Time seemed to freeze for an instant.
The Dog Demon Leader's massive body stood rigid, its hideous expression frozen in place.
The next moment, a thin line of blood appeared across its neck, then rapidly widened.
"Guh... Hrk..."
Blood and foam gushed from its severed windpipe.
Its enormous head slowly slid off and hit the filthy ground with a thud. The light quickly faded from its jade-green eyes.
The headless demon corpse swayed, then crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.
The elite Dog Demons still battling Qian Zhong, Liu Qian, and the others let out terrified cries at the sight. Their fighting spirit vanished, and the Patrolmen seized the chance to kill or scatter them.
Silence fell over the alley, broken only by the crackle of the torches and everyone's ragged breathing.
Yang Ning slowly sheathed his blade. Not a drop of blood stained it.
His face beneath the White Jade Mask was calm and unreadable. Only the faint ember in the depths of his eyes slowly dimmed.
He could now deal with demons who had just broken through to Hidden Force.
"Clear the battlefield. Make sure none escaped. Keep the Dog Demon Leader's head."
"Yes, Patrol Chief Yang!"
Qian Zhong, Liu Qian, and the others looked at Yang Ning with shock and awe.
They had fought alongside him and knew better than anyone how terrifying the Dog Demon Leader was. Yet Yang Ning had slain it swiftly and decisively!
His strength was probably far more unfathomable than they had imagined.
Outside the alley.
Time passed slowly in oppressive silence.
Representatives sent by the various families, shop managers, and even more curious onlookers who had hurried over after hearing the news packed the area around Duck Dung Alley until it was impossible to move.
Qin Yurong and Qin Yuhui had arrived by carriage as well, and stood at the front of the Qin Family's group.
Qin Yurong's delicate hand unconsciously tightened around her sleeve as she stared unwaveringly at the alley entrance.
Qin Yuhui stood on tiptoe, her little face full of nervousness and curiosity.
Ning Yuan and the young men and women who had attended the banquet at Kuotian Chamber that day arrived one after another, exchanging meaningful glances.
At first, there was only dead silence inside the alley.
Then, suddenly—
"ROAR—!!!"
A savage, inhuman roar exploded from deep within the alley.
Even outside, it hurt their eardrums and sent their hearts pounding.
Then came the sounds of fighting, clashing weapons, roars, sharp canine howls, and the crackle of flames...
They melded into a cacophony that made everyone's blood run cold.
The battle had begun!
And it was far more vicious than they had imagined!
Everyone's heart leaped into their throats.
Torchlight fell across faces filled with tension, solemnity, or excitement.
"From the sound of it... that demon really is vicious!" Yuan Qi said quietly, listening closely.
Ning Yuan's brows drew together.
"The Patrol Bureau's men are probably locked in a bitter fight."
Qin Yurong's fingertips dug in even harder, and her face grew pale.
Shen Lian stood among the crowd. As he listened to those dreadful sounds, a long-forgotten sense of glee stirred within him.
Fight! The bloodier, the better!
Better yet, let them both suffer heavy losses, and let that damned Yang Ning...
The clamor continued for about a quarter of an hour, making the waiting crowd's hearts tighten.
But just as everyone thought the battle would go on—
Every sound abruptly stopped, as if cut off by a blade.
Silence.
A silence more complete and oppressive than before settled over Duck Dung Alley once more.
Only the night wind swept past the entrance, carrying a mournful, wailing echo.
"Why did it go quiet?"
Someone asked in a trembling voice.
"Is it over?"
"Who won? Or... did they all perish together?"
The unknown silence was often more frightening than the noise.
A moment ago, at least the sounds had meant the people inside were still fighting back.
Now, with every sound stilled, people's imaginations ran wild.
Had they all been wiped out?
Or... was the demon hiding in the darkness, licking its wounds, or preparing to charge out of the alley?
Uneasy whispers spread through the crowd, and some of the more timid people had already begun edging backward.
Shen Lian could barely contain the glee on his face.
It's gone quiet? Wonderful!
Yang Ning must have overestimated himself and ended up in the demon's belly!
He eagerly cleared his throat and loudly "lamented":
"Ah, Patrol Chief Yang is young and hotheaded after all, unwilling to heed advice.
This demon was no easy opponent.
With Patrol Commander Gong away, they launched a reckless assault. What a pity for those Patrolmen who lost their lives."
His gloating was almost impossible to hide.
He noticed the Qin sisters nearby, his eyes shifting as he moved closer. Feigning concern, he said to Qin Yurong, "Little Sister Yu Rong, don't worry too much.
Life and death are in fate's hands. Patrol Chief Yang...
Sigh, it's just a pity for the Qin Family. You had only just recruited a retainer, and now he's..."
He shook his head and sighed as if heartbroken.
Qin Yurong pressed her lips tightly together and didn't even look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on the alley entrance.
Qin Yuhui's little face flushed with anger, and she glared fiercely at Shen Lian.
Another stick of incense burned away as they waited in agony.
There was still no movement inside the alley—not even the faintest glow of firelight.
Shen Lian grew increasingly smug. He became more brazen, whispering and laughing with a few other dandies he knew.
Just as more and more people began to lose patience and prepare to head home...
"Step... step... step..."
Steady, clear footsteps came from the depths of the dark alley.
Every murmur outside fell silent. Hundreds upon hundreds of eyes turned toward the shadowed entrance in unison.
At the edge of the torchlight, the first thing to emerge was a figure standing tall and straight as a pine.
His dark clothes were stained with dust and patches of dark grime. The hem of his Patrol Chief's robe was slightly torn.
Yet the lustrous, icy White Jade Mask on his face remained completely intact.
The eyes behind the mask were as calm as ever.
It was Yang Ning.
Qian Zhong and Liu Qian, the two Patrol Chiefs, followed close behind. Though wounded and bloodied, they strode steadily, their eyes sharp.
Wang Biao and the other Patrolmen emerged after them in a steady stream. Every one of them was wounded, yet they held their heads high, escorting several Small Dog Demons bound in iron chains.
Then, when the last few Patrolmen carried something into the torchlight, the entire crowd erupted in uncontrollable gasps!
It was a gigantic, terrifying canine head!
Its gray-black bristles stood up like steel needles, its fangs bared. Though the light had faded from its jade-green eyes, a fearsome, chilling Killing Intent still lingered in them.
Thick, dark-red demon blood dripped from its severed neck, spreading into a small, filthy puddle on the ground.
It was the head of the Hidden Force Dog Demon!
Walking beside the Patrolmen, Yang Ning casually held the demon's head by its bristly fur in his right hand. Dark-red blood wound its way down his well-defined fingers.
Together with the gray-green Storm Blade in his left hand, it gave off a Killing Intent so intense it was almost overwhelming.
The White Jade Mask was cold and merciless, the Storm Blade's edge gleamed with icy light, and the bloodied demon head in his hand was a horrifying sight.
At that moment, Yang Ning looked more like a god of slaughter strolling out of a field of carnage.
The uproar died away completely.
Everyone was stunned by the sheer force of the sight.
Qin Yurong let out a sharp breath, then swayed. Her sister caught her, and tears glimmered in her eyes.
Ning Yuan, Yuan Qi, and the others exchanged glances, shock and solemnity reflected in every face.
The shop managers lowered their heads in awe.
As for Shen Lian...
The smugness, scorn, and glee on his face froze like a rising tide turned to ice, then shattered bit by bit.
He stood with his mouth agape, eyes wide as he stared at the horrifying canine head in Yang Ning's hand, then at Yang Ning himself, who looked as if he had emerged drenched in blood.
A chill shot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. His whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Shock, disbelief, and the deepest fear coiled around his heart like a cold, venomous snake.
He looked like nothing more than a bumbling clown.
Yang Ning's gaze swept calmly over the utterly silent crowd. He casually tossed the still-dripping Dog Demon head onto the ground at the alley entrance.
Thud.
The onlookers outside felt their hearts jolt.
He said evenly, "Thank you all for your concern today. The demon has been eliminated.
"Tomorrow, its head will be hung at the entrance to East Fourth Street for three days, to reassure the people and serve as a warning to others."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly through the crowd, filled with unquestionable authority.
After addressing the people, Yang Ning turned back and removed his White Jade Mask, revealing a handsome, resolute face.
Qin Yurong gazed at him, almost entranced.
He gave the Qin sisters a slight nod, then addressed the others:
"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, shopkeepers and merchants. I'll remember the help you gave me. I'll make good use of the money you contributed to generously compensate the innocent people and my brothers in the Patrol Bureau."
The merchants and young scions of the various families all cupped their hands.
"It was nothing, nothing."
"Patrol Chief Yang's might is awe-inspiring. The little help we offered is hardly worth mentioning."
The way they looked at Yang Ning had changed. How could they not understand?
Patrol Chief Yang was no longer merely a "spokesman" sheltered beneath Gong Tianyu's wing.
He was a true "big shot" who could establish himself on East Street, wield real power, and make others wary.
Before you continue