NOVEL WEB Chapter 522: Don't Say You Were Not Warned
Although Xiao Chengjun does not much care for the Court, he himself is a sincere person, unwilling to do anything against his conscience.
He has already pushed his Heavenly Martial Seven Evil Spear to its limits, yet Han Zheng is still able to withstand it.
While he can sense that Han Zheng's consumption must be immense as well, continuing the fight would lead to an endless life-and-death struggle, which seems unnecessary.
The power Han Zheng has shown is already enough to contend with most martial artists in the Yang God Realm.
Han Zheng's complexion is slightly pale.
Just now, forcing himself to meet Xiao Chengjun's Heavenly Martial Seven Evil Spear also expended a great deal of energy.
"I didn't win, so how can the Xiao Family Head say he lost?"
"A loss is a loss, why make so many excuses?"
Xiao Chengjun said expressionlessly, "In terms of seniority, you are a junior; in terms of power, you are at the Half-step Yang God Realm. Even with all my strength, I couldn't take you down—how is that not a loss? Han Zheng, with such power, I now believe you can stabilize the current situation in Southern Mountain. Going forward, my Xiao Family will follow your commands."
Some Xiao Family elders, not knowing what was going on, were shocked when they heard Xiao Chengjun's words.
"Family Head! That's impossible!"
Their Xiao Family already had a tenuous relationship with the Court, but now to follow the orders of someone from the Demon Cleansing Bureau? How could that be permissible?
Xiao Chengjun waved his hand, sweeping his gaze over them, and the elders fell silent.
As Family Head, his power in the Xiao Family was immense, nearly absolute.
"Xiao Family Head, rest assured, pacifying Southern Mountain is the responsibility of my Demon Cleansing Bureau. Your Xiao Family merely needs to assist on the sidelines; I won't harm the Xiao Family. Please await news and be ready to act at any time."
Han Zheng bowed slightly, confirmed his intentions, and took his leave.
After Han Zheng had departed, the Xiao Family elders gathered around, puzzled, "Family Head, although it is true that Han Zheng's strength is not weak, in a real deathmatch, you might not necessarily lose to him. Do we truly need to follow his orders?"
Xiao Chengjun closed his eyes slightly and said faintly, "Life-and-death battle is another matter entirely, but the question is whether I have any necessity to engage Han Zheng in such a fight.
Our Xiao Family has preserved the Southern Mountain, and with its stability, we remain stable.
Now those people have stirred Southern Mountain into chaos; it's impossible for us to ignore it indefinitely.
Moreover, if what Han Zheng says is true, those people have set up a Magic Platform to seize the Qi Fortune of all Southern Mountain. Our Xiao Family cannot remain untouched.
The most important point is that Han Zheng is merely at the Half-step Yang God Realm yet possesses such power. When he reaches the Yang God Realm, I predict he'll become another Chen Baxian, perhaps even stronger!"
The Xiao Family elders present were rendered speechless.
Although the Xiao Family doesn't have a close relationship with the Court, it doesn't mean they need to fight against the Court to the end.
Offending a powerful young expert from the Demon Cleansing Bureau, with limitless potential, offers them no benefits whatsoever.
Leaving the Xiao Family, Han Zheng similarly instructed Qiu Tianzhi to wait for news, indicating that the time was not yet ripe for action.
Han Zheng then returned with Lian Sheng to the headquarters of the Demon Cleansing Bureau in Kai Ping Prefecture.
"How has it been? Nothing significant has happened during this period?"
Upon returning to Kai Ping Prefecture, Han Zheng promptly inquired.
Bu Tiange, lounging in the chair and basking in the sunlight, appeared relaxed.
"Rest assured, Kai Ping Prefecture is safe under my watch, what major event could happen? Why did you bring this little monk along?"
Bu Tiange gazed with surprise at Lian Sheng behind Han Zheng.
During the Divine Weapon Tournament, Bu Tiange had witnessed Lian Sheng's power.
"Benefactor Bu, it's been a while, are you well?"
Lian Sheng smiled widely, "Today, this monk has been expelled from Great Compassion Temple and can only eke out a living by staying beside Lord Han."
Bu Tiange remarked curiously, "Expelled from your sect and you're still so cheerful, you little monk truly are an oddity."
"Alright, stop the chatter, let's gather Wen Tingyun and the others, we should take action."
Han Zheng interrupted Bu Tiange, summoned Wen Tingyun and others for a meeting, and reported that he had settled matters with Great Compassion Temple and three other groups.
Xu Cunbao listened with a sense of relief.
During Han Zheng's time in the Capital City, not only had his power grown rapidly, but his capabilities had also increased similarly.
"Elder Xu, which of the Five Families and Seven Sects has acted most reprehensibly, we shall target them first."
Xu Cunbao contemplated, then snorted coldly, "That would be the Sky Blade Song Family! The Song Family not only drove out the Demon Cleansing Bureau's Xuanjia Guard within their territory but also banished every martial artist in their region, kidnapped citizens from other areas, forcing them to worship at the Magic Platform.
Though Song Family's elder, 'Blood Transforming God Saber' Song Tianya, isn't too old, he should be nearing the stage of qi and blood decline. If he doesn't break through, all he can do is await death.
He's undoubtedly eager to exploit this evil thing to reach the Dharma Manifestation Realm as swiftly as possible and gain new life span."
Han Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly, noting how frequently he crossed paths with the Sky Blade Song Family.
Previously, in Black Stone County, he'd even slain an elder from a Song Family branch; now he's facing the Song Family's main lineage elder.
"Initially, warn them with a letter, advising the Song Family to dismantle the Magic Platform and surrender quietly, or bear the consequences themselves, then gather the forces and directly attack the Song Family!"
Sending a warning isn't a waste of time but ensuring they can't claim they weren't forewarned.
The Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Bureau had amassed considerable influence under Chen Baxian, and even if Chen Baxian had departed, the Five Families and Seven Sects must still adhere to the rules he'd established.
Unfortunately, within a year, Ren Tianying squandered all that influence.
What Han Zheng needs to do now is reassert the Bureau's authority, telling the Martial World of Southern Mountain not to take the Bureau's words lightly!
Several days later, in Jiangyang Prefecture, within the Sky Blade Song Family.
The walls around the Song Family estate had been dismantled, with a tall Magic Platform erecting at the center, surrounded by over a hundred thousand citizens kneeling and chanting.
When the Smell Fragrance Sect attacked Kai Ping Prefecture, countless citizens fled, and even assembling a few thousand was a challenge for Night Sky God Venerable.
The Song Family had been rooted in Jiangyang Prefecture for a millennium, with strong foundations, making it easier to gather citizens than it did for the Smell Fragrance Sect.
Although Song Family's elder, Song Tianya, was nearing the stage of qi and blood decline, he didn't appear as elderly, looking about fifty, regal and dignified.
At this moment, Song Tianya sat cross-legged beside the golden cube, continuously absorbing the pure Heaven and Earth Power, a look of ecstasy appearing on his face.
A martial artist of his cultivation had not felt such growth in a long time.
Without this treasure, his life might as well be over.
His qi and blood began to decline, his life span gradually depleting, he could only watch himself inevitably fall into decay.
All he could do was use his remaining strength to protect the next generation's Governor of the Song Family, even sacrificing his own life at a critical moment.
Historically, all Song Family governors have come this way, but Song Tianya was unwilling!
In his youth, he was a brilliant figure in Southern Mountain, in his middle years, he governored the Song Family, commanding a region with pride.
Entering old age, he was unwilling to watch himself deteriorate into a decrepit state, of course, Song Tianya felt discontent.
Now Song Tianya even felt grateful to Ren Tianying.
If Ren Tianying hadn't discovered that relic, how could he have obtained this treasure and found hope for further advancement?
Song Tianya vaguely suspected this object might not be a treasure but perhaps an evil item.
After all, power came far too easily, requiring citizens' worship to generate it, reminiscent of those Ancient Evil Cults.
Yet, Song Tianya couldn't concern himself with those worries at present, for his strength visibly increased and he hadn't detected any side effects—yet.
Even if it's evil, even if it's like drinking poison to quench thirst, Song Tianya did not care!
Once the time had elapsed, the golden cube ceased absorbing power, and Song Tianya waved to dismiss the citizens.
At that moment, a Song Family disciple dared to approach, handing over the letter from the Demon Cleansing Bureau.