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

"Your Excellency is wise and discerning!"

"This old man insisted on passing on some kind of initiation technique to me, but it turns out he was practicing a fragmented version!"

"His inner energy reversed, and he instantly spiraled upwards into the sky!"

"I'm terrified! You have to help me, sir!"

Zhou Yang clung tightly to Qin Baihu's leg, his trousers soaked with tears and snot.

Shaking off the leg ornament, Qin Baihu bent down to examine the dried corpse on the ground.

The corpse's meridians were severed and its dantian area was completely collapsed, which was indeed a sign of backlash from the cultivation technique.

Demonic cultivation techniques are inherently unorthodox, and going astray or becoming possessed by evil is commonplace.

Given that Fang Tian was seriously injured and forcibly used his internal energy to absorb others, it's understandable that he ended up in this state.

After glancing at Zhou Yang, who was sprawled on the ground, Qin Baihu sheathed his sword.

"You're lucky to be alive."

The crisis is over.

Zhou Yang quickly got up from the ground and brushed the dust off his trouser legs.

The grief and indignation he had just felt vanished, replaced by a fawning smile.

He rubbed his hands together and stepped forward.

"Lord Qin, look, this old devil has also been brought to justice."

"The one thousand taels of silver we agreed on before, and the rank of a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

"Even though I was bait, I somehow managed to steal the spotlight and do the most work, right?"

"These days, it's not easy for working people to earn a meager living, so you can't just take advantage of me for free."

Looking at that face, Qin Baihu's eyelids twitched.

This person's face changes ten times faster than turning the pages of a book.

He was crying and begging for his parents just now, but now all he can think about is money and a government job.

Just as he was about to say something, a series of noisy footsteps came from outside the prison.

Accompanied by the dragging of chains and violent shouting, the group stormed into the death row cell.

"Where is that little bastard Zhou Yang?"

"Bring me the poisoned wine!"

The magistrate of Jianghuai County, with his large belly, strode into the prison cell.

Four burly jailers followed behind him, one of them carrying a wooden tray with a cup of cloudy, green-bubbling wine on it.

"Offending Young Master Niu means even a celestial being would die today!"

"That's what I said!"

The narrow cell was dimly lit.

The magistrate was completely oblivious to the woman in the flying fish robe standing beside him; he was only focused on killing Zhou Yang so he could collect the reward from the Niu family.

"Drink it down my throat!"

The jailer, having received the order, picked up the poisoned wine and strode toward Zhou Yang.

Standing still, Zhou Yang crossed his arms, a half-smile playing on his lips.

He showed no intention of resisting. Although the Mighty Bull Demon Fist could kill these guys in one move, he did not want to reveal himself for the time being.

Those eyes looked past the jailer and stared straight at Qin Baihu.

Qin Baihu's face turned cold.

These local parasites have such a big ego.

To kill someone in front of the Imperial Guards is to treat the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty like worthless paper.

Just as the jailer's hand was about to touch Zhou Yang's collar...

A gust of wind howled out.

He slapped her across the air with a backhand motion.

The powerful internal force transformed into an invisible wave of energy, slamming heavily into the jailer's face.

"Bang!"

Before the jailer could even scream, he was sent flying backward and crashed hard into the hard stone wall.

Blood gushed out, mixed with a few broken teeth, and he fainted immediately after landing.

The sudden turn of events left the remaining three completely stunned.

Enraged, the county magistrate pointed at Qin Baihu and began to curse him.

"presumptuous!"

"Where did this shrew come from, daring to interfere in the affairs of the Jianghuai County government!"

"Guards! Seize this wretch!"

The remaining three jailers drew their broadswords and braced themselves to step forward.

Turning around, Qin Baihu stepped out of the shadows.

The firelight illuminated the flying fish robe she wore, which represented the highest intelligence agency of the Great Qian Dynasty.

He casually took a dark gold token from his waist and showed it to the magistrate.

"Qin Shuang, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"What, is it that I can't govern your little Jianghuai city?"

The instant I saw those clothes and the token.

The fat on his face trembled violently, and the magistrate's legs went weak, causing him to kneel down with a thud.

Embroidered Uniform Guard!

That's a living Yama who has the privilege of executing first and reporting later!

Let alone a seventh-rank county magistrate, even a prefectural governor would have to be very polite to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"This humble official...this humble official was blind!"

"I have offended you, sir. Please forgive me!"

He kowtowed frantically, his head slamming against the bluestone slab with loud thuds, and blood appeared in no time.

The remaining three jailers dropped their broadswords, were so frightened that they soiled themselves and lay on the ground trembling like leaves.

Looking down at this group of useless people, Qin Shuang's eyes were full of disgust.

"Zhou Yang assisted in the capture of the leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect and made a great contribution."

"From now on, he will be a junior officer in my Embroidered Uniform Guard, assisting in the investigation of the Heavenly Principle Sect."

"You just said that even a Great Immortal would die if he came?"

Upon hearing this, the county magistrate was struck dumb.

This kid is a death row inmate who's about to be beheaded!

How did you suddenly become a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

It’s over.

It's all over.

"This humble official deserves to die! This humble official was blinded by greed!"

The magistrate slapped himself repeatedly, the crisp sound echoing through the prison cell.

"My lord, spare my life! It was the Niu family who forced me to this!"

"I was confused for a moment and was misled by Niu San!"

The magistrate attempted to absolve himself of any responsibility by shifting the blame completely.

Ignoring the county magistrate on the ground, she gestured for Zhou Yang to come with her.

Upon arriving at Qin Shuang's residence, she took out a stack of silver notes and a brand-new set of Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) officer's uniform from the cabinet and tossed them to Zhou Yang.

"One thousand taels, not a penny less."

"Change your clothes."

Zhou Yang caught it steadily and grinned from ear to ear.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Qin!"

"From now on, if you point east, I will never go west!"

Holding the silver note and tucking it into his pocket, Zhou Yang deftly took off his prison uniform and put on the black flying fish robe.

Tie on the belt and hang your special embroidered spring knife.

Her entire demeanor changed drastically.

Touching the exquisite embroidery on the clothes, Zhou Yang was very satisfied.

"This flying fish uniform is really cool, much better than that tattered constable's uniform."

Seeing Zhou Yang's smug look, Qin Shuang snorted coldly. If she didn't still think that Zhou Yang had clues about the remnants of the Heavenly Principle Sect, she wouldn't have let him go.

Don't be too happy yet.

"Once you join the Embroidered Uniform Guard, your head is always in your pocket."

"If you don't do a good job, you could lose your head at any time."

Patting his chest, Zhou Yang readily agreed.

"Rest assured, sir, I am the most reliable person to handle matters."

"Leave professional matters to professionals; Jiaqian Layman will never hesitate to pay more."

Qin Shuang was too lazy to listen to his nonsense. She didn't completely believe this two-faced guy and turned her gaze to the county magistrate on the ground.

"This person is yours to handle."

"Don't kill it, it'll still be useful."

After saying those words, Qin Shuang turned and walked out of the death row cell.

Only Zhou Yang and four other people kneeling on the ground remained in the cell.

He drew his embroidered spring knife.

The cold light illuminated Zhou Yang's face, which was full of mockery.

Zhou Yang patted the magistrate's fat face with the back of his knife and laughed heartily.

"Your Honor, it's time to settle our score."

Feeling the chill of the blade, the magistrate retreated in fear.

"Young Master Zhou... no, Lord Zhou!"

"You're so magnanimous, please just let this lowly official go!"

"I have an eighty-year-old mother and a newborn baby at home!"

Zhou Yang kicked the county magistrate over and spat.

Don't give me that.

"When you conspired with the Niu family to harm me, why didn't you think of me?"

"If I weren't so lucky, I would have been reincarnated by now."

Zhou Yang stepped on the magistrate's chest, applying slight pressure.

"Ouch! It's broken!"

The magistrate screamed like a pig being slaughtered.

"Tell me, how much did the Niu family give you?"

"Five...five thousand taels!"

"You sold me for only five thousand taels? Is my life really that worthless?"

Zhou Yang increased the pressure on his foot, his tone chilling.

"I know I was wrong! I'll return all the money to you!"

"Please Lord Zhou, please show me your noble hand!"

Zhou Yang withdrew his foot and sheathed the Embroidered Spring Blade.

"The money should be refunded, and the interest should be calculated."

"Go back to your county office and wait for your summons at any time."

"You dare to run? You know how the Embroidered Uniform Guard operates."

He scrambled to his feet, and the magistrate dared not utter a single word of dissent.

"I wouldn't dare run! I'd rather die than run!"

Accompanied by three henchmen, the county magistrate fled from prison in a panic.

Looking at their disheveled figures, Zhou Yang sneered.

He turned to look outside the cell door.

Weighing the gleaming weapon in his hand, he strode outside.

Next.

It's time to go collect some interest from the cow's family.