Awarding Merit

Even though his entire body was wrapped in branches, like armor protecting him, Steward Chu still couldn't resist the immense force from Ning Xiu's arms. In an instant, her neck was snapped.

With the battle decided, Ning Xiu shifted his gaze towards Qin Daorong.

These two Rank 3 powerhouses were fighting more ferociously as the battle progressed. Wu Huannian's Merit Body was truly capable of both offense and defense.

It could envelop Wu Huannian's body, protecting him from harm.

It could also engage Qin Daorong's summoned beasts in group combat, holding its own without falling behind.

Since Ning Xiu and Steward Chu began their fight, at least twenty White Apes had died at Wu Huannian's hands.

The ground was covered in ink, with black liquid splashing everywhere.

However, Qin Daorong appeared relaxed and at ease, showing no signs of anxiety, clearly not having used his full strength yet.

He had seen everything that happened on Ning Xiu's side, including the destruction of the formation.

As things stood, Wu Huannian had no way to retreat. Tonight, even with wings, he wouldn't be able to escape Chaotian Capital.

At this moment, a great commotion arose from outside. It was clear that Su Qianqian and the other Demon Subduing Captains had finally arrived.

"Qin Daorong, you and the Demon Subduing Bureau are ruining my grand plan! I hate you!!!"

Unable to break through the defenses after a prolonged assault, with his formation destroyed by Ning Xiu's strike, and now with the arrival of the Demon Subduing Captains, Wu Huannian's composure completely shattered. His expression grew increasingly ferocious.

"I was just one step away from spending the rest of my life with Wan'er! Why must you stop me!"

The Merit Body erupted with purple light, and even the posture of the four-clawed purple dragon became majestic.

Seeing this, Qin Daorong immediately took out a piece of Xuan paper as tall as a person from a wooden box and began to paint on it.

At the same time, he calmly stated, "Marquis Wuyi, have you been too influenced by demons to think straight? The Demon Subduing Bureau targeting demons and malevolent spirits is only natural. Why do you think I'm stopping you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a plain-clothed old Taoist priest was depicted on the paper.

And at the same moment, the enraged Wu Huannian controlled his Merit Body, riding the dragon as it soared, heading directly for Qin Daorong.

This attack was breathtaking, causing the ground to continuously sink and crack, forming ravines several yards deep. The fissures stretched for hundreds of feet, instantly engulfing the entire Marquis Wuyi's mansion and the surrounding areas.

"Old Bai, I'll need your help again." Qin Daorong, seeing Wu Huannian's move, remained unfazed. He raised his brush and dotted the eyes of the plain-clothed Taoist on the painting.

The finishing touch!

Deep within the Demon Subduing Prison of the Demon Subduing Bureau.

A plain-clothed old Taoist, who had been holding a wine jar and drinking heartily, suddenly stopped. He scratched his head and muttered, "Why has this brat Qin Daorong drawn me out to help him again? I shouldn't have drunk with him last time. He managed to capture my essence in his imagination. How detestable! If he keeps drawing me like this, won't I become his personal hired muscle?"

As Qin Daorong shook the paper, the plain-clothed old Taoist stepped out of the painting, lifelike.

In an instant, a fierce wind raged, and dark clouds gathered above Marquis Wuyi's mansion. Qi swirled, and thunder boomed.

A mere painting could summon such atmospheric changes and anomalies.

Ning Xiu watched, secretly astonished. This was just a painting; what kind of strength did the real body of this old Taoist possess?

The purple dragon soared, like a falling meteor, its momentum astonishing.

The plain-clothed old Taoist raised his hands and made gestures in the air with his index fingers, conjuring streaks of green light talismans.

As more and more talismans floated in the air, the descending momentum of the purple dragon slowed down.

When it was only five feet above Qin Daorong's head, the purple dragon completely froze, unable to advance another inch.

Around it, it was entirely encircled by these green light talismans.

This scene, like a frozen moment in time, was visually stunning. The old Taoist clenched his right palm, and the purple dragon was sent back into Wu Huannian's Merit Body.

Wu Huannian's blood surged backward, causing him to spit out a large mouthful of blood mist. He immediately collapsed onto the ground, paralyzed.

Although the old Taoist had only used one move, he had already injured Wu Huannian to the point where he could no longer fight.

After unleashing his move, the old Taoist's figure became unstable and instantly dissolved into a pool of ink.

Seeing this, Qin Daorong shook his head helplessly. His own cultivation realm was still insufficient; the plain-clothed old Taoist he drew could only manage one move.

"A commoner, yet his talismans reach the heavens. This is... Immortal Path Rank 2, Bai Taicang!"

Wu Huannian, his mouth full of blood, looked at the plain-clothed old Taoist with disbelief. "You're only Painting Path Rank 3, how could you have replicated Bai Taicang!"

"You don't need to worry about that, Marquis Wuyi. Qin has his own capabilities." Qin Daorong picked up his brush and began to paint again.

Iron steles flew out, landing around Wu Huannian, leaning against each other at angles, firmly trapping him to the ground, rendering him completely immobile.

With Steward Chu dead and Wu Huannian captured, this night's chaos had finally come to an end.

As for Han Wan'er, who had been revived, her consciousness was chaotic, her mind like that of a wild beast. Apart from scratching and biting, she could do nothing else.

This person was sufficient proof that Marquis Wuyi had fallen halfway and conspired with demons.

A Demon Subduing Captain brought iron shackles and secured her, preparing to escort her back to the Demon Subduing Prison for confinement.

Throughout Marquis Wuyi's mansion, the Demon Subduing Captains conducted thorough searches. Any information related to demons was to be brought back to the Demon Subduing Bureau.

Facing the search by the Demon Subduing Captains, the servants within the mansion wore expressions of utter despair.

Everyone knew very well that after tonight, the Great Shang would likely only have thirty-five Marquises left.

"You four deserve the most credit for intercepting Marquis Wuyi's escape tonight. Tell me, what reward do you desire? As long as it's within reason, I can grant it to you."

Qin Daorong roared with laughter from the main seat in the banquet hall of Marquis Wuyi's mansion.

Beside him were Zuo Yuanhao, captain of Bronze Leopard Squad 1, Dian Tu, captain of Squad 10, and Song Tieshan, captain of Squad 13.

And Su Qianqian, captain of Squad 6.

These were the captains of the four members of the temporary patrol squad Ning Xiu belonged to.

Tonight, the four of them had joined forces to uncover the secrets of the Spring Full Pavilion and had successfully apprehended Marquis Wuyi, a major figure who had fallen from grace.

Qin Daorong was extremely pleased and immediately began settling the rewards for their primary contribution within Marquis Wuyi's mansion.

Upon hearing this, Ning Xiu and the other three, seated not far away, exchanged glances filled with joy and excitement.

The Demon Subduing Bureau didn't have as many rules or intricate dealings. When your superior tells you that you can ask for a reward, you just say it directly. There's no need to engage in the fake modesty and politeness that officials in the imperial court did, just to make their superiors think they were not arrogant or rash and could remain calm.

If you actually went through that charade, the people in the Demon Subduing Bureau would think you had a problem with your brain.

Demon Subduing Captains were the ones who fought malevolent spirits. It was a life-risking job; you could die in a foreign land on a mission at any moment.

In such a situation, there was barely enough time to strengthen oneself, so who would bother with pretense?

"Lord Qin, I wish to obtain the Hundred Battles Blood Refinement Strategy written by Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captain Xiao Qin Hu."

After some thought, Liu Yong, as the temporary captain, was the first to state his desired reward.

Ning Xiu had heard of this book. It was a body-refining technique written by a Martial Path Rank 3 cultivator. It wasn't included in the Three Saints Hall, and its power was formidable once mastered.

However, for himself, this technique held little significance. After all, he only needed to continuously improve the realm of his Golden Bell Shield.

Once he reached perfection, he could even evolve it through the proficiency panel. In the short term, he wouldn't need any new body-refining techniques.

"Granted. I'll have Zuo Yuanhao get it for you in a few days," Qin Daorong replied with a nod.

Beside him, Zuo Yuanhao, captain of Squad 1, looked at Liu Yong with satisfaction and pride. This reward was perfectly chosen.

"Lord Qin, may I request to be taken as a disciple by Lord Nan Yuanxing?" Li Yueying finally couldn't help but ask after a long period of hesitation.

Nan Yuanxing was a Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captain in the Demon Subduing Bureau. She jointly managed the bureau with Qin Daorong and was one of the "Three Demon Subduing Tigers."

Ning Xiu hadn't met her, but he had heard that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman, both in figure and appearance, and that her strength was Immortal Path Rank 3, which perfectly matched Li Yueying's aspirations.

"This..." Upon hearing Li Yueying's request, Qin Daorong became the one who hesitated.

This matter was both simple and difficult. It all depended on whether Nan Yuanxing agreed.

Although he was quite familiar with Nan Yuanxing, it was truly difficult for him to decide this matter for her, as accepting a disciple required considerable effort.

Qin Daorong could only sincerely say, "I can help you mention this to her, but I cannot guarantee her final decision."

"Thank you, Lord Qin," Li Yueying said with a happy smile.

Song Tieshan, captain of Squad 13, looked at Li Yueying with a helpless expression. If her request for discipleship was granted, then this reward would be incredibly valuable.

After all, having a master at Immortal Path Rank 3 would greatly enhance one's own strength.

Conversely, if it failed, it would be a complete loss, a wasted opportunity to obtain a precious technique or a top-tier magical artifact.

However, young people had their own thoughts and pursuits, and as a captain, he had no intention of commenting.

"Lord Qin, I wish to establish a Bronze Leopard Squad. I can recruit members from any current Bronze Leopard Squad, as long as they agree."

After Li Yueying, Qin Ben, who had been thinking for a long time, said casually.

"Cough!" Dian Tu, captain of Squad 10, who was drinking tea, choked upon hearing this and couldn't help but cough violently.

He looked at Qin Ben, and the two stared at each other, countless unspoken words flashing between them.

'You brat, you think you're ready to fly solo? Haven't I treated you well all this time?'

'It's all because the captain is too charming.'

'You brat probably aren't just thinking about the captain.'

'Only the Lord understands me.'

Qin Daorong stroked his beard. "Demon Subduing Captains who reach the Middle Three Ranks can apply to establish a new Bronze Leopard Squad. As for your method of recruitment, I agree."

"That's great! Thank you, Lord Qin!" Qin Ben quickly expressed his gratitude.

It had to be said that Qin Ben's desired reward was rather perplexing.

It was likely that no one besides himself truly understood his objective.

For a moment, only the last person had yet to state their desired reward, and all eyes in the hall turned to him.

Facing everyone's gaze, Ning Xiu was truly unsure how to speak, as he didn't have anything he particularly wanted.

But he had to say something now, as his superiors were all waiting.

Ning Xiu said, "Lord Purple Thunder's pair of Startling Thunder Purple Lightning Hammers. Currently, I have collected the Startling Thunder Hammer.

I am still missing the Purple Lightning Hammer to unleash the true power of both weapons. I hope you can use the Demon Subduing Bureau's connections and resources to help me find the Purple Lightning Hammer."