Under the personal directive of Deputy Governor Zhao Guang, the soldiers of the Dingwu Division had no choice but to comply.

  No one could have anticipated what would transpire after the two deputy governors visited the Ghosts and Gods Division.

  To dare commit murder inside the Ghosts and Gods Division and openly execute someone from the prestigious Qiqi public family—how bold must one be?

  Who would believe such a story?

  So, when the soldiers of the Dingwu Division saw the bloodstained Ghosts and Gods Division, their faces froze, filled with disbelief.

  Could it be that the Ghosts and Gods Division is staging a rebellion?

  "Brothers," Zhao Guang called out, "Deputy Governor Gao has colluded with the demonic Celestial Maiden and has already been executed by the superior official."

  "I hope none of you have been involved with Gao in this conspiracy!"

  Han watched coldly, noticing some of the soldiers' faces turn pale as Zhao Guang spoke.

  Just as expected.

  Han stepped forward with a frosty expression, questioning the remaining soldiers of the Dingwu Division one by one.

  Most were unaffected, but after Han killed a rebellious martial artist in the Body Realm, a shout rang out:

  "Brothers, who cares about the superior official? Don’t be fooled by that Zhao guy!"

  "I think they're the ones in league with the demons, trying to stage a rebellion!"

  "Brothers, let’s charge together and kill our way out!"

  Some were riled up, ready to fight, but others lost all courage, immediately surrendering and begging for mercy.

  "It was Gao who forced me to help the Celestial Maiden, I couldn’t do anything about it, please spare me!"

  Several martial artists connected to the Celestial Maiden fled on the spot, but Han sneered.

  Body Realm martial artists—how far could they run?

  In moments, several heads flew into the air as they were executed.

  Only the martial artist who had begged for mercy was spared. Han merely crippled his arms and legs.

  Han collected the souls of those he killed.

  "Zhao Guang, Deputy Governor Zhao," Han called out.

  "Superior official."

  The two men appeared before Han, heads lowered, showing utmost respect.

  In this entire county, the two highest-ranking officials now had to bow their heads.

  "Should we eradicate the Heavenly Mother Sect?"

  "Yes!" Zhao Guang instantly understood Han's meaning.

  "Rest assured, superior official, I will gather troops immediately and wipe out the Heavenly Mother Sect's influence in Qinghua County!"

  "Just follow me," Han said, staring at them.

  "Tonight, the Heavenly Mother Sect will hold a meeting of their followers. They will gather to worship the Celestial Maiden and offer themselves."

  "You should know what happens at these kinds of gatherings."

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Zhao Guang's expression changed. Of course, he knew!

  Han turned to face the cultivators and martial artists present and called out loudly:

  "While good and evil cannot be balanced, the only path left for you is to completely eradicate the demons."

  "Is there anyone who does not wish to participate in tonight's operation?"

  No one dared refuse, fearing their heads might be next.

  Han nodded in satisfaction. They say cultivators are proud, and martial artists are hard to manage.

  Seems like that’s all just a rumor.

  Everyone’s easy to communicate with.

  "This will concern your lives, your futures, and your families!" Han spoke sternly. "If anyone messes this up, you won’t need me to act. The people closest to you will tear you apart!"

  "I will not share the sky with demons!"

  Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted.

  Han's gaze locked onto them, and an eerie silence fell over the room.

  "Good, this is the attitude we need."

  Seeing the time, Han led the way, and everyone else followed closely behind.

  "Once we arrive, surround the place. Not a single fly should escape!" Han instructed.

  The others nodded quietly, and an eerie calm took over.

  The Celestial Maiden’s gathering wasn’t at the Peng family estate, but Han knew the location.

  Once they arrived, Zhao Guang immediately led their men to surround the area.

  This was a done deal.

  With the involvement of the Ghosts and Gods Division and Dingwu Division, no one would escape. They quickly dealt with the rabble and controlled the followers.

  Han entered the location where the Celestial Maiden's gathering was taking place alone.

  A large number of followers had already gathered, all kneeling in prayer to the Celestial Maiden. Some even bowed their heads upon seeing Han.

  Han noticed some women exposing themselves in degrading acts.

  Ignoring them, Han went straight to find Peng Liuming, who greeted him with a smile.

  "Brother Jia, you're finally here. I was about to send Wang Hao to fetch you."

  "The superior official’s invitation is not to be refused," Han replied with a smile.

  Just then, a Heavenly Maiden bodyguard in the Meridian Realm approached Peng Liuming and said:

  "Superior official, the people from Dingwu Division and Ghosts and Gods Division have yet to arrive."

  Peng Liuming frowned, about to speak when Han interjected:

  "They won’t be coming."

  "Huh?"

  "Shing!"

  A flash of sword light, and a chilling breeze filled the air—Peng Liuming’s head was severed.

  The moonlight shone brightly, its soft glow casting a silvery veil over the earth.

  Yet, the decapitation added splashes of crimson, staining the moonlit night.

  Peng Liuming’s soul rose into the air, his eyes still wide with confusion.

  Was that... his body?

  But where was his head?

  Oh, it was on the ground.

  "Jia Ming, what are you doing?"

  Peng Liuming roared, unable to understand the change in circumstances.

  Han paid him no mind. He had already struck at the nearby Heavenly Maiden bodyguard.

  Another head flew.

  This bodyguard, a novice in the Meridian Realm, was no more than an easy target for Han.

  "What am I doing?" Han asked as he gazed at the soul in the air.

  "Taking your life!"

  "Kill him!" Peng Liuming shrieked in fury as two more Heavenly Maiden bodyguards charged in, moving with lightning speed.

  There were five bodyguards in total at this outpost, and with three already gone, only two remained—one in the small, one in the great stage of the Meridian Realm.

  "Good!" Han’s battle spirit surged. He was not afraid; in fact, he moved first to attack.

  At the Meridian Realm, true energy flows naturally, and Han had begun to show the full force of his Taibai Sword Technique.

  An ordinary Meridian Realm small-stage cultivator was like a child in Han's eyes—he could easily cut them down. Today, Han wanted to test his skill against a great-stage cultivator.

  At that moment, the sound of movement echoed, and the Ghosts and Gods Division and Dingwu Division forces broke through the walls, sweeping in to clean up the remaining members of the Heavenly Mother Sect and control the followers.

  "Are you from the Great Qi Court?" Peng Liuming asked, his face dark with hatred as he glared at Han before his soul began to flee toward the distance.

  But Zhao Guang was already outside, intercepting Peng Liuming’s soul.

  Unaware of what was happening elsewhere, Han focused solely on his opponents.

  The Heavenly Maiden bodyguards were formidable, but their weapons were mere refined tools.

  Before Han, they were like amateurs, struggling and awkward.

  Han moved effortlessly, slicing, thrusting, and cutting with precision. The bodyguards had no choice but to avoid his attacks.

  With a single thrust, the bodyguard in the small stage of the Meridian Realm was knocked away, coughing up blood.

  Weak, far too weak.

  Such martial artists were ordinary in their methods, their techniques uninspired, lacking any special talent. The gap between them and Han was simply enormous.

  Han was now aware of his true strength without relying on any special techniques.

  For ordinary Meridian Realm great-stage opponents, he could easily dispatch them.

  "Since that's the case, you’re no longer useful."

  Han’s swordsmanship grew more fierce, delivering skills that were impossible to resist.

  True energy surged, blood boiled, and his physical strength reached its peak.

  "Shing!"

  A sword pierced through one of the bodyguards’ chests, and the other quickly followed suit.

  In the fearful gazes of the officials from the Great Qi Court, Han rushed towards Peng Liuming, who was still struggling against Zhao Guang.

  The Nightwalking Realm—though one level higher, it wasn’t impossible to defeat.