Biochemical Martial Arts: Supreme Heavenly Venerate

"Four days ago, a 'Blood Blade' rampaged through Hanhua Alley, murdering indiscriminately," said arrest officer Tian Chang as he continued, "My colleagues and I rushed to the scene and tried to encircle her for the kill, but the effort fell apart. The Blood Blade broke through our encirclement and escaped.

This battle cost us one arrest officer and three deputy arrest officers from our precinct, and over thirty innocent civilians lost their lives. I too was seriously injured and had to return home to recuperate, and I am not aware of the events that followed."

"What happened afterward? The Blood Blade wreaked havoc in the city! In four days, she killed thirty-seven people. Look at Hanhua Alley! She attacked so many brothels that the customers dare not visit and all the courtesans have fled!"

The County Magistrate's face was stern, his eyes filled with sorrow, "The death of Lin, the arrest officer, and several deputies has indeed caused me great distress. However, what pains and worries me even more is that this Blood Blade is now lurking within the city, harming our people daily, consuming the vital essence of young men and women, causing panic and fear among all citizens.

This has become the greatest threat in our Silver Moon County!"

His voice suddenly grew louder, resounding through the air: "This case has shocked the provincial city! This morning, the prefect sent a dispatch to our county, ordering that we eradicate this demonic calamity within three days. As the local official, I absolutely cannot sit idly by while our people suffer from this demon's torment!"

The impassioned sound caused Lin Rui's eardrums to tingle and ache slightly.

He realized that this local County Magistrate also possessed an extraordinary cultivation, likely having reached the fourth realm of 'Core Formation,' comparable to the rank of a federal Major or Lieutenant Colonel.

Lin Rui was straining to understand what the County Magistrate was saying, finding it quite difficult to comprehend without guessing and relying on the translations provided by the biological chip behind him.

The County Magistrate was not a local, speaking in the official language of the Great Song dynasty.

Yet his Mandarin bore a heavy South State accent.

If one must describe it, it would be like a Guangdong version of Mandarin—every country has its national anthem.

The County Magistrate turned his head to look at Government Official Jiang Hanzhang, his words laced with frost, "Capturing criminals, overseeing public order, suppressing demons, these are the responsibilities of a Government Official. May I ask, Official Jiang, have you investigated the origins of this Blood Blade? Where does she come from? Why has she brought calamity here?

And presently, where is she hiding? You and the other officers, why have you not yet been able to kill or capture her?"

Jiang Hanzhang was not at all intimidated by the County Magistrate's authority, and he responded calmly with a bow: "Sir, I have found that the Blood Blade came from the capital, originally a guard of a major merchant's heir. It is not clear why she lost control and betrayed her master.

This demon was originally at the late third realm, and she possesses several superior bloodline talents, making her extremely powerful in battle. After betraying her master, she began to kill indiscriminately in Hanhua Alley, and after consuming a large amount of the essence of young, healthy individuals, she broke through to the fourth realm during combat.

Even I am not capable of subduing her alone."

The County Magistrate sneered upon hearing this, "So you've chosen to ignore the Blood Blade, fearing involvement? Have you even instructed your staff to feign injuries and take leave, resulting in an increased number of unchecked demons in the city? Jiang Hanzhang, are you worthy of your official robe? Of the trust that the court has placed in you?

Of the support the people have provided for your nourishment?"

The government officials present lowered their heads even further upon hearing this.

The atmosphere within the building was icy and tense, like a drawn sword.

Jiang Hanzhang's voice remained calm: "You lay too harsh a charge, Sir. I would not dare commit such a breach of duty, nor do I have the authority to order all staff of the government office to do so.

Regarding the Blood Blade, this matter has exceeded our capabilities. My suggestion is for you to meet with the County Magistrate, to ask for his intervention, or to wait for an expert from the imperial capital to handle it."

Tian Chang frowned deeply and anger grew in his eyes upon hearing this.

Jiang Hanzhang was also of the fourth realm. If the Government Official had fully committed, along with their combined forces, could they not subdue a Blood Blade who had only recently entered the fourth realm?

However, listening to Jiang Hanzhang's tone and observing the attitudes of the other officers, it was clear they were prepared to stand by and watch, willing to let the city's people suffer rather than risk falling out of favor with the County Magistrate.

Jiang Hanzhang's plea for the County Magistrate to seek help from the County Magistrate infuriated Tian Chang even more.

The County Magistrate is in charge of the county's military forces, commands four hundred county soldiers, and bears responsibilities for local defense and the suppression of villains and demons. Many assertive County Magistrates even take over judicial powers, handling thefts, trials, and various other duties from the County Magistrate.

This was the case in Silver Moon County until this County Magistrate took office and reclaimed authority from the County Magistrate.

Jiang Hanzhang's words were clearly a challenge, pushing the County Magistrate to bow to the County Magistrate.

Beside him, Lin Rui slightly shook his head.

From their conversation, it was evident that there was significant discord within the office of Silver Moon County. What a place of intense intrigue for such a small temple!

Just then, Lin Rui caught a glimpse of a red figure flashing past the window from the corner of his eye.

He was slightly startled and stealthily moved closer to the window to take a peek outside.

Lin Rui saw a woman in red with a pair of swords strapped to her back, her aura cold and piercing, standing with her back to him on the edge of the roof.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Feeling Lin Rui's gaze, the woman in red turned her head to look inside the building, sizing him up.

Lin Rui thus saw her full appearance.

This was a girl about seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features like cold marble sculpted by time. Although she was nearly one meter ninety in height, her figure was well-proportioned, conveying an ethereal beauty. Despite this, perhaps due to Lin Rui's own height, he felt that she seemed quite petite.

What impressed Lin Rui the most were the girl's eyes, cold and indifferent like ice, seemingly harboring endless hatred, sorrow, and resoluteness.

The girl in red glanced at him once and then looked away, continuing to stand against the wind on the roof's edge, her black hair flowing with the wind like black flames.

The twin swords on her back emitted a strange glow as if they could devour all life.

Lin Rui wondered who this girl was. Beautiful and yet, quite eerie.

However, strangely enough, why were all the formidable people inside the building ignoring this girl in red? Did they not see her, or did they all recognize her?

While Lin Rui's attention was diverted to the girl in red, the County Magistrate inside was tossing a ledger directly in front of Jiang Hanzhang, "Clerk Jiang, I'm giving you another chance. Think it over carefully before you answer me."

Jiang Hanzhang furrowed his brows and flipped through the ledger briefly.

His complexion changed slightly and gradually paled. Nevertheless, he later took a deep breath and said, "It's really true that when you want to condemn someone, any excuse will do. I don't know where the County Magistrate came up with this ledger, intending to sentence Jiang to death. But, sir, if you think that this forged ledger can constrain m, then you are underestimating people."

He then removed his official seal from his waist and placed it on the table, "Sir, in the matter of eliminating Blood Blade, more than thirty of my subordinates have died or been injured. Over these four days, we have done our best to maintain the safety of the southern city on behalf of the Silver Moon County's citizens.

If the County Magistrate insists on sending us to our deaths, then please allow me to resign from my position and return my seal!"

The six arrest officers sitting below him also stood up at this point, three of them nonetheless, slapping their tokens on the table with a sneer.

"Please also allow us to retire, sir! This suicidal mission is not worth undertaking!"

At this moment, Jiang Hanzhang felt slightly surprised as he looked at the three unmoved arrest officers with a dark and stern gaze.

Under his glare, these three had complex expressions but remained seated, utterly motionless.

Jiang Hanzhang couldn't help but scoff, "Very good!"

He abruptly swept his robes and turned directly toward the staircase.

This scene left all the constables pale faced, caught in a dilemma, but then, nearly half of them followed Jiang Hanzhang down the stairs loudly.

Lin Rui and Wang Sen exchanged glances, pondering whether to stay at the tavern or to follow the Clerk.

It felt more sensible to leave with the Clerk, after all, they were just there to collect a paycheck.

However, given today's situation, the County Magistrate clearly had the upper hand, having won over four out of the seven arrest officers.

At that moment, Tian Chang, whose gaze was sharp as a knife, swept over them, making them suppress the chaotic thoughts in their minds.

The saying goes that the official present outweighs the one who is not, and they were under Tian Chang's control.