I Become a Martial Arts God in the Chaotic Demon World

Han Zheng found it difficult to evaluate Shen Conghai.

He was truly foolish, yet also quite pitiable.

Living in the shadow of his elder brother since childhood, if he acquiesced to being a waste and flaunted his brother's achievements, that might have been fine.

But he was a man whose ambition reached the heavens yet his fate was thinner than paper, always trying to compare himself to his brother, inviting his own disgrace.

Every compliment towards his brother felt like a thorn in his heart.

Over the years, Shen Conghai's fragile heart had almost become a cactus.

Pitiable as he was, his foolish belief that the Smell Fragrance Sect could transform him was simply ignorance of martial arts conventions.

Even someone of Yuan Longshan's caliber, a high-level expert, had to scheme intricately for the Heavenly Demon Pill Method capable of rebirth.

Did Shen Conghai really think that by protecting members of the Smell Fragrance Sect and relaying some messages, such minor merit would earn him the secret of rebirth?

In this chess game, even Feng Jinyuan was a piece, and Shen Conghai wasn't even a pawn – he was merely a spare on the side.

On the day of the battle against the Smell Fragrance Sect, the Shen Family, either to clear their name of collusion or in self-defense, had indeed fought valiantly.

That's why today, Shen Chengshan came wanting to take Shen Conghai back.

"Elder Zhang, now that it has been proven that it was the County Magistrate, Lin Wenzheng, who colluded with the Smell Fragrance Sect, why won't you release Shen Conghai?"

Han Zheng was slightly surprised as Shen Chengshan's words were quite forceful, and even sounded somewhat accusatory.

Where did he get the confidence to speak to Zhang Tianyang in such a manner?

Even with Zhang Tianyang injured, he was no match for Shen Chengshan.

Moreover, with the Demon Cleansing Bureau's status, in their eyes, the Shen Family, a minor clan in a small county, was nothing.

Zhang Tianyang emerged from behind a door, his expression somewhat gloomy.

He just wanted to recuperate in peace, yet there were always disturbances.

"Release him? Shen Conghai won't be coming out— he will be taken back to the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department for trial.

Even if Lin Wenzheng was the one who conspired with the Smell Fragrance Sect, and Shen Conghai was merely deceived,

the fact remains that he shielded the Smell Fragrance Sect, and everyone saw it in broad daylight. If I release him, how am I to explain myself to the higher-ups?

Shen Chengshan, considering you did your best that night to resist the Smell Fragrance Sect, I will not implicate the rest of the Shen Family, but there's no way I can release Shen Conghai."

Zhang Tianyang was equally resolute.

The scandal caused by the Smell Fragrance Sect had reached such proportions that anyone involved needed to be accountable.

Shen Chengshan sighed, and suddenly a voice came from outside.

"Who among us is without faults? Elder Zhang, my younger brother is not conspiring with the Smell Fragrance Sect, he's merely been misled by those devils. Can you not show leniency?"

A figure clad in white stepped into the County Government compound, looking somewhat older than Shen Conghai, with similar features.

However, he appeared even more dashing and masculine, his presence like the blazing sun, formidable to behold.

Xuan Gang Realm!

Han Zheng immediately saw that this young man had reached the Xuan Gang Realm, a true master!

Of course, his realm might not be as high as Yuan Longshan's, he likely just entered the Xuan Gang Realm.

Without a word, Han Zheng knew this must be Shen Conghai's brother, the Shen Family prodigy, the top young talent of the Tiangang Sect, Shen Congyun.

Han Zheng had always heard how extraordinarily talented and brilliant the Shen Family's eldest son was, and now he saw it firsthand.

At such a young age to have entered the Xuan Gang Realm, he indeed deserved to be called a genius.

No wonder Shen Chengshan had such confidence—it turned out that Shen Congyun had returned.

Zhang Tianyang's response was a smirk that did not reach his eyes: "Shen Congyun, you've set foot in the Martial World and are renowned throughout the martial circles in Southern Mountain, so why bother with the affairs of Black Stone County?

The Shen Family will only hold you back and cannot help you.

The issue of Shen Conghai's collusion with the Smell Fragrance Sect is settled; it's not about my leniency, but that the law cannot be disobeyed!"

Shen Congyun sighed, "But Black Stone County is, after all, my birthplace. The debt of gratitude for my ancestors and my family's upbringing, I can never repay in this lifetime.

Elder Zhang, the law is in your hands—isn't it up to you to decide on leniency?

As I understand, the situation on Huainan Road is far from optimistic. Huainan and Southern Mountain Demon Departments have committed their elite forces, and even the experts from the Capital City have also provided support, yet they have still not managed to suppress the Smell Fragrance Sect's uprising.

In such times, I think the Demon Department should unite with other forces in the Martial World, rather than create enmity, don't you think?"

Zhang Tianyang replied coldly, "Are you using the Tiangang Sect to pressure me?"

"It's not a threat, but a sincere piece of advice for you, Director Zhang."

Shen Congyun appeared neither warm nor aggressive, yet the oppressive force seemed to condense into something tangible.

Director Zhang Tianyang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Someone! Bring up Shen Conghai!"

In the end, Zhang Tianyang compromised.

The Demon Cleansing Bureau no longer had the spare capacity to contend with other sects.

If the Tiangang Sect were also to get involved, affecting the overall situation of the Demon Cleansing Bureau, he, Zhang Tianyang, would be the culprit.

Moreover, Shen Congyun wasn't just bluffing; he truly had the capability.

As the number one among the younger generation of Tiangang Sect, Shen Congyun was almost the future successor of the sect.

His status was even higher than those of the elders in the sect, enough to influence the entire stance of the Tiangang Sect.

Moments later, Shen Conghai was brought up. He looked somewhat disheveled, but he had not been mistreated.

Although he was captured on the charge of colluding with the Smell Fragrance Sect, the prison chief knew he was the son of the Shen Family; no one dared to treat him harshly.

Seeing Shen Chengshan and Shen Congyun, Shen Conghai's expression immediately turned extremely grim.

He walked over, hung his head, and managed to speak, "Ancestor, elder brother..."

"Slap!"

Shen Congyun fiercely slapped him, causing Shen Conghai's face to swell instantly.

"Do you know how worried the ancestor has been for you, at such an old age?

Do you know that I was at a critical moment in my cultivation, yet I abandoned the condensation of the second type of Gang Qi to come down the mountain and save you?

You can be a failure, but you cannot be an idiotic fool who only brings trouble to the family!"

Shen Conghai was scolded by Shen Congyun, pointing at his nose, eyes full of resentment, yet he didn't dare utter a single word in retort.

Shen Congyun turned back to Director Zhang Tianyang and bowed, "Thank you for your mercy, Director Zhang. I will take this scourge away now and won't cause you any trouble."

Having said that, Shen Congyun promptly left with his people.

Director Zhang Tianyang watched their backs as they left, his expression gloomy.

Being forced to release someone, it wouldn't be strange for Zhang Tianyang's mood to be anything but good.

After a while, Zhang Tianyang suddenly said, "You saw everything just now. What are your thoughts?"

"The Demon Cleansing Bureau is no longer capable of suppressing the martial world sects."

Han Zheng fell silent for a moment before speaking the truth.

Zhang Tianyang sighed, "The Demon Cleansing Bureau is still strong, just not as strong as before.

Moreover, there are too many martial world sects. We can suppress some, but not all.

Sometimes we even have to compromise with them.

Do you know, the demons the Demon Cleansing Bureau needs to eradicate are not only the literal ones but also these martial world sects!

These sects and noble families dominate a region; if they cause trouble, the harm they bring is no less than that of demons!"

Han Zheng nodded his head. He already knew this without Zhang Tianyang having to say it.

The situation was no longer like at the beginning of the Great Zhou when the Demon Cleansing Bureau could sweep away everything.

Martial world sects have risen steadily, each dominating a region, and even the court must treat them with caution.

For cults like the Smell Fragrance Sect that dare to rebel and directly threaten the rule of the court, they are certainly to be eradicated.

But for sects like the Cang Mountain Sword Sect and Tiangang Sect that only dominate a region but do not directly show rebellion, if there is no direct conflict of interest, the court will not act against them.

"I was planning to leave Black Stone County only after my injuries healed, but with one thing after another, I am preparing to leave now."

With that, Zhang Tianyang took out the Demon Cleansing Bureau's waist badge and handed it to Han Zheng: "Take my waist badge to the capital of Southern Mountain, Kai Ping Prefecture. The headquarters of the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department is there.

I will use a secret technique to send a message to the headquarters, and there will naturally be someone arranged to take you through the necessary procedures for new members of the Demon Cleansing Bureau."

Han Zheng asked in surprise, "Aren't you coming back to the headquarters of the Demon Cleansing Bureau with me, Director Zhang?"

Zhang Tianyang shook his head, "Yuan Longshan's betrayal of the Demon Cleansing Bureau is not a small matter. I need to personally go to Huainan Road to explain to Chen Zhenfu.

Besides, currently, most of the strength of Southern Mountain Road has been sent to support Huainan Road, so it's pointless for me to go back.

Don't worry, whether I go back or not, it won't make a difference for you. Newcomers to the Demon Cleansing Bureau are not directly assigned to my command; they need to undergo some training before being assigned to their positions."

Han Zheng nodded his head, and since that was the case, he too had to prepare for his departure. But before leaving, he wanted to go back to the Martial Arts Hall to say farewell to Li Jingzhong and the others.