The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

Dozens of constables arrived in a grand procession at Ningyang Post Station, a few miles outside the city.

Shen Chong waved his hand.

Dozens of constables quickly dispersed and surrounded Ningyang Post Station.

They all drew their swords, the gleaming steel blades aimed at the post station, creating a solemn and dignified scene.

Zhou Heng followed beside Shen Chong, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his brows slightly furrowed.

A line of small print, visible only to him, floated before his eyes.

【00:00:00】

There is no danger.

Could it be because he brought too many people, giving him an overwhelming advantage against the demons in Ningyang Post Station?

So the system determined that he was not in danger?

wrong.

He had an overwhelming advantage when he encountered those dog demons in the mountains, but the danger countdown still started.

The assessment of danger is unrelated to strength.

On the battlefield, even a valiant general could be killed by an arrow shot by an unknown soldier.

Therefore, the current situation can only mean that—

When Zhou Heng looked up...

Shen Chong took the lead and smashed the gate of the post station with his sword.

The constables rushed in, shouting as they went.

"When the government is handling matters, bystanders should stay away!"

Zhou Heng followed the others into the post station.

Ningyang Post Station is not large. In addition to two rows of houses facing south, there is also a stable on the west side.

After Zhou Heng escorted the coffin back to his hometown, the ancestral home was no longer there, so he stayed at the post station.

He had originally planned to leave Ningyang County and return to the capital. He had even had a farewell drink with Shen Chong yesterday. However, when he returned to the post station that night, he was ambushed by demons.

He witnessed firsthand how a once attentive courier shed his human skin, revealing his hideous and grotesque true form.

Accompanied by the loud shouts of the constables of Ningxiang County, one by one the post station workers were driven out and squatted on the open ground with their hands behind their heads.

Even the officials who stayed at the post station were invited out, and they were all gathered together in the open space, some of them not even properly dressed.

"Officer Shen, what are you doing?"

An official on his way to his new post shouted, "If you don't give us an explanation, we're definitely going to find Magistrate Su!"

"My apologies, sirs!"

Shen Chong cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "We received a report that there are demons causing trouble in Ningyang Post Station. We are doing this for the safety of all of you."

Once we have thoroughly investigated and apprehended the demon, I, Shen, will personally apologize to you all.

"Junior brother, the person has been captured. Do you still recognize who attacked you last night?"

Shen Chong came to Zhou Heng's side and pointed at the post station workers.

Seven or eight couriers knelt on the ground, their hands covering their heads, while the constables stood behind them, holding knives to their necks.

Unless it's a top-tier demon, a single strike will decapitate them.

Sure enough.

Zhou Heng sighed inwardly.

He already knew before entering the post station that there were probably no more demons there.

Once Shen Chong successfully captured all the couriers, he became even more certain of his idea.

If they were demons, why would they not resist at all and obediently surrender?

"you--"

Suddenly, Zhou Heng's gaze fell on a courier.

He drew his sword with a swift motion and slashed down at the courier.

clang!

The two swords clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang.

Shen Chong took a step back, his right foot sinking deep into the ground.

His right hand, hanging down, trembled slightly, and a look of surprise and astonishment flashed across his face.

"Senior Brother Shen, what are you doing? He was one of the people who attacked me last night!"

Zhou Heng narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "I saw him shed his human skin with my own eyes!"

"Junior brother, don't be impulsive."

Shen Chong said seriously, "It's not too late to investigate thoroughly before taking action!"

"M-Sir, I am not a demon."

The courier trembled and shouted, "I wasn't on duty last night at all. I was sleeping at home. My wife and children can testify to that!"

Shen Chong moved his shoulder, but his arm was sore and numb, and he couldn't lift it.

He glanced at Zhou Heng. Wasn't it said that this junior brother was mediocre and hadn't achieved anything despite practicing swordsmanship for many years?

How could someone have such great strength?

Could it be the effect of starting to nourish oneself from a young age?

Shen Chong thought to himself, then shouted to the constable behind the courier, "Inspect!"

The constable replied "Yes," then ripped off the courier's clothes and gently cut a gash in the courier's back with his knife, drawing blood instantly.

The courier screamed in pain.

"If a demon wears human skin, the demon will be exposed once the human skin is damaged, just like a leaky skin bag."

Shen Chong explained, "We don't have any magical abilities, nor can we afford a demon-revealing mirror, so we can only use this method to distinguish between humans and demons."

The courier did not change at all; instead, a pool of yellowish filth appeared beneath him.

He is not a demon.

Shen Chong said, "Someone must have impersonated him and attacked you last night, Junior Brother."

The constables checked each of the post station workers, and found no demons.

"Demons are skilled at transformation; junior brother, you've been deceived."

Shen Chong turned to Zhou Heng and whispered, "Fortunately, we didn't make a big mistake just now. You must never act impulsively in the future."

Otherwise, even the Imperial Guard would find it unacceptable to kill an innocent person by mistake.

Although his voice was soft, everyone in the post station looked at Zhou Heng with resentment.

Especially those visiting officials who stayed overnight.

"With such reckless actions, how can he be qualified to join the Imperial Guard? I will certainly write to the officials in the capital to report this matter!"

"Thanks to Constable Shen's composure, otherwise this poor courier would have lost his life right then and there!"

"The Imperial Guard holds the power of life and death; how could they possibly accept such a person?"

"..."

Zhou Heng frowned deeply. Could it be that he had really been deceived?

wrong!

It's impossible for one courier to be lying, but it's also impossible for all couriers to be lying.

Those couriers last night were all demons in disguise!

Of these jailers today, only one is the same as the one from last night.

If Ningyangyi is indeed a den of demons, then the current situation can only mean one thing.

Last night he killed those dog demons, and the demons of Ningyang Post Station fled in terror.

These couriers in front of us are either unaware of the truth or are accomplices of the demons!

These demons must have some tricks up their sleeves to have managed to stay at the post station for so long without being discovered by the authorities.

"Junior brother, you are still young, it's normal to make mistakes."

Shen Chong put his arm around Zhou Heng's shoulder and comforted him.

Zhou Heng was still pondering the matter of demons and nodded perfunctorily.

"Gentlemen, I apologize for any offense I may have caused. I will have someone send over some wine and food later as my apology."

Shen Chong raised his voice and pulled Zhou Heng back to the county government office.

…………

"Junior brother, don't stay at the inn tonight. Come to my house and let's have a good drink."

Shen Chong told Zhou Heng to wait in the jail cell while he went to report to the county magistrate.

Hearing the distant shouts, Zhou Heng frowned again.

Is this how you play it?

it is good!

Let's have some fun!

After leaving a note, Zhou Heng left the county government office, taking with him a standard steel knife used by constables.

A good knife would cost at least ten taels of silver, but he was penniless and couldn't afford it.

A moment later, Shen Chong returned to his cell.

Upon seeing the note left by Zhou Heng, his expression darkened slightly, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

This junior brother is different from the legends.

What is the purpose of concealing one's abilities in this way?

…………

Sunset.

Zhou Heng left the city before the city gates closed.

He waited in the woods until night had completely fallen before slowly walking to the outside of Ningyang Post Station.

From a distance, the lights at Ningyang Post Station could be seen already on.

The shadows reflected in the window showed people clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, creating a lively scene.

Zhou Heng remained calm and waited patiently.

As night deepened, the lights in the post station were gradually extinguished.

suddenly.

A low, guttural bark came from the distant mountains.

Zhou Heng blinked, and the line of small print in front of him flickered and turned red.

【01:00:00】

Can the battle be resolved in an hour?

It's not very dangerous, you can do it.

A danger countdown is also a warning of danger; the longer the countdown, the greater the difficulty of escaping and the greater the danger.

Zhou Heng tidied himself up, hung up his sword, and walked out of the darkness step by step, heading towards Ningyang Post Station.