I Could Tell at a Glance You Weren't Human

Lu Changkong's heart stirred at Miaoyin's words. He was young and hot-blooded to begin with—how could he bear to see the goddess in his heart suffer such humiliation? His blood rushed to his head. With a raised hand, the short sword hovering before him trembled and emanated a sinister baleful intent.

He glared furiously at Lin Baichuan and shouted, "Boy, you've got some nerve. You're using the Demon Suppression Division's name to bully the people, trying to arrest someone without any evidence. Who gave you the guts?"

"That's right! Miss Miaoyin is the Tianyin Workshop's courtesan queen. What does she have to do with demons?"

"Even if the Demon Suppression Division is handling a case, there must be conclusive evidence. Arresting people recklessly without proof—do you really think there are no laws under heaven?"

"How could Miss Miaoyin possibly be a demon? Do you Demon Suppression Division people think all the powerful figures in this city are blind?"

For a time, discussions rang out throughout the Tianyin Workshop.

Some people were stirring things up, secretly echoing Lu Changkong. Their voices could be heard, but their faces remained unseen. It was obvious they were fanning the flames.

Lin Baichuan swept his gaze over everyone in the Tianyin Workshop, his eyes as cold as blades. These unruly commoners truly did not want to live, daring to obstruct the Demon Suppression Division in its work. Especially Lu Changkong before him—his lust had truly made him bold beyond measure.

Still, this fool was foolish in an almost endearing way. He thought he was playing the hero saving the beauty, never realizing he was merely a chess piece being toyed with by the demon that had seized Miaoyin's body.

"Lu Changkong, you dare obstruct the Demon Suppression Division? Aren't you afraid of bringing disaster upon the Lu Family?"

Yang Zhan's expression was equally grim as he shouted sternly.

The Lu Family behind Lu Changkong was, like the Yang Family behind him, one of Cangwu County City's top Lineages. It was inevitable for descendants of Aristocratic Clans to know one another. Though the two usually did not get along, Yang Zhan did not actually want Lu Changkong to be deceived and toyed with by a demon.

After all, this was not merely a disgrace to Lu Changkong. It was also a slap across the face of all Aristocratic Clan descendants.

"Hmph... Yang Zhan, spare me the nonsense. If you want to lay a hand on Miss Miaoyin today, you'll have to get past me first." Lu Changkong snorted coldly, completely ignoring Yang Zhan's warning. "Without evidence, the Demon Suppression Division cannot act recklessly either."

Clang...

The moment he said this, Yang Zhan's entire face darkened like still water, and he was about to berate him angrily.

But just then, Lin Baichuan suddenly moved. His battle saber trembled, then came slashing down in a burst of chilling light.

The saber's cry was like a storm, its edge fully exposed, its baleful intent surging.

This was the Seven Kill Saber Art.

Although the Seven Kill Saber Art was merely a Mortal-grade low-tier martial art, its power remained formidable. Moreover, Lin Baichuan had cultivated it to perfection, raising its might another level, comparable to a Mortal-grade mid-tier martial art.

Saber light flashed fiercely as it slashed straight at Lu Changkong.

It happened too quickly. Even Lu Changkong, who bore the brunt of it, failed to react. He had never expected Lin Baichuan to be so ruthless, truly striking to kill at the slightest disagreement. Seeing Lin Baichuan's saber descend, he instinctively drove his Spirit Artifact Short Sword into the battle saber Lin Baichuan had swung.

Boom!

As saber and sword collided, a muffled crash erupted. A terrifying force burst from Lin Baichuan's battle saber, carrying astonishingly fierce baleful intent. With that single slash, he sent Lu Changkong's short sword flying backward.

The powerful impact forced both Lin Baichuan and Lu Changkong to stagger back repeatedly.

"Yang Zhan, you all hold him off for me!"

Lin Baichuan roared, stamped his foot, and immediately lunged toward Miaoyin.

"You're courting death!"

Seeing this, Lu Changkong roared with a savage expression. He raised his hand, grabbed the short sword, and was about to thrust it at Lin Baichuan. At that moment, Yang Zhan and the others finally moved. Their figures flashed, battle sabers drawn as they forcibly blocked Lu Changkong's path.

"Lu Changkong, just stay where you are! You dared launch a sneak attack on the Demon Suppression Division's Demon Slayer Guards. You must be tired of living."

Yang Zhan snorted coldly. Together, several of them charged at Lu Changkong.

They had no intention of defeating Lu Changkong. After all, Lu Changkong was in the Eighth Rank Bone Forging Realm, while Yang Zhan—the strongest among them—was only at the peak of Ninth Rank Skin Refining. Though it seemed that only one step separated them from the Eighth Rank Bone Forging Realm, that single step was the difference between heaven and earth.

Thus, even if several of them joined forces, defeating Lu Changkong was impossible. But merely holding him back for a while was something they could manage.

"Get lost!"

Blocked by Yang Zhan and the others, Lu Changkong's rage surged. He shouted harshly and immediately directed his short sword at Yang Zhan, who stood at the front.

"Hmph, do you think this young master is afraid of you?"

Yang Zhan had always possessed a young master's temper. When had he ever endured such treatment? His fury flared, and without hesitation, he swung his saber at Lu Changkong.

At the same instant Yang Zhan attacked, the other Demon Slayer Guards who had come with him moved as well. Their battle sabers left their sheaths as they slashed at Lu Changkong together. At that moment, Lin Baichuan flicked his battle saber upward and slashed at Miaoyin.

The battle saber whistled, faintly carrying the sound of tearing air. In but an instant, it had reached Miaoyin.

The razor-sharp blade was about to cut across Miaoyin's throat.

Roar...

At that moment, a sudden change occurred. Miaoyin, who had been weak and panicked just moments ago, suddenly leaped into the air. A beast-like howl burst from her mouth. She raised her right hand, which immediately exuded a sinister demonic baleful intent, and forcibly blocked Lin Baichuan's incoming battle saber.

The battle saber was fierce, yet when it struck Miaoyin's arm, sparks flew in all directions, accompanied by the sound of metal striking iron.

"Damn Demon Slayer Guard, you've ruined my great plans. Die..."

A low roar rang out. Demonic baleful intent surged wildly from Miaoyin's body. Her entire face turned iron-blue in an instant, strange demonic patterns appearing across it.

Her once delicate body swelled by a full circle in the blink of an eye, like an iron tower.

"Damn it, it really is a demon... Lu Changkong, you're finished! You dared collude with a demon—the Lu Family is done for too..."

On the stage, Yang Zhan, who had been surrounding Lu Changkong, underwent a drastic change in expression. He roared, "Quick, send word..."

A demon had appeared in the city and had even seized a human body. This was no trivial matter.

They might not be able to handle it with their own strength alone. They had to immediately notify the Demon Suppression Division to send reinforcements.

At the same time!

As Yang Zhan shouted, Lin Baichuan looked at the demon that had instantly undergone Demonization and revealed its true form. Brilliant light flashed in his eyes, and he snorted excitedly. "I could tell at a glance you weren't human. Today, this young master will send you on your way..."

Before his words had faded, Lin Baichuan had already moved, raising his battle saber and slashing out.

Seven Kill Saber Art: Greedy Wolf Howls at Heaven.

Saber light flashed fiercely, killing intent rolling like a mountain flood.

At this time, Yang Zhan also immediately abandoned Lu Changkong and charged over with his battle saber, intending to lend Lin Baichuan a hand.

On the stage.

Seeing this, Lu Changkong stood frozen, his face turning deathly pale as he cried out in disbelief, "Impossible... How could this be possible? How could Miss Miaoyin be a demon? This is absolutely impossible..."

He had gone mad, looking utterly deranged, wholly unable to believe what he was seeing.

Miaoyin really was a demon. Not only had this shattered the fantasy in his heart, it had also brought disaster upon the Lu Family.

Colluding with demons and obstructing the Demon Suppression Division's investigation.

Either charge alone was a grave crime, yet he had committed both. Even dying twice would not be enough, and the entire Lu Family would suffer because of him. If things went poorly, they might even be stripped of their property and exterminated.

At that thought, Lu Changkong began trembling all over, his face pale. It was as though all the spirit in his body had been drained away in an instant. He collapsed onto the ground, sweat pouring down like rain.