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

I carried Qin Shuang out of the secret room, blood dripping down my shoulders.

Outside the door stood the guards of the Heavenly Principle Sect, their swords flashing like rain.

Ignoring my wounds, I kicked open the wooden door, sending debris flying.

The guards were surprised, and their weapons stopped instantly.

A low growl came from his chest, and the old corpse energy churned in his blood.

He gripped his left hand tightly, and the cold light of the Shadow Blade bloomed at his fingertips.

The knife pressed diagonally against the first guard's chest, the blade slicing through him and splattering blood.

The man fell to the ground, spewing black mist from his mouth.

The ground beneath their feet trembled violently, and half of the broken stone pillar crumbled.

Debris rained down on them, and the guards retreated in panic.

A dark shadow shot out from the blade, resembling a giant demon's head, its mouth open to devour.

The two guards were instantly devoured, and the remaining clashes of weapons ceased abruptly.

The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Principle Sect stood atop the mountain, her snow-white robe fluttering in the wind.

A look of terror flashed in her eyes, but it quickly froze.

"It's you! The successor of the Corpse King!" Her voice was like a cold bell, piercing straight into my chest.

I looked up, a smile curving across my blood-stained face.

Without explanation, he simply and gently sheathed the knife.

The Zhenwu Guard soldiers had appeared all around, armed with spears and bowstrings.

But it stopped in front of me, its steps hesitant.

Their leader frowned and whispered, "Who...who is this?"

I didn't answer, but turned around and lifted Qin Shuang up, placing her steadily on my shoulder.

Her gaze remained fixed ahead, her breathing weak yet resolute.

I strode towards Zhenwuwei, my steps as steady as a mountain.

Each step caused the ground to tremble slightly, sending chills down the spines of the onlookers.

Some officers and soldiers tried to intercept them, and a flash of swords led to close combat.

My knife tip lightly touched his chest, and a surge of blood instantly spread.

Another soldier raised his bow to shoot, but I leaped to the side, the blade slicing through the bowstring, and the arrow fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string.

The scene gradually quieted down, with only the howling mountain wind in the distance.

The flag of the Heavenly Principle Sect waved on the mountaintop, but no one dared to approach.

Hesitation flickered in the saintess's eyes, and her fingers trembled slightly.

Then, she slowly withdrew her staff, turned and left.

With my back to the mountain peak, my eyes scanned every face.

No one dared to provoke them anymore; only hushed whispers echoed in the air.

Qin Shuang's shoulders trembled slightly as she whispered, "Where should we go?"

I smiled and said in a low voice, "Let's go to the ancient temple first, then look for the next dragon spine fragment."

She nodded, her fingers gripping the hem of my clothes tightly.

We turned and stepped onto the stone path leading to the valley.

In the valley, the night was deep and the starlight was sparse.

The distant firelight, like candles, seemed to be the camp of another force.

I stopped and looked into the distance.

He secretly noted down the bloodstains and gains along the way.

"Add more money," I murmured to myself, as if reminding myself that life was still burning in the transaction.

Finally, I heard footsteps behind me.

There weren't many people, but each of them had a sinister look on their face.

They were the remaining followers of the Heavenly Principle Sect, holding blood-red talismans in their hands.

It is clear that the decision has been made to continue the pursuit.

I no longer concealed myself, and raised the Shadow Blade, its blade reflecting a dark, eerie light.

"Come on," I whispered, "today, you will only become fragments under my blade."

The glint of a blade pierced the night, and the air was thick with the stench of death.

The opponent's steps froze for a moment, then he was torn apart by an invisible force.

In the firelight, several followers lay dead in pools of blood, and the talismans turned into black smoke and dissipated.

I turned around, picked up Qin Shuang on my back, and walked away.

The echoes in the valley dragged my name along, as if mocking me.

The power of the Heavenly Principle Sect was completely overshadowed at this moment, and the few survivors could only retreat in secret.

My identity is no longer a secret.

A night breeze caressed my face, and the knife trembled slightly in the moonlight.

With each swing of the sword, lifespan is burned, but in return, an even greater deterrent effect is achieved.

Qin Shuang asked softly, "Will the road ahead be even more dangerous?"

I nodded, a resolute glint in my eyes: "With money and power, what is there to fear in danger?"

We disappeared into the shadows of the valley, leaving behind only bloodstains and legends.

**Chapter 157 [Game of Thrones] (Maximizing Profits in a Closed Loop - Preparatory Stage)**

The first rays of dawn pierced the mist in the valley, and the bloodied iron still clung to the soil.

The flag of Zhenwuwei lay fallen among the rubble, and several wounded soldiers leaned against their dilapidated tents, panting.

Zhou Yang stood on the hilltop, his eyes reflecting the embers of the fire.

He gently raised his hand and pointed to the ancient temple in the distance.

"Write this in the flyers," he whispered to the messenger beside him.

The messenger nodded and handed over a piece of paper.

There were only four lines of text on the paper:

"Dragon's Spine draws blood, a secret plan of the Heavenly Principle Sect."

He had his attendants stuff papers into the spouts of the wine jugs at each inn.

The aroma of wine mingled with the stench of blood. The guests opened the lid of the jug and saw the words written on it.

Some people frowned and whispered among themselves, "Why would the Heavenly Principle Sect make a move?"

Someone shook their head, took a sip of wine, and their voice became heavy.

On the street, the child's cries were carried away by the wind.

Beside the campfire, the veteran wiped the handle of his knife clean, his brow furrowed.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly igniting restaurants and teahouses throughout the city.

Qin Shuang stood in the nameless, dilapidated house, holding a gold seal in her hand.

Her gaze cut through the bustling crowd and landed on the government offices.

She entered the main hall and handed over the memorial she had already written.

In her memorial, Qin Shuang accused Zhenwuwei of dereliction of duty, alleging collusion between Zhenwuwei and Tianlijiao.

The ministers flipped through the scrolls, their brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

The emperor's gaze lingered on the paper, then he lightly tapped the corner of the table.

"This matter must be investigated immediately," the emperor's voice was as cold as iron.

A faint smile appeared on Qin Shuang's lips.

In the afternoon, Zhou Yang sat down at a tea stall at the city gate.

He handed a pot of tea to passing merchants.

The steam from the tea rose into the air, carrying away a trace of chill.

"After this is over," Zhou Yang looked up, his eyes sharp as knives.

"I want a new identity document."

Qin Shuang took a sip of tea, a calculating glint in her eyes.

"Is what you want a covert position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zhou Yang nodded, his voice low and deep: "Yes."

Qin Shuang put down her teacup and said in a deep voice, "I can let you join the 'Military Affairs Department' to gather intelligence in the shadows."

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are the conditions?"

Qin Shuang said, "You must ensure that the remnants of the Heavenly Principle Sect do not make any more moves."

Zhou Yang laughed: "Their blood has already flowed like a river."

The two stared at each other, and the air seemed to hold the sound of chess pieces moving.

As evening fell, lights were lit on the city walls, and the sound of drums could be heard in the distance.

A messenger on horseback arrived, holding a silk scroll in his hand.

The messenger shouted, "News has arrived from the capital! The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is going to inspect Anyang!"

Zhou Yang raised his hand to cover the messenger's mouth.

He said in a low voice, "That's perfect."

A look of alarm flashed in Qin Shuang's eyes, but she remained silent.

As night fell, the restaurants in the city were brightly lit.

People are still discussing the conspiracy of the Tenrikyo sect.

Someone raised their glass: "If it weren't for them, would Zhenwu Guard have been able to survive?"

Some drinkers slammed their glasses on the table, shouting angrily, "We must wipe them all out!"

Zhou Yang took a sip of wine in the shadows of the restaurant.

The bitterness of the wine spreads on the tip of the tongue, like a life that has burned out.

He reached into a hidden compartment under the table and took out a silver ring.

The ring is engraved with an ancient pattern that only a few people recognize.

"Tonight's show will end here," he muttered to himself.

Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on his shoulder.

A gust of wind swept by, stirring the curtains and revealing the patrolling soldiers outside.

The next day, the commander's entourage arrived in Anyang City, accompanied by several officials.

They set up ranks in front of the city gate and inspected every soldier entering the city.

The residents of the city watched from the alley entrance, whispering among themselves.

"The government officials have finally arrived."

Zhou Yang stood atop the city wall, overlooking the grand review.

He tucked the ring into his sleeve and gently rubbed it between his fingertips.

Qin Shuang approached and whispered, "We must control the conversation at this scene."

Zhou Yang nodded and called over one of his men: "Collect all the leaflets about 'Dragon Spine'."

The men acted swiftly, and the roll of paper was retrieved within minutes.

The commander's attendants opened the scroll and checked the records within the city.

Several pages of records were torn out, and the blank pages revealed signs of erasure.

The commander frowned and asked his attendant, "Has anyone made a move?"

The attendant shook his head and replied, "Nothing unusual was observed."

Qin Shuang stood to the side, her eyes sharp as knives, secretly recording every piece of information.

In the afternoon, the commander delivered a speech in the square in the center of the city.

He raised his fist, his voice echoing: "We must eradicate cults and protect the people!"

In the crowd, several people held up lanterns, the light illuminating their faces.

Zhou Yang walked to the back of the crowd and gently patted the corner of the wall behind him.

The hidden door in the corner opened quietly, and a beam of smooth bronze light shone out.

He stood in front of the hidden door and looked back at Qin Shuang.

"What's the next step?"

Qin Shuang replied calmly, "Transfer the official positions of Zhenwu Guard to us."

Zhou Yang smiled: "This step is very simple."

He tucked the ring into his sleeve, flicked it lightly with his fingertips, and the metal made a soft clanging sound.

Behind the hidden door is a narrow passage, at the end of which is a secret room.

Several parchment sheets were placed in the secret room, on which were recorded the official titles of the Zhenwu Guard.

Zhou Yang pulled out a bill, quickly glanced at it, folded it, and put it in his pocket.

The drumbeats outside the gate grew louder, and the commander's honor guard was marching towards the city gate.

Zhou Yang put away the scroll and turned to leave the secret room.

Qin Shuang stood at the entrance of the passage, holding a bamboo scroll in her hand, and read in a low voice: "Use blood to gain power."

The two walked out of the hidden door side by side and stepped back onto the stone path of the city wall.

As dusk enveloped the city, the lights cast their silhouettes.

The distant drums thundered like lightning, and the soldiers outside the city gates stood in formation, their imposing presence awe-inspiring.

Zhou Yang looked up and saw a new moon hanging in the sky.

He tapped his fingers lightly on his chest, as if counting his remaining days.

"This time, the interests have become intertwined."

Qin Shuang echoed softly, "As long as you can keep this ring."

Their eyes met in the moonlight, without a trace of emotion.

The night wind blew their cloaks, carrying away a few fallen leaves.

On the other side of the city wall, the commander's entourage was examining the city's revenue ledgers.

Their eyes briefly met Zhou Yang's, but they noticed nothing unusual.

Zhou Yang turned around and walked steadily toward the city gate.

He tucked the roll of paper into his sleeve, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The patrolmen outside the city gate cast questioning glances, then turned to the commander.

The commander's voice echoed through the city: "The government must be thoroughly cleansed!"

Qin Shuang stood on the city wall, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

Zhou Yang muttered to himself, "As long as you have money and power, danger is just a supporting character in the game."

He looked back at the hidden door, where the embers of the fire still lingered.

The light was dim, but it illuminated the path he was about to take.