Shannan Prefecture, the rear courtyard of the prefectural yamen.
"Lord Prefect, the wickedness of those Flesh Temple heretics grows worse by the day. We beseech Your Excellency to issue the order, deploy the garrison stationed outside the city, and suppress the Flesh Temple heretics!" an official urged, standing before the prefect.
The prefect frowned. "Is there a true demon backing this Flesh Temple?"
"This... we cannot be certain whether a true demon is behind the Flesh Temple. However, we have secretly hunted down and slain some of the blood scions within the Flesh Temple. Strange and uncanny as their methods are, they can indeed be killed."
"Therefore, we can confirm that at least those blood scions are not true demons."
The prefect understood. The waters of the Flesh Temple ran deep.
There was likely a true demon behind it, yet the blood scions who had shown themselves so far were not true demons. Relying on the imperial court was out of the question.
Now, they could depend only on Shannan Prefecture's own strength.
"Very well. Take my warrant, mobilize the army, and suppress the Flesh Temple!"
"Anyone who resists shall be executed on the spot!"
The prefect made up his mind. The Flesh Temple acted without restraint, encroaching upon the interests of almost every noble and dignitary in Shannan Prefecture.
How could those powerful figures sit still? Naturally, they had to seek every possible way to crush the Flesh Temple. And the prefect was, of course, the most prominent figure in Shannan Prefecture.
"Thank you, Lord Prefect!" The subordinate official rejoiced. With the prefect's approval, the matter became far simpler.
Thus, they immediately went to deploy the army to suppress the Flesh Temple in Shannan Prefecture.
***
Gushan County, headquarters of the Flesh Temple.
Chen Ping hurried over.
"Reporting to the Progenitor, something has happened in the prefectural capital of Shannan."
Lu Changsheng heard Chen Ping's voice.
"Enter."
Chen Ping pushed the door open and entered, reporting immediately: "Progenitor, Shannan Prefecture mobilized its army to suppress our Flesh Temple's blood scions. Many of our blood scions suffered heavy casualties. At present, the blood scions in Shannan's prefectural capital have been nearly wiped out!"
"Oh?"
"Shannan Prefecture mobilized an army to purge the Flesh Temple?"
Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly. The Jing Dynasty was currently showing signs of a collapsing dynasty at its twilight.
Formidable factions in various regions were carving out independent domains. Shannan Prefecture was no different. On the surface, it still belonged to the imperial court.
In reality, however, the officials of Shannan Prefecture had long colluded with local powers to establish de facto independence. Therefore, this move also represented Shannan Prefecture's own action against the Flesh Temple. Most likely, the Flesh Temple's expansion had severely harmed the interests of Shannan Prefecture's officials.
"In the end, blood scions are not true demons..." Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.
Perhaps blood scions could rival demons in strength, speed, and regenerative power.
Yet blood scions were not demons after all.
Blood scions could die! That was their greatest weakness.
"Chen Ping, I shall assign you a guard army."
"I will also grant you eight Blood Scion Divine Guards. Go and sweep Shannan Prefecture flat!"
Chen Ping was overjoyed. The Guard Army was composed of blood scions who had undergone secondary growth!
Every single one rivaled an ordinary true demon. A single guard army numbered eight hundred strong!
A charge from these eight hundred could not be stopped even by an army of a hundred thousand.
And the Blood Scion Divine Guards were even more formidable. Only blood scions of tertiary growth were qualified to become Divine Guards.
"No, forget it. I will make the trip in person."
After a moment's thought, Lu Changsheng decided to go personally.
Shannan Prefecture was no trivial matter. Once Shannan Prefecture was seized, the Flesh Temple would step fully onto the stage of this chaotic world.
At that time, it would be exposed before all powers. It would face the scrutiny of true demons, the imperial court, and factions of every stripe.
If Lu Changsheng did not go, it would likely be difficult to keep the situation under control.
Chen Ping's heart tightened, knowing that the Progenitor attached great importance to the situation in Shannan Prefecture.
"Chen Ping, you shall march with me to Shannan Prefecture as well."
"Have Gao Ping remain behind to oversee the Flesh Temple."
Lu Changsheng laid out the arrangements one by one.
"Yes, Progenitor."
With that, Chen Ping immediately went down to make preparations. Soon, a guard army and eight Blood Scion Divine Guards were assembled.
This was the Guard Army's first operation. Lu Changsheng intended to secure complete victory in a single battle.
"Set out!"
Thus, the army marched forth with great fanfare, heading straight for Shannan Prefecture.
***
Meanwhile, inside the Shannan Prefectural Yamen.
Laughter and cheerful voices filled the air. Crate upon crate of assorted valuables and goods were piled high within the yamen—treasures seized during this period when the Shannan army suppressed the Flesh Temple, worth a literal fortune.
Even the prefect had not expected to reap such an enormous fortune. Now, all the factions in Shannan Prefecture were thoroughly satisfied.
To mobilize the army, they had put forward a great deal of silver. Now, they had recouped it many times over.
"My lord, the Flesh Temple suffered heavy losses. Could they retaliate?" someone finally voiced their concern.
This time, the Flesh Temple had suffered grievous losses at their hands, yet it had not been eradicated completely.
If they retaliated, it would likely be fierce.
"I have already investigated: the Flesh Temple is based in Gushan City. Please issue the order, my lord, for the army to set out immediately for Gushan County and eradicate the Flesh Temple!" a general commanding the troops said with brimming confidence.
It was as though the moment the army arrived, the Flesh Temple would vanish into smoke and ash.
The prefect pondered for a long time. In truth, he was worried as well.
There was a very high probability that a true demon was behind the Flesh Temple. If they acted rashly and failed to eradicate the temple, trouble would ensue.
"Is Your Excellency worried about the demon behind the Flesh Temple?" an obese squire asked with a smiling face.
"Why, does Squire Zhao have a way?" the prefect asked.
"Lord Prefect, do you still remember the Dark Demon Society?"
The prefect's expression shifted drastically.
The Dark Demon Society had long been designated a prime target for suppression by the Jing Dynasty's Demon God Ministry.
Anyone who colluded with the Dark Demon Society would face the wrath of the Demon God Ministry.
The Dark Demon Society was rumored to have shadowy ties with the Demon Realm.
It might even be a clandestine organization used directly by the Demon Realm to infiltrate human dynasties.
It was said there were demons within it!
And extremely powerful demons at that.
"Squire Zhao, do you realize what you are doing?"
"Dealing with the Dark Demon Society is nothing less than bargaining with a tiger for its skin!"
"If the imperial court finds out..." the prefect berated sharply.
However, it was merely a rebuke; he did not immediately order Squire Zhao to be seized.
Squire Zhao naturally understood the implication of this detail.
Squire Zhao smiled faintly. "Lord Prefect, the Dark Demon Society is a tiger, while the Flesh Temple is a pack of starving wolves. What could be better than driving the tiger to devour the wolves while we reap the spoils of the fisherman?"
"Furthermore, if Your Excellency worries that the Dark Demon Society has designs on Shannan Prefecture, there is no need. Shannan Prefecture occupies a unique geographical position right in the heartland of the Jing Dynasty. What purpose would it serve for the Dark Demon Society to occupy Shannan Prefecture?"
"They would likely be wiped out by the imperial court and the Demon God Ministry almost immediately. Thus, the Dark Demon Society certainly harbors no designs on Shannan Prefecture. They merely wish to establish some ties with us, befriend Your Excellency, and have our Shannan Prefecture grant them some conveniences at some point in the future."
With his smiling demeanor, Squire Zhao had obviously colluded with the Dark Demon Society long beforehand.
Yet the prefect was swayed.
Just as Squire Zhao said, Shannan Prefecture's location made it impossible for the Dark Demon Society to plot taking Shannan Prefecture.
As long as they harbored no ambitions toward Shannan Prefecture, what harm was there in granting them a few other benefits?
The strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolves was viable!
"Very well. Then this official shall meet with the people from the Dark Demon Society." The prefect finally made up his mind.
***
Lu Changsheng had already led the eight hundred guards and the eight Blood Scion Divine Guards straight toward Shannan Prefecture.
They had encountered some minor troubles along the way, but the eight hundred guards had crushed those obstacles as easily as chopping vegetables.
It served as a warm-up for the impending great battle at Shannan Prefecture.
Before long, Lu Changsheng saw a massive city ahead.
"Progenitor, that great city ahead is Shannan City," Chen Ping introduced to Lu Changsheng.
"Oh?"
"Looking at Shannan City, they seem ill-prepared. Did they not expect us to take the initiative and attack?"
"Still, even if they were unprepared, we did not mount a surprise assault, so they have spotted us and already closed the city gates."
Lu Changsheng gazed from afar.
Shannan City had a moat. Once the city gates were closed, it might pose a bit of trouble.
Of course, to Lu Changsheng, it was hardly an obstacle.
Each of the Blood Scion Divine Guards had reached tertiary growth and stepped into the transcendent realm. Breaching the city gates would be child's play.
"Progenitor, the city gates have opened again."
"It appears to be the army garrisoned inside Shannan City."
"With so many troops, there must be twenty thousand, right?"
Chen Ping felt a twinge of tension.
Twenty thousand troops! These were the most elite soldiers of Shannan Prefecture, a genuine army seasoned in battlefield slaughter.
Although the Flesh Temple's guards had undergone secondary growth and their physical capabilities far surpassed regular soldiers, their numbers were small.
Eight hundred against twenty thousand—by any measure, the disparity was immense.
Yet Lu Changsheng showed little apprehension.
"All eight hundred guards, charge!"
Lu Changsheng was no master military commander, but none was needed.
All eight hundred guards had undergone secondary growth, possessing superhuman physical prowess. To say each was worth ten men was an understatement; each was worth a hundred, or even a thousand!
Therefore, there was no need for tactical battle formations.
A direct charge was all it took.
Secondary-growth blood scions also possessed tremendous vitality; even severe wounds healed rapidly.
It was hard for them even to die!
Thus, the eight hundred guards began their charge.
Yet, while they did not form a battle array, they did not charge without method.
On the contrary, when they reached a certain distance, they halted. Every single one extended their arms.
"Flesh Net!"
Instantly, the eight hundred guards flung out parts of their own flesh and blood.
In the air, it was as if a sudden rain of blood had appeared, dense and blotting out the sky, sweeping down over the twenty-thousand-strong army.
"Shieldbearers, protect!"
Squads of sword-and-shield soldiers rushed to the front, raising their shields.
Yet the rain of blood was too dense; some inevitably slipped through.
Those who were splattered with the blood-rain instantly cried out in agony, rolling on the ground in excruciating pain.
Even armor proved useless.
This "flesh" seemed "alive," burrowing into bodies on its own accord.
Moreover, bits of blood scion flesh were scattered across the ground. Whether horse or soldier, the moment they touched even a sliver of that flesh, they were instantly "converted" into blood scions.
In the blink of an eye, the twenty-thousand-strong army fell into disarray.
Before the clash even truly began, men were already collapsing across the field.
And as time passed, an even more bizarre scene unfolded.
Those fallen soldiers did not die. An hour or two later, they rose back to their feet, brimming with vigor and vitality.
Furthermore, they seemed naturally inclined toward the "blood scions."
And so they naturally "defected."
Of course, the Flesh Temple did not call it defection; they called it "conversion."
Thus, two hours later, what had originally been only eight hundred guards on the Flesh Temple's side suddenly swelled to nearly twenty thousand.
Almost all twenty thousand soldiers who had marched out of the city to fight had "defected," transformed into blood scions.
Watching this unfold from the city walls, the officials of Shannan Prefecture were dumbstruck.
Could a battle even be fought like this?
In a single engagement, their entire force "defected" while their opponent's strength surged wildly.
How could they fight this?
This battle was simply too humiliating, too bizarre.
"This... how can this be?"
"This old man considers himself well-traveled, having once witnessed a great battle between a greater demon and a half-demon. Even demonic arts were never this uncanny, were they?"
"Demonic arts... this is far more uncanny than demonic arts. If the Flesh Temple possesses a method to convert ordinary people into blood scions in such a short time, then like a snowball rolling downhill, to what extent will the Flesh Temple eventually grow?"
"This... this is an even greater threat than true demons or the Demon Realm!"
With just a moment's thought, many immediately grasped the terror of the Flesh Temple.
Humans and true demons could still maintain a fragile balance by relying on half-demons to resist.
But if faced with the Flesh Temple, how could anyone stand against it?
For a time, the atmosphere atop the city wall turned grave.
At this moment, Squire Zhao spoke up.
"Everyone, it seems we must ask the Dark Demon Society to step in."
Squire Zhao's words gave everyone a slight pause.
Right, there was still the Dark Demon Society. They had almost forgotten that people from the Dark Demon Society were present in Shannan City.
The prefect of Shannan Prefecture took a deep breath. He knew that relying on the army to defeat the Flesh Temple's forces outside the city was now a pipe dream.
Their only option was to deploy the "demons" of the Dark Demon Society.
"I must trouble Squire Zhao then," the prefect said slowly, signaling his consent.
"Bring in Lady Hongshuang," Squire Zhao said, clapping his hands.
A woman walked slowly out from the crowd.
Dressed in gossamer silk, she had a slender figure and wore revealing attire, exuding a distinct aura of bewitchment.
Yet Squire Zhao treated her with evident deference.
He knew full well in his heart that this "Lady Hongshuang" before him was no human, but a demon! A man-eating true demon!
"Hehehe."
Lady Hongshuang walked forward step by step, stopping before the prefect of Shannan Prefecture.
With a seductive smile, she said, "Lord Prefect, our Dark Demon Society's experts have one condition before stepping in. Once we crush the rebel forces of the Flesh Temple outside the city, every single one of those people must be handed over to the Dark Demon Society. How about it?"
As she spoke, she licked her lips, her body giving off a chilling, bloodthirsty air.
This sent a slight shiver through the prefect's heart.
True demons ate humans!
Nearly twenty thousand people stood outside the city; even if they were Flesh Temple rebels, they were still human. He knew full well what fate awaited them once he agreed to hand them over to the Dark Demon Society.
However, weighing the pros and cons, the prefect gritted his teeth and said, "Rebels deserve death! Lady Hongshuang, if you can repel the rebels, they shall naturally be left to your disposal!"
"Good."
Lady Hongshuang smiled, thoroughly pleased with the prefect's response.
"Watch closely, my lords. Our Dark Demon Society is deploying eighteen experts; they are certain to crush the twenty thousand Flesh Temple rebels outside the city!"
Lady Hongshuang appeared brimming with confidence.
Deploying only eighteen experts would suffice to rout an army of twenty thousand rebels.
The reason was simple: those eighteen experts were not human.
They were demons!
Greater demons, in fact!
For eighteen greater demons to sweep away a human army of twenty thousand was as easy as turning over a hand.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In an instant, figure after figure leaped vigorously from the city walls.
A total of eighteen figures landed outside Shannan City.
At that moment, among the Flesh Temple army, Lu Changsheng and his companions noticed the commotion on the walls of Shannan City.
"Someone leaped down from Shannan City?"
"Are those... eighteen people?"
"No, how could humans leap down from the walls of Shannan City without suffering any harm? Even a martial master of many years' training couldn't do that. Unless... they aren't human!"
"If they aren't human, then they are demons—true demons!"
Chen Ping stared intently at those eighteen figures—or rather, at those eighteen true demons!
A blood scion of secondary growth could rival an ordinary true demon, while tertiary growth rivaled a greater demon.
The eight hundred guards were equivalent to eight hundred true demons. Did these eighteen true demons think they could match eight hundred guards?
"Progenitor, these true demons are likely not from the Demon God Ministry. I suspect there are people from the Dark Demon Society inside Shannan City. Only the Dark Demon Society, having infiltrated the Jing Dynasty for many years, could mobilize so many true demons at once," Chen Ping cautioned.
"The Dark Demon Society?" Lu Changsheng nodded.
He understood the nature of the Dark Demon Society. In fact, he wasn't even particularly surprised.
Officials of the Jing Dynasty colluding with true demons of the Dark Demon Society—was that surprising? Lu Changsheng was not surprised in the slightest.
"Chen Ping, these eighteen true demons are no ordinary ones. They are greater demons!" Lu Changsheng said with a smile.
"So what if they are greater demons? A mere eighteen greater demons—a single charge from our eight hundred guards will tear them to shreds!"
Chen Ping naturally knew the might of the guards.
Equivalent to eight hundred true demons! How terrifying would their charge be?
"Good. Order the Guard Army to move out."
At Lu Changsheng's command, the eight hundred guards stepped forward.
Boom!
The eight hundred guards moved, charging in full formation.
Moreover, the Guard Army was different from ordinary troops.
They were blood scions!
The eight hundred guards unleashed the full physical power of their flesh. Terrible surges of blood qi soared into the sky, condensing into a massive blood cloud.
The blood cloud blotted out the sun, carrying terrifying majesty as it swept toward the eighteen greater demons with overwhelming momentum.
Boom!
A genuine head-on collision.
The eighteen true demons all manifested their demonic bodies.
Yet no matter how powerful their demonic forms were, against the eight hundred guards and the nearly tangible blood cloud overhead, the eighteen greater demons crumbled at the first touch.
At the very first clash, the demonic bodies of the eighteen greater demons proved as fragile as eggshells, shattered in an instant.
Bang!
After the charge swept through, the eighteen true demons were ground instantly into mush.
Silence!
The entire battlefield fell abruptly quiet.
Even atop the walls of Shannan Prefecture, the watching officials and gentry stood dumbfounded, completely unable to believe their eyes.
A deathly stillness hung over the entire wall.
"D-Dead?"
"Dead in a single charge, a single clash?"
"Weren't they eighteen greater demons? That's it?"
"Eighteen greater demons died just like that, without putting up the slightest resistance?"
"Did... did my eyes deceive me?"
On the city wall, people could not help but stammer.
Demons! And greater demons at that!
Fundamentally, it was an established fact that humans were no match for greater demons.
Against ordinary true demons, humans could rely on numbers, martial artists, and battle formations to achieve victory or even imprison and trap them.
Once it came to greater demons, however, everything changed.
Against a greater demon, human numbers were meaningless.
To humans, greater demons were virtually unsolvable!
Never mind an army of twenty thousand—even a force of a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand could do nothing against a single greater demon.
Humans could only contend with greater demons by relying on the half-demons of the Demon God Ministry!
Yet now, here were eighteen greater demons, routed at the very first contact.
This was abnormal. Far too abnormal.
It went drastically beyond everyone's expectations—even beyond their comprehension.
"Huh?"
"This human army outside the city is quite interesting."
"According to the Lord Prefect, the rebels outside are from something called the Flesh Temple?"
"Tsk, tsk. This Flesh Temple does have a few tricks up its sleeve."
"However... demons aren't so easily killed."
Though Lady Hongshuang was somewhat astonished, she was not overly worried.
Demons were immortal. Only a demon could kill a demon!
Once the eighteen greater demons revived, the ones to collapse in the end would surely be the Flesh Temple army outside the city.
After all, no matter how bizarre the Flesh Temple army was, they were still human!
And how could humans ever be a match for demons?
Outside the city, a single charge from the eight hundred guards had shredded the eighteen greater demons directly.
However, greater demons were immortal!
Everyone knew this. Even grinding a demon's bones to powder and scattering its ashes could not prevent a true demon from reviving.
Yet the eight hundred guards had long prepared a method.
They were blood scions now. During their training, the Guard Army had devised ten thousand ways to deal with true demons.
And against true demons, the most effective weapon was, in fact, the blood or flesh of blood scions.
The blood and flesh of blood scions could slay true demons.
"Halt."
"All guards, prepare."
"Release blood scion blood."
As the order came down, the eight hundred guards slashed their wrists without hesitation.
Instantly, a vast expanse of crimson blood poured forth, blanketing the sky as it showered down upon the mashed flesh of the eighteen greater demons.
The dense crimson blood fell like a torrential downpour, quickly drenching the ground and coating the blood-mush of the eighteen greater demons.
"Ahhh..."
The greater demons, having just reformed their bodies and attempting to "revive," let out agonizing shrieks.
Their flesh and blood even began smoking, hissing furiously with sizzling sounds.
If it were only one or two secondary-growth blood scions, draining all their blood might not have harmed a greater demon.
Yet this was not one or two secondary-growth blood scions; it was a full eight hundred!
When eight hundred guards slit their wrists and shed their blood, the gathered torrent formed what was almost a pool of blood.
Submerged in the blood pool, the flesh of the eighteen greater demons was rapidly devoured.
In mere moments, all movement from the eighteen greater demons ceased completely.
Dead!
This time, the eighteen greater demons were truly dead, with no possibility of reviving.
Watching this unfold, Lady Hongshuang atop the city wall could hardly believe her eyes.
"What?"
"The eighteen greater demons are dead?"
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! Only a demon can kill a demon; how could humans kill a demon? Let alone eighteen greater demons!"
"The Flesh Temple... are these people what they call blood scions? But aren't blood scions human?"
Lady Hongshuang's mind reeled in shock.
This completely overturned everything she knew.
How could a human kill a demon?
For countless ages, no matter how brilliant or peerless a human was, none had ever been able to slay a demon.
Reality had proven time and again that only a demon could kill a demon.
"Could it be that the Flesh Temple, or these blood scions, are demons themselves?"
Lady Hongshuang considered the possibility.
Demons!
The Flesh Temple or the blood scions were actually demons.
Although she had not sensed the familiar aura of a true demon, the varieties of demons were far too vast, and their strange abilities were endless.
Could they be demons skilled in concealing their aura?
Pretending to be people of the Flesh Temple, disguising themselves as blood scions?
Yet what faction could muster eight hundred true demons all at once?
For a time, even Lady Hongshuang fell into confusion.
In contrast to Lady Hongshuang's bewilderment, the officials of Shannan Prefecture atop the wall wore expressions of dread.
Some were even trembling.
They had thought of the worst outcome: death!
Once the Flesh Temple breached Shannan City, they would surely die!
They knew this clearly. After all, they had purged the Flesh Temple in Shannan Prefecture and killed so many blood scions.
Now the Flesh Temple had returned for vengeance. Once the city fell, would they be spared?
Some were already contemplating fleeing—abandoning Shannan City and taking their wealth far away.
Even if they suffered heavy losses, at least they would keep their lives.
Yet under the circumstances, none dared voice their thoughts aloud, fearing the prefect would have their heads severed.
The most agonized person was likely the prefect himself.
He had listened to the instigation of others to eradicate the Flesh Temple.
And the result?
Now the Flesh Temple had led an army back for vengeance, and not even eighteen greater demons could stop them.
Once the Flesh Temple breached Shannan City, he, as the prefect, would surely meet a gruesome end!
After all, he was the chief culprit. The Flesh Temple might spare others, but they would never spare him.
"Remain calm!"
"We still have high walls and a moat! The Flesh Temple rebels cannot breach Shannan Prefecture!" the prefect shouted loudly, attempting to steady their hearts.
Yet in the next moment, eight figures shot forth from the Flesh Temple ranks.
Those were the eight Blood Scion Divine Guards!
All eight were formidable blood scions of tertiary growth who had already stepped into the transcendent realm.
In an instant, they leaped into the moat, swam across by sheer strength, and stood beneath the city walls.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The city gates and the walls shook violently.
These eight Blood Scion Divine Guards actually swung their fists and began hammering the city wall and gates with colossal strength.
In the span of a single incense stick, the walls and gates gave way.
Rumble!
Several gaping holes tore through the city wall, and the gates collapsed with a thunderous crash.
At that moment, everyone knew Shannan Prefecture was finished.
"Shannan City is finished! Run, get out of here!"
"Flee for your lives, run!"
"Those Flesh Temple people are monsters, don't let them catch you..."
And so, the officials on the city wall fled in panic.
Even Lady Hongshuang had vanished without a trace at some point.
Only the prefect of Shannan Prefecture remained, standing alone and desolate atop the wall.
"It's over..."
Dazed and hollow, the prefect watched the Flesh Temple army steadily enter the city.
He understood that everything was finished.
Chapter 273