A statement that stopped the room.

Even Chen Qiankun's expression had gone slightly cold.

Zhang Hengzhou had already caused considerable harm to Linjiang Prefecture — and now the person he'd recommended was being described as another Zhang Hengzhou. One more step and they'd be pointing a finger at him for being a blind old fool.

And yet the old general said nothing in rebuttal.

Because he had nothing to say. He couldn't argue on behalf of someone he'd only met twice.

Besides — the reason he'd raised this at all, beyond wanting to show off his judgment, was that someone else had already provided a guarantee.

Aqian settled back in her seat.

This was either left alone and not raised — given Qingzhou's situation, if a powerful practitioner was willing to help, did the manner of their growth really matter — or once the window was opened, it couldn't be ignored.

She asked with minimal interest: "Evidence?"

"No evidence. But he grew too quickly."

"That's a joke — at minimum there should be a reason." Aqian shook her head with open contempt. "Even the White Deer died at his hands. And you think he's a major demon? What's his goal?"

"His goal?" The Yangyang Prefecture General wasn't intimidated by a gold-bell demon-hunter. His gaze was flat. "Gaining the Division's trust. At the moment when the General and the Howling Moon Demon King are in direct confrontation — moving close to the General's side and landing a decisive blow. Who here is prepared to bear that consequence?"

He let the gaze travel around the room. His voice was cold.

"I'd genuinely like to know — which of you will accept that responsibility."

Lin Baixi had entirely lost the thread of what the Demon Suppression Generals were discussing. She'd only wanted to recommend Shen Yi to her teacher — and in the space of a few sentences, he'd gone from acting General to a major demon capable of threatening her teacher's life.

Into the silence—

A cool, quiet voice from the first seat on the left.

"I will."

Jiang Qiulan, in the…