Chapter 175: Return to Headquarters

Just as Zhang Qianyue’s nerves were stretched to the breaking point, Jiang Yan, who seemed to have lost himself in the bloodshed, suddenly flashed him a smile.

“So it’s Director Zhang.”

“Thank goodness you arrived. Otherwise, I would’ve surely been captured by these people today. Director Zhang, you must seek justice for a humble citizen like me.”

Zhang Qianyue’s lips twitched. If I’d arrived any later, you would’ve slaughtered every last one of these Heaven Demon Sect members. And now you have the nerve to play the victim?

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel shocked by Jiang Yan’s earlier display. Considering his combat power, Zhang Qianyue lowered his voice and asked, “Have you broken through to the Source Domain Realm?”

“Just True Intent, that’s all.”

Just True Intent… Zhang Qianyue was at a loss for words.

“Alright, this matter involves the Anti-Sect Faction. I’ll arrest all these people and take them back to the police department for interrogation. Jiang Yan, you should come with me first to give a statement.”

Zhang Qianyue’s eyes flickered as he pondered why the Heaven Demon Sect had gone to such lengths to surround and attack Jiang Yan, but his words remained diplomatic.

Of the ten thousand sect members who had arrived, only about a thousand remained. Now captured, they faced only the judgment of Tianyuan Star’s laws.

“Director Zhang, as the victim, don’t I have the right to know why they attacked me?”

Jiang Yan smiled as he asked Zhang Qianyue, then gave a slight shudder. The bloodstains covering his body instantly scattered, leaving him spotless once more.

“Of course. I’ll inform you as soon as the interrogation results are available.”

Soon, Jiang Yan followed the escort unit back to the police department.

Along the way, Zhang Qianyue walked while marveling at the thought that he had managed to sweep clean the Heaven Demon Sect members from the entire city district in his lifetime—a truly rare feat.

In the past, whenever he made a move, either the news would leak, causing the sect members to flee in advance, or some unknown powerful force would intervene, making the operation difficult to carry out.

One of his lifelong career aspirations had been to eradicate this scourge, but when it came to the Heaven Demon Sect, the implications ran too deep.

The Heaven Demon Sect was not merely a religious sect; it was an ideology, a trend, a methodology, and a tool of power for certain masters.

To achieve more, a small director like him was nothing but an ant trying to shake a tree.

Back at the police department, the captured sect members were taken away for interrogation.

Jiang Yan was led by Zhang Qianyue to a room.

Inside, a small square table and two low stools awaited them. An officer had already poured two cups of hot water on the table.

“Have a seat.” Zhang Qianyue smiled as he looked at Jiang Yan.

With the demonic sect members in the city district cleared out today, his mood was naturally excellent.

Jiang Yan didn’t stand on ceremony either. He plopped down onto a stool, picked up the hot water, and took a big gulp.

“Whew, I was parched.”

“Hahaha, truly, heroes emerge from the young. If not for tonight, who knows how many more people those lunatics would have harmed.”

Zhang Qianyue spoke with immense satisfaction.

“By the way, Director Zhang, tell me about that Heaven Demon Sect.”

Zhang Qianyue looked puzzled. “You don’t even know about them, yet you managed to provoke the Anti-Sect members into mobilizing their entire force to surround you?”

Jiang Yan shrugged helplessly. “Maybe some people just have that kind of physique.”

Zhang Qianyue straightened his expression and said solemnly, “The Heaven Demon Sect was founded by the legendary Heavenly God, later revered by its followers as the Sky Demon. Under the banner of ‘Human Revival,’ they are obsessed with human genetic modification.”

“Among their experiments, the most insane and widely rejected one is the ‘Transformation Project.’”

“What is the Transformation Project?”

“The Modification Project involves fusing human bodies with demon genes to achieve a half-human, half-demon realm.”

“Hah, facts have proven that humans cannot become demons. The enhancements of the half-demons they create fall far short of the true terror of real demons. Moreover, once the Demon Seed is activated, it instantly robs the user of their sanity. After demonization, the body suffers irreversible damage.”

“In other words, the human body cannot withstand demonization, and the genes are fundamentally incompatible.”

“So, they captured me to use me as an experimental subject?” Jiang Yan retorted.

Zhang Qianyue rubbed his coarse hand over his short beard, deep in thought. “That is indeed a possibility. The Heaven Demon Sect is known for capturing young geniuses, using their bodies as vessels to implant experimental Demon Seeds.”

“Why does it have to be young geniuses? Wouldn’t established experts be stronger and better able to withstand experimental damage?”

Zhang Qianyue glanced at him and said, “The earlier the Demon Seed is implanted, the easier the demonization process. Established experts are already set in their ways—their Martial Intent, Qi, understanding of the Martial Way, and Dao Heart are unshakable. It’s difficult for the Demon Seed to interfere or assimilate them.”

“I see.” Jiang Yan nodded and casually asked, “What exactly is this ‘Demon Seed’ you mentioned?”

At the mention of “Demon Seed,” Zhang Qianyue’s expression turned fiercely resentful. He said bitterly, “The Demon Seed uses the human soul as its catalyst and flesh and blood as its vessel. The birth of each Demon Seed means that at least a thousand innocent people have suffered at the hands of the Heaven Demon Sect disciples—their flesh torn away, their souls tortured to death!”

“Those bastards have lost their humanity in their pursuit of ultimate power!”

Zhang Qianyue clenched his fist, unable to hide his genuine emotion.

Then he looked at Jiang Yan.

“I’ve thought about it, and it’s not hard to guess why the Heaven Demon Sect would capture you.”

“First, and this is the main reason they targeted you, your Talent is incredibly strong—uniquely so!”

Such a powerful young body is precisely the perfect vessel those beasts covet.

“Second, you come from Blue Star, which means…” Zhang Qianyue gave Jiang Yan a regretful look.

“Which means you have no background. Capturing you wouldn’t cause any trouble.”

“Understood. So, it’s because I have strong Talent and no background that I’m the ideal experimental subject for the Heaven Demon Sect?”

Zhang Qianyue nodded, suddenly feeling a bit sorry for the young man.

“Ah, this kid was tricked into coming from Blue Star by Lan Shuli, and now he has to suffer such injustice because he has no one to rely on. It’s truly…”

Sigh~

At this thought, Zhang Qianyue sighed helplessly.

He said gloomily, “If you don’t mind, you can stay at the police station from now on. It would be nice to have some company.”

However, he gave a self-deprecating smile.

“I never expected the Heaven Demon Sect branch to mobilize their entire force to capture you. You, kid… you’ve probably caught the attention of some Heaven Demon Sect Master.”

Jiang Yan thought for a moment and said, “Then I won’t trouble the Chief any further. I wouldn’t want the Heaven Demon Sect disciples to destroy the police station one day.”

“Though I must say, my reputation is impressive enough to attract the attention of Masters.”

Jiang Yan laughed, showing no trace of hesitation or fear.

Zhang Qianyue frowned. “You’d better stay with me for the time being. After all, I am an official.”

He felt helpless deep down.

After all, Jiang Yan was just an outsider. Otherwise, with his Talent and reputation, countless factions would be vying to recruit him.

Moreover, Jiang Yan had once slain a demon. For that alone, the authorities of Tianyuan Star would go to great lengths to protect him.

Unfortunately, Jiang Yan came from Blue Star.

He would leave sooner or later.

So why would the authorities bother with such a thankless task?

“Why not apply for Tianyuan Star citizenship? Once you do, I guarantee countless factions will be scrambling to recruit you. Then you wouldn’t have to fear that damned Heaven Demon Sect at all.”

Zhang Qianyue suggested, only to see Jiang Yan shake his head.