The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 159 If you're going to do it, do it thoroughly.
"Here!"

At Xu Wu's command, the hundred Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion responded with a roar, drawing their swords in unison and pressing forward. The gleaming longswords reflecting the firelight and their synchronized movements immediately released a powerful sense of intimidation.

The subjects of basic training seem numerous, including running drills, marching, and housekeeping...

But in reality, they only learned one thing during that month: to obey orders without question!

If the superior says to take it down, then take it down; if the superior says to kill those who resist stubbornly, then kill them with a flurry of blows!

As for the negative impacts of doing so?

That's not something they should be considering.

They only know how to follow orders.

The group of Xuzhou Demon Suppression Guards who were blocking the gate with swords drawn all turned pale when they saw that the Demon Suppression Guards of the General's Mansion really dared to draw their swords and move forward!
They have the audacity to bluff.

They truly didn't have the guts to fight the Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion!

Ordinary people don't know the difference between their Demon Suppression Division and the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, so how could they not know?
How does that sentence go?

Foolish people only need to know how to follow orders, but wise people have many more things to consider!
One hundred Demon-Suppressing Guards from the General's Mansion, carrying gleaming longswords, pressed forward relentlessly, their imposing aura growing stronger with each step.

The group of Xuzhou Demon-Suppressing Guards, hands on their waist swords, retreated in disarray, their morale plummeting...

Although no actual close combat has taken place, it gives everyone the feeling that the outcome is already decided.

Yu Qifeng could no longer maintain his refined demeanor. He was sweating profusely and kept gesturing with his hands: "Misunderstanding, there must be a misunderstanding here! Brothers of the General's Mansion, put away your knives first, let's talk this out!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xu Wu's impatient and angry shout came from behind the many Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion: "Stop talking nonsense, take him down!"

Upon hearing the commotion, many of the Demon-Suppressing Guards from the General's Mansion leaped forward in unison, their charge shattering the loose formation of the Xuzhou Demon-Suppressing Guards. They then pointed their swords at the faces of the Xuzhou Demon-Suppressing Guards blocking Yu Qifeng's path, their sharp gazes forcing them to stand to the sides, displaying a fierce and ruthless aura that said, "If you dare to move again, I'll kill you on the spot."

The crowd parted, and Xu Wu strode forward, brandishing his knife and forcing Yu Qifeng to surrender.

Just then, a majestic shout came from behind the screen wall: "Demon Suppression Bureau, who dares to cause trouble!"

As soon as Xu Wu looked up, he saw a dignified middle-aged civil official wearing a black gauze hat, a round-necked scarlet official robe, and a silver fish pouch hanging from his waist. Surrounded by a group of demon-suppressing guards in full armor and carrying swords, he strode out from behind the screen wall with his hands behind his back, his face as calm as water. His stern and cold gaze swept over all the demon-suppressing guards of the General's Mansion present, and he righteously and angrily rebuked them.

"Is this how your Demon-Slaying General's Mansion shares the burdens of the Emperor? Do you have no respect for the law, no respect for the Emperor?"

Xu Wu frowned as he stared at the newcomer, hesitating for a moment.

Yu Qifeng noticed Xu Wu's hesitation and felt relieved. With a smile, he gently pushed aside the long knife in front of him and said, "Hey, we're all brothers who eat from the same pot. Why can't we sit down and talk things out?"

Just then, a golden light condensed above the heads of the many Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion, forming a phantom image of Wang Wen wearing a black gauze hat, a round-necked scarlet official robe, and a gold fish pouch hanging from his waist.

He swept his gaze across the numerous Xuzhou Demon-Suppressing Guards as if they were nothing, then looked down at Xu Wu and barked, "Enough with the nonsense, take him down!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Wu didn't hesitate to swing his knife and deliver a powerful blow to Yu Qifeng's face, knocking out one of his teeth on the spot: "Who the hell is your brother? Tie him up!"

His sycophantic arrogance provoked a few of the still-blooded Xuzhou Demon Guards to step forward in anger and draw their swords three inches away.

"do not move!"

Upon seeing this, the Demon-Suppressing Guards from the General's Mansion, who were holding swords at their throats, did not hesitate to put their own swords to their necks: "My sword is sharp, don't hurt yourself!"

"Brother, let's sit down and talk this over later. Don't try to run into my knife with your neck..."

Under the threat of the cold blade, the noisy sounds quickly subsided.

Xu Wu, accompanied by a group of demon-suppressing guards, escorted Yu Qifeng towards the gate of the Xuzhou Demon-Suppressing Division.

The middle-aged civil official stared coldly at Wang Wen, who stood in mid-air. Just as Xu Wu was about to step out of the gate, he spoke in a cold voice: "General Wang, is this the procedure for your Xuzhou Demon Suppression Guard to carry out your duties?"

Wang Wen smiled and nodded: "What, you want to teach this general how to do things?"

"Don't dare!"

The middle-aged civil official said indifferently, "I just have something to say to General Wang: 'When the heavens are arrogant, rain is sure to follow; when people are arrogant, disaster is sure to follow!'"

Wang Wen pondered for a moment, then nodded seriously: "You're right... Go, tie him up too, and take him back with you!"

He pointed to the middle-aged civil official and addressed the Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion on his left and right.

The middle-aged civil official was stunned for a few seconds before he suddenly realized what was happening. He was both aggrieved and angry... Where did I go wrong? I watched as you took my deputy away on my own turf!

He was stunned, but the Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion, who were being summoned by Wang Wen, were not.

Immediately, several of the Demon-Suppressing Guards from the General's Mansion removed the iron chains hanging from their waists and strode toward the middle-aged civil official.

Upon seeing this, several officers from the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division, who were surrounding the middle-aged civil official, angrily drew their swords and stepped forward to block the middle-aged civil official: "Insolence!"

"Thorn."

Several thick white bolts of lightning struck the hands of the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division officers with precision, instantly knocking their swords to the ground.

Wang Wen: "Since they have voluntarily surrendered themselves, let's reluctantly tie them up as well and take them back for interrogation!"

"Here!"

The Demon Suppression Guards from the General's Mansion, who were standing in front of these officers from the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division, shouted their orders and rushed forward, pinning the officers to the ground and quickly restraining their hands and feet.

"They're insane! They're all fucking insane!"

The middle-aged civil official cried out in alarm, only then realizing that he had probably inadvertently become the monkey used as a warning to others!

But isn't Wang Wen afraid of incurring public wrath with his arrogant and unrestrained behavior?

Does he have any evidence that he dared to publicly remove the Junior Supervisor of the Demon Suppression Division of a prefecture?
But when faced with the ferocious Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion who actually rushed up, twisted him to the ground, and handcuffed his hands and feet with iron chains, he wanted to shout loudly, but he was also afraid that if he shouted loudly, they would not give him face and he would lose even more face; he wanted to remain silent, but he was also afraid that these Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion would really torture him to death...

As the Junior Supervisor of the Demon Suppression Division of a prefecture, he was all too familiar with the methods the Demon Suppression Guard used to punish people!
If they fall into the hands of the Demon Suppression Guards, even if they aren't demons or monsters, they'll become demons and monsters...

If time could be turned back, and life could be regretted, he would never have stepped out of that screen wall!
If given a chance to apologize, he would surely say, "My lord, there were many people outside just now, and I kneel before you now..."

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through the middle-aged civil official's mind. Then, he suddenly spoke, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Wang Erhu, you have used the name of 'slaying demons' to eliminate dissidents, frame loyal officials, and form cliques for personal gain. If you do not pull back from the brink and repent, I will definitely report you to the Emperor!"

Those cries, with their rises and falls, their heart-wrenching wails, were like Meng Jiangnu weeping at the Great Wall, or like the cuckoo crying blood, echoing far and wide from the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Bureau in the quiet morning.

But beneath that seemingly tough and assertive rhetoric lies a cowardly exterior, much like a wanted criminal who, before being arrested, strips himself naked in public and loudly proclaims to the onlookers: "Look, everyone, I don't have a single scratch on me. Any scratches on my back are from torture!"

With his shout as a precedent, no matter how the Demon Suppression Guards of the General's Mansion frame him in the future, once he returns to the capital and meets the Emperor, he can deny everything and turn his back on the matter!

His words were undeniably clever! But his shout also thoroughly enraged Wang Wen.

Wang Wen's divine sense followed Xu Wu the whole time.

Xu Wu could tell from Yu Qifeng's changes in expression that Yu Qifeng either had something to hide or was guilty.

How could he not be able to tell?
Who is Yu Qifeng?

The deputy director of the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division, the middle-aged civil official's deputy, is similar to the relationship between Xu Wu and Wang Wen.

Yu Qifeng is covered in excrement, so how could this middle-aged civil official be clean?

is it possible?
"Good good..."

Wang Wen, enraged, uttered three "good"s in succession, then suddenly roared, "All personnel of the General's Mansion, heed my order! Immediately impose martial law on the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division, imprison all officials of the rank of Captain Zhengji and above, and investigate on the spot the case of colluding with evil sorcerers and intending to release the Ghost King to wreak havoc in Xuzhou City. All Xuzhou Demon Suppression Guards, return to your camps immediately and await orders. Until the case is cleared, no one is allowed to enter but not leave. Those who disobey will be treated as colluding with evil sorcerers and executed on the spot!"

His loud shout, as powerful as thunder, resounded throughout the entire city of Xuzhou.

It can be said that all the people of Xuzhou heard his loud voice.

Upon hearing this, the hundred-plus Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion, their faces flushed with excitement, responded in unison!
'That's fucking inspiring!'

They thought to themselves.

The Demon Suppression Guards of Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division all understand the difference between the Demon Suppression Divisions of various prefectures in Huainan Circuit and the Demon-Slaying General of Huainan Circuit.

Of course they understand!

Wang Wen's move of directly targeting the entire Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division is truly impressive.

When they leave Yangzhou in the future, they will have to hold their heads high whenever they meet the Demon-Suppressing Guards of any prefecture.
This is the real Huainan Dao Demon-Slaying General's Mansion!
Upon hearing Wang Wen's loud shout, the middle-aged civil official felt his head buzzing. He struggled to his feet and, in a fit of rage, shouted, "Wang Erhu, how dare you slander someone's innocence out of thin air?"

With Wang Wen's shout, regardless of the final outcome of this case, Wang Yi will lose his position as the Junior Supervisor of the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division, and his official career will come to an end...

Rumors can sometimes be more deadly than official reports from the imperial envoy!
Wang Wen didn't even glance at him, and looked straight at Xu Wu: "Are ears there to breathe on?"

Xu Wu understood and immediately waved his hand, saying, "Brothers, declare martial law for the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division and imprison all officials above the rank of squad leader on the spot!"

"You, put the 'adults' in jail!"

"You, take men and seal off the main hall. Until the general arrives, no one is allowed to step into the main hall..."

"What are you all standing there for? Quickly hand over your swords and wait for orders! Do you really want to be associated with those who collude with evil sorcerers?"

He took the initiative, directing his hundred Demon-Suppressing Guards to methodically and swiftly divide the entire Xuzhou Demon-Suppressing Division into isolated islands, awaiting the arrival of the main force to take over.

Wang Wen floated in mid-air, scanning the ever-growing number of Xuzhou Demon Guards around him, keeping Xu Wu in check; at the same time, he used his divine sense to issue military orders to the commanders of the various camps on the dock fleet, ordering those who came to take over the scene to do so, and those who went to the four gates to seal off the city gates.

Huang Laodeng taught him that if you're going to do something, do it thoroughly.

Could Huang Laodeng harm him?
By midday, the two thousand Demon-Suppressing Guards of the General's Mansion had completely suppressed the Demon-Suppressing Division of Xuzhou and taken control of the entire city.

Wang Wen then withdrew his divine consciousness avatar back into his physical body and began to carefully consider his next move.

Suppressing the Demon Suppression Division of Xuzhou and taking control of the entire city of Xuzhou was an impulsive act on his part.

But now that we've come this far, we absolutely cannot act impulsively anymore.

This case must be made airtight and involve a whole group of people so that he can give an account to his superiors and subordinates.

Otherwise, he would have to answer to both his superiors and subordinates regarding the Demon Suppression Division's obligations...

However, he was not generally flustered.

Because the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division definitely has a problem!

What he needs to do now is figure out how to make this case airtight, a case involving a whole group of people, one that can withstand scrutiny and testing...

Just as he was pondering which angle to take to make this case airtight and a complete case involving a group of people, Xu Wu hurriedly returned to his ship.

However, what he brought was neither the case clues nor the breakthrough point that Wang Wen had expected.

It was a situation he had not anticipated.

"Brother, Wang Yi is dead!"

This was the first thing Xu Wu said to Wang Wen.

As he spoke, his dark face was ashen, like a man who had been dead for three days. He kept wiping his forehead, which was still covered in cold sweat.

After a moment's thought with a solemn expression, Wang Wen asked, "Who is Wang Yi?"

Xu Wu: "Brother, Wang Yi is the Junior Supervisor of the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division!"

Wang Wen froze for a second, then slapped the tea table beside him to pieces, exasperated and furious, scolding, "Are you brainless? How could you kill him! Now there's no way to prove anything!"

"I, I, I..."

Xu Wu was so frightened that his tongue almost slurred, and he stammered several times before he could speak fluently: "Brother, we didn't kill him. We haven't even had a chance to interrogate him yet!"

"Where is Ma Feng?!"

Wang Wenxian called out first, then looked at Xu Wu again and asked, "So he committed suicide?"

A golden light landed in front of Wang Wen, transforming into the figure of Ma Feng with his hands clasped: "Your subordinate is here!"

Wang Wen: "Go immediately to the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division and retrieve the soul of Wang Yi, the Junior Supervisor of the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division!"

Ma Feng responded and transformed into a golden light, rushing out of the ship's hold and heading towards the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division.

Xu Wu then continued, "It wasn't suicide; someone slit his throat... Our brothers were on guard outside the door, but they didn't hear anything, and they didn't find any trace of the perpetrator inside the room!"

As he spoke, Wang Wen's divine sense had already arrived at the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division before Ma Feng, scanning the entire Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division like a radar.

Soon, he found Wang Yi's body and also saw Yu Qifeng and the others who were still alive.

"Kill and silence?"

He narrowed his eyes, his tense body slowly relaxing: "Things seem to be getting more and more interesting..."

(End of this chapter)