Surviving in a world of demons and monsters to achieve martial arts sainthood

Shen Lian splashed water while observing his surroundings.

Such a fire was no accident; someone must have deliberately created chaos and took advantage of the confusion.

"It's uncertain, the fire is too big," Wang Lin roared. "We need to clear away the flammable materials around us first, otherwise the fire will get even bigger."

Shen Lian's expression was solemn. The fire was too unexpected; he absolutely did not believe it was an emergency.

Soon, other demon-suppressing envoys came to help put out the fire.

With the combined efforts of numerous demon-suppressing envoys, government officials, and civilians who rushed to the scene, the fire was quickly brought under control.

However, the stage and several surrounding tents have been reduced to charred remains, and the air is filled with a pungent smell of smoke.

Chen Yun, Li Hu, and other demon-suppressing envoys have evacuated most of the crowd and sent the injured to the clinic.

"This fire started suspiciously," Wang Lin said in a low voice. "I checked the area around the ignition point, and there were traces of oil. It's obvious that someone deliberately set it on fire."

Shen Lian frowned and said, "Someone deliberately set fire to create panic."

Chen Yun said, "I don't know what their purpose is in doing this."

At this moment, Sun Yan arrived with several Demon Suppression Envoys. He surveyed the chaotic scene and asked in a deep voice, "What are the casualties?"

Wang Lin stepped forward and reported: "Sun Xiaoqi, we evacuated everyone before the fire spread. Only a few people were slightly injured and have been sent to the hospital. However, the property damage is considerable; the opera troupe and several vendors' stalls were completely burned down."

"Where is the arsonist? Did anyone see him?" Sun Yan pressed.

Chen Yun shook her head: "The crowd was too chaotic, I didn't notice who started the fire."

Sun Yan's gaze swept around: "The killer of the heart-ripping case has disappeared without a trace, and one of the remnants of the 'Blood Worship Cult' was just killed by you. Logically, they should be lying low. This fire tonight came at the worst possible time."

Shen Lian said, "Sun Xiaoqi, I suspect the arsonist set the fire not to hurt anyone, but to create chaos and attract our and the constables' attention. The lantern festival is bustling with people; if someone wants to take advantage of the chaos, this is the perfect opportunity."

Sun Yan's eyes narrowed: "You mean... a feint?"

"It's not impossible," Shen Lian said in a deep voice. "Qinghe County is going through a turbulent time right now, so we must be careful."

Sun Yan nodded and immediately ordered, "All Demon Suppressors, listen up! Wang Lin and Li Hu, go and appease the people and investigate any remaining clues at the scene. Shen Lian and Chen Yun, come with me to patrol other key areas of the Lantern Festival. If this is truly a diversionary tactic, the other side will surely have other plans."

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison and quickly dispersed.

Shen Lian and Chen Yun followed Sun Yan, and the group sped against the flow of people toward the "Blessing River Lanterns" area on the south side of the lantern festival.

That is where the people of Qinghe County release lanterns and make wishes. The river meanders, the lights are bright, and the terrain is complex with crisscrossing alleys.

Shen Lian activated his [Combat Power Detection] as he scanned his surroundings.

The combat strength of the civilians along the way was mostly between 0 and 5, while the combat strength of the patrolling yamen runners reached 8 to 12.

People gathered on both sides of the riverbank to pray for blessings. They carefully placed lit river lanterns into the water, then put their hands together and silently made their wishes.

The lights are reflected on the winding riverbed, and countless river lanterns drift downstream.

Sun Yan stopped and lowered his voice, saying, "Split up and check, pay attention to the upstream and downstream of the river, the bridge piers, and other places. If there is anything unusual, warn us immediately."

Shen Lian walked upstream along the riverbank, with the [Combat Power Detection] always on, displaying everyone's combat power data in his eyes.

His steps appeared relaxed, but in reality, all his muscles were tense.

He noticed several children gathered under an old willow tree near upstream, laughing and joking as they pushed a large lotus lantern into the water.

An old woman stood nearby, watching with a smile.

[Combat Strength]: 0~1

There's no need to pay attention to it.

As Shen Lian was about to leave, he glanced downstream and saw a shadow flicker in the shadow of a stone arch bridge before disappearing into the arch.

Something's up!

He lightly stepped forward and headed straight for the stone arch bridge.

Arriving at the stone arch bridge, Shen Lian cautiously looked around. In the shadows of the bridge piers, there were some withered branches and leaves washed up by the river, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But he had just clearly glimpsed a figure flash in.

"Could it be my imagination?"

Shen Lian frowned slightly, but did not let his guard down.

Suddenly, a whistle blew.

That was an emergency warning signal from the Demon Suppression Division.

Shen Lian lightly stepped forward, his figure flashing, rushing towards the direction from which the whistle came.

That is the middle section of the "Praying for Blessings River Lanterns" area.

Chen Yun leaned against an old locust tree, her long sword already drawn, its tip pointing forward. Several feet away from her stood a thin man wearing a straw hat.

Shen Lian noticed the old scar on the man's sleeve.

The killer of the heart-ripping case!

[Combat Strength]: 31~43

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes slightly. The opponent's strength had improved again during this period, and it was very likely that he had received new reinforcements.

"Senior Brother Shen!" Chen Yun breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Shen Lian arrive.

Shen Lian looked at the man in the bamboo hat and said in a deep voice, "You have committed a series of crimes in Qinghe County, harming innocent people and practicing evil arts. Do you intend to take advantage of the lantern festival tonight to commit another crime?"

The man in the bamboo hat slowly turned around, the hat obscuring most of his face. "We meet again, little devils from the Demon Suppression Division. You have quite the keen sense of smell. Too bad, you're the ones I've been eyeing. Tonight, none of you will leave alive."

Upon hearing the words of the man in the straw hat, both Shen Lian and Chen Yun's pupils contracted.

Neither of them expected that the other party's target was actually them.

"Junior Sister Chen, step back and give me the knife." Shen Lian shouted, immediately ordering Chen Yun to step back, his blood and qi surging within him.

Chen Yun tossed the long sword in her hand to Shen Lian, then retreated rapidly.

Shen Lian held his sword and looked at the man in the bamboo hat, saying, "You are indeed very strong, but it shouldn't be a problem for me to hold you off for a while."

The man in the bamboo hat chuckled softly, his voice chilling, "Young in age, but with a big mouth. Let me see what kind of strength this brat from the Demon Suppression Division has."

The next moment, the man in the straw hat moved violently, heading straight for Shen Lian. His right hand formed a claw, aiming straight for Shen Lian's face.

Shen Lian was prepared. He quickly turned his "Tiger-Taming Stance" footwork to dodge to the side, while simultaneously slashing his long sword diagonally upwards at the man in the bamboo hat.

clang!

The man in the straw hat clashed his fingers with the blade, sending sparks flying.

Shen Lian was forced back by the blow. The blade transmitted an extremely strong force, which made his tiger's mouth numb and his blood and qi churn.

"Is this all you've got?" the man in the straw hat sneered. "Today, I'll make you two my sacrifices."

After saying that, the man in the straw hat disappeared from his spot and then reappeared in front of Shen Lian, his right hand grabbing straight for Shen Lian's throat.

"Senior Brother Shen, be careful!" Chen Yun exclaimed in alarm.

Shen Lian exerted force with his feet, his blood and qi surging within him, and swept his longsword horizontally, unleashing the full power of the "Wave-Slaying Style," transforming the longsword into a continuous barrage of blade shadows.

The man in the straw hat sneered, his figure weaving through the net of blades. He then struck Shen Lian's longsword with a palm, forcing Shen Lian back with a clang.

The powerful force sent Shen Lian flying backward, spitting out blood.

"Shen Lian".