I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 1009 Passing through Jinling

The human heart is the most reliable thing in the world, yet also the most unreliable.

Looking back now, I realize that I had no reliable confidants among my subordinates; the only people I could trust were the Xie family father and daughter.

In the age of supernatural powers, one person could rule the world and control the fate of the world, so there was no need to cultivate trusted generals. However, in the age of the end of Dharma, a great era of "rule by man" is needed, and the hearts of the people are the real key to determining the future trend of the world.

A thousand thoughts raced through Zhang Chen's mind. Behind him, the crowd looked at Zhang Chen's thin figure, and all the barriers between them vanished, replaced by admiration.

The ability to see a hundred steps ahead while taking only one step is a skill possessed only by a leader.

We all come from wealthy and powerful families, so we certainly have compassion, but it's absolutely unacceptable to abandon our own interests to be a pushover.

From now on, everyone will be under Zhang Chen's command and settle down in the north. Zhang Chen's decisive and ruthless methods and understanding of the word 'sacrifice' are actually a good thing for everyone.

Although Zhang Chen's methods at this moment seem ruthless, such ruthlessness would terrify his enemies, but would only bring a sense of security to his own people.

"Let's continue on our way," Zhang Chen urged the fleet. "My sword is powerful, but it can't kill Marquis Wen. If we continue to delay, I'm afraid Marquis Wen will come looking for trouble after he realizes the truth."

The main reason is that the essence of the Zhuxian Sword is pouring into the heavens and earth, and the power of the Zhuxian Sword will become weaker and weaker, while the power of Wenhou will continue to rise. Zhang Chen does not want to cause any trouble.

Zhang Chen urged them on, and then the fleet sailed through Wenhou's territory in a grand procession. This time, no accidents were caused, and the large ships passed smoothly through Wenhou's territory before continuing northward.

After passing through Wenhou's territory, Zhang Chen raised his hand and retrieved the broken Zhuxian Sword. The large ship sailed upstream along the waterway, and all that could be seen were rampaging demonic beasts and large armies of humans and demons.

Humans lived a miserable life, suffering in dire straits, and were kept as food by monsters.

Ji Feihua looked at the large groups of people strung together by demonic beasts on both sides of the river, and a look of pity appeared in her eyes. Those being enslaved like livestock were, after all, her own compatriots.
"The demonic beasts are sweeping across the world, seeking to wipe out our human race. They are truly a major threat to our human race." Ji Feihua's voice was filled with murderous intent.

"Don't panic! In a few years, the balance of power between hunter and prey will reverse. Then, it will be the demon beasts that are hunted. I only hope that by then, humans will be more merciful and not kill the demon beasts to extinction, thus disrupting the ecological cycle." Zhang Chen's words were full of emotion. He had gained a deeper understanding of the cycle of heaven and earth. Today, the demon beasts are brutal to humans. In the future, when the demon beasts lose their extraordinary powers and become mindless beasts, how will they resist humans wielding swords, spears, and crossbows?

Today demons kill people, tomorrow people kill demons; this is simply the endless cycle of cause and effect in the universe.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, everyone present was momentarily relieved. What Zhang Chen said made sense. In just a few years, the human race would gain the upper hand and completely suppress the demon beasts. At that time, the demon race would suffer a tragic fate with blood spilled on the earth, and the situation between the two sides would be reversed.

“To the Heavenly Dao, there is no difference; it’s all just slaughter,” Zhang Chen muttered softly.

The large ship continued northward, and time passed quietly. The northern lands were desolate, and even when they encountered a tribe of monsters, Zhang Chen and his companions merely observed from afar, not wanting to cause any trouble.

As time passed, the former city of Jinling came into view. The group followed the Yellow River to the outskirts of Jinling and could see the city bustling with people in the distance. It was clearly a magnificent sight, without the slightest sign of decay.

"Didn't they say that Jinling City had already been breached by the demon race? Where did so many people come from?" Ji Feihua stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the figures coming and going outside Jinling City, and asked with a surprised expression.

"What you don't know is that the people in Jinling City are not human, but a human-demon race. After being enlightened by Chen San and the various families siding with the demon race, the human-demon race is being subtly influenced and is now frantically learning human knowledge and etiquette. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them half-humans." Zhang Chen silently refined the broken half of the Zhuxian Sword in his hand.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Ji Feihua was stunned for a moment, then, as if remembering something, she quickly said, "This is indeed bad!"

"What's wrong?" Zhang Chen asked.

Ji Feihua said, "You said that in three to five years, during the Great Calamity of the End of Dharma, demons and beasts will turn into wild animals and will be unable to fight against humans. But the Great Calamity of the End of Dharma will not affect the human and demon races. At this time, the human and demon races will learn human culture and human steel-forging technology. Won't they become our great enemy then?"

"Of course!" Zhang Chen nodded.

"This is not good! This is not good! We must find a way to contain the demon race, otherwise our territory in the North will be an isolated city, facing demons from all sides, and we will be unable to hold on alone." Ji Feihua looked at Zhang Chen.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Chen said, "Chen Sanliang is currently plotting to seize power among the demon race. I only hope that Chen Sanliang can successfully occupy a high position among the demon race and provide protection for my northern lands. If he cannot provide protection for my northern lands, there will definitely be a bloody war in my territory when the great calamity of the end of the Dharma arrives."

However, Zhang Chen was not too worried. Even if the great calamity of the end of Dharma descended, he would most likely still possess extraordinary power. At that time, he might not be able to fight against thousands of troops, but assassinating the enemy leader should not be difficult. As long as he made a few moves, he would definitely be able to intimidate all the heroes in the world and prevent the demon race in the North from acting recklessly.

"Mr. Chen is ultimately an outsider to the demon race. He has never controlled a tribe or deeply rooted himself among them. Once the Great Calamity of the End of Dharma arrives, Mr. Chen may not be able to command the demon army. At that time, he will just be a scholar with no power to even kill a chicken. How can he possibly protect us?" Ji Feihua said worriedly. Hearing Ji Feihua's words, Zhang Chen smiled: "Mr. Chen is not a fool. He has already begun his plans. What do you think the humans under his protection are doing? Once the extraordinary power disappears, those human tribesmen protected by Mr. Chen will still be the most powerful elite, ensuring that he holds a place among the demon race."

Chen Sanliang wasn't stupid, and neither was Zhang Chen. As the situation gradually reversed, they had already begun to make plans. What Zhang Chen was worried about now was whether Chen Sanliang had the means to suppress the human tribes that he had subdued.

Zhang Chen pondered whether he should go to the demon race in advance to plant a few Blood God Sons and make arrangements ahead of time.

However, after thinking about it, he gave up. The territory of the King of Pingbian was his main base. Even if he were to place the Blood God Child there, he would still place the Blood God Child in the North, secretly holding key positions and monitoring the movements of the major families in the North.

Because of the presence of Tiger Power Immortal's hair, the demon tribesmen, upon seeing the ship from afar, all respectfully detoured around it, daring not to obstruct it in the slightest.

“We’ve almost run out of supplies along the way. I wonder if we can resupply in Jinling City?” Zhang Gaqi stepped forward and asked Zhang Chen.

“Of course!” Zhang Chen nodded. “With Tiger Power Immortal’s hair, no one will dare to be disrespectful to us. We can also disembark and take a look at the scene in Jinling City. I wonder how Jinling City is now.”

The large ship arrived outside Jinling City and stopped there to resupply.

As the group disembarked from the large ship, a transvestite soldier quickly approached them and asked, "May I ask where you come from, and what you need? Please feel free to give your orders."

The aura emanating from Tiger Power Immortal's fur was like a candle flame in the darkness to the demon beasts. The demon soldiers patrolling the canal dared not act recklessly and stepped forward to bow respectfully.

Zhang Chen stood at the bow of the boat, observing the demon. He saw that the demon wore human clothes, used human weapons, and spoke the language of humans. No one doubted that he was human.

"We wish to replenish our supplies. Here is the list; we can exchange them with you." Zhang Gaqi stepped off the large ship, gave instructions to the transvestite soldiers in front of him, and handed them a document.

At this time, Zhang Gaqi was still a great master, and the great calamity of the end of Dharma had not yet affected him, so he was not flustered when facing the human and demon race. In addition, the humans and demon race had been very respectful wherever the ship passed by, which gave him full confidence.

Upon seeing Zhang Gaqi's demeanor and arrogance, the soldier quickly and respectfully accepted the list: "Please wait a moment, I will go and communicate with the merchants."

Zhang Gaqi was in charge of coordinating supplies. Zhou Qiucheng, who was on the big ship, came over and asked, "I wonder how the Chongzheng Academy is doing now?"

He missed the days at Chongzheng Academy.

Upon hearing Zhou Qiucheng's words, Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Since you miss it, sir, why don't we go and take a look?"

"Is that alright?" Zhou Qiucheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"With Tiger Power Immortal's hair around, there won't be any trouble." After saying this, Zhang Chen ordered his men to gather horses, and then he, Zhou Qiucheng, Ji Feihua, Zhong Wubai, and the others slowly headed towards Jinling City.

Several people had the fur of the Tiger Power Immortal on their bodies. Wherever they went, whether they were humans, demons, or monsters, they all retreated and dared not offend them in the slightest.

As Zhang Chen rode into Jinling City with several people, his eyes swept across the city. Jinling City remained as bustling as ever, a place of unparalleled prosperity. The restaurants were still packed, and street vendors hawked their wares amidst a constant flow of people. The only difference was the presence of many strange faces on the streets: monsters with humanoid forms and heads, a hybrid of human and monster, and members of the powerful and wealthy who had survived in Jinling City in the past.

There were vendors with leopard heads and human bodies, carrying goods and walking back and forth on the street, just like the human peddlers of yesteryear.

There were also monsters with rabbit heads pushing candy carts and hawking their wares on the street, creating quite a lively scene.

The excitement was just as great as it had been back then, only now it was replaced by monsters instead of humans.

However, he has changed from a lowly commoner who used to roam the streets to a migrant worker who now roams the streets.

The only difference was that the streets were now filled with hunched-over, haggard-looking human slaves, shackled in their hands, carrying heavy loads, their faces numb as they walked back and forth, their eyes devoid of any light, filled only with apathy towards life.

A demonic beast brandished a leather whip, relentlessly lashing at the human slave. The slave staggered as the whip struck him, making the whip crack even more fiercely, and adding to his pitiful state.

(End of this chapter)