Crushing Momentum, A Foregone Conclusion!

Chapter 38: Crushing Victory, No Suspense! After Lin Changqing accepted the mission, the cleanup operation quickly began in full.

He and Xiao Qianjun each led a portion of the men, splitting up to search within Si Province.

The Demon Suppressing Division's intelligence network operated at full capacity, coupled with the cooperation of the various prefectural and county governments.

After only a few days.

A precise tip came from Guangji Prefecture in the southern part of Si Province.

Guangji Prefecture was located on the southern border of Si Province.

The area was mountainous and watery, with treacherous terrain.

Lin Changqing and Su Wanqing had even passed through this area on Golden Radiance half a month ago while sightseeing.

The captain of Guangji Prefecture personally led a few confidants, galloping to the temporary camp where Lin Changqing was stationed.

"Reporting to Prince Wu'an!"

The captain knelt on one knee, presenting a map with detailed locations.

"Your subordinate has confirmed that a branch sect of the Holy Demon God Sect is indeed hidden deep within an abandoned mine in the prefecture!"

"That mine was abandoned more than ten years ago and is usually deserted."

"If Your Highness hadn't ordered a thorough investigation, I would never have thought people would be hiding there."

Lin Changqing took the map and glanced at it.

The marked location was in a mountain hollow, surrounded by mountains, truly hidden.

"Well done."

He stood up and said to Su Wanqing beside him.

"Let's go take a look."

Su Wanqing nodded repeatedly and skillfully climbed onto Golden Radiance's back.

After spending so much time with Lin Changqing, her movements when riding the Qilin had become much more agile.

Lin Changqing mounted Golden Radiance and said to the left commander beside him.

"Take a squad and follow."

The left commander's name was Lu Jingchen, one of Xiao Qianjun's trusted subordinates in the Demon Suppressing Division headquarters.

His cultivation was at the mid-stage of the eighth-rank Grandmaster, he was efficient, and spoke little.

He had been ordered to lead fifty elite Demon Suppression Guards to follow Lin Changqing and await his command.

Lu Jingchen cupped his fist and accepted the order.

"Yes!"

Golden Radiance's four hooves struck golden lightning as it soared into the sky.

Zhou Zheng led fifty Demon Suppression Guards, using their movement techniques to pursue on the ground.

Fortunately, Golden Radiance did not fly too fast, and they could barely keep up.

Half an hour later.

Guangji Prefecture, abandoned mine.

This was a mining area that had been abandoned for over a decade.

The entrance to the mine shaft was mostly buried by weeds and rubble, with only a dark opening visible.

The surrounding mountains and forests were silent, not even a bird's chirp could be heard.

Rusted mine carts and broken ropes were scattered on the ground, exuding desolation everywhere.

It looked like a place where no one would be.

Golden Radiance slowly landed on the open ground in front of the mine entrance.

Lu Jingchen arrived with fifty Demon Suppression Guards and quickly spread out, surrounding the mine entrance.

"Prince Wu'an."

Lu Jingchen strode to Lin Changqing's side and said in a low voice.

"According to the report from the captain of Guangji Prefecture, this branch sect's hideout is hidden deep within the mine."

"The entrance is concealed, and the situation inside is currently unclear."

"Should we send a few skilled individuals in to scout first?"

Lin Changqing did not answer.

His divine sense had already spread out.

The divine sense of a peak Martial Saint was like an invisible tide, penetrating the stone walls of the mine, penetrating layers of soil.

Everything underground was clearly presented in his mind.

The depths of the mine indeed held a hidden world.

A vast underground space had been excavated within, its walls covered in strange, blood-red spiritual patterns.

Dozens of cultists, clad in dark red robes, gathered inside. Some meditated, while others organized documents.

Judging by their relaxed demeanor, they were clearly unaware they had been surrounded.

But after a sweep of the area, Lin Changqing's brow furrowed.

The highest cultivation level present was merely a Sixth-Rank martial artist.

There wasn't even a Seventh-Rank Grandmaster.

Let alone an Eighth-Rank Great Grandmaster or a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint.

"Why are they all just small fry?"

Lin Changqing muttered in disappointment.

He had initially hoped to encounter another sect leader of Martial Saint caliber this time.

Just to test the might of the Great Wilderness Demon-Subduing Fist.

Yet, after waiting for so long, he had only found these insignificant minnows.

However, he soon understood.

The experts of the Holy Demon God Sect within Si Province had likely all been wiped out by him in previous operations.

The Red Python Sect Leader of the Capital City branch was a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint, and then there were the dozens of core members he had annihilated during the Blood Sacrifice operation.

Combined, these individuals represented the entirety of the Holy Demon God Sect's elite forces within Si Province.

The remaining branch sect hideouts were probably just filled with low-level cultists responsible for errands and menial tasks.

All the true powerhouses had been cleared out by him in advance.

"Never mind, beggars can't be choosers."

Lin Changqing shook his head, withdrawing his thoughts.

If you find this book to your liking, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

Seeing his prolonged silence, Lu Jingchen cautiously asked again.

"King Wu'an, what are your orders for the next step? Shall I dispatch my men to clear them out?"

His tone was exceedingly respectful.

Before him stood a peak Ninth-Rank Martial Saint, a peerless expert who had instantly killed the Red Python Martial Saint with a single sword strike.

In the presence of such a figure, he, an Eighth-Rank Great Grandmaster, dared not even breathe too loudly.

Lin Changqing waved his hand.

"No need for such trouble, leave it to this King."

As his voice fell.

His divine sense locked onto the dozens of cultists deep within the mine.

The location, cultivation level, and status of each individual appeared precisely in his mind.

Not a single one was missed.

Lin Changqing raised his right hand and gently waved it towards the empty space before him.

An invisible force of spatial energy surged into the depths of the mine, enveloping all the cultists.

Deep within the mine.

The group of cultists had no idea what was happening.

A Sixth-Rank core member sat cross-legged on a stone bed, meditating.

His eyes were closed, and he was contemplating when he could be transferred back to the main sect.

Just then.

He suddenly felt the world around him spin violently.

When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the mine.

Before him was a blinding sunlight, and at his feet lay an open space overgrown with weeds.

Surrounding him were Demon Suppression Guards clad in black combat attire, each holding a sword, radiating killing intent.

And behind him, dozens of his accomplices had appeared in this open space, just like him, out of thin air.

Bewilderment and terror were etched on everyone's faces.

"Wh-what's going on?!"

"How did I get outside?"

"It's Spatial Shift! Someone used Spatial Shift to pull us out!"

The sixth-rank core member was the first to react, his face instantly turning deathly pale. This was an ability only a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint could possess!

Furthermore, an ordinary Ninth-Rank Martial Saint could not achieve such precision and speed.

He jerked his head up to look ahead.

Standing in the clearing was a Qilin covered in golden scales.

A young man in black robes sat upon the Qilin's back, looking down at them from above.

There was no emotional fluctuation in those eyes, as if he were looking at a group of ants.

The sixth-rank core member trembled all over, his legs going weak.

"Pr-Prince Wu'an?!"

Lin Changqing did not waste words with him.

These low-level cultists must have had restrictions planted within their bodies; interrogating them would yield nothing useful.

He could not be bothered to waste time.

Lin Changqing withdrew his gaze, a single thought descending.

"Bang!"

An invisible force descended from the sky.

The bodies of dozens of cultists exploded in the same instant, turning into a mist of blood.

The flesh and blood evaporated cleanly within the Purple Gold light, leaving not even a scrap of bone behind.

Only a faint scent of blood remained in the air, which dissipated completely with a gust of wind.

From the moment they were transported to the clearing to the moment they turned into blood mist, no more than three breaths had passed.

Dozens of people who had been alive just moments ago had not even left a shadow behind.

The surroundings were deathly silent.

Lu Jingchen stood where he was, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.

His hand gripping the hilt of his blade remained frozen in mid-air, his entire body as if struck by a binding spell.

The fifty Demon Suppression Guards behind him were also completely stunned.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the blood mist that had not yet fully dissipated, their minds buzzing.

Gone, just like that, in the blink of an eye?

They hadn't even had time to let out a single scream!

Countless thoughts flashed through Lu Jingchen's mind.

He had heard of Prince Wu'an's feat of slaying the Red Python Martial Saint with a single sword strike, but he had been away from the Capital City on a mission at the time.

But hearing about it was one thing; seeing it with his own eyes was entirely another!

This method and this strength that crushed everything had completely exceeded the scope of his understanding.

The adjutant behind him leaned into his ear, his voice trembling.

"M-My Lord... is this the strength of a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak?"

Lu Jingchen took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

"Stop talking nonsense, stand at attention."

His voice sounded composed enough, but his palms were slick with sweat.

Lin Changqing glanced at the still-dazed Lu Jingchen and spoke indifferently.

"Stop staring, go in and search."

Lu Jingchen jolted back to his senses and hurriedly cupped his fists.

"This subordinate obeys!"

He turned and barked at the Demon Suppression Guards under his command.

"What are you all standing around for? Didn't you hear Prince Wu'an's order? Search!"