Chapter 70: Chapter 65: When the Dust Settles

Zhao Xun paid no attention to the chaotic scene but was pondering over what could instantly reveal the Inhaler. Was it the use of a Secret Treasure, a divine beast, or had a High-tier Bishop arrived?

Zhao Xun glanced at Matthew, seemingly implying that it was impossible, since Matthew didn’t have that capability. The Chief Bishop, sensing the gaze, remained calm as he formed a Half Moon Seal with his hands, then pointed at the two Inhalers. A red beam, like a living spirit snake, shot towards the Inhalers. The two Inhalers were entwined by the red beams, which caused intense burning at the points of restraint, preventing them from attacking others nearby.

The Night Patrol had already taken the opportunity to surround the two monsters. The Hex Demon-Sealing Spear fired upon the two clawing monsters. After the ammo was spent, they began a round of attacks under the captain’s lead. If it were a Licker, it wouldn’t be this troublesome, but even under the binding of the Spiritual Lock Chain, the Inhalers could still attack. Grotesque eyes and wide-open mouths let out chilling howls, but no matter how their muscles swelled and struggled, they couldn’t break free from the Spiritual Lock Chain.

The Chief Bishop’s calmness gave everyone confidence, and even the ordinary people gradually calmed down their fears.

This was the power of one of the Seven Gods—the Moon God, the nemesis of the Fallen. The Inhalers were absolutely unable to completely escape. At this moment, the frightened council members looked at the Church with apprehension and dread instead of the previous arrogance.

The expressions of the people shifted from fear to anger at the monsters, because with Matthew and Luo Jin present, along with the Night Patrol and the Knight Order, the monsters couldn’t escape. It was a reckoning!

In critical moments, reliance on the Church was essential. Who would have thought that there was a Fallen among them? Everyone broke into a cold sweat, while in the center, Luo Jin was already battling the fully transformed Montreal Inhaler. Unlike the other two Inhalers, Montreal was much larger, suggesting a longer period of hiding and deeper corruption.

Although transformed into an Inhaler, Montreal’s consciousness was incredibly clear, even calmer than Philmy in the past. His fighting style did not overly depend on the instincts of an Inhaler, as some traits and cunning from his time as a human remained in Montreal’s movements.

The scale of their battle was nothing like that of the two immature Inhalers that were dealt with. Under the cover of the Night Patrol and the city guards, council members and jurors orderly evacuated; the battle was entirely under control. The Chief Bishop, the Mayor, and the three Counts stayed behind, along with their attendants.

Luo Jin, the top expert of the Night Patrol, had a wealth of experience in dealing with Fallen Creatures and had captured Philmy cleanly. But the Montreal in front of him was unusually powerful, with strength and physique reaching a terrifying degree. The customized Demon-slaying Saber almost had no effect when slashed at him. Only with full force could it cut through, but it would quickly heal. Montreal had already knocked Luo Jin back several times.

Montreal was merely stalling Luo Jin, observing the surroundings. The most troublesome was the Chief Bishop; the other minor threats couldn’t contain him. He was looking for an angle to escape.

On the rooftop of City Hall, Li Xin was observing the battle below. Luo Jin was somewhat on the defensive, but according to his judgment, it shouldn’t be like this. Old Luo still had some tricks up his sleeve, unless he was waiting for something.

The Chief Bishop also didn’t strike immediately. The top figures of the Celestial Capital present looked solemn but very determined. Zhao Xun’s face betrayed nothing. This incident was a major blow to his faction but not enough to inflict great harm. He was contemplating who would fill the void that Montreal left behind.

Montreal opened his mouth full of fangs, letting out a sharp scream. The sonic wave blasted, flipping all the tables and chairs in City Hall. The Chief Bishop made hand signs, and with the spreading of red light, a red net enveloped the battlefield. Montreal stepped back and, upon touching the red net, was repelled as if electrocuted, his body immediately corroded with incurable injuries.

Montreal’s body rolled, the muscles writhing grotesquely while eye after eye surfaced, with the Power of Corruption emanating stronger from him. Yet, it was evident that he feared the Chief Bishop. At this moment, Luo Jin’s Demon-slaying Saber descended; Montreal’s claw seized it like lightning. The black aura and Spiritual Ability made sizzling sounds upon contact, a drain on both sides. Luo Jin’s face remained unchanged; a flick of his saber blade sent Montreal’s massive body weightlessly sprawling. After tumbling, Montreal swiftly pounced, his body erupting with dark green liquid. Nearby city guards were sprayed and screamed as they clawed at their own flesh, while the Night Patrol, more experienced, wielded shields to block. Occasionally, someone got splattered, but they would unhesitatingly slice off flesh where it landed.

The scene turned gruesome in an instant, others’ faces turned pale, retreating en masse. Meanwhile, Montreal found an opening to escape Luo Jin’s entanglement and lunged at Zhao Xun. Given the current situation, to escape, he needed a hostage of importance.

The Chief Bishop was ruled out—not a viable hostage. The Mayor was also ruled out, as a change in office was upcoming. Granfield, as the Knight Order’s Captain, had unfathomable strength. Count Locknan was positioned behind the Chief Bishop, leaving only Zhao Xun. All that was needed was a mutual understanding.

The sudden change seemed to catch everyone off guard. As Montreal instantly closed the distance with his claws aimed at Zhao Xun, two bodyguards immediately intervened to protect their master, unleashing Spiritual Ability against Montreal. But Montreal didn’t care, hacking away. Only Matthew could deliver a fatal wound. His enormous form overshadowed Zhao Xun, the bodyguards’ longswords pierced into Montreal, but were quickly caught and corroded.

Everyone was stunned. If a precious member of the Upper House of the Kingdom, a noble Count, was to meet his end in City Hall, all present would be hard-pressed to escape blame, starting with the Chief Bishop.

But with a harrowing scream, Montreal’s massive, ugly body convulsed violently, a strong beam penetrated through, creating a huge breach—his body thoroughly shot through.

The powerful Spiritual Energy Aggregation Beam was undoubtedly the most lethal attack against the Fallen. As Zhao Xun struck, his two guards relentlessly attacked Montreal, the two Spiritual Ability-infused longswords madly piercing Montreal’s head. In seconds, it was minced into a pulp, and the Abyssal Worm parasitizing inside Montreal had been accurately destroyed by Zhao Xun’s strike.

Montreal was effectively done for; once the Abyssal Worm was lost, the body rapidly mutated, swelling, and before everyone’s eyes, exploded into a pile of flesh, while Zhao Xun’s two guards shielded him, blocking all the blood and flesh.

Zhao Xun took out a clean golden silk handkerchief, wiped the dirt, and casually threw it on the debris on the ground. “Chief Bishop, your investigative experience is indeed quite abundant, but your practical ability is somewhat lacking and needs diligent practice.”

Matthew smiled, “Count, your skills are truly impressive. I am in awe.”

“Likewise.” Zhao Xun responded with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes.

The most critical person was silenced.

Next was to treat the wounded and clean the battlefield. Luo Jin returned to the Chief Bishop’s side, but neither seemed particularly pleased.

Li Xin watched a good show from above. He had been observing the changes throughout the scene, especially Zhao Xun. In his judgment, the real target of this play might not be Montreal, but Zhao Xun!

The Chief Bishop and old Luo hadn’t exerted their full strength, which amounted to giving Montreal a chance.

And Zhao Xun indeed was quite “cooperative.” When the Chief Bishop activated the Spiritual Array, Zhao Xun gave Montreal a hint, one that Montreal understood immediately, realizing that breaking through meant going past Zhao Xun. If caught, the Church had ways of making Montreal suffer a fate worse than death, and he also feared the creature that had just screeched — the nemesis of abyssal monsters, a fear originating from the soul.

The Church’s methods against the Fallen could certainly cause them regret, and he understood that Zhao Xun knew too much, making Zhao Xun the most supportive of his escape.

Montreal hadn’t ruled out the possibility of the other party wanting to silence him, but he trusted his own strength. Apart from the Chief Bishop, no one could defeat him, and even the Chief Bishop would have to exert some effort. His vigilance towards Zhao Xun wasn’t that high; he even thought of extorting some compensation from Zhao Xun after escaping. He wanted to start over in a new place.

Unfortunately, in the end, Zhao Xun silenced him.

The matter had concluded, Li Xin glanced back, huh?

The fish was eaten clean, the fishbones neatly arranged, and the bird… the eagle was gone.

Li Xin had planned to express his gratitude, unsure of what means old Luo had used, but the Feathered Eagle must have helped. Better to thank Miss Aries later.

Birds cannot be judged by their appearance.

Back among the crowd, Lu Shuai seemed particularly excited. It had been too thrilling, and he could show off in front of beautiful ladies for the next few days, although he was slightly annoyed that Zhao Xun stole the limelight, making Zhao Qing appear even more arrogant.

At what level had Zhao Xun reached to possess such combat strength? The Upper House members were terrifyingly powerful, the deep foundation of old nobility was indeed unfathomable.

Fei Ruolin, Nan Kai, and others were also stunned. Who would have thought the stern and formal Count Zhao had such composure and methods? When they looked at Zhao Qing, they suddenly didn’t find Zhao Qing as proud and arrogant as before, as he indeed had the capabilities.

“Ah Xin, where did you go? You missed the most exciting part.” Lu Shuai couldn’t help but ask.

“Stomach wasn’t feeling well.” Li Xin said with a smile, while Luo Xue glanced at Li Xin, not believing a word he said.

This incident was indeed significant and would inevitably cause a sensation in the Celestial Capital. The Montreal Clan was surely going to be thoroughly investigated and their properties confiscated, and their related family members wouldn’t escape either. If Philmy was a personal issue, Philmy and Montreal together were unquestionably a syndicate.

The matters concerning the two other members were directly suppressed and handed over to the Night Patrol for a secret investigation, but it was a pity that Zhao Xun was suspected of silencing someone. Still, such suspicion couldn’t be spoken of because, under such circumstances, everyone had to counterattack with full force. Nominally, he was entirely meritorious, untouchable, not even something to write about.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep