I Become a Martial Arts God in the Chaotic Demon World

Han Zheng's entrance cast an eerie silence over the entire Council Hall.

Nobody had expected Han Zheng to make an entrance in this manner, bursting in directly and declaring to everyone that from now on, he was going to take charge of the Smoke Wave Prefecture, he couldn't care less about the nonsense they were spouting.

His approach could only be described as arrogant, yet it was entirely deliberate on Han Zheng's part.

Did he really think that if he wasn't arrogant, if he humbly reported his arrival, paid respects to each member of the Smoke Wave Prefecture, calling them seniors, and pleading for their support due to his lack of experience, they would truly support and follow him?

Such actions would only lead to them looking down on him, serving no purpose whatsoever.

Han Zheng could actually understand.

When a young man, both younger and less experienced than themselves, became their superior, it was natural to feel awkward.

Therefore, Han Zheng had never intended to make them submit; he didn't need their submission.

Why did Wen Tingyun want him, Han Zheng, to take charge of the Smoke Wave Prefecture?

It wasn't because he was a smooth talker, but because he was decisive and sharp in his actions, a swift sword capable of cutting through the current tangled mess that was the Smoke Wave Prefecture!

Zhao Rongye was the first to snap out of it, standing up and cupping his hands in respect, "I've met Mr. Han, I had no idea Mr. Han would arrive so early, my apologies for not greeting you at a distance, please forgive me."

Zhao Rongye was indeed sly in his old age.

Before Han Zheng's arrival, he referred to him as little Mr. Han.

Now that Han Zheng was present, he feared causing any discomfort in Han Zheng's heart, so he promptly dropped the belittling "little."

"Elder Zhao is too polite," Han Zheng replied. "As I said, I am here to seek justice for Liao Hongsheng. Let's not bother with these tedious formalities."

Before coming here, Han Zheng had thoroughly acquainted himself with all the information about the government office of the Smoke Wave Prefecture's Demon Cleansing Bureau, knowing exactly who everyone present was.

Pei Xiuyuan then spoke in a lukewarm manner, "Pei Xiuyuan has met Mr. Han."

Not mollycoddling Pei Xiuyuan's attitude, Han Zheng merely nodded slightly.

He knew Pei Xiuyuan harbored resentment, displeased with Han Zheng taking over the Smoke Wave Prefecture and obstructing his path.

Considering this, there was no need for Han Zheng to be overly courteous; it would be pointless anyway.

Witnessing Han Zheng's demeanor, Pei Xiuyuan inwardly cursed, his face instantly darkening.

Zhao Rongye suggested, "Liao Hongsheng passed away so suddenly, and there was no time to hand over official duties. As Mr. Han is new to the prefecture, these matters can't be understood in just a day or two.

Why don't we all arrange a banquet in the town's restaurant today to welcome and cleanse the dust for Mr. Han?"

Han Zheng shook his head, "As I said, my main purpose for coming to the Smoke Wave Prefecture is to seek justice for Liao Hongsheng.

Eating can be done any time, but matters of importance cannot be delayed.

Where is Liao Hongsheng's body? I want to see it first."

"It's being kept in the Ice Room in the backyard. Liao Hongsheng had no family, but he had many disciples who followed Chen Zhenfu to Huainan Road.

Thus, we planned to wait for Liao Hongsheng's disciples to return before letting them oversee the burial."

Saying this, Zhao Rongye led Han Zheng and everyone else to the Ice Room in the backyard.

The room was opened, revealing a chill that struck to the bone. It was filled with rows of ice blocks, along with an array made from Ice Attribute Spirit Crystals, which continuously emitted cold air to prevent the ice from melting.

Liao Hongsheng's body lay in the center, coated in frost.

The man who had once been so bold and rough lay there in silence, his eyes wide open as if one could still vaguely feel his exposed killing intent.

Han Zheng inspected Liao Hongsheng's injuries, but unexpectedly, there were many.

There were cuts and bruises from swords, impacts from blows, and a claw mark on his chest as if something had torn it open with sharp talons; it was immensely frightening.

Han Zheng channeled a wisp of True Yuan into Liao Hongsheng's body, only to discover that Liao Hongsheng's meridians had been torn apart, and there was also damage to his heart meridian; these injuries didn't seem to be caused by a demon.

No wonder Zhao Rongye and the others only mentioned in their reports that Liao Hongsheng was suspected to be killed by a demon, but they didn't dare to confirm it.

The wounds on Liao Hongsheng's chest and inside his body were both potentially fatal, but it was no longer clear which one preceded the other.

"Let's get into the details," Han Zheng demanded. "How exactly did Liao Hongsheng die? I need the specifics of that time."

After a moment, Han Zheng spoke indifferently.

Zhao Rongye sighed, "It's pretty much as described in the report.

Since ancient times, Smoke Wave Lake has been rife with demons. Despite the Demon Cleansing Bureau's efforts across the years, it has not managed to completely eliminate them. Sometimes, other sects also enter to kill demons for the sake of prestige, just like Guiyuan Sword Pavilion did previously.

Nevertheless, the demons keep emerging one after the other, and so Liao Hongsheng always led from the front, patrolling with his men.

But last time, it seemed Liao Hongsheng had encountered some formidable Great Demon, so he sent his Xuanjia Guard back first to call for reinforcements, while he engaged the enemy alone.

And when we arrived, we only found Liao Hongsheng's corpse by the shore, without even any signs of a struggle.

We investigated afterward, but we found no clues."

"If that's the case, why did you delay two days before reporting to the Demon Cleansing Bureau headquarters?"

Han Zheng suddenly asked.

Everyone present fell silent; no one answered.

Pei Xiuyuan spoke indifferently, "Mr. Han, you lack experience in garrisoning a place and don't understand the impact of Liao Hongsheng's death on Smoke Wave Prefecture.

Heaven knows what sort of chaos the various sects and clans would cause upon hearing of Liao Hongsheng's death, not to mention the demons who, learning that a Demon Sweeping Captain of Smoke Wave Prefecture's Demon Department had died, would likely seize the chance to stir trouble."

"I'm asking you, why did you delay two days before reporting to the headquarters of the Demon Cleansing Bureau!"

Han Zheng looked at Pei Xiuyuan with a frosty gaze and a harsh tone.

Seeing Han Zheng being so unyielding, Pei Xiuyuan's face darkened with anger, "This matter is of great importance. It was uncertain whether we would release the news of Liao Hongsheng's death!

Additionally, Liao Hongsheng made many arrangements in Smoke Wave Prefecture. Now that he's dead, should we continue with them or not?

And..."

"Why did you delay!"

Pei Xiuyuan was cut off by Han Zheng before he could finish, which made him grimace and say coldly, "What do you mean, Han Zheng? Are you accusing me of wrongdoing? Are you insinuating that I'm involved in Liao Hongsheng's death?

That's utterly nonsensical!

Everyone in the Southern Mountain Demon Cleansing Department knows that I was in the State Mansion, busy with all sorts of official duties!"

However, Han Zheng suddenly smiled as if he had not been the one questioning with a cold tone moments before.

"Why so agitated, Great Master Pei? When did I say you were related to Liao Hongsheng's death? We're all brethren of the Demon Cleaning Bureau; how could I possibly suspect you?"

Han Zheng's sudden change in attitude left everyone dumbfounded.

Pei Xiuyuan, however, still had a somber expression.

Han Zheng is simply outrageous!

Sighing, Zhao Rongye added, "We didn't mean to delay intentionally. It's just that Liao Hongsheng's death was so abrupt; we were all a bit panicked.

We also wanted to investigate Liao Hongsheng's real cause of death, to see if we could catch the murderer.

After busying with these matters non-stop, two days had passed, and that's why there was a delay."

Han Zheng indifferently said, "So, what were the findings of your investigation? Just suspicions of demon involvement?"

Zhao Rongye explained, "Demons are the most likely, considering Liao Hongsheng was last seen chasing after a demon.

But in his year overseeing Smoke Wave Prefecture, Liao Hongsheng certainly made quite a few enemies.

Not to mention his demon eradication efforts, but he also killed many of the local bandits and pirates who vowed revenge.

And then there are the local Martial World forces.

With Guiyuan Sword Pavilion present, they used to be restrained, not daring to compete with Guiyuan Sword Pavilion.

But after its fall, they started making trouble, attacking each other, seizing mines and spirit fields relentlessly.

Some even went too far, causing many accidents among the common folk, which angered Liao Hongsheng greatly. He had clashed with them more than once or twice.

So Liao Hongsheng's death could be related to any of them. However, judging by the condition of the corpse, we believe it was the work of a demon."