Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

King City connected with Gu Chen's eighteen palms, and even as a martial artist at the External Qi stage with internal breath protecting his body, he couldn't withstand the attack. His bones, tendons, veins, and even his internal organs were shattered into dust, naturally, he could not survive.

Seeing King City beaten to death by Gu Chen, those martial artists from the rivers and lakes were looking at Gu Chen as if they had seen a ghost.

Even Luo Feng had his mouth wide open, shocked to the extreme, wondering how Gu Chen had become so strong, or had he been hiding his strength all along?

If it were the latter, it would be somewhat acceptable, but if it were the former, it would be too horrifying. At that thought, Luo Feng's eyes became somewhat complicated.

After this battle, Gu Chen first defeated Zheng Yan, and then beat King City to death. The news here would surely spread, and by then, Gu Chen's name would be known throughout Li Mountain County, and even the whole nine provinces.

People looked at Gu Chen as if they were witnessing the rise of a new star in the martial world. By now, no one dared to underestimate Gu Chen anymore.

Though young in age, he commanded absolute authority here by virtue of his own strength.

Even now, many martial artists began to doubt whether Gu Chen's words were true, and their glances towards Zheng Jinan began to waver, no longer as convinced as before.

This is the benefit of strength: when your fist is big enough, people naturally believe what you say, and even if they don't, they have to consider it seriously.

After killing King City, Gu Chen first looked at the county magistrate Liu Tong. Seeing Gu Chen looking at him, Liu Tong shuddered instantly. In his eyes, Gu Chen was now a desperado who had beaten even a martial artist at the External Qi stage to death, and at this moment Liu Tong felt very insecure.

"Captain Lin!" Liu Tong screamed.

Seeing Liu Tong's frightened appearance, Captain Lin frowned but still stepped forward, standing in front of Liu Tong. After all, Liu Tong was the magistrate of Huaiyang City.

Gu Chen didn't care, his gaze passed over Captain Lin and looked towards Zheng Jinan, saying, "Even now, do you still want to hide?"

The implication of Gu Chen's words was to tell Zheng Jinan that if he continued to hide, his fate would be the same as King City's—he would be beaten to death by him.

After all, even if Zheng Jinan were stronger than King City, he couldn't be much stronger unless he abandoned everything, used demonic powers, and completely exposed himself as a remnant of the Evil Heart Sect.

Zheng Jinan's eyes were red with anger. Seeing Gu Chen's strength, he also felt a chill in his heart, suppressing his rage without taking action, and growled, "Who exactly are you, who sent you, and why do you slander me!"

Gu Chen didn't speak, his face expressionless as he watched Zheng Jinan's performance.

Zheng Jinan was furious, roaring, "You have no evidence, on what grounds do you determine that I am a remnant of the Evil Heart Sect? Attacking without a word, you've seriously injured my son and beaten my friend to death—are there no laws of the king in your eyes?!"

"I, Zheng Jinan, have been in Huaiyang City for many years; who I am, what I've done over these years, the whole city knows well. You say I am a remnant of the demonic cult; do I become one just because you say so? Is it up to you to make decisions here in Huaiyang City, not even asking if Master Liu agrees!"

With that said, Zheng Jinan turned towards Liu Tong, his face filled with sorrow, saying, "Master Liu, this man is audacious and lawless, his actions are ruthless, and I suspect he may actually be a real remnant of the demonic cult. I implore Master Liu to grant me permission to join forces with Captain Lin and capture this villain!"

Zheng Jinan had thought it through clearly; if he took action himself, he was not confident, so he decided to drag Liu Tong down with him. He didn't believe Gu Chen would dare to kill Liu Tong outright.

Once Gu Chen did that—killing an official of the court—no matter what power Gu Chen came from, Da Xia would not let Gu Chen go.

Liu Tong wasn't stupid either; he understood that whether Zheng Jinan was a remnant of the demonic cult or not, he could not be. Once confirmed, not only would Zheng Jinan die, but he would not fare well either. Even if it were less severe, he would lose his black gauze cap.

Moreover, Liu Tong didn't care whether Zheng Jinan was really a remnant of the demonic cult; as long as Zheng Jinan could bring him benefits, that was enough. What did it matter to him if some martial artists or ordinary citizens died?

At that thought, Liu Tong stepped out from behind Captain Lin. His eyes cold, he said to Gu Chen, "I don't care which clan or sect you come from, but you've come to the wrong place today. As long as I'm here in Huaiyang City, no one can run wild. I give you a chance to surrender now while there's still time. I will consider this and be lenient when I deal with you, otherwise, hmph!"

Gu Chen remained unflustered, looking at Liu Tong and saying, "Otherwise, what?"

Liu Tong snorted coldly, "Have you heard of the Jing Tian Department's reputation? Even if you happen to escape today, I will surely report today's events to the Jing Tian Department in Tiandu. Once they take action, there will be no place for you anywhere in the world, no matter where you are from, or what background you have."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen laughed. Seeing his reaction, Liu Tong's face grew cold and he shouted, "You're still so ignorant at the brink of death. Captain Lin, why aren't you arresting this man immediately!"

Captain Lin, upon hearing the order, stepped deliberately to Zheng Jinan's side, ready to join him in capturing Gu Chen.

But at that moment, Gu Chen barked, "Liu Tong, just look at what this is!"

Gu Chen pulled something from his chest and threw it casually. With a thunk, a black object embedded itself in the floor tiles before Liu Tong.

"Jing... the Jing Tian Department's token?!"

Staring at the black token in front of him, which bore a boldly calligraphic "Jing" character, Liu Tong was suddenly petrified, his eyes bulging in disbelief.

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jinan was also bewildered. Not just him, all the martial artists present were stunned.

"You... you're the Metropolitan Procurator of the Jing Tian Department?!" Liu Tong looked at Gu Chen with shock written all over his face, completely dumbfounded.

"Liu Tong, didn't you just say you wanted to report to the Jing Tian Department? Well, I am right here. Whatever you want to say, now is the time," Gu Chen said indifferently.

"This..." Liu Tong stammered, his face flushed with nervousness. Captain Lin, observing the situation, silently stepped back to Liu Tong's side, inwardly relieved that he had not acted rashly.

"You... ah no, are you from Tiandu?" Liu Tong asked, pain etched across his face, his voice full of panic and faltering.

Gu Chen ignored him and turned his gaze to Zheng Jinan, his voice cold as ice, "Zheng Jinan, your evil deeds are numerous, and you have killed the innocent without restraint - your crimes are worthy of death!"

As the words fell, Gu Chen struck like a bolt of lightning, swift and thunderous.

"Wait, I have something to say..." Zheng Jinan, in utter disarray, attempted to defend himself, but Gu Chen gave him no chance. Approaching swiftly, he delivered a crushing palm strike to his head.

Bang!

Caught off guard, Zheng Jinan raised his hand to block. His entire skeleton trembled from the impact, and he finally understood why the prince had been beaten to death by Gu Chen—the young man's physical strength was simply too overwhelming, even for a martial artist of the External Qi realm to withstand.

"Master... there's been a misunderstanding, please let me explain..." Zheng Jinan's face reddened, struggling not to reveal his true identity completely.

Gu Chen's expression remained stern. His fingers closed into a fist, and his muscles and tendons coiled tight. In an instant, in the blink of an eye, he unleashed a barrage of twelve punches.

"Ah..."

Zheng Jinan cried out, his face expressing the utmost shock. Up close and personal, Gu Chen's fists fell like a violent storm, and even as an External Qi realm martial artist, Zheng Jinan could only block the punishing blows; he had no opportunity to counter.

He didn't dare to flee because if he did, there would be a moment of vulnerability, and Gu Chen's punch would come crashing down, a force his body couldn't withstand.

"Puh!"

After enduring Gu Chen's twelve punches, Zheng Jinan spat out a mouthful of blood, his complexion immediately paled, his entire skeletal structure rattled apart as though it was about to disintegrate, blood faintly trickling from his every orifice.

"Zheng Jinan, even now, you continue to hide your true self. Are you really willing to lose your very life?" Gu Chen's eyes were ice-cold, showing not the slightest hint of mercy or intention to stop.

Seeing this, Zheng Jinan's color changed dramatically. He knew if this continued, he would meet the same fate as the prince, beaten to death by Gu Chen.

Facing death, he could no longer care for anything else. What was there to speak of if his life was on the line?

At that moment, large amounts of black air surged from Zheng Jinan's pores, and even his pupils had strands of black mist rising, completely enveloping his eyes.

At that moment, the power of demons and ghosts began to formally awaken, and Zheng Jinan's consciousness started to sink into oblivion.