Speaking thus, the young martial artist’s words became deeper and more oppressive. He said with a subdued laugh, "Even if there were no Heavenly Demons or calamities, people would still kill each other, and even if the land were fertile and the crops plentiful, there would still be people starving to death in streets and alleys."
"In such times, what difference is there between humans and demons? If I kill a few more horse bandits who dare to rob me, does that somehow inconvenience you, brother?"
Qiao Xuan’s words became increasingly aggressive: "Are you one of the horse bandits?"
"Do not talk nonsense!"
The fierce martial artist’s face changed, and he nervously looked around at the people present, immediately transitioning to defensive accusations, "We’re considered well-off here; it’s Da Chen that’s really tough. By saying that, are you suggesting you don’t care for Dust Li? Are you a scout from Da Chen?"
Unexpectedly, Qiao Xuan nodded, continuing along with his line of thought: "Da Chen is indeed having a tough time. I prefer to speak the truth; things people from Da Chen dare not say, we, from Dust Li, dare to say."
"Do their little emperor and his advisors genuinely not understand, or are they pretending? Withdrawing so many Divine Weapon Formations from the Northern Border, isn’t it just to let the officials and martial artists underneath have a feast? A bunch of parasites claiming lands at the border, turning public lands into private holdings, even if the Divine Weapon Town King returns later, those trading associations can still persist and become their own little emperors at the frontier."
"Compared to them, we’re indeed faring much better here."
With those words, no one doubted anymore that Qiao Xuan was from Da Chen. The previously silent middle-aged merchant now couldn’t help but interject with a sigh, "In such chaotic times, even without monsters or demon men, people would starve and inevitably resort to killing. It was truly a misunderstanding with the hero here."
"Indeed, you have misunderstood me, and I have misunderstood everyone here as well."
Qiao Xuan remained unfazed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the four individuals present, as he smiled and said, "Just now, outside the temple, I saw traces of demon ravages; so many people had their brains and marrow sucked out. They must have been truly famished to devour a whole troop in one go, don’t you think?"
"I thought there were demons lurking in the temple. Now it seems that everyone here is a good person, huh."
"Hahaha." Everyone laughed dryly, and Qiao Xuan also smiled, "I was once a wandering merchant, now a demon slayer. May I ask for your identities and why you are resting here?"
"I, too, am a merchant." The anxious merchant replied, "I was originally transporting a cart of fragrant wood to trade on the border of Da Chen but was attacked by demons halfway. My caravan scattered, and in my panic, I could only hide in this temple."
"I am also a demon slayer." The ferocious martial artist drank a mouthful of water, his eyes still scanning those present: "Not to hide it from you, brother, I’ve been tracking a man-eating demon to this place. It’s vicious and cunning, able to hide between the hearts and bodies of people. There was a slight misunderstanding just now; no offense meant, brother."
"I am... a physician from the nearby Liu Family Village." The frail physician timidly said, "The village had sick children who needed medicine. I was planning to buy some in the city, but couldn’t enter because of some... justice cleansing campaign. They said there were traitors and scouts in the city, and something important was being transported. I had no other choice but to try my luck in another town, yet it’s dangerous to wander at night, so I’m resting here..."
"Heh heh, a speck of dust within the sect is a mountain on the shoulders of us commoners."
The old man chortled strangely: "I’m just a survivor from that sick village, the whole village perished, and even the heavens wouldn’t take me. It’s clear good days are coming, yet the Bright Mirror Sect is still infighting, preventing everyone from living well."
Qiao Xuan took a deep breath, almost with admiration: "I can tell you all have special skills."
"Not to hide it from everyone." He said with a smile, "I am here tracking the traces of demons and have unexpectedly discovered that these demons may also have human accomplices – and now I can guarantee it."
"The demons and their accomplices are within this temple."
A clap of thunder streaked across the sky, the pale light shone through the small temple, revealing the astonished, frantic, angry, and somber faces of the four people.
"What do you mean by that!"
The Demon Slayer Warrior stood up abruptly, his hand unknowingly already on the hilt of his blade, drawing a chilling sword light: "I am the Demon Slayer Warrior, Kong Zou. Are you saying I can’t identify who is a demon? You little runt, just because you have slain a few ghosts does not give you the right to spout nonsense. If you dare do anything, I’ll have your head rehomed immediately!"
His sword pointed directly at Qiao Xuan, and although he appeared to be hot-tempered and unstable, his grip on the sword was steady. The sound of a tiger’s roar could faintly be heard when the sword was unsheathed just before, which was enough to confirm the true strength of this martial artist as a formidable fighter.
Moreover, when the sword was drawn, a terrifying aura akin to a military formation materialized around the temple. The damaged weapons amongst the corpses subtly vibrated, as if they would crumble under this dread force, sacrificing their remaining essence to that bright longsword!
Martial Meridian Magical Soldier! In this decrepit temple, there was a peak Inner Strength martial artist wielding a Martial Meridian grade Magical Soldier!
"Are you finished talking?"
But as soon as the Demon Slayer Warrior’s words were spoken, Qiao Xuan abruptly stood up.
In the instant before the Demon Slayer Warrior could react, a stroke of Sword Light like a White Rainbow shattered the breath mist, thundering like lightning straight towards the warrior’s longsword. After sending it flying, another Sword Qi burst forth —
It pierced past the neck of the astonished and enraged Demon Slayer Warrior, aiming for the physician who was unsuspectively sneaking behind, attempting to escape through the window!