Chu He Defeated Five Squad Leaders in One Move
Hiss...
Watching Zhou Ye kneel on the ground, still panting heavily, the Demon Suppression Guards all sucked in a cold breath, their eyes filled with utter shock:
"Zhou Ye didn't even last a single breath. Both his arms are crippled. There's no way he can fight today."
"Decisive and utterly merciless. If Zhou Ye weren't his teammate, I think he'd have died just now."
"Didn't they say he only just broke through to the second rank? How is his combat strength so overwhelming? Could it be the Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art?"
A Demon Suppression Company Commander seemed to have discovered something.
Because...
He had vaguely heard the cries of a dragon and an elephant just now.
That was the unique hallmark of the Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art. Once a practitioner attained a certain level of accomplishment, their attacks carried the cries of dragons and elephants.
"The Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art?"
Hundred Household Commander Sun shot to his feet, staring at Chu He in disbelief.
He was not the only one!
The other Hundred Household Commanders, including Zhang Wei, were also somewhat stunned-far more stunned than when Chu He defeated Zhou Ye in a single breath.
They were middle-ranking officers of the Demon Suppression Bureau!
Naturally, they knew just how difficult this Prison Suppression Art was to cultivate. Many who practiced it were stuck at the first rank alone for over ten years.
Beyond the second rank, the time required could no longer be measured, and several times the resources were needed to support its cultivation.
Thus!
Although many Demon Suppression Guards were qualified to read this art, they eventually abandoned its cultivation. After all, when others were already at the third rank while you were still at the first, what good was superior combat strength?
However...
There were always a few exceptionally gifted individuals!
They cultivated this art as though aided by the gods, rapidly advancing their cultivation. The last such person to appear in Yun Province had emerged eighty years ago.
He had long since been transferred to headquarters and was now the guardian commander of a province, a regional powerhouse.
Thus!
Whenever someone with such exceptional talent appeared, the higher-ups of the Demon Suppression Bureau took them very seriously and would most likely prioritize their development.
"Good, very good!"
Zhang Wei slapped the table repeatedly in excitement, drawing envious looks from the other Hundred Household Commanders. Having someone like Chu He emerge under his command counted as a major achievement.
Moreover!
If Chu He soared to success in the future, Zhang Wei could reap considerable benefits through this connection.
"Impossible!"
Hundred Household Commander Sun slumped somewhat despondently into his chair.
He felt that all his schemes had vanished like scattered ashes once Chu He revealed his talent.
"Attack together!"
The squad leaders below exchanged glances. Rather than give up, they charged onto the platform together, drawing their Demon-Suppressing Sabers.
Shing!
Shing!
Shing!
Clearly!
They had learned from Zhou Ye's failure to draw his Demon-Suppressing Saber earlier.
"Mighty Cleave of the Nine Netherworlds!"
"Demon-Slaying Mad Saber!"
"Nine Provinces One Saber Slash!"
"..."
The squad leaders held nothing back, unleashing their strongest attacks on Chu He. Although victory this way would be somewhat dishonorable...
Still!
They were willing to try for the position of company commander!
Opportunity!
It vanished in the blink of an eye. Demon Suppression Guards would never choose to abandon such an opportunity for the sake of saving face.
"Well met!"
Chu He's eyes narrowed.
Shing!
His Demon-Suppressing Saber left its sheath and slashed toward the long saber attacking from his right.
At the same time!
His left foot lashed backward, kicking the squad leader attacking from behind flying.
The copper coin in his hand vanished, turning into a dark gleam that shot straight toward the two men ahead.
Clang!
Clang!
Both men felt their hands go numb.
Their grips on their Demon-Suppressing Sabers involuntarily loosened. Before they could react, they felt tremendous force strike their chests.
"Suppress demons-slash!"
A fierce shout rang out above Chu He's head.
There!
The only squad leader at the second rank middle stage appeared above him, bringing his saber straight down toward his skull.
Earth-shaking killing intent enveloped the entire platform. He had seized the moment when Chu He attacked, leaving him unable to pull back and block.
At that moment!
Chu He's only chance of survival was to dodge immediately to the left. Then he would suffer only a shoulder wound and lose his ability to fight.
Otherwise, he would perish beneath the long saber.
Just as everyone thought Chu He had taken his show of strength too far!
They saw it!
Chu He abruptly raised his head. His robes billowed without wind, his imposing presence erupted to its utmost, and his mouth opened:
"Scram!"
It was like thunder exploding out of a clear sky!
Threads of sound waves visible to the naked eye rushed upward like solid matter toward the attacking second rank middle stage squad leader.
Boom...
The attacking squad leader felt as though a truck had crashed into him. His internal organs shifted, blood streamed from his seven orifices, and the sound waves blasted him straight off the platform!
Thud!
He landed before the gathered Demon Suppression Guards!
"You..."
He barely managed to raise his head and point at Chu He!
Pfft...
He spat out a mouthful of blood!
His eyes rolled back, and he croaked... then fainted on the spot!
At the same time!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The other four squad leaders who had attacked were also hurled off the platform, though their injuries were not too severe.
However!
Not one of them wanted to go up and challenge him again!
Because!
They knew that if this had not been a platform bout, they should already have been dead, given his terrifyingly intense killing intent.
"Brother Chu, you're formidable. You have our admiration!"
"The position belongs to Brother Chu. We willingly concede defeat."
"Impressive..."
The squad leaders immediately cupped their hands and spoke.
They had plainly conceded!
This scene...
Left the spectating Demon Suppression Guards, including the Hundred Household Commanders above, staring in shock, unable to compose themselves!
Although it might have seemed to take a long time!
In fact!
Fewer than five breaths had passed since Chu He stepped onto the platform, yet he had already defeated the squad leaders' successive joint attacks!
They found it somewhat hard to accept:
It was like eagerly wanting to get frisky with your lover, only for them to tell you they were finished just as you lay down. Wouldn't that make you angry?
It was simply too fast!
Two whole breaths passed!
Only then did Zhang Wei come to his senses. He clapped his hands sharply and said:
"Good! Just what I'd expect of a member of my Third Battalion!"
"The victor of today's contest is Chu He. From this day forward, Chu He is officially appointed company commander of the Third Battalion."
With that!
He took a company commander's token from inside his robes and tossed it into Chu He's hand. The instant it reached Chu He, the two characters of his name appeared on it. At the same time, the name on his original squad leader's token vanished.
"Greetings, Company Commander Chu!"
"Greetings, Company Commander Chu!"
The Third Battalion's squad leaders all cupped their hands and spoke together.
There was no contempt, nor any melodramatic scene of someone stepping forward to stop it. Instead, congratulations rang out everywhere.
After all!
Everyone had witnessed Chu He's talent just now. Before long, he would surely attract the attention of those above, and his status and strength would rise rapidly.
By then, it would be too late to curry favor with him. They could only take advantage of the time before the higher-ups noticed him to get better acquainted. At the very least, they could not offend him.
"Here, drink a cup of strong liquor. May demon suppression endure forever!" Zhang Wei poured a cup of strong liquor and presented it to Chu He.
This was a rule of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Whenever someone was promoted, their superior would personally pour them a cup of strong liquor.
Just then!
Whoosh!
Something whistled through the air!
A Demon Suppression Guard rushed in from outside, stopped before the platform, and cupped his hands toward Zhang Wei:
"Sir, a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect has come to the gates of the Demon Suppression Bureau, demanding that we hand over the murderer, Chu He."
"He says Chu He slaughtered innocents, killing sect disciples who were helping suppress evil demons, and demands that we give an explanation to all living beings under heaven and the common people."
As he spoke...
He pointed outside and continued:
"He's causing quite a commotion. A lot of people have already gathered around the Demon Suppression Bureau to watch. The Thousand Household Commander says you must resolve this immediately."