I Become a Martial Arts God in the Chaotic Demon World

Inside the great hall of the Black Stone County Government.

At this moment, the one sitting at the head of the great hall was not the County Magistrate of Black Stone County but a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in luxurious clothes, his face full of arrogance.

The current County Magistrate of Black Stone County, Liu Xuezhen, was sitting below with a helpless and frustrated expression on his face.

Liu Xuezhen, also in his forties, had graduated with a third-class degree and ranked near the bottom in that year's imperial examination.

Furthermore, he came from a poor family, with no money to tip the officials at the Ministry of Personnel, so he ended up assigned to Black Stone County.

His situation was somewhat similar to his predecessor, Lin Wenzheng, but while Lin Wenzheng held resentment towards the Court, Liu Xuezhen didn't mind as much.

For him, just being able to pass the imperial examination was a blessing from the heavens, and having an official position was already good enough, so he had initially come to Black Stone County in high spirits to assume his post.

However, he had barely taken up his post for a few months when the Demon Chaos broke out.

Even more troubling to Liu Xuezhen than the Demon Chaos was the luxuriously dressed middle-aged man before him.

His name was Wang Kai, born into the Wang Family of Jingzhou Prefecture, one of the Wang Family's powerful managers.

Half a month ago, when the Demon Chaos erupted and Liu Xuezhen hastily ordered all the major forces in the county town to resist the demons, Wang Kai came with his people to provide support, driving back the demons.

Initially, Liu Xuezhen was grateful to Wang Kai and even wanted to report back to the Court to have the Wang Family commended.

But who would have thought that the very next day, Wang Kai approached Liu Xuezhen, saying that the Wang Family had come specially to Black Stone County to exterminate demons, and they couldn't possibly work for nothing, right?

At the time, Liu Xuezhen thought it was reasonable; how could these martial families work for free without any support from the Court?

So Liu Xuezhen immediately rallied all the major powers within Black Stone County to donate money and resources to express their gratitude to the Wang Family.

Yet, to his dismay, the demons returned the next day, and the Wang Family once again repelled them and demanded more compensation from Liu Xuezhen.

Again Liu Xuezhen gathered all the major forces of the county to raise funds, and wanted to ask Wang Kai if it was possible to completely eliminate the demons, only to be rebuked by Wang Kai.

In his words, were demons so easy to kill? It was already commendable that they could protect Black Stone County from being overrun by demons.

After four or five similar incidents, the major forces within Black Stone County had also become dissatisfied.

After spending so much money only to see demons turning up every day, it was better to fight them to the death.

But dissatisfaction was useless; if the silver given on that day was insufficient, the demons would directly devour a dozen garrison soldiers, leaving everyone no choice but to grit their teeth and pay up.

Eventually, Wang Kai even forced Liu Xuezhen to levy a 'demon extermination' tax on the common people.

The wealthy had no money left, so surely the commoners would have some?

Their Wang Family protected Black Stone County, and all the commoners were protected; it was only right and proper that they should contribute financially.

With over two hundred thousand people in Black Stone County, even small contributions added up to a significant amount.

As a result, the entire Black Stone County was filled with complaints and grievances.

Now, over half a month had passed, and Black Stone County was nearly squeezed dry by Wang Kai. Liu Xuezhen really had no more solutions, and he even cast aside his dignity as a Court-appointed official to plead miserably with Wang Kai.

"Manager Wang, it's not that we in Black Stone County are unwilling to pay, but we have given everything we can. We truly have no money left."

Wang Kai did not even glance at Liu Xuezhen, but continued sipping his tea, speaking indifferently, "Magistrate Liu, it's not that my Wang Family insists on squeezing money from you, but there's no reason for my Wang Family to risk life and limb for Black Stone County, is there? The lives of people in Black Stone County are precious, but are the lives of my Wang Family's martial artists not precious?

My people of the Wang Family risked their lives to defend Black Stone County from demons, you cannot let us suffer such disappointment.

Besides, money can be earned, but everyone has only one life; once gone, what can you use to make money?"

Liu Xuezhen replied with a bitter smile, "If any of the Wang Family's martial artists were to be injured, Black Stone County would even sell grain to provide the necessary compensation.

But the problem is that during this half-month, the Wang Family's martial artists have not suffered any casualties."

"Bang!"

Wang Kai angrily slammed his teacup onto the table, his face suddenly turning gloomy.

"Magistrate Liu, what do you mean by that? Are you hoping that my Wang Family's people die at the hands of the demons?"

Liu Xuezhen hurriedly said, "Manager Wang, please calm down, that's not what I meant!"

At this moment, a portly arrest officer walked in and whispered, "Sir, Gang Leader Jiang and the others have arrived, they are waiting outside."

This arrest officer was none other than Li Sancheng, the former good friend of Han Zheng.

Han Zheng helped Li Sancheng rise to the position of Chief Constable of Black Stone County before he left, and it must be said, the position really suited Li Sancheng.

Li Sancheng was articulate and thoughtful in his work. With the prestige that Han Zheng brought, Li Sancheng quickly established a solid footing in Black Stone County.

Li Jingzhong of the Zhenwei Martial Arts Academy was his teacher, and Jiang Tai, the Sanhe Gang Leader, also befriended Li Sancheng because of Han Zheng. As Chief Constable, Li Sancheng was like a fish in water in Black Stone County.

After Liu Xuezhen arrived in Black Stone County, Li Sancheng was very savvy and actively cooperated to help him quickly become familiar with and master the county's affairs.

So, in less than a month, Liu Xuezhen came to regard Li Sancheng as a confidant, placing extreme trust in him and entrusting him with all matters.

Wang Kai said indifferently, "Everyone's here, right? Since everyone's here, that's perfect, let them all come in. The demon extermination tax has been getting lower and lower these past few days; it's time for an explanation."

Liu Xuezhen sighed, "Let them all come in."

Li Sancheng nodded and went outside to call everyone in.

Moments later, more than ten people entered one after another.

Among them were the current number one master of Black Stone County, Li Jingzhong of the Zhenwei Martial Arts Hall, as well as the leaders of the town's most significant factions, including Jiang Tai of Sanhe Gang, Qiu Tianying of the Sky Eagle Gang, and Chen Baiqing, the manager of the largest pharmacy, Shenghe Hall, along with other well-known merchants and business people of Black Stone County.

Observing everyone present, Wang Kai tapped on the table and said indifferently, "You've come at just the right time. The demon extermination tax is getting less by the day.

It would be one thing if the common folk paid less, but how could all of you try to deceive me with such measly contributions?

Your businesses in Black Stone County are significant, and should the demons break through, your losses would be the greatest."

Everyone present dared to be angry but did not dare to speak.

Their reserves had nearly been squeezed dry. How much more silver did Wang Kai expect them to come up with?

Li Jingzhong forced a smile and said, "Manager Wang, I'm simply a Martial Arts Hall instructor. The silver I have accumulated over the years comes from teaching my disciples bit by bit.

I too wish to support the Wang Family's noble cause of eliminating the demons completely, but I truly have no money left."

Chen Baiqing also lamented his poverty: "My Shenghe Hall hasn't been open for half a month now. I've given all my medicinal baths and even the unprepared spiritual medicines to the Wang Family. I truly have nothing left to offer."

The others present joined in expressing their poverty, not as an act, but because they had indeed nearly been drained dry.

The turmoil caused by the Smell Fragrance Sect had just ended, and they had suffered heavy losses even before that.

Now facing this demon chaos, how were they expected to survive?

Wang Kai scoffed, "Don't play poor with me. Go and say that to the demons, see if they'll spare you.

Do you believe that without my Wang Family's members garrisoning Black Stone County, you would all end up in the bellies of those demons by the next day?

You're all prominent figures in Black Stone County. Instead of crying poor to me, it's better to think of a way to get the money out of those troublesome civilians' hands.

Those people have silver, but they enjoy the benefits without knowing to contribute. They pay only a pittance for the demon extermination tax—it's outrageous!"

Li Sancheng felt a burst of anger. Although he had become the Chief Constable and dealt with the common folk, he knew their situation all too well.

Hearing Wang Kai suggest squeezing more from those people, Li Sancheng couldn't help but say, "The people of Black Stone County have just been through a calamity due to the Smell Fragrance Sect uprising. Where do they have any silver left to give you? Manager Wang, are you trying to drive them to their deaths?"

Wang Kai's brow furrowed, and he fiercely sent a slap through the air. Gang Qi converged into a palm strike, heading straight for Li Sancheng.

"Presumptuous!"

He appeared arrogant and domineering, but he was also a martial artist of the Xuan Gang Realm.

Li Sancheng had not yet reached the Innate stage; a single slap from Wang Kai could nearly decapitate him!

Li Jingzhong's expression changed, his body agile as a monkey, he flashed in front of Li Sancheng in an instant, his True Qi bursting forth, as he threw a punch using White Ape Extended Arm Fist.

Jiang Tai of Santan Gang and Qiu Tianying of Sky Eagle Gang also moved to shield Li Sancheng.

They both had good relationships with Li Sancheng, and since they were all from Black Stone County, they could not just stand by and watch Wang Kai kill someone there.

With a loud explosion, all three were blasted away by the force of the Gang Qi, their internal organs shaken and their blood vitality in disarray.

Wang Kai's gaze turned icy, and a chilling aura emanated from him: "Are you trying to rebel? I protect you from the demons, and yet you dare to attack me?"

Just then, a Wang Family disciple guarding the door outside suddenly shouted, "You can't go in!"

The next moment, two screams were heard.

Two Wang Family disciples were thrown into the government office by the scruff of their necks by Han Zheng, who looked at Wang Kai with a piercingly cold voice.

"Is the word 'rebellion' even appropriate for your Wang Family to use?"