Night Patrol!

Wang Lang chose a path leading to a side corridor.

He didn't walk fast, but his gaze meticulously swept over the form and direction of every bloodstain.

The further he went, the more the sights confirmed Patrolman Li's earlier description of being "chopped into meat paste," proving it was no exaggeration.

In the open space outside the accounting room, he saw the mangled remains of a middle-aged man in brocade... his body was already unrecognizable.

By the moon gate leading to the training grounds, he found several more dismembered bodies of guards.

Without exception, all these corpses belonged to men, and they were all severely mangled.

It was as if they had been repeatedly hacked and smashed by some immense force.

Yet, strangely, there were no signs of significant missing flesh and blood around them.

This meant that the Yao, despite chopping them so finely, didn't seem to be... eating them?

"Purely sadistic killing? Or some special fetish or ritual?" Wang Lang pondered.

He continued his investigation, discovering deep gouges on the artificial rocks and tree trunks that were not caused by sharp blades, indicating immense force.

Occasionally, in areas with heavy bloodstains, he could sense a trace of frenzied Yao energy lingering.

Half an hour later, everyone gradually returned to the front courtyard to regroup.

Their expressions were grim.

Jiang Wan's lips were even a little pale, and her eyes still held a lingering fear.

Centurion Zhao spoke first: "In the front hall, study, and main courtyard... the male corpses were all shattered beyond recognition, with hardly any intact bodies."

"There were signs of rummaging through belongings, but the gold, silver, and valuables weren't all taken. It seems the perpetrator's intent was killing rather than theft."

"There were no obvious signs of struggle at the scene either. The victims were almost all killed while in panicked flight."

Patrolman Li added: "Some account books in the accounting room were torn up, but the heavily guarded treasury was sealed intact, so it doesn't seem like it was robbed."

Master Huineng said gravely at the opportune moment: "Similar scenes were found in the east and west wing rooms and the servants' quarters. All the males were brutally murdered, their bodies mangled."

"There were signs of struggle in some rooms, but they were quickly subdued. The Yao's strength is immense, and its speed is extremely fast."

Jiang Wan took a deep breath, suppressing her discomfort: "In the back courtyard... there were seventy-two females, including maids and governesses."

"All of them were subjected to humiliation before death. The fatal wounds were consistent: their chests were ripped open, their hearts were taken, and their whereabouts are unknown."

Wang Lang summarized his findings: "The Yao possesses immense strength, and its movement path seems chaotic, but it has a strong tendency to brutally kill males while having a specific objective with females."

"The residual Yao energy at the scene is extremely faint and intermittent, indicating this Yao either excels at concealing its aura or cleaned up the scene afterward."

Treating males and females differently, dismembering men, taking women's hearts...

Synthesizing all the intelligence, a cruel, powerful, and strangely behaving Yao gradually became clear.

Centurion Zhao's face was solemn as he surveyed everyone: "This fiend's methods are brutal, and based on its actions and Fairy Jiang's statement about the women's hearts being taken, this is likely not a spur-of-the-moment killing, but perhaps has some sinister purpose."

"The Liu Manor massacre occurred last night. This Yao is highly likely to strike again tonight."

He pondered for a moment: "To be safe and gain the initiative, we need to patrol the city in groups tonight."

"If any abnormality is found, immediately signal, and others will rush to support. What do you say?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Centurion Zhao continued: "Since that's the case, the six of us will be divided into two groups to look out for each other."

"I'll be with Patrolman Li and Young Master Wang in one group."

"Daoist Priest Song Yunzi, Master Huineng, and Fairy Jiang will be in another group."

"We will maintain a distance from each other, within signal range to respond promptly."

As he spoke, he took out several specially made signal flare launchers from his bag and handed them to Song Yunzi and the other two:

"These are specially made Cloud Piercing Signal Arrows from the Demon Subduing Division. Once lit, they will shoot into the sky with sound and light, making them easy to locate."

Song Yunzi and the others took them.

Centurion Zhao inwardly gave a wry smile. He, a Centurion, should have dozens of elites under his command, but now his superiors had transferred them all away, leaving him with only Patrolman Li as a trusted subordinate. He had to rely on outside rogue cultivators for demon-subduing cases.

Times were tough for officials too.

In the blink of an eye, night fell, and the moon hung high.

The city-wide curfew order from the day had already been conveyed to every household. Now, doors and windows were tightly shut, and lights were sparse.

In front of the City Lord's Mansion, six figures briefly gathered, then split into two groups.

It wasn't that Centurion Zhao didn't want to divide them into more groups, but rather his strength was limited.

Except for Wang Lang, the other five were all at the mid-to-late stage of the Qi Induction Realm. Facing a Yao suspected to be of the second rank, spreading out too much would be akin to offering themselves as food.

Thus, Wang Lang, Centurion Zhao, and Patrolman Li were responsible for the southeastern district.

The patrol in the northwest direction fell upon Daoist Song Yunzi, Master Huineng, and Jiang Wan.

Speaking of these three, although all were rogue cultivators and their Qi Induction Realm cultivation hovered around the sixth or seventh level, they couldn't be considered top-tier, but they were by no means ordinary.

Each of them possessed some extraordinary trump cards, confident that even if they failed to subdue the demon, they could at least preserve themselves and hold their ground for a while.

While City Lord Zhou's offer of five hundred taels was certainly a generous reward, what truly moved them to venture into danger was that saying—chivalry, or rather, the desire to aid the world.

Upon learning that the troublemaker might be a second-tier demon, the three merely pondered for a moment before readily agreeing.

Having experienced much hardship on the path of cultivation, if they were to weigh pros and cons for every decision and make no progress, their original intention of cultivating the mind and refining their character would have long been tarnished.

The three walked at an unhurried pace.

Song Yunzi took a swig of wine, smacked his lips, and suddenly spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, City Lord Zhou mentioned this morning that Young Master Wang is already at the ninth level of the Qi Induction Realm at such a young age. What do you think... how much truth is there to his words?"

Jiang Wan walked half a step ahead of him to his side. Upon hearing his question, she didn't turn back.

She was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "His internal energy is contained extremely well; I can't see through it."

"However, his physique is exceptionally robust. His steps possess the stability of mountains. He's likely cultivated through Body Refinement."

"The ninth level of Qi Induction... it might not be false, and besides..."

She turned her face, looking at Huineng beside her, "A Buddhist disciple using a blade, and a secular young master wielding a staff. This is quite unique."

Earlier that day at Liu Manor, she had noticed the tin staff in Wang Lang's hand the moment she saw him, a staff that seemed rather mismatched with his imposing build and status as a young master.

Recalling it now, she still found it somewhat peculiar and amusing.

Master Huineng, having been addressed, softly chanted "Amitabha," offering no comment on Jiang Wan's teasing.

In his simple and direct understanding, using a tin staff to guide demons to enlightenment was compassion.

Using a monk's blade for the same purpose was also compassion; the latter would be more efficient and straightforward.

Arguing about this? Pointless.

Song Yunzi chuckled and didn't press further. The three fell back into silence, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty streets and alleys.

Time reached the hour of Chou (1 AM - 3 AM).

In the pitch-black night where all was silent, only the night wind occasionally swept through the streets and alleys, bringing a hint of coolness.

The disturbance that Centurion Zhao had anticipated had not yet appeared.

But this calm, instead, felt like a taut string, causing the pressure in the hearts of those who knew to accumulate bit by bit.

Tonight, those in Qinglin City who could sleep soundly were likely less than one in ten.