NOVEL NEXT Chapter 241 Cui Zeyuan
Yang Tianqi's face changed violently when he saw the man behind Guo Zhen.
He recognized who the man was.
One of the four Garrison Commandants, the direct disciple of "Heavenly Evil Spear" Wu Yunfei, and the second son of the Gao Ling Cui Family, Cui Zeyuan!
Previously, Cui Zeyuan, along with two other disciples of the Garrison Commandants and one Su Wuming, had been the finest young talents of the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department.
Especially Cui Zeyuan and the other two, being disciples of the four Grand Garrison Commandants, held even higher status within the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department.
Before Yang Tianqi became an official Xuanjia Guard, in their eyes, he was indeed just a servant, a lowly presence tasked with serving tea and water.
Although the Cui Family in Southern Mountain was not the top major clan, their strength was undeniably strong, with a Grandmaster who had condensed the Martial Arts True Pill.
Moreover, the Cui Family excelled in commerce, with trade caravans spread throughout Southern Mountain, making them extremely wealthy.
At this moment, even though Cui Zeyuan was clad in Purple Gold Sky Wolf Armor, the Purple Jade Phoenix Crown on his head, the Ice Jadeite Ring on his finger, and the Xuanyang Warm Jade Pendant hanging around his waist all highlighted the luxurious and affluent aura he exuded.
Previously, Guo Zhen was Wu Yunfei's man, and upon learning of Wu Yunfei's return, Guo Zhen went to great lengths to meet with Cui Zeyuan. He presented lavish gifts and flattered him profusely, finally persuading him to speak with his master on his behalf and get Guo Zhen reinstated into the Demon Cleansing Department.
Originally, Guo Zhen was expelled by Wen Tingyun, who at that time was merely a Demon Sweeping Colonel.
Now, with just a word from Wu Yunfei, one of the four Grand Garrison Commandants, Guo Zhen's return to the Demon Cleansing Department was a piece of cake.
Cui Zeyuan pointed a finger at Yang Tianqi and snorted coldly, "I went to Huainan Road to suppress the Smell Fragrance Sect, and in Southern Mountain, you claim the throne in the absence of a tiger, acting like a monkey king!
How dare you act so arrogant in front of me, not knowing the meaning of death!
Guo Zhen was brought back by me into the Demon Cleansing Department, and you have the right to shout and scream? Apologize now!"
Yang Tianqi clenched his fists tightly, glaring deathly at Cui Zeyuan.
Originally, Yang Tianqi had been somewhat weak in character, and he might indeed have apologized.
But people change.
Yang Tianqi had followed Han Zheng on several missions, observed his ways of handling matters, and gradually changed his thinking under the influence.
Just as Yang Tianqi was ready to stubbornly confront Cui Zeyuan, a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Who said there are no tigers in the mountains? I only see a haughty, nonsensical mad dog!
You appear so imposing. Those unaware might even think you're the Garrison Commander of Southern Mountain!"
Yang Tianqi turned around in surprise, "Brother Han! You're back!"
Han Zheng patted Yang Tianqi's shoulder, his gaze towards Cui Zeyuan was mocking yet smiling.
Cui Zeyuan frowned slightly, his face showing a trace of anger.
Previously, he was one of the finest young talents in the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department, and few dared to speak to him in such a manner.
Now, after the battle with the Smell Fragrance Sect, his strength had soared, advancing into the Middle Stage of the Xuan Gang Realm. Even fewer people in the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department dared to address him like this now.
"How dare you! Who are you?"
Guo Zhen spoke through gritted teeth, "Lord Cui, this is Han Zheng!"
The anger on Cui Zeyuan's face suddenly vanished, and he laughed, "So it's Brother Han, I've long heard of your great name. Only after returning from Huainan Road did I realize that in just a few short months, our Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department has such an impressive person.
Speaking of which, I should thank Brother Han for managing Smoke Wave Prefecture so well, taking care of all the troubles for me.
I wonder if you have any trusted people left there; once I take charge of Smoke Wave Prefecture, I will take good 'care' of them!"
Cui Zeyuan always knew that Smoke Wave Prefecture was snatched from Han Zheng.
Among the thirty-four State Mansions in Southern Mountain, the powerful ones were guarded by Dan Sea Realm Garrison Commandants, and the weaker ones, he didn't even consider.
Only Smoke Wave Prefecture, which Han Zheng had cleared of all troubles, was the most favourable, and naturally, Cui Zeyuan took a liking to it.
While they were dealing with the devils of the Smell Fragrance Sect in Huainan, fighting hard and struggling, now that it was finally time for rewards, how could he not enjoy the fruits of victory?
What does it matter if Han Zheng was a new talent nurtured by Wen Tingyun? He still had to make room for him!
"Some positions are not so easy to hold, easy to sit in but hard to stabilize!"
Han Zheng suddenly let out a cold laugh and pointed at Guo Zhen, "You, a criminal exiled from the Demon Cleansing Bureau, who gave you the audacity to swagger into the government office of the Demon Cleansing Bureau? Who gave you the courage to spout nonsense here and even dare to threaten a Xuanjia Guard! You truly have a death wish!"
As his words fell, Han Zheng's gaze towards Guo Zhen carried a hint of chilling killing intent, frightening Guo Zhen into subconsciously stepping back.
Cui Zeyuan stepped forward, snorted coldly, and said, "I brought him in, so what? I was actually planning on speaking with my master about reinstating Guo Zhen into the Demon Cleansing Bureau."
"So he is not a person of the Demon Cleansing Bureau right now? A stranger daring to threaten a Xuanjia Guard inside the Demon Cleansing Bureau, where is the authority of the Demon Cleansing Bureau? Guo Zhen is asking for death!"
As soon as the words fell, Han Zheng suddenly made his move, slashing directly at Guo Zhen!
If Cui Zeyuan, this peach-picking fellow, had kept a lower profile, Han Zheng would not have directly torn off all pretenses and struck.
But he dared to mock Han Zheng here after picking the peach, which was purely seeking death.
This was the government office of the Demon Cleansing Bureau; Han Zheng naturally couldn't kill him.
But slaughtering Guo Zhen, that dog, to teach him a lesson, was still no problem.
Cui Zeyuan did not expect Han Zheng to strike as soon as he spoke; he was immediately shocked and furious.
A silver spear suddenly appeared in Cui Zeyuan's hand, its spear light and Gang Qi burst forth explosively, blocking in front of Guo Zhen.
When the sword and spear collided, an astonishing wave of Gang Qi suddenly erupted, drawing the astonished looks of many Xuanjia Guards around them.
Cui Zeyuan was a disciple of Wu Yunfei, previously a young prodigy on par with Su Wuming.
Han Zheng was Wen Tingyun's trusted aide, a newly risen, highly popular newcomer.
Now that these two came into conflict, it immediately drew the eyes of onlookers as if watching a drama.
Cui Zeyuan's face darkened, and with a twist of his spear in his hand, an overwhelming Demonic Qi burst forth.
Thrusting, slashing, countless spear shadows surged towards Han Zheng like a roaming dragon.
Cui Zeyuan was a disciple of Wu Yunfei, and his Heavenly Evil Spear Technique bore seven parts of Wu Yunfei's essence.
Han Zheng held nothing back; his Autumn Water Shocking Swallow was engulfed in rampant Blood Slaughter, and his Avici Path Shura Slash descended, as if cleaving open the Gate of Hell, sending boundless Blood Slaughter bursting forth!
Cui Zeyuan's spear light turned into a Black Dragon that swept forth, colliding with that bloody sword light.
The immense force immediately caused a change in Cui Zeyuan's expression.
Previously, he had slightly looked down on Han Zheng, thinking that being a newcomer, how much could he have improved in a few months?
It was merely that, without them, a monkey rules as king in the absence of the tiger in the hills, probably not much capable.
But now, truly clashing and perceiving the terrifying power from Han Zheng, Cui Zeyuan realized he was greatly mistaken!
With this single slash's power, Han Zheng was indeed capable of competing with them!
With a loud shout, Cui Zeyuan lifted his spear, like lifting a mountain, sending spear light up from the ground, suddenly lifting Han Zheng into midair.
Just as Cui Zeyuan wanted to continue his fierce attacks, Han Zheng had no intention of continuing the struggle. Instead, his figure suddenly turned into a stream of bloody light and disappeared.
By the time Cui Zeyuan reacted, Han Zheng had already appeared beside Guo Zhen, his long knife already at his throat!
Guo Zhen's True Qi wildly circulated, trying to escape as quickly as possible.
But before he could even move, Han Zheng's knife had already gently slid across, beheading him!
[Slain an Innate Transcendence Late Stage Martial Artist, obtained four hundred Qi Blood Essence]
This was the Demon Cleansing Bureau's government office; if they did not quickly kill Guo Zhen, once people above were alerted, Han Zheng would have no chance even if he wanted to kill.
Since it was about establishing authority, it had to be done decisively.
"Han Zheng! You're courting death!"
Cui Zeyuan roared furiously, his face filled with raging anger.
Killing his man right in front of him, Han Zheng's strike was not just at Guo Zhen's head, but a slap to his own face!