I can't stop all of this, I have to fight with all my might, otherwise I don't deserve to be the big brother's little brother."

As he spoke,

Zhang Qingyan ripped off his clothes, revealing his muscular, taut physique.

His arms and chest muscles were clearly defined, taut, exuding a vibrant Blood Qi and a strong sense of power.

"Today, I will definitely defeat you."

"Beat me? Hahaha..."

Zhang Erhai laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, pressing his hands against his head and laughing so hard he almost fell over.

Then...

"Ha--"

With a loud shout, his clothes tore apart inch by inch, then completely fell apart.

It revealed a body with even more bulging muscles and veins, as if a surging, terrifying power lay dormant beneath every inch of skin and flesh.

"Your father joined the army at fifteen, risking his life countless times, enduring countless battles and narrowly escaping death to earn the position he has today."

"You little brat dare to boast that you can beat me? You're decades older than me."

Looking at my father's imposing figure, scarred by swords and arrows, as majestic as a mountain...

Zhang Qingyan was immediately dumbfounded.

I don't know if it was just his imagination.

He even thought he saw a grotesque face made of muscles and bones bulging out on his father's back when his father turned around.

Thanks to user 26766592 for the expert verification.

The author is so excited to receive this for the first time that I have to add an extra chapter!

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The author will continue to work hard.