If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

Zhou Yang finished speaking.

The room was deathly silent.

The air seemed to freeze, leaving only Zhao Jue's suppressed groans of pain and the soft "plop plop" of blood dripping onto the carpet.

The guests were terrified, their faces drained of color, and they stood frozen in shock. Was this still the capital city, and still the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhao's residence? This person... this person actually dared to depose the heir apparent in public and even set a price for it?

madman!

This guy is a complete madman!

Zhao Jue collapsed to the ground, his vision blurring from the pain. He stared intently at Zhou Yang, his eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and terror, like a venomous snake. He wanted to roar, to order the madman to be chopped into mincemeat, but the excruciating pain prevented him from uttering a single complete sentence.

The servants and guards from the Prince Zhao's residence who were nearby also recovered from their initial shock. Their faces hardened with menacing glints as they gripped the hilts of their swords tightly.

"presumptuous!"

"How dare they commit murder in the capital!"

"Take him down!"

Several shouts rang out simultaneously. Seven or eight guards from the Prince's mansion drew their steel swords, forming a semi-circle as they approached Zhou Yang. The blades gleamed coldly in the lamplight, exuding a murderous aura.

Zhou Yang didn't even glance at them. He gently placed the oil paper package and wine pot on a relatively intact table next to him, and even straightened his collar.

This process is very slow.

Everyone present felt a tightness in their chest, as if a blade about to be drawn was hanging over their necks.

Enraged by Zhou Yang's blatant disregard for them, the guard leader roared, "Kill!"

The first man raised his sword and slashed. The blade was fierce, aimed straight for Zhou Yang's head.

Just then, Zhou Yang made a move.

Within him, a scorching and domineering power erupted. It was the Blood Fiend Body Refining Technique. Lifespan was burned, transforming into the purest blood and qi, infusing his limbs and bones.

His skin instantly glowed with a faint reddish light, as if it had been soaked in blood. His originally not particularly muscular physique bulged slightly at a visible speed, and the outline beneath his clothes exuded explosive power. Veins bulged like small snakes from his temples and neck, coiling on the back of his hands.

Facing the steel blade that came crashing down on him, Zhou Yang neither dodged nor evaded.

He raised his left arm directly above his head.

"clang!"

A deafening clang of metal clashing pierced everyone's eardrums.

The guard felt as if his blade had struck a piece of red-hot iron. A tremendous force rebounded from the blade, causing his hand to split open and bleed profusely.

"Snap!"

The cracking sound is even more teeth-grinding.

The steel longsword in his hand shattered inch by inch, starting from the blade. Zhou Yang's arm, however, remained completely unharmed.

"monster!"

The guard was terrified, let out a scream, and tried to retreat.

Zhou Yang didn't give him a chance at all.

His right leg swept out like a whip, so fast that only a blur remained.

"Bang!"

A heavy thud. The guard's body flew through the air like a tattered sack, crashing into two tables behind him, shattering cups and plates everywhere. He convulsed a couple of times, then fell silent. His chest caved in at an unnatural angle, countless ribs broken.

That kick would have killed him instantly.

The remaining guards were so frightened that their legs went weak.

They'd killed before, and they'd seen some ruthless characters. But they'd never seen a monster who could withstand weapons and then kill in return. Was this even human? This was a demon crawling out of hell!

Zhou Yang's gaze swept over them.

That gaze was cold, indifferent, and devoid of any emotion. It was as if he were looking at a few inanimate objects.

The guards felt a chill run down their spines and considered retreating.

"run!"

Someone shouted, and the group turned to run away.

Zhou Yang, however, was faster than them. Like a tiger hunting its prey, he took a step forward and charged into the crowd.

There are no complicated moves, only the purest and most savage power.

One punch.

One of the guards' helmets was smashed so hard that it was deeply dented, and brain matter mixed with blood splattered everywhere.

One cubit.

The other guard's chest collapsed, and he spat out blood and foam.

Hand up, knife down.

Zhou Yang snatched a broken knife and swung it backhand. A line of blood appeared on the neck of a guard. The man clutched his neck, making a hissing sound, and blood gushed from between his fingers.

The whole process took no more than three to five breaths.

Seven or eight guards from the Prince's residence all lay dead in pools of blood. They were beyond dead.

Zhou Yang wasn't covered in blood. Most of the blood had been forced out of his body by the immense force.

He casually tossed the broken knife aside and shook his hand, as if he had merely swatted a few flies.

The entire banquet hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The guests huddled in the corners, their faces ashen, trembling like leaves in the autumn wind. Some had already fainted from fright.

This is... the Imperial Guard's secret police? This is the newly promoted captain?

This is a god of death!

Witnessing this bloody and brutal scene, Zhao Jue trembled even more violently. A warm flow gushed from his crotch, releasing a foul stench. He had wet himself in terror.

He finally realized what a terrifying person he had messed with. This person didn't care about rules or background. He was the rule!

Zhou Yang's gaze finally fell on him.

He walked over step by step, the carpet beneath his feet soaked in blood, making a "plop plop" sound as he stepped on it.

Every step felt like stepping on Zhao Jue's heart.

"No...don't come any closer..." Zhao Jue was so frightened that he wet himself and retreated backward on all fours.

Zhou Yang grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.

"The score isn't settled yet. Where do you want to go?"

He stepped forward, grabbed Zhao Jue by the collar like a chick, and lifted him off the ground.

"A life for a life, that's only right." Zhou Yang's voice was soft, but everyone could hear it clearly. "However, I'm a pretty easy person to talk to."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the terrified dignitaries in the room.

"A discount is fine too."

"You, the Crown Prince of Zhao, are of noble birth. Your life is worth 100,000 taels of gold."

"I'm taking you hostage now. I'll write a letter to your father and tell him to prepare the money. The gold will be delivered within an hour."

Zhou Yang shook his loosely clenched fist and gestured in front of Zhao Jue.

"Otherwise, I'm not a very patient person. It's not like I haven't done things like killing hostages before."

Zhao Jue was so frightened he was almost scared out of his wits, nodding frantically, "I want it! Ten thousand... no! One hundred thousand taels! I'll give it to you! I'll get my father here right away!"

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

"Make way! This is a police investigation!"

"Surround this place! No one will escape!"

Heavy footsteps approached from afar, and a group of yamen runners dressed in black and wearing standard long swords rushed in. The leader was a commander of a thousand men dressed in the robes of a sixth-rank official.

Zhou Yang looked up and raised an eyebrow slightly.

He knew this person.

Chen De, a commander of a thousand men in the Northern Garrison. Back in the Northern Garrison, this guy gave him a hard time, taking a dislike for him, a newly promoted captain.

It's really a narrow road.

Chen De led his men into the banquet hall and gasped at the horrific scene inside. More than a dozen guards from the Prince's residence lay dead in a gruesome manner, blood everywhere, while the Prince of Zhao's heir was being carried like a dog by a Jinyiwei captain.

This...this has blown up way too much!

However, when he saw Zhou Yang's face clearly, the slight shock in his heart was instantly replaced by a gloating joy.

It's Zhou Yang! It's actually this guy!

"Zhou Yang!" A fierce glint flashed in Chen De's eyes. He immediately straightened his face and shouted, "How dare you! In broad daylight, you gathered a crowd to commit murder and kidnap a member of the royal family! What is your crime?!"

With a wave of his hand, the constables from the Public Security Bureau behind him drew their swords and surrounded Zhou Yang.

"Men! Seize this madman! If he resists, kill him on the spot!"

Chen De's voice was filled with authority and excitement. He seemed to already see Zhou Yang being imprisoned and tortured beyond recognition.

Zhou Yang smiled.

He held Zhao Jue as if he were carrying a talisman, and looked at Chen De with a leisurely air.

"Commander Chen, you've arrived quite quickly."

Chen De sneered: "Zhou Yang, do you know your crime? Quickly surrender and release His Highness the Crown Prince! Perhaps, I can put in a good word for you with the Commander and spare your life."

"Such flattery?" Zhou Yang exclaimed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "You?!"

He couldn't be bothered to waste words with this petty person.

Just then, a series of even more synchronized and heavy footsteps suddenly came from outside the banquet hall.

The voice seemed to carry a chilling, iron-blooded aura, sending a shiver down the spines of everyone present.

"Thump...thump...thump..."

The sound of armor clashing was clear and close.

Chen De's expression changed, and he shouted, "Who goes there! The Public Security Bureau is conducting a case here; no one is allowed to trespass!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the banquet hall doors were pushed open from the outside.

The cold moonlight streamed in, illuminating rows of figures dressed in flying fish robes and holding embroidered spring knives.

The leader was tall and had a cold and beautiful face.

It was Qin Shuang, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Behind her stood nearly a hundred Imperial Guards. Their blades were drawn, gleaming coldly, and an overwhelming killing intent instantly enveloped the entire banquet hall, making the dozens of constables Chen De had brought look like mere chickens and dogs.

"Commander Chen," Qin Shuang's voice was cold and devoid of warmth, "This is a case being handled by the Northern Garrison Command. Shouldn't your men be withdrawn?"

Chen De's face instantly turned even more ashen than a dead man's.

Qin Shuang! How could it be her!

How dare she lead troops to surround the banquet at the Prince's mansion? Who is behind her?

Chen De looked at the fierce-looking Imperial Guards behind Qin Shuang, then at Zhao Jue, whose neck was being choked by Zhou Yang and whose face was ashen. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.

He knew he had kicked a hornet's nest. And it was a hard, hot hornet's nest.

Zhou Yang smiled when he saw Qin Shuang.

He knew this was the true meaning of working together from within and without. Qin Shuang's connections and power cultivated in the capital were finally revealing their true colors at this moment.

He ignored Chen De's changing expression and looked away from the powerful and wealthy who were too frightened to utter a sound.

He picked up Zhao Jue and slowly walked up to Chen De.

He slowly pulled out a thick stack of silver notes from his pocket and casually tossed them at Chen De's face.

"Snapped!"

A crisp slap—no, the sound of a silver note hitting someone's face.

The banknotes fluttered about, like a flock of dancing butterflies.

"This is compensation for lost wages," Zhou Yang said casually. "For your people, buy them some drinks."

He turned his head, looked at Qin Shuang, and grinned.

"I'm taking the person with me."

Having said that, he completely disregarded Chen De's bruised and purple face, and ignored the deathly silence that filled the room.

Just like that, swaggering around, carrying the Prince of Zhao, surrounded by Qin Shuang and the Imperial Guards, they walked out of the banquet hall and disappeared into the deep night.

All that remained was a scene of utter chaos, a stunned silence, and a distraught commander of the Public Security Bureau, whose foolishness was mercilessly mocked by the scattered silver notes at his feet.

Tonight, sleepless nights in the capital.