I Can Merge Techniques

"With such irrefutable evidence, there is no reason for our Demon Suppression Bureau to delay any further."

"Passive defense has never been the Demon Suppression Bureau’s style."

"Although the events at Burial Immortal Valley remain shrouded in mystery and many details are yet to be clarified, we can no longer delay in rooting out the cancerous tumor that is the Zhang Family."

"And the first step of this operation is to clip their wings and pull their fangs!"

The group of Demon Suppression Captains nodded slightly.

Many of them couldn’t help but glance over at Chu Fan.

If not for Chu Fan, the Demon Suppression Bureau would still be in the dark about the Zhang Family’s true nature!

At that moment, Li Mubai slowly unrolled a leather map across the long table. It gave off a faint, soft glow.

The map was made of a peculiar material, seemingly refined from the hide of an Exotic Beast. The lines upon it flowed slowly as if alive, clearly delineating a landscape that was strange, treacherous, and filled with hidden dangers.

"This is a detailed topographical map of the Burial Demon Marsh, north of Qing Province."

Li Mubai’s finger tapped the darkest region on the map as he said grimly, "In ancient times, a Demon God was slain and executed on this very spot."

"Its colossal demonic corpse, along with its boundless resentment, sank into the marsh’s depths. Over the long years, that region was transformed into a blighted, demonic land where all life was extinguished and not a single blade of grass could grow."

"A poisonous miasma perpetually hangs in the air, evil spirits and monsters abound, and countless venomous creatures and savage beasts have made it their lair. It is truly a Desolate Land that the living should avoid at all costs."

His fingertip slowly traced over a region marked with a crimson skull, his tone growing even more solemn. "The vile and vicious Blood Shadow Sect is entrenched in the heart of this place."

"This sect’s methods are secretive and vicious, their cruelty is unparalleled. They specialize in refining blood from living people and have committed countless atrocities."

"The Bureau has organized three large-scale extermination campaigns against them. However, they always managed to escape with ease, making them impossible to eradicate. They take advantage of the Burial Demon Marsh’s unique terrain, as well as a strange miasma that corrodes Spiritual Mechanism and blocks Spiritual Perception."

Chu Fan’s expression shifted as he caught the key implication. He blurted out, "Lord Li, this Blood Shadow Sect... could it be intricately connected to the Zhang Family?"

A flash of approval appeared in Li Mubai’s eyes as he slowly nodded. "That’s right."

"Our Demon Suppression Bureau has been investigating in secret for many years. We’ve long confirmed that the true identity of the Blood Shadow Sect’s Sect Leader is Zhang Lie, a core member of the Zhang Family. He has always remained hidden behind the scenes, his disguise so perfect that his tracks have never been exposed."

"In the past, the Zhang Family only used the Blood Shadow Sect to handle their dirty work, things that couldn’t see the light of day. They acted with a degree of restraint and never truly crossed the Demon Suppression Bureau’s line."

"But times have changed! Now that we’ve confirmed the Zhang Family is colluding with traitors like the Moon Worship Sect and secretly controls an evil force like the Blood Shadow Sect, we have no reason to hold back. We must find a pretext to pull this cancerous tumor out by the roots and eliminate this threat for good!"

Li Mubai’s tone grew heavy, tinged with a mix of helplessness and gravity. "However, Lord Leng must currently remain at headquarters to keep a close watch on the main Zhang Family household’s every move...

"Various parts of Qing Province have also been experiencing recent stirrings from the Demon Dao, requiring us to dispatch many Demon Suppression Captains and Guards as reinforcements. As a result, our manpower at the Bureau is stretched thin, and it’s difficult to spare too many powerful experts."

His gaze fell upon Chu Fan once more, filled with admiration and trust. "Chu Fan, although you are only a Demon Suppression Guard by rank, your power—especially your mastery of the Sword Dao—is no less than that of any Captain present. In fact, you may even surpass them."

"This operation to eliminate the Blood Shadow Sect is of the utmost importance, and we need to rely on your strength."

Upon hearing this, Chu Fan rose without hesitation, cupped his fist, and declared in a solemn voice, "As your subordinate and a Demon Suppression Guard, I am paid to serve and share my lord’s burdens. Slaying demons, vanquishing evil, and protecting the peace of our land is my inherent duty. I will not shrink from this responsibility!"

"Please give the order, Captain. When do we strike, and what is the plan of action?"

Seeing him so decisive and resolute, with no hint of shirking his duty, the seated Demon Suppression Captains all nodded slightly, their eyes showing approval. ’This young man’s not only powerful,’ they thought, ’but his character is remarkably steady as well.’

A gratified smile spread across Li Mubai’s face. "Excellent! Just as I’d hoped! The team has already been chosen. They are all elites."

"What you need to do now is commit this map of the Burial Demon Marsh to memory. Every landmark, every path, every detail must be burned into your mind, without the slightest omission."

"Where the lethal dead zones are, where the miasma is thickest and most toxic, where the Blood Shadow Sect’s hidden strongholds might be, and which secret escape routes they might use—you must know all of this by heart, down to the last detail."

Chu Fan nodded firmly. Without another word, he leaned over the table and began to study the map with his full concentration.

Li Mubai stood by his side, patiently explaining the many treacherous locations and forbidden zones on the map. He also detailed the patterns of the Blood Shadow Sect’s activity that the Demon Suppression Bureau had uncovered over the years.

Chu Fan’s gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, his Mental Power highly focused. He seared the complex, treacherous map and every one of Li Mubai’s warnings deep into his mind, not daring to let his focus waver for an instant.

After a long while, he slowly straightened up. A flash of confident assurance appeared in his eyes. "Lord Li, I’ve memorized the map. There will be no mistakes."

The Demon Suppression Captains were taken aback once again. They hadn’t expected Chu Fan’s memory to be so powerful that he could memorize everything in such a short amount of time.

"Very good."

Li Mubai put the map away, satisfied. He instructed, "Go back and prepare. Get yourself into peak condition."

"In three days, at dawn, we will assemble here. Then we march on the Burial Demon Marsh and will wipe out the Blood Shadow Sect in one fell swoop!"

"Yes, sir!"

Chu Fan cupped his fist in acceptance of the order. He did not linger, turning and striding away to return to the Seven Stars Gang’s lodgings.

...

The night was as black as ink, and a profound silence reigned.

Only the occasional chirp of insects outside the courtyard punctuated the silence, making the surroundings feel all the more tranquil.

In Chu Fan’s courtyard, a single candle flame flickered, casting his tall, solitary shadow onto the wall, imbuing the scene with a quiet stillness.