The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

The Garrison Commander of the Imperial Guard.

Those six simple words silenced the entire room.

Even the lynx-like monster froze for a moment.

To protect the world and vanquish demons.

The Guardians are the nemesis of monsters.

What's more, this young man in front of me is a garrison commander!

Lin Qingshan's face lit up with surprise.

He had already closed his eyes and awaited death, but after hearing Zhou Heng announce his name, a glimmer of hope welled up in his heart.

A force, seemingly from nowhere, suddenly shoved Xiao Fang aside, causing him to stagger back a few steps.

"No matter who you are, you must die!"

The lynx-like monster came to its senses and roared with a ferocious expression.

Accompanied by its sharp whistling, the surrounding monsters swarmed towards Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng snorted coldly, and the clear, melodious sound of his sword echoed in the air.

The Dragon Sparrow Blade in his hand transformed into a beam of light, allowing him to fight against ten opponents single-handedly, going against the current.

Ding-dong.

Swish.

The sounds of metal clashing and blades slicing through flesh echoed in the air.

Lin Qingshan and the group of bodyguards from Zhenyuan Escort Agency only saw flashes of light in the air; they could no longer even make out Zhou Heng's figure.

To everyone's astonishment.

Zhou Heng reappeared.

This time, Zhou Heng had returned to a short distance in front of them.

Clang.

The long sword was sheathed, the sound lingering.

A series of muffled thuds followed, and one monster after another fell to the ground, a pool of blood quickly welling up beneath them, clearly indicating that they were dead.

"They run fast, though."

Zhou Heng muttered to himself.

The lynx escaped again.

Its speed was no less than Zhou Heng's, and it was quick to seize the opportunity. While the other demons were blocking Zhou Heng, it actually ran away, showing no dignity as a fifth-rank demon.

The situation in the mountains and forests was unclear, so Zhou Heng did not dare to chase after them.

Zhou Heng slowly turned around.

Ding-dong.

The dagger in Xiao Fang's hand fell to the ground. His face was ashen, and he collapsed to the ground like a lump of mud.

He didn't even have the courage to make a move against the garrison commander of the Imperial Guard.

Zhou Heng glanced at the blood-stained dagger, then at Lin Qingshan.

"Are you going to ask, or should I?"

Zhou Heng said to Lin Qingshan.

Lin Qingshan was at least a sixth-rank martial artist; this strike wouldn't kill him.

"Thank you for saving me, Commander."

Lin Qingshan barely managed to stand up, cupped his hands to Zhou Heng, and said, "It is a misfortune for our family to produce such a wicked disciple."

He colluded with demons, violating a taboo. I, Lin, will certainly give the Garrison Commander an explanation.

He tore off his belt, bandaged the wound on his stomach, then grabbed Xiao Fang and went into the dilapidated temple.

Moments later, screams of agony echoed from the dilapidated temple.

Zhou Heng stood there expressionless.

The other bodyguards from Zhenyuan Escort Agency huddled together, only daring to secretly watch Zhou Heng's back, not daring to get any closer.

A full incense stick's time passed before Lin Qingshan returned to Zhou Heng, his hands stained with blood and his face showing signs of exhaustion.

"Lin Qingshan, on behalf of Zhenyuan Escort Agency, thanks Lord Zhou."

Lin Qingshan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly, "If it weren't for Lord Zhou's intervention, all twenty-odd men from my Zhenyuan Escort Agency would have perished in the monster's jaws today."

Before Zhou Heng could ask, Lin Qingshan revealed all the results of the interrogation.

He knew that Zhou Heng was giving him an opportunity by allowing him to interrogate Zhou Heng.

Someone from the Zhenyuan Escort Agency is colluding with monsters. Does anyone know if others are involved?

Given the style of the Imperial Guard, they will definitely thoroughly clean up the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

Zhou Heng is now having him interrogate Xiao Fang, giving him a chance to prove his innocence.

If he cannot satisfy Zhou Heng, then not only him, but the entire Zhenyuan Escort Agency will be held accountable for colluding with demons.

"These monsters are all subordinates of a powerful demon named Qingyang Mountain Lord."

Lin Qingshan said in a deep voice, "Xiao Fang sold them the information about the Demon King's Bone and exchanged it for three hundred taels of gold."

Moreover, they promised to kill me and make Xiao Fang the owner of Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

"This Lord Qingyang is a fourth-rank great demon, whose territory spans the three states of Shu, Yue, and Han, and who commands countless demons."

It was only one step away from reaching the realm of a Demon King. If it could obtain the Demon King's Bone, it could cross that threshold. Therefore, it was determined to get the Demon King's Bone.

"The one in charge of seizing the Demon King's Bone this time is a peak fifth-rank demon named Seventh Madam."

That wicked disciple only knew the name; he had never actually seen this great demon.

Xiao Fang is just a minor character, so naturally he couldn't possibly know too much about what's going on inside the monster world.

However, based on the information he had, this wave of monsters today was not all of them.

"Lord Zhou, colluding with demons was Xiao Fang's idea alone; the other bodyguards were unaware of it."

According to Xiao Fang's plan, he originally intended to kill us all, and then go back to take over the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

Lin Qingshan said somewhat nervously.

Although he was considered a big shot in the martial arts world, he couldn't help but feel nervous in front of the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard is a very important figure who governs an entire prefecture. Even the prefectural governor has to show him respect.

Moreover, this garrison commander is so young; his future achievements are limitless.

Lin Qingshan was quite knowledgeable, but he had never seen such a young garrison commander before.

Such a powerful figure is someone he absolutely cannot afford to offend.

"Where did Lord Qingyang come from?"

Zhou Heng pondered for a moment and asked.

"I've heard its legends in the martial arts world. They say it's in Shu Prefecture, but I can't be sure of the specifics."

Lin Qingshan said, "Those who have seen such a powerful demon are probably all dead."

He looked bitter. If he had known that the Demon King's bone would be targeted by Lord Qingyang, he would not have accepted this escort mission, no matter how much gold and silver it was offered.

But it's too late to regret it now.

He looked at Zhou Heng; their only way to survive now might be to cling to this powerful figure.

But how could the dignified Commander of the Imperial Guard be escorting their goods?

He wouldn't even dare to mention such a thing now.

He even regretted offering gold to this official to escort them to Shu Prefecture.

Isn't that an insult?

How could a dignified commander of the Imperial Guard care about mere gold and silver?

If Zhou Heng knew what Lin Qingshan was thinking, he would definitely tell him, "Who said that the Commander of the Imperial Guard doesn't care about gold and silver?"

Even the Garrison Commander of the Imperial Guard needs to eat, right?

He had never seen what a thousand taels of gold piled up would look like in his two lifetimes combined.

"You're going to Shu Prefecture, which is perfect timing, as I'm going there too."

Zhou Heng pondered for a moment and said.

The Zhenyuan Escort Agency is transporting the Demon King's bones, and there will definitely be many dangers along the way.

What is dangerous for others is a great opportunity for him to rack up rewards.

"Come with me on this journey."

Zhou Heng said.

"real?"

Lin Qingshan was overjoyed. He was seriously injured, and the highest cultivation level among the other bodyguards was only the eighth rank. He had no idea what the future held.

Let alone the powerful demons under Qingyang Mountain Lord's command, they might not be able to handle even a random band of mountain bandits.

If we can travel with the Garrison Commander of the Imperial Guard, what is there to worry about?

"Those monsters will definitely come back again. To avoid alerting them, I will disguise myself as a bodyguard and mingle among you."

Treat me like any other bodyguard; don't reveal my identity.

Zhou Heng continued.

"I will obey your orders, sir."

Lin Qingshan hurriedly said that as long as Zhou Heng was willing to travel with them, he could agree to any conditions.

"There are no adults here, only the bodyguard Xiao Zhou."

Zhou Heng said calmly.

"Yes, Xiao Zhou."

Lin Qingshan's face was flushed, and his eyes were filled with trepidation.