[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h":3,"chapter-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-95":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring Evil, Exterminating Demons Across All Heavens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267040,4426,"Chapter 95: Empty Drum Soaring Sky, the Monarch Speaks","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-95",95,"\u003Cp>“His status is indeed high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui stroked his beard, as if sensing Chu Tianshu’s eagerness, and said, “I know you people always act directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once enemy and ally are clear, you don’t care about identity—you strike decisively. But this man is not easy to kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is the number one expert of Nanzhao, the uncle of Duan Rusu just now, and former head of the Qingping officials—Duan Zhong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dao Baishu said grimly, “So it’s him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had also heard of this man from Dao Baishu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Tianbao era, he was barely twenty yet already a general in the army, immensely powerful, leading troops to attack the Tang Army with outstanding military achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, several Tang rogue heroes repeatedly attempted to assassinate the former king of Nanzhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the former king of Nanzhao was no slouch, he narrowly escaped death several times, saved only by this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the former king of Nanzhao specially granted him the name “Zhong” and appointed him as a Qingping official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the six Qingping officials then, the other five held power far inferior to Duan Zhong’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Nanzhao allied with Tubo, Tubo sent envoys to bestow upon the former king of Nanzhao the honorific title “Zanpu Zhong,” meaning the king of Nanzhao was like a younger brother to the king of Tubo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other decree brought by the Tubo envoys called Duan Zhong “Yi Wang,” as if he were the king of Tubo’s nephew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment the former king of Nanzhao died, Duan Zhong represented Nanzhao and traveled to the Tubo capital to pray for blessings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tubo ruler repeatedly urged him to stay; Duan Zhong remained in Tubo for three years, residing in their most revered temple, exchanging Buddhist teachings and martial arts with local monks and priests, inspecting military camps, and advising on strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet during this time, the new king of Nanzhao, Yixun, personally led troops in alliance with Tubo’s border forces to invade Tang territory—only to be utterly routed by the Tang Army, fleeing in disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Duan Zhong returned, Yixun had already sought peace with Tang and personally ordered the expulsion of all Tubo garrisons from Nanzhao territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That crushing defeat made Tubo suspect Nanzhao, while Nanzhao’s people had long endured the Tubo garrisons’ arrogance and their inability to defeat Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expulsion of the Tubo garrisons stirred nationwide fervor, and Yixun, despite his defeat, gained immense popularity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning, Duan Zhong made no objection and allowed the Tubo garrisons to be expelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Chu Tianshu had heard from Dao Baishu ended here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zheng Hui added another detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Tubo and Nanzhao revered Buddhism; every year during the March Festival, Tubo monk delegations still came to visit Duan Zhong under the guise of exchanging Buddhist teachings, often staying in the Nanzhao capital for over a month before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>King Yixun of Nanzhao was fully aware of these matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duan Zhong’s inclinations now stand opposed to mine and the king’s, yet his influence in the military remains deep, and he himself is truly hard to kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui sighed deeply, “If he were easy to kill, we wouldn’t be waiting until today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu pondered: “Is it merely because he’s hard to kill? Or perhaps the king still hesitates—after alienating Tubo by seven parts, he still wants to preserve three parts of the bond?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui smiled faintly, offering no denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we speak purely of choosing between Tubo and Tang, the king may still waver. But if Duan Zhong’s rumor scheme escalates and the king does nothing, he’ll see his state destabilize. If he forcibly intervenes, others will inevitably label him as favoring Tang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui’s eyes gleamed with sharp insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His intentions now border on treason—I can use this to make the king decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu asked again: “So, what are Duan Zhong’s specific combat abilities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Specific abilities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Baopuzi of Ge Hong says: “Examine specifics to discuss minute rites.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By “specific abilities,” one means a more detailed, clear demonstration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui’s mind shifted, understanding at once, and mused, “Duan Zhong excels in siege warfare; his combat power far surpasses mine. His mobility isn’t his strength, yet his footwork is still on par with mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Chu, if you wish to test it, let us have a small sparring match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui pulled out a copper coin and said, “When this coin begins falling from the highest point, we both rush to catch it—see who gets it first upon landing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu smiled: “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stepped back, clearing a larger open space for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui tossed the coin upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-floor floor of this tavern had been specially constructed with a large opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coin passed straight through the opening, nearing the tavern’s highest point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All looked up, watching the coin’s ascent slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slowly flipped, beginning its descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s pupils brightened slightly; his foot slammed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A footprint, like a chisel mark, appeared on the ground; his figure shot diagonally upward, nearly leaving a trail, his sole already pressing against the second-floor railing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire length of the railing bent visibly under the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s body launched, instantly nearing the roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper coin had just completed one full rotation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the onlookers, it seemed the coin had barely begun falling when Chu Tianshu’s hand appeared beside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But another figure suddenly entered everyone’s vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui’s body shot upward like a skyrocket, soaring straight into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ascended in a straight line to the very top of the tavern, snatching the coin first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thumb and forefinger pinched the coin so fast that its edge emitted a faint tremor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui snatched it and retracted his hand, spinning sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no solid surface to push off from midair, yet this lateral shift carried him seven feet away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His posture seemed as if he had no heavy bones, no excess flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was nothing but a wisp of cloud—released, then drawn back, naturally riding the wind, turning with the breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu missed his grab; his right hand instantly reversed the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Transparent flames flared along the blade, blasting fire backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recoil propelled Chu Tianshu’s entire body forward, hurtling through the air with a tearing sound toward Zheng Hui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui startled, suddenly raising his right hand above his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A translucent circle, half a foot wide, formed in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its edge seemed fixed by invisible force; its center was as tough as oxhide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui pushed with his right hand—the center bulged upward, generating a spring-like force that accelerated his descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s hand caught only a strip of his right sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui slammed into the ground; a large circle of energy shimmered just above the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seven-foot-wide energy membrane hovered three feet off the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zheng Hui struck it, his speed plummeted; though he eventually shattered the membrane, his feet touched the ground with only a slight wobble before he stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood puddles from the corpses rippled slightly from the air currents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu landed right after him, knees bent slightly; the stone tiles beneath his feet shattered with a muffled crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like I lost this round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu exhaled a deep breath, showing no real disappointment, his gaze fixed on Zheng Hui’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earlier, I saw you darting—when you turned, a thin energy membrane seemed to cushion your steps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this your soldier-soul ability?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui nodded: “My soldier-soul is called Konggu Feitian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of memory passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was still a county magistrate of Tang, he was among the first to sense danger and fled with his people—but still couldn’t escape Nanzhao troops, captured and taken back to Nanzhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For himself, it seemed to have launched him upward—but how many of those villagers died during the forced relocation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple stumble, a chill from night dew—most didn’t survive more than a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he learned the Blood Refining Art, he had hoped to cultivate a bold, fierce soldier-soul, one radiating battlefield slaughter and piercing martial vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he finally formed it, he realized it reflected his deepest, most unresolved thought… run faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt deeply ashamed; it took years before he could accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply couldn’t imagine himself slaughtering wildly, drowning the ground in blood—even if he could return to that time, he could only think of running faster with everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step on empty drums, lift off into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narrow paths and ravines, as level as flat ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For decades, Zheng Hui’s soldier-soul grew ever purer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, the energy membrane could only cling to the earth or the soles of his shoes, making running easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, even when suspended midair with no solid surface to touch, he could generate seven such membranes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this soldier-soul, you’re still only on par with Duan Zhong’s mobility—which he’s weak in—so he must truly be an extraordinary man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His strength and status are both excellent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s tone carried unmistakable excitement, his eyes gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Jingniang was about to speak, but saw Chu Tianshu’s smile vanish, his expression turning calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his left hand, letting his sleeve fall to his elbow; his right sword flicked once, coiling like a snake around a pillar, wrapping around his left forearm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hilt bent, pressing perfectly against his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stored mental force within the Three-Seven Divine Sword was all compressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In purity and quality, such mental force was superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in terms of control,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu could not manipulate these compressed mental forces as effortlessly as his own original mental force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, with his original mental force, he could shift between a hundred different flow rates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with these compressed mental forces, he could only use either a very low, weak flow or a very strong one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, in midair, he dared to lateral-move by jetting his mental force, but dared not accelerate his fall using the same method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he wasn’t sure whether he could generate a cushioning effect in time if he accelerated downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could cultivate a soldier soul, perhaps he could wield these mental forces as if they were extensions of his own limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it wouldn’t just be that his weapons grew stronger, or that flames clung to his hands—perhaps his entire body could be amplified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu had a clear goal in mind, so he was not discouraged by this minor failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But since we still can’t kill Duan Zhong, even if we kill the members of the Yuwen family, won’t those spreading rumors still act?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu asked, “How will Lord Zheng deal with this rumor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t kill Duan Zhong, so the rumor that he’s behind it remains merely speculation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hui stroked his beard, gazing at Yuwen Tongxin with a knowing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this is already a substantial speculation—and thus, I can prompt the monarch to make equally substantial speculations of his own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Zheng Hui paused, then turned to the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all interfered with Duan Zhong’s plans. If you were weak, it would be fine—but Lord Chu and Captain Cheng are both formidable, and both in their prime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Duan Zhong comes himself to eliminate this threat, it will be a serious problem. Why not have you all stay at my residence for now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With my guards—and even myself—added to the mix, Duan Zhong will know he cannot succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Wenjing sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never imagined that a tavern owner like herself would be dragged into something so massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was what people meant by sudden misfortune, undeserved calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tavern would likely remain closed for a long time to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the group entered Zheng Hui’s residence, that same day he sent a secret letter to the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the next morning, Chu Tianshu and the others learned what “the monarch’s speculation” truly meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ruler of Nanzhao sent out imperial edicts posted throughout the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did not clarify whether the Tang people had stolen from Nanzhao citizens, nor did they mention the Huaixi Military Governor at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, they directly blamed all recent assassinations of prominent figures near Wang Cheng on Tibetan spies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The accompanying notices described each murder investigation in vivid, detailed detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tibetan spies were evil—everything was their doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he had become monarch: faced with rumors, he didn’t issue clarifications—he deployed the supreme art of countering rumors with rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimouxun was furious, and personally listed twelve major crimes committed by Tibetan garrisons within Nanzhao territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were not entirely rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The underground whispers, barely gaining momentum, now collided with the monarch’s firm stance and the roaring wave of propaganda he had personally ignited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2121,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","64e151e92d41bb4b50f889ad56cb6c0fa83829d2db1b7624223eca29079a1691","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-96","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-94",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]