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

Zhou Yang dodged left and right through the forest, moving so fast that he left only afterimages.

The two Imperial Guard captains following behind him were unsteady on their feet and breathing heavily.

They were already injured, and their forced pursuit only exacerbated their injuries.

"This kid's movement techniques are incredibly unpredictable!"

"Don't let him get away! Lord Centurion is watching!"

The two gritted their teeth and desperately channeled their inner strength, but could only watch helplessly as the distance between them grew further and further.

Zhou Yang sneered inwardly.

That's it?

You want to take my head back with you?

He abruptly stopped and turned to look at the two people who were panting as they chased after him.

"Not running anymore?"

Upon seeing this, a captain's face revealed a ferocious expression.

"You choose the path to heaven but refuse to take it, while barging into the gates of hell when there are none!"

The other person quickly followed, and the two of them flanked Zhou Yang from the left and right.

"Two defeated soldiers dare to spout such nonsense."

Zhou Yang flexed his wrist, and his knuckles cracked.

"kill!"

The two captains exchanged a glance and simultaneously launched an attack, their embroidered spring knives imbued with internal force, blocking Zhou Yang's left and right sides.

Zhou Yang's figure became blurry.

【Rankubu】!

The blade missed its target again.

Watch out behind you!

"It's too late."

A cold voice rang in the ear of one of the captains.

The captain instinctively turned around and swung his sword horizontally with a backhand motion.

Unfortunately, all he managed to scan was an afterimage.

Zhou Yang's true form appeared in front of another captain, his five fingers joined together, and he delivered a clean and decisive chop to the back of the captain's neck.

"Thump!"

The captain's eyes rolled back, and his body went limp as he collapsed.

"you!"

The remaining flag bearer was shocked and tried to retreat, but found that a suction force had appeared under his feet.

Zhou Yang planted one foot on the ground, and his internal energy was transmitted through the ground, temporarily locking down his opponent's lower body.

"The game is over."

Zhou Yang stepped forward, raised his fist, and prepared to give this last person a physical hypnosis.

Just then, a sharp whooshing sound came from behind him.

Danger!

Without thinking, Zhou Yang forcibly twisted his body to one side.

"Pfft!"

A silver needle, as thin as a cow's hair, still grazed his shoulder, leaving a trail of blood.

A numbing sensation instantly spread from the wound.

"poisonous!"

Zhou Yang's heart sank, and he immediately activated the Innate Yang Technique, attempting to force out the toxins.

A slender figure emerged from the shadows of the woods; it was none other than the woman, Shi Baihu, who had returned.

She was somewhat surprised to see a small, mechanical crossbow in her hand.

"Not bad." "You actually managed to dodge my 'Soul-Chasing Needle'."

The aloof and beautiful female officer walked slowly over, her gaze sweeping over Zhou Yang.

What benefits has the Heavenly Principle Sect given you?

"With your abilities, you could at least become a minor officer and live a comfortable life in this remote and impoverished place."

"Damn it, the child with polio grew up without a child, only paralysis remains." Zhou Yang didn't answer, his innate true energy surging wildly within him, suppressing the ever-spreading paralysis.

"I'm very curious, why would a master of the Hundred Battles Realm be used as a pawn by Fang Tian?"

"Could you be an undercover agent for the Heavenly Principle Sect?" The female examiner approached step by step.

"Enough with the nonsense! Take this punch from your grandpa."

Zhou Yang roared and, enduring the numbness in his body, launched an attack.

He poured all his internal energy into his right fist, and the wind from his punch howled, causing the air to explode.

Mighty Bull Demon Fist!

"act recklessly."

The female officer snorted coldly, neither dodging nor avoiding, and drew her embroidered spring knife.

A layer of solid internal force covered the blade, far more powerful than that of the flag bearers.

"when!"

The fist collided with the blade, producing a loud clang of metal striking metal.

A tremendous force struck, and the female officer was forced back five steps, each step leaving a deep footprint in the ground.

Blood seeped from the web of her hand gripping the knife.

Zhou Yang was also in bad shape. His body was already numb, and this hard-fought attack caused his blood to surge, almost making him spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Such strength! He's so young, yet he looks like he's been training for 50 years."

A strange light flashed in the eyes of the female examiner.

She gave Zhou Yang no further chances. With a flick of her wrist, the Embroidered Spring Blade transformed into several streaks of light, enveloping Zhou Yang's entire body.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath and used the Chaotic Void Step to its fullest extent.

Six afterimages weaved through the flashing blades, narrowly avoiding all attacks.

"Your movement technique is indeed impressive, but unfortunately, your internal energy is disordered."

The female examiner's voice was like a spell.

Zhou Yang's heart tightened; the poison from the Soul-Chasing Needle had already begun to affect the circulation of his internal energy.

If we drag this out any longer, we'll surely die!

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes. He stopped dodging, and the six afterimages merged into one, charging straight towards the female trial commander.

He's going to fight this hard!

The female examiner's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Just as the two were about to collide again, her left hand emerged from her sleeve, fingers spread wide.

A large black net, shimmering with runic light, appeared out of thin air, growing longer in the wind and instantly covering Zhou Yang.

"What is that?!"

Zhou Yang felt a tightness all over his body, as if his internal energy was being imprisoned by something, slowing its circulation by more than ten times.

"Binding Net".

"It's specifically designed to deal with martial artists like you who have profound internal strength."

The woman, having sheathed her knife, stood up and walked to Zhou Yang, who was trapped in the net and unable to move.

"Now, you can tell me who you really are."

Zhou Yang struggled a couple of times, but the black net tightened even more, and the runes on the net even began to absorb his internal energy.

Damn, this went too far.

This woman not only plays dirty tricks, but she also has such good equipment.

"I am Zhou Yang, the Golden Protector of the Heavenly Principle Sect, a disciple personally taught by the Sect Master, and a genius of the Demonic Sect!"

"Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you!"

Zhou Yang adopted a posture of unyielding defiance.

"Is that so?"

The female officer stretched out her slender fingers, pinched Zhou Yang's chin, and forced him to raise his head.

Her face was very close, and Zhou Yang could even smell her faint fragrance.

Your eyes tell me you're lying.

"Take him back and send him to the imperial prison. I have a hundred ways to make you talk."

She released her grip, took out a specially made pair of shackles from her waist, and locked Zhou Yang's hands.

As soon as the shackles were put on, Zhou Yang felt his connection with his internal energy was completely severed.

He is now no different from an ordinary person.

"Oh no, Godfather, you've really put me in a terrible situation."

Zhou Yang inwardly groaned.

Emerging from the wolf's den, only to fall into the tiger's lair, this time facing a well-equipped tigress.

Most importantly, he only has three years left to live.

If we don't find a solution soon, we'll really have to die of old age in prison.

The woman carrying the net moved with the same efficiency as if she were carrying a bag of dead fish she had just bought from the market.

"You two, dispose of the body first, then return to the city to report."

She gave instructions to the two wounded captains.

"Yes, sir!"

The two captains bowed and accepted the order, their eyes filled with resentment and lingering fear as they looked at Zhou Yang.

The female officer didn't look at them again. With a few leaps and bounds, she carried Zhou Yang and disappeared into the depths of the forest.

In a makeshift campsite, a campfire was burning brightly.

Several officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were on patrol when they saw the female officer returning and they all saluted.

"Lord Qin!"

The female officer, referred to as Lady Qin, nodded and casually tossed Zhou Yang to the ground.

"Thump."

Zhou Yang fell heavily to the ground, feeling as if his internal organs had shifted.

"Damn, this woman really doesn't know how to cherish women, oh no, I mean, how to care for prisoners."

He cursed inwardly, but his face still wore the expression of someone bravely facing execution.

Qin Baihu walked to the campfire, picked up the water bag, took a sip, and then squatted down in front of Zhou Yang.

She reached out and gently removed a few rotten leaves from Zhou Yang's face, which had been stained with the leaves from the fight.

Zhou Yang's heart skipped a beat.

What does this woman want?

"Tell me, how did Fang Tian explain himself to you?"

Qin Baihu smiled, but Zhou Yang only felt terrified.

"I am a protector of the Holy Church, and I never change my name or surname. I am Zhou Yang!"

Zhou Yang stiffened his neck, looking like he would rather die than submit.

"A protector of the Holy Church?" Qin Baihu's lips curled into a handsome smile, but his eyes were full of mockery.

"When did Fang Tian, ​​a mere incense master, ever have protectors at the Hundred Battles Realm?"

"You rascal, you're really dishonest."

Zhou Yang's heart skipped a beat.

This woman was very knowledgeable about the inner workings of the Heavenly Principle Sect.

"That was because my godfather saw my intelligence and specially promoted me!"

"What do you know, you lackey of the imperial court!"

Zhou Yang continued to be stubborn.

"Godfather?"

Qin Baihu moved even closer, and a pleasant fragrance wafted into Zhou Yang's nose.

Her fingers traced Zhou Yang's cheek, finally stopping at his Adam's apple.

"Your acting is good, but unfortunately, your eyes don't lie."

"True believers in the Heavenly Principle see only fanaticism and ignorance."

"You saw it yourself, Old Dog Fang used his other adopted sons as shields without hesitation."

Zhou Yang felt his Adam's apple bob up and down.

He didn't actually intend to be loyal to this worthless adoptive father; in fact, he wanted to become like Lü Bu and crack open his adoptive father's skull once he gained enough strength.

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you! You think you can extract the secrets of the Holy Church from me? Dream on!"

"Yeah?"

Qin Baihu stood up and drew a fine dagger from his waist.

The blade reflected a chilling gleam in the firelight.

Do you know what it means to cut a chick in half with a knife?

"Inch by inch, I can no longer be a man."

"I can guarantee you won't die until you tell me everything I want to know."

She gently patted Zhou Yang's face with the tip of the knife.

Will your godfather come to save you, this piece of flesh that has been skinned alive?

Zhou Yang's legs trembled slightly.

I'm not faking it; I'm genuinely a little scared.

He had no doubt that what the woman said was true, but he was still hoping for a honey trap.

"You...you can forget about it!"

Qin Baihu lost his patience and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"This is your last chance. Tell me Fang Tian's next plan and his rendezvous point."

"I can decide to give you a quick death and leave you with a whole corpse."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yang's face contorted with humiliation and rage. He abruptly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, and roared with all his might, "Don't even think about it!" "My godfather has treated me with unparalleled kindness, a debt of gratitude that has given me a second life. I, Zhou Yang, would rather die than betray him!"

Han Shuang's face showed impatience. It seemed that she had no choice but to take a dead man back with her.

Zhou Yang's emotions grew increasingly agitated, his voice trembling with tears. "Those are my own siblings, my dear elders!"

He spoke with tears streaming down his face, his emotions so sincere, as if Fang Tianzhen were his long-lost father.

Qin Baihu frowned even more deeply. She had never had a good impression of these brainwashed fanatics.

Just as she was about to take action, knocking him unconscious and taking him away, Zhou Yang's next words stunned her completely.

Zhou Yang wiped away non-existent tears, his tone shifting to a more pleading one as he cautiously looked at her. "You want me to betray him…" He paused, then uttered three words decisively, "More money!"