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

It was very dark in the basement.

The air was filled with a damp, musty smell.

Zhou Yang squatted down.

My fingers gently traced the contents of the box.

A piece of metal.

The size of a palm.

It was dark and dull all over.

It has ancient patterns on it.

It looks like dragon scales, or perhaps some kind of rune.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword was slightly warm in his arms.

This is the fourth fragment.

Zhou Yang reached out to take it.

Just then.

A strange noise came from above.

Splash!

A dark figure leaped down the stairs.

Then came the second and the third rounds.

Three dark figures landed silently.

They were all covered in black robes.

Only the eyes are exposed.

It was cold and deathly silent.

The man in the lead was a head taller than the others.

A powerful aura emanated from beneath the black robe.

The Innate Realm.

Zhou Yang's heart sank.

He is a whole realm above him.

"Hand over the fragments."

The leader spoke.

Hoarseness.

It feels like sandpaper rubbing against wood.

Zhou Yang did not move.

His hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

"People from the Heavenly Principle Sect?"

"It's good that you know."

The man in black robes slowly raised his hand.

A sharp, piercing aura rushed towards us.

The dust on the ground was blown up.

Zhou Yang took a step back.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword was drawn.

The sword is dark red.

It glowed with an eerie light in the dim light.

"Buzz—"

The blade hummed.

A crimson sword light was unleashed.

"court death."

The man in black robes sneered.

Draw a light, abstract stroke with one hand.

An invisible wall of energy blocked his way.

The crimson sword light collided with it.

It made a muffled sound.

The air wall shook.

It didn't break.

Zhou Yang frowned.

Is this the power of the Innate Realm?

The level of understanding is overwhelming.

It's not something that can be compensated for by just having more moves.

"Kill him."

The man in black robes gave the order.

Two other dark figures pounced at the same time.

A flash of cold light appeared in his hand.

It is a short blade.

The speed is astonishing.

Zhou Yang dodged to the side.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword slashed horizontally.

The sword's edge sliced ​​through the arm of a dark figure.

"Pfft."

Blood gushed out.

The dark figure let out a muffled groan.

But he didn't stop.

Instead, they attacked even more frantically.

Another dark figure attacked from the side.

Both men had extensive experience in life-or-death battles.

Cooperate tacitly.

Zhou Yang was forced to retreat repeatedly.

The basement space is cramped.

There is limited space to dodge.

Just then.

Footsteps came from the stairwell.

"Zhou Yang!"

It was Qin Shuang's voice.

"Don't get down!"

Zhou Yang shouted.

late.

Qin Shuang appeared at the top of the stairs.

She was wearing a tight-fitting outfit.

He held his sword in his hand.

Seeing the scene before her, she did not hesitate.

"Clang!"

The sword was drawn.

A streak of cyan sword light slashed towards one of the dark figures.

The shadowy figure had no choice but to retreat to defend.

Zhou Yang got a chance to catch his breath.

But the leader of the men in black robes fixed his gaze on him.

"Overestimating one's abilities."

The man in black robes approached step by step.

With each step he took, his momentum grew stronger.

Zhou Yang felt the pressure increase significantly.

I'm having some difficulty breathing.

"Frost Maiden, retreat quickly!"

Qin Shuang did not back down.

She forced the shadowy figure back with a single sword strike.

They quickly moved to Zhou Yang's side.

She had her back to him.

"I'll help you."

You will die!

"We'll die together."

Qin Shuang's voice was very soft.

But I'm very determined.

Zhou Yang felt a warmth in his heart.

But they became even more anxious.

He couldn't let anything happen to Qin Shuang.

The man in black robes stopped three steps in front of the two men.

"Final advice. Hand over the fragments. I might let you die a quick death."

Zhou Yang gripped the sword hilt tightly.

"Want it? Come and get it yourself."

"very good."

The man in black robes raised his hand.

Spread your five fingers.

A terrifying aura gathered.

He's about to kill.

Zhou Yang noticed something amiss.

He absolutely cannot withstand this attack.

Qin Shuang couldn't stop it either.

We have to give it our all.

He took a deep breath.

A thought crossed my mind.

[Burns away a year's worth of life!]

A burning sensation surged from my heart.

It spread rapidly throughout the body.

Power surged within his body.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword emitted a clear and melodious sword sound.

The sword turned bright red.

It looked like it was burning.

"What?"

The man in black robes noticed something was wrong.

Zhou Yang didn't give him time to react.

Lean forward.

The tip of the sword touched the ground.

A blood-red circle spread out from him.

"Blood Dragon Three Forms - Burning Heaven!"

The sword light shot into the sky.

The basement dome was pierced.

Brick and stone fragments fell like raindrops.

A devastating sword intent surged into the sky.

The man in black robes' expression changed drastically.

Cross your arms in front of your chest.

"boom--!"

The sword light struck him.

The black protective aura shattered instantly.

The man in black robes was sent flying backwards like a cannonball.

It crashed through the wall.

They disappeared outside.

Smoke and dust filled the air.

The basement was a mess.

"Cough cough."

Zhou Yang clutched his chest.

Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

That sword strike had almost drained him of all his strength.

Burn-in life doesn't come without a price.

"Are you alright?" Qin Shuang helped him up.

"It's nothing." Zhou Yang shook his head. "That person should be dead, right?"

uncertain.

Those who reach the Innate Realm possess remarkable vitality.

I wonder if it can withstand this level of attack.

"Let's leave here first."

Qin Shuang nodded.

The two quickly crawled out of the hole.

The backyard is outside.

The moonlight was very bright.

A person was lying on the ground.

The man in black robes.

His entire body was charred black.

There was a large hole in his chest.

But he was still breathing.

"He's not dead yet." Zhou Yang frowned.

He was about to walk over and deliver the final blow.

Sudden.

The black-robed man's body began to change.

The skin made a crackling sound.

It felt like something was wriggling down there.

His body was swelling.

It's starting to look more and more like a balloon.

"Back off!"

Zhou Yang pulled Qin Shuang back quickly.

"boom!"

The black-robed man's body exploded.

Blood and flesh flew everywhere.

A plume of black smoke rose up.

They quickly disappeared into the night.

Only a pool of blood remained.

"This is......"

Qin Shuang covered her mouth.

"The methods of the Heavenly Principle Sect." Zhou Yang's expression was solemn.

To destroy the evidence and cover up the crime.

To prevent secrets from being leaked.

"That fragment..."

"Still inside."

Zhou Yang went back to the basement.

The box is still there.

The fragments inside were intact.

He took out the fragment.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword became hot again.

It seemed to be calling out to something.

"Let's get out of here quickly."

Qin Shuang held his hand.

"Lord Cha has discovered our whereabouts; he may have already led his men to surround us."

"Um."

Zhou Yang put away the fragments.

The two climbed over the wall and escaped.

Leave quickly along the alley.

A commotion arose behind me.

The torchlight shone.

The people from the Northern Garrison have arrived.

The two ran for more than a dozen blocks in one go.

They only stopped when they were sure no one was chasing them.

At the entrance of an empty alley.

Qin Shuang leaned against the wall, panting.

"Zhou Yang, where are we going now?"

Zhou Yang thought about it.

"Return to the centurion's office."

Is it still safe there?

"Lord Cha knows nothing about the Hundred-Household Office," Zhou Yang shook his head, "and our things are still there."

more importantly.

The people of the Heavenly Principle Sect are keeping an eye on the Northern Garrison Command.

The place with the most residents was actually the safest place.

"good."

The two carefully avoided the patrolling Imperial Guards.

It took them an hour to return to the centurion's office.

It was very quiet inside.

Zhou Yang lit the oil lamp.

Under the dim yellow light.

Qin Shuang's face was somewhat pale.

Are you injured?

Zhou Yang then noticed.

Qin Shuang had a wound on her arm.

It must have been from being scratched by the shadowy figure earlier.

"It's just a minor injury," Qin Shuang said dismissively.

Zhou Yang frowned.

He took a small bottle out of his pocket.

"This is medicine for wounds."

He squatted down.

Gently tear open Qin Shuang's sleeve.

The wound is not deep.

But it's still bleeding.

"Hiss..." Qin Shuang gasped.

Zhou Yang's movements were very gentle.

Apply the powder carefully.

Then he tore off a piece of his own clothing to bandage it.

His fingers occasionally brushed against her skin.

Qin Shuang's face would blush slightly.

"Why does Lord Cha want to kill you?" Zhou Yang asked.

"He's investigating a case," Qin Shuang said after a moment's thought. "Three years ago, several officials in the capital died under mysterious circumstances. The manner of their deaths was always the same: their hearts had been removed."

Zhou Yang's eyelids twitched.

"The work of the Heavenly Principle Sect?"

"I don't know." Qin Shuang shook her head. "Lord Cha suspects it's the Heavenly Principle Sect, but he can't find any evidence. Recently, another case occurred. The deceased was a Vice Minister of Revenue."

"So you're looking up this?"

"Yes." Qin Shuang nodded. "I found a letter in the deceased's study. It was written in Mongolian."

"What did the letter say?"

"have no idea."

Qin Shuang took out a piece of cloth from her bosom.

There was a piece of paper inside.

But the paper was soaked in blood.

The writing on it is blurry and illegible.

"When I was running away, some blood dripped onto it."

Zhou Yang took the paper.

Although the handwriting is blurry.

But some outlines can still be seen.

"I know someone who might be able to restore the above content."

"who?"

"A friend." Zhou Yang didn't want to say more.

"How are your injuries?" Qin Shuang suddenly asked.

Zhou Yang then realized it.

My chest is still aching slightly.

"It's alright, you just need some rest."

The aftereffects of reduced combustion life.

This will continue for some time.

"That sect leader is very strong," Qin Shuang said. "If it weren't for your last move..."

"That's a desperate move," Zhou Yang said frankly, "It puts a lot of strain on the body."

Qin Shuang fell silent.

She looked at Zhou Yang.

"You're always like this."

"What?"

"He shoulders all the dangers himself."

Zhou Yang didn't know how to answer.

He is not a saint.

He just wanted to live.

I want to live a better life.

But without realizing it.

He had indeed grown accustomed to protecting Qin Shuang.

It's probably because she's a sugar daddy.

It's also possible that...it's not just for this reason.

"What about the fragments?" Qin Shuang changed the subject.

Zhou Yang took out a metal piece.

Under the light.

The patterns on it are clearer.

"This is a fragment of the Dragon Spine," Zhou Yang explained. "Once they're all collected, we can repair a divine weapon."

"A divine weapon?"

"It's called the Dragon Spine Spear. Legend has it it's an ancient divine weapon."

Qin Shuang's eyes lit up.

"How much is it worth?"

Zhou Yang smiled.

"Priceless treasure."

This is why he was willing to risk his life to obtain the fragment.

With it.

He would then have a greater bargaining chip.

To survive in this cannibalistic world.

"What about Lord Cha?" Qin Shuang asked.

"He wouldn't dare to make a big fuss," Zhou Yang analyzed. "The Heavenly Principle Sect is a sensitive group in the capital. If he exposes it, he'll be in trouble too."

"But he won't give up so easily."

"certainly."

Zhou Yang walked to the window.

It's very quiet outside.

Moonlight spilled onto the street.

It casts a long shadow.

"Lord Cha has someone backing him," he suddenly said.

"What?"

"His strength goes far beyond that of a mere commander. A Jinyiwei officer with such high cultivation should have been transferred to the Southern Garrison long ago. There must be a reason why he's staying in the Northern Garrison."

Qin Shuang understood.

"Is he one of your trusted confidants?"

"Or perhaps he's one of the princes' men."

Zhou Yang nodded.

There is no shortage of experts in the capital.

But those who can sit in this position...

There must be someone backing them up.

"Then we..."

"Let's wait and see," Zhou Yang said. "Tomorrow, we'll find a place to recover the contents of the letter. Let's see what Lord Cha is investigating."

Qin Shuang nodded.

She walked over to Zhou Yang.

I stood beside him.

Moonlight streamed through the window.

The light shone on the two of them.

The shadow stretched very long.

They almost overlapped.

Zhou Yang.

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Zhou Yang turned his head.

Look into her eyes.

There are many things inside.

There is gratitude, there is affection.

There were also some things he didn't understand.

He didn't know what to say.

He simply reached out his hand.

He took her hand.

Her palms were warm.

Unlike when we first met, he wasn't as cold.

Maybe.

His hands also gave her warmth.

This idea struck Zhou Yang as odd.

When did he become so sentimental?

Perhaps it's part of the aftereffects of burn-in life.

He comforted himself in this way.

Late at night.

But it's a world for two.

It has only just begun to shine.

The Blood Dragon Short Sword lay quietly in his arms.

The fragments gleamed faintly in the darkness.

The wheel of fate has already turned.

They just didn't know it.

An even bigger storm.

They're still waiting behind.

After daybreak.

They were going to see an old friend.

this person.

It will bring unexpected surprises.

also possible.

Even bigger trouble.

But Zhou Yang wasn't afraid.

The more trouble you have...

The more opportunities you have.

This is his life motto.

And now.

He is not fighting alone anymore.