SWOOSH!

Gu Zheng put away the Divine Weapon Fragment, the Silkworm, the Red Abyss Blade, and the Demon Pill. He then took out the Wandering God Falcon Wings and equipped them.

His figure flickered and vanished, shooting away at extreme speed.

His target: the fleeing Luo Cheng!

WHOOSH—

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

A series of sonic booms echoed, the sharp sounds reverberating in all directions.

Luo Cheng, running ahead, was not the least bit slow.

In fact, his speed was on par with Gu Zheng’s.

He had clearly used an external item for a boost.

It was a speed-type treasure, similar to the Wandering God Falcon Wings.

Gu Zheng had seen the flash of wings with his own eyes a moment ago.

Now, in this chase, it was matching the speed of his Wandering God Falcon Wings.

No wonder Luo Cheng dared to rush into the passage and enter the Demon Realm’s territory.

With this kind of speed-type treasure, as long as he was vigilant, escape wouldn’t be a problem.

Of course, it was still far inferior to the boost Gu Zheng received from his Fearless Hero Equipment’s effect.

Gu Zheng could fight in close quarters, unafraid of the pressure from a third-rank Great Demon.

Whether it was an early-stage or late-stage third-rank demon.

Luo Cheng could only flee.

Even now that he had broken through to the Heroic Body Realm, he would still have to run if he encountered a late-stage third-rank Great Demon.

SWOOSH!

WHOOSH—!

A dull roar propagated through the air.

Waves of air slowly dispersed.

BOOM!

Gu Zheng suddenly unleashed his Divine Wondrous power, boosting his speed and doubling it.

BANG—!

Luo Cheng, up ahead, sensed it and also burst into a sprint, increasing his speed to escape even faster.

Gu Zheng, in pursuit, was just a little bit behind.

This small gap might not have made a difference for someone in the Alien Body Realm.

But the higher one’s realm, the harder it was to close such a gap.

Luo Cheng was in the Heroic Body Realm.

Gu Zheng was also a Heroic Body.

This tiny difference couldn’t be overcome in a short time.

It could only be a battle of attrition.

A test of who had deeper and more abundant reserves.

At a time like this, if one could draw upon the Power of Heaven and Earth to enhance themselves, closing the gap would be much simpler.

However, Luo Cheng had just broken through to the Heroic Body realm and hadn’t had time to comprehend the heavens and earth.

And Gu Zheng had been busy drawing lightning into his body, so he hadn’t comprehended it either.

As a result, neither could pull away from the other, and other techniques were useless.

For example, unleashing the Sealing Sword Talisman could certainly severely injure or even kill Luo Cheng, but unsealing it now would be a waste, as it wouldn’t be able to hit him.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

WHOOSH—

Sonic booms echoed one after another.

In this chase, the two returned to the passage.

WHOOSH!

Luo Cheng was the first to tear through the passage, kicking up a powerful gust of wind.

Huang Hongyuan, who was guarding the entrance, was instantly horrified, sensing only an afterimage enter the passage and vanish in a flash.

"Oh no, another third-rank...!"

"It’s not a third-rank Demon Fiend, it’s Luo Cheng," Gu Zheng’s voice echoed from within the passage.

His figure, moving at extreme speed, also vanished in a flash.

"Luo Cheng?"

Huang Hongyuan was stunned. ’The one in front is Luo Cheng, and the one behind is Gu Zheng? What are those two doing? What’s the rush?’

No, that’s not right!

Suddenly, Huang Hongyuan recalled the auras he had just sensed.

’The fleeing Luo Cheng’s aura seemed a bit chaotic? He looked battered?’

’He’s running away?’

’And Gu Zheng is chasing him?’

’Gu Zheng is hunting Luo Cheng!?’

Huang Hongyuan’s body trembled violently, and he drew in a sharp, cold breath.

’What happened?’

’Gu Zheng hunting Luo Cheng... this is a huge deal.’

...

SWOOSH!

WHOOSH—

After exiting the passage, they continued to fly, fleeing at top speed.

Luo Cheng fled in front while Gu Zheng pursued from behind.

One after the other, they weaved through the mountains.

They quickly passed through the Celestial Thunder Mountain Range without stopping for even a moment.

Luo Cheng, in particular, deliberately avoided places like Thunder Peak and Thunder Gathering Valley.

Once out of the mountain range, he headed straight west, charging toward the Capital City at top speed. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Gu Zheng followed close behind.

BOOM!

RUMBLE—!

Sonic booms shook the void, the explosive sounds rolling out like muffled thunder.

Luo Cheng burst into a sprint, boosting his speed.

He swallowed a Blast Pill, doubling his speed once again.

Gu Zheng used the Demon Technique, Wind Manipulation, then boosted himself with another sprint to stick close to Luo Cheng.

He gave him no chance to shake him off.

One pursued, one fled.

Finally, Luo Cheng escaped into the Capital City.

After entering, his speed suddenly slowed.

SWISH!

Gu Zheng slashed out with his blade, the edge splitting into thousands of copies that surrounded Luo Cheng.

CLANG CLANG CLANG—

BOOM! BOOM!

Dull explosions, accompanied by the ringing of metal on metal, echoed through the air.

Shockwaves and Powerful Qi spread out, affecting the buildings below and destroying a large area.

On the streets, gasps and screams erupted as the panicked crowd scattered and fled.

Gu Zheng took it all in, his gaze darkening.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he blocked the blades. Luo Cheng was enveloped in a bone-chilling cold, his icy eyes flickering rapidly. He didn’t flee again, but instead began circling on the spot.

SWOOSH!

SWOOSH—

The sound of something slicing through the air at extreme speed suddenly approached.

A total of five figures rushed out from all directions, arriving in front of Gu Zheng and Luo Cheng and separating them.

"Stop!"

The burly man in the lead, wearing armor, barked with a dark face, "Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble in the Royal Capital? Are you trying to get into the Celestial Prison... huh? Luo Cheng... Lord Luo?"

The man recognized Luo Cheng and said in surprise, "Lord Luo, what are you...?"

"Lord Gu!"

A man in his thirties to the side also cried out in alarm, recognizing Gu Zheng.

"Lord Gu, Lord Luo, what are you two...?"

"What Lord Gu?" The burly man frowned. "You know them?"

"Replying to Lord Yue, these two are both Grand Generals of our Demon Slayer Bureau, Gu Zheng and Luo Cheng," the man in his thirties explained.

"Gu Zheng, Luo Cheng? The Seven Demon Slayers?"

Yue Zhongshi’s eyes narrowed. He scanned Gu Zheng, then looked at Luo Cheng and frowned. "What do you think you’re doing? You’re both Demon-slaying Grand Generals, yet you’re causing trouble and fighting. Don’t you know that the Third Prince’s wedding is just around the corner, and all fighting is forbidden within the Royal Capital City?"

Luo Cheng’s face was cold and impassive; he didn’t respond.

Gu Zheng said coolly, "I’m not fighting. I’m killing someone."

"Killing someone? Who?" Yue Zhongshi’s expression darkened. "You want to kill Luo Cheng?"

"That’s right." Gu Zheng glanced at him. "Are you going to stop me?"

"I..."

He had been about to blurt out a "yes," but upon meeting Gu Zheng’s gaze, the words died on Yue Zhongshi’s lips, and he swallowed them back down.

’Killing intent!’

The undisguised killing intent in Gu Zheng’s eyes was a rude awakening.

’This isn’t a joke!’

It was true that Yue Zhongshi was in the Heroic Body Realm, but he was no relative of Luo Cheng’s, nor did they have any connection.

’Only an idiot would stick his neck out for Luo Cheng!’

"...Who you want to kill has nothing to do with me."

Yue Zhongshi’s face was taut as he said in a deep voice, "But you are not allowed to kill in the city. The Sovereign has ordered that all fighting and killing within the city are forbidden! No one may violate this rule. The Observatory has the authority to execute violators on the spot and report it later, or arrest them and throw them in the Celestial Prison!"

"I may not be as strong as Lord Gu, but my Observatory has its own experts. If you don’t believe me, Lord Gu, you’re welcome to try!"

"..." Gu Zheng ignored him and turned to Luo Cheng, speaking coldly. "Is this why you fled back to the Capital City?"

Luo Cheng’s expression was frosty; he did not respond.

"Fine."

Gu Zheng said coolly, "Then stay in the city. Don’t ever come out."

With that, he turned and descended toward the ground.

Yue Zhongshi discreetly let out a sigh of relief.

If Gu Zheng had truly been reckless enough to violate the prohibition and kill Luo Cheng, then he would have had to intervene.

And once a fight broke out, a full-blown battle would destroy buildings and kill commoners, leading to endless future trouble.

Yue Zhongshi’s own troubles would have been considerable as well.

’Thank goodness, thank goodness Gu Zheng hasn’t lost his mind.’

Thinking of this, Yue Zhongshi actually felt a little grateful to Gu Zheng. However, he showed no sign of it on his face as he turned to Luo Cheng and asked, "Lord Luo, what was that all about...?"

SWOOSH!

Luo Cheng ignored him, turning and diving toward the ground, then darting off in another direction.

"Pah—"

Behind Yue Zhongshi, a man couldn’t help but spit. He said irritably, "What’s with these people? No wonder he was being hunted down."

"Speaking of which, with both of them being from the Seven Demon Slayers, Gu Zheng hunting Luo Cheng... now this is going to be a good show."

"Right? I wonder how Luo Cheng managed to piss off Gu Zheng?"

"..."

The few of them started gossiping.

Even the man in his thirties from the Demon Slayer Bureau who had spoken earlier was filled with curiosity.

It was just too sensational.

’Gu Zheng is hunting Luo Cheng?’

’Just thinking about it is exciting. It’s unbelievable.’

"Luo Cheng’s master is the Commander of the Demon Slayer Bureau in Guangzhou, and Gu Zheng seems to have two peak Heroic Body Realm masters as well."

"In terms of background, they’re about the same. In terms of realm, they both just recently broke through to Heroic Body."

"Judging from the chase all the way to the Royal Capital, with them slowing down, it seems neither can do anything to the other."

"However, the fact that Luo Cheng was fleeing clearly means he’s no match for Gu Zheng!"

One only flees when outmatched.

If he could win, or even fight to a draw, why would he need to run?

...

Gu Zheng wants to kill Luo Cheng!

The news was too explosive.

In just a quarter of an hour, it spread throughout all the major powers in the Royal Capital.

The Observatory, the Dragon Guard Bureau, the Divine Capture Bureau, the Demon Slayer Bureau, members of the royal family, high-ranking officials of the Cabinet...

And all the noble youths who had gathered in the Royal Capital.

Upon hearing the news, there were endless gasps of shock, bewilderment, and laughter.

Demon Slayer Bureau Headquarters.

Xu Jianzhu had just finished some official business when Elder Yang came jogging in, looking anxious.

"Sir, something has happened!"

"’Remain calm in the face of crisis.’ Isn’t that your motto, Elder Yang?" Xu Jianzhu looked up with a smile.

"My own affairs are one thing, but this matter involves our Demon Slayer Bureau!"

Elder Yang said quickly, "For some unknown reason, Gu Zheng is now hunting Luo Cheng all over the city! He’s only holding back from acting inside the city because of the Sovereign’s prohibition. He’s just waiting for Luo Cheng to leave."

"Gu Zheng is hunting Luo Cheng?"

The smile vanished from Xu Jianzhu’s face, and he frowned slightly. "What are they up to?"

Just as Elder Yang said, this was no small matter for the Demon Slayer Bureau!

Xu Jianzhu himself would especially lose face over this.

Because Gu Zheng and Luo Cheng were both young-generation experts from the Demon Slayer Bureau that he had personally promoted.

Both of them had broken through to the Heroic Body Realm.

The name of the Seven Demon Slayers was now known throughout the other seven kingdoms.

It was supposed to be a celebrated tale.

But now, this drama of internal strife had suddenly erupted, a public confrontation on the streets with one openly vowing to kill the other.

Wouldn’t this tarnish the Demon Slayer Bureau’s public image and make them a laughingstock?

"I don’t know."

Elder Yang was anxious. "I just sent people to find them. When we asked Luo Cheng, he wouldn’t say anything. When we asked Gu Zheng, he only said that Luo Cheng had to die. Those two are both stubborn as mules! Each one is more tight-lipped than the last!"

"Hmph."

Xu Jianzhu snorted coldly. "Then let them fight!"

"Huh?"

Elder Yang was taken aback and asked, confused, "Sir, are we really not going to intervene? After all, they are our Demon Slayer Bureau’s people, and part of the Seven Demon Slayers..."

"If we intervene, will they listen?" Xu Jianzhu retorted.

Elder Yang opened his mouth but said nothing more.

Because the answer was obvious.

They wouldn’t!