The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

The danger countdown remains at zero.

The surge of techniques in his mind made Zhou Heng feel somewhat dizzy.

One moment he felt like he was practicing the immortal art of water binding in a secluded place, and the next he felt like he had turned back into a demon-slaying captain investigating a case on Mount Tai.

He rubbed his temples, and it took him a long time to completely digest those memories.

After thirty years of practice, he mastered the immortal technique of water binding.

This magical technique can manipulate water to form chains that bind people.

However, like the magical rain-summoning technique, it has limitations.

This immortal technique, Water Binding, can only be used in places with water. If there is no water, Zhou Heng cannot conjure water out of thin air.

This is also the difference between celestial officials and martial artists.

The magic of celestial officials often requires the assistance of the natural environment to unleash its power.

Zhou Heng's fingers seemed ready to move, and the water pouch at Lü Zi'an's waist twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Didn't Commander Han order us to investigate thoroughly?"

Zhou Heng slowly said, "Even if the sky falls, he'll hold it up. We just need to do what we're supposed to do."

As they were talking, constables from Dajin County and a troop of garrison soldiers rushed over.

Han Zhengxiong had promised them that in Qizhou, their cries for help would be answered by heaven and earth.

Han Zhengxiong's words carry considerable weight.

Otherwise, even if they were the demon-slaying captains of the Imperial Guard, it would be almost impossible for them to mobilize the local garrison.

The reason Xue Zhiwei was able to borrow troops when dealing with the Dajiang Gang last time was because she used her financial power and family connections.

This time, the mere mention of Han Zhengxiong's name was enough to secure the complete cooperation of the local garrison commanders.

The remaining monks of the Wofo Temple were handed over to the garrison and taken back to Dajin County for trial. The constables were then ordered to escort the pilgrims back to the city.

Zhou Heng and his three companions did not dare to stay at the Wofo Temple any longer and returned to Dajin County with the main group.

In the backyard of Lin's Pharmacy.

Xue Zhiwei looked at Zhou Heng with a serious expression: "This is troublesome."

She placed an arrow on the stone table in front of her.

"It is definitely military equipment."

Xue Zhiwei continued, then sighed, "It started as demons causing trouble, but now it involves the army. If we continue digging, something bad might happen."

The fact that weapons appeared in the hands of demons can only mean two things.

Either someone in the military is colluding with demons, or someone in the military is privately selling weapons for profit.

Regardless of the type, people who can achieve these things will not have a low social status.

Looking across Qizhou, there are only a handful of people who can do this.

"so what?"

Zhou Heng said calmly.

Xue Zhiwei was taken aback, her eyes flickering.

"Protecting the world, slaying demons and monsters—isn't what we do just troublesome stuff?"

Zhou Heng continued, "Since we're doing something troublesome, why be afraid of trouble?"

Whoever he is, find him and chop him up.

Zhou Heng's tone was completely calm, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

Chen Zhaowu clapped and cheered.

"Old Zhou, I finally know why I felt an instant connection with you the moment I saw you."

We're all the same kind of people, why worry about so much, just do it!

Chen Zhaowudao.

Zhou Heng gave him a disdainful look. Didn't we fight the first time we met?

"It's not that simple."

Xue Zhiwei sighed, "We raided the Wofo Temple, which has already alerted the enemy."

If I were the other party, my only option right now would be to kill them to silence them.

They killed the four of us and erased all traces before the Imperial Guard sent anyone else.

"With lives at stake, even the title of Commander Han couldn't intimidate the other side."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but look up and around.

It felt as if assassins could appear at any moment to take their lives.

Zhou Heng glanced at the danger countdown.

The danger hasn't even appeared yet, and the mastermind behind it hasn't figured out how to deal with it?

Let's take a look.

Zhou Heng pondered for a moment and said, "The Dajiang Gang and the Lu family refine Xiaoyao Powder to amass wealth, and the money they earn is all sent to temples and monasteries in Mount Tai."

The Reclining Buddha Temple has been proven to be a hiding place for demon soldiers; other temples and monasteries are still under investigation.

These demon soldiers are connected to the military.

It could be direct collusion or an exchange of benefits.

What we need to do now is, firstly, find out exactly how many temples and monasteries on Mount Tai are hiding places for demons.

Second, find out who provided weapons and martial arts to the demons.

Do you have anything to add?

Zhou Heng is now a three-star demon-slaying captain, the highest-ranking among the four, and naturally became the leader.

Chen Zhaowu had no objection to this.

In the Guardian Division, strength is paramount, and Zhou Heng's strength is indeed greater than his.

All three shook their heads.

"In that case, let's take action."

Zhou Heng calmly said, "Before they could react, we struck first and wiped them out in the blink of an eye."

Before he could finish speaking, the courtyard gate was suddenly kicked open from the outside with a bang.

The clerk at Lin Jiasheng Pharmacy tried his best to stop them, but was pushed to the ground by the other party.

Several men stormed into the courtyard and went straight to Zhou Heng and his group of four.

"Brother Zhou, we meet again."

A person stepped out from behind the crowd and said to Zhou Heng, "Last time we met, you weren't even a Tiqi (a type of imperial guard). In such a short time, you've already become a Demon-Slaying Captain. Congratulations!"

Brother Zhou, you've risen so high in rank, do you think everyone else is above you?

Zhou Heng's gaze fell on the newcomer, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"Chen Yongcheng?"

He blurted it out.

"Tsk tsk, I once wrote a letter recommending you, and this is how you address me by my first name?"

He truly is a wolf from Zhongshan!

Chen Yongcheng sneered, "Getting ahead and becoming arrogant!"

"What utter nonsense are you spouting?!"

Zhou Heng remained silent, but Chen Zhaowu was furious. What kind of bastard dared to spout such nonsense in front of them, the Demon-Slaying Captains?

Are the knives in their hands only good for slaying demons, but not for eliminating evil spirits?

If a person doesn't act like a human being, then they are a demon.

Whoever the Guardian says is a demon, then that person is a demon!

As he spoke, Chen Zhaowu took a step forward and slashed out with his sword.

He didn't stab Chen Yongcheng with that knife; he just wanted to scare him.

After all, he could tell that Chen Yongcheng was wearing official robes and was clearly an official appointed by the imperial court.

"presumptuous!"

Chen Yongcheng neither dodged nor flinched, but shouted loudly.

A figure flashed and was already in front of him, wielding a knife and slashing at Chen Zhaowu.

Ding-dong.

Amidst the clanging of metal.

The long sword in Chen Yongcheng's hand snapped in two, and his body was thrown backward by the terrifying force, knocking over the stone bench with a bang.

Having landed a successful blow, the opponent snorted coldly, took a step forward as if following a shadow, and swung his sword at Chen Zhaowu.

"presumptuous!"

Zhou Heng said in a cold voice, uttering the same two words as Chen Yongcheng.

He pointed his right hand together like a sword and swung it upwards.

boom!

Lu Zian's water pouch burst open, and a stream of water instantly transformed into a long chain that rushed towards the opponent's blade, binding him tightly in an instant.

The men brought by Chen Yongcheng all changed their expressions and drew their swords, the gleaming blades instantly pointing at Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng remained expressionless, and with another flick of his sword, the water instantly tightened, causing the bones of the man who had attacked Chen Zhaowu to crack and groan in pain.

"Anyone who makes another move will die."

Zhou Heng said coldly.