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

Anyang County, the Jinyiwei Garrison.

There were no lights on in Chen Qianhu's study.

The heavy curtains blocked out all the afternoon sunlight, and the room was filled with the smell of old paper and mildew. On the table, a bamboo scroll lay open, with three characters written on it in cinnabar.

Zhou Yang.

Commander Chen's fingers tapped the table absently. Beside the bamboo slips lay another newly delivered file, its edges curled and carrying the scent of earth.

Those were found in the ruins of Wanfo Temple.

The door was gently pushed open.

A captain dressed in a flying fish uniform walked in. His name was Zhang Hu, and he was a trusted confidant of Commander Chen. Behind Zhang Hu were two junior officers, both with relaxed smiles on their faces.

"Lord Commander," Zhang Hu said, bowing slightly, his voice breaking the silence of the room.

Chen Qianhu didn't even look up, only letting out a nasal sound: "Hmm."

"Sir, there's news about the matter you were looking for." Zhang Hu seemed eager to take credit. He cleared his throat and said, "That Zhou Yang has come out of Wanfo Temple. Our men saw him with their own eyes. He was wearing a tattered monk's robe, carrying a ruler, and swaggering away."

Another officer chimed in, his tone tinged with disdain: "Yeah, that kid was really lucky. Wanfo Temple collapsed like that, but he wasn't hurt at all. He probably hid in some corner and escaped unscathed."

"Luck?" Commander Chen finally raised his head.

His face was hidden in the shadows, making his expression impossible to discern. But Zhang Hu felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that the word his master hated most was "luck."

"My lord, I think... it might be more than just luck." Zhang Hu quickly changed his tune, "Commander Qin Shuang is very generous; she might have given him some protective treasure. That woman is willing to give anything for Zhou Yanghua."

When Qin Shuang was mentioned, Chen Qianhu stopped tapping his fingers on the table.

He picked up the Wanfo Temple file and slowly unfolded it. The writing was sparse, but it recorded several key points: the mass grave's corpse resurrection originated from Wanfo Temple; Zhou Yang happened to be at the mass grave; Zhou Yang happened to enter Wanfo Temple; and in the end, Zhou Yang was the sole survivor.

Too many coincidences mean they are no longer coincidences.

"Do you think he was just lucky?" Commander Chen's voice was very soft, revealing no emotion.

Zhang Hu's forehead was beaded with sweat. He sensed that the adult was in a bad mood and dared not say another word.

Commander Chen's gaze returned to Zhou Yang's simple file. His thoughts drifted back to that night a few days earlier.

Mass grave.

The air was thick with the stench of decay and the cloying sweetness of rotting flesh. The pale moonlight made the piles of corpses resemble undulating mountains. He led his men to deal with the "accident," only to find someone who shouldn't have been there.

Zhou Yang.

The man stood in the middle of the mountain of corpses, dressed in the uniform of a banner officer, looking completely out of place. The poisonous miasma surrounding him seemed to shun him like oil meeting water. He could even see wisps of black gas, almost invisible to the naked eye, emanating from the seven orifices of the corpses and being slowly inhaled into Zhou Yang's body through his mouth and nose.

That scene sent chills down Chen Qianhu's spine.

He had killed countless people and witnessed many bizarre things. But this was the first time he had ever seen someone cultivate their skills by absorbing the aura of corpses. That was simply not a method a human should use.

At that moment, Commander Chen had the urge to kill.

Such an enigmatic person was still by Qin Shuang's side. It was like a poisonous thorn stuck in his heart. He had originally intended to use the momentum of the Heavenly Principle Sect's pursuit to kill Zhou Yang outside. Who knew that this kid not only didn't die, but had become even stronger.

To crawl out of a meat grinder like Wanfo Temple and emerge unscathed.

This can no longer be explained by luck.

"Zhang Hu," Commander Chen suddenly spoke.

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Take a few men and go check on Qin Shuang's villa," Commander Chen said calmly. "That Zhou Yang should be there right now. We're all colleagues in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He's newly promoted to captain, so as his superior, I should send someone to 'greet' him and ask if he needs any help."

Zhang Hu's spirits lifted.

He understood the subtext in Chen Qianhu's words.

A "greeting" is a test, even a provocation. A "helping" is tantamount to picking a fight.

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Hu straightened his chest, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "I know what to do. I'll make sure he knows who's in charge in Anyang County!"

"Go on," Chen Qianhu waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly.

He lowered his head again, looking at the file. The room fell silent once more.

……

In the east of Anyang County, there is a secluded courtyard.

This is a property under Qin Shuang's name, and it's usually unoccupied. Zhou Yang stayed here temporarily after returning.

He sat on the bed, legs crossed, palms facing the sky.

His breathing was long and shallow, almost imperceptible. His pores opened, and the fresh air from outside, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, seeped into his body in wisps.

This trip to Wanfo Temple was extremely rewarding.

Not only did his cultivation advance to the late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, but more importantly, the remnant poison of the Corpse Emperor and the mutations within his body produced a wondrous chemical reaction. He felt that his control over the origin of life had reached a new level.

Life span.

He could clearly perceive the breadth and narrowness of the river of his life.

This is his biggest secret, and also his greatest reliance.

While immersed in the profound realm of cultivation, Zhou Yang's brows suddenly furrowed slightly.

A faint, almost imperceptible presence appeared outside the courtyard wall. It was scattered and concealed, like that of ordinary passersby. But deep within that presence lurked an undisguised malice and a desire to spy.

Like a stray dog ​​lurking in the shadows, it stares intently at the fat meat in the yard.

His perception, now at the Meridian Opening Realm, was several times sharper than before. He could even discern that there were at least three people outside, one of whom possessed the strongest aura, roughly at the early stage of the Meridian Condensation Realm.

The formality and aura of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

A cold smile curled at the corners of Zhou Yang's lips.

He didn't stop cultivating, keeping his eyes closed. But within his sea of ​​consciousness, the system's light screen had already quietly appeared.

Name: Zhou Yang

Cultivation Level: Meridian Opening Realm (Late Stage)

Lifespan: 47 years (current) / 150 years (maximum)

[Practice Methods: Turtle Breathing Exercise (Completed), Heavenly Principles and Righteous Laws (Completed)]

His thoughts shifted slightly, landing on "Heavenly Principles and Righteous Laws".

This technique was passed down by Fang Tian. When perfected, it possesses boundless power. However, each use of it frequently consumes one's lifespan, making the cost too high. But now, his lifespan is much more abundant than before.

He didn't even need to personally deal with a few caterpillars.

Outside, Zhang Hu, along with two of his men, stood like three shadows against the wall.

"Sir, this is the place," a subordinate whispered. "Qin Shuang's maid went out to buy groceries early this morning. That Zhou Yang must be inside alone."

Zhang Hu nodded, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.

He had long disliked Zhou Yang. A rootless nobody, just because he knew how to flatter Qin Shuang, he had risen several ranks in a short time, eventually becoming a captain. This time, Commander Chen had given him a chance; he wanted to show Zhou Yang what the consequences of offending him would be.

"Kick down the door and break this kid's legs!" Zhang Hu said in a low, menacing voice. "If anything happens, Commander Chen will take responsibility!"

"yes!"

The two little flag bearers were greatly encouraged and eager to charge forward.

Just then.

"Squeak—"

The gate to the courtyard opened by itself.

A young man dressed in a blue cloth robe strolled out slowly. He had a lazy smile on his face, as if he were just out for a walk.

It was Zhou Yang.

Zhang Hu and his two companions were stunned and froze on the spot.

Zhou Yang's gaze swept over them, finally landing on Zhang Hu. He spoke with a smile, but his tone was as cold as ice in the dead of winter.

"Did Commander Chen send you?"