[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-star-martial-era":3,"chapter-the-star-martial-era-the-star-martial-era-chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Star Martial Era",{"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},2274880,4448,"Chapter 22: True and False Demons (Requesting Follows)","the-star-martial-era-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>East Wharf Warehouse Alley, Jinshan County City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After supervising work at the wharf all day and whipping several coolies for extra money, Qian Qi, exhausted, entered their old den at the east wharf and opened a money box to count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most were copper coins, some caked with dirt and sweat, others still stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also fragments of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Qian Qi counted them with great delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing felt better than counting silver—if one day his fingers cramped from counting, that would be paradise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, Qian Qi’s five underlings arrived one by one; the last two carried large bundles of wine and food, which they unpacked and laid out on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meat and vegetables, wine and dishes—it was quite pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after just one sip of wine, Qian Qi spat and cursed, “Damn it! Sweated under the sun all day and made only one and six-tenths taels of silver. When will this miserable life ever end?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gangsters glanced at each other but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One and six-tenths taels a day? Still too little?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coolies at the wharf barely earned that much in a whole month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh Master, should we go see Deng Xiangzhu and try to switch jobs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker got a sharp slap to the head. “Other jobs? Sure, more silver—but do you think I, Seventh Master, could hold onto it? I’ve got no Star Point. All I’ve got is my ruthlessness to do their dirty, grueling work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, another thug suddenly laughed. “Seventh Master, are you thinking about doing that thing again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi’s single eye snapped open, radiating a chilling aura. “Have you found a suitable target yet? This opportunity is rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without that demon appearing and drawing out the County Guards, the government office, even the Dao Academy disciples, we’d never dare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such chances? Not even once in a hundred years—once every ten years is already lucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell me, how many tens of years does a man get?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, how many tens of—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another slap to the head. “Did I ask you that? Target? Did you scout it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scouted already. Two places lined up. Just waiting for you to choose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Qian Qi grinned—but his laughter cut off abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he suddenly noticed a figure in blue, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even stranger—the blue-clad man was faint, indistinct; only by tilting his head and squinting under the lamplight could he make him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about you all take me along tonight?” The blue-clad man’s voice suddenly sounded, deep and deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi leapt to his feet, gave one hand signal, and his five underlings each drew knives or whips from behind their belts, surrounding the sudden intruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-clad man merely cast a cold glance, fingers splayed—and five streaks of starlight shot instantly from his fingertips, striking each thug squarely on the forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five sharp cracks—one after another—as the five thugs’ heads exploded like firecrackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brains and blood splattered everywhere, drenching Qian Qi’s face and body—but not a single drop landed within a foot of the blue-clad man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, his legs gave out, and he crashed to his knees with a thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spare me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great hero, spare me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just that one move, Qian Qi knew: this man was a master—stronger than Deng Xiangzhu by several times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he knelt instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I ask. You answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great hero, ask! I’ll answer! I’ll answer!” Even as he spoke, Qian Qi’s crotch was soaked—terrified by the blue-clad man’s brutal display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were you behind the murders at He Family Village outside the north gate and the Lu Family Rest Stop ten li east of the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi opened his mouth to deny it—but instantly realized: this man had come to his door. He’d already confirmed it. Denial would only hasten death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great hero, it was our gang—we all did it. That guy led the way.” Qian Qi pointed at a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-clad man sneered. “At least you’re honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was the title ‘Shadow Judge’ your idea?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this question, Qian Qi’s crotch trembled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi wasn’t stupid—he was starting to understand. They’d been found by the real target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he live?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he possibly live?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart burned with panic, yet he still had to answer—afraid of provoking the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He suggested it. I agreed.” Qian Qi pointed to another corpse—but dared not claim total innocence; that would be insulting an idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-clad man smiled—his smile made Qian Qi’s heart shiver with dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to live?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else in and around the county city is doing the same thing? The more you name, the better your chance of survival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know! I’ll tell!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the county city, Zhao’s Third Young Master has used this name to kidnap two daughters from respectable families.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the north gate’s horse and cattle market, Liu Tieshou led a raid on a livestock merchant’s caravan three days ago, then broke into his rival He’s home yesterday, robbed and slaughtered the entire family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Keep going.” The blue-clad man sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi’s eyes darted wildly. Dozens of similar crimes had occurred in the city—but he wasn’t a detective. He couldn’t know them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clearly, it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he’d have to make some up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything to stay alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deng Hu at the west wharf has done plenty too. A few days ago, a young coolie’s wife was pretty. Deng Hu, while supervising, brutally injured the coolie, then broke into his home at night, bound him, and took his wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday, a small merchant arrived at the west wharf—looked wealthy. Deng Hu broke into his inn at night, kidnapped him, and shouted, ‘The Judge is at work—stay out of it if you want to live.’” Qian Qi, who’d long resented Deng Hu, now spun wild lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Continue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the man wasn’t satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi’s eyes darted again, thinking: if I make this up and get caught, I’m still dead. Then an idea struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the south city’s Liu Forge Shop, a family of five was slaughtered. Only the eldest daughter survived. Yesterday, she was handed over to the eldest son of Tian Zhang, the Supervisor of the Jinshan Dao Academy, as a concubine—two birds with one stone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True?” The blue-clad man turned sharply, eyes icy on Qian Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely true! I swear on my life!” Qian Qi raised his hand in oath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are their addresses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Qi gave more names. When he finished, he bowed and smiled ingratiatingly. “Great hero, I’ve told you enough, right?” In the next instant, the blue-clad man flicked his finger—a streak of starlight shot into Qian Qi’s skull, instantly shattering it into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not enough. So you can’t live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the blue-clad man muttered as if to himself, then cursed: “How the hell do these bastards run this city? Every last one of them is filth—doing things more evil than I, the true demon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, his figure dissolved into the darkness and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he’d never been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I must go see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, they just mentioned Jiang Er.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the gangsters’ courtyard in the west wharf warehouse alley, Xu Jin grew more and more uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would a wharf thug suddenly care about his sister, Xu Jiang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What good could come of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Xu Dajiang’s heart tightened. Within the city, things were safer—but outside, these thugs had committed countless acts of rape and abuse, especially against outsiders and childless families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Xu Family Village has plenty of strong young men. Common bandits wouldn’t dare enter. It should be fine, right?” Xu Dajiang hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, go ahead and wait for me somewhere quiet. I’ll eavesdrop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Father—has Deng Hu ever cultivated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had, even eavesdropping would require extreme caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He cultivates? Pfft. If he’d succeeded in gaining a Star Point, would he still need those thugs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jin, don’t be reckless. Deng Hu and his men have killed several people—they’re vicious. No, I’m coming with you to eavesdrop. Let’s see what trick they’re playing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, I’ve succeeded in gaining a Star Point—I’m at the First Layer of Consuming Mist. My body is as light as a swallow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words finally convinced his father. Watching Xu Dajiang head off to find a quiet spot, Xu Jin turned back toward the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky had just darkened. Several thugs were gathered, drinking and laughing—used to their arrogance, they were completely unguarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin crept into the courtyard and crouched beneath the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he crouched than his expression changed—Deng Hu and the others were talking about his sister, Jiang Er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Xu got lucky. Didn’t expect him to pay back so fast. I lent him money only because his daughter was pretty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a pity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he hadn’t paid, then father’s debt, daughter’s repayment—perfectly natural. If Xu Family Village tried to stop me, I’d still be in the right!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who dares to block me? I’ll smash the IOU right in his face and make him bleed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With alcohol fumes spewing from his mouth, Deng Hu spoke in disjointed, half-hearted bursts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right—that girl, so beautiful and fresh! Back then, I even thought about getting a sip of the broth from the boss.” The scar-faced thug’s voice dripped with lewdness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin listened, but breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These ruffians were evil, but still held back out of caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I eat meat, do you think I won’t let you drink the broth?” Deng Hu laughed. “Ah, but it’s such a pity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, we can still get our share.” Xu Jin, who had been about to leave, heard this and crouched down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you thinking of forcing it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should know, our county guards are sloppy, but those Dao Academy disciples often get involved in hunting down murderers and bandits—they’re anything but sloppy,” Deng Hu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why Deng Hu dared not act violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as a victim complains and draws the Dao Academy disciples out, trouble follows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, I know, but you’ve forgotten—there’s been a surge of demonic activity lately,” the scar-faced man said coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? You mean—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the county city launched its large-scale sweep for demons a few days ago, demonic traces have multiplied. On average, three or four demonic crimes happen every day. The county guards and government office are overwhelmed, and even the Dao Academy disciples have started moving in pairs—they dare not act alone anymore,” the scar-faced man sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three or four a day? These demons have balls of steel!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s even an understatement. My friend says the coroners are running themselves ragged—many cases are just hastily logged and then ignored.” The scar-faced man chuckled strangely, leaving Deng Hu baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Deng Hu could explode, the scar-faced man said, “Boss, at the East City docks, One-Eyed Wolf Qian Qi has already carried out two jobs in just a few days—but the government office ruled them all demonic acts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean… we could too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the wine table, the scar-faced man nodded with a sinister grin. Deng Hu glanced at the other thugs, and all four understood, smirking darkly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu rubbed his hands. “Old Xu’s body isn’t weak, but the key is his son—he succeeded in Dotting the Stars. Even if it took him eighty-three days, he’s got little future ahead, but if he makes a fuss, it could get messy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, how many outer-disciples have vanished from the Dao Academies over the years? Remember that Sun guy from Tianyang Branch who Dotting the Stars on day sixty-seven? Wasn’t he also—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Deng Hu’s icy glare silenced him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if what you say is true—demonic chaos is rampant, the county guards are swamped—it’s our chance. We can strike and make a fortune. I’ve seen Old Xu’s satchel—it’s packed with valuables.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, how about tonight? We’ve been to Xu Family Village before—we know the way. With our skills, we can send them all to heaven in their sleep. Then that little girl—” the scar-faced man sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Deng Hu’s blood boiled. His eyes turned cold. “Gather the tools. In an hour, we move. By the time we arrive, they’ll be sound asleep! And that Dotting-the-Stars boy—he looks young. I’ll take his heart’s blood to bolster my yang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Big Brother. And the girl—” the scar-faced man grinned again, wickedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for bolstering yang—it was Boss Deng’s own claim: he said he finished too quickly, and that young heart’s blood was a powerful tonic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—everyone gets a share!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the five men’s vicious plotting, Xu Jin clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed himself for his low cultivation—if he were at the second or even third level of Meal the Mist, he’d storm in and slaughter them all now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So evil!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The loan with exorbitant interest? Paid back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they schemed to take his sister. Now they want to wipe out his whole family, steal his heart’s blood to bolster yang, and pin it all on demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They mean to exterminate his entire household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who’s the real demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute madness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s heart pounded uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm down, calm down!” Xu Jin took deep breaths, forcing his mind to steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Xu Jin eavesdropped, he didn’t notice a shadow had appeared on the roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in blue robes sat cross-legged atop the roof, arms crossed, barely visible beneath the starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-robed man had heard the conversation inside—and spotted Xu Jin. A wry smile curled on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Qian fellow cheated me, but to witness a show like this? Tonight’s been worth it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see if this boy is a coward, a fool, or a hero!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2316,"2026-06-19T23:56:29.689Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5859b454ca030d8a14b6a5480dc7177284685677766ea35f698641b5f2dd601c","the-star-martial-era-chapter-23","the-star-martial-era-chapter-21",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-star-martial-era-cover.jpg"]