All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 125 Exorcising Demons: A Case of Ease

Two hours ago, Zhang Cheng and Li Qiushui took the imperial edict and headed straight for the camp of the 50,000-strong army.

With his extraordinary martial prowess and the official endorsement of the imperial edict, Zhang Cheng quickly subdued the soldiers, consolidated his forces, and set off for the Deaf and Mute Valley.

On his way, he saw from afar that the old woman seemed about to fight with the group, so he threw a spear and interrupted the battle.

Immediately, he ordered Li Qiushui to lead the main army at a slow pace, while he himself led a dozen or so skilled warriors from the Palace Guard to rush over and block the way.

Zhang Cheng yanked the reins, and his warhorse neighed loudly, turning around to face the thousands of martial artists. Behind it, more than ten Palace Guard cavalrymen lined up in a row, their armor imposing and their aura overwhelming.

"I am the Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit of Jingzhou, and I have been ordered to preside over the demon-slaying ceremony and command all the armies." Zhang Cheng's voice clearly reached everyone's ears. "Greetings, everyone."

Thousands of people looked at each other in bewilderment. Someone muttered under their breath, "Are the officials meddling in matters of the underworld?"

However, Zhang Cheng's imposing presence from throwing his gun into the ground and ordering Liu Meng to kneel with a single word remained, and no one dared to question him to his face.

Several hot-tempered gangsters moved their lips, but were held back by their companions, forcing them to swallow the words that were about to come out.

Just then, someone in the Beggars' Sect crowd suddenly exclaimed in a low voice, "It's him!"

On the day in Xingzi Forest, Tong Lao only showed her face briefly and did nothing particularly noteworthy. The beggars' attention was entirely on Xiao Feng and his son, and no one paid any attention to her.

Therefore, when the Beggars' Sect members first saw Tong Lao, they felt that she looked somewhat familiar, but they couldn't remember her for a moment.

But Zhang Cheng was different. He single-handedly faced hundreds of Beggar Clan disciples, captured an elder, and broke the Dog-Beating Formation, leaving a very deep impression on people.

At this moment, he lifted his mask, revealing his true face, and the Beggars' Sect disciples who had participated in the Xingzi Forest incident that day immediately recognized him.

"Isn't he the leader of the Carefree Sect?! The one who helped us expose Madam Ma's conspiracy in the Apricot Grove!"

Upon hearing this, the Beggars' Sect disciples who had participated in the Apricot Grove incident that day quickly realized what was happening and began whispering among themselves.

"Yes, he was the one who strongly supported Chief Qiao in the Apricot Grove. I think his name was Zhang Cheng?" "Qiao Feng is no longer the chief." "How did he become a member of the imperial court?"

Listening to the whispers of the crowd, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly: These wandering thugs are truly disorganized and undisciplined.

In comparison, the people from the Palace Guard behind him, although perhaps less skilled in combat, were at least disciplined and obeyed orders.

He turned his head to look at the Beggars' Sect members and chuckled, "What, can't the leaders of martial arts sects become officials of the imperial court?"

The Beggars' Sect members were speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

It's not common for people from the martial arts world to become officials, but it's not unprecedented. However, this is the first time they've seen someone manage to mobilize the Imperial Guards.

Seeing that no one answered, Zhang Cheng said nothing more. Just then, the sound of orderly footsteps came from behind, like muffled thunder rolling across the earth.

In the distance, an infantry formation was slowly advancing, with shield bearers holding shields in front, spearmen following closely behind, and archers on both flanks, completely surrounding the open area.

The synchronized footsteps and the clanging of armor plates struck the eardrums of the crowd. Only then did the heroes realize that they were already surrounded.

The crowd, which had been buzzing with discussion, fell silent instantly. Some people turned pale, while others gripped the hilts of their knives, but dared not make a move.

A burly man wielding a bronze staff couldn't help but step forward from the crowd, angrily shouting, "Hey Zhang, what do you mean by this? We came here in response to the invitation to become heroes, but you've surrounded us with your troops. What are you up to?" He was clearly quite strong and had heard the beggars' discussion earlier.

As soon as he spoke, someone in the crowd immediately echoed, "That's right! The imperial court said they were here to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path, but instead they've surrounded us as if we were demons themselves?"

"Give us an explanation!" "Yes! Give us an explanation!" The crowd was agitated, their shouts rising in waves. But those who were shouting remained motionless, none daring to take a single step forward.

Zhang Cheng sat upright on his horse, and only after the commotion subsided slightly did he slowly speak: "Please be patient, everyone. I have come here because there has been new progress in the Luoyang case."

It is understood that there are other hidden circumstances surrounding those murders, and they are not as simple as the rumors suggest. It was the incompetence and negligence of the people in charge of the investigation that caused innocent people to suffer unjustly.

The imperial court will reopen this case, so you need not worry about it.

These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd. Someone shouted, "What does the imperial court mean by this? Are they playing us for fools?"

""

Someone chimed in, "We've come all this way, and you think you can just send us away with a few words?"

Zhang Cheng did not answer, but silently activated his [Military Might] at full power.

An invisible aura emanated from him, like a mountain collapsing, pressing down on everyone's hearts, and the clamor abruptly ceased.

"Please be patient, everyone. The exorcism ceremony will proceed as scheduled, but in a different location. The case has also changed; we'll be re-examining a long-standing case."

Zhang Cheng's gaze swept across the entire room, his tone calm, "If any of you are interested, please wait here for a moment and come with me to witness this."

The assembled heroes exchanged bewildered glances, some believing, some doubting, some hesitant, while others harbored a menacing glint in their eyes, seemingly eager to stir up trouble amidst the chaos. However, circumstances dictated their actions, and ultimately, the majority chose silence.

Seeing that no one spoke, Zhang Cheng then transmitted his voice to Tong Lao and Duan Yanqing, saying, "Brother Duan, have you led everyone back to Leigu Mountain? You can call them down now."

Duan Yanqing nodded and prepared to go up the mountain to call for help. Before leaving, he suddenly stopped and transmitted his voice, "By the way, on our way from Gongxian to Leigushan, Murong Fu was kidnapped. There were two people involved: one was the Tibetan National Preceptor Kumārajīva, and the other, a masked man, should be the Murong Bo you mentioned earlier."

Zhang Cheng was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: "They have a way to snatch someone from your hands?"

Kumozhi and Zhang Cheng had fought before, and Murong Bo's strength should be roughly equal to Xiao Yuanshan's.

Given Tong Lao's fighting prowess, coupled with Duan Yanqing's deep wisdom and decisive nature, it shouldn't be so easy for these two to abduct Murong Fu from them.

At least in Zhang Cheng's mind, if things went wrong, Duan Yanqing would definitely use Murong Fu as a hostage to blackmail him.

Duan Yanqing explained, "That Tibetan national teacher's cultivation level is much higher than when we last met in Dali. He is now able to fight against Senior Wu."

I'm slightly inferior to Murong Bo. If we want to protect Yu'er and Wanqing, it's better to let them take the hostages away.

Zhang Cheng frowned. "I see. That's troublesome. I wonder if they're still at Shaolin." He pondered for a moment, then added, "But in any case, let's go to Shaoshi Mountain first."

"It's good that you know what's going on."

After Duan Yanqing finished speaking, his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.