Chapter 957: Ironclad Evidence

“Ah!”

A startled scream suddenly pierced the air.

The old county official, consumed by anger and shame, instinctively glanced down and saw the Demon Lord’s head rolling at his feet.

Every hair on his body stood on end, and his aged heart felt as though it were being crushed by an invisible hand, overwhelmed by sheer terror.

The old scholar, who had just been posturing as a dignified official in front of Wang Chen, immediately fainted, his eyes rolling back.

Fortunately, Duan Yongfeng reacted swiftly and caught him; otherwise, a fall could have been fatal.

The surrounding bailiffs and officials turned ashen, some trembling uncontrollably, while others swallowed hard and quietly stepped back, desperate to distance themselves from the Demon Lord’s head on the ground.

According to the laws of the Da Liang Kingdom, all matters concerning demons were the responsibility of the Blood Guard.

Thus, few of these men had ever encountered a real demon.

Most importantly, the severed head of the Demon Lord still radiated a potent demonic aura, which could terrify and intimidate ordinary people as it dissipated.

It was no surprise that the old county official fainted from fear.

It wasn’t until Duan Yongfeng pinched his acupoint and administered an awakening pill that he slowly regained consciousness.

Humiliated in public, the prideful old county official could no longer face Wang Chen. He struggled to his feet, hastily covered his face with his sleeve, and fled in panic.

Wang Chen paid him no mind and turned to Duan Yongfeng, saying, “Keep watch here and continue the search!”

“Understood!”

Duan Yongfeng’s response was far more resolute this time.

With ironclad evidence now in hand, even the powerful backers of the Peony Pavilion would find it nearly impossible to recover from this scandal.

In matters involving demons, the imperial court showed no mercy—whether it involved local tyrants, county officials, or even members of the Royal Family of Daliang, the penalty was death.

With the Demon Lord’s head as proof, Wang Chen could raze the Peony Pavilion to the ground without fear of repercussions!

News of his discovery and slaying of the demon spread like wildfire throughout the Peony Pavilion.

The soldiers stationed outside felt their morale soar, while the guests trapped inside were struck dumb with fear. Even those seething with resentment dared not utter a word.

Anyone accused of colluding with demons or being tainted by demonic thoughts could be executed on the spot, with no hope of appeal.

This made Wang Chen’s inspection proceed smoothly; those summoned complied without resistance.

Not a single trace of rebellion was found.

Thanks to Wang Chen’s efficiency, he swiftly inspected all the guests, including the managers, guards, maidens, miscellaneous workers, dealers, and other staff across the three floors.

Yet, no new demons were uncovered.

“Search!”

Wang Chen gestured, ordering the soldiers and patrol officers outside to conduct a thorough sweep of the Peony Pavilion.

He refused to believe only two demons were hiding within.

The soldiers, eager and fierce as wolves, threw themselves into the task.

It was a lucrative opportunity; the Peony Pavilion was lavishly adorned with gold and silver treasures, and even a few pilfered items could yield a small fortune.

Wang Chen did not remain idle; he meticulously inspected each level to ensure no stragglers were hiding.

With the Taihao Exterminating Demon Spear in his possession, no demon could evade his detection.

However, after thoroughly searching the main building of the Peony Pavilion, Wang Chen found nothing new.

“Sir!”

At that moment, a soldier rushed over to report, “We’ve discovered an entrance to a tunnel!”

A tunnel?

Wang Chen’s spirits immediately lifted. “Where is it?”

This new tunnel was concealed beneath the central gambling table in the Baisheng Workshop hall, hidden under a thick carpet.

The tunnel entrance was uncovered by a bailiff from the county office, likely due to his extensive experience in such matters.

“Well done!”

Upon arriving at the gambling house, Wang Chen praised him, “I’ll note your contribution.”

“Thank you, sir!”

The bailiff bowed respectfully and said, “Sir, I suspect someone recently went down, as the ground isn’t entirely flat. Should we use poison smoke?”

“No need for such trouble!”

Wang Chen leaped into the hole, instantly vanishing from sight.

The tunnel was dug straight downward, and his body rapidly descended.

However, the tunnel wasn’t very deep, and in an instant, Wang Chen’s feet landed on solid ground.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

As soon as he landed, sharp gusts of wind, accompanied by a chilling whistle, rushed toward him.

Prepared, Wang Chen snorted coldly, and the Seven-Pronged Spear in his hand suddenly unfurled, thrusting forward in a dazzling display of Spear Light, shattering all incoming hidden projectiles.

Ahead, three stunning women stood guard.

They wore light, sheer skirts that barely concealed their vital areas. Their jade arms and rosy legs exuded an intoxicating fragrance with every graceful movement, making them utterly enchanting.

Each of these beautiful women wielded a long black whip covered in barbed hooks!

So this is where they were hiding!

Wang Chen narrowed his eyes—the Seven-Pronged Spear in his hand was heating up, the warmth emanating from the Exterminating Demon Spearhead.

Without a doubt, these three beauties were demons!

“Die!”

One of the women shouted, fiercely swinging her long whip.

Her companions followed suit, and the three whips darted forward like venomous snakes, suddenly sweeping within four or five steps to strike at Wang Chen’s neck, waist, and lower body.

The whips sliced through the air, twisting and writhing unpredictably, yet their speed was astonishing!

Wang Chen had no room to retreat, and the cramped space offered little opportunity to dodge.

Yet, he showed no fear and thrust the Seven-Pronged Spear once more.

This time, he employed the Exterminating Demon Spear Technique!

With a powerful surge of energy flowing into the spear, the spear tip quivered violently, unleashing a wave of invisible energy that exploded forward like fireworks, intercepting all of the enemy’s attacks!

Accompanied by the crackling of the whips, all three long whips were sent flying back.

The three beautiful women turned pale, stumbling back in shock.

In the next moment, a bright blade of light shot forward lightning-fast, piercing through one of the women’s chest.

A piercing scream erupted.

Her body violently split in two, and a green snake body slithered out from her human skin.

Wang Chen had struck her true form with a single spear thrust!

Wang Chen pulled back his arm and quickly thrust his spear two more times.

In an instant, two blood holes appeared on the foreheads of the other two women, and foul bodily fluids gushed out.

The two demons exchanged shocked glances before collapsing to the ground!

Their heads had been turned to mush by the surge of energy Wang Chen had injected!

【Fortune +2】,【Fortune +2】…